Eh Familia, FELIZ NATAL!
OK, I get to the chase, I'll call home 4:00 my time which should be 12:00 noon your time. Leave your Skype open because I'm going to try and call before Christmas just to get the kinks and stuff worked out, and to see if I can find you guys. I think I did my name as zack.manis. I looked for mom and I think I found her. But she didn't tell me in this email if she had found me or not. I hope everything will work out, but remember KEEP SKYPE OPEN SO I CAN SEE IF I CAN FIND YOU GUYS AND CONNECT WITH YOU GUYS. I don't want Saturday to come around and things get all screwed up.
This week was a good week. We had the baptism of Bruna, she was all pumped up to be baptised. She started jumping up and down as if she was a football player about to run into the game. haha It was so funny. But this baptism was probably one of the most frustraiting baptisms ever. Many things where just screwed up. First off, she forgot a towell and underware and she was always leaving the Church to go find her friends in the street. And then she got caught up in drama in the middle of sacrament meeting. Her phone was ringing off the hook. My blood was just boiling. I was not in a good mood because Saturday I got really really really sick and basically stayed home all day throwing up. So I was still feeling horrible and I was asked to preside the meeting. So I had to sit on the stand and our chaple doesn't have air, so I was all sweaty and nasty. But pffeeeww, she was baptised. (PS- I think I have dange... but oh well.)
Christmas is comming up. No, I haven't gotten the packages yet and I still have no idea if they are even here in Brazil yet. But I sure hope so. A lady gave us a broken Christmas tree this week. The lights where burnt out so I tried to re-wire it. But instead the wireing box exploded in my face and burnt me a little. haha This week was just a stressfull week, but I am glad today, I get to relax a little. Everyone here is starting to travel and starting to go to the beach for the holiday, so the work is getting a little harder because people just wanna get out.
Any way, I love being a missionary even the stressfull weeks are fun and all you get to do is smile it out. :) I love my mission. :)
Looking foward to Saturday.
Love ya,
Elder Manis
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Serra
Hello Familia,
Well, my new area is Serra. It's really close to where Andre Carloni is, in fact, I can often see the area where I used to work. It's good to be back in Vitoria. I love the ocean breeze and the smell of fish markets and the salty air. haha It's the best.
My new comp' is Elder Costa, from Manus. Yupp, he is a Lamenite. haha He is really short and way funny. He is basically like the Brazilian version of my first companion Elder Hale my trainer.
This week was full of laughs and good times we already have a baptism coming up too. It's Bruna, she is an amazing lady. She has 24 years and is really looking forward to being baptised. But she doesn't have a lot of support. Like just this morning she called me telling me that she didn't want to be baptized because her friends are telling her that she is crazy. She basically is just getting confused about stuff because of her friends. But it's all good. We will go there tonight and sort things out. We also have Pamela. We found her knocking doors. She is really really depressed, like she has thought about killing herself and stuff. But our messages have really helped her out. It's amazing to see how simple the Gospel is, but how much it can effect the life of someone. So if everything goes right she will be baptised on Christmas.
I live in a house with another couple of missionaries. Elder F. Silva and Elder Ostermiller, they are pretty legit. Elder Ostermiller and Elder Costa both have only 5 months on the mission. Elder Ostermiller is sooo funny! I think he is so funny because he is so young on the mission. haha Like he has been saying slang stuff that I haven't heard in so long, so I just start cracking up. hahah It's so funny. My area is really good but really big, so we end up spending a lot of money on buses. But it's OK at least we have lunch.
I sent you guys a Christmas package last week. It will probably get there in January but oh well, I hope you guys like it. I threw some random stuff in it for all of you, and a random thing for Cara. I still haven't gotten my Christmas package. Being that it hasn't even arrived in Brazil yet, (they usually call and tell you if you got a package) but that's only happened to me 2 times on the mission, with Jel's package and my birthday package - that took 7 months to get here. We will see.
I hope all is well with you. If everything goes well, I'll see you on Christmas using Skype. I'm going to create my own account.
Love ya guys,
Elder Manis
ps- Preston got hitched??
Tell Wyatt to go to BYU or any Utah college, they will hold your scholarship.
Well, my new area is Serra. It's really close to where Andre Carloni is, in fact, I can often see the area where I used to work. It's good to be back in Vitoria. I love the ocean breeze and the smell of fish markets and the salty air. haha It's the best.
My new comp' is Elder Costa, from Manus. Yupp, he is a Lamenite. haha He is really short and way funny. He is basically like the Brazilian version of my first companion Elder Hale my trainer.
This week was full of laughs and good times we already have a baptism coming up too. It's Bruna, she is an amazing lady. She has 24 years and is really looking forward to being baptised. But she doesn't have a lot of support. Like just this morning she called me telling me that she didn't want to be baptized because her friends are telling her that she is crazy. She basically is just getting confused about stuff because of her friends. But it's all good. We will go there tonight and sort things out. We also have Pamela. We found her knocking doors. She is really really depressed, like she has thought about killing herself and stuff. But our messages have really helped her out. It's amazing to see how simple the Gospel is, but how much it can effect the life of someone. So if everything goes right she will be baptised on Christmas.
I live in a house with another couple of missionaries. Elder F. Silva and Elder Ostermiller, they are pretty legit. Elder Ostermiller and Elder Costa both have only 5 months on the mission. Elder Ostermiller is sooo funny! I think he is so funny because he is so young on the mission. haha Like he has been saying slang stuff that I haven't heard in so long, so I just start cracking up. hahah It's so funny. My area is really good but really big, so we end up spending a lot of money on buses. But it's OK at least we have lunch.
I sent you guys a Christmas package last week. It will probably get there in January but oh well, I hope you guys like it. I threw some random stuff in it for all of you, and a random thing for Cara. I still haven't gotten my Christmas package. Being that it hasn't even arrived in Brazil yet, (they usually call and tell you if you got a package) but that's only happened to me 2 times on the mission, with Jel's package and my birthday package - that took 7 months to get here. We will see.
I hope all is well with you. If everything goes well, I'll see you on Christmas using Skype. I'm going to create my own account.
Love ya guys,
Elder Manis
ps- Preston got hitched??
Tell Wyatt to go to BYU or any Utah college, they will hold your scholarship.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Elect of the Lord
Minha nossa Hannah, realmente tem aquela altura?
(Oh my Hannah, has it really been that much time?)
Well, this week was an amazing week because we had the baptisms of Isabella and Valeria. Let's just say that she was the most elect person that I have ever met. :) We found her knocking doors, and at first she didn't want to let us in. But I insisted that we had a message that would change her life. So she said; "Fine, come on in." And from there, the ball went rolling down hill. Everything we wanted her to do, she did. She is one of the elect of the Lord, and it's an honor to be a part of this process of bringing her to the true Church of God. Here are some pictures.
Hey Mom, don't worry about what you hear. Some people are so afraid of what's going to happen in the last days. But the question we need to ask is, "What are you doing to prepare for the last days?" Many people just sit back and watch the things fall apart before them. But then there are others that say, "Nope this is not going to happen to me." or you can say that they put their faith to work and are blessed because of that. Those who suffer say, "I had faith, I did this and that. I went to church everyday, I paid my tithing, I did enough. But all God will say is ... "Well where are your works, that you gave through your faith." Ya, I know what you feel Mom, but don't worry they will get the big picture some day.
But in other news, I got transferred. I'm going back to Vitoria. I'm still a Zone Leader so we will see how things will play out.
I haven't much time, so I'll try to come back in the afternoon to write more.
I gotta send a package to you guys.
:)
Love,
Elder Manis
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Crazy stuff
OK
Well, this week was a really stressful week. Just a hard on the body week, but it's all good.
With Elder Hall going home, we have to take care of his area and it's super far away. So we took turns doing divisions and taking care of his area. Before I realised it, I had spent 3 days out of my area and I had nobody progressing. So in 3 days we pulled 40ish lessons together and had 6 people in the church on Sunday.
We had an amazing thing happen to us this week. We took a mother and a daughter to church. Her name is Walerya, and her daughter's name is Isabela. They loved Church and during the sacrament meeting they basically said "Sooooo, if I wanted to be baptised next week... could I??" I was just like, "Yes, yes you can!" :) It was just another one of those "Thank you, God!" things. So that was a really great blessing. We are really looking forward to teaching her this week. I love Heavenly Father and how He is always looking after us. :)
Another thing that's happening here in Rio is civil war. Basically the bandits and taking over the state, burning buses and just doing some crazy stuff. So we have been on our toes the past few days. It's pretty sad and scary to see this happen. I'll attach a cool photo. But ya, it's basically a war and it's scary. But we are smart and we don't do stupid things or go into stupid places. Things are great and going well.
Christmas is coming up, so here is a picture you can put on the Christmas card. haha
Thanks for the support and I love you all. :)
Elder Manis
Mateus and Wesley
Ola Familia,
Dang, Thanksgiving already? It was just yesterday that I got last years e-mail talking about Thanksgiving. Dang, the time is flying by so fast.
Well, this week was good. I had to travel back to Vitoria for some trainings. While I was there I got some trunkie news. President told me that the last day of my mission is MAY 17, 2011. So ya, that means I'll probably be coming home on the 18th or the 19th. I can't remember how many days of traveling it takes. Enough about that, this week was an all right week. We had 2 baptisms. So I can't complain. They were Mateus and Wesley. It was really amazing to see their progress and I found out that Mateus´s dad is a pastor of another church. So haha yup, I baptised the son of a pastor. That's kinda cool.
Well, Maria didn't get baptised. Her stinkin' daughter got her all confused and she didn't end up getting baptised. I'm not one of the Elders that likes to burn people, but let me tell you, in that lesson "eu quemei a filha dela at o pó". Ya, I burned the living poo out of her. She was saying stuff like "You're saying that your church is the only true church is the biggeest lie I have ever heard." She said, this, that and the other thing. Ya, she bad talked the Book of Mormon and I just said; "Well, have you read it?" and she said "No" and so I basiccally just unloaded on her. I kinda felt bad afterwords. But oh well, she kinda deserved it. But ya, Mateus and Wesley are for sure going to serve a mission and be mega strong in the Church. I'm really looking foward to seeing them pass the sacrament. We are also teaching their mother's. They really love the Church as well, and are wanting to be baptised. So we can only go up from here. :)
That's about it for this week nothing too amazing happened, just 2 baptisms and really hard work. We are really exited to see the progress of these people.
I just want you to know that this Church is true, and it is really the Church of Jesus Christ and we can really be blessed from being members.
Love you guys,
HAPPY HOLLIDAYS FROM BRASIL
Love,
Elder Manis
Dang, Thanksgiving already? It was just yesterday that I got last years e-mail talking about Thanksgiving. Dang, the time is flying by so fast.
Well, this week was good. I had to travel back to Vitoria for some trainings. While I was there I got some trunkie news. President told me that the last day of my mission is MAY 17, 2011. So ya, that means I'll probably be coming home on the 18th or the 19th. I can't remember how many days of traveling it takes. Enough about that, this week was an all right week. We had 2 baptisms. So I can't complain. They were Mateus and Wesley. It was really amazing to see their progress and I found out that Mateus´s dad is a pastor of another church. So haha yup, I baptised the son of a pastor. That's kinda cool.
Well, Maria didn't get baptised. Her stinkin' daughter got her all confused and she didn't end up getting baptised. I'm not one of the Elders that likes to burn people, but let me tell you, in that lesson "eu quemei a filha dela at o pó". Ya, I burned the living poo out of her. She was saying stuff like "You're saying that your church is the only true church is the biggeest lie I have ever heard." She said, this, that and the other thing. Ya, she bad talked the Book of Mormon and I just said; "Well, have you read it?" and she said "No" and so I basiccally just unloaded on her. I kinda felt bad afterwords. But oh well, she kinda deserved it. But ya, Mateus and Wesley are for sure going to serve a mission and be mega strong in the Church. I'm really looking foward to seeing them pass the sacrament. We are also teaching their mother's. They really love the Church as well, and are wanting to be baptised. So we can only go up from here. :)
That's about it for this week nothing too amazing happened, just 2 baptisms and really hard work. We are really exited to see the progress of these people.
I just want you to know that this Church is true, and it is really the Church of Jesus Christ and we can really be blessed from being members.
Love you guys,
HAPPY HOLLIDAYS FROM BRASIL
Love,
Elder Manis
Thanksgiving
OK Then,
Here are the things I'm grateful for:
1. the gift of tongues
2. the restored Gospel
3. being a missionary
4. toilets that you can flush the toilet paper instead of throwing it in a waste basket
5. worm medication (enough said)
6.letters... yupp so write more!!!!
7.P-DAY.. after a good week of work
8.rice and beans
9.Brazilian fruit
10. BRAZIL
That was 10 ten things from me as a missionary, now here are the normal ones from me:
1. my family and my friends
2. pictures to remember the good, and the bad times
3. discipline and respect taught to me by Dad
4. love (loving and being loved)
5. double stuffed oreos
6. swimming pools and the smell of sunscreen
7. trampolines (just because they are fun)
8. finding a dollar (or in my case some Real in a pair of pants that were washed)
9. a back yard
10. my awesome grandparents and the smell of their house
so there are some things that I'm grateful for.
This week was a crazy week full of doctor appointments and tears. It was probably one of the hardest weeks emotionally on my mission.
Last week after I passed out mail, we went and played Futsal. It's like soccer but on a basketball court. Well I did make some pretty cool goals and the Americans never lost against the Brazilians. But during all this Elder Hall twisted his knee and jacked himself up pretty bad. So I sent all of the other Elders home and me and Elder Hall went to the hospital that, to our luck, was right next to the chapel that we were playing at. They took some x-rays and everything seemed to be OK. But the pain didn't go away. So the next day he got a CT scan and we found out that he got pretty jacked up. So after some long phone calls with people in São Paulo an Salt Lake, we found out that he has to go home to get surgery. It's just so random. And he is one of the best Elders in my zone. I live with him and he is just an amazing guy and just loves the mission, and now he has to go home. Chances are that he isn't coming back either. So ya, we all took it pretty hard. He is sitting to my side right now and it's just crazy to think that I'll never see this kid in our mission again. It's just sad, because on the mission you have Elders that don't even deserve to be here and then you have an Elder that just loves missionary work and he has to go home now. It's just rough on all of us.
But it has made me realize that this time is so precious an that every second counts, and it can all end in a second. I only have 6 months left, so I really ought to step it up and make these last 6 months the best 6 months of my life.
This week we baptised Maria. It was amazing. 75 years of sin washed away. haha Elder Novello and I, we both baptized her. We both helped her into the water and all that jazz. But it was a really spiritual experience and she loved it. :) This week it has been killer hot during the day and I love it, because it's basically like Arizona sun and everyone thinks I'm crazy. It's cool because at night the monsoons roll in. Brazil's monsoons are crazy! Basically they are like a hurricane. They are so cool.
I love being a missionary and love helping people. Have a fun Thanksgiving for me cuz I'll be out working.
Love you guys,
Elder Manis
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Come What May and Love It
Mãe e a Familia,
Things are going great down here in Brazil. This week has been a fun week. It's good to just have fun and to do missionary work. We have 3 baptisms coming up. They are Maria, Wesley and Mateus. They are all really great people, but I wanna talk about Maria. I think that she is afraid to be baptised because she doesn't like the water. And me as a lifeguard almost has no patience for that. haha Just messin. She is a senora of 75 years old. Her heart is amazing and she just loves the missionaries. It has been great using the Spirit to help teach her because she doesn't see that well. So she can't really read the scriptures. It's been great to just work with her. I love old people, they are just so loving. :)
Anyway, this week rained a bunch and that kind of slowed things down for us. It wasn't anything you couldn't fight.
We taught a man this week that had both of his arms eaten off by a huge pit bull 3 years ago. So that was amazing! I really learned a lot from him and his point of view. I mean, the guy had both of his arms eaten off in a dog attack, but he said; "I can sit hear and cry everyday and think, ooooh poorrr mmmeee or I can get up every day and see what more i can do. Before I lost my arms I had a million talents. Now, without my arms I have 500 thousand talents. Who am I to cry with 500 thousand talents. I thank God everyday that I am still living."
It made me think of that conference talk by Elder Faust "Come what may and love it". Just suck it up and keep on truckin. Thinking about that, I studied a bit about the subject and came to a conclusion. Just like Ether says - we gain a testimony through tests of faith. It's true, we really gain a testimony that the Church is true through a test. Or that our testimony of our belief is being tested. On my mission I have came across this a lot. Every time that I come across a person that wants to fight my testimony is strengthened.
I once said to a man that was attacking our church saying this, that and the other thing. I just said; "Amigo, I'll believe in your words if you prove to me that this isn't the true church." No matter how hard someone tries they can't explain that our church isn't true. Simply because it is true. haha It's really great to be part of the true church of God here on the earth. To reap the blessings of our Savior. This Church is amazing. I love it. (said in a Nacho voice) It is the best! (again, Nacho voice)
I'm happy for the people who realise this as well. It's awesome because every time we enter in a house, we leave a "prova de fé" [test of faith] for the people to realize that the Church is true. So remember, that if you're having a test of your faith, it's because God wants you to learn something. If everything is going great and you don't have tests, then something is wrong. haha We all have tests and they are for our good. :)
I love you guys and I love this work,
Elder Manis
PS...Hello Mom, I'm needing cash money. Can ya spot a few?
How is my Christmas package? Have you sent it yet?
XXooXoXoXoooxxOXX
Things are going great down here in Brazil. This week has been a fun week. It's good to just have fun and to do missionary work. We have 3 baptisms coming up. They are Maria, Wesley and Mateus. They are all really great people, but I wanna talk about Maria. I think that she is afraid to be baptised because she doesn't like the water. And me as a lifeguard almost has no patience for that. haha Just messin. She is a senora of 75 years old. Her heart is amazing and she just loves the missionaries. It has been great using the Spirit to help teach her because she doesn't see that well. So she can't really read the scriptures. It's been great to just work with her. I love old people, they are just so loving. :)
Anyway, this week rained a bunch and that kind of slowed things down for us. It wasn't anything you couldn't fight.
We taught a man this week that had both of his arms eaten off by a huge pit bull 3 years ago. So that was amazing! I really learned a lot from him and his point of view. I mean, the guy had both of his arms eaten off in a dog attack, but he said; "I can sit hear and cry everyday and think, ooooh poorrr mmmeee or I can get up every day and see what more i can do. Before I lost my arms I had a million talents. Now, without my arms I have 500 thousand talents. Who am I to cry with 500 thousand talents. I thank God everyday that I am still living."
It made me think of that conference talk by Elder Faust "Come what may and love it". Just suck it up and keep on truckin. Thinking about that, I studied a bit about the subject and came to a conclusion. Just like Ether says - we gain a testimony through tests of faith. It's true, we really gain a testimony that the Church is true through a test. Or that our testimony of our belief is being tested. On my mission I have came across this a lot. Every time that I come across a person that wants to fight my testimony is strengthened.
I once said to a man that was attacking our church saying this, that and the other thing. I just said; "Amigo, I'll believe in your words if you prove to me that this isn't the true church." No matter how hard someone tries they can't explain that our church isn't true. Simply because it is true. haha It's really great to be part of the true church of God here on the earth. To reap the blessings of our Savior. This Church is amazing. I love it. (said in a Nacho voice) It is the best! (again, Nacho voice)
I'm happy for the people who realise this as well. It's awesome because every time we enter in a house, we leave a "prova de fé" [test of faith] for the people to realize that the Church is true. So remember, that if you're having a test of your faith, it's because God wants you to learn something. If everything is going great and you don't have tests, then something is wrong. haha We all have tests and they are for our good. :)
I love you guys and I love this work,
Elder Manis
PS...Hello Mom, I'm needing cash money. Can ya spot a few?
How is my Christmas package? Have you sent it yet?
XXooXoXoXoooxxOXX
Visit with Elder Oaks
Hey Fam,
We have had a few changes here in the mission. Elder Brito got transferred and now I'm with Elder Novello. He is a really cool guy and has a lot of love for the people. It's my job to train him into a leader, so I'm really looking forward to that. He is from the Paraná so he is a really cool guy. :) We get along great and it's no challenge teaching with him.
This past week I got to meet Elder Dalin H. Oaks and man that was an amazing event. Ya, I got to meet him and ya, I sat and talked with him. He is a really funny and smart man. (He uses an I-Pad for scriptures and stuff) I asked him why he uses the i-Pad and he just said; "I don't know, my kids gave it to me. I just know how to look up scriptures." :) He is a really loving guy and it was great to get to know him on more of a personal level. Not to mention that it was the first time I had ever seen an apostle let alone meet one, so it was really cool. It was amazing to see him up at the pulpit, just seeing him work with the Holy Ghost receiving revelation. It was amazing, and I can testify that he is a man of God and that he was called by God to be an apostle in these last days.
This week was also a really good week with the investigators. We found a good family on Saturday and they went to church yesterday. Her name is Holoisa. Come to find out that she had been taught some years ago and received a Book of Mormon. But the day she received it the Elders where transferred and she lost contact with the Church. But she kept reading the Book of Mormon. Of course, like all of us, sometime later she had questions and so to help her understand better she took the book to a pastor who yelled at her and told her to burn and destroy the book. So she did. But it was amazing to see the tears in her eyes when we gave her another book. Then she said; "Now I know what's true." I just made it really clear that she needs to ask God about her doubts and not a pastor of another church. She is amazing, and I'm really excited to see what's going to happen this week with her. :)
I love my mission and I know that this church is true and that God has called Prophets and apostles here on the earth to guide us :)
When are you gonna send me my Christmas package ??
My electric razor's cable broke so I need to know if you can buy another for me. The model is
es8228 wet dry Panasonic
Love you,
:)
Everett
Hey Family,
Well things are going great down in Brazil. This week was a really really good week of rigerus work. We taught 53 lessons in total and had 9 people in the church. I wanted a little bit more but I was happy with 9. This week we found a man who lived in Boston for 15 years or so. He is from Everett. He is one amazing guy and his family is amazing. They are basically Americans but they talk with a little accent. All of the stuff in the house is American. haha It's the best. He is a huge Red Socks fan and a Patriots fan as well, so we get along great. It was amazing to teach him. He is Catholic, but is looking for somthing different. Something to fill his tank... and that's were we come in, with the gosple. I was actually really nervous to teach him, basically because I felt like an Elder serving in the US, but it went really well. There was a sweet spirit that was there and it was just an amazing feeling. He went to church but had to leave early, but he loved it. So I'm hoping he will become a promissing investigator in the soon future.
Wednesday an apostle is coming to our mission, Elder Oaks. I'm really excited to see what he has for us and to see what I can learn from his words. I have never seen or met an apostle before, so I'm excited to see how it's gonna be.
Elder Brito was released from being a Zone Leader, and as far as I know, I wasn't transfred. So I know I'm just getting a new companion. I am hoping it's a new Zone Leader so I can train him.
The zone is suffering. We have a lot of Elder's that don't know what they are capeable of. And it makes me sad at times because I know that they are so much better that what they are giving. I have been working like a mother to help them out.
Other than that, things are going great. PARA BENS Wyatt man, thats sick man, keep up the good work. [Wyatt made a touchdown in a football game]
I'm down here trying to teach the Brasilians how to throw a football and it's so funny. haha
Love you guys,
Elder Manis
PS- have you every heared of EVERETT? Nana
Well things are going great down in Brazil. This week was a really really good week of rigerus work. We taught 53 lessons in total and had 9 people in the church. I wanted a little bit more but I was happy with 9. This week we found a man who lived in Boston for 15 years or so. He is from Everett. He is one amazing guy and his family is amazing. They are basically Americans but they talk with a little accent. All of the stuff in the house is American. haha It's the best. He is a huge Red Socks fan and a Patriots fan as well, so we get along great. It was amazing to teach him. He is Catholic, but is looking for somthing different. Something to fill his tank... and that's were we come in, with the gosple. I was actually really nervous to teach him, basically because I felt like an Elder serving in the US, but it went really well. There was a sweet spirit that was there and it was just an amazing feeling. He went to church but had to leave early, but he loved it. So I'm hoping he will become a promissing investigator in the soon future.
Wednesday an apostle is coming to our mission, Elder Oaks. I'm really excited to see what he has for us and to see what I can learn from his words. I have never seen or met an apostle before, so I'm excited to see how it's gonna be.
Elder Brito was released from being a Zone Leader, and as far as I know, I wasn't transfred. So I know I'm just getting a new companion. I am hoping it's a new Zone Leader so I can train him.
The zone is suffering. We have a lot of Elder's that don't know what they are capeable of. And it makes me sad at times because I know that they are so much better that what they are giving. I have been working like a mother to help them out.
Other than that, things are going great. PARA BENS Wyatt man, thats sick man, keep up the good work. [Wyatt made a touchdown in a football game]
I'm down here trying to teach the Brasilians how to throw a football and it's so funny. haha
Love you guys,
Elder Manis
PS- have you every heared of EVERETT? Nana
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Satan
Sup Foos?
How is you guys doing??
Random but funny, a member here went on Tiffany's blog during lunch yesterday and showed me some pictures of my cousins that I don't even know. hahah You guys need to send more photos.
Well, this week was a little Debbie Downer. Lets just say that I have really seen the side that Satan plays in missionary work. The only thing that I missed was a comet falling from the sky and killing me. It's crazy, it's not just with me, it's with the zone and the mission. The mission and the zone are suffering a little. Let's just say that Satan is working really hard to get these Elders and Sisters to quit. All of our promised baptisms fell through. We were going to baptize an Elvis and his family. But there was a huge family fight and the family split up. 5 of the baptisms in the zone fell because of the same reason. Satan is just working so hard in the lives of our investigators that it's so sad to see. So what did I do? I got to studying and I came to a conclusion using 3 happenings:
1. When Christ started his mortal ministry
2. The Garden of Gethsemene
3. The Sacred Grove
After Christ was baptized he went in the desert for 40 days and fasted. There he learned more about his purpose on the earth and that he would be our Savior. But what else was there, when he was there? Satan. Satan tempted him like crazy saying "IF" your are the real savior make some bread to kill your hunger, and all that jazz. He tried to get Jesus to doubt himself.
In the Garden, when Christ was praying, Satan was there tempting him again. And angels decended to help him out.
The Sacred Grove, when Joseph Smith was praying, Satan grabbed his tounge and Joseph felt as if he was going to die.
In all this I realized a little more about how Satan works. He wants you to doubt yourself..IF...you know that big IF.. he tempts you physically and mentally and he has the power to come over you and try to kill your thoughts of hope and love.
but what is the solution to all of this....
1.prayer
2.fasting
3. faith
Jesus prayed and fasted like crazy in the desert to overcome temptation. In the garden He prayedas well. Joseph's prayer in the forest helped him to overcome.
I learned that I need to pray more to overcome these difficulties. Not just more, but better, and have the trust in Him that as I do my part He will do His.
I love my mission and the many things I have learned here. I just want you to know that if you guys are having problems or doubts you can call on Heavenly Father and He will help you.
Love you guys,
Elder Manis
PS: Mom I realized that I have about 6 months left and I have yet to buy a Brazilian soccer jersey. There is a bishop that lives here that has a shop that he sells them. Do you think you could put like 60 or 70 bucks on my account so I can buy one? Please :) :)
PPS Elder Oaks will visit our mission. :)
How is you guys doing??
Random but funny, a member here went on Tiffany's blog during lunch yesterday and showed me some pictures of my cousins that I don't even know. hahah You guys need to send more photos.
Well, this week was a little Debbie Downer. Lets just say that I have really seen the side that Satan plays in missionary work. The only thing that I missed was a comet falling from the sky and killing me. It's crazy, it's not just with me, it's with the zone and the mission. The mission and the zone are suffering a little. Let's just say that Satan is working really hard to get these Elders and Sisters to quit. All of our promised baptisms fell through. We were going to baptize an Elvis and his family. But there was a huge family fight and the family split up. 5 of the baptisms in the zone fell because of the same reason. Satan is just working so hard in the lives of our investigators that it's so sad to see. So what did I do? I got to studying and I came to a conclusion using 3 happenings:
1. When Christ started his mortal ministry
2. The Garden of Gethsemene
3. The Sacred Grove
After Christ was baptized he went in the desert for 40 days and fasted. There he learned more about his purpose on the earth and that he would be our Savior. But what else was there, when he was there? Satan. Satan tempted him like crazy saying "IF" your are the real savior make some bread to kill your hunger, and all that jazz. He tried to get Jesus to doubt himself.
In the Garden, when Christ was praying, Satan was there tempting him again. And angels decended to help him out.
The Sacred Grove, when Joseph Smith was praying, Satan grabbed his tounge and Joseph felt as if he was going to die.
In all this I realized a little more about how Satan works. He wants you to doubt yourself..IF...you know that big IF.. he tempts you physically and mentally and he has the power to come over you and try to kill your thoughts of hope and love.
but what is the solution to all of this....
1.prayer
2.fasting
3. faith
Jesus prayed and fasted like crazy in the desert to overcome temptation. In the garden He prayedas well. Joseph's prayer in the forest helped him to overcome.
I learned that I need to pray more to overcome these difficulties. Not just more, but better, and have the trust in Him that as I do my part He will do His.
I love my mission and the many things I have learned here. I just want you to know that if you guys are having problems or doubts you can call on Heavenly Father and He will help you.
Love you guys,
Elder Manis
PS: Mom I realized that I have about 6 months left and I have yet to buy a Brazilian soccer jersey. There is a bishop that lives here that has a shop that he sells them. Do you think you could put like 60 or 70 bucks on my account so I can buy one? Please :) :)
PPS Elder Oaks will visit our mission. :)
Healthy Food
Hey Moms and Family,
Well, I'm glad you liked the pictures. I figured it has been a while since I sent some home so I sent you a CD of a bunch. That video of me dancing is during Carnivale. The hardest week on my mission yet. We were walking and this guy was blasting techno music in the street and I was just like, "Hey, I feel like dancing." haha Ya, just a random thing to put a smile on my face. So what's up? What did you guys think? Am I getting skinny or what?? I sure think so. Rice and beans dont really stick on me. haha So I think it's coming off. But I'm glad you liked the pictures. haha The picture of Scott Goldthwaite, I found in an Ensign, so I thought that it was funny. I'm working on getting another CD to you with more pictures and videos.
This week was a fight. Me and Elder Brito didn't get along too well. But we talked it out so we are good now. This week I got a refrence from the mission president of Receffe. He's the owner of a huge franchise of English Schools called Wisord. The owner here in Campos isn't a member so me and Brito went to his house...... MMMMIIINNNHHHAAA NNNOOOSSSSAA, the guy has the biggest house that I have ever seen. It was humnungus. haha He even had a front and back yard just like in the U.S.. It was an amazing lesson and he loved it. The spirit was so strong. For a rich man he is way humble and loving. After the lesson he gave us a snack of the most healthy food I have ever seen. I joked around with Brito, saying that "I'm gonna get sick from this healthy food." Bread from Rome and juice from Argentina. haha It was crazy. Also the owner of Wisord is a member of the church and has offered me a job after the mission. He wants me to come back to Brazil and teach English. I would make a butt load of money just for teaching English, and he said I could work at any schoool in Brazil. I did some thinking yesterday, and I havn't come up with an answer, just saying, that it would be cool to come back to Brazil and stuff. What do you guys think? You can come too. haha
But ya, things are going great. The zone is sleeping a bit so I have been getting burned like crazy. But it's all good. I'm getting on these Elders.
Love ya guys,
Elder Manis
PS - Christmas List:
nothing to eat (it will get eaten in 5 secconds)
a bunch of cool random stuff
action figures
paintings
a mega cool CTR ring
$ so I can buy a new suit here, it would only be like 75 bucks
another pump
a big flag of Arizona and the US (for the Brazies)
a shirt of the US soccer team
pictures and zillion of them
just stuff like that
I'll get more to you next week
Well, I'm glad you liked the pictures. I figured it has been a while since I sent some home so I sent you a CD of a bunch. That video of me dancing is during Carnivale. The hardest week on my mission yet. We were walking and this guy was blasting techno music in the street and I was just like, "Hey, I feel like dancing." haha Ya, just a random thing to put a smile on my face. So what's up? What did you guys think? Am I getting skinny or what?? I sure think so. Rice and beans dont really stick on me. haha So I think it's coming off. But I'm glad you liked the pictures. haha The picture of Scott Goldthwaite, I found in an Ensign, so I thought that it was funny. I'm working on getting another CD to you with more pictures and videos.
This week was a fight. Me and Elder Brito didn't get along too well. But we talked it out so we are good now. This week I got a refrence from the mission president of Receffe. He's the owner of a huge franchise of English Schools called Wisord. The owner here in Campos isn't a member so me and Brito went to his house...... MMMMIIINNNHHHAAA NNNOOOSSSSAA, the guy has the biggest house that I have ever seen. It was humnungus. haha He even had a front and back yard just like in the U.S.. It was an amazing lesson and he loved it. The spirit was so strong. For a rich man he is way humble and loving. After the lesson he gave us a snack of the most healthy food I have ever seen. I joked around with Brito, saying that "I'm gonna get sick from this healthy food." Bread from Rome and juice from Argentina. haha It was crazy. Also the owner of Wisord is a member of the church and has offered me a job after the mission. He wants me to come back to Brazil and teach English. I would make a butt load of money just for teaching English, and he said I could work at any schoool in Brazil. I did some thinking yesterday, and I havn't come up with an answer, just saying, that it would be cool to come back to Brazil and stuff. What do you guys think? You can come too. haha
But ya, things are going great. The zone is sleeping a bit so I have been getting burned like crazy. But it's all good. I'm getting on these Elders.
Love ya guys,
Elder Manis
PS - Christmas List:
nothing to eat (it will get eaten in 5 secconds)
a bunch of cool random stuff
action figures
paintings
a mega cool CTR ring
$ so I can buy a new suit here, it would only be like 75 bucks
another pump
a big flag of Arizona and the US (for the Brazies)
a shirt of the US soccer team
pictures and zillion of them
just stuff like that
I'll get more to you next week
Monday, October 4, 2010
Listen to the Prophet
Hey Familia, gostaram da conferencia??
[enjoyed the conference?]
Well, this week was a blur. It was seriously the fastest week of my mission, but it was one of the best as well. It started out with 3 days of training in Vitoria. The most amazing trainings ever. They made me realize how much more I could be doing to better receive the blessings of missionary work. But it's good to know, because I can start practicing.
When we came back, then we had conference. This conference was good. But it was a different conference. If you guys paid attention you could see that almost everyone that talked, talked about agency and obeying the Prophet. It was a "strait to the point" conference. It wasn't anything with sugar on it. Obey the Prophet and be happy, disobey and suffer. It's kinda a bummer to think that a lot of the Saints aren't listening to the prophet. :( But it's a great thing that they were called out on it. We watched conference with the zone, so that was cool. I took some really cool pictures that I'll get to you guys. It's a bummer to think that the next time I see the Prophet and the Apostolos I'll be on my last transfer. :( My mission is going by so fast. haha That's why I gotta make the best of it every day. I also loved the talks about the power of the Holy Ghost and how we need to qualify ourselves for the company of the Holy Spirit. That nothing will happen if we aren't being guided and molded by the Spirit. I also learned that I need to be a little bit more humble and that I need to slow down and take a chill pill sometimes. But things are great the mission is really taking off and things are really looking up from here. How did you guys feel about conference? Anything stand out to you guys? I basically liked how honest the prophets were. I get more out of honesty than other stuff.
This week is another traveling week. I'm actually going back to Vitoria tomorrow for another training but I'll be coming back the same day. I have a cool phrase that President gave me that I'm gonna share with ya guys.
"Decida o que você quer ser, então pague o preço para ser o que você quer ser.”
It's a really good quotes that says, choose who you wanna be and make the sacrifice to be that person.
We don't grow with out sacrifices, through our trials we are blessed because we trust in our Heavenly Father.
I'm starting on my Christmas list and I'll get it to you next week. :)
Love ya,
Zack
[enjoyed the conference?]
Well, this week was a blur. It was seriously the fastest week of my mission, but it was one of the best as well. It started out with 3 days of training in Vitoria. The most amazing trainings ever. They made me realize how much more I could be doing to better receive the blessings of missionary work. But it's good to know, because I can start practicing.
When we came back, then we had conference. This conference was good. But it was a different conference. If you guys paid attention you could see that almost everyone that talked, talked about agency and obeying the Prophet. It was a "strait to the point" conference. It wasn't anything with sugar on it. Obey the Prophet and be happy, disobey and suffer. It's kinda a bummer to think that a lot of the Saints aren't listening to the prophet. :( But it's a great thing that they were called out on it. We watched conference with the zone, so that was cool. I took some really cool pictures that I'll get to you guys. It's a bummer to think that the next time I see the Prophet and the Apostolos I'll be on my last transfer. :( My mission is going by so fast. haha That's why I gotta make the best of it every day. I also loved the talks about the power of the Holy Ghost and how we need to qualify ourselves for the company of the Holy Spirit. That nothing will happen if we aren't being guided and molded by the Spirit. I also learned that I need to be a little bit more humble and that I need to slow down and take a chill pill sometimes. But things are great the mission is really taking off and things are really looking up from here. How did you guys feel about conference? Anything stand out to you guys? I basically liked how honest the prophets were. I get more out of honesty than other stuff.
This week is another traveling week. I'm actually going back to Vitoria tomorrow for another training but I'll be coming back the same day. I have a cool phrase that President gave me that I'm gonna share with ya guys.
"Decida o que você quer ser, então pague o preço para ser o que você quer ser.”
It's a really good quotes that says, choose who you wanna be and make the sacrifice to be that person.
We don't grow with out sacrifices, through our trials we are blessed because we trust in our Heavenly Father.
I'm starting on my Christmas list and I'll get it to you next week. :)
Love ya,
Zack
Sunday, September 26, 2010
The Book of Mormon
Well, things are going great for me and Elder Brito. Yup, we live in the same house[that I have been in for a while] and I graduated from sleeping on the floor to a broken bed. So I can't complain, I'm off the ground. Things were good this week. It was a little slow because I had to travel again and so I gots no monies left because of all the bus tickets I had to buy. But we had 2 baptisms this week. Ederson and Monica. They are both 15 years old ish. They are kids of a member in the ward. It was funny how we found them. It was a day when nothing good was happening and I had some random address written in my planner. So we decided to visit the address. Come to find out that it was the address of this member and that's where we found their 2 kids. It was neat to see that even when everything is falling apart Heavenly Father is there to help you.
Renato, that guy that got shot in the face 5 times, was interviewed yesterday and passed. So he will be baptised this week. It's amazing to see how the Gosple changes the lives of others. This guy did it all; drugs, sex, rock and roll and got shot 5 times in the face. He has lived a hard life but is grateful for what the Gosple is doing with his life now. He has totally become a different person. We are going to work with his mom this week to try and get her interested
In the e- mail this week of President Pickett he includes some amazing facts about the Book of Mormom that I wanna share with you guys, its in Portuges so you're gonna have to translate it.
Translated:
"1. Even though the Prophet Joseph Smith, in general, had the plates from September 1827 until June 1829, the translation of the book was done in about 65 days - this would be a little less than 10 pages translated per day!
2. It was translated by someone who had not had an education - the family was extremely poor and was unable to raise children who went to formal school. Emma Smith, once shared with some people that Joseph was unable to write a letter, much less able to write a book!
3. The Book of Mormon:
a. 54 chapters dealing with the wars of the people
b. 21 chapters telling the story of the people
c. 55 chapters of visions and prophecies
d. 71 chapters of doctrine
e. 21 chapters dealing with the ministry of Jesus Christ
4. The book teaches the doctrines of the gospel taught in the Bible in a way that is clearer and easier to understand.
5. Since the day that the book was published, we discovered several things in South America and Central America that support things taught in the book! These things were things that the world did not recognize at the time of translation of the book.
With better understanding of all these facts, it is very difficult to understand why some people think it was Joseph Smith who wrote the book instead of translating it by the power and authority of God. Think about the complexity of writing such a book. All chapters that talk about teaching, the ministry of Jesus Christ and the history of the people would have to be quite constant with the doctrines in the Bible teaches. Would it be possible for a man incapable of writing a coherent letter to complete a job like that? Surely the answer is 'no'.
In the Book of Mormon, while it was being translated, the Prophet Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery learned that three special witnesses would be chosen to see the plates and other sacred things (see Ether 5:2-4, 2 Nephi 11:3, 2 Nephi 27:12). Through a revelation to the Prophet Joseph Smith (see D & C 17), the three witnesses were chosen - Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and Martin Harris. They were given instructions about the things that they would be privileged to see:
"Behold, I say unto you, that you must rely upon my word, which if you do with full purpose of heart, you shall have a view of, and also of the breastplate, the sword of Laban, the Urim and Thummim, which were given to the brother of Jared upon the mount, when he talked with the Lord face to face, and the miraculous directors which were given to Lehi while in the wilderness, on the borders of the Red Sea. "[ie, the Liahona]. (D & C 17:1).
Early in the book, shortly after the introduction, we have the testimony of these three witnesses. The very interesting thing is that all three, soon after when problems with in Kirkland, strayed from the Church. It is very difficult to understand how men with special and spiritual experiences could move out of the Church. For us, this is more a warning that none of us is beyond the power of Satan and we must always strengthen our testimonies through study, prayer, fasting, etc. to avoid the temptations of Satan. It is critical to recognize that none of these three men in any way renounced his testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and the things that were seen by a visit from an angel. Oliver Cowdery stayed away from church for ten years (1838-1848) but in the end returned and was reinstated with Church members. David Whitmer, after leaving the Church, never returned to be with the members. But he often testified about that he saw the plates and the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, and his testimony about the book was written on his tombstone! Martin Harris; just before Martin died, he returned to the Church. Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer, Martin Harris never denounced thier testimony in the book.
Surely this is not something that should be shared with all investigators but those who are more open to receiving inspiration. Share these facts with those investigators who would be empowered to learn more about the Prophet and the translation of the Book of Mormon.
I testify that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. It is our responsibility to obtain a strong testimony and live so the Spirit can testify through us to our investigators. For me, it's quite simple - the book is true, the Prophet Joseph Smith was a prophet and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the church of Christ - the only true and living church on earth today. We will testify this with all our hearts. This is my prayer for each one of you. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."
I am starting the Book of Mormon over again and I can really see that it is a true book. It just makes sense.
If the Book of Mormon is a true book, then Joseph Smith was a true prophet and the church that he restored is the true church. Plain and simple. If we want to know if the Church is true all we have to do is gain a testimony of the Book of Mormon, and if we gain a testimony of the book, everything makes sense. I am proud to say that I have a testimony of the Book of Mormon. I know it is a true book and that through its teachings we can better our lives as children of God. I know this because I read the book and I asked God.
I want you all to know that this book is true. I challenge all of you to read this book and not just read it, but READ IT, LIVE IT, PRAY IT, FEEL IT. Do everything you can to understand the book and you will be eternally blessed.
I love you all :) and I can't wait til' general conference :)
Zack
Renato, that guy that got shot in the face 5 times, was interviewed yesterday and passed. So he will be baptised this week. It's amazing to see how the Gosple changes the lives of others. This guy did it all; drugs, sex, rock and roll and got shot 5 times in the face. He has lived a hard life but is grateful for what the Gosple is doing with his life now. He has totally become a different person. We are going to work with his mom this week to try and get her interested
In the e- mail this week of President Pickett he includes some amazing facts about the Book of Mormom that I wanna share with you guys, its in Portuges so you're gonna have to translate it.
Translated:
"1. Even though the Prophet Joseph Smith, in general, had the plates from September 1827 until June 1829, the translation of the book was done in about 65 days - this would be a little less than 10 pages translated per day!
2. It was translated by someone who had not had an education - the family was extremely poor and was unable to raise children who went to formal school. Emma Smith, once shared with some people that Joseph was unable to write a letter, much less able to write a book!
3. The Book of Mormon:
a. 54 chapters dealing with the wars of the people
b. 21 chapters telling the story of the people
c. 55 chapters of visions and prophecies
d. 71 chapters of doctrine
e. 21 chapters dealing with the ministry of Jesus Christ
4. The book teaches the doctrines of the gospel taught in the Bible in a way that is clearer and easier to understand.
5. Since the day that the book was published, we discovered several things in South America and Central America that support things taught in the book! These things were things that the world did not recognize at the time of translation of the book.
With better understanding of all these facts, it is very difficult to understand why some people think it was Joseph Smith who wrote the book instead of translating it by the power and authority of God. Think about the complexity of writing such a book. All chapters that talk about teaching, the ministry of Jesus Christ and the history of the people would have to be quite constant with the doctrines in the Bible teaches. Would it be possible for a man incapable of writing a coherent letter to complete a job like that? Surely the answer is 'no'.
In the Book of Mormon, while it was being translated, the Prophet Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery learned that three special witnesses would be chosen to see the plates and other sacred things (see Ether 5:2-4, 2 Nephi 11:3, 2 Nephi 27:12). Through a revelation to the Prophet Joseph Smith (see D & C 17), the three witnesses were chosen - Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and Martin Harris. They were given instructions about the things that they would be privileged to see:
"Behold, I say unto you, that you must rely upon my word, which if you do with full purpose of heart, you shall have a view of, and also of the breastplate, the sword of Laban, the Urim and Thummim, which were given to the brother of Jared upon the mount, when he talked with the Lord face to face, and the miraculous directors which were given to Lehi while in the wilderness, on the borders of the Red Sea. "[ie, the Liahona]. (D & C 17:1).
Early in the book, shortly after the introduction, we have the testimony of these three witnesses. The very interesting thing is that all three, soon after when problems with in Kirkland, strayed from the Church. It is very difficult to understand how men with special and spiritual experiences could move out of the Church. For us, this is more a warning that none of us is beyond the power of Satan and we must always strengthen our testimonies through study, prayer, fasting, etc. to avoid the temptations of Satan. It is critical to recognize that none of these three men in any way renounced his testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and the things that were seen by a visit from an angel. Oliver Cowdery stayed away from church for ten years (1838-1848) but in the end returned and was reinstated with Church members. David Whitmer, after leaving the Church, never returned to be with the members. But he often testified about that he saw the plates and the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, and his testimony about the book was written on his tombstone! Martin Harris; just before Martin died, he returned to the Church. Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer, Martin Harris never denounced thier testimony in the book.
Surely this is not something that should be shared with all investigators but those who are more open to receiving inspiration. Share these facts with those investigators who would be empowered to learn more about the Prophet and the translation of the Book of Mormon.
I testify that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. It is our responsibility to obtain a strong testimony and live so the Spirit can testify through us to our investigators. For me, it's quite simple - the book is true, the Prophet Joseph Smith was a prophet and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the church of Christ - the only true and living church on earth today. We will testify this with all our hearts. This is my prayer for each one of you. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."
I am starting the Book of Mormon over again and I can really see that it is a true book. It just makes sense.
If the Book of Mormon is a true book, then Joseph Smith was a true prophet and the church that he restored is the true church. Plain and simple. If we want to know if the Church is true all we have to do is gain a testimony of the Book of Mormon, and if we gain a testimony of the book, everything makes sense. I am proud to say that I have a testimony of the Book of Mormon. I know it is a true book and that through its teachings we can better our lives as children of God. I know this because I read the book and I asked God.
I want you all to know that this book is true. I challenge all of you to read this book and not just read it, but READ IT, LIVE IT, PRAY IT, FEEL IT. Do everything you can to understand the book and you will be eternally blessed.
I love you all :) and I can't wait til' general conference :)
Zack
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
A Little Rough
Well, things are just going fine and dandy here in Rio de Janiero. It's getting pretty hot and I'm getting pretty tan again, tan enough that President called me a Africano, haha, but it's all good.
In the Zone Council we learned a lot about the Spirit and how He works. How we need to work with Him. It's amazing to see how much He guides us when we sit and listen. I asked President [Pickett] to give me a blessing after the Zone Council and that he did. Man, it was almost better than my Patriarchal blessing. The man is prophetic. haha He talked about everything, my future kids, wife, Mom and Dad, everything that's going to happen to me in the Church and Ya, it was amazing. I love President Pickett. He instructed me that every night before I sleep to write in my journal and to ponder and pray to recognize how the Spirit has guided me during my day. It's amazing, like I said, to just sit and think and ponder about all the stuff that has happened through out the day and to realize how the Spirit works with us and sometimes we don't even realize it. But I'm grateful to ser um [be a] missionary and to be able to be so close to my Pai Celestial [Heavenly Father]. It's amazing to see His love and how He guides us, because this is His work.
This week was a little rough for us. We taught 37 lessons but only 3 investigators in the chapel. So we realized that things need to change, and quick. Not only in my area but in the zone. It's kinda sad here in Rio. The Church is so different. The classes and arguments on who knows deeper doctrine and talking bad about other churches. So we have taken a big step into changing things. I bore my testimony and when I looked out at the people, all I saw was old people paying attention and everyone else talking. So all I said was that the Church is true and then Amen. I lost my patience with the ward at that point, and the bishop as well. It's just sad to see how people are just not all there and they just don't care to have the Spirit in the meeting. But one thing cool is that I saw my former baptisms from the last time I passed in Rio. They are all firm [in the Gospel] and one of them is the secretary in the ward and conducts the meetings and everything. He is Wilson, that guy that smoked for 40 years. He now is the firmest member in his ward. It's great to see their smiling faces and tears in their eyes. Thanking me for bringing the blessings of the Gospel into their lives. It makes me happy. It makes me feel like I'm actually doing my job, and that God is accepting my mission. I told Elder Francisco; "Man, I can just go home now." haha I'm just so happy to see that they are firm in the Church. It's amazing to work in this great Church, to see the blessings and how He changes the lives of those that let Him. I love this work.
Our investigator Renato, the one that got shot 5 times, was interviewed and he failed because he smoked. So we whipped him around and I'm thinking he will be baptized on the 19th.
I got the package!!! Finally! {the package was sent 7 months ago} The Easy Mac went in one day. But the other stuff is great. I got my glasses. haha It's so funny because it's like seeing in HD. Everything is so clear. haha
I'll send some pic's.
Sorry but I gots to go.
I love you guys and I want you to know that this is the true church.
Elder Manis
In the Zone Council we learned a lot about the Spirit and how He works. How we need to work with Him. It's amazing to see how much He guides us when we sit and listen. I asked President [Pickett] to give me a blessing after the Zone Council and that he did. Man, it was almost better than my Patriarchal blessing. The man is prophetic. haha He talked about everything, my future kids, wife, Mom and Dad, everything that's going to happen to me in the Church and Ya, it was amazing. I love President Pickett. He instructed me that every night before I sleep to write in my journal and to ponder and pray to recognize how the Spirit has guided me during my day. It's amazing, like I said, to just sit and think and ponder about all the stuff that has happened through out the day and to realize how the Spirit works with us and sometimes we don't even realize it. But I'm grateful to ser um [be a] missionary and to be able to be so close to my Pai Celestial [Heavenly Father]. It's amazing to see His love and how He guides us, because this is His work.
This week was a little rough for us. We taught 37 lessons but only 3 investigators in the chapel. So we realized that things need to change, and quick. Not only in my area but in the zone. It's kinda sad here in Rio. The Church is so different. The classes and arguments on who knows deeper doctrine and talking bad about other churches. So we have taken a big step into changing things. I bore my testimony and when I looked out at the people, all I saw was old people paying attention and everyone else talking. So all I said was that the Church is true and then Amen. I lost my patience with the ward at that point, and the bishop as well. It's just sad to see how people are just not all there and they just don't care to have the Spirit in the meeting. But one thing cool is that I saw my former baptisms from the last time I passed in Rio. They are all firm [in the Gospel] and one of them is the secretary in the ward and conducts the meetings and everything. He is Wilson, that guy that smoked for 40 years. He now is the firmest member in his ward. It's great to see their smiling faces and tears in their eyes. Thanking me for bringing the blessings of the Gospel into their lives. It makes me happy. It makes me feel like I'm actually doing my job, and that God is accepting my mission. I told Elder Francisco; "Man, I can just go home now." haha I'm just so happy to see that they are firm in the Church. It's amazing to work in this great Church, to see the blessings and how He changes the lives of those that let Him. I love this work.
Our investigator Renato, the one that got shot 5 times, was interviewed and he failed because he smoked. So we whipped him around and I'm thinking he will be baptized on the 19th.
I got the package!!! Finally! {the package was sent 7 months ago} The Easy Mac went in one day. But the other stuff is great. I got my glasses. haha It's so funny because it's like seeing in HD. Everything is so clear. haha
I'll send some pic's.
Sorry but I gots to go.
I love you guys and I want you to know that this is the true church.
Elder Manis
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
I Love Brazil
Well, this week was a lot better for the zone. We had some baptisms and the Elders are starting to wake up a little bit more, so that's good. Random, but I found out that in Octubro an Apostle is coming to visit our mission, so that's going to be awesome!! I have never seen an Apostle [in person] so I'm excited to see how this goes.
As for the glasses, I went to the doctor this morning and I'll be picking up the glasses at 4 this afternoon. So nerd Elder Manis is going to be walking around soon.
As for me and Elder Francisco, this week was a little slow. We taught 34 lessons but only brought 1 person to church. That was a big bummer and I wish things would have gotten a little better to close the week out. But oh well, that's part of missionary work. You do all you can and it doesn't work. So you gotta change how you look at things and take work from a different angle, then see where that's gonna take ya.
Tomorrow I have a meeting with President Pickett, all the way in Vitoria. It's a bus ride at 2 in the morning for us. haha But it's gonna be a great meeting.
I finished the Book of Mormon again (in Portuguese). At the end, I cried and realized how much I love the scriptures in Portuguese. I'm so grateful for the opportunity I have to learn this great language and share the Gospel in it.
Last Tuesday, I went on a division (split) in a city called Itaperuna. It's about 4 hours outside of Campos. On the way home I cried again. Ya, Elder Manis is a wimp now. haha I cried, because on the way home it's nothing but mountains and green rolling hills. hahah I don't wanna get all gay, but I love the country of Brazil. Brazil has made me who I am and will be for the rest of my life and it's something that I will never forget and always remember. I just wish sometimes I could leave and just walk around, but I can't. haha Ya, I love Brazil and I'm grateful for this great country and what he has done to help me.
Here in Brazil, I have learned that I have a Heavenly Father and he loves me. I have learned the eternal purposes of all things and I have learned that the Church is true. Serving here in Brazil, is something that I will never forget or trade. I know I was called here by our Lord. I thank Him everyday for being called here.
It's great to hear that the ward back at home is doing good. After the ward split, I don't know who anyone is and ya, I got your letters, but no package still.
Sorry the e-mails have been short these days. I have had to spend a lot of time sending things to President Pickett.
But know that this Church is true and that I love ya all :)]
Elder Manis
As for the glasses, I went to the doctor this morning and I'll be picking up the glasses at 4 this afternoon. So nerd Elder Manis is going to be walking around soon.
As for me and Elder Francisco, this week was a little slow. We taught 34 lessons but only brought 1 person to church. That was a big bummer and I wish things would have gotten a little better to close the week out. But oh well, that's part of missionary work. You do all you can and it doesn't work. So you gotta change how you look at things and take work from a different angle, then see where that's gonna take ya.
Tomorrow I have a meeting with President Pickett, all the way in Vitoria. It's a bus ride at 2 in the morning for us. haha But it's gonna be a great meeting.
I finished the Book of Mormon again (in Portuguese). At the end, I cried and realized how much I love the scriptures in Portuguese. I'm so grateful for the opportunity I have to learn this great language and share the Gospel in it.
Last Tuesday, I went on a division (split) in a city called Itaperuna. It's about 4 hours outside of Campos. On the way home I cried again. Ya, Elder Manis is a wimp now. haha I cried, because on the way home it's nothing but mountains and green rolling hills. hahah I don't wanna get all gay, but I love the country of Brazil. Brazil has made me who I am and will be for the rest of my life and it's something that I will never forget and always remember. I just wish sometimes I could leave and just walk around, but I can't. haha Ya, I love Brazil and I'm grateful for this great country and what he has done to help me.
Here in Brazil, I have learned that I have a Heavenly Father and he loves me. I have learned the eternal purposes of all things and I have learned that the Church is true. Serving here in Brazil, is something that I will never forget or trade. I know I was called here by our Lord. I thank Him everyday for being called here.
It's great to hear that the ward back at home is doing good. After the ward split, I don't know who anyone is and ya, I got your letters, but no package still.
Sorry the e-mails have been short these days. I have had to spend a lot of time sending things to President Pickett.
But know that this Church is true and that I love ya all :)]
Elder Manis
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Almilton
Hey Moms,
Well, this week was a great week full of work and stress. The zone isn't doing too well right now. Just got some missionaries that just don't want to work and are fine with that. So then the weight comes on my shoulders and I have to try and find out what I can do to help. haha You can't help a missionary that just doesn't want to work. It's like and investigator that won't read the Book of Mormon to know if it's true. You just cut them. But I can't do that, so I gotta put up with them. haha
As for me and Elder Francisco, things are going great. I love this guy he is so amazing and funny. It's the best. We had 3 baptisms this week. Lucas, Caroline and Almilton. Lucas is 15 and he was a great investigator. He accepted everything. But Caroline is a little bit of another story. First off, she is deaf. So we basicaly had to pull of some mad spiritual lessons so that the Spirit could tell her that the Church is true and well, she accepted. And then and Almilton...
Almilton is the most memorable baptism that I will ever have on my mission. He was a man that took his wife and kids to Church but rarely entered. He said that; "Church is for women and kids, it's not for me." He had a hard heart, let's just say that. But when I got here in Campos, we ate lunch at his house the first day and I could see our family in his family. So I said to myself; "I'm gonna treat this guy like my Dad and I'm going to teach him as if he was my Dad." He was a little hard and hessitant at first, but when it came to marking the date and bearing my testimony, it was over. He was going to be baptised. As we were leaving, his son hugged me crying and thanking me. Well, he was baptised this week. To see him leaving the water with tears in his eyes and hugging his son gave me hope that one day I can share that happiness with my Dad.
When he left me as well with some watery eyes, I hugged him and got all wet too. haha But the feelings and the Spirit that were there are things that I can't describe. I know that I came on my mission to teach him and to help him have an eternal family. Without a doubt, I know that this church is true and only through the Church of Jesus Christ we can live with our families together forever.
I don't have much time because I wanna send some pictures. I'm sorry, but things are going great and it's good to hear that everything is going well. It's crazy to hear that everyone is FICANDO GRAVIDA (getting pregnant) haha
I love you guys,
Elder Manis
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Dad
Dad,
Things are going great here. In fact this week was an amazing week a lot of amazing things happened that I'll never forget.
I'm gonna e-mail you this week instead of Mom, so foward this to her.
We are teaching this man named Almilton. He is 52 years old and his family is just like ours. Being that he is not [a member]of the Church. Well, we found that he wasn't a member when we where eating lunch at his house. We started to teach him and I just flat out asked him, "Why haven't you been baptised?" He said, "I don't know?" So we got to teaching him and the time came to mark a date of baptism with him. We did at first, and he didnt accept and went a little soft on us. So I went in strong and told him that he was more than prepared, he has been going to the church for 10 years now and until now no one has gotten firm about baptism with him.
Dad, that is why I am saying this.
Because, in his family I saw my family, our family. I know that I would fight until the end to get an eternal family so I looked him in the eyes and I said, "I'm not going to lose you. And he accepted, and this Sunday he will be baptised.
Dad, I love you and I just want to ask, why haven't you been baptised?. What are your thoughts on baptism, the Church and stuff. I just wanna know. Because, Dad I'm going to fight for you, because I love you. Don't beat around the bush, just talk to me, I wanna know.
I tell you, if Almilton can be baptised you can too.
I love you Dad
Zack
Things are going great here. In fact this week was an amazing week a lot of amazing things happened that I'll never forget.
I'm gonna e-mail you this week instead of Mom, so foward this to her.
We are teaching this man named Almilton. He is 52 years old and his family is just like ours. Being that he is not [a member]of the Church. Well, we found that he wasn't a member when we where eating lunch at his house. We started to teach him and I just flat out asked him, "Why haven't you been baptised?" He said, "I don't know?" So we got to teaching him and the time came to mark a date of baptism with him. We did at first, and he didnt accept and went a little soft on us. So I went in strong and told him that he was more than prepared, he has been going to the church for 10 years now and until now no one has gotten firm about baptism with him.
Dad, that is why I am saying this.
Because, in his family I saw my family, our family. I know that I would fight until the end to get an eternal family so I looked him in the eyes and I said, "I'm not going to lose you. And he accepted, and this Sunday he will be baptised.
Dad, I love you and I just want to ask, why haven't you been baptised?. What are your thoughts on baptism, the Church and stuff. I just wanna know. Because, Dad I'm going to fight for you, because I love you. Don't beat around the bush, just talk to me, I wanna know.
I tell you, if Almilton can be baptised you can too.
I love you Dad
Zack
Monday, August 9, 2010
Leaving Andre Carloni
Well, things are going swell,
Yup, I got transferred and yup, I'm back in Rio. It's funny to be basically back in the same city but I'm in a different area. This time I'm a Zone Leader with Elder Brito. It's funny because we both have juniors, so we, as the Zone Leaders don't even work together. But it's all good. My companion is Elder Francisco. He is the funniest and craziest comp' I have ever had. It's funny because he is 26 years old and only has 3 years in the Church so everything is new to him still. I love the Elders that have been baptized recently. Their testimony is stronger than anything. He is from Rondonia. It's a tiny tiny state by Amazonas but he lived in Spain for the past 5 years and that's where he learned about the Church. He said whenever I want to go to Barcelona I've got a house to stay at. :) He is really cool and I love this kid. Being a ZL isn't much different that being a Senior Companion you just have to be an example for the whole zone. So that's a little nerve racking, but it's amazing because you work without fear. It's like you have received an injection of love for the missionary work. So ya, all is good. The zone is suffering a little bit. There hasn't been much success here for a while, so it's our job to straighten up the zone.
Well, leaving my last area was so hard. I'm not going to lie, I cried and cried like a baby. I think it was harder to say goodbye to the members and to the people I have baptised there than saying goodbye to you guys in the airport. It was so hard. You just get to see how grateful the people are for you and the work you did to help them. So ya, it was hard. :( Elder Cabral cried in the bus station. So that was hard. We had a little talk and he said that I helped him out like crazy, and that his mission will never be the same. So that was rough as well. But I let him know that the secret to missionary work is hard work. He agreed. He is a good guy and he is a great missionary, it just took a little shake to wake him up.
As for me in my new area, we are doing great. We had 7 investigators in the chapel and we have 3 baptism dates for the 22nd. We will see how the things play out here in the next few weeks. I'm still a little lost walking around and getting lost sucks. But it's all part of the work.
We live in a house that is the size of an airplane bathroom. We live as 6 missionaries together, so it's super cramped. haha I got the short stick and I have to sleep on the ground. But it's all good. Faz parte
I'm doing great. I love the missionaries that live with me and love my new area. I know I'm going to have a lot of fun here workin' hard. :)
That's so crazy to here that summer is already over and that everyone is going back to school. haha That's way crazy, just make the best of it. :)
Love you guys,
Elder Manis
Yup, I got transferred and yup, I'm back in Rio. It's funny to be basically back in the same city but I'm in a different area. This time I'm a Zone Leader with Elder Brito. It's funny because we both have juniors, so we, as the Zone Leaders don't even work together. But it's all good. My companion is Elder Francisco. He is the funniest and craziest comp' I have ever had. It's funny because he is 26 years old and only has 3 years in the Church so everything is new to him still. I love the Elders that have been baptized recently. Their testimony is stronger than anything. He is from Rondonia. It's a tiny tiny state by Amazonas but he lived in Spain for the past 5 years and that's where he learned about the Church. He said whenever I want to go to Barcelona I've got a house to stay at. :) He is really cool and I love this kid. Being a ZL isn't much different that being a Senior Companion you just have to be an example for the whole zone. So that's a little nerve racking, but it's amazing because you work without fear. It's like you have received an injection of love for the missionary work. So ya, all is good. The zone is suffering a little bit. There hasn't been much success here for a while, so it's our job to straighten up the zone.
Well, leaving my last area was so hard. I'm not going to lie, I cried and cried like a baby. I think it was harder to say goodbye to the members and to the people I have baptised there than saying goodbye to you guys in the airport. It was so hard. You just get to see how grateful the people are for you and the work you did to help them. So ya, it was hard. :( Elder Cabral cried in the bus station. So that was hard. We had a little talk and he said that I helped him out like crazy, and that his mission will never be the same. So that was rough as well. But I let him know that the secret to missionary work is hard work. He agreed. He is a good guy and he is a great missionary, it just took a little shake to wake him up.
As for me in my new area, we are doing great. We had 7 investigators in the chapel and we have 3 baptism dates for the 22nd. We will see how the things play out here in the next few weeks. I'm still a little lost walking around and getting lost sucks. But it's all part of the work.
We live in a house that is the size of an airplane bathroom. We live as 6 missionaries together, so it's super cramped. haha I got the short stick and I have to sleep on the ground. But it's all good. Faz parte
I'm doing great. I love the missionaries that live with me and love my new area. I know I'm going to have a lot of fun here workin' hard. :)
That's so crazy to here that summer is already over and that everyone is going back to school. haha That's way crazy, just make the best of it. :)
Love you guys,
Elder Manis
Sunday, August 8, 2010
The Value of a Soul
O valor de uma alma.. [the value of a soul]
This week was ROUGH, it was probably the most stressful week of my mission.
I have never desired so greatly some one's salvation. It just gets to you. But yes, this week we did have 3 baptisms. Tamára, Ingrid, and Jndira entraram nas aguas do batismo.[entered the waters of baptism] It was such a fight to get these people to be baptised. It was not the fact that they didn't know if the Church was true. It was straight fear. So having to deal with these scared people this whole week was rough. I can't even explain it in English, let's just say I'm fighting the good fight. Literally fighting. This week I also saw how angry Satan is and how he works so hard to get in the way.
Let's start:
1) Tamára didn't want to get baptised because her dad would have thrown her out of the house... How do you fight that?
2) Ingrid showed up and hour and a half late to her baptism.. a knife in the heart.
3) Jandira didn't want to get baptised because her husband basically restricted her... How do you fight that? and Raycar her son that baptised her. His bike got stolen while we where at the church.
This week was a fight against Satan. It was seriously a fight. We could see him putting things in the way of these people. Really, he doesn't stop at anything. But the Lord will not let him get in the way of His work.
So then we had the miracle side to our work. We could seriously see miracles happening in front of us. After the 3 baptisms, I just sat in the bathroom and just vented. haha I felt like crying, I was just so stressed out. You have no idea, but it's part of the work. Missionary work isn't easy because salvation isn't free.
I'm seriously burnt out from this week. But there is no resting in missionary work. I got transferred :( I'm not sure where to, but I'll find out tomorrow. And I got another leadership calling so now I have more missionaries to worry about. hahah So it's going to be interesting to see what's going to happen in the next few transfers. Elder Cabral is doing a lot better, he has really learned what it takes to become a dedicated Elder and to finish the work out.
It's crazy to hear that everyone is getting married or is almost getting married at home. I'm not even worried about that for now. haha I got a crazy zone to look after. I'm going to miss this area. Really, I have grown to love the people here and to see the difference that we have made in their lives. Just some things that the heart doesn't forget. I have already seen a lot of crying Irmãs that don't want me to go, but, I gotta go someday. I love the people here really, with all my heart and never will I forget them. :)
Well I'm sorry family if this letter is lame but I gotta go get packin. :(
Love you guys,
Elder Manis
This week was ROUGH, it was probably the most stressful week of my mission.
I have never desired so greatly some one's salvation. It just gets to you. But yes, this week we did have 3 baptisms. Tamára, Ingrid, and Jndira entraram nas aguas do batismo.[entered the waters of baptism] It was such a fight to get these people to be baptised. It was not the fact that they didn't know if the Church was true. It was straight fear. So having to deal with these scared people this whole week was rough. I can't even explain it in English, let's just say I'm fighting the good fight. Literally fighting. This week I also saw how angry Satan is and how he works so hard to get in the way.
Let's start:
1) Tamára didn't want to get baptised because her dad would have thrown her out of the house... How do you fight that?
2) Ingrid showed up and hour and a half late to her baptism.. a knife in the heart.
3) Jandira didn't want to get baptised because her husband basically restricted her... How do you fight that? and Raycar her son that baptised her. His bike got stolen while we where at the church.
This week was a fight against Satan. It was seriously a fight. We could see him putting things in the way of these people. Really, he doesn't stop at anything. But the Lord will not let him get in the way of His work.
So then we had the miracle side to our work. We could seriously see miracles happening in front of us. After the 3 baptisms, I just sat in the bathroom and just vented. haha I felt like crying, I was just so stressed out. You have no idea, but it's part of the work. Missionary work isn't easy because salvation isn't free.
I'm seriously burnt out from this week. But there is no resting in missionary work. I got transferred :( I'm not sure where to, but I'll find out tomorrow. And I got another leadership calling so now I have more missionaries to worry about. hahah So it's going to be interesting to see what's going to happen in the next few transfers. Elder Cabral is doing a lot better, he has really learned what it takes to become a dedicated Elder and to finish the work out.
It's crazy to hear that everyone is getting married or is almost getting married at home. I'm not even worried about that for now. haha I got a crazy zone to look after. I'm going to miss this area. Really, I have grown to love the people here and to see the difference that we have made in their lives. Just some things that the heart doesn't forget. I have already seen a lot of crying Irmãs that don't want me to go, but, I gotta go someday. I love the people here really, with all my heart and never will I forget them. :)
Well I'm sorry family if this letter is lame but I gotta go get packin. :(
Love you guys,
Elder Manis
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
The Atonement
Ola Familia,
Well Mom, about the banking stuff we only get about 45 American bucks per month, so ya, I just would like to eat a little bit more that what I'm taking in.
Just like you guys, my week was a blurr. The days just keep going by faster and faster and don't seem to be slowing down. It's all good. This week was a little slow because Elder Cabral went to the dentist and that took forever. He has bruxismo. That's when you grind your teeth at night. haha It's seriously like he is chewing rocks. haha It's crazy. So he got a nifty mouth piece to sport when he hits the hay. We also had a leadership training meeting so that too took a little while. But this week Elder Cabral and I had a good talk. I told him how he needed to work more, and then he told me that I needed to teach better and stuff. So we both came to the conclusion that we both had some things that we needed to improve on. But it was a good talk, I just hope his eyes are opened because if he stays like this forever his mission is gonna suck.
This week was a great week for our investigators. I learned a lot about the Atonement.
We have an investigator Tamára, she has been an investigator for a little while now, and she always had something holding her back [from baptism]. We taught her about the Atonement and that how God forgets the bad things we have done if we repent. It was really awesome, because that night she called me and told me what was holding her back. It was really awesome to see how the Atonement really opens the minds of people. She told me what it was and she was crying and said that she wants God to forget this, and be accepted to be baptised. I know that sounds like a watered down kids version. But I just felt so honored that she would have trusted me enough to tell me what it was. It was just amazing to see the promises of the Lord working in her life. She and Ingrid our other baptism were interviewed yesterday and they will be baptised on Sunday.
Yesterday I did a baptismal interview, it was a Dad of a part-member family that decided to finally be baptised. (Like when Dad gets baptised) Well, at the end of the interview I asked him what it was that made him decided to be baptised all of a sudden. He said that he was always scared that he wouldn't be able to accomplish his duty as a Priesthood leader. But then he realized that following the example of Jesus Christ and being baptised, that he would be blessed and helped in all things. And that promise was to good to pass up. I just can't wait 'til Dad gets baptised. So we can have an eternal family. :) The man helped me out more than I helped him. haha It was good to talk to him.
Transfers are coming up. I think it's the 3rd, and I think I'm going to be transferred. 4 transfers in one area are a lot. But if I stay I'm fine with that. haha
If there is one thing that I have learned on the mission it's just shut up and do God's will. If He wants me to stay I'll stay and if He wants me to go I'll go. :)
I love this Gospel and know that it is true. I started reading 3rd Nephi this week and its amazing to see how Christ works, and the blessing He promises if we do what is asked of us. :)
Love you guys,
and until now still no package :(
Elder Manis
Well Mom, about the banking stuff we only get about 45 American bucks per month, so ya, I just would like to eat a little bit more that what I'm taking in.
Just like you guys, my week was a blurr. The days just keep going by faster and faster and don't seem to be slowing down. It's all good. This week was a little slow because Elder Cabral went to the dentist and that took forever. He has bruxismo. That's when you grind your teeth at night. haha It's seriously like he is chewing rocks. haha It's crazy. So he got a nifty mouth piece to sport when he hits the hay. We also had a leadership training meeting so that too took a little while. But this week Elder Cabral and I had a good talk. I told him how he needed to work more, and then he told me that I needed to teach better and stuff. So we both came to the conclusion that we both had some things that we needed to improve on. But it was a good talk, I just hope his eyes are opened because if he stays like this forever his mission is gonna suck.
This week was a great week for our investigators. I learned a lot about the Atonement.
We have an investigator Tamára, she has been an investigator for a little while now, and she always had something holding her back [from baptism]. We taught her about the Atonement and that how God forgets the bad things we have done if we repent. It was really awesome, because that night she called me and told me what was holding her back. It was really awesome to see how the Atonement really opens the minds of people. She told me what it was and she was crying and said that she wants God to forget this, and be accepted to be baptised. I know that sounds like a watered down kids version. But I just felt so honored that she would have trusted me enough to tell me what it was. It was just amazing to see the promises of the Lord working in her life. She and Ingrid our other baptism were interviewed yesterday and they will be baptised on Sunday.
Yesterday I did a baptismal interview, it was a Dad of a part-member family that decided to finally be baptised. (Like when Dad gets baptised) Well, at the end of the interview I asked him what it was that made him decided to be baptised all of a sudden. He said that he was always scared that he wouldn't be able to accomplish his duty as a Priesthood leader. But then he realized that following the example of Jesus Christ and being baptised, that he would be blessed and helped in all things. And that promise was to good to pass up. I just can't wait 'til Dad gets baptised. So we can have an eternal family. :) The man helped me out more than I helped him. haha It was good to talk to him.
Transfers are coming up. I think it's the 3rd, and I think I'm going to be transferred. 4 transfers in one area are a lot. But if I stay I'm fine with that. haha
If there is one thing that I have learned on the mission it's just shut up and do God's will. If He wants me to stay I'll stay and if He wants me to go I'll go. :)
I love this Gospel and know that it is true. I started reading 3rd Nephi this week and its amazing to see how Christ works, and the blessing He promises if we do what is asked of us. :)
Love you guys,
and until now still no package :(
Elder Manis
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
This Church Makes Sense
ola familia dexe me te-dizer que eu so grato por voces e as coisas voces fazem em minha vida :)
(Hi family, let me just say I'm thankful for you and all you do for me)
Well, this week was an alright week. It wasn't an amazing week, but it was a good week. Elder Cabral is doing great. He and I have had some good talks, and we both have realized that the mission is a little tiring but that's when you gotta work the hardest. Heavenly Father sees everything that we do and Satan as well, so we gotta be extra careful and make sure we are always on His side and never give up.
Well, this week we had another baptism. It was Ian the son of Rosangela. We just completed the family. He was really scared to get baptized, but I left a good message with him. I basically said; "Don't be afraid to do the right things." And he wasn't, and was baptised. It's really amazing to see the Gospel bless this family. To see where they were in the dark all alone and suffering, to seeing them smiling and happy in the church. Knowing and seeing that makes my testimony more strong every day. Just seeing how the Lord works. All I have to say is THIS CHURCH MAKES SENSE. Everything in the Gospel of Jesus Christ makes sense and is here to bless us. The fact that we have a living prophet and 12 apostles is enough to prove that out church is true. And it's amazing to be a servant of the true church :).
Well, about our investigators; they are going good we have Ingrid she will be baptised on the 31st. She is a sister of one of our baptisms, she is really shy and is a little afraid about baptism but she is working a lot with faith and we can see it growing. We also have Tamára she as well will be baptised on the 31 and she too is a little wobbly about baptism but it's nothing that will hold her back. That's about the only people that we have with baptism dates this week. President is doing great, I see him this week. He is such a rad guy, he knows everything that you could ever imagine, and he helps you out a lot. As for the food, nothing too interesting lately. Just rice and beans and sometimes some FARINHA. It's basically saw dust you put on your food. I don't know why I eat it. It's not even tasty but it's one more thing to eat. The weather has been crazy these days, It's always sunny and hot, but when 5 o'clock comes around, the clouds swell and from 5 'till 5 in the morning it's a good hard rain with lots of lightning. So it's always funny because I have to hand wash all my clothes and I'm always afraid to hang them up to dry because of the rain at night.
We live in an apartment about the size of a bathroom. It's seriously the smallest thing ever, and it gets dirty really fast. It's always leaking, so one day I'm a plumber and the next I'm laying tile, and the next a carpenter fixing chairs. haha I guess you could say that I'm learning a butt load about the Gospel, and home skills in this house.
I bought a George Foreman grill this week "HHHHHAAAAALLLLEEEELLLLUUUUAAaAA". So I have been cooking it up to the max. Well, not really, just grilled egg muffins but still it's great I love it.
Well, that's about all for me. Things are just in the works and the results are coming.
Stay good family, know that I love everyone of you and that I pray for you every day,
Elder Manis
(Hi family, let me just say I'm thankful for you and all you do for me)
Well, this week was an alright week. It wasn't an amazing week, but it was a good week. Elder Cabral is doing great. He and I have had some good talks, and we both have realized that the mission is a little tiring but that's when you gotta work the hardest. Heavenly Father sees everything that we do and Satan as well, so we gotta be extra careful and make sure we are always on His side and never give up.
Well, this week we had another baptism. It was Ian the son of Rosangela. We just completed the family. He was really scared to get baptized, but I left a good message with him. I basically said; "Don't be afraid to do the right things." And he wasn't, and was baptised. It's really amazing to see the Gospel bless this family. To see where they were in the dark all alone and suffering, to seeing them smiling and happy in the church. Knowing and seeing that makes my testimony more strong every day. Just seeing how the Lord works. All I have to say is THIS CHURCH MAKES SENSE. Everything in the Gospel of Jesus Christ makes sense and is here to bless us. The fact that we have a living prophet and 12 apostles is enough to prove that out church is true. And it's amazing to be a servant of the true church :).
Well, about our investigators; they are going good we have Ingrid she will be baptised on the 31st. She is a sister of one of our baptisms, she is really shy and is a little afraid about baptism but she is working a lot with faith and we can see it growing. We also have Tamára she as well will be baptised on the 31 and she too is a little wobbly about baptism but it's nothing that will hold her back. That's about the only people that we have with baptism dates this week. President is doing great, I see him this week. He is such a rad guy, he knows everything that you could ever imagine, and he helps you out a lot. As for the food, nothing too interesting lately. Just rice and beans and sometimes some FARINHA. It's basically saw dust you put on your food. I don't know why I eat it. It's not even tasty but it's one more thing to eat. The weather has been crazy these days, It's always sunny and hot, but when 5 o'clock comes around, the clouds swell and from 5 'till 5 in the morning it's a good hard rain with lots of lightning. So it's always funny because I have to hand wash all my clothes and I'm always afraid to hang them up to dry because of the rain at night.
We live in an apartment about the size of a bathroom. It's seriously the smallest thing ever, and it gets dirty really fast. It's always leaking, so one day I'm a plumber and the next I'm laying tile, and the next a carpenter fixing chairs. haha I guess you could say that I'm learning a butt load about the Gospel, and home skills in this house.
I bought a George Foreman grill this week "HHHHHAAAAALLLLEEEELLLLUUUUAAaAA". So I have been cooking it up to the max. Well, not really, just grilled egg muffins but still it's great I love it.
Well, that's about all for me. Things are just in the works and the results are coming.
Stay good family, know that I love everyone of you and that I pray for you every day,
Elder Manis
Monday, July 12, 2010
Sacrifice + Work = Blessings
HOLA FAMILIA COMO VOS ESTAIS,
Well, things were just in the fight for me this week. Nothing was going right. We didn't teach a lot and lets just say I had a lot of whipping to do this week. Elder Cabral is having a rough time in his mission right now. They just come and go, but I guess this one hit him pretty hard. He didn't make one contact this week and barely taught when I passed the ball to him. Just kinda sat on his rump. I was actually kinda frustrated with him. He just wanted to go back to the house and sleep. And he always complained that we weren't in control of the things that where happening. So I said, "Well, what do we have to do to change, so that we can be in control." I got a little bit of whining as a result and basically I just said; "Be a man. Hey, a mission isn't easy because salvation isn't free." and our little conversation woke him up. He is doing good, I love the kid to death. He just lets the hard times get to him and he thinks the best thing to do would be to quit. But he is great and really cool. He has seen a lot of American films. So it's not like we never have anything to talk about. None of that awkward silence, ya know.
Well, if there has been a hard week in my mission, this week was my hardest. Nothing was working out and it was really frustrating working all alone and pulling the load of another person. But we had 5 people in the chapel on Sunday and if we play our cards right we can have some baptisms this next week. But man, this week was rough. There is a scripture in MATTHEW 11:28-30 "Vinde a mim e eu vos livrerei" Just saying in Christ you'll find rest. Because he was sent here to take on our burdens. This scripture has never meant that much to me until now. This is the first time on my mission that I have felt tired. Just hurting and just fighting to get to the end of the day. I have fallen asleep in almost all of my prayers at night. I have learned the importance of companionship. Yes, you and your companion can be best of friends, but if you're not on the same page then things get complicated. And that's in everything; missions, marriage, school, everything. I just feel tired, not like I'm going to give up. It's just a feeling. haha I don't know if I know how to explain it.
Other than that, things are going great. We had a great Zone Conference this week and I learned a lot. Basically that "sacrifice+work=blessings" so shut your mouth and get to work.
Blessings might not always be baptisms and people in the chapel. So it made me take a step back and look at my mission and see how much it has blessed and effected my life in all aspects.
It's crazy to get pictures and see the family. Everything and everyone is changing and growing up. It's just strange to see.
That girl that Preston had over was a girl I went to school with, so that's crazy. He sent me some pictures too and that was cool.
I still haven't gotten my birthday package so I hope I'll get them soon.
Our last 8 baptisms are firm in the church. I found out that one of those new members that I had baptised is now the Secretary of the stake. So that was cool to see. I I found out that another is getting ready for a mission. It's amazing to see how this Gospel can do great miracles in the lives of others. It's good to know that I am part of it. :)
I love you guys,
Zack
Well, things were just in the fight for me this week. Nothing was going right. We didn't teach a lot and lets just say I had a lot of whipping to do this week. Elder Cabral is having a rough time in his mission right now. They just come and go, but I guess this one hit him pretty hard. He didn't make one contact this week and barely taught when I passed the ball to him. Just kinda sat on his rump. I was actually kinda frustrated with him. He just wanted to go back to the house and sleep. And he always complained that we weren't in control of the things that where happening. So I said, "Well, what do we have to do to change, so that we can be in control." I got a little bit of whining as a result and basically I just said; "Be a man. Hey, a mission isn't easy because salvation isn't free." and our little conversation woke him up. He is doing good, I love the kid to death. He just lets the hard times get to him and he thinks the best thing to do would be to quit. But he is great and really cool. He has seen a lot of American films. So it's not like we never have anything to talk about. None of that awkward silence, ya know.
Well, if there has been a hard week in my mission, this week was my hardest. Nothing was working out and it was really frustrating working all alone and pulling the load of another person. But we had 5 people in the chapel on Sunday and if we play our cards right we can have some baptisms this next week. But man, this week was rough. There is a scripture in MATTHEW 11:28-30 "Vinde a mim e eu vos livrerei" Just saying in Christ you'll find rest. Because he was sent here to take on our burdens. This scripture has never meant that much to me until now. This is the first time on my mission that I have felt tired. Just hurting and just fighting to get to the end of the day. I have fallen asleep in almost all of my prayers at night. I have learned the importance of companionship. Yes, you and your companion can be best of friends, but if you're not on the same page then things get complicated. And that's in everything; missions, marriage, school, everything. I just feel tired, not like I'm going to give up. It's just a feeling. haha I don't know if I know how to explain it.
Other than that, things are going great. We had a great Zone Conference this week and I learned a lot. Basically that "sacrifice+work=blessings" so shut your mouth and get to work.
Blessings might not always be baptisms and people in the chapel. So it made me take a step back and look at my mission and see how much it has blessed and effected my life in all aspects.
It's crazy to get pictures and see the family. Everything and everyone is changing and growing up. It's just strange to see.
That girl that Preston had over was a girl I went to school with, so that's crazy. He sent me some pictures too and that was cool.
I still haven't gotten my birthday package so I hope I'll get them soon.
Our last 8 baptisms are firm in the church. I found out that one of those new members that I had baptised is now the Secretary of the stake. So that was cool to see. I I found out that another is getting ready for a mission. It's amazing to see how this Gospel can do great miracles in the lives of others. It's good to know that I am part of it. :)
I love you guys,
Zack
In a rush
Hey family,
This e-mail is way rushed so I'll apologize in advance.
Well, yup, Brazil lost. It was a sad day. I have never seen so many people sad like that, but the next day Argentina lost as well so I never saw so many people happy again (Brazil and Argentina are soccer rivals) haha But things are starting to pick up slowly but surely and we have some promising people that we are working with.
I totally forgot about the 4th of July, but I was reminded in the chapel and I was like "haha oooohhh I forgot about that." I have absolutely no time to think about stuff at home. I have to worry about my work and a bunch of other missionaries. So I have no time.
Mom, Family, I'm sorry this e-mail is way short but the place is closing.
I'll send a ton more next week.
Love ya - all is well,
Zack
OK, well I have 10 more minutes, so I'll see what I can come up with.
The people [that we are working with] aren't the golden people you would find usually, so we will see where we can go with them. I'm starting to run out of ideas in my area. Going on 7 months in the same little place gets on you after a while. How did Dad hurt his arm? My new Comp' is pretty cool, he is a little prideful, but we all are. We work together and we always improve our work. Things are going good in the ward. Tomorrow is Zone Conference and I'm excited about that. Just to get a better view on things.
Love you guys,
Elder Manis
This e-mail is way rushed so I'll apologize in advance.
Well, yup, Brazil lost. It was a sad day. I have never seen so many people sad like that, but the next day Argentina lost as well so I never saw so many people happy again (Brazil and Argentina are soccer rivals) haha But things are starting to pick up slowly but surely and we have some promising people that we are working with.
I totally forgot about the 4th of July, but I was reminded in the chapel and I was like "haha oooohhh I forgot about that." I have absolutely no time to think about stuff at home. I have to worry about my work and a bunch of other missionaries. So I have no time.
Mom, Family, I'm sorry this e-mail is way short but the place is closing.
I'll send a ton more next week.
Love ya - all is well,
Zack
OK, well I have 10 more minutes, so I'll see what I can come up with.
The people [that we are working with] aren't the golden people you would find usually, so we will see where we can go with them. I'm starting to run out of ideas in my area. Going on 7 months in the same little place gets on you after a while. How did Dad hurt his arm? My new Comp' is pretty cool, he is a little prideful, but we all are. We work together and we always improve our work. Things are going good in the ward. Tomorrow is Zone Conference and I'm excited about that. Just to get a better view on things.
Love you guys,
Elder Manis
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Things are rolling in Andre Carloni
As coisas estão rolando em André Carloni..
Well, just as I had hoped, I didn't get transfer ed. I got held here in Andre Carloni, but Elder Erick packed his bags. It was a little hard to see him go because we worked so well together. Just on the same page on everything. We never fought and just about never had doubts about what to do. But it's all part of a mission.
My new companion is Elder Cabral from São Paulo. He is new on the mission with only 4 months out, so it was a little hard for him to wake up and get back to work after the transfer. He is a chillax guy. He is basically American but doesn't speak any English. He just likes everything American, even football and basketball and baseball. He had ESPN in his home. But with a new companion the first few days and moments together are a bit strange. But like I said, its all part of a mission.
Things here in André Carloni are going great. We had a baptism Saturday. Andrini, she is a sister of a member so that was cool. She was very open to hearing the discussions and really had the desire to be baptized. So we baptised her. haha Now we are focusing our efforts on the parents. They are very open the Gospel too, so it's just a matter of time until they accept it.
This time of year here in Brazil they have a lot of festivals called A Festa Junini. It's just like a shin' dig' with a bunch of line-dancing and food. It's just a huge party. The ward had one this past week and it was way cool to see the different Brazilian cultures, all the strange food and all the weird clothes. haha They dress up like hillbillies. It's just crazy.
It's crazy to hear that it is all ready summer there back in Arizona. It just doesn't make sense but its good to hear that you all are working hard and that everything is going great. Mom about my beard, ya, it grows in a lot thicker now. But I'm not that hairy. haha I probably have 12 chest hairs. haha I think Wyatt got the hairy gene.
This week I was studying a lot about "As coisas pequenas e simples" or the small and simple things.
As a missionary I have learned that you must always change and modify. Your work for example; one thing for one contact may not work with another. So your workspace is always changing. I realised that it's the small and simple things that make all the difference. Just asking a little bit more questions to get to know the person, making a few extra contacts, and being a little bit more sincere in my prayers to my Heavenly Father to help me change what I can change and be humble enough to accept the things that I can't change. I have seen a big difference in my work but I still have a long way to go. I still have to work a lot harder to get to where I wanna be; not just in my mission, but in life too. Here on the mission I have learned the importance of celestial things, like an eternal family and just being happy forever. The worldly things can just take a break. haha I can't bring a Range Rover to the Celestial Kingdom, but a happy loving family I can.
I love all of you and pray for you all,
Elder Manis
PS: Mom you need to send me a soccer shirt of the US team.
#10 Donovan :)
Love Ya
Well, just as I had hoped, I didn't get transfer ed. I got held here in Andre Carloni, but Elder Erick packed his bags. It was a little hard to see him go because we worked so well together. Just on the same page on everything. We never fought and just about never had doubts about what to do. But it's all part of a mission.
My new companion is Elder Cabral from São Paulo. He is new on the mission with only 4 months out, so it was a little hard for him to wake up and get back to work after the transfer. He is a chillax guy. He is basically American but doesn't speak any English. He just likes everything American, even football and basketball and baseball. He had ESPN in his home. But with a new companion the first few days and moments together are a bit strange. But like I said, its all part of a mission.
Things here in André Carloni are going great. We had a baptism Saturday. Andrini, she is a sister of a member so that was cool. She was very open to hearing the discussions and really had the desire to be baptized. So we baptised her. haha Now we are focusing our efforts on the parents. They are very open the Gospel too, so it's just a matter of time until they accept it.
This time of year here in Brazil they have a lot of festivals called A Festa Junini. It's just like a shin' dig' with a bunch of line-dancing and food. It's just a huge party. The ward had one this past week and it was way cool to see the different Brazilian cultures, all the strange food and all the weird clothes. haha They dress up like hillbillies. It's just crazy.
It's crazy to hear that it is all ready summer there back in Arizona. It just doesn't make sense but its good to hear that you all are working hard and that everything is going great. Mom about my beard, ya, it grows in a lot thicker now. But I'm not that hairy. haha I probably have 12 chest hairs. haha I think Wyatt got the hairy gene.
This week I was studying a lot about "As coisas pequenas e simples" or the small and simple things.
As a missionary I have learned that you must always change and modify. Your work for example; one thing for one contact may not work with another. So your workspace is always changing. I realised that it's the small and simple things that make all the difference. Just asking a little bit more questions to get to know the person, making a few extra contacts, and being a little bit more sincere in my prayers to my Heavenly Father to help me change what I can change and be humble enough to accept the things that I can't change. I have seen a big difference in my work but I still have a long way to go. I still have to work a lot harder to get to where I wanna be; not just in my mission, but in life too. Here on the mission I have learned the importance of celestial things, like an eternal family and just being happy forever. The worldly things can just take a break. haha I can't bring a Range Rover to the Celestial Kingdom, but a happy loving family I can.
I love all of you and pray for you all,
Elder Manis
PS: Mom you need to send me a soccer shirt of the US team.
#10 Donovan :)
Love Ya
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Pictures
The street's are empty during a World Cup match.
Looking good at the hospital.
Elder Erick and me after surgery.
Taking care of Elder Erick while he waits for surgery.
Father's Day
BRAZIL RUMO
Well, I'll just go down the list and answer your questions,
First off, soccer is amazingly cool. I guess I have just learned to love it.
Ya, it's been a little rough getting some people to listen to you when there are soccer games on TV all day long, but it's been great but a little crazy. Like yesterday, Brazil jogou contra Costa Do Marfim,[played the Ivory Coast] Brazil won, it was so crazy! We are just locked in our house and then you hear the entire country of Brazil scream! It's a nuts! Words can't describe it. It seriously sounds like a jet engine it's so loud. I have seen a few fights in he street and stuff, but nothing this crazy.
But this week we had the baptism of Ryckar. He is a teenager that we have been teaching for quite a while. He was a reference of a member in the ward. We had always tried to mark a date for baptism with him and he always went soft and just kinda found his way out of it. But one thing that we always said was "keep praying" and he did. And Monday we encountered him on the street and he basically said "Ya, I want to be baptised now." It's amazing to see how the Spirit works and answers our prayers. There is a scripture that says "Eu, o Senhor, estou obrigado quando você faz o que eu digo, mas quando não fazeis o que eu digo, não tendes promessa."
that basically says "I the Lord am bound when you do what I say, but when you don't obey, when you call I won't hear."
That also ties into the story that mom sent me about obedience.
Jesus Cristo was our best example. What did he do? Everything that his Father asked, even until giving up his life. Do you think that in the pre-existence when Jesus Cristo showed us the plan he said; Father, send me and maybe I'll atone for all the sins of the world so that your children can come back if they repent.
No
He said; send me, and I will keep thy commandments, so that every child can have the opportunity to come back.
If Jesus Christ wasn't obedient, would we even have the chance to live with our Heavenly Father again?
One thing that I have learned on my mission, is that we have to do all the things that God asks of us. haha and ya, I'll tell ya it's hard. President actually talked about this the other day,he said;
"How would it be in the day of "judgement" if we came up to the throne of God and said, "Oh well, I was almost obedient to all of your commandments." What he said really stuck with me, and just made me step back and look at my life to see where I can improve. I have a lot to improve on. But it's always good to show God that your doing your part so that he can do His part.
This week to come we should have another baptism. One of the daughters of a part-member family is wanting to be baptised. She would have been baptised this past week but the street where she lives gets really crazy during the games of Brazil so she and her family traveled.
It's crazy to see that it's Fathers Day again. I'm sending him a letter today but it's going to take forever to get there. It's good to hear that Wyatt is sticking up for his homeys.
Things are going great here. Transfers are tomorrow and I'm hoping that I don't go, but stay here for 3 more months. I feel like I have a lot I still have to do here. But let's see.
Brazil rocks, I love soccer.
Love you guys,
Zack
Monday, June 14, 2010
Put off the Natural Man
Ola Familia como vos estais?
[Hello Family how are you?]
I'll answer the first question mom, "How are things in Brazil?"
Well, let me tell ya... you just have to see it, to believe it. Brazil is going crazy. Painting flags everywhere and buying beer and churrasco [BBQ]. As you can imagine it's a little tense. Just imagine your in a place where the number one religion is soccer. And you just happen to be there when there is world class soccer tournaments going on. Ya it's a little crazy. Brazil just loves soccer. North Korea made a goal and all Brazil just went crazy. It's cool because they love any team that makes a goal, unless it's against Brazil or Argentina.
Brazil plays tomorrow, so that means Elder Manis is staying inside. They will be playing against South Korea, so make sure you watch the game for me. Look out for Robinho, Number 11. He will probably do some crazy stuff with the ball and will just tear it up.
I'll answer the first question mom, "How are things in Brazil?"
Well, let me tell ya... you just have to see it, to believe it. Brazil is going crazy. Painting flags everywhere and buying beer and churrasco [BBQ]. As you can imagine it's a little tense. Just imagine your in a place where the number one religion is soccer. And you just happen to be there when there is world class soccer tournaments going on. Ya it's a little crazy. Brazil just loves soccer. North Korea made a goal and all Brazil just went crazy. It's cool because they love any team that makes a goal, unless it's against Brazil or Argentina.
Brazil plays tomorrow, so that means Elder Manis is staying inside. They will be playing against South Korea, so make sure you watch the game for me. Look out for Robinho, Number 11. He will probably do some crazy stuff with the ball and will just tear it up.
It's funny being that it's the Cup of the World. All we did today was play football [soccer], so I'm tired as poo. But even for being American, I guess I can keep my own. I like to "pedalar"[cycle - step over], look it up on Youtube. Robinho pedalando [step overs], that's what I like to do.
As for the work, it's going...great. I figured that the World Cup would be tough on the work, so I figured it would be a good chance for me to show Heavenly Father the kind of worker I really am. By that, I mean, we are sacrificing a lot. One thing interesting is that the world will always look for the easy way out or as people say "Just do this, it's OK - nobody cares" But we learn that the natural man is an enemy to God, ever since the fall of Adam. It's funny, I read this scripture {Mosiah 3:19} and stopped and thought.... I am an enemy to God?..... I learned that through sacrifice we shed off that natural man, and submit to the will of the Father. A man of great faith I will become. When Adam built that alter and when he was asked; "What are you doing? He simply said; "I don't know, but my Father commanded me." Some of the things that we have to do aren't easy or fun or what the "world" says we should do. But that is exactly why we are enemy's of God. We need to obey, we need to obey with exactness. When Nephi broke his bow what did everyone do? They cried, they murmured, even Lehi the prophet. But what did Nephi do? He stood up, shed off that natural man and made himself a bow and some arrows and asked his dad "Where do I have to go to get some grub?"
Stand up, be outside the world, and you will be surprised at what you can see and what you will learn. I am a testimony of this. I'm not glorifying myself, because we all rise and fall. I have fallen too, but I promise you that the blessings of trying and obeying are worth it. :)
Love you all,
Elder Manis
Monday, June 7, 2010
An Instrument in His hands
Well...
Things are going just swell down hear in Brazil. We had a baptism this week. Her name is Rosangela, she is a good lady. We actually cut her and stopped teaching her. But then one day we decided to go back just to see how things were. She said that she had received an answer that the Church was true and that she wanted to be baptised the following Sunday. It was a bit of a headache because it was Stake Conference and everyone was just not on the same page. We would have baptised her at the stake center....
GGGGGGGOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLL!!!! Brazil just made a goal. Yes, all of Brazil is screaming right now.
...Anyway, returning to my story. We would have baptized her in the Stake Center that morning, but it was all "uma bagunça" [just a mess] so we decided to move the baptism to later that night and we did. :)
Well, Elder Erick is up to par right now and we are back to 100%. We actually played soccer this morning, (4 goals by me) it was good for him to get up and move around for a little bit.
But this week was not the best week. I mean, ya, we baptized someone but it just wasn't the best week for the work. The World Cup is coming up soon, and Brazil is scrimmaging a lot these days. So it's basically the hardest thing to do, to speak about God to these people. I could say that soccer is the number one religion in this country. So it has been kind of a discouraging week. We just keep fighting the good fight.
We have a lot of good people that have been progressing though. Rykar is one of them he is a Rapaz, of 17 years old. He loves the church and loves the friends that he has made there. But his problem is the usual one... "I'm scared to be baptised." Maybe he just doesn't want the responsibility or something. We actually are going there today to teach him and his mom (another promising). We want to get to the bottom of his problems and respond to his concerns. That's one thing I have learned to love. Finding out the problem and then solving it with the Spirit. It's the best thing ever when you really can feel the Lord using you as a instrument it His hands to bring salvation to His children. It's amazing because sometimes you don't know the answers, but your testimony does. Your testimony, you could say, is your weapon against Satan. He will throw anything he can in your way but with a testimony "inabalavle" [he has nothing on you.]
Sit and think about your testimony of Christ and his teachings. Reflect on how it has saved you from sin and I promise that you will be strengthened.
I know this Church is true church of Christ on the earth today.
I love you,
Elder Manis
...about my package...throw a football in there...a real one :-))
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
The hospital
Ola familia, como voces estão??
Well this week let me tell ya, was a week out of left field. It started out last week Elder Erick woke up at 3 in the morning with stomach pain. I kept telling him to just take it easy, "You probably have the runs" or "Your "barriga" {said bahhiga} "belly" is upset about something you ate." So we stayed up and waited till the Pharmacy was open, and bought him some tummy medicine. Then we went back to the house and he slept until about 2 pm when he woke up saying "ELDER THIS IS NOT THE RUNS!" So I called Sister Pickitt and she said, "Go to the hospital."
By the time we got to the hospital it's 4 in the afternoon. We walk in, this guy pokes him a few times and says "Yup, you got appendicitis and we're going to have to operate tonight at 9 o'clock." Then they hooked him up to a thing with morphine to kill the pain. It was crazy. We had to wait in the waiting room with him hooked up to an IV machine. There were some people coming in with some crazy problems. All they would do was give the people morphine. It was like "Uuuhhh Doctor.. uhhh I think I bit my tongue, can I have some morphine?" It was crazy!
So 9 o'clock came and went, then midnight, then 2 in the morning, then 4 Then they tell me, "Oh I think we'll just operate tomorrow, the doctor is tired." I almost flipped out on some Brazilian doctors. (More like American construction workers with a white doctor coat on) So they sent us to this hotel room where we waited until 6 in the morning. Then they said "noon", then they said 5 in the afternoon. By that time President was with me and we both were battling some Brazilian nurses. But at 5pm (24 hours after we arrive) he got the operation. President and I just chilled. It's so strange to see President "normal" you could say. He just joked around with me and stuff. It was cool. I got to see the another side of him. He also talked to me about my post mission life. Which kind of scared me a bit. He made me think about what I want to do with my life. So that spun me around a couple of times. But it was cool.
Well by that time Elder Erick came back and he was totally fine. He was really sore, but he could talk and stuff. By this time its 10 at night. President went home and I was talking to the nurses and was like "Uhh can I go get some rest? It's been a while since I have slept." haha They were like, "No, you've got to watch his IV and make sure his medicine is flowing," and all that doctor stuff. So ya, I basically was a doctor. I had to change the IV' bags and take his readings. So ya, I didn't sleep that night and by the next morning I basically told the nurse; "Look nurse, I can't do this. You're gonna have to do this. Because I need some rest." But by that time Elder Erick was cleared to go home.
So we came home he slept and I cleaned the house just to make sure he wouldn't get infected and stuff. Then I went to bed and I was out!
The next day I had to try and find people to do divisions [splits] with me to try and save our week. We would have had 2 baptisms but they fell through because of some things. But should they should be happening this week. We had 4 people in the church, for only working for 4 hours this week which is good.
But ya, this week was crazy. Elder Erick is doing fine now and we will get back up to speed I think by Thursday.
It's crazy to think about summer there and to hear about it.
That's way cool about the college looking at Wyatt. Wyatt, milk the scholarship, even if it's DII you can train there for a year and then move to DI. That's what ton's of kids do.
Well, Family I love you guys and hope the best for you.
PS - My hump day was spent in the hospital - and no, I didn't burn a shirt. Just didn't feel like being one of those normal Utah Missionaries.
Love ya,
Zack
Monday, May 24, 2010
New Pictures
Skyping to home for Mother's Day
Bring it on Brazil!
Knock, knock anybody home?
See, it is true!
See, my room here is just as dirty as it was at home.
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