Week 53 ~ Guess Who Got Sick Again:WVU

Elder Vester was under the weather this past week, but seems to be doing a bit better.  He seems to be doing pretty good. Here is his email & some pictures.

 

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So, yup. I managed to get sick, again. I caught it somewhere on Tuesday, and it hit me pretty hard Wednesday. we returned early Wednesday, and I stayed home all day Thursday, and a part of Friday. So, needless to say I have very little to report for this week. Sorry yall!

So, apparently Lady Gaga  has a new song? I believe it is called applause or something of the sorts. It's been played quite loudly for the last week in cars passing by. I'm not sure what that's all about, because Lady Gaga is not that popular here. (More rap and whatnot is popular here.) but I'm not complaining. :D

Anywho. I know this church is true. That's been confirmed to me a lot this week. I'm so grateful for the church, and the chance I have to change and become better every day. <3 Jesus loves us, and that's all that matters.

Until next week!

Elder Vester

 

 

Brazilian crunchbars are superior to American ones. Hands down

We went and saw the catholic sanctuary this week. :D It's very pretty, but utterly void of the holey ghost.

We visited the catholic sanctuary here. It's super old, and very pretty.

We went to pizza rodizio again! :D Yes

This is Gilsara. I love her to no end. Behold how skinny and tan I am.

These animals are called Capibara, they live near lakes and rivers, much like beavers. They are HUGE.

 

Week 52 ~Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes: VWU

It has been 1 year (left on Sept 4 and entered the CTM on Sept 5th) since Elder Vester went in to the CTM (MTC)! I can't believe we made it. I think I can make it until he comes home now. I hope that the second year goes by as fast as the first!
Here is his email for this week.

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That's right.

I've waited more then 9 months to use this title in an email. I'm crazy. :D

But, that's nothing new. <3

So, hey all, it's been a year, I had this huge list of all the things I've done in the last year, (Like how many baptisms, how many lessons, and such and so forth) but I forgot to bring it with me, and it's better that this number remains a mystery~ oh hohoho.

So, this last year has been crazy. Only my journal has a full account of everything that has gone down; I do believe I have developed a memory problem, cuz I forget ridiculous amounts of information. I hope I get my brain back when I get back to the states, and everything goes back to English. English is such an easier language to speak. <3

I even heard that Japanese is easier then Portuguese. (In spoken form, written form, not so much,) So, I might hit that up when I get home. Who knows. lol

So, lets have a little insider with Elder Vester.

(I'm just going to talk about me for this email, because I'm beautiful like that, so, put up with it, ok?)

I'm very happy; I just am. <3 The mission has given me a new perspective on a lot of things. I'm growing and learning so much. I'm doing my best to correct the things I do wrong, and to be a more palatable person. xD Sadly, I still shove my foot in my mouth, like a lot. oops.

I've done a lot of changing in the last year. I've really come to understand just how important families are, and how grateful I am to be sealed to my family for all of time and eternity; Even if we are all crazy. <3

I've lots about 50 pounds, and managed to keep it off. :D I'm not sure where it came from, or where it went, but, I'm skinny and happy. :D

I've also grown to love coconut.

It's beautiful. :D

I've also grown to love this country, and its people. They are amazing, and I'm so grateful for the chance I had to get to know everyone I have. <3

Te-amo, todos!

And now a count down has began.

Lets make this last year go out with a bang.

HYAAAAAAAAAAAAA~

Also, someone should tell me how Catching Fire is. I'm super excited for that to come out, so I can buy a copy in Portuguese.

Yes

Com Amor

Élder Vester

This is little Brazilian Barbeque; Personally I love it. (This was R$10)

It rained pretty bad this week, and I came home like this a lot. lol (#1)

#2 - all wet!

And look! I've actually learned to clean up after myself. MILAGRE~

An abstract photo of me. :D

Making Coxinhas at Laíza's house. It was her birthday~

Directly after the other ward's baptism, there was a wedding. - cake and bonbons.

These little strange yellow things are a sweet local to Campos; It's nothing but egg and sugar. :D It was terrible.

Look at me~Not a lot has changed in the last year. lol

Week 51 ~ No news is OK news - VWU

Well I didn't post last week because Elder Vester was a bit under the weather, in more ways than one. He sent me a copy of the email he sent his Mission President so I will post part of it. He did manage to send me some pictures of the baptism. He computer connection was terrible and was having trouble sending pictures.

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This week has been a good one. We managed to baptize 1 of our dates, the other had to be cut. I'll tell you about the one we cut first.

His name is Felípe. He is (or was) the boyfriend of our recent convert, Laíza. They were all on track for marrage, and everything more. Felípe was our strongest date we had this week, and on tuesday night, we saw Laíza, and she began to tell us how she was not happy with Felipe, and wanted to go back to her ex-fiancé, Carlos. She told us that Felipe was "o leder da boca na penha." I believe that means he was a drug lord; And, Laíza told us he has killed people. So, sadly we had to cut him, totally. We then later saw Laíza on the back of Carlos's motorcycle on friday night. So, there's that.

I think this might be Valdir

Our other date, Valdir, was a hand-full.  Sunday, he told a member that he wanted to get baptitzed. We went there on sunday, and challenged him to be baptized. beleza. We went there on tuesday, had him unterviewed. Beleza. We then had 2 days we went there trying to visit him, both marked. and no luck. The next day, Elder Andreazza came to our area, we had lunch, and then stalked Valdir. We managed to get him into a lesson. We tried literally everything. We called the  zone leaders, and had them talk to him, we called the assistants, and had them talk to him. In the end, I don't know exactly what convinced him. But, he went to take a shower, and when he started getting dressed, he said "I need to be beautiful for my baptizim, what clothes should I use?" And so, we got him ready, took him to the church, and he baptized the same day. And was then confirmed on sunday.

Week 50 ~ Horrible Lan-house is Horrible. VUW

Well 2 more weeks and it will be 1 year, but who is counting. After almost a year Elder Vester says it's been a good week! Hooray!!! Jacob did get to send some photos.

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So, I actually had some really good photos to share with ya'll, but the internet here is so horrible, that I cant even attach photos. My eye is twitching, and all my patience is out the window. NOT EVEN THE SPACE BAR WORKS RIGHT. GAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH.

/calm

Anywho, this week was pretty good. Training a new missionary can be a little rough sometimes, but I feel like I am doing pretty well, ya know? But, I just keep on trucking.I know I'll be a better missionary, and a better companion when I leave this companionship, and Mendonça will be ready to be  train if needs be by next transfer.

(Oh my goodness this lanhouse is HORRIBLE.I can't even get into the portal to send an email to my Presidente.WHAT IS THIS I DON'T EVEN)

This week we don't have too much going on. Last night we contacted a referral. It's an older gentleman by the name of Valdir. He had been taught by the missionaries a while ago, and in the week of his baptism, something happened, and he decided he needed to wait longer. About 7months later, we show up. He told his neighbor that he is ready to be baptized. So last night, we went to this man's house, with his neighbor, who also happens to be a member. Valdir accepted Baptism without any problem, and we're going to prepare him for this Sunday.  But, that's really just it.

I love you all, and wish you all well. <3333333

tchau, e até mais!

<3 Élder Vester

 

Another visit to Mcdonalds. We're getting ready to go there again right now. :D

 

 

 

 

This Family is one of the kindest families in this Ward. I love them a lot, and they take good care of us. Th best lunches in the área come from this Family. And their daughter is hilarious.

My new haircut! Look at the way they cut my hairline. They shaved a part of my head to get that shape; I really love it. :D

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These are coxinhas. I'll learn how to make these for us when I get home.

<3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Week 49 ~ Another Transfer In Rio! :VWU

Not a long email but the highlight of Elder Vester's week was eating a McDonald's and the pictures to prove it.

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So, yup. <3 I get to stay  6 more weeks here in Rio. :D I'm ok with that.

I ALSO WENT TO McDONALD's THIS WEEK.

YES. 

IT WAS SO AMERICAN.

Accept for the fact that everyone was speaking Portuguese.

Also, the McDonald's in the states has a LOT more menu choices.

But, it's my first quarter ponder with cheese in like, a year.

<3

Also, our district, and Zone Leaders.

So, I don't have a lot to report for this week.

Laíza was confirmed, and we managed to get Isla, another girl we've been working with to get confirmed. Elder Mendonça and I both did our first confirmations together. #missionarymemories

This week we need to find some more people to teach. Sadly, I believe that Laíza's family is getting tired of us coming over all the time. They can only handle so much of this silly American. XD

But, all is well. 

I hope all is well for you guys at home. <3333 Ya'll are fantastic, and I look forward to letters tomorrow! <333 loves you.

Until next week. <3333

<333 ELDER VESTER WENT TO MCDONALD'S TODAYYYYYYYY

District GLORIA!

This is Amanda. She leaves to serve in São Paulo on Thursday. :D

Week 48 ~ WHAT IS THIS I DONT EVEN :VWU

Here is Elder Vester's email and we have pictures this week!

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Laìza,

Say hello to Laìza, and family.

She's my newest recent convert. <3 We're totally going to baptize her entire family.

Anywho. 

I am proud to say, I am a missionary now. The true test comes of a missionary when he is placed as senior, and to see if he baptizes or not.

Laìza, and family.

<3 And, I am amazingly happy to say, I am a missionary.

We had 14 investigators at church. <3 personal record.

And my heart is full. I am so happy.

All the pain, suffering, walking, and everything is worth it to help a soul come to Christ. <3 I love this feeling. It's why I'm here, and I can't get enough of it.

And what's more. I'm so happy to see how happy Elder Mendonça is. He's  been radiating the last 2 days.  I kinda forgot just how much joy can come when you really work hard, and that work pays off.

I can't even describe it. I love this work. The ups, are so very much worth the downs. I can hardly believe I am 11 months into the mission.

It's been an adventure. That's all I can say. <3

I love you all, and I love this work. <33333

I keep you in my prayers, and hope all is well.

Com Amor

Laìza

Elder Vester

Also, there is a pet shop we pass every every day, and they JUST GOT NEW PUPPY DOCKSHOUDSSSSSSS

<333333

Week 47 - GLOOORRRIIIIAAAAAAA :VWU

This is a short email this week and no pictures because Elder Vester was having camera problems.

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So, I had camera problems, and no photos this week.

This week has been a good week. We're going to have 2 baptisms this weekend they are very ready, and loved church last week. All our hard work is finally starting to pay off! Laíza, and Maicom are going to be an awesome addition to the ward, and I'm excited to see them progress in the ward. They accepted a baptismal date for the 5th of next month. (Next Sunday.)
My companion is really enjoying the mission. I'm so happy to see him excited about having baptisms. I remember what it was like to have my first baptism, and I'm so grateful to be able to see the joy missionary work brings, not only to the convert, but to the missionary as well. The area is wonderful, and I'm really loving it here. The ward is a little disorganized, and out LMA is very excited to help with the work. The bishop supports the work as well, so it's a nice change from Cachoeiro de itapimirim. 
I love this work, and I am so excited to help Laíza be a part of the Lord's restored Gospel. 

And, MISSÃO BRAZIL VITÓRIA É O MELHOR MISSÃO NO MUNDO!

<3

Love you all, and wish you the best.

Elder Vester