Conta as bênçãos!

Well, yesterday we had the baptism of José Henrique. It was a really nice experience. And, it took long enough but it was my first baptism of a man. It´s soooo hard to find adult men willing to commit to the Gospel. We had a really nice baptismal service. It was kind of funny actually in the part of the actual baptism. I filled the font up really full on accident. The font is located outside and above ground and has steps going up to enter. There was a little girl standing right there at the steps to get a close look. And with the font being very full, when josé was immersed the water went splashing and soaked this little 7 year old named Sabrina. Everyone started laughing and she got really embarrassed and was crying really hard. But she got over it. It was an exciting and very spiritual baptismal service.

 

This week was also really tough. A lot of our most progressing investigators fell through. We were supposed to have two baptisms. The other young man was all ready to go on Saturday night but he went and visited his Grandma who is an active member of another religion and she started saying a lot of bad stuff about the Church. He got really discouraged and decided not to get baptized. I hope we have a chance to salvage the situation. Others also decided to stop investigating the Church. It was pretty sad. But I´m still as excited as ever. Especially because we have General Conference this weekend!

 

We also had Zone Conference last week. It was absolutely fantastic. I love conferences on the mission so much. There is so much power in having 50 missionaries gathered together singing hymns and studying the Gospel. One of the Elders from my CTM group, Elder Bell, is the new Assistant to the President. I really enjoyed hearing his training and the trainings by the other leaders on the mission. It always gets me so pumped up to work harder and be more dedicated to the Lord. Doing so I saw a lot of results last week. The Spirit was with us very strongly and it is such a great feeling to know you are doing the Lord´s will.

 

Well I hope you all have a great week and enjoy General Conference. I love you all!

 

Elder McLelland

 

PS I tried to send picture of the baptism but the computer I am using is having USB troubles.

Man, I'm skinny

Y´ello? Was it Mike we made fun of for answering the phone like that? One of the Elders in my district, Elder Farrington, answers the phone like that too and I have to restrain myself from laughing everytime.

 

The picture of me is with one of my new shirts. Thanks! they are so much better. I got both of the packages already. The second one with the shirts got here super quick. It got to the mission office in less than two weeks. Also, the AW Root Beer popsicles are fantastic! I can´t wait to get home and eat a pepperoni pizza with root beer.

 

Well the week was pretty good. But we also had some disappointments as well. Some of our inverstigators that had been progressing decided that they wanted to give up. We taught a young man on wednesday and had a really good lesson with him. He accepted everything and told us that he knew that this is the only true Church on the Earth and the he knew he needs to follow it. We marked a baptismal date with him on the first lesson. We went back Thursday and Friday and he still showed the same excitement. When we went on Sunday morning to pick him up for Church he wasn´t home. He told us later that afternoon that he didn´t want to go anymore because his family is against him going. It was a big let down. We have to go back this week and do our best to get him interested again.

 

But the good news is that we have two baptisms set up for next week: José Henrique, and his little brother Vítor (hey Victor, why did you dad leave?). We have had a bunch of really good lessons with them this last week. José had to stop smoking and it was kind of difficult for him to stop. Vitor went to Church a few weeks ago and didn´t show too much interest. But all of sudden he came up to us in the middle of a lesson with José and asked to be baptized. Of course you can! We are pretty excited about their progress.

 

Tomorrow we have Zone Conference! It´s been a long time since we had zone conference and I´m super excited. We always leave so much more excited and pumped up to work. Plus we have a new assistant, Elder Bell (he is from my CTM group) and I´m really excited to hear his training. Plus at conference you always get to see other missionaries you haven´t seen for months. I cant wait til tomorrow.

 

Well, I guess that about sums it up for the week. It went really well this week and next week....Baptism! Things are finally picking up this area. Baptisms and reactivations of less actives. I love you all. Have a great week!

Elder McLelland

What Feather!

I absolutely love learning languages. There are some many phrases that, when translated literally, don´t make any sense at all. For example ``que pena´´ translated to ``what feather´´ is used to mean what a shame or pity. I really have no idea how this expression came about but I think it´s hilarious. Another example is when a parent is telling a child to stop misbehaving they say, ``Chega!´´ It means ``arrive´´. So, to you frustrated parents, you can say to your children ´´arrive, arrive´´ when misbehaving. I love weird translations!

 

Well, this week was another good one. And it looks like we will have another baptism next week. José Henrique is a 21 year old that came to Church two weeks ago with a less active friend. He told us that he was pretty active in other churches but never really felt like they were right. He told us that everytime he would visit a church he would leave and look at the front of the Church and ask God if he should be baptized there. He said he never felt anything when he did this at the other churches. He did it in front of ours and had a thought come into his mind ``you finally found it``. We are pretty excited and he is making a bunch of changes in his life. He just needs to overcome smoking and he will be baptized. Yesterday he only smoked on and promised it was the last one he would ever smoke!

 

We are still teaching Ana Paula and her daughter Carol. Ana Paula absolutely loves Church. He daughter Carol also likes it a lot but has a ridiculously busy schedule and it doesný always work out for he to attend Church. She is envolved in ballet (the dance, is that how you spell it?) THey both love Church but are still nervous to make the big decision about baptism. Both have said they will, but just feel like it is too soon. Everyone that was already a missionary knows the situation very well. But pretty soon I think they will be baptized. She also has another daughter, Vitória that is 3 years old. Yesterday in Sacrament meeting the bishop gave a talk quoting from general conference ``what have you done with my name?´´ HE asked us ``what have you done in the name of Jesus Christ?´´ Vitória recognized the phrase ``in the name of Jesus Christ`` from all the prayers we say and she shouted in the middle of the talk ``Amen!´´ I love seeing little children already picking up on the simple things.

 

I can´t believe it has been 10 years already since 9/11. A lot of people were asking me yesterday what it was like to be in the States when it happened. Unfortunately I don´t remember a whole lot that happened. I just remember that we forbidden to ever talk about it at school. I was really annoyed by that. All of the other people my age that I have talked to about 9/11 said they spent the day at school watching the news and discussing what was happening. But I really didn´t see any of it happen live because Valley Oaks Elementary School prohibited any conversation about it. But, wow, What a frightening event. What did the nation do in remembrance yesterday?

 

Well, let´s not dwell on the sad past.  As Joseph Smith said in DC 128:22`` Brethren, shall wenot go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren; and on, on to the victory! Let your hearts rejoice, and be exceedingly glad. Let the earth break forth into singing. Let the dead speak forth anthems of eternal praise to the King Immanuel, who hath ordained, before the world was, that which would enable us to redeem them out of their prison; for the prisoners shall go free. ´´ The Gospel, despite all the tragedies that occur, will redeem any lost soul and heal any broken heart.

 

Have a great week everyone!

Elder McLelland

Milagres!

Well, it´s been one of the best weeks ever here on the mission. We finally had some success this week. Just about everything worked out like it should have. The most exciting part, is the baptism of Douglas! The young man we have been working with for a few weeks decided to be baptized and his mom also gave permission. At the beginning she didn´t really seem to serious about letting him participate in the Church but now she actually pays attention when we come to teach lessons. And she went to sacrament meeting and the baptism yesterday. She really liked it and was very proud of her son making this important decision. I could see her deciding to join the Church in not too long as well.

 

The rest of the work also went really well this week. We found a bunch of new people to teach and pretty much everything worked out. I´m just hoping we can keep it up. And we also had transfers this weekend. But, Elder França and I stayed together for another transfer. I was kind of surprised because I was used to the routine of getting transferred so often. This is the first time I stay in the same area for 3 transfers. I´m excited to keep working here, and to help Douglas stay strong.

 

I have really learned a lot this week about the importance of prayer and letting the Spirit do the work. President Prieto always says that we need to throw all the burden of the work on the Spirit. I´ve been trying to do that more and we are surely seeing the changes as a result. I´m more excited than ever.

 

I can´t even really think of what else to say this week. I can´t really express what I´m thinking right now. It was just a fantastic week.

 

The other picture included is me and Elder Shelley at the BBQ restaurant last P-Day. I was drinking lemonde and he was drinking Maracujá (i think dragon fruit in English). Elder Shelley goes home tomorrow. I´m going to miss him. He was one of my best friends here on the mission. I got a little ``trunky´´ too when he talked about all the fun stuff he will get to do at home. The most exciting is American pizza. I can´t wait for a simple pepperoni pizza!

 

Well I hope you all have a great week. This week for sure will be another one for me!

 

Elder McLelland

Ei tá, sol pai d´egua!

Well it´s been super hot this past week here in Birigui. Hence the headline. I really don´t know how to translate it exactly but it´s a phrase from Belém where Elder Chaves is from. He always said it on hot days.....And don´t worry, I´m using sunscreen!

Well it´s been a really good week. Tough, very tough. But very good also. It´s looking very possible to baptize Ana Paula, Carol and Douglas this week. Ana Paula and Carol are really excited. We just need to help them get over their last little bit of fear. Douglas is a 13 year old young man that is super excited. We just need to convince his mom that he has the real desire to be baptized. He has been going to seminary all week, and alone too! The seminary teacher is super excited because Douglas is getting all of the other youth excited too. I´m super happy. And yesterday one of the areas in my district had 5 baptisms. It was super cool. The work is slowly pushing forward.

To explain the pictures: 

1.  More mishaps with the McLelland name.

2.  I Promise I´m studying!

Today is going to be a super fun P-Day. Next week we have transfers which also means that Elder Shelley is going home! SO to celebrate his last PDay we are going to Rodizio de Churrasco. Or in other words a Brazilian BBQ. It will be like that one in Fresno, Rio Grill. Unlimited access to the meat!!!!! I´m excited. Plus afterwards we are going to be able to watch a Disney movie as a reward for the good number of baptisms in the zone this transfer. We are all excited.

Well, I guess that about sums it up for the week. The work is going fantastic and I´m more excited than ever. Just worried about transfers already! Have a great week folks!

Elder McLelland

Chicken Pox....curse or blessing?

Don´t worry, I didn´t get the chicken pox. Although I am technically at risk because I´ve never had it. Our investigator´s daughter Vitória got chicken pox this week and was actually a blessing for us and we were finally able to teach her. She has a really busy work schedule and it only works out to teach on weekends. But last week we were able to go almost everyday and our investigator Ana Paula made HUGE progress. She was interviewed for baptism and passed with flying colors, she just is a little bit afraid still of making this big of a commitment. Unfortunately the daughter having chicken pox also kept Ana Paula from going to Church. But she will be baptized along with her daughter Carol within the next couple of weeks. We are super excited!

 

This week has been full of other really cool spiritual experiences. We found a young couple to teach that is really excited about the Church. The husband, David, recently got out of prison for drug trafficking. He made the decision while in prison to change his whole outlook on life. As soon as he got out he started searching for religion to follow. ANd who did he find? The Mormon missionaries! He´s really excited and ready to make the changes necessary. Including marrying his girlfriend that he lives with! He is super awesome.

 

We are also teaching a teenager named Douglas that is excited about the Church and baptism. He has started going to seminary this week too. His mom is just very hesitant to let him be baptised though. But things are moving along much better in the work these days.

 

Vovó Francisca! (grandma Francisca) She is the lady next to us in the picture. we spent some of our P-day this morning playing Uno with her. She insisters that we call her Vovó, or grandma. She is a hilarious old lady that has been a member of the Church for about 3 years. She has lot of health problems. She took out her oxygen breathing apparatus to take the picture.

 

Things are going great here. It´s been one of the better weeks here this week. I´m more excited than ever. Have a great one, folks!

Elder McLelland

Hump day!

Well I made a year on the 11th. Sooo wierd. It´s really strange to think that I am over half way done all ready. But I´m more excited than ever to be here on the mission. Things are going great.

We ere walking on Saturday down a street that I always walk on. And then I saw this big beautfiul bird trying to bite my face (the bird in the picture attached). It´s a pretty big bird if you didn´t notice. Good thing it barely missed getting me. But we took advantage of the moment and asked the owner if we could take some pictures. I thought it was pretty cool. This kind of bird is called an Arara. It´s really pretty.

Happy Father´s Day!!! Yesterday was father´s day here in Brazil. It was like any other Brazilian holiday, BBQs and everyone drunk without any desire to hear a message about the gospel. What a great way to selebrate being a dad, huh? Leave your family to get drunk at a bar with your buds, wonderful!

We are helping a less active lady get back to activity in the Church. She became very heavily involved with drugs, alcohol and cigarettes. She was very addicted to Crack. When Elder Chaves was still with me, we took her to Church and helped her make some important decisions. But when França got here we had a hard time getting a hold of her again. Last week we finally found her at home again> I expected to have little hope of her overcoming her addictions. But to our surpise she has completely stopped using crack for two weeks and has reduced the amount of alcohol and cigarettes too. She told us her biggest source of help is the Book of Mormon. That sure made me feel good. Then she went to Church by herself yesterday. I was really happy about that. We are having a realy tough time getting our investigators to progress and go to Church but we are having some good success with less actives.

I´m really kind of TO´d right now (said like Kip from Napolean Dinamite). We are having a lot of difficulty witht he area here. The members are a little discouraged and it sure makes the work harder. But I´m not blaming the difficulties on the members. We also as a companioship have things to work on as well. Missionary work is exactly that, WORK. It´s tough, but I love it. I hope I can make the best of my second year here on the mission. I sure hope it goes better than the first.

I love you all and you have a great week.

Elder McLelland