Christmas List

Oi Familia,
Como voces estão?  Things are going great here, I'm going to start out with my Christmas list so I don't forget it.
OK here we go:

• Chlorine scented candle (I miss the pool)
  
• EZ- Mac
  
• Pictures (a lot of them, from anyone)
  
• yo-yo (Bumble Bee)
  
• Nerf basket ball hoop
  
• Hacky Sack
  
• AMERICAN CANDY!
  
• 2 ties
  
• some Zebra pens (just black and red)
  
• Red Mountain shirt
  
• beef jerky
  
• "Portuguese for Dummies"
  
• lyrics to Jack Johnson
  
• Tylenol PM
  
• books about Joseph Smith
  
• Hannah's old mp3 player, with Mo' Tab' and not just hymns, other calm music.
  

Well, that's about it.  I mean, I haven't been missing anything as far as shirts or shoes and stuff like that.  So ya, just that [stuff] and whatever you guys can come up with.  Just send random stuff, I dunno. Ha Ha

As for my Christmas presents for you guys.  I got lucky.  My AP Elder Crapo, he is finishing up his mission and will be home before Christmas.  Lucky for me, his family are neighbors with the Zimmerman's.  Small world huh?  He lives less than 2 miles from us. So I'm going to send some stuff home with him.

OK, now for this week.  It has been another down to the grind week, we have been teaching all over the place.  It's good because we have been teaching and finding new investigators.
Remember that guy that came up to us at Church and said that he wanted to be baptized?  Well, we went to his house and found out that there was a little more baggage to him.  He is wanting to get baptized because his wife said "Straighten up or get out".  He smokes crack and likes that weed.  It's sad to see how his family is suffering because of his stupid past.  It makes me want to become the best dad that I possibly can.  But we are working with him.  He knows he is going to suffer for a while before things start to get better, so we are doing everything we can for him and his family.  

Illezete we taught her some really good lessons this week.  I think the best was the Plan of Salvation.  She had some doubts when we talked about the Spirit World.  But when we pulled out that scripture in Peter, that talks about Jesus ministering [to the souls] there before he was resurrected [1Peter 4:6].  It's good to know that our Father in Heaven has a plan for us, and no matter what we do we can almost always repent.  We also brought back Bernidette.  We just decided to go and talk to her, and she said that she misses our Church and that she wants to come back.  So we are really happy about that.  Things are going great.  I just want you guys to know that I'm working hard every day, and I don't want you guys to think because I haven't gotten a baptism yet, that I'm slacking off.  I promise,  I'm working hard.

In other news, Brazil has daylight savings time...retarded. I don't get it.

Well, my time is running out.

I love you guys,

Elder Manis
PS -  It's raining :)

Burning in your bosom

Hey,
I want to thank you for all the prayers and all the support. It means a lot to me that you would do that. But I also want to apologize for my e-mail last week. I guess I just had a venting moment, and maybe it went a little to far. But that night me and Elder Adriano got into it pretty bad. We weren't screaming at each other or anything, but you could say it was a fight. I sat him down and just said.. "Ollio no nao podemos contuniar com isso, que e aconticendo, nos estamos brigando sobre nada." Basically, said "Look, this can't go on anymore, something needs to change." So we had a good talking session, and we both figured out that we need to melorar (I can't remember the word in English).
So this week we started over and tried to do our best to "ficamos animado e trablhar" diligently and we had some good fruits this week. But we both agreed that this talk should have happened the first weeks of the transfer not the last. (I think I'm going to stay here com [with] him for one more transfer)
But anyway, we taught a good lesson this week with a lady named Ilizete. Durante [during] that lesson for some reason I started to get all nervous and my heart was beating all crazy and I had no clue why, and then it hit me... "MARK A DATA FOR BAPTISM WITH HER". So I did it, and she accepted. It was crazy because I have marked dates with other people and it was just a regular thing, but for some reason this one was different. Now I know what a burning in your bosom feels like. It feels like your going to throw up and poo your pants at the same time. But if you tried to throw up or poo your pants, nothing would happen. HaHa. And come Domingo [Sunday] she was in the church. In the Doctrine Class we were learning about temple marriage. She had a lot of questions that where good, but we kinda got into some deep doctrine. and one guy said "I'm sealed to 3 people... after this life I will have 3 women".... so that kinda killed us. Ha Ha. But it's good she loves the Church and said that she wants to frequently attend.
Also, we had a family that came. The same family that I used our family photo [to teach a lesson to] and they too loved it. So it looks like your prayers are paying off. I can see the fruits and we just have to let them ripen before we harvest.
Also, a part member family like our family came up to us, and the Dad said that he wants to get baptized. So we are going to work with him and maybe get a baptism this week.
Thanks a lot every one, really.
And Mom about [your friend], I can't sit on your shoulder and whisper in your ear and tell you what to say. Just because you don't have a name tag, doesn't mean your not a missionary. You have a testimony, use it and don't show fear. People attack on fear, just relax and let the Spirit take you for a ride. See what happens and don't fell sorry if things get a little crazy. Ha Ha The Spirit works in crazy ways, let me tell you. You can do it, I know you can.
As for my house and stuff. I live with Elder Adriano, Elder Silva and Elder Hernandez. Our house is 2 stories and is pretty big. It's a nice house, Elder Silva is from Fortoleza, he actually went on a division [split] before his mission with Clint Lawler. Small world huh? Elder Hernandez is from California and he has the same amount of time [out in the field] as Preston but he is pure Mexican and so he speaks Spanish too. Ha Ha, he is a cheater.
Well I gots to go. I'm so sorry but my time is running out, I only have enough time to write a few people.
Christmas list next week. I promise.
Love you guys,
Elder Manis
PS - Wyatt do you think you could get the home addresses of some of my friends like Kelvin and stuff. Thanks

My heart is hurting

Guys,
Well, this week has been..... well, a rough one (Mom you don't have to put this one on the blog) Things have been going pretty hard as work goes... We work work work work and nothing comes of it, and it's so hard to stay positive when your [companion's] heart has a heart of coal.
This week he decided to cut Bernadette because she had too many questions. Questions are a good thing. They are about the Church...HELLO?? Aghhh! This week has been so hard, he is always so negative about everything. When we teach a great lesson, all he has to say after is... "She didn't want anything to do with us."... "She isn't an elect." My area hasn't had a baptism in about 7 to 8 months. Things are moving pretty slow, we are trying to make friends with the members, but they can't get around my comp'. I'm sorry, I'm just kinda venting. I dunno what to do anymore. My prayers have moved from "[help us to have more] success to - "please help my companion be a little bit nicer." For example, I got all dressed up for the Priesthood Session [of General Conference] and he just decided to stay home. "Na I don't wanna go, it will just be in the Liahona in a month." AGGGHHHH! My heart is hurting just trying to get along with this guy.
But as for Conference, I missed both first sessions and Priesthood, so if you can mail them to me that would be amazing. But I did get to hear Elder Holland's talk. Powerful huh? It's so true, any other man wouldn't have gone to the grave with for a book. It was a big testimony builder. It was amazing. Another thing was one of the songs that we sang. "Come ye Children of the Lord, let us sing with one accord. I got goose bumps when I thought how many people are singing with us. Like, if you pushed pause on the world and just let us sing, you could hear it all around the world. I'm so thankful to be a part of this amazing Church.
Give Nana and Paco a big hug thanks for me.
I don't remember any numbers for America, I don't even remember my house phone. So I don't have a number for Cara. My Portuguese is coming fast. When I stop and realize how fast I'm learning, it's crazy.
I love you guys,
Elder Manis
PS - Christmas list next week

Instrument in the Lord's hand

Hey Family,
It's good to hear that everything is going great back at home. To answer your questions; yes, I did get your package. I got it pretty quick. Thanks for the shirts, my comp' loves his. Ummm I'm not sure what I want for Christmas. I'll come up with a list and pass it to you next week. I will have a new companion by Christmas for sure, but honestly if it's a Brazilian, what I get will be his anyway. They think everything is theirs. Ha Ha Its funny.
Well, this week we really really worked hard. I'm about dead. We started working in a neighborhood that has never been worked in. We taught some killer lessons and had some people promise God that they would come to church. But what do you know, when Sunday comes around, nadda nõs temos 0 pesquisadores na capela. Frustraiting! You work your face off trying to help people and they can't even keep a promise they made with the Lord. It's hard because my companion likes to chastise people. Kinda makes them feel like dirt, so we burn through investigators like crazy. I'm not sure if they aren't progressing because it's just not there time or they don't like Elder Adriano. But he's my companion... gotta love him.
One of the lessons we taught was with a family who loved our message. I pulled out a picture of us that you sent me. (The one that Tiffany took) I showed them my family, just to let them know that I'm human, and I talked about each and every one of you and how the Gospel had blessed our lives as a family. Ha Ha, yes even you Dad. That was the first lesson that I felt like a instrument in the Lord's hand and it felt great.
That's all the stories I've got. Just working hard and looking for results. AZ is still hot? Dang. Its starting to get pretty got here about 104 with 100% humidity. So ya, ha ha, its pretty muggy but I'm pretty used to it, so it doesn't bother me to much.
:) I love you guys,
Elder Manis

Bernadette

Hey Guys,
This week has been getting better... not too much better, but things are progressing. Elder Adriano hasn't taught me how to make [cook] anything cool yet, ha ha. I still do most of the cooking, which isn't that hard, just throw the noodles in some boiling water. Ha Ha My leg is doing fine. It wasn't that bad in the first place, just some scratches.
Well this week we really hit the ground running. We started working in a neighborhood that we had never been to before. It was good. We got into a lot of houses, and taught a lot of good people. We had 15 people promise God in prayer that they would go to church with us on Sunday, but when it came around, none of them showed up. It was kind of depressing to have worked my tail off all week with these new people and see no results. But we did have a good investigator show. Her name is Bernadette. She has been to church 3 times now and is just now getting the hang of singing the hymns. She is progressing well, we have a date marked for baptism on Oct 3. I really think she is an elect. It's awesome to see her progress when I teach her, just kinda see her eyes open and say "Ya... this is true." It's sweet, because she gives us chocolate at almost every lesson. She is a nice lady.
Well, I'm sorry to say that that's about it for missionary work for this week. But this week I have been studying a lot about baptism and covenants. And I have really begun to realize how big a promise to God it is... it's no joke. I also got really temple sick. I'm not sure why, I just miss being able to go to the house of the Lord and feel His Spirit and just relax. I guess after seeing all the iniquity in the small town I'm in, and all of the churches, just took a tole on me. I want to go to my temple.
On other news, next month is going on 6 month for me... that's crazy.. I just left.
I gots to go guys.
I love you and pray for you every day,
Elder Manis

RUN!

Hi :)
Well, to answer your questions - First: my new companion is Elder Adriano. He is from Sao Paulo, he is 22 and he only has 2 transfers left in his mission. It was a little shock to my system at first. The first few days where hard...I mean hard. Just being with a new companion and having to remember where everyone lives and stuff like that, it was just a little stressful I guess you could say.
But I figured out how much Portuguese I know. I surprised myself. But at the same time, I am like....dang, I've got so much more to learn. But it's OK, I am at the point where I can understand just about everything. However, when I try to talk I get mixed up, but at the same time just this week I have learned how to speak without thinking. I don't know if that makes sense, but I just stop thinking and talk.. Sabe?
Well, along with being shocked because of transfers myself, so were our investigators. Some of them didn't really like the change. Some of the members of the church/ward as well. But it will all be better in time I guess.
We have a good investigator, her name is Bernadette. She is about 50ish years old. She is progressing well and we have a baptism date set for next week, so we will see what happens. We aren't sure if she is progressing because she really knows the church is true, or if its just because she like the missionaries. It's kind of hard to tell at times but I think she is progressing because she sees that she needs the Gospel in her life. Also, this week we had to cut one of our best investigators... because we found out he has 2 wives! Ya, I know, crazy huh? But I guess its common it this state of Brazil :(.
The funny story for this week is I was bitten by a dog haha. There is a dog that lives on this street by our house and every time we pass him he chases us. But the other night there was construction on that street so I figured he wouldn't be there. We were walking all quiet when we passed one of the huge work trucks and heard a growl. I just yelled RUN! Well, I guess you can say I didn't run fast enough and the pit bull got me on the calf. Its not that bad, Mom don't worry, I don't have rabies. We got it checked out and stuff.
Other than that things are going great. It's good to hear about Wyatt's team kickin' butt. That's how that Red Mountain rolls haha. My language skills are improving everyday. I started studying the Book of Mormon it Portuguese. I study in Portuguese only, and Portuguese is now in my dreams. But I'm not speaking Portuguese - its everyone else. Ha Ha
The work is progressing.
I love you guys,
Elder Manis

E. Hale is getting transferred

Oi!
Hey guys,
Mom, good thing you wrote something about money because I need it. Ha Ha I'm starving out here.  Raman noodles for every meal isn't working anymore.  I know I can take money out of my savings so if you can move some money to my savings that would be great. I'm going to the bank tomorrow so if you can do it soon that would be great.

Well, as for everything else, its getting better.  The language is still choppy.  Elder Hale says I need to stop thinking so much.  He says when I just talk, I speak it good, but when I try to think about it I mess up.  He says, "Just be a Brazilian in your mind.  You're just chillin' on the beach in flip flops and flying a kite.  When you think like that, you can talk."  So it has been getting better but it's hard.  

Also, I found out that today is my last day with Elder Hale.  He is getting transferred.  So I'm a little scared about that, but I think I'm ready for it.  He was an amazing missionary, and I learned a lot from him.  It's going to be hard getting stuck with a Brazzie, but I can do it. 

As for Daniel, he doesn't want anything to do with the Church.  He is so blind, so we forgot him and really worked hard this week.  Just forgot everything and busted our butts.  We were so caught up in the work, we didn't see our blessings 'till Sunday.  When we had 6 new investigators in the capela.  It was a surprise, it was just like... Dang!  We worked hard and the Lord did the rest, it was great.

The weather is hot.  I'm used to it, so it doesn't bother me any.  I'm used to sweating all the time.  But I'm so wiped out by the end of the day. 

It's good to here that Red Mountaña is kickin' some butt.  Today is Brazil's Independence Day, and all the Missionaries in Vitoria got to march in the parade.  It was so cool.  Ha Ha Brazil loves Americans. But we were right behind a marching band and they were playing the drum line stuff, so it just put me back on the [football] field hearing the band play.  I got goose bumps.  It was cool, they were so good.
That's all I have for this week.  The work is hard but that's what you get for being here in the most religious state of Brazil. Espirito Santo means Holy Ghost.  But I'm still working hard, sometimes all I can do is love the people, and that's not hard at all.

Love ya guys,