Oi Familia,
This week was a good but stressful week. A lot of good things are happening but a lot of other things are happening as well. I didn't get transferred and neither did Elder Pinhiero. So yup, this is going to be my last area and this is going to be my last companion. I have done a lot of thinking this week because I have had a lot of mixed feelings about all the stuff that will be happening soon. But I decided to lay everything down on the line and give it everything I've got. That's why Heavenly Father calls it "enduring to the end" It's not skip and sing to the end, it's give it all you've got. Lay your life down and give it all you've got.
I can easily say that I think that God will judge me on behalf of this last transfer, so I am going to give it all I can. The last transfer of a mission shows you what kind of a missionary you are. So I'm giving it all I have, and all I can offer too. I can go so far as to say I want to fulfill all that I'm sent to do so I can "return to God's presence after this life."
I guess if you want, we can talk about what's going to happen because it's going to happen. But just know that I'm trying to give it my all.
This week was good. We had some good people at General Conference and that always helps people realize that we have a living prophet. Sirlandia and Jamilson where interviewed and passed so we can and should have baptisms coming up here in a little bit, hopefully this Saturday.
I loved General Conference. I especially loved David A. Bednar's talk about revelation. Any talk that helps you realize how to better receive communication from the Lord is worth listening to. I have learned a lot about revelation on my mission, but always it's good to know how things work. They also talked a lot about love in the family and tithing, so we can see that it is really important that we live ALL the commandments and not just a few.
It's like you said, things are short and sweet this week.
I love you guys and I want you to know that this is the true church of God.
Elder Manis
Friday, April 15, 2011
Cassia
Oi Familia,
Well, this week was a good week. We had the baptism of Cássia and that was amazing to get Elder Pinhiero off on a good start baptizing. :)
Cássia is one of the best people I have ever taught in my life, and she was certainly prepared by God. She is an amazing youth. She is 15 years old but she is amazing and helps my testimony grow. She memorized D&C 4 all by herself within the week of her baptism. :) So ya, she is basically amazing. The baptismal service was the best ever too. I love this ward because they took all the stress of my shoulders and prepared the service for me too. It was great, with a special musical number that was really pretty. Then I came in with a tear jerking talk. ha ha I made everyone cry. We had all our progressing investigators there, so that will help in their progress.
We are teaching Jamilson and Sirlandia, along with 5 other people. We have baptisms dated for the 10th of April. So my son is going to be O BATIZADOR (The Baptist) here soon. Basically, I'm just gaining the confidence of the members and working with there references and it's 100% better than clapping doors. Jamilson and Sirlandia are a couple that are really good. I have said this many times in my e-mails, but it's amazing to see how the Gospel changes someone for the better and it's amazing to become a part of this change.
This week something strange happened to me. Many people say that towards the end of an elder's mission he gets trunkey or homesick. But this week it was a little different for me. We where walking down the street and I saw a girl that looked familiar. She had her 2 sons with her that looked to be 9 and 6 years old. I had to look twice, then the the kids came running over to me screaming "ELDER MANNNIS! ELDER MAANNISS!!!" I had no clue who it was, but the then I realized who it was. I almost cried because it was a family from Ándre Carlone. They are members but they are basically like family to me. I didn't think about home, but I thought about Andre Carloni and all the good times that I had there. It's just strange that someone in a white shirt and tie can become so loved. I just love the Brazilian people and I am really glad to have made some eternal friends here. I love my mission and I thank all of you that helped me be here.
General Conference is coming up this week!!! Yeah! So get ready to get round housed by the Spirit playa.
Last week we went to the chocolate factory of Garoto, that was fun but I got a little belly ache from all the chocolate. :)
Love you all,
ELDER MANIS
Well, this week was a good week. We had the baptism of Cássia and that was amazing to get Elder Pinhiero off on a good start baptizing. :)
Cássia is one of the best people I have ever taught in my life, and she was certainly prepared by God. She is an amazing youth. She is 15 years old but she is amazing and helps my testimony grow. She memorized D&C 4 all by herself within the week of her baptism. :) So ya, she is basically amazing. The baptismal service was the best ever too. I love this ward because they took all the stress of my shoulders and prepared the service for me too. It was great, with a special musical number that was really pretty. Then I came in with a tear jerking talk. ha ha I made everyone cry. We had all our progressing investigators there, so that will help in their progress.
We are teaching Jamilson and Sirlandia, along with 5 other people. We have baptisms dated for the 10th of April. So my son is going to be O BATIZADOR (The Baptist) here soon. Basically, I'm just gaining the confidence of the members and working with there references and it's 100% better than clapping doors. Jamilson and Sirlandia are a couple that are really good. I have said this many times in my e-mails, but it's amazing to see how the Gospel changes someone for the better and it's amazing to become a part of this change.
This week something strange happened to me. Many people say that towards the end of an elder's mission he gets trunkey or homesick. But this week it was a little different for me. We where walking down the street and I saw a girl that looked familiar. She had her 2 sons with her that looked to be 9 and 6 years old. I had to look twice, then the the kids came running over to me screaming "ELDER MANNNIS! ELDER MAANNISS!!!" I had no clue who it was, but the then I realized who it was. I almost cried because it was a family from Ándre Carlone. They are members but they are basically like family to me. I didn't think about home, but I thought about Andre Carloni and all the good times that I had there. It's just strange that someone in a white shirt and tie can become so loved. I just love the Brazilian people and I am really glad to have made some eternal friends here. I love my mission and I thank all of you that helped me be here.
General Conference is coming up this week!!! Yeah! So get ready to get round housed by the Spirit playa.
Last week we went to the chocolate factory of Garoto, that was fun but I got a little belly ache from all the chocolate. :)
Love you all,
ELDER MANIS
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Birthday 21
Well, this week was just a normal week.
For my birthday a member threw a little party for me. It was just 4 members and us missionaries with a little cake. It's crazy to think that I'm 21. Dang, I'm getting old. The members know that usually when an American elder makes 21 years old he is about to go home. So I have been getting a lot of the question, "So how much time do you have left on the mission?" and "When do you go home?" I just say "A year and a few months." or something like that, or my companion will just respond "Yup, he is going home next month." haha But it's all good. I'm glad I have a newby, he keeps me working hard and focused on the mission and helping others.
The area I'm in is Gloria. It is where the factory of chocolate is. The mark of chocolate is called GAROTO. It's pretty good. Today we are going to do a tour in the factory to see how everything is made. Yup, it's right next to us. And basically it's a 5 or 10 min walk and then we are on the beach. The ward has a lot of beach bums (in the membership) haha It's cool, they are all good members. It's just funny when the 1st Counselor has dreadlocks and goes to church in a suit and flip flops. haha So ya, basically I'm on the beach again. The ward is the best ward I have been in so far on the mission. The ward is really focused on the work and that is always good because it takes a little stress off my shoulders. We will have a baptism coming up next week. It is of Cássia, she is a girl of 15 years old and is an amazing little girl. She basically marked her own date (for baptism) and so she will be baptised on Saturday. I'm excited because I'm hoping that this will help my comp' really see how the mission is and that baptisms are normal and they really bring joy. We also have a hand full of people that are progressing, so we should be baptising weekly here in a little.
It's crazy to see that spring break has already come and gone. My companion is counting the days for me, and I think I'm down to like 7 weeks or something like that. I kind of had a little bit of a hard time yesterday when the member who gave us lunch asked me what I'm gonna do when I go home. I have so many ideas but I just need to relax. haha
Other than that, the week was a normal week with a lot of teaching and a lot of sweat. The rain comes and goes so you can never tell when it's going to rain.
All is well with me.
Just know that the Church is true and that Heavenly Father loves us. :)
Elder Manis
For my birthday a member threw a little party for me. It was just 4 members and us missionaries with a little cake. It's crazy to think that I'm 21. Dang, I'm getting old. The members know that usually when an American elder makes 21 years old he is about to go home. So I have been getting a lot of the question, "So how much time do you have left on the mission?" and "When do you go home?" I just say "A year and a few months." or something like that, or my companion will just respond "Yup, he is going home next month." haha But it's all good. I'm glad I have a newby, he keeps me working hard and focused on the mission and helping others.
The area I'm in is Gloria. It is where the factory of chocolate is. The mark of chocolate is called GAROTO. It's pretty good. Today we are going to do a tour in the factory to see how everything is made. Yup, it's right next to us. And basically it's a 5 or 10 min walk and then we are on the beach. The ward has a lot of beach bums (in the membership) haha It's cool, they are all good members. It's just funny when the 1st Counselor has dreadlocks and goes to church in a suit and flip flops. haha So ya, basically I'm on the beach again. The ward is the best ward I have been in so far on the mission. The ward is really focused on the work and that is always good because it takes a little stress off my shoulders. We will have a baptism coming up next week. It is of Cássia, she is a girl of 15 years old and is an amazing little girl. She basically marked her own date (for baptism) and so she will be baptised on Saturday. I'm excited because I'm hoping that this will help my comp' really see how the mission is and that baptisms are normal and they really bring joy. We also have a hand full of people that are progressing, so we should be baptising weekly here in a little.
It's crazy to see that spring break has already come and gone. My companion is counting the days for me, and I think I'm down to like 7 weeks or something like that. I kind of had a little bit of a hard time yesterday when the member who gave us lunch asked me what I'm gonna do when I go home. I have so many ideas but I just need to relax. haha
Other than that, the week was a normal week with a lot of teaching and a lot of sweat. The rain comes and goes so you can never tell when it's going to rain.
All is well with me.
Just know that the Church is true and that Heavenly Father loves us. :)
Elder Manis
D&C 135:3
O velho??
Yup, this week I make 21 years old. Not gonna lie, I feel the same and nothing special. I think if anything, this year (my birthday) it will be just like last year with a bowl or cereal with candles in it. But what can I do? I'm a poor missionary and have work to do. The members are wanting to throw a party, but we will see about that. I didn't have one last year so maybe I'll let them have one for me this year.
Meu filho (my son) is doing well. He has gotten a lot better. I let him write his letters and stuff at night because I'm thinking; "if I go all commando on him, the whole "DO THIS DO THAT" thing, I'm gonna make him hate the mission." I remember how it was to have a pooey companion. But he is getting a lot better, he is a lot more outgoing. "Coming out of his shell" you can say. He has a fiancé or however you say that. So he talks about marriage a lot. I just laugh and say, "If you're getting excited now for your marriage, your mission is going to go by so slow." haha He is pretty crazy about her. He was wanting to go out today and buy a dress for her and send it home. When he told me I couldn't believe it. I basically put my foot down on that one and just said forget it. Let's baptize 4 people and then we can talk. haha
This week has been pretty crazy. We have had some pretty bad tropical storms. Typhoon like weather so there has been a lot of flooding and that always slows the work down. I don't think that I have ever seen so much rain and water. Sometimes it's a little scary because all of the poo rivers overflow and get everyone sick and polluted and stuff. So we have been having to walk around a lot because half of our area is under poo water. But it's all good. The rain has got to stop sometime.
Today I was studying and I came across D&C 135:3. Before you guys go and read this I want you to ask yourself "Who is Joseph Smith?" Bam! This scripture will blow your mind. It's basically the most powerful scripture that talks about Joseph Smith that I have ever seen or found, it's amazing.
I just want to let all you guys know that I know that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God. Just as Jesus Christ did, he shed his innocent blood in defense of the truth.
Love you all,
Elder Manis
Yup, this week I make 21 years old. Not gonna lie, I feel the same and nothing special. I think if anything, this year (my birthday) it will be just like last year with a bowl or cereal with candles in it. But what can I do? I'm a poor missionary and have work to do. The members are wanting to throw a party, but we will see about that. I didn't have one last year so maybe I'll let them have one for me this year.
Meu filho (my son) is doing well. He has gotten a lot better. I let him write his letters and stuff at night because I'm thinking; "if I go all commando on him, the whole "DO THIS DO THAT" thing, I'm gonna make him hate the mission." I remember how it was to have a pooey companion. But he is getting a lot better, he is a lot more outgoing. "Coming out of his shell" you can say. He has a fiancé or however you say that. So he talks about marriage a lot. I just laugh and say, "If you're getting excited now for your marriage, your mission is going to go by so slow." haha He is pretty crazy about her. He was wanting to go out today and buy a dress for her and send it home. When he told me I couldn't believe it. I basically put my foot down on that one and just said forget it. Let's baptize 4 people and then we can talk. haha
This week has been pretty crazy. We have had some pretty bad tropical storms. Typhoon like weather so there has been a lot of flooding and that always slows the work down. I don't think that I have ever seen so much rain and water. Sometimes it's a little scary because all of the poo rivers overflow and get everyone sick and polluted and stuff. So we have been having to walk around a lot because half of our area is under poo water. But it's all good. The rain has got to stop sometime.
Today I was studying and I came across D&C 135:3. Before you guys go and read this I want you to ask yourself "Who is Joseph Smith?" Bam! This scripture will blow your mind. It's basically the most powerful scripture that talks about Joseph Smith that I have ever seen or found, it's amazing.
I just want to let all you guys know that I know that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God. Just as Jesus Christ did, he shed his innocent blood in defense of the truth.
Love you all,
Elder Manis
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Garoto Chocolate
Hey Mom and Family,
Well yup, my filho (son) Elder Pinhiero got here on Tuesday. Let me tell you, the man is homesick. haha I mean, I was homesick when I got into the field, but this man is amazingly homesick. He is from Sao Paulo and has a year and 7 months in the church. He doesn't know much about doctrine and stuff, so I'm helping him out with all that. He is a good kid but all he talks about is Mother's Day and the post office. Like I said, I was homesick, but this man takes the cake. I'm helping him with it so it actually has gotten a lot better. He is a hard worker and I love him to death. He really has the will to be a good missionary. We are in Vilia Velhia Gloria to be exact. We live right next to the biggest chocolate factory in Brazil. It's the GAROTO chocolate factory. Look it up on-line. We smell chocolate all the time and mint and all that jazz. The members here are really loving and they treat us like there own
children. The ward is amazing with a frequency of 150 people, and last week I had the best lunch I have ever had in Brazil. It was just simply amazing.
Sorry, I'm typing so fast because I don't have much time left. But all is well and all is going great. We already have a baptism coming up, so I'm really excited to get this kid on his feet and baptising fast, so he knows what it's like.
All is well, I love you guys and sorry for the short e-mail I'll try to come back and write more later. :)
Love you,
Elder Manis
Well yup, my filho (son) Elder Pinhiero got here on Tuesday. Let me tell you, the man is homesick. haha I mean, I was homesick when I got into the field, but this man is amazingly homesick. He is from Sao Paulo and has a year and 7 months in the church. He doesn't know much about doctrine and stuff, so I'm helping him out with all that. He is a good kid but all he talks about is Mother's Day and the post office. Like I said, I was homesick, but this man takes the cake. I'm helping him with it so it actually has gotten a lot better. He is a hard worker and I love him to death. He really has the will to be a good missionary. We are in Vilia Velhia Gloria to be exact. We live right next to the biggest chocolate factory in Brazil. It's the GAROTO chocolate factory. Look it up on-line. We smell chocolate all the time and mint and all that jazz. The members here are really loving and they treat us like there own
children. The ward is amazing with a frequency of 150 people, and last week I had the best lunch I have ever had in Brazil. It was just simply amazing.
Sorry, I'm typing so fast because I don't have much time left. But all is well and all is going great. We already have a baptism coming up, so I'm really excited to get this kid on his feet and baptising fast, so he knows what it's like.
All is well, I love you guys and sorry for the short e-mail I'll try to come back and write more later. :)
Love you,
Elder Manis
Make the Days Count
Oi.. Alguma coisa nova? [Hi.. something new?]
I'll start be responding to all the questions you asked. The zone is going great and we are baptising a lot. I think that we are just running around and after these Elders to get them ready. Our investigators are doing great. We have 7 baptisms lined up for the month of March. So they are going great.
This week was a really fun hard working week. To be honest, I didn't really know what we should do. But for some reason I kept thinking about some old investigators(that we had dropped). They kept popping up in my head, so I was like, "What the heck, let's just go visit them." Just to get it off my mind. Well it turns out that the Lord had been preparing them in between the last time that we had seen them. They are the baptisms that we have planned for March. It's funny how the Lord can guide you and you don't really know that your being guided until that you receive a witness or an answer to what you have been looking for. We have all these baptisms lined up, but guess who got transferred? Yup, I did. And I'm going to be training a Brazilian. I don't know him yet, but I'm excited to see what's going to happen.
This is what President wrote:
"As you now know, you will be training a new elder. I am extremely excited to see the two of you as a dupla. I believe you will be awesome!! Though I have not met this new elder, through inspiration, I know that you are going to have an incredible influence on this great young man!! Congratulations. This is the highest calling in any mission."
I'm really excited to see how things are going to be. I'm really excited to see what's going to happen and where I'm going to go. I had the feeling that I was going to get released as a zone leader. I can't count the blessings and the things I have learned from being a zone leader. I can say that they were the best 9 months of my mission. But now I have a new calling and a new job to do. I'm going to do the same thing that Elder Hale did to me. He made me love the mission and just love being a missionary. :) I'm really excited to have a new adventure. I'll probably be going to my "COFFIN" as they call it. It will be my last area. It's kinda crazy to think about how my mission is coming quickly to an end, so I try not to think about it.
I came up with a little phrase that has helped me, it's "DON'T COUNT THE DAYS...MAKE THE DAYS COUNT!!!"
I thank my Heavenly Father for every second I still have here because I just love my mission and I love Brazil :) I'm soaking it all up and making every last moment count. :)
It's crazy to hear how cold it is there. I wish that that was the same here. It is so hot and sticky, getting all the sticky sea salt off of my face is what I have gotten tired of over the past years. haha But it's all good.
As for Wyatt, he is a good kid, he has always liked to be a little on his own. If you want him to get a spiritual experience send him out with the missionaries or have him teach dad. :)
Gotta grow up some day.
Love you guys,
Elder Manis
I'll start be responding to all the questions you asked. The zone is going great and we are baptising a lot. I think that we are just running around and after these Elders to get them ready. Our investigators are doing great. We have 7 baptisms lined up for the month of March. So they are going great.
This week was a really fun hard working week. To be honest, I didn't really know what we should do. But for some reason I kept thinking about some old investigators(that we had dropped). They kept popping up in my head, so I was like, "What the heck, let's just go visit them." Just to get it off my mind. Well it turns out that the Lord had been preparing them in between the last time that we had seen them. They are the baptisms that we have planned for March. It's funny how the Lord can guide you and you don't really know that your being guided until that you receive a witness or an answer to what you have been looking for. We have all these baptisms lined up, but guess who got transferred? Yup, I did. And I'm going to be training a Brazilian. I don't know him yet, but I'm excited to see what's going to happen.
This is what President wrote:
"As you now know, you will be training a new elder. I am extremely excited to see the two of you as a dupla. I believe you will be awesome!! Though I have not met this new elder, through inspiration, I know that you are going to have an incredible influence on this great young man!! Congratulations. This is the highest calling in any mission."
I'm really excited to see how things are going to be. I'm really excited to see what's going to happen and where I'm going to go. I had the feeling that I was going to get released as a zone leader. I can't count the blessings and the things I have learned from being a zone leader. I can say that they were the best 9 months of my mission. But now I have a new calling and a new job to do. I'm going to do the same thing that Elder Hale did to me. He made me love the mission and just love being a missionary. :) I'm really excited to have a new adventure. I'll probably be going to my "COFFIN" as they call it. It will be my last area. It's kinda crazy to think about how my mission is coming quickly to an end, so I try not to think about it.
I came up with a little phrase that has helped me, it's "DON'T COUNT THE DAYS...MAKE THE DAYS COUNT!!!"
I thank my Heavenly Father for every second I still have here because I just love my mission and I love Brazil :) I'm soaking it all up and making every last moment count. :)
It's crazy to hear how cold it is there. I wish that that was the same here. It is so hot and sticky, getting all the sticky sea salt off of my face is what I have gotten tired of over the past years. haha But it's all good.
As for Wyatt, he is a good kid, he has always liked to be a little on his own. If you want him to get a spiritual experience send him out with the missionaries or have him teach dad. :)
Gotta grow up some day.
Love you guys,
Elder Manis
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