Hi everyone!! What a great general conference sunday it is! I have decided to try to keep up with this blog page that I made back at SVU again. Just a quick update on my life for those I havn't been able to get in touch with since being back from my mission - I am currently studying at BYU (provo) and I love it here! I got home from my mission on July 18th 2013.  I cannot put into words of what kind of impact my mission in Belo Horizonte, Brasil made on my life. The people that I was so privileged to meet on my mission (members, converts, president & family, companions..ect) have made a profound impact on my life and who I am. They have taught me invaluable lessons and eternal principles.

I have felt the spirit of the Lord so strongly since being home.  Yesterday was a highlight. My incredible grandparents came out to visit who are from Washington D.C.   We went out to dinner a couple times which were great opportunities to get to know my grandparents better. I really look up to them and they constantly amaze me with their stories. They inspire me very much. I have learned from their example of the example of an eternal marriage as well as their incredible temple service along with the many other accomplishments they have had in their lives on others.

On saturday we went to general conference which was great! I was my first time going in person. When the tabernacle choir sang "Israel, Israel, God is Calling" I felt the spirit incredibly strong. I feel like those moments give us a glimpse of how it will feel to enter into the Lords presence with our family. Anyway, I will try to write on here every sunday to give a report on my weekly highlights!

Love you all!

for those I havn't had a chance to call/get in touch with yet, sorry! call/text me!
302-463-6325 (changed)

Till later!!

Love, Andrew Jones


 Ok, eu nao tinha tempo de escrever tudo de novo, entao eu usei google translator, nao e muito bom, mas acho que faz sentindo ainda..


Oi a todos ! O que um grande general conferência domingo é! Eu decidi tentar manter-se com esta página do blog que eu fiz para trás, SVU novamente. Apenas uma rápida atualização sobre a minha vida por aqueles que eu hav não foram capazes de entrar em contato com uma vez estar de volta de minha missão - Atualmente, estou estudando na BYU (Provo ) e eu adoro isso aqui! Cheguei em casa da minha missão no dia 18 de julho 2013 . Eu não posso colocar em palavras de que tipo de impacto a minha missão em Belo Horizonte, Brasil fez em minha vida. As pessoas que eu era tão privilegiada para atender a minha missão ( membros, convertidos , Presidente e família , companheiros .. ect ) fizeram um profundo impacto sobre a minha vida e quem eu sou. Eles me ensinaram lições valiosas e princípios eternos .

Eu senti o Espírito do Senhor tão forte desde que foi para casa. Ontem foi um destaque. Meus avós incríveis saiu para visitar que estão a partir de Washington DC Nós saímos para jantar algumas vezes , que foram grandes oportunidades para conhecer melhor os meus avós . Eu realmente olhar para eles e eles sempre me surpreender com suas histórias. Eles me inspiram muito. Tenho aprendido com o exemplo do exemplo de um casamento eterno , bem como o seu serviço templo incrível , juntamente com muitas outras conquistas que eles tiveram em suas vidas sobre os outros.

No sábado fomos para a conferência geral que foi ótimo! Eu era a minha primeira vez indo em pessoa. Quando o tabernáculo coro cantou "Israel , Israel, Deus está chamando " Eu senti o espírito incrivelmente forte. Eu me sinto como naqueles momentos nos dar uma idéia de como ele vai se sentir ao entrar na presença Lordes com a nossa família. De qualquer forma, vou tentar escrever aqui todos os domingos para dar um relatório sobre meus destaques semanais!

Amo todos vocês !

para aqueles que hav teve a chance de chamar / entrar em contato com , no entanto, sorry! chamar / text me !
302-463-6325 ( alterado)

Até mais tarde !

Amor, Andrew Jones

A few photo updates...

Outside the fancy homes in the city



Streets of Brazil




Andrew was pretty excited to get his packages...

2/7/2012 Letter

Dear Family and Friends, 

This week was pretty dang cool. We brought 3 girls to church that we've been teaching this past week-including Matteus.  I dont know how to say it in english but they are 'moces'..young women. I don't think that translates correctly. But anyway, sunday was fast and testimony meeting. President has made it a rule that all missionaries need to share a short testimony every testimony meeting which I think is a good idea to keep up the missionary excitment in the ward. Before I went to share my testimony, I said a quick prayer to put the words in my mouth that I needed to say in order to help our investigators and members feel the spirit. I felt that I should share a few verses from mosiah 14 which I had been studying sat morning. I ended up reading a few verses i think it was 5-8ish. I ended up talking about the atonement and a little about the importance of baptism. 

At the end of sacrament meeting a counselor came up to me and said I have somebody who wants to talk to you. He moved to the side and this guy who is looks exactly and acts exactly like the actor in that movie 'the RM' (the friend who is a rebel) asked if he could talk to us in another room privately.  He told us that he has been coming to church off and on for about a year and rejected tons of missionaries. He said that during my testimony he had felt the spirit and wanted to be baptised that day. Elder Brasil and I stood there in amazement. For those who have served a mission, you understand the amazement of somebody coming to you and saying that. It's the best thing of all time. After I write this we're gonna meet with him in the chapel and fill up the font for the baptism of matteus tonight which we're excited for (we got shot down for monday since it's family home evening night). People in brasil are actually really into family home evening...i think brasilian members understand missionary work a lot better than Americans...probably because everyone is a convert and understands the importance of sharing the gospel. It's pretty cool to watch. 

Yesterday was Zone conference..wow its really weird to say that in english..everything i type I want to type in portuguese.. But I thought that it would be a good idea to get there a little early since I hate taking a slow bus and having to run to get there on time. Elder brasil claimed he knew where the capella was...the church haha..we got off the onibus, walked for about an hour looking for the church. finally we found someone who knew where the church was..he gave us wrong directions and this continued for about another 30 min. FINALLY we found the church...drenched in sweat in downtown BH. we ran up to the doors and they were locked. I  looked at elder brasil and said 'check it..check the other one..' He checked it...locked too. I yelled FRRREEEEAAAAAKKKK!!!!..surely everyone in the city heard me..It was like arnold shwarznegger..i dont known how to spell that..on jingle all the way when he was trying to get home on time. We ended up taking another onibus and running for about another hour to finally find the right building in another neighborhood...neighborhoods in brasil are like another city. President watched us walk in to the chapel and sit on the side about an hour or so late. He never asked us what happened...i think out of complete pity.  It's really gross when you're sitting in a suit soaking wet.

Conference was amazing like it always is. President showed us that NOWHERE in the scriptures or in PME does it say anything about a promise of receiving a 'answer'..or reposta in portuguese. Thats because we dont recieve an 'answer'. We are promised that we will know the truth through a 'testimony' through the 'feelings of the holy ghost'. It also says in PME that its a 'process'. I realized that sometimes when i tell my investigators that they will recieve an 'answer' they begin waiting for something marvelous to  occur. They are waiting for angel moroni himself to appear in their living room and say, ok you can be baptised now. Thats not how it works. Thats why we have alma chp 32.

Anyway, Im excited for this week. This area is obviously a lot harder to baptise in..but you cant think that. Almost everyone here are filthy rich..i understand why the missionaries taught where they taught now (back at home) ..hahha. The beginning of this transfer was really hard..only one baptism, but this week we will have 2 or more. 

I think I may have seen my first dead person on the side of the highway on the way to conference the other day..that was odd. 

Mom, I received the contacts..Ill finish the ones that I have in right now and then try out the others, let you know how they are and then you can order more right? sweet. I still have more of the 2 week ones too.. Davis..come on, be a man..you gotta open your eye and throw them in..hahaha..

k im gonna send some pics now in another email. Love you all and hope all is well. Mom, the weather here is beautiful..there are no big spiders..

Love, Elder Jones

Letter to Mom (11/7/11)

Dear Mom,


Okay, P-day flies by - I just got done washing, cleaning, and organizing.  I can't write everyone although I might haha. But I just wanted to write this letter to you and thank you for everything that I am.  My faith and hard work come from both you and Dad, but without you I'd be lost just like if I didn't have Dad.  There is no greater blessing then to have you and Dad as my parents and teachers.  I relate your relationship to me as my relationship to Christ.  In John 13-15 Christ tells his disciples that they are his friends because he has given everything he has to them even a portion of His Spirit.  This is how I feel about you as well.  Every single time/day out here - especially when things get hard - (because this is not easy work) I think of you or Dad and see you face on the sidelines cheering me on when I fall.  Elder Kendrick gave me a copy of the poem "The Race" before we left the MTC because every time I read it I think of you and Dad as the father or Heavenly Father.  Help James as much as you can (It's hard sometimes and everyone needs somebody to look to).  The news about his call is unbelievable.  It brings so much joy to me.  Anyway, I just wanted to write this letter to say thank you for everything that you've done for me and are still doing.  It means a lot for me.  When I think of my family I don't feel homesick because I know they would have me work harder just like my Heavenly Father that I might "win the race" at the last day.  I think of one of the last lines in "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief" - "Of them I have not been ashamed," I know we will see Christ smiling at us one day just like in the "Testaments" when the father finally sees Christ.  Wow - what a blessing to have this knowledge!  Anyway, I better write James and get him pumped and stoked for Brasil!  Wow!  I can't believe that!  "Que Bensao" as president would say (what a blessing).  Love you so much,


Your son in the army,


Elder Jones

Christmas Letter to Dad

Dear Dad,


Surprise!! (like Stephen on Nacho Libre).  Feliz Natal all the way from Brasil.  I wanted to write you this short letter as one of my Christmas presents to you (I already wrote the other one that you opened earlier this morning).  Anyway, the mission is great.  Whenever times get hard here I always think of you and your determination to work hard and 'do hard things' like you said in your last letter.  It's really true that we have such a huge opportunity to do hard things here. It'll all be over so quickly and we'll look back and be happy that we weren't lazy.  If only every one of our investigators could understand this....


Time has been passing by quickly.  The harder you work, the faster time passes.  I'm grateful for a mission president who is like you too - he is awesome.  I think I"m now starting to understand some of the things you do.  When you do stuff cheap and tacky (you know, in order to save 3 cents or whatnot)...I'm doing the same thing.  It's pretty sweet.  It's kind of weird though because I feel like I'm becoming the same person as you sometimes haha.  I love to read the letters that you send every week and hear that the Lord continues to bless the family with temporal and spiritual blessings.  Sometimes it's hard to believe that we've been blessed so much - sometimes life just seems too perfect.


I'm extremely grateful, more than you'll ever know, for your unwavering example throughout the years.  Whenever I"m working out in the morning, doing push-ups or whatever, I think of what an awesome opportunity we have to 'do hard things.'  Then, when I'm out in the streets and people are doing everything they can to stop me or the work from progressing, I hum 'Let us all press on' in my head and think of the reward that we will receive if we have faith and put our shoulder to the wheel.


This work is amazing.  It is true that every step I take in this work and in my life is very much a part of you and your influence.  In a way, you will be able to serve multiple missions through me, Spencer, and Davis.  I'm so grateful to be your son.  Have an awesome year - I will continue to pray for your success and the family's success.  Thanks for everything.  I love you.


FELIZ NATAL!!!!


Elder Jones

Old December letters- 12/14/2011

Dear Mom and Dad,


Glad to hear everything is going well, I try to write handwritten letters as often as I can but unfortunately P-day is nothing like it used to be (like in the MTC) haha.


You are really free on your mission to manage your time. Obviously there are lots of rules, but outside of that it's really up to you to manage your time and work hard.  I can see how it's such great training for life because that's how life is (along with a million other worries) haha.  I always thought that the mish would be some what of a "break" but not when the commandment is to serve with all your heart, might, mind, and strength.  Anything less isn't enough (to stand blameless before God at the last day - Section 4 of the Doctrine and Covenants).


I really think if every missionary understood Section 4 we wouldn't have any problems.  I love to show that Section to recent converts who are 16 or 14 and hesitant to serve a mission because they're not familiar with it or they think they won't be any good.  It says clearly that all you need to "embark on this great work" is a desire (not a degree).  The Spirit is the teacher - not you, you just have to know how to humble yourself (which isn't as easy as it sounds sometimes).


One thing I've learned while being out here is how sensitive the Spirit is.  Understanding how to teach and live with the Spirit is the trick to life.  The Spirit will leave with one thought, one neglected commandment, etc...  President Eyring visited us one year ago and he told the missionaries to "get out of the way of the Spirit."  The mission is no "a break" when you live it right.  This is harder work then ever but its also the most rewarding.  If you're serving the right way you are worried about your investigators and the work from the moment you get up until you lay down to pass out. 


It's true what is always said about how time flies when you are working hard and are busy.  I was reading my brand new copy of the Novembro Liahona (we got December too) that we received yesterday at the office.  I'm excited to read every General Conference talk in Portuguese!  But, I was reading the first talk./opening remarks with President Monson. first thing that he talked about was how time flies when you ar busy - its true.  We're only here for so long so lets live life the best we know how.  I often read Alma 34:32 to people (especially after teaching the Plan of Salvation and before committing them to be baptized) where it says "this is the life for men to prepare to meet God, yea behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors."


The past few weeks I've continued to study the special October edition of the Liahona (that we received in the MTC and were asked by President to read cover to cover) where I left off.  It's truly amazing.  I read part of a talk (Neil C. Anderson) this week where he mentioned 2 Nephi 2:6, he quoted "redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah; for he is full of grace and truth" and this is really what hit me hard when I read this the Spirit almost knocked me dead 2 Nehpi 9:41.  He is "the keeper of the gate and he employeth no servant there."  I've read that many times before - but wow - it meant something completely different to me this time.  I can't believe the love that our Savior has for us.  The more I come to know Him, the more I realize that His love for each of us is incomprehendable.  He stays there at the gate, He  stays for cada uno de nos (each one of us).


Everything is going just great here.  I continue to pray for each one of you - for you success at work to Mary being happy.  That's the way the Lord would have it.  For many to be just as happy as me - why would it be any different?  Don't forget to read the scriptures.  When we forget to read we're neglecting the Lord's power to perform miracles in our life that we all can't afford to live without.  I'm so grateful for the opportunity I have this Christmas to worry about other people and not me.  The Lord would have it no other way.  Elder Holland told us in the MTC that "you're going out to help people not suffer."  He also said with the utmost assurance, "we're gling to find ways to serve the children of God," "We're going to be the diciples of the Lord Jesus Christ together."  I'm grateful for your support and testimony.  I'm working hard - there's no other way to live this life!  Life is always good!


Love,


Elder Jones

Old December letters- 12/7/2011

Dear Mom & Dad,


How's everything going?  I'm doing great here in Brazil.  Everyone will be baptized her in Contegem by the time Elder Costa and I are done here!  haha.  One thing I've learned about the mission that is really important to have is a vision.  It's the same thing with anything in life - without a vision you're prone to laziness and procrastination.  I really liked what Dad said in one of his last letter about Paul and how he had such great success in missionary work because of how excited he was.  I think that goes for everything in life.  Another thing that I'm learning to deal with better is disappointment.  Two nights ago we found a family that I thought was elect.  They all had a date except for the mom who we know would after the next lesson.  They seemed excited to learn more and we were excited as well.  We fasted and had been praying for a family to teach.  When we returned the next night, I peeked through a hole in their door (fence thing) and saw the father sitting on the step.  After walking for 40 minutes we were ready to teach.  Wiping the sweat from our face, I knocked on the door.  The wife came out to the door to tell us that ther husband wasn't home and that he wasn't prepared and wanted nothing else to do with the Church.  It was hard for us to keep our mouths shut and not say that we already saw him and yell "hello" but everyone has the ability to exercise their agency.  We walked away knowing that we had done our part in testifying of the truth and that we had done our best.  That's all we can do in life sometimes - It's hard.


Experiences like these just make it all the sweeter when your investigators stay firm and grow and strong testimony.  Yesterday we were "batando portas" (hitting doors) and one woman let us in.  She told us the missionaries had already stopped by before and she had already gone to Church.  We began the first lesson but then she told us that her children had died and that is why she now lives by herself.  We quickly change the lesson plan to the Plan of Salvation.  At first she wasn't  buying it very well I don't  think but  then the Spirit kicked in.  I really think she felt the Spirit when we told her that she could see her family again.  I bore my testimony at the end about my family and how the Plan of Salvation means everything to me.  I told her that all I wanted was to live "there" (Pointing to the Reino Celestial on the puzzle that we always use  from Brother Holland) with my family.  I always bear my testimony also that we don't have much time here on this earth and this is why we need to keep focused and not lose focus of our "vision" which is Eternal Life with our families.  The Spirit was incredibly strong and I almost started balling, but I was  man and fought it - don't worry.  She said that she would be baptized.  She is really addicted to smoking so pray for her too! (Dona Maria)  We told her that we were there to help her and that she could do it with the Lord's help.


The work is really hard - but it's most rewarding than anything else.  Every month or so I read a talk that my teacher at the MTC gave us by Tad R. Callister entitled "Becoming a Consecrated Missionary."  It's kind of like my spiritual steroids.  I read that along with "The Race" - that poem that I already mentioned to you before.  I try and look at the big picture.  I try to look at how short the mission really is and put things into perspective.  It's really a short period of time when you think about it.  I would suggest that you read both of these together too.  They should be on the Internet some where.  Relate it to our life here.  It's really a spiritual experience.


Christmas is weird here.  People have little fake Christmas trees and decorative stuff in their houses but it doesn't feel like Christmas at all.  It's probably beacuse of the weather - haha.  Don't worry - I';m not depressed or anything - it's just funny I think.  I listen to Dad's Christmas music on my iPod almost every morning while I make and eat breakfast.  I love Christmas music - It reminds me of living in Maryland listening to Christmas music before going to open presents on Christmas morning.  Man! what great memories we have as a family!  I"m so grateful for the opportunity I have this year to serve the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!  There is no better way to try and rpay him than striving to become a consecrated missionary and bring other unto Him so that this perfect atonement may take effect in their lives as well.  I'm so grateful for the Spirit and joy that accompanies Elder Costa and I everyday here.  I love you both and thank you for all that you've done and still do. 


Feliz Natal,


Love Elder Jones

Happy 2012!

Dear Family and Friends,

 

Well, I finally received everyone's letters and packages from the last month. It was pretty dang sweet. A sister in our district who will finish her mission next week stared at the pile of letters and 2 packages and said that she's never seen anyone receive so many letters in her entire mission hahahaa. ohh yeah. rakin it in, gettin it innn..lettin thesee cards fall all ovaaa maa skin..i got carrdds to bllowowowooww..hahhaa only some people will read that and truly understand that. I truly appreciate the love of my awesome family and friends as they share their testimonies with me and allow me to have a good time laughing hard at their hilarious letters and experiences. ..If only I had time to sit down and write about my experiences..hahaha, then again I'm not sure many people would believe all of them. For now, I'll just tell everyone that the church is true and that I'm trying my best to baptize people...

 

Anyway, life here in the mission gets easier. When I say easier it's probably not the easy your'e thinking about. NOTHING about the mission is easy. It's all hard work. But like dad so thoughtfully wrote in one of his past letters, "i like to do hard things". Life's not worth doing a bunch of easy things and then dying. You can't even look back and say, "dang, I did work". "thats like a dollar an hour!!" No, but seriously, life in the field is THE life. I love the mission. You learn different stuff everyday. In Brasil you see stuff every single day that you've never seen before that you've never even thought of...right when you thought you've already seen it all. But my mind is starting to stop freaking out every day. I'm more worried about how I can improve myself as a missionary and person, and how we can better our teaching, relying more on the spirit and Lord to progress our investigators and help us in our work. This way is much better than being worried constantly about them, being worried about having the spirit in our lessons.

 

Preach my gospel says that faith is the opposite than fear. In 'our pursuit for happiness', Elder Ballard says that we need to rely on the Lord to provide us with words and the spirit if we do our part. It's a promise if we are obedient in whatever stage in our lives.

 

The portuguese is still progressing. Mom, its wayyy easier to understand than speak haha. I can pretty much understand everything. Sometimes people will use a word that I don't know but I can understand still because of the sentence. I need to continue to expand my grammar and verb usage. It's really hard to go all week speaking Portuguese 24/7 and then type this in english by the way so if im spelling words wrong...ohh well. I'll go back to kindergarden when I return to learn how to speak English again...

 

We have a young man named Matteus progressing for baptism this sunday. We're doing all we can to help him  feel ready. We brought him to an activity at the church last week and to church too. It's always great when the 5th sunday lesson is "retention" when you've got a 17 yr old boy there you are trying to get interested...how pleasant. He's still "thinking" about baptism but we're gonna hit him hard with the spirit this week and then throw him in. Do work like we do here in zona pampula. District meeting was great this week. I always ask a lot of questions and we always learn a lot. I always try to use being around older missionaries to my advatage to seek advice.

 

Sounds like the phillies are really doing work with getting everyone they can. What happend with ryan howard!?? I never knew he was out. He's too young to be sitting on the sidelines all the time. 

 

It took me more than 2 hours to open all the cards that my district leader brought me yesterday. I read them at night and in the morning. I had 2 hours of a lot of laughing and felt the spirit often. I am amazed with how blessed I am to have such great family and friends. Thank you so much for your dilligence to write me and your prayers and thoughts too. I continue to do the same for you. Each card is appreciated greatly. I can feel your spirit in every card. I will try my best to work on responding for everyone during the next few pdays. Please understand that It takes more than the 3 weeks for me to receive your letters because they have to be picked up by my district leader sometimes a month later. Your testimonies strengthen and help me. I'm filled with joy as the ancient Book of Mormon missionaries were when they learned that their friends and family were still their "brethern in the word of God" ficar firme sempre. (stay firme forever).  Never lose track of the important things in life like President Uchtdorf has counseled us.

 

I continue to work hard to find those elect prepared to change their lives for the better. I continue to pray and think about all of you. I love you.

 

Love, Elder Jones

11-16 Still in Florenca!

Dear Family,

This week has been great! Towards the end of the week we had one of the 3-day Brazil rain storms where the rain just washes everything in sight down the dirt roads into the rivers in the valley (aka jungle). The shoes are taking a beating. Elder Jack showed me a sweet store where he buys tougher shoes that are still comfortable for only 20 Reals!! He’s going to give me some stuff when he leaves including the shoes he’s wearing now which I think will fit!

This week we were walking in the valley and were passed by a van with a bunch of guys who yelled "what’s up man! Need a ride?!" followed by a roar of laughter. I wonder if they realize I think it’s hilarious too. I love making fun of myself. Elder Jack is going home in a week so he’s been dreaming of home while trying to finish strong at the same time. I can see him on his last string though...especially training me haha. I’m sure I sound like an idiot sometimes after his great teaching and then he will look at me and Ill take 5 minutes to explain our life on earth.... ok, its actually going pretty well. I’m learning a lot.

This week we found an older lady named Dona Maria. Dona is like “Mrs” in English and everyone out here has a first name of "Maria Rosario" so right now were teaching 3 people all named Dona Maria Rosario…it’s a joke. Anyway, Dona Maria is awesome! Whenever we teach her something new she sits there wide-eyed and you can just see her eyes glow.  When we first started teaching her they were dull and now she sits in her house and literally reads the Book of Mormon all day! It’s amazing. I had the great opportunity to baptize her on Sunday. Before her baptism we were teaching her and her daughter. Her daughter found it funny that we don’t drink coffee. After about 10 minutes of explaining to her why we don’t, she finally understood. She then came out with cola which we’ve been told by President we can’t drink either for whatever reason. Elder Jack looked at me and I looked at him and just laughed...how the heck are we going to explain this one to her. She probably thought we were so weird. And then we had to leave and cut it short to be home by 9.

Lunch yesterday was great…just the normal Brazilian lunch. I was pretty hungry so I was eating pretty quick. I looked down at my plate really quickly and found a chicken foot and leg…ohh the Brasilian surprises!

Yesterday Elder Jack and I were in Belo turning in the fichas… forms—to the office. I was planning on sending some letters off but turns out the city was shut down due to some random Brasilian holiday…hahah...it reminded me of not being able to go swim because of some random holiday at the JCC at home. Haha. It’s really hot here in Brasil— in case anyone didn’t know yet. It’s pretty ridiculous. The other day elder Jack and I had just finished lunch and we stuffed ourselves just to leave and find that it was incredibly hot outside and we needed to be somewhere pretty quickly. We felt like a couple drunk people trying to walk down the dirt road stuffed with the sun beating down on us. It’s this crazy feeling where you feel dizzy and stuff...kinda cool actually.

I love hearing all about the family back at home!! I miss everyone…Catie that’s awesome you’re doing so well with swimming. And Spencer and Davis sound like they’re beasting it up with football. That’s all over now...time to beast up the baseball field. Get it done this season!!! Sarah— great to hear you’re still doing great swimming and ballet. Mary I miss you too! I love to read Elizabeth’s never ending emails that take half of my email time too! Hahaa just kidding—they’re hilarious. Keep ‘em coming! I heard this week from Brady Johnson from SVU and Noah Christian. They are both doing great!! Oh, and dad—I got a letter that you wrote about a month ago that was send to Arcadia! It’s the one where you promised you’d give me the civic when I get back. I liked that one. I love getting letters—pretty soon here I’m only going to be able to go to the office every month or so maybe even longer because come transfers I won’t be with a district leader anymore so we won’t have to go to the office every week. That’s gonna suck, but it’s all good.  And I mailed those letters today that I couldn’t get off yesterday.

People make you eat like crazy here! Elder Jack said he threw up 3 times after leaving a few lunches when he first got here. Don’t worry I’ve learned quick though! The big trick is when you go to lunch you just get a tiny bit so then when the host tells you to go get your millionth serving of beans you don’t barf all over them. It’s good stuff.  We do an incredible amount of walking everyday. That’s pretty good excercize I think… I’ve been trying to go some plyometric stuff every night and crunches and pushups so I think I’ll be alright. I just gotta make sure I don’t get fat from all this bread and wheat here! The fruit is great too! It’s almost mango picking season!! There’s mango trees everywhere you look so I’m stoked to start picking them and eating them on the walk. I ike to buy lots since it’s pretty cheap here!

It’s so great to hear from every one of you!! Everyone keep working hard with school, work, baseball, ect. whatever it is. The Lord will always bless you as long as you work as hard as you can and you’re studying the scriptures and trying your best to live like Christ.  This week I’ve thought a lot about living right consistently. It requires a firm and sincere desire to be like Christ. I’ve been reading Elder Ballard’s book, Our Search for Happiness. It talks about the need to really love the Lord and then we’ll be alright because He will shape our life. It’s pretty awesome. I’m excited for transfers. There’s really no way I stay here in Florenca since it’s a zone leader area and there’s 4 people living in a 2 person house. I think Elder Bowerbank and I will be headed somewhere else. I’m excited to learn a new area and new people! Jonathan, it’s great to hear you’re doing great too!! I continue to pray for you as well!

Well that’s about all the time I have!! Love you all!! Have a great week!

Love,

Elder Jones!!

Elder Jones and the city of Florenca at night

With Dona Maria Rosario on her baptism day

Brazilian License Plate

Andrew's Brazil ID and some of his money.

The missionaries are livin' in style...

At the Mission Office

Short letter from 11-9-11

Dear Family and Friends,

This week flew by just like all the time has here so far— well like the entire mission actually. It’s weird to think that it’s already been 3 months...crazy. My companion Elder Jack is going home at the end of this transfer.  He keeps telling me that he is almost positive that President will make me a senior companion and will transfer me since this area is only supposed to have 2 missionaries but it has 4 now. I think elder jack and i already have 8 or 10 baptisms since being here1!! So crazy. 

Something I really missed on Halloween was picking apples with the family. That’s something that I loved doing every year. I loved just going with the family and eating those delicious apples. The fruit is really awesome and cheap out here but it’s not the same as those apple orchards! 

One of our investigators told us that she thought we were 30 this week which was pretty funny. She’s doing really well. We’re supposed to be baptizing her this Sunday but she’s being iffy. Elder Jack is really good with being firm with people and telling them that it’s really important. The outline that the president gives us to teach doesn’t even mention the Book of Mormon until after they accept baptism which is surprising to me especially when they stressed using it ASAP in the MTC. Weird…I think I’m going to put more emphasis on the Book of Mormon when I’m senior companion and ask President about it. 

The work is still going great though! Christmas lights do actually exist in Brazil…it’s pretty funny. They’re just at random places and today I saw a Christmas store in the city. Today we’re in the city for our P-day because Elder Jack is gonna blow 400 Reals of stuff before he goes home (he says). So the whole 100 Reals a week allowance thing isn’t as much as I thought. Almost out…

We’re still working hard and the work is progressing. I miss and love everyone! This week I got 2 letters from dad and Catie and one from Derek. That was great to finally get mail in Brazil! Love everyone! Have a great week!

Letter from 11-2-11

Dear family and friends,

First off, I got emails from James Webb and Derek Dixon but the President has threatened to send us home if we respond to other people than our immediate family so tell them I wanted to respond but can just write letters, sorry! Tell James I give him a HUGE CONGRATS and that I’m beyond stoked. Elder Rios went to Curitiba. What mission exactly? Sooo sweet. This work is true and I will keep working hard to bring it to others.

Anyway, the mission is great. All is well.  I haven’t even got sick here so that’s pretty sweet. I love Brazil.

Letters take forever to get here apparently. Still haven’t received the one from dad. The office doesn’t forward the letters so we have to go pick them up at the office. Fortunately for us 4 who live in Florenca (45 min from Belo) we go to the office to drop off baptism forms for the zone since we live with 2 zone leaders. So we spend 7 bucks on bus tickets at least once a week. It’s all good though, they give us 100 Reals every 1st and 15th so that’s 50 Reals a week which isn’t as bad as I thought it would be.

This week was fantastic!! Jessica and Maria, two of our investigators, were excited to be baptized and we worked on teaching them all week. Two more investigators committed to going to church this Sunday to see the baptisms of Jessica and Maria as well as another family we’ve been teaching this week.

On Thursday we were up in Florenca across the highway we have to cross many times a day (I’m gonna be the worst with hitch hiking when I get home haha) and we were up high in the hills in an area where Elder Jack said he’s never been before in his many, many months serving in this area. I was surprised to hear that since he’s always pointing out people in the street that he’s baptized. Everyone seems to know him and I’m just the new missionary haha. But yeah so we’re up there seeing all kinds of animals...i’m pretty sure there were llamas like in Napoleon Dynamite but who knows…they have fruit here and animals that nobody knows about in the states.  As we’re walking through this narrow dirt road in the jungle there are random shack houses-which I’m getting really used to-and we finally get to the end of the road without any luck. At the last house on the hill in this jungle neighborhood type area, Elder Jack says "that’s a humble house" so I clapped my hands and we met a 19 yr old girl named Isa Marie. She came out to tell us that she had been waiting for the missionaries to come by so she could be baptized right when she saw us. She went on to tell us that her mother and father had been baptized by Elders that had passed by their little house 3 years ago. They had been forbidden to go back after those missionaries left and their dad went inactive. He threw all the Bibles and  Book of Mormons away that her mother had and her mother has gone into a depression ever since. They weren’t home at the time, only Isa. We sat down with her and we started the first lesson and she said she’d be baptized in 2 weeks after going to church with us on Sunday.

The next day we passed to meet with Isa Marie again and met her dad who was the only one home. He was incredibly rude and hostile towards both us and his daughter. It was probably a good thing that I could only understand a little bit of it. He told us that many missionaries have come by over the years and have all wasted their time with their family because they were "all Catholic"  and he explained that he didn’t like all the "rules" in the church. We explained to him that we had taught his daughter and she wanted to be baptized. He said he wouldn’t stop her from being baptized but that she only talked to us because we were "americanos." Elder Jack told him that we’d be back and we left after telling him to have a good day.

I don’t know all of Isa’s motives but when I taught the restoration I looked carefully in her eyes to make sure she was serious about it. As we left and gave her a Book of Mormon, she held it close to her heart. When Sunday rolled around we went to go pick up Jessica and Marie for their baptisms early in the morning and walked through the mud before 9 o’clock church. They had locked their house and turned off their phone and we haven’t been able to find them since. They were golden and suddenly did a 180. We’re going to try to find them later tonight. Anyway, every baptism fell through and the 2 investigators that committed to come to church weren’t home. We stood outside their houses one after another clapping our hands. That was really hard. It killed me. In Alma chapter 15 I think it is verse 23 it talks about Alma and Amulek and the anxiety they felt when people would procrastinate the day of their repentance. It’s truly a killer especially when you get to love them and they don’t follow through.

So we walk frustrated to the bus stop to meet some members waiting there and then Isa showed up which brightened me up a little. We showed her through the meetings at church and suddenly out of nowhere Elder Jack tells her after gospel principles class that she could be baptized that same day if she wanted to. She freaked out a little bit and so did I but then I realized she had already sat through the lessons with her mom and dad and been to church a few times a while ago. She said she had the desire (which is all the people in the Book of Mormon needed when they were baptized at the waters of Mormon) so all the missionaries in the ward scrambled to set up chairs and get an interview set up to see if she still remembered the lessons and everyone was throwing paper work around.

Elder Jack told me to go quickly change my clothes and get my white baptismal clothes on (which Elder Bowerbank was so kind to hem). I was a little nervous but confident with the prayer and had practiced it a lot. Right before getting into the water I asked her name. I’m pretty sure she gave me at least 5 or 6 names that i couldn’t pronounce. She was freaking out so I was trying to remain calm. She didn’t know it was my first baptism and that I had no clue what she had just said. I started the prayer and said her name and heard an "espera" or wait from Elder Jack behind me on the stairs. He then had me repeat her name as he said it and then I proceeded with the prayer and everything went great. It was exciting for me and her. She said she felt a lot better after the baptism and that she felt good. We’re going to keep teaching her. Her whole story is just one example of the miracles the Lord has prepared for us.

This work continues to amaze me. It’s still pretty frustrating to not understand the old people that talk a million miles an hour but have no teeth— but I’ll get there. It’s really hard to speak still too –especially about non-gospel related stuff.

Halloween was weird. I woke up and Elder Bowerbank said happy halloween. Nobody celebrates it here. The children knew it was Halloween but they don’t know what trick or treating is. Apparently Elder Jack says they don’t celebrate anything here haha. Not really even Christmas. Either way well be knocking doors to share a message – but not for candy… although some chocolate would be nice a break from rice and beans 24/7. haha man I love it here. I wish I had more time to tell you about my experience of reading in John chap 13-15 this morning and the spirit I felt when I read the words that Christ spoke to his disciples before being crucified. Read those chapters and relate and liken them to you. It’s amazing!

Love you all and hope you all had a great Halloween! Gotta run and buy groceries. Love you all!

Love, Elder Jones

First letter from Brazil:

Dear family who is worrying way too much about me,

This place is freaking sweet!! I don’t remember much about Venezuela but I’m pretty sure it’s a lot like it. Everything is going just great though!

So yeah, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday were long days…I got ok sleep on the giant plane. That thing was huge! I gave the Brazilian next to me the first discussion...He seemed interested a little and I gave him a pass-along card and the restoration pamphlet. But yeah so when we got to Dallas I saw Elder Wilson! I was stoked to see him and really happy cause he’s going to Belo too. Elder Clark (who I left with) was going to another mission so I was going to have to connect by myself. It was really nice to have someone else. He’s better at Portuguese too.

We finally got to Sao Paulo and the lady at the desk was trying to tell us that our flight to Belo had been cancelled. Finally, when we didn’t understand her, a young lady nearby came and helped us and translated. The Portuguese here is not even close to the Port. in the MTC. It’s crazy. Some words are even different. Some things that they taught us don’t even make sense here. But yeah so we finally took a bus to another small airport in Sao Paulo... a real sketchy one… where we took a plane to Belo. When we landed I saw Elder Bowerbank from the MTC! He was there with a secretary missionary. He told me that Elders Ercanbrack and Baker were in the office all waiting for us to get there too.  We finally got to the mission office in the middle of Belo (which is the only place where we can send and receive letters by the way). It was a really long walk with my luggage. President is awesome! He’s really strict and all about business. The mission here is completely different than the one in Cali. We don’t hand anything out and the structure of the lessons is completely different. We don’t even mention the Book of Mormon till the second lesson. It was weird at first but now I’m getting used to it. Anyway, President took us out to eat that night. I was pretty hungry along with the others since we didn’t really eat anything all day. He took us to a restaurant that just gave us TONS of meat…the first thing they brought out was chicken heart. It wasn’t bad...but weird haha. That night he interviewed us and assigned me to Elder Jack. We spent that night in the assistants’ apartment—that place was crowded and really messy. I was glad to be able to get out of there haha.

Once we got back to the mission office the next morning, Elder Jack came to pick me up along with his old companion, Elder Domingos, who was assigned to be with Elder Bowerbank. I live with all them now in a 2 person apartment haha. Elder Bowerbank and I sleep on the floor and keep our bags in a small study room. It’ll do for a transfer haha. We got right to work after about a 45 min bus ride to Florenca where I am serving. At first I was a little shocked but I’m getting used to the area and it’s becoming my home.

Ok now let me tell you about the people here. It’s amazing. They are so humble and open to everything you say. Even if they reject you they still listen to you a little bit…nothing like California.

It’s amazing! Elder Jack and Domingos are zone leaders. Elder Domingos doesn’t speak English but my companion Elder Jack is from Utah. He’s going home in 4 weeks at the end of the transfer. I think I’ll probably end up being transferred although I don’t want to be. The first 2 days I was here I saw 2 baptisms and we have 6 planned for this Sunday. Elder Jack and I fasted yesterday and have been praying hard that they will all come through. The retention rate is about 68 percent here. I don’t know if that’s good but Elder Jack claims it is horrible. He told me yesterday that I’ll probably be baptizing some this weekend. I need to get the baptismal prayer down. I’m pretty nervous especially because the names here are insane. They have like 5 first names that I cant even pronounce…

The language is pretty frustrating so far. I’m trying to stay patient… but I’ve only been here for a week. It’s coming pretty quickly and yeah, I’m learning a ton more here than if I were in the MTC. I need to work on the tenses more though as well as my vocab. People like to make fun of Elder Jack and I because everyone knows we’re white. People always call us Germans...it’s pretty much the kids in the street playing soccer. But yeah Florenca is awesome!! There’s only one paved street and the rest are dirt. It rained hard for like 2 straight days...i’m gonna buy a new umbrella because that one is too small and the water goes right through it haha. I’ve only wore my 2 pants that aren’t dry clean only since everything you wear gets mud all over them. Elder Jack told me he’d give me some of his boot shoes when he leaves and probably some pants. It’s all worked out so far. He says that mail takes like 2 to 3 weeks to get here and packages take months...

You are constantly wet here though...either drenched in rain or sweat. I have sunscreen too so I’ll put that on if I start burning…the sun is intense here. There’s lots of shade that we try to stay in for the most part though. I can understand some things…I usually can understand what people are talking about but it’s still really hard especially when people slur words together and talk really fast. But I’ll get there. Everyone, including the President, told me I’d get it down really quick…like 3 months… so I’m confident. It’s hard to study both the gospel and understand it while needing to study the language but it’ll work. This place is hilarious too. I love the kids in the streets. There’s like roosters that wake me up every morning and dogs, horses, ducks, ect. just running around the streets. People just walk down the street with bloody chickens haha. My filter in my water bottle is working good I think— I haven’t gotten sick. I need to eat more fruit though. I need to keep working out too…I think I’ve gotten real weak haha...I did some push ups last night but we just don’t have anything to work out with. I’ve eaten lots of weird stuff too like pig skin, ears, ect…it’s not as bad as you’d think. And beans and rice out here is not a joke—it really is for EVERY meal.

Good to hear from all of you. It’s supposed to get warmer soon so no I’m fine mom...i’ll just use my hoodie and stuff when it’s cold at night. I’m loving it here. My only worry here is that you are worried about me so please don’t. I get sick if I think you are worried about me because I’m perfectly fine. The lord has promised that I’ll be protected as long as I’m dong what I need to be doing. I love this work. I can feel the spirit so strongly out here. This is a humble people. The lord has blessed me so much to be teaching with them. It’s awesome. I witnessed a baptism the other day and it was amazing.

Love all of you lots. I love your letters, Elizabeth haha. Mom and Dad and everyone else, love you lots too. Hope everyone has a great week! I’m going to try to send some pictures! Talk to you next week!

ps I haven’t really been bit by any mosquitoes...i’ll let you know…

On his way to Brazil!

His companions in the CA, Arcadia mission

Florenca 

showing the love with a little graffiti...

Apparently it rains a lot

Elder Jones, Elder Jack, Elder Bowerbank, and Elder Domingos

On to Brazil!

We received Andrew's first letter from the mission field (Arcadia, California) this Monday.  He waits until halfway through the letter to nonchalantly mention that he will be flying to Brazil in less than 48 hours.  He has since made the 18 hour journey and landed in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, where he will be serving for the next 22 months!

Dear family,

Well here I am in the church building where I’m serving. We have an hour now to write emails and don’t have to listen to 2000 washing machines run behind me. man! Life is great out here! iIt's exactly what I expected. We’re constantly doing something. I barely ever get time to look at my watch or to think about time passing. I never even look at myself in the mirror. It’s all good anyway cause it's all about other people.  So yeah, I live in La Verne, just by a panda express by the big road called foothill road. I live in a really sweet shady area. Somebody got shot last week and there’s constantly helicopters flying overhead with search lights. Sunday something went down again…cops everywhere outside our door. They always just see us looking out the door reading our scriptures...hahaa… ohh man LA county is intense with the crime. But it's all good. You wouldn’t understand how safe we are. It’s incredible-people always talk about how we’re protected and whatnot and you can’t understand it till you experience it. The church probably gets a kick out of putting missionaries wherever they want because they know they’ll be alright. Everyone loves us and says hi to us. There’s nothing ever to worry about as long as you are working hard and being obedient. I love this place.

I’ve talked to lots of old people since being here and they all say that the smog is a LOT better than years ago. I guess they’ve got all kinds of new laws for businesses and whatnot. The air is still gross but apparently its a lot better. 

The main thing I realized when I got out here is the trees and landscaping. All the plants are sooo sweet. You know all those church movies like the testaments, ect with Joseph and Mary walking on the donkey past all those palm trees? That was filmed right here where I live in Pomona. Apparently there’s places up high in our mission where you can see all of LA and the ocean. My roommates all climbed Mt. Baldy a couple weeks ago. They said it was sweet. But yeah, so we’re constantly on bikes-its sweet. My butt and legs are finally used to it. I was a little sore after the first couple days but now I have an iron butt like in spongebob.

But yeah I serve in Claremont. That’s our actual area. Yeah, I’m in a threesome. It’s not too bad actually- it’s working out pretty well. It’s tricky to make sure you keep it simple and basic when you have 3 people teaching but it’s worked out pretty well. We’ve seen countless miracles. I found a lady on the street the other day and suggested we go talk to her and her son. Her name is Cassandra. She said that she’s looking for a church and has even told us now that she knows that God lead us to her for a reason. I gave her a run down of Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon and we came back and taught the first lesson the other day. She has been so prepared that it’s unbelievable. I asked her to be baptized on November 13th (after the first lesson) and she said yes of course. We just gotta keep teaching her. That’s just one example...2 days ago we stopped on Foothill rd. and asked a man how he was doing.  He said not too good and explained that he was trying to get somewhere where he lived and how he was hungry and only had 40 cents. Elder Suiter (my senior companion who is the best example and missionary ever) explained that were just poor missionaries but we could pray for him. He said he would like that so we took off our helmets right there and prayed and Elder Suiter said that as long as he had faith and had righteous desires that he would find a way to get home and get something to eat. Right after we said amen a few random boys walked down the sidewalk with a huge thing of donuts. We asked them for one and gave it to the old man and told him to have a good day and left. It was amazing. This stuff happens 24/7 out here. You realize when you are out here that you are truly doing everything in Christ’s name and that you are doing his work. You are doing what he would do if he were here. You begin to really understand that nothing is just an occurrence; the Lord’s hand is in everything. We’ve given out a good amount of Book of Mormons and taught tons of lessons that have gone pretty good. I’ve still got a lot to learn but I’ve got some time.

So yeah, the day we got here I arrived in the Ontario airport with about 25 missionaries- about 15 in our mission. The mission President and his wife who are awesome met us at the baggage claim. Then they took us to this amazing restaurant for lunch and we all introduced ourselves and spent the rest of the day meeting Brother and Sister Toole, and everyone else in the mission office. The whole day was boring and was hard to stay awake. Everyone had a interview with the president that lasted at least 30 min each. I was excited for mine and was last so I went in there and he shook my hand and said congrats you have your visa… apparently it came in while I was on the plane here...ironic. So yeah he told me to work hard and learn all I can before I take off for brazil Wednesday morning. I have to be at the arcadia stake center by 6:45 am and pick up everything and then its off from Ontario to Dallas to Sao Paulo and then I fly to Belo. It’s about 18 hrs of traveling...pretty intense. It will be long but I’m excited. The Portuguese has definitely not gotten any better since being here…I’ve been incredibly busy. It’s wake up, get to work, get home around 9:15 and get to bed. But yeah, I’ll be alright though. I thought they would have told you that I got my visa but it’s all good. So yeah looks like I’ll be calling Wednesday from the airport. Ohh and I’ll be traveling with Elder Clark!! (he’s the other old District Leader in the 33B branch from the MTC) so that will be sweet. It will just be us two. But yeah I said bye to Elders Kendrick and Wilson the other day who are both going to my mission so I said I’ll see you soon (hopefully). But yeah this is gonna be wild! I know the Lord wanted me here for a reason so I’m working my hardest so I make sure that I fulfill that reason. I now understand how time flies. I feel like I just got here and it’s already Monday. Crazy...

So yeah I live with 2 zone leaders, Elder Otter and Elder Pitt, who are hilarious but they work hard. My companionship is Elder Carpenter from Arizona who left for the MTC August 10th too and Elder Suiter who has been out a year. Elder Suiter is a great missionary and I’m learning lots from him. We’ve got a bunch of weight stuff in our apartment that he collected over the months on the streets… it’s actually really nice.  We use them every morning. But yeah our apartment is humble.. .the carpet is incredibly dirty…it’s hilarious. And man, does the Lord provide. I don’t have any food here at all cause we haven’t been to the grocery store and when you open up our fridge there’s like nothing in it but we are constantly fed. People are just constantly feeding us and keeping us full with great food. The palm trees out here are real sweet. I’m glad I was able to come out here first-it was real awesome. So yeah just be ready for me to call home on Wednesday at completely random times…I’ll call Elizabeth too.

Ok so yeah, that’s lots of what’s going on right now. I obviously can’t sit here and tell you everything. Just know that I’m completely cared for and that we’re preaching the gospel to our area like no other and we’re working hard and have probably biked over 400 miles in the last week. I’m constantly sweaty and everything but it’s great. This mission is pretty great. Ohh and quick cool fact… the mission president and his wife BOTH served here in the arcadia mission. They said that they don’t think that that had ever happened before where they send someone back to their mission like that. I have a pick of the mission pres and his wife and everything. I’ll find out a way to get that to you ...and I haven’t had the chance to take any pictures yet! I’ll definitely have to do that. Maybe with the palm trees and with my companions on our bikes with the mountains in the background or something. The sunset is unbelievable here and the afternoons are gorgeous - especially on bikes. We still sweat because we are peddling hard but it feels really good. There’s lots of low riders out here and all the Elders know about the Chino Sinners.  We’re going to eat dinner on Tuesday with a man who served 6 months in Belo Horizonte so I’m stoked to talk about it with him.

Anyways, sounds like Spencer and Davis are having a good time with football...make sure they’re still going to seminary todos dias.

Elizabeth- sounds pretty sweet…wish I could go on the white house tour…we almost did with Mr Rivera but got denied. Keep letting me know what’s going on! Can you tell everyone to now send letters to Belo!!?? just let everyone know I’m finally in Brazil!! Heck yeah. I’ll be there Thursday morning I guess but dang I’m sooo stoked. I’m not gonna understand NUNCA!!  But it’s all good because I’m excited to know nothing and hopefully learn fairly quickly. All is well. My testimony is as strong as ever and I love talking to everyone. There’s no fear when you fully understand what you are sharing with them.

  

Love you all! God speed.

Love, Elder Jones

Andrew's Testimony.

Andrew sent this home- he wants all his friends and family to know why he went on a mission:

I would like to share a few thoughts and principles of my faith that bring my all the joy that I have in my life.  I would like everyone that reads this to know that I know that we have a living and loving Father in Heaven.  He knows us by name. He cares about us.  He wants to see us succeed.  He loved you and I so much that He gave His perfect Son, even Jesus Christ to atone for the sins that we commit each day.  With Christ's atonement, I know that we are all able to return to live with Heavenly Father and His Son. It is only through Him that we are able to return.  This requires our humility, patience, and faith.  If anyone desires to know of the joy which I have felt in my life and feel so much now, as I have the opportunity to preach His gospel to the world, I would ask you with sincerity to please "excersize a particle of faith."  If this is your desire to come closer to Christ and know how you can have eternal life with your family after death, know that this is possible. Know that you are able to KNOW it. I know it because I sincerely prayed about the Book of Mormon. I have asked if the book and all that it is in it is true. We all, everyone on the earth, is promised a very direct promise that if we follow what the Book of Mormon asks in the last 2 paragraphs on the introduction of the book. Just as Joseph Smith testified that the promise is real, I too testify with all my being.  The Lord will reveal the truth of the book unto you IF you will only excersize a partical of faith by reading moroni 10:3-5 and the last 2 paragraphs of the introductions and if you will pray and ask your Father in Heaven if the book is true, ponder it in your heart and ask with sincerity. I know that this will change your life and the Lord will pour out His blessings upon you if you will only do these simple things. I know that He lives and you can too.

Love you all, God speed.

-Elder Jones

8/15/11- well hello there

After not hearing from Elder Jones for six days, we finally received two emails and a handwritten letter from him!  He is doing great.  The following letter is to all of his family and friends- enjoy! The other email was a request for Phillies stats... haha.

Dear Everyone,

I haven't even been here a week but it seems like I have been here for at least 3 weeks. Yesterday on sunday we had an awesome fireside which helped me a lot with my stress. It's been overwhelming but not discouraging. The language is coming quickly but with hard work.  I can pray and pretty much bear my testimony in portuguese as well have pathetic conversations.  Today has been really great. We got to pass the MTC police and walk out of the gate into the world for the first time in 4 days. We even got a "I'm really proud of you guys" yell from some hobo in his pickup at the red light while crossing the street. 

 

My time here has been a great blessing.  I was called to be the district leader of district 33A the thurday night after I got here. That added to my worries but I handle it just like everything else here. Just put it on the Lord and press forward.  21 min left..pshh. anyways, gym time is way to short so i just run and do lower/upper body everyother day. I think im doing a good job staying in shape. campus is huge, theres lots of walking but im pretty sure ive spent at least 300 hours in this one classroom that our district sits in for what seems like a lifetime while our teacher, irmo petty speaks portuguese to us without stopping to actually tell us what he is saying. sometimes we miss really important stuff..maybe he doesnt realize we just got here? its getting better though. my comp, elder rios and i have been teaching an investigator since the 2nd day we got here. weve had 2 appointmetns already. the first was incredibly bad..we had no clue what he was saying and we didnt know what we were saying either. after we finished the lesson we stared at eachother for 2 minutes trying to figure out how to say thanks for meeting with us see you next time..it was bad. the second one was a little better.

 

anyway, this is truly the Lord's work. I have never felt the spirit so strongly and all day during every meeting like I do here. This place is awesome. I'm doing great. While I miss everyone at home, I don't let that get in the way of the work which I'm here to do. I'm happy and excited about the future. I know the future is going to be touch so im trying to learn portuguese asap.  I cant wait to be a middleman for the Lord. as long as i do my best to bring others unto the Lord I can know He will be pleased with my work. the outcomes may vary however if im doing my best i will have joy.  my entire district went to choir practice last night for tuesday's devotional..prolly gonna be an apostle!! it was legit..everyone was insanely good and we completely sucked but its all good cause the reason why we did it was so we could get front row seats tuesday!!! we didnt get cut or anything hahaha..what a joke. Thanks for all your prayers and thoughts. I pray for all of you daily!!

Love, 

Elder Jones