Elder Jason Allred
Brazil São Paulo South Mission
Rua Dr Luiz da Rocha Miranda, 159
8 Andar, Parque Jabaquara
04344-010 - São Paulo - SP
Brazil
Subject: Snow, nope!
We´ll, I was older than Elder Risenmay for just over a week before he had his 20th birthday as well. Now we´re both old. We´re halfway up the hill.
We have transfers a week from today, and then the new president will get here the weekend after. A week or so ago when we had our interviews, President gave us each a blessing. President Teixeira gave us all a goodbye hug last week at the end of zone conference. During conference, he let us do a question and answer session, in which he would answer the questions not as President Teixeira, but as Elder Teixeira the General Authority. I didn´t get a question in because of course everyone had a question that they wanted to ask, so it was kind of a rush to get your hand up. Some of the questions were really good, and I learned quite a bit.
Too bad President Teixeira got demoted to "Elder" Teixeira. Maybe to make him feel better, Sister Teixeira will let him be senior companion for a little bit.
Looks like winter is just about to set in here in São Paulo. It´s been getting a little cold - about 15C (59F). I´ve gotten too used to the heat. I don´t think I´ll survive when I have to come back to Rexburg Weather. (If you wanted to send a sweater, I wouldn´t be opposed). Everyone here thinks that my companion and I are crazing walking around without jackets. In Rexburg, 60F is definately still t-shirt weather. The Brazilians act as if it´s the end of the world and bundle up in probably every article of clothing they own.
It´s amazing. People here seem to be magic. We leave the house on a perfectly clear, sunny day. On the street, we pass people who are likewise dressed for a sunny day. Then out of nowhere, it´ll start to rain, and then pour. These same people magically produce an umbrella that they didn´t have earlier. If the rain stops, we walk down the road, and these same people are no longer dragging around any umbrella (I always knew that womens´ purses could hold more than you think). They can also grow more clothing on demand, because if it turns chilly, they´ll always have a sweater or something that they didn´t have before.
Another weird phenomenom is that cold weather helps people prepare for baptism. We tell them that if they pray about the Book of Mormon, they´ll get a "warm" feeling, and they get all excited. And when it´s cold, they suddenly seem to think that modesty is a good idea.
Here in Brazil, we can´t call the members by "Brother" or "Sister" followed by their last name. Half the people have the last name of "da Silva" or "dos Santos". We have to say "Brother" or "Sister" followed by their first name. If we didn´t, it would always be like that one time when Bishop Teucher called on Brother Smith to say the closing prayer, and no one knew which Brother Smith he was talking about. Also,over half the women have the first name of Maria, so we have to use their middle name. And Aparecida takes at least a 30% lead over all other female middle names. My companion said he could just imagine if they had The Price is Right here in Brazil. "Maria Aparecida da Silva come on down!" There would probably be over 20 women in the audience thinking it was their turn.
This Friday, we´re going to take Jersey and Kelly (a couple we´re teaching) down to the marriage office to set up a marriage date. They need to get married before they can get baptized. When we first started teaching them, he told us that he didn´t see the importance of marraige. We then taught him the Law of Chastity. The Spirit was really strong, and now he and his wife are making the first steps toward their opportunity in just over a year to be sealed. If I´m still on the mission when they get that far I can go to the temple and watch! Well, that might be getting a little ahead of myself. They still need to get baptized.
--Elder Allred
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
6-10-08
Elder Jason Allred
Brazil São Paulo South Mission
Rua Dr Luiz da Rocha Miranda, 159
8 Andar, Parque Jabaquara
04344-010 - São Paulo - SP
Brazil
Subject: We´re going to make Shepherd´s Pie!
Hello Everybody!
Hooray! Leila was baptized and confirmed! It was a very special experience. You could see the glow in her countenance as she made this special covenant with God.
Sunday, the day of her confirmation, was quite interesting. Leila ended up getting to church quite late because she couldn´t get her sisters out the door. She got to the church about 9:20 (the meeting starts at 9). When she arrived she was practically running. Elder Risenmay and I got really worried when she met us outside the chapel almost in tears. We thought that something bad must have happened. It turns out that she was just really worried about getting there on time, so she got all stressed out when she arrived late. She had thought that she had missed her chance to be confirmed that day and receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost. We explained that the confirmation could still happen at the very end of sacrament meeting. She immediately looked very relieved/excited. She had chosen the bishop´s second counselor, Marcelo, to confirm her. During the confirmation at the end of the meeting, we could really feel the spirit. Overall, everything worked out and it was a very special day.
I´m pretty sure I´m going to be transfered in two weeks because I´ve been here since January, but I´m trying to do all I can to "leave the area better" than when I found it. We´re finding so many wonderful families to teach, and we´re working with the Ward Mission Leader to set up a new Ward Mission Plan so that we can involve the members more in the work. The best people to teach are always the family and friends of the members. For example, last night we taught Rosimeire (a less-active member) and Raíça (her non-member daugher), in the home of Celso and Cleide (Rosimeire´s cousin). As Preach My Gospel says, this gives the investigator an "automatic support system" to resolve concerns and receive help when the missionaries aren´t arround.
(Right now, I´m downloading Preach My Gospel in Audio from the church´s website so I can listen to it while doing dishes and stuff.)
"No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing."
-J. S. Jr.
--
Elder Jason Morgan Allred
Brazil São Paulo South Mission
Rua Dr Luiz da Rocha Miranda, 159
8 Andar, Parque Jabaquara
04344-010 - São Paulo - SP
Brazil
Subject: We´re going to make Shepherd´s Pie!
Hello Everybody!
Hooray! Leila was baptized and confirmed! It was a very special experience. You could see the glow in her countenance as she made this special covenant with God.
Sunday, the day of her confirmation, was quite interesting. Leila ended up getting to church quite late because she couldn´t get her sisters out the door. She got to the church about 9:20 (the meeting starts at 9). When she arrived she was practically running. Elder Risenmay and I got really worried when she met us outside the chapel almost in tears. We thought that something bad must have happened. It turns out that she was just really worried about getting there on time, so she got all stressed out when she arrived late. She had thought that she had missed her chance to be confirmed that day and receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost. We explained that the confirmation could still happen at the very end of sacrament meeting. She immediately looked very relieved/excited. She had chosen the bishop´s second counselor, Marcelo, to confirm her. During the confirmation at the end of the meeting, we could really feel the spirit. Overall, everything worked out and it was a very special day.
I´m pretty sure I´m going to be transfered in two weeks because I´ve been here since January, but I´m trying to do all I can to "leave the area better" than when I found it. We´re finding so many wonderful families to teach, and we´re working with the Ward Mission Leader to set up a new Ward Mission Plan so that we can involve the members more in the work. The best people to teach are always the family and friends of the members. For example, last night we taught Rosimeire (a less-active member) and Raíça (her non-member daugher), in the home of Celso and Cleide (Rosimeire´s cousin). As Preach My Gospel says, this gives the investigator an "automatic support system" to resolve concerns and receive help when the missionaries aren´t arround.
(Right now, I´m downloading Preach My Gospel in Audio from the church´s website so I can listen to it while doing dishes and stuff.)
"No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing."
-J. S. Jr.
--
Elder Jason Morgan Allred
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
6-03-08
Elder Jason Allred
Brazil São Paulo South Mission
Rua Dr Luiz da Rocha Miranda, 159
8 Andar, Parque Jabaquara
04344-010 - São Paulo - SP
Brazil
Subject: 20!
Hello Everybody!
Ok! Who created an email account with mom´s name and pretended like it was her writing me? I know it couldn´t possibly be mom. We don´t have the internet at home and the library doesn´t let you use white-out on their screens.
This last week was really good. Yesterday on my birthday we had a very spiritual lesson with Jersey and his "wife" Kelly. By the end of the lesson, they both had set a marriage date for the 14th of June and a baptism date for the 21st of June! (Elder Risenmay and I have to help each other with spelling in English while we write our emails. We finally had to look at "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" to agree on how to spell marriage.)
On Sunday we got to attend the dedication of the Curitiba, Brazil Temple. President Monson didn´t display the gift of tongues when he did the dedication because there was a translator and so it wasn´t necessary. But Elder Nelson has been working on his Portuguese. During the session that we watched he led the Hosana Shout in Portuguese without too bad of an accent. I wonder how he finds time in his schedule to study Portuguese. I often think that my schedule is too full to get in all the studying I want to.
Leila is all set for her baptism this Saturday! She is going to work all week, so we have to do the baptismal interview right before the service. I´m not too worried because she has a strong testimony. She´s already read over half the Book of Mormon.
Well, Goodbye for now!
-Elder Jason Morgan Allred
Brazil São Paulo South Mission
Rua Dr Luiz da Rocha Miranda, 159
8 Andar, Parque Jabaquara
04344-010 - São Paulo - SP
Brazil
Subject: 20!
Hello Everybody!
Ok! Who created an email account with mom´s name and pretended like it was her writing me? I know it couldn´t possibly be mom. We don´t have the internet at home and the library doesn´t let you use white-out on their screens.
This last week was really good. Yesterday on my birthday we had a very spiritual lesson with Jersey and his "wife" Kelly. By the end of the lesson, they both had set a marriage date for the 14th of June and a baptism date for the 21st of June! (Elder Risenmay and I have to help each other with spelling in English while we write our emails. We finally had to look at "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" to agree on how to spell marriage.)
On Sunday we got to attend the dedication of the Curitiba, Brazil Temple. President Monson didn´t display the gift of tongues when he did the dedication because there was a translator and so it wasn´t necessary. But Elder Nelson has been working on his Portuguese. During the session that we watched he led the Hosana Shout in Portuguese without too bad of an accent. I wonder how he finds time in his schedule to study Portuguese. I often think that my schedule is too full to get in all the studying I want to.
Leila is all set for her baptism this Saturday! She is going to work all week, so we have to do the baptismal interview right before the service. I´m not too worried because she has a strong testimony. She´s already read over half the Book of Mormon.
Well, Goodbye for now!
-Elder Jason Morgan Allred
Thursday, May 29, 2008
5-27-08
Elder Jason Allred
Brazil São Paulo South Mission
Rua Dr Luiz da Rocha Miranda, 159
8 Andar, Parque Jabaquara
04344-010 - São Paulo - SP
Brazil
Subject: O Man! I left my pajamas in the kitchen ... again!
Hello everybody!
That subject line is from our quote board. :)
One of the most exciting things about transfers is that we get new agendas! After five weeks mine always seem to fall apart and it´s great to finally get a new one. The first thing I did when I got it was unbind it, laminate the covers, and then rebind it. It should last longer and stay pretty this time.
Well, over the past few weeks, our closest candidate for baptism was Sílvio. But then he finally got a job and now we have lost all contact with him in over 2 weeks.
Throughout the entire week we were working on helping our investigators come to church. By Saturday night about 8 of them had promised on coming. We generally try to stop by their house and walk with them the first time, so early sunday morning we headed of to their homes.
It was kind of disappointing when we ended up walking alone to church. The only investigator that went to church this last Sunday was Leila. Leila has been an investigator for more than 8 months. She has read more than half the Book of Mormon and comes to church about 3 times a month, but had often told us that she didn´t plan on getting baptized for another couple years. However, much to our surprise, on Sunday, she came up to us and asked us when was the next time we were planning a baptismal meeting because she wanted to be baptized! We set a date with her for the 7th of June. That should give us time to review the lessons and make sure she´s ready.
Last night we taught an amazing family! The Lord has been giving us a lot of families to work with. It´s amazing! However, teaching more people at once is often a little more dificult because each individual has his own concerns, doubts, and problems. The family only progresses as fast as it´s slowest member. So, it may end up being a longer process, but there is an internal support system that helps for a lasting conversion, and the blessings are so much greater.
This family we taught last night is golden! The family is Valdir (dad), Sónia (mom), (guess what! - they´re married!), Rogério (~age 25), and Rodrigo (~age 17). They all have committed to read and pray about the Book of Mormon and come to church on Sunday. We are going to take Eduardo and Dalila (our Ward Mission Leader and his recently baptized wife) to their house on Thursday when we do our follow-up visit.
Well, we spent all day cleaning up the house today. It is a lot more organized. I was able to get rid of a lot of things Elder Tavares had left behind.
Well, goodbye for now. Have fun and Choose The Right!
-Élder Jason Morgan Allred
Brazil São Paulo South Mission
Rua Dr Luiz da Rocha Miranda, 159
8 Andar, Parque Jabaquara
04344-010 - São Paulo - SP
Brazil
Subject: O Man! I left my pajamas in the kitchen ... again!
Hello everybody!
That subject line is from our quote board. :)
One of the most exciting things about transfers is that we get new agendas! After five weeks mine always seem to fall apart and it´s great to finally get a new one. The first thing I did when I got it was unbind it, laminate the covers, and then rebind it. It should last longer and stay pretty this time.
Well, over the past few weeks, our closest candidate for baptism was Sílvio. But then he finally got a job and now we have lost all contact with him in over 2 weeks.
Throughout the entire week we were working on helping our investigators come to church. By Saturday night about 8 of them had promised on coming. We generally try to stop by their house and walk with them the first time, so early sunday morning we headed of to their homes.
It was kind of disappointing when we ended up walking alone to church. The only investigator that went to church this last Sunday was Leila. Leila has been an investigator for more than 8 months. She has read more than half the Book of Mormon and comes to church about 3 times a month, but had often told us that she didn´t plan on getting baptized for another couple years. However, much to our surprise, on Sunday, she came up to us and asked us when was the next time we were planning a baptismal meeting because she wanted to be baptized! We set a date with her for the 7th of June. That should give us time to review the lessons and make sure she´s ready.
Last night we taught an amazing family! The Lord has been giving us a lot of families to work with. It´s amazing! However, teaching more people at once is often a little more dificult because each individual has his own concerns, doubts, and problems. The family only progresses as fast as it´s slowest member. So, it may end up being a longer process, but there is an internal support system that helps for a lasting conversion, and the blessings are so much greater.
This family we taught last night is golden! The family is Valdir (dad), Sónia (mom), (guess what! - they´re married!), Rogério (~age 25), and Rodrigo (~age 17). They all have committed to read and pray about the Book of Mormon and come to church on Sunday. We are going to take Eduardo and Dalila (our Ward Mission Leader and his recently baptized wife) to their house on Thursday when we do our follow-up visit.
Well, we spent all day cleaning up the house today. It is a lot more organized. I was able to get rid of a lot of things Elder Tavares had left behind.
Well, goodbye for now. Have fun and Choose The Right!
-Élder Jason Morgan Allred
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
May 20, 2008
Elder Jason Allred
Brazil São Paulo South Mission
Rua Dr Luiz da Rocha Miranda, 159
8 Andar, Parque Jabaquara
04344-010 - São Paulo - SP
Brazil
Subject: Maua! The city of Hills!
Hello Everybody!
Well, today was transfer day. Guess what! Elder Risenmay and I are both staying at least one more transfer in this area! This will be my 4th transfer here in a row, which will be almost 6 months. I remember when I first got the news I was coming here to Jardim Zaíra, Mauá. The Elders that had already passed through here said that after Jd. Zaíra, the rest of the mission is a piece of cake.
I already know this area like the back of my hand. We can´t walked down the street anymore without running into someone I´ve already taught. I was looking at the numbers and I´ve taught almost 300 investigators since I´ve been here. Take that and divide it by the 100,000 people that live within our boundries and that means I´ve taught only 0.3% of the people I should have in the last 4 months. Well, we have at least six more weeks to teach the rest before next transfer.
Actually, this transfer will only be 5 weeks because of when the new mission president is coming. This is our last transfer with President Teixeira. Did you all see his picture on the General Authority page of the new Ensign? That´s my mission president! You all are just jealous.
Do you remember that one family of nine people I talked about last week? Well, three of them were able to come to church on Sunday! Helena (the mom), Naílton (a son- 25 yrs?), and Bianca (a daughter- 13 yrs?) are those that went. They could only stay for sacrament meeting, but next time they want to stay for all of it. They´ve already said that they plan on coming regularly. Helena hasn´t received her answer yet. When we came back the second time to teach her, she told us her experience. She hadn´t had time to read the Book of Mormon yet, but she had prayed that night if what we taught her is true. She said that she suddenly felt a dark and cold feeling that overcame her, and she just felt terrible and could not sleep the entire night. She asked us to help her understand what happened. I felt prompted to read from the revelation in DC where the Lord tells what we will feel "if it be right" and also of the "stupor of thought" if it isn´t right. Then we read in Galations 5 where it talks about faith, love, and peace being among the fruits of the spirit. The feeling that she experienced is not how the spirit talks with us. We explained that the adversary would try to keep her away from something as important as the restoration.
She told us that that was exactly what she was thinking. During the night she felt that the enemy was trying to keep her family away from something good, and so she made a firm decision to come to church that Sunday, even though she wasn´t planning on going because of another appointment she had already marked. Hooray for triumphs! Now she just needs to find time to read the Book of Mormon and get and affirmative answer from the right source. I´m sure she already has, but we´ll find out tomorrow night. Before baptism, Naílton needs to get married with his "wife" Marcia who also lives in their home with their daughter (that makes 5 couples we´re working with now). Marcia was a little skeptic of the Restoration, but that´s why we´re here, right? Right!
Karina and Sílvio (José) didn´t reach their baptism goal. Karina´s family is telling us that she won´t be old enough to make that decision until she´s 18. Sílvio started working and we haven´t been able to contact with him in over a week. It kind of makes it hard to prepare him for baptism when we can´t find him. He usually gets home about 11pm, and we have to be home by 9:30pm. Well, the easiest way to solve problems is to get some miracles, so we´re praying for some.
Well, Goodbye for now!
--Elder Jason Morgan Allred
Brazil São Paulo South Mission
Rua Dr Luiz da Rocha Miranda, 159
8 Andar, Parque Jabaquara
04344-010 - São Paulo - SP
Brazil
Subject: Maua! The city of Hills!
Hello Everybody!
Well, today was transfer day. Guess what! Elder Risenmay and I are both staying at least one more transfer in this area! This will be my 4th transfer here in a row, which will be almost 6 months. I remember when I first got the news I was coming here to Jardim Zaíra, Mauá. The Elders that had already passed through here said that after Jd. Zaíra, the rest of the mission is a piece of cake.
I already know this area like the back of my hand. We can´t walked down the street anymore without running into someone I´ve already taught. I was looking at the numbers and I´ve taught almost 300 investigators since I´ve been here. Take that and divide it by the 100,000 people that live within our boundries and that means I´ve taught only 0.3% of the people I should have in the last 4 months. Well, we have at least six more weeks to teach the rest before next transfer.
Actually, this transfer will only be 5 weeks because of when the new mission president is coming. This is our last transfer with President Teixeira. Did you all see his picture on the General Authority page of the new Ensign? That´s my mission president! You all are just jealous.
Do you remember that one family of nine people I talked about last week? Well, three of them were able to come to church on Sunday! Helena (the mom), Naílton (a son- 25 yrs?), and Bianca (a daughter- 13 yrs?) are those that went. They could only stay for sacrament meeting, but next time they want to stay for all of it. They´ve already said that they plan on coming regularly. Helena hasn´t received her answer yet. When we came back the second time to teach her, she told us her experience. She hadn´t had time to read the Book of Mormon yet, but she had prayed that night if what we taught her is true. She said that she suddenly felt a dark and cold feeling that overcame her, and she just felt terrible and could not sleep the entire night. She asked us to help her understand what happened. I felt prompted to read from the revelation in DC where the Lord tells what we will feel "if it be right" and also of the "stupor of thought" if it isn´t right. Then we read in Galations 5 where it talks about faith, love, and peace being among the fruits of the spirit. The feeling that she experienced is not how the spirit talks with us. We explained that the adversary would try to keep her away from something as important as the restoration.
She told us that that was exactly what she was thinking. During the night she felt that the enemy was trying to keep her family away from something good, and so she made a firm decision to come to church that Sunday, even though she wasn´t planning on going because of another appointment she had already marked. Hooray for triumphs! Now she just needs to find time to read the Book of Mormon and get and affirmative answer from the right source. I´m sure she already has, but we´ll find out tomorrow night. Before baptism, Naílton needs to get married with his "wife" Marcia who also lives in their home with their daughter (that makes 5 couples we´re working with now). Marcia was a little skeptic of the Restoration, but that´s why we´re here, right? Right!
Karina and Sílvio (José) didn´t reach their baptism goal. Karina´s family is telling us that she won´t be old enough to make that decision until she´s 18. Sílvio started working and we haven´t been able to contact with him in over a week. It kind of makes it hard to prepare him for baptism when we can´t find him. He usually gets home about 11pm, and we have to be home by 9:30pm. Well, the easiest way to solve problems is to get some miracles, so we´re praying for some.
Well, Goodbye for now!
--Elder Jason Morgan Allred
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
May 13, 2008
Subject: Mom´s Day!
Hello Everybody!
Happy Mother´s Day one more time for my mom! Happy Mother´s Day to Grandma Allred and Grandma Thompson!
Right now we´re working with José Silvio and Karina. They have both stopped drinking coffee and have come to church 3 times now. They are our investigators closest to baptism.
Yesterday was pretty amazing. Before lunch, we taught Irene. Her husband wasn´t there, so we left a quick message in her "quintal" (translation: yard? - except it´s not a yard at all really) because we can´t enter the house without another man there. After lunch, we contacted a family with whom I had spoken on the street a couple of weeks ago. We had been going to his house every couple of days because he lives close to another investigator. Yesterday we finally found him at home. We taught Reumar, his wife, and two children (They´re already legally married! - rarity). They have already accepted a baptism date! Then we stopped by a member´s house (Irmão José Gomes), and he agreed to come proselyting with us. Preach My Gospel says that sometimes the Lord directs you to an area, not to visit the person you planned on visiting, but to help you find someone else near by that He has prepared. So, after a few appointments fell through, we started knocking doors in the area. While doing so, the thought came to my mind to go to another road that happened to be quite far away. We went specifically to that road, and after knocking only 3 doors, we found a family of 9 that now has a goal for baptism and has agreed to come to church on Sunday. The mother of this family had the missionary discussions many years ago, but then moved to this area and didn´t know where the closest church was. Another blessing is that she already had a Book of Mormon and we had just given out our last copy to Reumar that very morning. We hope to get more next district meeting, but until then, we´ve just been telling people to pray about the prophet Joseph Smith and telling them that we´ll come by another day to leave the Book of Mormon with them. We´re also out of the pamphlets that we usually leave with investigators.
Last week, we decided to focalize most of our teaching pool into one area so we wouldn´t waste half the day walking. In doing so, yesterday we were able to return to over 8 houses near our home all on the same street that had agreed to a return visit. When we came back to these houses yesterday, of course in a few no one was home and a few decided that they didn´t want to listen, but we were able to enter into 3 homes and teach the first lesson. We taught two older ladies (Cida and Edeusita); we could enter into their home because we had that male member with us. Then the member needed to go home. Afterwords we taught a man named Edita, and then another man named Anderson. Anderson also agreed to a goal of baptism next month.
Today I was feeling a little sick (don´t worry Mom - just a fever and headache), but it was quite a blessing because I happened to get sick on P-day, and we didn´t lose any teaching time.
Well, this transfer is almost over. Next Sunday night, we´ll find out if we´re are both staying here or it one of us is leaving. After our success yesterday, I really want to stay this next trasfer, but I´ve already been here for almost 4 1/2 months, so who knows. I guess you all will find out next week.
Until next time!
-Élder Jason Morgan Allred
Hello Everybody!
Happy Mother´s Day one more time for my mom! Happy Mother´s Day to Grandma Allred and Grandma Thompson!
Right now we´re working with José Silvio and Karina. They have both stopped drinking coffee and have come to church 3 times now. They are our investigators closest to baptism.
Yesterday was pretty amazing. Before lunch, we taught Irene. Her husband wasn´t there, so we left a quick message in her "quintal" (translation: yard? - except it´s not a yard at all really) because we can´t enter the house without another man there. After lunch, we contacted a family with whom I had spoken on the street a couple of weeks ago. We had been going to his house every couple of days because he lives close to another investigator. Yesterday we finally found him at home. We taught Reumar, his wife, and two children (They´re already legally married! - rarity). They have already accepted a baptism date! Then we stopped by a member´s house (Irmão José Gomes), and he agreed to come proselyting with us. Preach My Gospel says that sometimes the Lord directs you to an area, not to visit the person you planned on visiting, but to help you find someone else near by that He has prepared. So, after a few appointments fell through, we started knocking doors in the area. While doing so, the thought came to my mind to go to another road that happened to be quite far away. We went specifically to that road, and after knocking only 3 doors, we found a family of 9 that now has a goal for baptism and has agreed to come to church on Sunday. The mother of this family had the missionary discussions many years ago, but then moved to this area and didn´t know where the closest church was. Another blessing is that she already had a Book of Mormon and we had just given out our last copy to Reumar that very morning. We hope to get more next district meeting, but until then, we´ve just been telling people to pray about the prophet Joseph Smith and telling them that we´ll come by another day to leave the Book of Mormon with them. We´re also out of the pamphlets that we usually leave with investigators.
Last week, we decided to focalize most of our teaching pool into one area so we wouldn´t waste half the day walking. In doing so, yesterday we were able to return to over 8 houses near our home all on the same street that had agreed to a return visit. When we came back to these houses yesterday, of course in a few no one was home and a few decided that they didn´t want to listen, but we were able to enter into 3 homes and teach the first lesson. We taught two older ladies (Cida and Edeusita); we could enter into their home because we had that male member with us. Then the member needed to go home. Afterwords we taught a man named Edita, and then another man named Anderson. Anderson also agreed to a goal of baptism next month.
Today I was feeling a little sick (don´t worry Mom - just a fever and headache), but it was quite a blessing because I happened to get sick on P-day, and we didn´t lose any teaching time.
Well, this transfer is almost over. Next Sunday night, we´ll find out if we´re are both staying here or it one of us is leaving. After our success yesterday, I really want to stay this next trasfer, but I´ve already been here for almost 4 1/2 months, so who knows. I guess you all will find out next week.
Until next time!
-Élder Jason Morgan Allred
May 6, 2008
Subject: Learning on the Mission.
Hello Everybody!
Last Friday we taught Jorge for the first time. We met him on the train a few weeks ago and got his address. He came to church on Sunday all by himself, and he has a goal to be baptized on the 18th!
Last Friday we also taught Mercia for the first time. She also came to church and has the same goal. We´ll need a few miracles because she needs to get married to her "husband" of three years within the next two week. When we went back to her house yesterday, she had read the parts of the Book of Mormon we marked and prayed and got an answer! She said that she felt a different feeling that she had never felt before - a wonderful sensation that feeled her heart with a lot of peace and gave her goosebumps. We quickly explained to her that this was the Holy Ghost answering her prayer and testifying of the things we had taught. As soon as we left her house my companion just said, "Golden!"
José and Karina also came to church. It was their second time. They´re working on giving up coffee. They´re also preparing for baptism the weekend after this.
Sunday morning we ran into an old investigator (Eliane) that told us that she finally read the Book of Mormon. I asked if she prayed. She said yes! (RM). I asked if she got an answer. She said, "Yes. It was really good."
Quick disclaimer for people to whom sarcasm is a foreign language: the following is sarcasm.
<sarcasm>
Things I didn´t know before the mission, but learned from my investigators:
-The correct title of the Book of Mormon is the Book of the Mormons or the Mormon Bible.
-The correct name of the church is the Church of the Mormons or Church of the Latter-day Saints.
-Mary, the mother of Jesus, was perfect. Eve, on the other hand was the most sinful woman on earth.
-In order for someone to be a prophet, his name has to be in the Bible.
-We can each be a prophet if we read the Bible enough.
-You can get the priesthood by taking a theology class.
-We should all strive to be our own apostles.
-You shouldn´t pray with your arms folded.
-Women have to pray with a viel.
-We really can beleive everything we see on TV (as long as it says something bad about the Mormons or displays rehearsed miracles for other church).
-It doesn´t matter which church you go to as long as you believe in Christ.
-It´s not important to be married even after living together for 30 years.
-Coffee is really healthy.
-If we already have faith, we don´t have to continue to develop it.
-When we tell people that we have a free DVD for them, we actually are after their money.
-The Mormon church only lets white, rich foreigners go to church.
-The Book of Mormon is rascist.
-It´s a sign of pride to say that our church is the only true church.
-The Catholic church has 12 living apostles.
-The more tithing your church requires the more true you church is. (We never really have a problem teaching tithing. Other church around here charge up to 50%.)
-If you get baptized a second time, you deny the Holy Ghost and commit the unpardonable sin.
-Efesions says that there is only one baptism, so any baptism counts. (Does that mean you can also baptize with milk or even bricks? -That´s an inside joke my companion and I have).
</sarcasm>
If you recognized that that is html coding, give yourself five points.
That list is just to show how confusing the gospel can get without living prophets receiving modern-day revelation. How grateful I am for a living prophet and the restored truths of the gospel!
--
Elder Jason Morgan Allred.
Hello Everybody!
Last Friday we taught Jorge for the first time. We met him on the train a few weeks ago and got his address. He came to church on Sunday all by himself, and he has a goal to be baptized on the 18th!
Last Friday we also taught Mercia for the first time. She also came to church and has the same goal. We´ll need a few miracles because she needs to get married to her "husband" of three years within the next two week. When we went back to her house yesterday, she had read the parts of the Book of Mormon we marked and prayed and got an answer! She said that she felt a different feeling that she had never felt before - a wonderful sensation that feeled her heart with a lot of peace and gave her goosebumps. We quickly explained to her that this was the Holy Ghost answering her prayer and testifying of the things we had taught. As soon as we left her house my companion just said, "Golden!"
José and Karina also came to church. It was their second time. They´re working on giving up coffee. They´re also preparing for baptism the weekend after this.
Sunday morning we ran into an old investigator (Eliane) that told us that she finally read the Book of Mormon. I asked if she prayed. She said yes! (RM). I asked if she got an answer. She said, "Yes. It was really good."
Quick disclaimer for people to whom sarcasm is a foreign language: the following is sarcasm.
<sarcasm>
Things I didn´t know before the mission, but learned from my investigators:
-The correct title of the Book of Mormon is the Book of the Mormons or the Mormon Bible.
-The correct name of the church is the Church of the Mormons or Church of the Latter-day Saints.
-Mary, the mother of Jesus, was perfect. Eve, on the other hand was the most sinful woman on earth.
-In order for someone to be a prophet, his name has to be in the Bible.
-We can each be a prophet if we read the Bible enough.
-You can get the priesthood by taking a theology class.
-We should all strive to be our own apostles.
-You shouldn´t pray with your arms folded.
-Women have to pray with a viel.
-We really can beleive everything we see on TV (as long as it says something bad about the Mormons or displays rehearsed miracles for other church).
-It doesn´t matter which church you go to as long as you believe in Christ.
-It´s not important to be married even after living together for 30 years.
-Coffee is really healthy.
-If we already have faith, we don´t have to continue to develop it.
-When we tell people that we have a free DVD for them, we actually are after their money.
-The Mormon church only lets white, rich foreigners go to church.
-The Book of Mormon is rascist.
-It´s a sign of pride to say that our church is the only true church.
-The Catholic church has 12 living apostles.
-The more tithing your church requires the more true you church is. (We never really have a problem teaching tithing. Other church around here charge up to 50%.)
-If you get baptized a second time, you deny the Holy Ghost and commit the unpardonable sin.
-Efesions says that there is only one baptism, so any baptism counts. (Does that mean you can also baptize with milk or even bricks? -That´s an inside joke my companion and I have).
</sarcasm>
If you recognized that that is html coding, give yourself five points.
That list is just to show how confusing the gospel can get without living prophets receiving modern-day revelation. How grateful I am for a living prophet and the restored truths of the gospel!
--
Elder Jason Morgan Allred.
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