FROM THE ZONE

JUNE 16, 2013

I had an awesome week, and the Zone is starting to pick things up. We are working super hard and following up closely with our district leaders to make sure that our plans are being put into practice in each area! This week all 4 of our baptisms were baptized! It was a great day, everyone was really happy. I was given the opportunity to baptize Keite (even though I think its way better when the members do the baptizing) and on Sunday I got to confirm Diego ( Karina´s son). It was my first confirmation in my life and it was awesome. also this Sunday we were given the opportunity to speak in sacrament which was cool as well. All of this in just one weekend, you can see how the mission helps you to come out of your shell! We also are planning another baptism this Saturday for our investigator named Lia she's the mother of Paloma that was baptized on the first and is super excited for her baptism! We weren't actually planning to be baptizing her this weekend its just that she wants bishop to baptize her and he will be traveling after this weekend so here baptism was moved to this week! What a blessing! 

I'm doing great and that I'm really happy, I'm so grateful to be considered a representative of Christ and to have the opportunity to raise my voice and testify of his daily, what a blessing it is to be a missionary :) 

Elder Rasmussen 

We have a new address for our mission home now: 

Rua Comendador Elias Zarzur 365

Santo Amaro

04736-000 São Paulo - SP

Brasil

JUNE 2, 2013

What a week! this week went by so fast its crazy. We had a exchanges everyday and the week flew by. (you asked about exchanges, its when we split with the elders in our zone, to train and help with difficulties). We had a pretty great week here in Grajaú. We finished the week out with 6 baptisms! 3 of which were ours :) YYAA! The Lord has been blessing us a lot. So Alexandre and Paloma got married and were baptized and Luara was also baptized as well, which was a miracle! We actually found her last Monday. It was late and we were walking back home at about 9 when we passed the house of a member of the ward. As we passed I felt impressed that we should enter and told my comp. he said that it was late and we needed to get back home, but when I explained that I felt that we needed to he agreed. We clapped our hands at the door and the family let us in. When to our surprise they said that they had a reference and introduce us to there 10 year old niece Luara. Needless to say Luara was baptized this Sunday!! It was truly a Maraca! 

So we have transfers this Tuesday and my comp. was transferred, its super weird actually this is my first time staying in the area when my companion was transferred. This means all the weight of the zone is on my shoulders, its a little daunting  but I have faith that the Lord will be with me and qualify me for the task at hand. Pray for me!

Love,

Elder Rasmussen

MAY 26, 2013

 

Well another week come and went like you said and the weeks seem to be passing by faster and faster! 

My pres. Says that when you go through the temple and make sacred covenants with the Lord you become a man, because God doesn't make those kinds of covenants with boys. 

This week was a little tough for our Zone. Elder Hendricks and I have been doing exchanges almost daily to help the Elders see that anything is possible for those who have faith and are motivated enough to work their hardest. Its been super tiring but has been worth it. Our numbers have risen a ton in just two weeks (From 38 people marked for baptism to 102 in 2 weeks) The Lord has Blessed us a lot! Even though we only baptized few people this month I'm excited and certain that June is going to be great!!

Well That's Pretty much the up date on my end for this week I wish you and the fam an incredible week.

Love Elder Rasmussen

 

THE LATEST FROM SAO PAULO

MAY 5, 2013

This week was really good. I feel like I learned a lot this week about the person that I want to be. I am so grateful for the Atonement and the ability that it gives us to overcome our faults and become more like our savior Jesus Christ.

I also had an amazing experience teaching one of our investigators yesterday. His names Jerry and has about 26 years. He´s a great guy, but was having a lot of difficulty fulfilling the commitments that we leave for him, like reading and praying. I visited him with a kid from the ward because we were doing splits in order to teach more with the members. I taught about the importance of the Gospel in our lives and how through living the gospel we receive help to overcome the problems in our lives. I taught of how the Book of Mormon is an essential part in living the gospel,  and how we can receive guidance from reading it. He just  lite up, i could see in his eyes that he got it, he got super excited! The spirit was so strong and I know that the lord was speaking through me. I felt like Alma when he spoke of being an instrument in the Lords hands(Alma 26). My testimony was strengthened so much. How grateful I am to be a missionary. Like my Pres. always says, "É gostoso ser missionário" (Its great to be a missionary)

Elder Rasmussen

APRIL 14, 2013

This week was incredible! We finished the week with 13 baptisms in the Zone, 3 of which were ours! The couple that I told you about were baptized along with a girl named Shadê( Its African ) And this next week its looking really great as well. We have 10 baptisms planed and 2 of them will be from our area. We will be baptizing a woman by the name of Zelinda( 60years old) and another(Her daughter 28) named Daniela. We are super pumped. Transfers are also coming up soon and I don't know what will happen but I'm kinda wanting to stay in this area everything is going really well.

I'm so happy to here about graham´s mission pres. I also have a testimony of what you said. I'm positive that I came to this mission because of my pres. But not only because of him, but my companions as well. I have learned so much and have had so many amazing examples here on the mission.

I had interviews with Pres. This week and president and I talked about the very thing that you mentioned. Progress demands failure. My problem is this I don't like to fail and I have a fear of failing so i choose to not act instead of trying. This isn't good, but I'm doing better, one step at a time.

I'm running out of time. :)

Have a great week!

Elder Rasmussen

APRIL 7, 2013

This Week Was A Blessing!!
 
Rodrigo is doing good, he is the only member of his family that

is a member for now. I don't think that it will be that way for much

longer though, cause we have been working with his grandma and I think

she´ll be baptized by the end of the month.

The Zone Leaders counsel was super cool! The Spirit was super strong
and we talked a lot about Faith. Faith to have success! Success
meaning baptism! :) I really enjoyed the meeting and left feeling
excited and inspired!

So Conference was great!! I loved how they hit so hard on obedience to
the commandments! The gospel is so simple, its us that make it
complicated.:)

So this week was a blessing like I said. The Lord just seemed to be
making everything go our way, we marked a lot of people for baptism
this week and finished the week with 19 people marked. We are also
planing a zone baptism on the 13th and have 15 planed to be baptized

on that day. In Our area we will be baptising that couple that I told
you about(Lucimar, Rosangela) and maybe 2 other people but we´ll see
by the end of the week.:) 

Have an awesome week!
 
Elder Rasmussen
 

APRIL 1, 2013

So... this week was amazing! Everything seems to be going really well 

This week in the Zone we finished with 8 baptisms, it was a great week! Elder Hendricks and I had the chance to baptize a kid named Rodrigo. He´s 13 years old and the first time that I taught him,He asked me, how he could receive the priesthood. :) and this Saturday he was baptized, Sunday confirmed and ordained with the Aaronic priesthood. 

We are also planing a huge batismo on the 13th of April for the entire zone(Stake). I think its going to be great! Just in our area we have 4 people solid for baptism and 2 that could be ready a swell. The lord is Blessing us so much I cant even tell you. 

We will be attending a special meeting on Tuesday with all the other ZL this week at Pres. House, should be super awesome and I'm way excited, so I'll be sure to let you know what happens. 

I want to appoligize for not getting to write you much lately  I would hand write letters but I found out the Grajaú dosn't even have post offices. (Just a big Favella ). I'm praying that the lord helps me with the ability to type faster. :)

You asked about shoes and things, im doin pretty good, ill be needing to buy some here in the near future but ill let you know.

Well that's about it. Super Excited to be hearing the news about the new member of the family here in a bit.  Tchou Tchou!

Elder Rasmussen

 

MARCH 17, 2013

 

Well, another week has come and gone! The time is moving by faster and faster!! 

Its funny, Graham wrote me this week saying that its a family course that his call hasn't arrived yet. It really does seem like that. I've also been anxiously been waiting to receive news as well. 

So we finished another transfer here in the mission. this transfer only lasted 5 weeks because of the time in the MTC being shorted to just 6 weeks for foreign speakers, but I'm excited for the new transfer. Its a chance to start over and learn from mistakes.

Elder Hendricks and I will continue on as comps, and I am rather happy about that, even though we are two extremely different people he has really been a blessing as a comp, and has taught me so much already.

I wanted to thank you so much for the letter that you sent me last week about resilience! I know that it was inspiration from the Lord. I was in great need of the council in that letter. 

I was shocked to see that you are already thinking about applying me for collage!!! ahhh I'm not ready! I was thinking BYU Provo, Utah State and U of U

Running out of time>>>>

Elder Rasmussen

MARCH 4, 2013

So sorry for the shortness of my letter last week its getting really tough to write, it takes so much time to write presidente these days about my zone and how everything going that it takes a chunk out of the time that I have to write you guys. The worst part is is that its a rule to write him first so its a little tough. 

This week  we had zone leader council, gave a training to the elders in our zone on Tuesday and multi-zone conference on Friday. there wasn't a lot of time to work in the area but the Lord always provides a way to have success. This week we were able to baptize a kid named Ricardo. He´s not really a kid actually, he has 18 years and is planning on serving a mission next year (Can you say ELECT!) it was really a great experience. 

I'm learning as a leader. I am learning a lot about the attributes of a good leader.

I also heard from Graham that he will be receiving his call this next week! how exciting that is!! I will be sending Graham a couple of talks thatr have helped me on the mission..

Elder Rasmussen

PS- Send love to the rest of the fam I wont be able to write them this week.

FALOU UM ABRAÇO!!!

FEBRUARY 24, 2013

So I only have ten minutes left on the clock, so I'm going to get straight to answering you questions.

About our house its not in the favella no, and its not bad, everything great. Our zone is actually the biggest that we have in the mission we have 20 missionary's including us. About the new suite, I Bought a new one because they had suits on sale near the office and i had a bounce of American dollars from Christmas and birth day left over that I converted to reais. This left we with a bunch of money so i decided to buy a new suit that fits me better and is a lot less thick so it doesn't get as hot. 

Elder Rasmussen

FEBRUARY 11, 2013

Well another week passed by, so very quickly. It´s funny on the mission how each transfer that you pass through goes by faster than the last. This coming transfer, however, will be different! I'm going to be leaving the office after 7 months of serving here. Its a strange feeling actually, a mixture of emotions. But mostly I'm just excited!! Excited for the new opportunities to learn and grow and get to know the savior.

This past week I have been realizing and learning how much more i need to dedicate my heart and desires to the service and love of those around me. I what my heart to be changed, I what to be like the savior and do just as president Hinckley taught, loose myself in the service of others. And it is only by doing this that I believe I'll be able to really be changed on my mission. 

I'm now choosing to be happy, positive, and focus on others! and it's a good feeling.

Um grande abraço e beijo para você minha bela mãe!

Elder Rasmussen 

FEBRUARY 4, 2013

                                           Peter was baptized  along with the family 

                                           of 4(Luiz, Andrea, Kauê(13), and Kauany(8)), and 

                                           a Girl named Nadia that´s 11.

You asked about who all was baptised so ill give you the low down. Peter like i wrote you about last week, was baptised yesterday, along with the family of 4(Luiz, Andrea, Kauê(13), and Kauany(8)), and a Girl named Nadia that´s 11. It was really a great day.

Hey so its my last week here in the office, super strange feeling, im both excited an nervous all mixed together. Im trying to put my confidence in the Lord and just know that whatever comes i will be able to overcome and have success with His Help.

Elder Rasmussen

 JANUARY 28, 2013

You asked about the baptism, Peter is actually going to be baptised next week. He was planned for this week its just that he spoke with his family and they are wanting to come and support him, so we had to pospone until this next sunday. But its going to be great, we 4 other people that are planned to be baptised on that day as well haha, the 3rd is going to be amazing day! Its been tough working in this area but the Lord is blessing us so much before we leave. It may take a while but the blessing always come!

Elder Rasmussen 

JANUARY 20, 2013

This week was really great. I´m learning tons this transfer while training Elder Gillespie and having lots of fun. We are super stoked this week because we have a baptism planed for the 27th(This Sunday). His name is Peter and his way cool. He´s a teacher of english at a nearby english school, so our lessons have been pretty sweet, switching in and out of Portuguese. We found him as he walked in to sacroment meeting randomly one sunday and he´s been golden ever since(Super Elect!) Its been a little challaging teaching him becuase he thinks of everything very logically and has had to learn that the Lords thought are higher then ours and that through recieving an answer though the holy ghost he can know of a surity that this thing are true, besides what logic has to say. But everything looks great for this sunday and we´re all super excited. 

Elder Rasmussen

The Lastest News From Mission Home

Jardim Londrina

My area, The FERREIRA! (In other words Zion!!!)

November 27, 2012

Happy late Thanksgiving. I was out working one night with Elder Castro and we were doing a bunch of contacts, when one of them wished me a Happy Thanksgiving. I was surprised and then a little embarrassed because I had completely forgotten.

So this week the Lord has been teaching me a lot! I´ve been given the opportunity while serving here in the office to really see what the Lord wants to change in me. This has been and continues to be truly the hardest thing that I have ever done in my life. I´ve seen a lot of selfishness, pride, and other things that aren't worthy of a follower of Christ. The Lord has really been working to show me what I need to do to change these things. I had an experience last Friday that really woke me up, I felt completely worthless. I felt as though the President and other missionaries saw me as a burden and had no confidence in me. With all this in my heart I knelt to pray and ask direction of the Lord to show me the purpose of all of this. Amidst all of my complaints and murmurings in the prayer I had a comforting feeling come over me and a thought come into my mind that all of these things would serve to make me the man and leader that the Lord wants me to be. 

I'm so grateful to a loving Heavenly Father that knows His children and is ready to help and guide them through their trails and growth. I know that I can have a successful mission if I rely on the Lord and humble myself enough to except that I'm not going to be perfect at everything the first time but I need to persevere and then I will succeed.
              

November 20, 2012

So another transfer has come and gone here in the mission. Can you believe it, I'm starting my fourth transfer. Next week Elder Castro and i will begin training our replacements. It has been an interesting experience being in the office and seeing all the old missionaries return home and the new missionaries arriving. It really gives you a perspective of how short of a time we all have to serve the Lord and what a blessing it is to serve a mission.

President Pinho is getting super excited lately, he is always excited but as of late he's been getting even more excited! Excited about baptisms!! Our mission is in the top 3 in Brazil, and is one of the most obedient. President went to Campinas this passed week and had a meeting with all the other mission presidents in Brazil and he was spotlighted. Everyone was so surprised the hear that a mission in the southern part of Brazil like Sao Paulo was having so much success with baptisms. We have a goal to baptize 1000 people in the mission just in the month of December. That's 12 baptisms in every area. It's going to be amazing and everyone is stoked!

November 13, 2012

I am so excited to be an uncle:)!!! My prediction is that it is a boy. About what the grand kids should call you my vote is for "mi maw", grandma works too.

So we had the amazing experience of baptizing the family Eleita, this last Sunday! It was an incredible experience and one I will forever remember. I got to baptize Marcos (Dad) and Melina the youngest daughter. The spirit was so strong and they were all so happy! Here are some pictures :)

FAMILY ELEITA Baptized November 11, 2012.



All who attended the Baptism

October 25, 2012

I'm going to be 20 yrs old in 2 days and I've been on my mission for 9 months. The time is passing so fast! Today I went to the Federal Police, to help a few Elders with renewing their visas and I had the biggest throw back. The CTM usually brings their new elders that are needing to get their visas booked, on the same day as us. When I saw an Elder there that graduated with me, Elder Meyo! I was really surprised and it was good to catch up with him. It got me thinking how things have really changed and how fast the time is going by.

You asked about the family Eleita!! (elect). They are doing awesome and progressing really well. I am growing to love them. Elder Castro and I are already imagining going through the temple with them in a year and they haven't even been baptized yet. They have been marked for baptism on the 4th of November. I can't wait it is going to be an amazing day!!!

October 2, 2012

We have been blessed by the Lord the to have received a reference this week of a family. They are really great and we have already taught them once. The are having really serious financial trouble right now, and with the passing away of one of there mothers they seem really humble and ready to accept the gospel. :)

September 12, 2012

An other week came and flew by. Lately here in the office It feels like I'm always running behind. It's a real big temptation to work on P-day. This has been a good and challenging week. I feel like this area is the fulfillment of my PB when it says "you will be asked to do the hardest work you have ever done." I really feel that way right now and at time very inadequate. I pray always that the Lord will qualify me for the work, I know he is, but one thing I am learning is that, that doesn't mean he will make it easy. I think he makes it just bearable enough to get by and grow the most.

I have also been praying to be able to remember all that I need to with the responsibilities in the office. I had an experience that strengthened my testimony. This morning we had a missionary that was returning home to receive treatment for medical reasons. I set my alarm for 3:15 am so I could wake him up and help get him on his way. My alarm didn't go off, I believe the spirit woke me up at exactly 3:15 and the taxi ran late so it gave me just enough time to get him ready and on his way. I am so grateful to a loving Heavenly Father that knows me and he is always there to help when my weaknesses get in the way of his work:).

We lost Victor and his sister Bia. Their mom was a member of the church and now wants nothing to do with it and has forbidden Victor and Bia from continuing with the discussions:(.

Sao Paulo, Interlogos Mission Office Staff

                                                 Me and Elder Castro and the AP's

September 4, 2012

Well let me first start off by adding my testimony to yours that when we are doing our very best and living the gospel the Lord will provide the rest!

The work has Changed a lot here in Ferreira. last transfer we were working a lot in the favella on the outreaches of our area called joão dias, all the former sec. have only worked in that area for their entire time in the office, so its really burnt out. The reason is that its a lot easier to find people in the favella you just have to knock a couple of doors and you ll enter for sure. The other parts of our area are huge apt buildings that you can't enter unless you know someone inside. But the problem with the favella joão dias is retention they normally don't want to commit, and if they do they have to travel a way to church by bus and our ward is just full of wealthy educated people, so they just end up feeling uncomfortable. Most of the people that the other sec. had baptized in the passed have now left the church.

So this transfer Elder Castro and I are changing the plan. Were gonna focus on the apt buildings! It's super tough right now and at times this week it was really hard not to get discouraged, but yesterday was amazing and I know that the lord is already preparing the hearts of the people here to hear our message.

Our Plan is to us the members of the ward. We have been visiting less actives and fully active asking for references and also trying to reactivate people. Right now our numbers aren´t doing so good but we are giving it everything, And the Lord is already blessing us. This Sunday a kid named Victor appeared out of no where and has interest in the church he lives in one of the apt buildings in our area. We visited him and his sister yesterday and they are probably the most elect kids that I have ever met, I already have a huge love for them. As for the family of Falk We are still trying with here, here progress is really slow but we are going to teach Them today about faith in Christ and try and help her with all the doubts that she has had. I'm so excited for what is in store for this area!!!'

 

August 21, 2012

This week was really great, I'm learning so much about myself and who I want to be, or who God wants me to be. I'm trying to make those two desired the same :). The office is going good and it's my last week of training here. I'm a little nervous to be on my own with all the responsibility and me being the forgetful person that I am, but I know that the Lord is by my side ready to qualify me for the work, as long as I put my trust in Him.

The area here is doing great! Our teaching group is diminishing but the quality of the lessons is increasing. The family that I told you about got married on the 18th and it was great, everyone in the family was so happy! We are now working on helping them with gainning a soilid testimony that the church is true and that they need to follow Christ and be baptized. The other family is a little more complicated. the family recently suffered a death of their son. they have many doubts and are having a hard time fulfilling commitments. Yesterday Elder Cherry and I were really firm with them about reading and praying to know. I felt impresed to share the experience I had on the mission when I received and answer to prayer that families can be together forever. The lesson was really spiritual and our hopes are high! :)

A little bit to answer your questions. My p-days aren't really anything special, in the office especially. I have enough time to write you guys do my laundry and clean the house a little bit usually, an the rest of my p-day is working haha the office is super busy. I think it´ll get better where I get everything organized the way I want it. :) Here in the ward we receive lunch from the members, but usually because either we are too busy or they are we just get money to buy something to eat. and ya at time we get to eat out with president. Surprisingly service projects are not a common thing in my mission. I´ve only done 2 the whole time that I´ve been here in the field.

 

August 15, 2012

So I only have this week and the next until training is finish for me here in the office, I'm kinda stressing out about this a bit because after training all the responsibility will be put on my shoulders and I still don't feel all the way prepared. 

About your questions ya, the secretary of the mission handles all the Administration for the mission. so everything from visas to calling parents because they aren't writing their missionary letters. Right now we have 6 people in the office because Elder Cherry and  Elder Vasquez are training Elder Castro and I, and then the assistants. After the transfer on the 28th it will just be the 2 secretaries and the AP´s. To answer your other question as well its just the AP´s that travel with the pres.

So the Family that I was telling you about is planning on going to the court house and getting married on the 18th, which is a huge step and I'm really excited about it! This week was amazing with them. I had a really neat experience with them. We taught a lesson about the Book of Mormon and we read 2 nep. 31 together. It was so beautiful it see the family all united together happy and reading the words of God. It's  amazing the power the gospel has to unite families in happiness and love!

August 7, 2012

This week was really great, I'm learning a ton and feeling little by little more like I know what I'm doing. Also This week was super stressful. We got hammered with a bunch of stuff we had to get done fast and on top of that there´s always the elders that are calling with problems to be resolved haha. I know that this is the reason that the Lord has placed me in this calling.I am always reminded of a passage from my patriatical blessing that says, about my serving a mission, "How you do this work will prepare you physically, mentally and spiritually for the rest of your days on the earth." I Know that these experiences have the ability to change me into the person that the Lord wants me to be, I just need to do my part and work hard while staying humble and leaning on the Lord!

As for proselyting its going good, it's amazing to see how the Lord blesses us. Even with The restricted time that we have as secretaries, it is having no effect on maintaining a teaching group just as if we were normal missionaries.Right now were are teaching a couple of  FAMILIES!!! I am so happy, my goal is to find teach and baptize an elect family of the lord so that they can eventually be sealed in the temple! I want that so badly!!  

August 2, 2012

So novidades(new stuff). Its now my second week in the mission office and its really going good! There´s a ton of stuff to learn and to remember, but I'll get there for sure I know it. One of the great things about being in the office as Secretary of the mission that, I´ve been figuring out that my English definitely will get back into shape, I'm having to call the association in salt lake at times so I'm practising and by next phone call at Christmas I should be great. Also with 4 Americans and only 2 Brazilians that are trying to learn English here in the office, we are talking a lot in English so that helps too.

I had an experience this week that now seems funny but at the time was just terrible. I ran out of toothpaste one morning and had forgotten to buy some that night before returning home from proselyting. Well, I needed to brush my teeth that night before bed so I asked Elder Soares, the Brazilian AP, if i could use his. He said ya and that his toothpaste was in the second bathroom. I went to the bathroom and found what I thought was his toothpaste and went to brush my teeth. When I put my toothbrush in my mouth and started brushing I realized immediately that it most definitely wasn't toothpaste!! I spit everything out and washed my mouth out and then looked at the container, lo and behold, It read Creme de barba, in other words shaving cream!!! haha This week I learned that sometime things aren't as they seem and that you shouldn't judge things buy how they are on the outside! :) haha

But all jocking aside I really had a good week! The Lord is really molding me through experiences here that are always in response to prayer. One thing that I am really learning lately is about positivity and the giant role that it plays in the life of a true follower of Christ. I think this is one of my weaknesses but the Lord knows us and that is why he has placed me where I am to learn what he wants me to become!

Secretary to Pres. Pinho

July 14, 20012

Here in chacara we are planning on having a baptism for August 4th!! His names Migeul and hes 32, he has a big desire and he already has the support of an amazing ward, because he went to Church!!!!!!!  we are helping him stop smoking. He was at 20 per day and now is working on the goal of 10! Hes really doing great!!!

So about the stuff in the packages, if its possible I'd really like some Zebra pens, I know its weird but they are really my favorite and also some things I have been craving, skittles and starbursts!! ha ha I really miss those :) 

Also something new, I got the news I'm being transfered :( :)(Mixed emotions ha ha). I'm leaving Chacara Santana and the Lord has called me to be secretary to President Pinho. I'll be moving there to the mission office on Tuesday and be living there for at least the next 6 months. I'm really nervous, but I do know that with the Lords guiding hand I will qualify for the position for which he has called me. Elder Cherry will be training me. Its kinda funny because I remember when Ii was at home and was emailing Him to know about the mission.

July 24, 2012

This week was awesome and I"m having a great time working here in the mission office! There´s a ton of stuff to remember and a lot of stuff that your responsible for, so it´s a little hecktic but I´m just hopping and praying that all get it with time. To answer your question about the prosilyting, yes, we do get to prosilyte. We work in the office Mon-Tues and Thurs-Fri after studying 10:30-5:00 and we get to work in the area from 5-9:00 and Saturday and Sunday all day. The only problem is that sometimes we don´t get to leave if we are really weighed down with work, but the amazing thing is that Elder Cherry and Elder Vasquez(the last secretary of the mission and secretary of finances) were still able to baptize! Elder J. Castro(The new sec. of finances) arrived in the area Tuesday and we have a baptism already planned for Saturday! I'm supper excited, the area here is really different. Its Really Really wealthy here. In our ward, its just full of high up leaders in the church. Pres. Pinho, Pres. são paulo south, Pres. Coasta( brazil area president) its really sweet! The problem is that because the areas is so rich its really hard to teach here, they are really "hard in thier hearts" like the scriptures always say and don't have any room for the message, but the Lord always provides a way and we are trying to think of ways that we can get references from the members so that we can enter some of the huge apartment buildings were all the wealthy live and BAPTISE!! But as for now we are mostly working in an area really far from the office that is a favella called João dias, there the people are more humble and willing to hear our message.

July 30 2012

So novidades(new stuff). Its now my second week in the mission office and its really going good! There´s a ton of stuff to learn and to remember, but I"ll get there I know it ha ha. One of the great things about being in the office as Secretary of the mission is that I´ve been figuring out that my English definitely will get back into shape. I'm having to call the association in Salt Lake at times so I'm practising and by next phone call at Christmas I should be great. Also with 4 Americans and only 2 Brazilians that are trying to learn English here in the office, we are talking a lot in English so that helps too.

I had an experience this week that now seems funny but at the time was just terrible. I ran out of toothpaste one morning and had forgotten to buy some that night before returning home from proselyting. I needed to brush my teeth that night before bed so I asked Elder Soares, the Brazilian AP, if I could use his. He said ya and that his toothpaste was in the second bathroom. I went to the bathroom and found what I thought was his toothpaste and went to brush my teeth. When I put my toothbrush in my mouth and started brushing I realized immediately that it most definetly wasn't toothpaste!! I spit everything out and washed my mouth out and then looked at the container that, lo and behold, read Creme de barba, in other words shaving cream!!! ha ha This week i learned that sometime things aren't as they seem and that you shouldn't judge things by how they are on the outside! :) ha ha

But all jocking aside I really had a good week! The Lord is really molding me through experiences here that are always in response to prayer. One thing that I am really learning lately is about positivity and the giant role that it plays in the live of a true follower of Christ. 

August 7, 2012

This week was super stressful. We got hammered with a bunch of stuff we had to get done fast and on top of that there´s always the elders that are calling with problems to be resolved. I know that Lord has placed me in this calling. I am always reminded of a passage from my patriartical blessing that says, about my serving a mission,"How you do this work will prepare you physically, mentally and spiritually for the rest of your days on the earth." I Know that these experiences that I am having, have the ability to change me into the person that the lord wants me to be, I just need to do my part and work hard while staying humble and leaning on the Lord!

As for proselyting its going good, its amazing to see how the Lord blesses us. Even with The restricted time that we have as secretaries, it is having no effect on maintaining a teaching group just as if we were normal missionaries.

Right now were are teaching a couple FAMILIES!!! I am so happy, my goal is to find, teach and baptize an elect family of the lord, so that they can eventually be sealed in the temple! I want that so badly!!

August 15, 2012

This week was tough. :) So, I only have two more weeks until training is finished for me here in the office. I'm kinda stressin out about this a bit because after training all the responsibility will be put on my shoulders.

  

About your questions ya, the secretary of the mission handles all the Administration for the mission. so everything from visas to calling parents because they aren't writing their missionary letters.ha ha. Right now we have 6 people in the office because Elder Cherry & Elder Vasquez are training Elder Castro and I, and then the assistants. but after the transfer on the 28th it will just be the 2 secretaries and the AP´s. To answer your other question as well its just the AP´s that travel with Pres. Pinho.

So the Family that I was telling you about is planning on going to the court house and getting married on the 18th, which is a huge step and I"m really excited about it! This week was amazing, I had a really neat experience with them. We taught a lesson about the Book of Mormon and we read 2 nephi 31 together. It was so beautiful to see the family all united together happy and reading the words of God. It's amazing the power the gospel has to unite families in happiness and love!

New Opportunities

So Alan was BAPTISED Saturday (July 7th)!! It was really great and he really has developed a testimony!  Sad:(  he got sick and didnt make it to be confirmed on sunday:(next week for sure). 

Here in Chacara we are planning on having a baptism August 4th.  His names Migeul and he's 32, he has a big desire and he already has the support of an amazing ward, because he went to Church!!!!!!!  We are helping him stop smoking. He was at 20 per day and now is working on the goal of 10! He's really doing great!!!

Something new happened, I was transfered :( :)(Mixed emotions haha). I'm leaving Chacara Santana, the Lord has called me to be secretary to President Pinho. I'll be moving there, to the mission office on Tuesday  July 16th. I will be living there for at least the next 6 months. I'm really nervous and scared because of the responsiblity, but I do know that with the Lords guiding hand I will qualify for the position for which he has called me.. I'll be conpanions with Elder Cherry for the first 6 weeks, while he is training me..Haha, it's kinda funny becuase I remember when I was at home and was emailing him to know about the mission. 

My p-day is now going to be on Wednesdays.Thanks to everyone for the prayers and letters. I am so grateful for the support!

E. Rasmussen

Transfered

NEW area!! I'm now in Chacara Santana in zone Guadapirunga and its really great!! My new comp is Elder Firl (an American this time haha). things are really starting off great. 

Again my Comp and I are opening the area which just means that both of us are new to the area and having to start with 0, but all the more exciting this way

. 

Right now the conditions are not very good. We don't have a house in our area and are living in the house with the elders in the area next to ours. We don't have a cell phone as of yet either, so things are a little scrabbled right now but we are doing great!

The ward here is really supportive and the Lord is always there for us. I know Elder Ffirl and I are hear for a reason and if we are obedient and diligent well fulfill the purpose for sure!

I"m so happy to be a missionary, I'm learning a lot.  pray that can learn and grow and be molded into the servant that God wants me to be. 

Right now we have 5 people marked for baptism for next month on the 7th. I'm praying a lot and I hope they reach conversion. I know that if they just keep there commitments, with a sincere heart they for sure will.We Will see :)

E. Rasmussen