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

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

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

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

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

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