Saturday, December 12, 2009
December 12, 2009
What a cool experience we had today with a multi-regional conference broadcasted from Recife with Elder Scott, Eyring and Zwick. (The last of who is coming to our mission this Monday and Tuesday) It was interesting they way they started the meeting with a question and answer session, with two mikes in the audience there in Recife, and two phone numbers to which anyone listening/watching in other locations would be able to text questions to. The best part of the meeting was towards the end when Elder Eyring got up and spoke of obedience and committing ourselves to God's commandments. I felt the Spirit testifying to me of the truthfulness of the principle of obedience and that I have a good ways yet in my application of it in my life.
A lot has happened this week with the Zone leader's counsel, continuing the process of shutting down the old house, working through the new system the church has brought into use for administrative purposes around the world and getting some more details worked out for the Christmas conference.
Elder Pettit
What a cool experience we had today with a multi-regional conference broadcasted from Recife with Elder Scott, Eyring and Zwick. (The last of who is coming to our mission this Monday and Tuesday) It was interesting they way they started the meeting with a question and answer session, with two mikes in the audience there in Recife, and two phone numbers to which anyone listening/watching in other locations would be able to text questions to. The best part of the meeting was towards the end when Elder Eyring got up and spoke of obedience and committing ourselves to God's commandments. I felt the Spirit testifying to me of the truthfulness of the principle of obedience and that I have a good ways yet in my application of it in my life.
A lot has happened this week with the Zone leader's counsel, continuing the process of shutting down the old house, working through the new system the church has brought into use for administrative purposes around the world and getting some more details worked out for the Christmas conference.
Elder Pettit
Friday, December 11, 2009
Saturday, December 5, 2009
December 5, 2009
Indeed it has passed past quite quickly, it is really cool but almost scary as I think of how much growing and learning I'd like to pass through here on the mission, though something I've learned concerning that is the more I focus on what I want rather than what needs to be done in the work, the less I grow.
The move is pretty much finished here in Salvador for the staff, the assistants went to another house and now Rio Vermelho (the area in which we live) lives with us. The house is great and will be even better once we finish setting up all the beds and wardrobes etc. We successfully got one of the houses shut down here in Salvador and also another in Teixiera de Freitas thanks to the help of the Elders in those areas, all in all bringing alot off my shoulders. All that’s left now is to finish shutting down the old staff house (which will probably happen Monday) move the Elders in Engenho Velho and finish renewing all the expired/near expired contracts. Then the new setup of organization will have to be put into place. The idea or renovating/innovating the current setup was inspired by Elder C's example, he was always ready to go out and do a bit more, make a change to improve the system for those farther down the road. I’m grateful for the opportunity I had to be his companion and am even more so for the opportunity I have to continue being his companion at least for now. President decided to leave us here in trio for at least until Elder W. gets the hang of things in the mission office.
Elder B. fresh in from the CTM is living with us now to with Elder K. his "father" on the mission. It’s been great to get to know them and I've been learning/trading new words with Elder K. as he is learning English while I try to continue learning Portuguese. I look at Elder B. and admire his veracity at moving forward with the language, he still needs to stop speaking to all Brazilians in English expecting them to understand (principally his trainer) but when he does speak Portuguese he isn't afraid to be corrected. Just in these few short days he has been here though I've already seen him become more prone to speak Portuguese with people.
Last night as we were coming back from the bus station where we had to grab some tickets for the assistants to come back from the interior (where they were doing a blitz in lieu of the dedication of a really nice chapel in Vitória da Conquista where tons of referrals were received) we were waiting to grab a bus or taxi and this hobo came up and asked us for some money to grab a bus. As it turns out he was heading the same way we were so as we already had three people the taxi wouldn't be any more with 4 so we let him grab a ride with us. It was quite humorous to say the least as he went to climb in, the three of us snagged seats in the back while he clambered in the front startling the taxi driver who confirmed at least once or twice the fact that yes, this hobo was coming with us. I couldn't help but smile the whole ride back to the office thinking of the taxi driver's reaction and that of the hobo who sat chatting away admirably with him not to mention I just felt good about it.
Something was brought to my attention the other day in my reading in 2 Nephi Chapter two. I think of this chapter as a memorable change in Jacob´s life, a "north star" moment that helped him get on the track that he took later in life as a leader and teacher among the Nephites. Lehi says to him in verse 3, " Wherefore, thy soul shall be blessed, and thou shalt dwell safely with thy brother, Nephi; and thy days shall be spent in the service of thy God. Wherefore, I know that thou art redeemed, because of the righteousness of thy Redeemer; for thou hast beheld that in the fulness of time he cometh to bring salvation unto men." Lehi tells Jacob that his life will be spent in the service of God (Mosiah 2:17, in the service of fellow men) and that as such he will be saved through the atonement of Jesus Christ. I think of Christ's example and teachings as He lived here on the Earth, ever of service to us even to the very end of His life, the very purpose thereof was to be of service to us. When asked about the greatest commandments he responded to love God with all our heart might mind and strength and to love our neighbor as our brother and what better way can we show our love for another then through simple service. I also think of great parents, siblings, leaders, and friends who have shown me great examples of this loving service and want to thank you all for that. In this scripture I felt of the great importance that service can play in our eternal salvation. I remember a quote I heard once that went something like this, "It won't be how many callings that we have served in that will make a difference in the end, but how many we have served through our callings."
I know God lives and loves us and am grateful for the testimony I have of these things of which I leave with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amém.
Elder Pettit
Indeed it has passed past quite quickly, it is really cool but almost scary as I think of how much growing and learning I'd like to pass through here on the mission, though something I've learned concerning that is the more I focus on what I want rather than what needs to be done in the work, the less I grow.
The move is pretty much finished here in Salvador for the staff, the assistants went to another house and now Rio Vermelho (the area in which we live) lives with us. The house is great and will be even better once we finish setting up all the beds and wardrobes etc. We successfully got one of the houses shut down here in Salvador and also another in Teixiera de Freitas thanks to the help of the Elders in those areas, all in all bringing alot off my shoulders. All that’s left now is to finish shutting down the old staff house (which will probably happen Monday) move the Elders in Engenho Velho and finish renewing all the expired/near expired contracts. Then the new setup of organization will have to be put into place. The idea or renovating/innovating the current setup was inspired by Elder C's example, he was always ready to go out and do a bit more, make a change to improve the system for those farther down the road. I’m grateful for the opportunity I had to be his companion and am even more so for the opportunity I have to continue being his companion at least for now. President decided to leave us here in trio for at least until Elder W. gets the hang of things in the mission office.
Elder B. fresh in from the CTM is living with us now to with Elder K. his "father" on the mission. It’s been great to get to know them and I've been learning/trading new words with Elder K. as he is learning English while I try to continue learning Portuguese. I look at Elder B. and admire his veracity at moving forward with the language, he still needs to stop speaking to all Brazilians in English expecting them to understand (principally his trainer) but when he does speak Portuguese he isn't afraid to be corrected. Just in these few short days he has been here though I've already seen him become more prone to speak Portuguese with people.
Last night as we were coming back from the bus station where we had to grab some tickets for the assistants to come back from the interior (where they were doing a blitz in lieu of the dedication of a really nice chapel in Vitória da Conquista where tons of referrals were received) we were waiting to grab a bus or taxi and this hobo came up and asked us for some money to grab a bus. As it turns out he was heading the same way we were so as we already had three people the taxi wouldn't be any more with 4 so we let him grab a ride with us. It was quite humorous to say the least as he went to climb in, the three of us snagged seats in the back while he clambered in the front startling the taxi driver who confirmed at least once or twice the fact that yes, this hobo was coming with us. I couldn't help but smile the whole ride back to the office thinking of the taxi driver's reaction and that of the hobo who sat chatting away admirably with him not to mention I just felt good about it.
Something was brought to my attention the other day in my reading in 2 Nephi Chapter two. I think of this chapter as a memorable change in Jacob´s life, a "north star" moment that helped him get on the track that he took later in life as a leader and teacher among the Nephites. Lehi says to him in verse 3, " Wherefore, thy soul shall be blessed, and thou shalt dwell safely with thy brother, Nephi; and thy days shall be spent in the service of thy God. Wherefore, I know that thou art redeemed, because of the righteousness of thy Redeemer; for thou hast beheld that in the fulness of time he cometh to bring salvation unto men." Lehi tells Jacob that his life will be spent in the service of God (Mosiah 2:17, in the service of fellow men) and that as such he will be saved through the atonement of Jesus Christ. I think of Christ's example and teachings as He lived here on the Earth, ever of service to us even to the very end of His life, the very purpose thereof was to be of service to us. When asked about the greatest commandments he responded to love God with all our heart might mind and strength and to love our neighbor as our brother and what better way can we show our love for another then through simple service. I also think of great parents, siblings, leaders, and friends who have shown me great examples of this loving service and want to thank you all for that. In this scripture I felt of the great importance that service can play in our eternal salvation. I remember a quote I heard once that went something like this, "It won't be how many callings that we have served in that will make a difference in the end, but how many we have served through our callings."
I know God lives and loves us and am grateful for the testimony I have of these things of which I leave with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amém.
Elder Pettit
Sunday, November 29, 2009
November 28, 2009
Sounds like everyone had a good time, Thanksgiving for us here was a bit crazy as we have transfers next week, President was traveling in the interior, and we are shutting down several houses including our own.
Transfers are always a time of big changes but they are even more so these days outside of the usual transfer rush the church is upgrading the system we use here for just about everything, (You might even say it’s a mighty change of...system) we are shutting down and opening up various houses, my companion is getting transferred, 9 missionaries are leaving and about 12 are coming in, and president President Vecchi moving forward in faith, changing the way many things have been here on the mission. It’s something I've noticed about him, he is very much a man of action, of new ideas, ideas based on correct principles as he sees and feels in the moment, trusting that as things move along he will be led onto the right path that the Lord would have Him take. It’s something very cool about working closer with him is the opportunity to see how he works and to be able to learn from that. I see much of the "move forward in Faith" principle within him.
Elder C. is leaving which is a bummer for me, it has been a great time here with him, he has a great potential and has been another one of those companions that has inspired me and from whom I have learned alot. He will be close by though so I should get to see him every once in awhile. Elder W. will be my next comp. and I am also excited to work with him. I met him once or twice in zone conference and I remember Elder N. and I went to his area once to do a baptismal interview. So as you might guess I don't really know him, but from the little time I spent with him it seems he is a missionary of integrity and I look forward to learning and serving with him.
The package from the Relief society came today and brought me great "relief", getting something in the mail be it a package or letter is always an upper.
The Book of Mormon reading is coming along well and I'm really enjoying, one of the things I'm focusing on/looking for is principles I can apply better in my life to bring me closer to God. The idea came to me through one of the quotes (from Joseph Smith) we find in the introduction, that by abiding by the precepts contained in the Book of Mormon a man could get closer to God then through any other book. It has been a great experience though these days it’s sometimes crammed to keep up with the schedule with everything we've got going on around here.
We've worked in the area several nights this week and are currently working with an inactive guy William who has committed to go to church again on Sunday, we also started teaching his sister and one of her friends as well, though I fear his sister may make it harder for her friend to move forward. Juliana (her friend) seems to truly have a great interest in the church, (unlike William’s sister) but her personality isn't as strong so I fear that Tati (William’s sister) may keep her from visiting church. The member friend is what’s still missing, that helping hand from within. Without a doubt the best solution would be an activity as just going to someone’s house with the missionaries isn't the kind of atmosphere where you get to know each other etc. Bishop is thinking about starting up a mutual program I think and we will jump on that effort to see what we can do to help, it is of greater need now especially since seminary ended.
Well, I love and am thankful for you all, for the restored gospel, for my Savior, the opportunity to be here, the outdoors, friends and great examples, good music, camping, fishing, skateboarding, ultimate frisbee, snowboarding, water, service, the Spirit, the Scriptures, a Prophet on the earth today, experiences, the chance to learn and to still need to learn, the chance to repent, hard times, good companions, pocket knives, parents, siblings, Legos, letters from home and your support,
Until next time,
Elder Pettit
Sounds like everyone had a good time, Thanksgiving for us here was a bit crazy as we have transfers next week, President was traveling in the interior, and we are shutting down several houses including our own.
Transfers are always a time of big changes but they are even more so these days outside of the usual transfer rush the church is upgrading the system we use here for just about everything, (You might even say it’s a mighty change of...system) we are shutting down and opening up various houses, my companion is getting transferred, 9 missionaries are leaving and about 12 are coming in, and president President Vecchi moving forward in faith, changing the way many things have been here on the mission. It’s something I've noticed about him, he is very much a man of action, of new ideas, ideas based on correct principles as he sees and feels in the moment, trusting that as things move along he will be led onto the right path that the Lord would have Him take. It’s something very cool about working closer with him is the opportunity to see how he works and to be able to learn from that. I see much of the "move forward in Faith" principle within him.
Elder C. is leaving which is a bummer for me, it has been a great time here with him, he has a great potential and has been another one of those companions that has inspired me and from whom I have learned alot. He will be close by though so I should get to see him every once in awhile. Elder W. will be my next comp. and I am also excited to work with him. I met him once or twice in zone conference and I remember Elder N. and I went to his area once to do a baptismal interview. So as you might guess I don't really know him, but from the little time I spent with him it seems he is a missionary of integrity and I look forward to learning and serving with him.
The package from the Relief society came today and brought me great "relief", getting something in the mail be it a package or letter is always an upper.
The Book of Mormon reading is coming along well and I'm really enjoying, one of the things I'm focusing on/looking for is principles I can apply better in my life to bring me closer to God. The idea came to me through one of the quotes (from Joseph Smith) we find in the introduction, that by abiding by the precepts contained in the Book of Mormon a man could get closer to God then through any other book. It has been a great experience though these days it’s sometimes crammed to keep up with the schedule with everything we've got going on around here.
We've worked in the area several nights this week and are currently working with an inactive guy William who has committed to go to church again on Sunday, we also started teaching his sister and one of her friends as well, though I fear his sister may make it harder for her friend to move forward. Juliana (her friend) seems to truly have a great interest in the church, (unlike William’s sister) but her personality isn't as strong so I fear that Tati (William’s sister) may keep her from visiting church. The member friend is what’s still missing, that helping hand from within. Without a doubt the best solution would be an activity as just going to someone’s house with the missionaries isn't the kind of atmosphere where you get to know each other etc. Bishop is thinking about starting up a mutual program I think and we will jump on that effort to see what we can do to help, it is of greater need now especially since seminary ended.
Well, I love and am thankful for you all, for the restored gospel, for my Savior, the opportunity to be here, the outdoors, friends and great examples, good music, camping, fishing, skateboarding, ultimate frisbee, snowboarding, water, service, the Spirit, the Scriptures, a Prophet on the earth today, experiences, the chance to learn and to still need to learn, the chance to repent, hard times, good companions, pocket knives, parents, siblings, Legos, letters from home and your support,
Until next time,
Elder Pettit
Saturday, November 14, 2009
November 14, 2009
Week passed by pretty quickly on our end of things here as well, just thought I ought to start off correcting the previously stated 8 months and pass it on to the correct amount of time being more or less 11 months. (just to clear up the confusion)
Highlights from this week... it’s been crazy as usual, but I think the new house contract for the staff is about set, though there are still a few small issues dealing with future repairs on the house that are being discussed. I'm really enjoying being with Elder C., he is a great missionary and a great friend. (BTW, are we related to any Hydes?) This week (as of yesterday) we've decided to leave. everyday at 6 to go work in the field, regardless of whether or not we have a lot to do, trusting that the Lord will bless us with enough time to get done that which we need to as we work diligently in our callings. Study time has been pretty good as well, and in addition to gaining a stronger testimony of the importance of studying the gospel, I have clearly seen again the strength gained against temptation as we do so. As I think of your thought (Mom) on the happiness brought about in the Christmas season through the service that people give, I have gained a testimony that service and focusing on helping others also brings added strength against Satan's temptations.
In district meeting we talked about planning and making goals and about our purpose here on the mission, which could be generally stated as fortifying the Kingdom of God in each area that we pass through. A question I think even those who aren't serving "missions" in this same sense I think would also benefit from thinking on the answer to this question, "What am I doing to help God in His work in my family ward, stake, neighborhood etc.?"
I know that Jesus Christ is our Saviour, that the Bible and the Book of Mormon contain the words of their prophets and that by following their counsel we can have greater peace and comfort in knowing that our lives are in accordance with God's will and that we receive strength beyond our own in standing against Satan's temptations. In the name of Jesus Christ, amém.
Love,
Elder Pettit
Week passed by pretty quickly on our end of things here as well, just thought I ought to start off correcting the previously stated 8 months and pass it on to the correct amount of time being more or less 11 months. (just to clear up the confusion)
Highlights from this week... it’s been crazy as usual, but I think the new house contract for the staff is about set, though there are still a few small issues dealing with future repairs on the house that are being discussed. I'm really enjoying being with Elder C., he is a great missionary and a great friend. (BTW, are we related to any Hydes?) This week (as of yesterday) we've decided to leave. everyday at 6 to go work in the field, regardless of whether or not we have a lot to do, trusting that the Lord will bless us with enough time to get done that which we need to as we work diligently in our callings. Study time has been pretty good as well, and in addition to gaining a stronger testimony of the importance of studying the gospel, I have clearly seen again the strength gained against temptation as we do so. As I think of your thought (Mom) on the happiness brought about in the Christmas season through the service that people give, I have gained a testimony that service and focusing on helping others also brings added strength against Satan's temptations.
In district meeting we talked about planning and making goals and about our purpose here on the mission, which could be generally stated as fortifying the Kingdom of God in each area that we pass through. A question I think even those who aren't serving "missions" in this same sense I think would also benefit from thinking on the answer to this question, "What am I doing to help God in His work in my family ward, stake, neighborhood etc.?"
I know that Jesus Christ is our Saviour, that the Bible and the Book of Mormon contain the words of their prophets and that by following their counsel we can have greater peace and comfort in knowing that our lives are in accordance with God's will and that we receive strength beyond our own in standing against Satan's temptations. In the name of Jesus Christ, amém.
Love,
Elder Pettit
Sunday, November 8, 2009
November 5, 2009
Progress on the Mission Mansion is slow, but moving, and I'm learning a lot in the process, I think before the mission I was very apt to let people walk over me, or at least around me, (I don't think that makes much sense so let me explain) If someone would do something that they were comfortable with before the mission, even if it made me uncomfortable I would let it go, bear through it/deal with it, or just leave and make way. Here on the mission we can't just let people do that, we are here on the mission to help them make changes in their lives, to warn them of the effects of sin. Life in the office brings a different application into play as well, if I just let people have their way in deciding the rent, or cost of repairs to a house, the church could lose a ton of money because I didn't have the courage to say/do something, or take the initiative to negotiate. Granted there is a limit to that end of saving money, others have to make a living, but I am learning to "stick to my guns" a bit on things as well as to make decisions that affect more than just myself, I'm grateful for the Lord's patience and willingness to let me learn here.
We haven't taught Rita (the house owner of the mission mansion) anymore yet, it’s even a rare moment when we come out of the office before 9 these days with everything that’s going on but the Lord has blessed Elder Cook and I this week in opportunities to spread the gospel. We were taking a taxi to (or from) the bus station to grab tickets for missionaries leaving the counsel here in Salvador and we met a man named Ribeiro. After talking a bit about little things and his family, we got on the topic of religion and he spoke of his experiences with a couple other churches, and I felt to speak of how leaders in the Church of Jesus Christ don't get money but rather how the tithing funds and fast offerings are completely voluntary and are used for the paying of bills, building of temples and chapels, printing materials for the church etc. After which he really opened up and wanted to hear a lot more about the church, to the point where even after we got to the mission office he stopped the car and kept talking to us, then we got his address and he his wife and two little girls will get a visit hopefully tomorrow (they live in the other mission's area).
I also received great news from the sister missionaries in Eunápolis, (a small town in the interior here) a lady Elder S. and I got to baptize had met with the Sisters in Eunápolis and went to teach her mom. (who I might have told you about a long while ago, a Glacia's mom was in Porto Seguro one time when we were teaching her daughter, she really opened up to us even though by her 1s appearance it seemed she might have rejected us had we knocked on her door) Glacieas 4 nephews/nieces ended up being baptized and her mom and dad are planning on getting married and as I understand what they said is that, "The 1st church they would baptize in would be the Church of Jesus Christ". It's a great feeling when I hear about someone I taught not just still going to church, but helping their families and friends find fruit of the gospel and the way to eternal life.
"You can't count the number of apples in a single seed."
Thanks for the verses and insights on faith, I thought it very well put the way you said that "faith really gives us the right to the power we need to accomplish what is required of us." A very true statement and it brings to mind an interesting thought. As I pray there have been times when I'll ask for something and a thought comes to mind, are you doing your part? Are you putting in the effort according to correct principles? I feel that as we can answer yes to that sort of question that we are truly going forth in faith and then miracles can happen in greater abundance in our lives.
I know that God lives, I know that this is His work, that he leads us to those He would have us lift along our way, even in things as simple as deciding to wear prosylyting clothes on P-day when you might have been thinking of doing otherwise, and as a result a lady comes up to you and talks to you about her son who has fallen away from the church, (standing a few people in front of you in the line to the cash register) who we will be visiting today or tomorrow. I know it is important for each one of us to be attentive to the feelings and thoughts that God will put in our heart as we live worthily of His trust. I think of that general conference talk awhile back about angels in our lives, and how perhaps the number of prayers we have answered may amount to something, but that the number of prayers we answer may be of far greater value. This my testimony I leave with you all in the name of Jesus Christ Amém.
Progress on the Mission Mansion is slow, but moving, and I'm learning a lot in the process, I think before the mission I was very apt to let people walk over me, or at least around me, (I don't think that makes much sense so let me explain) If someone would do something that they were comfortable with before the mission, even if it made me uncomfortable I would let it go, bear through it/deal with it, or just leave and make way. Here on the mission we can't just let people do that, we are here on the mission to help them make changes in their lives, to warn them of the effects of sin. Life in the office brings a different application into play as well, if I just let people have their way in deciding the rent, or cost of repairs to a house, the church could lose a ton of money because I didn't have the courage to say/do something, or take the initiative to negotiate. Granted there is a limit to that end of saving money, others have to make a living, but I am learning to "stick to my guns" a bit on things as well as to make decisions that affect more than just myself, I'm grateful for the Lord's patience and willingness to let me learn here.
We haven't taught Rita (the house owner of the mission mansion) anymore yet, it’s even a rare moment when we come out of the office before 9 these days with everything that’s going on but the Lord has blessed Elder Cook and I this week in opportunities to spread the gospel. We were taking a taxi to (or from) the bus station to grab tickets for missionaries leaving the counsel here in Salvador and we met a man named Ribeiro. After talking a bit about little things and his family, we got on the topic of religion and he spoke of his experiences with a couple other churches, and I felt to speak of how leaders in the Church of Jesus Christ don't get money but rather how the tithing funds and fast offerings are completely voluntary and are used for the paying of bills, building of temples and chapels, printing materials for the church etc. After which he really opened up and wanted to hear a lot more about the church, to the point where even after we got to the mission office he stopped the car and kept talking to us, then we got his address and he his wife and two little girls will get a visit hopefully tomorrow (they live in the other mission's area).
I also received great news from the sister missionaries in Eunápolis, (a small town in the interior here) a lady Elder S. and I got to baptize had met with the Sisters in Eunápolis and went to teach her mom. (who I might have told you about a long while ago, a Glacia's mom was in Porto Seguro one time when we were teaching her daughter, she really opened up to us even though by her 1s appearance it seemed she might have rejected us had we knocked on her door) Glacieas 4 nephews/nieces ended up being baptized and her mom and dad are planning on getting married and as I understand what they said is that, "The 1st church they would baptize in would be the Church of Jesus Christ". It's a great feeling when I hear about someone I taught not just still going to church, but helping their families and friends find fruit of the gospel and the way to eternal life.
"You can't count the number of apples in a single seed."
Thanks for the verses and insights on faith, I thought it very well put the way you said that "faith really gives us the right to the power we need to accomplish what is required of us." A very true statement and it brings to mind an interesting thought. As I pray there have been times when I'll ask for something and a thought comes to mind, are you doing your part? Are you putting in the effort according to correct principles? I feel that as we can answer yes to that sort of question that we are truly going forth in faith and then miracles can happen in greater abundance in our lives.
I know that God lives, I know that this is His work, that he leads us to those He would have us lift along our way, even in things as simple as deciding to wear prosylyting clothes on P-day when you might have been thinking of doing otherwise, and as a result a lady comes up to you and talks to you about her son who has fallen away from the church, (standing a few people in front of you in the line to the cash register) who we will be visiting today or tomorrow. I know it is important for each one of us to be attentive to the feelings and thoughts that God will put in our heart as we live worthily of His trust. I think of that general conference talk awhile back about angels in our lives, and how perhaps the number of prayers we have answered may amount to something, but that the number of prayers we answer may be of far greater value. This my testimony I leave with you all in the name of Jesus Christ Amém.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Oct. 31, 2009
We were blessed to find a great house for the staff this past week, 4 bedrooms 3 bathrooms, right across the street from president’s house, great neighbors, and 5 min from the office and maybe ten from the hospital. This new place will be the "mission hotel" for those arriving, those leaving, as well as those who are sick and are receiving treatment. In the down times though, Elder Cook and I will get a little spilled with a spacious mansion to our own. Also as a cool side note, the owner is now interested in the church, and our last pass through the house ended up turning into a little discussion about the plan of salvation. She'll probably be one of the easiest investigators to follow up with, seeing as she lives on the ground floor below us.
Elder C. is an amazing missionary and we've really connected in this short period of time we've already been together. Interestingly enough we seem to share a lot of experiences and attitudes, I really have to say he reminds me of me. We are going to finish combining with the elders quorum here on Sunday to do splits with them and help in reactivation of the (probably) several hundred inactive members in the ward. I'm really looking forward to doing missionary work again especially with a companion like Elder C.
The 60 referrals will be going to the missionaries in Amaralina, it’s technically their area and they could really do some good with them there.
Elder L. (who was sick) went home this past week, it was a sad moment as we walked out the door to grab a taxi for the airport, then leaving him at the gate knowing I very well may not see him before I leave for home. Oh, and mom you can relax, I'm fine :p, he wasn't contagious when he was on the antibiotics. (Not to mention I’ve already been vaccinated and I'm in the Lord's service)
his treatment could take up to a year, during which if he picked up even the common cold from someone on the street he could die. So, for they decided to send him home for a period of time.
Well, congrats to all who contributed to the soon to be (if not already) completed 2000 piece puzzle. Speaking of pieces, President Vecchi just came back from a conference where all the Mission Presidents of Brazil went to hear from Elder Scott and some area authorities and he shared a cool analogy with us that was given at the conference. Imagine a man, who has a bunch of parts to a really nice car in front of him, (Mercedes, something or other) within this mass of car parts, the man finds the carburetor, likes the look of it, shines it up, puts it in a nice place and spends much time examining it and taking joy in it's beauty. Is the man happy with it? Of course, but imagine how much more joy he could have if took those parts, put them all together and had the whole car before him? How much greater could his joy be. This can be applied in many different ways to many different things, but at the moment Elder Scott was speaking about learning of and writing down that which we receive concerning the "parts" of the "gospel Mercedes" we have available to us in these the last days. None of the general authorities came to the knowledge and spirituality they have today without effort. Just like becoming professional at playing an instrument or any sport, we have to spend the time working in accordance with true principles to achieve the goals and heights we wish to attain.
I know that God and Jesus Christ our Savior do to and am grateful for their love and patience, in the name of Jesus Christ, amém.
Elder Pettit
We were blessed to find a great house for the staff this past week, 4 bedrooms 3 bathrooms, right across the street from president’s house, great neighbors, and 5 min from the office and maybe ten from the hospital. This new place will be the "mission hotel" for those arriving, those leaving, as well as those who are sick and are receiving treatment. In the down times though, Elder Cook and I will get a little spilled with a spacious mansion to our own. Also as a cool side note, the owner is now interested in the church, and our last pass through the house ended up turning into a little discussion about the plan of salvation. She'll probably be one of the easiest investigators to follow up with, seeing as she lives on the ground floor below us.
Elder C. is an amazing missionary and we've really connected in this short period of time we've already been together. Interestingly enough we seem to share a lot of experiences and attitudes, I really have to say he reminds me of me. We are going to finish combining with the elders quorum here on Sunday to do splits with them and help in reactivation of the (probably) several hundred inactive members in the ward. I'm really looking forward to doing missionary work again especially with a companion like Elder C.
The 60 referrals will be going to the missionaries in Amaralina, it’s technically their area and they could really do some good with them there.
Elder L. (who was sick) went home this past week, it was a sad moment as we walked out the door to grab a taxi for the airport, then leaving him at the gate knowing I very well may not see him before I leave for home. Oh, and mom you can relax, I'm fine :p, he wasn't contagious when he was on the antibiotics. (Not to mention I’ve already been vaccinated and I'm in the Lord's service)
his treatment could take up to a year, during which if he picked up even the common cold from someone on the street he could die. So, for they decided to send him home for a period of time.
Well, congrats to all who contributed to the soon to be (if not already) completed 2000 piece puzzle. Speaking of pieces, President Vecchi just came back from a conference where all the Mission Presidents of Brazil went to hear from Elder Scott and some area authorities and he shared a cool analogy with us that was given at the conference. Imagine a man, who has a bunch of parts to a really nice car in front of him, (Mercedes, something or other) within this mass of car parts, the man finds the carburetor, likes the look of it, shines it up, puts it in a nice place and spends much time examining it and taking joy in it's beauty. Is the man happy with it? Of course, but imagine how much more joy he could have if took those parts, put them all together and had the whole car before him? How much greater could his joy be. This can be applied in many different ways to many different things, but at the moment Elder Scott was speaking about learning of and writing down that which we receive concerning the "parts" of the "gospel Mercedes" we have available to us in these the last days. None of the general authorities came to the knowledge and spirituality they have today without effort. Just like becoming professional at playing an instrument or any sport, we have to spend the time working in accordance with true principles to achieve the goals and heights we wish to attain.
I know that God and Jesus Christ our Savior do to and am grateful for their love and patience, in the name of Jesus Christ, amém.
Elder Pettit
Saturday, October 24, 2009
October 24, 2009
Boa Noite!!
Well we had a crazy day today so I won’t be able to write much (I have 4 minutes)
Moved in some extra furniture in the sister's place, gained a new companion (the Elder who was in the hospital is now staying with us) cleaned a bit of the house cut my hair etc... full to the brim.
I've been studying that talk by Elder Bednar recently about asking with faith, after getting a great idea from one of the other elders here of studying and developing a specific Christ-like attribute each transfer, something I have found to be interesting is the importance of communicating and then following through w/ total commitment. Something I am trying a bit harder at.
Still no house,(for elders in an area town) but we will find one pretty soon, president is thinking of a "mission Mansion" staff house, sick bay and place to throw in the missionaries that come in and go home.
My new comp(s) is/are great, I think I have been really blessed this time around, I think the best way to put it is I will be (and already am) learning alot from him. I feel a sense of great potential already in this opportunity, we share the desire to have "effective days" everyday. Elder Lopes (the one who was in the hospital) is doing better but may have to go home for treatment, we'll hear the final answer on Monday from SLC. Here’s to hoping he stays though, he is a great guy and I fear he will have a hard time at home and even a harder time coming back. We've been walking masked with him in the streets and it draws a bit of attention to say the least, "Gripe swina!!" (swine flu) but it’s a good time.
As far as Adam goes see if you can snag his address I'd like to write him a letter one of these days. Speaking of friends from CT, I got word from Eric McDowell!! Sounds like everybody is doing well, it was pretty funny the way he started the letter with something to the effect of "pretty much the Mormons came to our door today saying Jacob Pettit sent them. Hope to see them take interest in the gospel.
I know that God lives and that this is His gospel and church restored here on the earth. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amém.
Elder Pettit
Boa Noite!!
Well we had a crazy day today so I won’t be able to write much (I have 4 minutes)
Moved in some extra furniture in the sister's place, gained a new companion (the Elder who was in the hospital is now staying with us) cleaned a bit of the house cut my hair etc... full to the brim.
I've been studying that talk by Elder Bednar recently about asking with faith, after getting a great idea from one of the other elders here of studying and developing a specific Christ-like attribute each transfer, something I have found to be interesting is the importance of communicating and then following through w/ total commitment. Something I am trying a bit harder at.
Still no house,(for elders in an area town) but we will find one pretty soon, president is thinking of a "mission Mansion" staff house, sick bay and place to throw in the missionaries that come in and go home.
My new comp(s) is/are great, I think I have been really blessed this time around, I think the best way to put it is I will be (and already am) learning alot from him. I feel a sense of great potential already in this opportunity, we share the desire to have "effective days" everyday. Elder Lopes (the one who was in the hospital) is doing better but may have to go home for treatment, we'll hear the final answer on Monday from SLC. Here’s to hoping he stays though, he is a great guy and I fear he will have a hard time at home and even a harder time coming back. We've been walking masked with him in the streets and it draws a bit of attention to say the least, "Gripe swina!!" (swine flu) but it’s a good time.
As far as Adam goes see if you can snag his address I'd like to write him a letter one of these days. Speaking of friends from CT, I got word from Eric McDowell!! Sounds like everybody is doing well, it was pretty funny the way he started the letter with something to the effect of "pretty much the Mormons came to our door today saying Jacob Pettit sent them. Hope to see them take interest in the gospel.
I know that God lives and that this is His gospel and church restored here on the earth. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amém.
Elder Pettit
Sunday, October 18, 2009
October 17, 2009
It’s been crazy as weeks often are here these days. Transfers are coming up/are happening right now and so the straightaway speed up in the mission grand prix is coming around again. My companion Elder R. was/will be transferred to a nearby area where he will have a great responsibility (2 areas and a three-elder-including him district) and a great time. I've learned a good bit with him and have really enjoyed being his companion with the never ending surprises that came as a result. My (almost) new comp Elder C. actually knows some people that lived in CT that I knew. (A nanny that helped out at the Zeiner's place) I got to know him a bit back in Porto and I'm pretty excited to work with him here, word on the street has it that he likes to work :).
Let’s see, p-day will be kinda interesting today, we'll be going house hunting here in Rio Vermelho for the assistants and their comps. We're hoping to get them moved in a ready to go before the end of the month. Fast moves are a blast.
Loved the pics, I think I'll be sending those on to president and then I'll ask him if we can do that here, there are several missionaries I know that have some good artish talents. On that end of things it looks like we may sing in the malls here around Christmas time, should be pretty good stuff.
I don't remember if I told you guys, but awhile back Elder R and I were blessed with about 60 referrals from a family here and though we haven't been able to follow up with all of them yet, we started to do so, and then passed some them onto another pair of missionaries that work in that area. I don't know all of what has happened with each of them, but one lady that we had started to teach is going to get married and baptized!! That was an upper to say the least, the Lord guides us in this His work and His glory.
It’s been crazy as weeks often are here these days. Transfers are coming up/are happening right now and so the straightaway speed up in the mission grand prix is coming around again. My companion Elder R. was/will be transferred to a nearby area where he will have a great responsibility (2 areas and a three-elder-including him district) and a great time. I've learned a good bit with him and have really enjoyed being his companion with the never ending surprises that came as a result. My (almost) new comp Elder C. actually knows some people that lived in CT that I knew. (A nanny that helped out at the Zeiner's place) I got to know him a bit back in Porto and I'm pretty excited to work with him here, word on the street has it that he likes to work :).
Let’s see, p-day will be kinda interesting today, we'll be going house hunting here in Rio Vermelho for the assistants and their comps. We're hoping to get them moved in a ready to go before the end of the month. Fast moves are a blast.
Loved the pics, I think I'll be sending those on to president and then I'll ask him if we can do that here, there are several missionaries I know that have some good artish talents. On that end of things it looks like we may sing in the malls here around Christmas time, should be pretty good stuff.
I don't remember if I told you guys, but awhile back Elder R and I were blessed with about 60 referrals from a family here and though we haven't been able to follow up with all of them yet, we started to do so, and then passed some them onto another pair of missionaries that work in that area. I don't know all of what has happened with each of them, but one lady that we had started to teach is going to get married and baptized!! That was an upper to say the least, the Lord guides us in this His work and His glory.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Oct. 10, 2009
Well not a whole lot to report about this week, thanks to all who sent back replies about the gospel's effects in your lives, it’s something I was thinking about the other day as I was studying Lehi's dream. I was looking at his attitude at sharing the fruit of the tree which in the case of an Elder Pettit on a mission could be compared to the gospel which he has been called to preach to the world. It is clearly stated the way Lehi felt about the fruit, it was delicious to the taste and he wanted nothing more than to share with those around him. How do I see the gospel in my life? Is it delicious to me? How determined am I to share it with those around me? Why? and how can I grow in that desire? It’s about becoming a true disciple of Christ, its conversion. As an apostle (forget which, I think it was Ballard) said "When one is truly converted he can't be kept from testifying." I hope to one day be like the sons of Mosiah and truly feel concern for everyone around me, in the sense that I shudder at the thought that one of them might have to endure eternal torment.
The gospel in my life is a way of thinking and living, a way of trying to be. It’s a greater awareness of eternal effects, less of a here and now and more of a here and then (looking to the future) perspective. It’s the only way to be truly happy, to have joy if you will. It’s a restraining force and a drive to move onward and upward. It’s a hope and direction in my life. It makes challenges and difficulties make sense. It is Christ's and God the Father's love for me.
Some Conference highlights,
BAllard's talk in the priesthood session
Thanks dad, I think you'd already heard that talk years ago
Uchtdorf,
"If we keep at it, things will improve"
Eyering,
No effort is too much
Monson
"Anger doesn't build anything, but it can destroy everything"
Burton
What did you do for anyone today? (good dinner time conversation, I want to do that too)
Scott
Use the Book of Mormon for everything, study, learn, love, live
Nielson ( I think)
Don't get "casual in your worship"
Renlund
It’s never too late to change, but change takes time, make a covenant now and change
Ringwood
Obedience leads to easiness to believe and to be more obedient
Christopherson
"Neutrality about the gospel is denying that God exists, that He is omniscient"
"Intelligent use of agency requires knowledge of things as they really are"
Well, not much else to report, the Elder is still in the hospital, though the results for tuberculosis came back negative and he will be leaving there soon.
As for the housing contracts, they're going to take awhile yet, we're still catching up on some that ended months ago.
Elder Pettit
Well not a whole lot to report about this week, thanks to all who sent back replies about the gospel's effects in your lives, it’s something I was thinking about the other day as I was studying Lehi's dream. I was looking at his attitude at sharing the fruit of the tree which in the case of an Elder Pettit on a mission could be compared to the gospel which he has been called to preach to the world. It is clearly stated the way Lehi felt about the fruit, it was delicious to the taste and he wanted nothing more than to share with those around him. How do I see the gospel in my life? Is it delicious to me? How determined am I to share it with those around me? Why? and how can I grow in that desire? It’s about becoming a true disciple of Christ, its conversion. As an apostle (forget which, I think it was Ballard) said "When one is truly converted he can't be kept from testifying." I hope to one day be like the sons of Mosiah and truly feel concern for everyone around me, in the sense that I shudder at the thought that one of them might have to endure eternal torment.
The gospel in my life is a way of thinking and living, a way of trying to be. It’s a greater awareness of eternal effects, less of a here and now and more of a here and then (looking to the future) perspective. It’s the only way to be truly happy, to have joy if you will. It’s a restraining force and a drive to move onward and upward. It’s a hope and direction in my life. It makes challenges and difficulties make sense. It is Christ's and God the Father's love for me.
Some Conference highlights,
BAllard's talk in the priesthood session
Thanks dad, I think you'd already heard that talk years ago
Uchtdorf,
"If we keep at it, things will improve"
Eyering,
No effort is too much
Monson
"Anger doesn't build anything, but it can destroy everything"
Burton
What did you do for anyone today? (good dinner time conversation, I want to do that too)
Scott
Use the Book of Mormon for everything, study, learn, love, live
Nielson ( I think)
Don't get "casual in your worship"
Renlund
It’s never too late to change, but change takes time, make a covenant now and change
Ringwood
Obedience leads to easiness to believe and to be more obedient
Christopherson
"Neutrality about the gospel is denying that God exists, that He is omniscient"
"Intelligent use of agency requires knowledge of things as they really are"
Well, not much else to report, the Elder is still in the hospital, though the results for tuberculosis came back negative and he will be leaving there soon.
As for the housing contracts, they're going to take awhile yet, we're still catching up on some that ended months ago.
Elder Pettit
Oct 3, 2009
Running took a downward turn this week, we've had a missionary in the hospital here in Salvador this week so in between staying overnight there, or visiting during the day, time has become more scarce than usual and the whole running thing came to a rather abrupt stop. (not to mention my running mate (ha) twisted/sprained/busted his ankle this past Wed. playing soccer at a zone activity)
Well this week has passed by quite fast, or rather this whole time since last conference has gone by quite fast, I can't believe it’s already come around again. I really liked Pres. Uchtdorf's talk about being a true disciple of Christ and how deeply love plays a part in it. I thought of one of my favorite scriptures while I was listening to him this afternoon; John 13: 12-17 where Christ washes the feet of His disciples, then tells them how if He, being their Lord serves them in such a humble way, they should serve each other, fro truly, "The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him." I think service plays a huge aspect in loving someone. On that note that’s something I’ve gained a testimony of here on the mission, that we can learn to love someone, it doesn't matter how different we are from them, and one of the best ways to do so, is to serve them. I've gained one of my best friends on the mission that way.
Not to much more to report on, recently I've been working on renewing house contracts here on the mission (A rather different experience than any I've had before on the mission or off) and as a result of all this talking on the telephone, I think I might be able to call the pizza guy all by myself when I get home. :)
Happy Humphrey the Hamster seems like he is doing as well as the last at wreaking havoc in the happy mommy hermithood. I think these sorts of stories would make great family home video moments... out of curiosity, were you laughing/screaming as you chased him? I don't know why, but as it played out in my mind, I certainly thought you did.
Conference has started again, so I'm going to get going, but I would like to have you and anyone else who would like to answer, send me their answer to "How has the restored gospel blessed your life and that of your family's?
Thanks much,
Love,
Elder Pettit
Running took a downward turn this week, we've had a missionary in the hospital here in Salvador this week so in between staying overnight there, or visiting during the day, time has become more scarce than usual and the whole running thing came to a rather abrupt stop. (not to mention my running mate (ha) twisted/sprained/busted his ankle this past Wed. playing soccer at a zone activity)
Well this week has passed by quite fast, or rather this whole time since last conference has gone by quite fast, I can't believe it’s already come around again. I really liked Pres. Uchtdorf's talk about being a true disciple of Christ and how deeply love plays a part in it. I thought of one of my favorite scriptures while I was listening to him this afternoon; John 13: 12-17 where Christ washes the feet of His disciples, then tells them how if He, being their Lord serves them in such a humble way, they should serve each other, fro truly, "The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him." I think service plays a huge aspect in loving someone. On that note that’s something I’ve gained a testimony of here on the mission, that we can learn to love someone, it doesn't matter how different we are from them, and one of the best ways to do so, is to serve them. I've gained one of my best friends on the mission that way.
Not to much more to report on, recently I've been working on renewing house contracts here on the mission (A rather different experience than any I've had before on the mission or off) and as a result of all this talking on the telephone, I think I might be able to call the pizza guy all by myself when I get home. :)
Happy Humphrey the Hamster seems like he is doing as well as the last at wreaking havoc in the happy mommy hermithood. I think these sorts of stories would make great family home video moments... out of curiosity, were you laughing/screaming as you chased him? I don't know why, but as it played out in my mind, I certainly thought you did.
Conference has started again, so I'm going to get going, but I would like to have you and anyone else who would like to answer, send me their answer to "How has the restored gospel blessed your life and that of your family's?
Thanks much,
Love,
Elder Pettit
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
September 26, 2009
Well the difference here in the office from the field is taking its toll, and the fattening of the Thanksgiving Turkey (more widely known as Elder Pettit) has already begun, so in his efforts to combat this undesirable event he wrestled (pretty sure that’s spelled wrong) up a willing friend/Elder and they went running this morning, it was a refreshing experience to say the least and early reports are coming in that the running will become part of a every other day routine.
In other news, the one year package was enjoyed by all in the apartment, the blueberry muffin-gone-cake-mix was a hit and I think if you guys are ever wondering what you might send me again... I think blueberry muffin mixes are a berry good choice (did you catch that one?) Due to the impending expiration of said blueberry product we disposed of it all within 24 hours (though with six missionaries I suppose that’s not such an amazing accomplishment) I thank you all for the creativity and thought put into sending numerous "things of one". One might even say that if this one family of mine had entered into any one competition for one of a kind families in giving things of one for one son's one year anniversary, they would certainly have won... one.
In my studies recently, I've repeatedly been coming upon an interesting principle, that of living up to my privilege as a being a Spirit child of our Heavenly Father who was created to act and not to be acted upon and interestingly enough was that Zone conference had a bit to do with this very subject. Pres. Vecchi started off talking about how there are three kinds of people in the world;
1) those who don't realize the changes/things happening in/or around them.
2) Those who know something is happening, but they may not really know why it’s happening or don't care enough to really do anything about it.
3) Those who are behind the changes in their lives and in what happens around them.
Which of the three would you want to be? Hopefully the third. If we settle for being one of the others, we may very well find ourselves drifting on every wind of doctrine and could one day find ourselves in a situation where we don't really want to be. This idea of actively moving through life is essential to becoming a disciple of Christ, we can't just go with the flow and expect to end up in the Celestial Kingdom, be like Christ or other great people that we come to know in the scriptures or in our lives, the natural man is an enemy to God and so are many of the things we may find we naturally do. Let’s stop just existing and let us start just making those changes in our lives today so we can become the people we want and need to be tomorrow.
Elder Pettit
Well the difference here in the office from the field is taking its toll, and the fattening of the Thanksgiving Turkey (more widely known as Elder Pettit) has already begun, so in his efforts to combat this undesirable event he wrestled (pretty sure that’s spelled wrong) up a willing friend/Elder and they went running this morning, it was a refreshing experience to say the least and early reports are coming in that the running will become part of a every other day routine.
In other news, the one year package was enjoyed by all in the apartment, the blueberry muffin-gone-cake-mix was a hit and I think if you guys are ever wondering what you might send me again... I think blueberry muffin mixes are a berry good choice (did you catch that one?) Due to the impending expiration of said blueberry product we disposed of it all within 24 hours (though with six missionaries I suppose that’s not such an amazing accomplishment) I thank you all for the creativity and thought put into sending numerous "things of one". One might even say that if this one family of mine had entered into any one competition for one of a kind families in giving things of one for one son's one year anniversary, they would certainly have won... one.
In my studies recently, I've repeatedly been coming upon an interesting principle, that of living up to my privilege as a being a Spirit child of our Heavenly Father who was created to act and not to be acted upon and interestingly enough was that Zone conference had a bit to do with this very subject. Pres. Vecchi started off talking about how there are three kinds of people in the world;
1) those who don't realize the changes/things happening in/or around them.
2) Those who know something is happening, but they may not really know why it’s happening or don't care enough to really do anything about it.
3) Those who are behind the changes in their lives and in what happens around them.
Which of the three would you want to be? Hopefully the third. If we settle for being one of the others, we may very well find ourselves drifting on every wind of doctrine and could one day find ourselves in a situation where we don't really want to be. This idea of actively moving through life is essential to becoming a disciple of Christ, we can't just go with the flow and expect to end up in the Celestial Kingdom, be like Christ or other great people that we come to know in the scriptures or in our lives, the natural man is an enemy to God and so are many of the things we may find we naturally do. Let’s stop just existing and let us start just making those changes in our lives today so we can become the people we want and need to be tomorrow.
Elder Pettit
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Jacob's insights mentioned in his letter
Words of Mormon Vs7:
Imagine how much time it would take to write on plates of gold or brass. Imagine the effort it would take to engrave each and every word in a legible manner, and then imagine why they were doing it. Often times they speak of doing this for a wise purpose, a purpose that they don’t know, but that they trust in the Lord, and have enough faith to know that though they don’t know all things, but that the Lord does and that He knows all that will come. They then press forward in that faith, writing laboriously so that the Lord can work in/through them to do according to His will. In this sense we can truly see how “the Lord worketh not among the children of men save it be according to their faith.” (2°Nephi 27:23) and that God very often does use one of us to bring about good in the lives of so many others, how much could can we be allowed to help in if we try to follow God’s will.
Mosiah 1:3-7
King Benjamin is instructing his sons to read the scriptures and keep the commandments, how does he do it? What techniques does he use?
He starts off telling them how the scriptures have blessed the lives of their ancestors, leading them in the way of the Lord, whereas without the scriptures, he teaches that they would have dwindled in unbelief, giving the example of their brethren the Lamanites. Next he testifies of the truthfulness of the scriptures, giving a brief description of the Book of Mormon (when it was written) and then he exhorts them to “search them diligently” and to keep the commandments of God, that they may prosper in the land according to God’s promise. (Probably citing scripture to them) “Padrão de compromisso”
Mosiah 1:11-12 “Giving a name”
As king Benjamin prepares to give the kingdom over to his son Mosiah, he tells his son to call the people together with the intent to present him as the new king, and also to give the people a name, which “never shall be blotted out except it be through transgression”. What name is this and how is it that it can only be “blotted out through transgression”? A little further on in his discourse, King Benjamin speaks of this to his people. Mosiah 5:8-1 King Benjamin asks of the people if they believed on his words, in response they speak of a mighty change of heart, that the Spirit wrought in them, leaving them without the desire to do evil, butto do good continually. They express that they could prophesy of all things if it were expedient, and they say that it is because of their faith which they have had on the things their king spoke unto them that brought them this knowledge and joy. As a result they are willing to enter into a covenant to do His (God’s) will.
In doing this King Benjamin tells them that they will become the children of Christ and that they will be taking upon them the name of Christ in doing so.
What other aspects are there in taking Christ’s name upon us?
At this point King Benjamin is speaking to the people of Christ, and how it is only through Him and His sacrifice that they can be saved.
Mosiah 2
With great knowledge comes great responsibility, Vs 35-36, When we make a conscious decision to go against that which we have been taught concerning the gospel of Jesus Christ, we come out in open rebellion against God, and we literally are saying to Him that we don’t want His guidance, that our way is the better way, and that even though He made us, gives us air to breathe and strength to live and so many other blessings, we just take it all for granted and move on in our own way. Therefore we become a law unto our selves, an enemy to God and all righteousness, and neither the Lord or His Spirit have any place in us, to guide us in His ways, for He dwelleth not in unholy temples.
Mosiah 3 Vs 19:
19 For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.
2°Nephi 9:42-43: This has a lot to do with our natural pride, we learn from this scripture that the Lord wants to open to us, and He will, but only if we are humble and are willing to accept His counsel, those who remain in their natural pride, (the spirit of man) can’t learn of Him because He (the Lord) teaches us through the Spirit, and “ the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1Cor. 2:11-14)
D&C 46:7
Ether 12:23-28: One name for the Lord is “the fountain of all righteousness”, makes me think of scriptures that say things like “all good things come from God” and another that tells us we can’t do anything until we are persuaded by one influence or the other (good or bad).
3° Nephi 11
Christ invites all to come unto Him, feel the prints in His hands, feet and side. This could be compared to His invitation to all of us to gain a personal testimony, not a one size fits all sort of deal, but one that is fit to our needs, weaknesses, faith and desires. We could also compare this to the one on one invitation He gives to each one of us to come unto Him through the ordinances of His gospel, that of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins, the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost, taking out our endowments and eventually having our calling and election made sure. Through the prophet Joseph Smith, God has once again restored these ordinances in their true form, and the authority needed to perform(realize) them. We can know this is true through the power of the Holy Ghost, who will testify through feelings of peace, joy and comfort, but we have to seek it; “Seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you” (scripture reference) After all is said and done, He still leaves us to do our part, God is waiting, wishing and in reality reaching to each one of us, we just have to move forward in faith, take His hand and let Him lift us. We do this as we go forth and are baptized, receive the Holy Ghost, take out our endowments, have our calling and election made sure and continue keeping the associated covenants.
PMG Capitulo 1 (Preach My Gospel)
Como os servos do Senhor se sentem a respeito do trabalho? Como os servos do Senhor influenciam as pessoas a quem servem?
Mosias 28:3 They care for the salvation of others, and keep things in the eternal perspective, realizing that our desires and actions now in this life will affect our eternal salvation and that only those who have been warned/given a knowledge of the way (being the gospel of Jesus Christ) can take the path that leads to eternal life. They realize that they have been given that knowledge and wish to help others gain it with the blessings of God as well.
Alma 8:14-15 They feel connected to the work, it becomes a part of them, it doesn’t become a role that they take on and off as they come and go from their house to the street. They really feel sorrow when the people reject the word of God but they don’t give up, they keep looking for the elect of God walking whatever distance is needed to find them.
Helaman 10:3-5 They ponder in their heart the situations of people, seeking inspiration and guidance for ways to get through to the people. They unwearyingly declare the word of God, not fearing the people regardless of what they might say or think. They don’t worry about their personal affairs at home, they leave them behind and work to know and follow God’s will and the keep His commandments. They don’t ask that which is contrary to the will of God.
3° Nephi 28: 4-10 They want to help others know and live the gospel more then they want anything else, even more then to just ensure their own salvation or that of their families.
Ether 12:13-15 They work in unceasing faith, regardless of the odds against them, the difficulties they are passing through, the opposition or the apparent hardness of hearts, doing all that they can, truly working heart, might, mind and strength to help the Lord bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.
D&C 15:4-6; 16:4-6 They desire to know things of Heavenly Father, they seek for the answers, and they do so with the intent to follow the instructions they receive. They speak the words which the Lord gives them according to His commandments.
D&C 68:2-6 They speak as the Lord gives them words, and as they speak when moved upon by the Holy Ghost, their words are scripture, shall be the will of the Lord, shall be the mind of the Lord, shall be the word of the Lord, shall be the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto Salvation. They don’t fear, are of good cheer and bear record of Jesus Christ.
Words of Mormon Vs7:
Imagine how much time it would take to write on plates of gold or brass. Imagine the effort it would take to engrave each and every word in a legible manner, and then imagine why they were doing it. Often times they speak of doing this for a wise purpose, a purpose that they don’t know, but that they trust in the Lord, and have enough faith to know that though they don’t know all things, but that the Lord does and that He knows all that will come. They then press forward in that faith, writing laboriously so that the Lord can work in/through them to do according to His will. In this sense we can truly see how “the Lord worketh not among the children of men save it be according to their faith.” (2°Nephi 27:23) and that God very often does use one of us to bring about good in the lives of so many others, how much could can we be allowed to help in if we try to follow God’s will.
Mosiah 1:3-7
King Benjamin is instructing his sons to read the scriptures and keep the commandments, how does he do it? What techniques does he use?
He starts off telling them how the scriptures have blessed the lives of their ancestors, leading them in the way of the Lord, whereas without the scriptures, he teaches that they would have dwindled in unbelief, giving the example of their brethren the Lamanites. Next he testifies of the truthfulness of the scriptures, giving a brief description of the Book of Mormon (when it was written) and then he exhorts them to “search them diligently” and to keep the commandments of God, that they may prosper in the land according to God’s promise. (Probably citing scripture to them) “Padrão de compromisso”
Mosiah 1:11-12 “Giving a name”
As king Benjamin prepares to give the kingdom over to his son Mosiah, he tells his son to call the people together with the intent to present him as the new king, and also to give the people a name, which “never shall be blotted out except it be through transgression”. What name is this and how is it that it can only be “blotted out through transgression”? A little further on in his discourse, King Benjamin speaks of this to his people. Mosiah 5:8-1 King Benjamin asks of the people if they believed on his words, in response they speak of a mighty change of heart, that the Spirit wrought in them, leaving them without the desire to do evil, butto do good continually. They express that they could prophesy of all things if it were expedient, and they say that it is because of their faith which they have had on the things their king spoke unto them that brought them this knowledge and joy. As a result they are willing to enter into a covenant to do His (God’s) will.
In doing this King Benjamin tells them that they will become the children of Christ and that they will be taking upon them the name of Christ in doing so.
What other aspects are there in taking Christ’s name upon us?
At this point King Benjamin is speaking to the people of Christ, and how it is only through Him and His sacrifice that they can be saved.
Mosiah 2
With great knowledge comes great responsibility, Vs 35-36, When we make a conscious decision to go against that which we have been taught concerning the gospel of Jesus Christ, we come out in open rebellion against God, and we literally are saying to Him that we don’t want His guidance, that our way is the better way, and that even though He made us, gives us air to breathe and strength to live and so many other blessings, we just take it all for granted and move on in our own way. Therefore we become a law unto our selves, an enemy to God and all righteousness, and neither the Lord or His Spirit have any place in us, to guide us in His ways, for He dwelleth not in unholy temples.
Mosiah 3 Vs 19:
19 For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.
2°Nephi 9:42-43: This has a lot to do with our natural pride, we learn from this scripture that the Lord wants to open to us, and He will, but only if we are humble and are willing to accept His counsel, those who remain in their natural pride, (the spirit of man) can’t learn of Him because He (the Lord) teaches us through the Spirit, and “ the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1Cor. 2:11-14)
D&C 46:7
Ether 12:23-28: One name for the Lord is “the fountain of all righteousness”, makes me think of scriptures that say things like “all good things come from God” and another that tells us we can’t do anything until we are persuaded by one influence or the other (good or bad).
3° Nephi 11
Christ invites all to come unto Him, feel the prints in His hands, feet and side. This could be compared to His invitation to all of us to gain a personal testimony, not a one size fits all sort of deal, but one that is fit to our needs, weaknesses, faith and desires. We could also compare this to the one on one invitation He gives to each one of us to come unto Him through the ordinances of His gospel, that of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins, the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost, taking out our endowments and eventually having our calling and election made sure. Through the prophet Joseph Smith, God has once again restored these ordinances in their true form, and the authority needed to perform(realize) them. We can know this is true through the power of the Holy Ghost, who will testify through feelings of peace, joy and comfort, but we have to seek it; “Seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you” (scripture reference) After all is said and done, He still leaves us to do our part, God is waiting, wishing and in reality reaching to each one of us, we just have to move forward in faith, take His hand and let Him lift us. We do this as we go forth and are baptized, receive the Holy Ghost, take out our endowments, have our calling and election made sure and continue keeping the associated covenants.
PMG Capitulo 1 (Preach My Gospel)
Como os servos do Senhor se sentem a respeito do trabalho? Como os servos do Senhor influenciam as pessoas a quem servem?
Mosias 28:3 They care for the salvation of others, and keep things in the eternal perspective, realizing that our desires and actions now in this life will affect our eternal salvation and that only those who have been warned/given a knowledge of the way (being the gospel of Jesus Christ) can take the path that leads to eternal life. They realize that they have been given that knowledge and wish to help others gain it with the blessings of God as well.
Alma 8:14-15 They feel connected to the work, it becomes a part of them, it doesn’t become a role that they take on and off as they come and go from their house to the street. They really feel sorrow when the people reject the word of God but they don’t give up, they keep looking for the elect of God walking whatever distance is needed to find them.
Helaman 10:3-5 They ponder in their heart the situations of people, seeking inspiration and guidance for ways to get through to the people. They unwearyingly declare the word of God, not fearing the people regardless of what they might say or think. They don’t worry about their personal affairs at home, they leave them behind and work to know and follow God’s will and the keep His commandments. They don’t ask that which is contrary to the will of God.
3° Nephi 28: 4-10 They want to help others know and live the gospel more then they want anything else, even more then to just ensure their own salvation or that of their families.
Ether 12:13-15 They work in unceasing faith, regardless of the odds against them, the difficulties they are passing through, the opposition or the apparent hardness of hearts, doing all that they can, truly working heart, might, mind and strength to help the Lord bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.
D&C 15:4-6; 16:4-6 They desire to know things of Heavenly Father, they seek for the answers, and they do so with the intent to follow the instructions they receive. They speak the words which the Lord gives them according to His commandments.
D&C 68:2-6 They speak as the Lord gives them words, and as they speak when moved upon by the Holy Ghost, their words are scripture, shall be the will of the Lord, shall be the mind of the Lord, shall be the word of the Lord, shall be the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto Salvation. They don’t fear, are of good cheer and bear record of Jesus Christ.
Sept 19, 2009
To my favorite mom dad family and friends,
Well we got here to the mission office a bit late today, so I'm gonna have to be brief as well, this week was pretty good stuff, one of the highlights being Mexican food that I made today, the tortillas turned out a bit more like pita bread (or maybe thinking positively, they were gordita-ish, btw I miss taco bell) but all in all it was pretty good stuff, homemade tortillas, refried beans, rice, and some left over sour cream, guacamole and salsa we had from the 1st (and maybe last it was so expensive) order from a Mexican food place here in Salvador. (though I must say, the food really did turn out pretty good to say the least.)
Elder Pettit
PS Attached are some thoughts I've been given this past little bit while I've been reading or studying in the office some are still incomplete, but if any of you would like to discuss any of them with me, or would like to bring up a topic to study, I’d be happy to study/talk about it with you.
To my favorite mom dad family and friends,
Well we got here to the mission office a bit late today, so I'm gonna have to be brief as well, this week was pretty good stuff, one of the highlights being Mexican food that I made today, the tortillas turned out a bit more like pita bread (or maybe thinking positively, they were gordita-ish, btw I miss taco bell) but all in all it was pretty good stuff, homemade tortillas, refried beans, rice, and some left over sour cream, guacamole and salsa we had from the 1st (and maybe last it was so expensive) order from a Mexican food place here in Salvador. (though I must say, the food really did turn out pretty good to say the least.)
Elder Pettit
PS Attached are some thoughts I've been given this past little bit while I've been reading or studying in the office some are still incomplete, but if any of you would like to discuss any of them with me, or would like to bring up a topic to study, I’d be happy to study/talk about it with you.
Sept 12, 2009
Elder T. my trainer of the office was transferred into the field here in Salvador and so officially Elder R. and I are responsible for anything that goes right or wrong here in the office, just in time for transfers :) Transfers are ridiculous here in the office. At the beginning, things were normal, busy, but not overly so, (as in working till 9 or more in the office after going in at 8 or 9 in the morning) but then we had to go buy tickets for people coming from or going to Salvador, take care of getting trainings ready for the "novinhos" and their trainers. Alright not so bad yet, but when we went to grab the tickets at the bus station, there wasn't any room left on the buses (because of a Brazilian holiday and everybody was traveling) we needed, so we went and grabbed some from another bus company and left, thinking the problem was resolved... That was where the real troubles began. After getting back to the office we realized that we were missing some of the tickets we had bought... the biggest problem being that we had paid for them but the lady hadn't printed them off and given them to us. So we went back the next day to straighten it all up, finding that somehow it never registered that we had bought those tickets, but that we had indeed paid the price for them, (still don't know exactly how that worked out) but we got the credits and bought the tickets we needed. Problem solved right? wrong again, we came around missing one more ticket and so we had to go back once again to the bus station and grab it (the interesting thing was that we had confirmed that we had the tickets, but somehow unbeknownst to us at the moment, it disappeared. As it turned out, the ticket had fallen into some dark abyss on the exec. secretary’s desk, only to be found after the day where we could grab the credits from a missed bus) All good, transfers go into action on time, with a couple calls from missionaries saying they didn’t have money to buy their bus tickets for transfers... easy fixes for the most part, they borrowed money from other missionaries who would be reimbursed later or make I made an emergency transfer to their account. Monday night came around and everybody gets off alright, later on (maybe 10 30 or so) we get a call saying that one of the buses with several of the missionaries (trainers and some of the transferred) broke down in the middle of nowhere, and would have to wait for another bus to swing by and pick them up. The poor elders were already uncomfortable as it was on a low class (think school or city bus) bus we had to get them as the comfy buses were all full with vacationers. 3 or 4 hours later than scheduled they get into Salvador, throwing the trainer's breakfast/training that would have started early morning to a brunch of sorts, leaving just the President and his wife free with us to go pick up the new missionaries while the trainers finished getting their instructions. We then took the novinhos to the office dropped off their stuff, walked to the presidents house, picked up the trainers, (leaving the novinhos there for their training) going over a few administrative things with them (the trainers) and then we had lunch at burger kings (I was still full from breakfast, barely ate a thing) only to return to the presidents place a little later to have them paired off with their new companions. That was a cool experience, topped off by an amazing dessert made by the President's wife (how do they all know how to cook so well?) then back to the office, gave a quick unforeseen training on money on the mission, and finally we sent them off to their areas. Quite a relief when that finished up and then there were the missionaries heading home.... needless to say, there was plenty to do.
Another crazy aspect of this whole office life deal is working out housing contracts in Portuguese. The church has done about as much as they can to leave it as simple as possible, leaving a prewritten contract to be used in each case, but when the house owners start trying to change it here or there, bring up the price etc. I guess I'll leave it at this; it’s a lot of responsibility taking care of the money in the mission. I'm learning alot about organizing and getting things done on a bigger scale, with a good bit of accounting for what I do, and I thought Paneras was stressful. It’s good though, I'm learning.
Recently I've had a great experience in watching someone go through a huge repentance process, and I testify through previous experience in my life, and through what I've seen here and what I've felt as I've seen it go on, is that repentance works, relieves, and renews, it’s never easy, but it’s always worth it. It requires sacrifice, trust in the Lord and a great bit of faith, trusting that in the confession that you will be helped, that the Lord never gives up on you, that we just have to meet His requirements and then, only then we can receive the promise of His comforting Spirit. Seeing this go on has brought a greater desire to grow closer to the Lord, do some repenting in my own life and seek to more fully yield to the enticings of the Spirit so that I can let the sacrifice of Christ take effect in my life. I know that is what He would have us do, and I invite each of us to look at what we can do in our lives today to bring us that much closer to our Father's presence. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amém.
Love,
Elder Jacob Pettit
PS great talk I found and want to share with you all, http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=32e62bce258f5110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&hideNav=1 ifice, trust in the Lord and a great bit of faith, trusting that in the confession that you will be helped, that the Lord never gives up on
Elder T. my trainer of the office was transferred into the field here in Salvador and so officially Elder R. and I are responsible for anything that goes right or wrong here in the office, just in time for transfers :) Transfers are ridiculous here in the office. At the beginning, things were normal, busy, but not overly so, (as in working till 9 or more in the office after going in at 8 or 9 in the morning) but then we had to go buy tickets for people coming from or going to Salvador, take care of getting trainings ready for the "novinhos" and their trainers. Alright not so bad yet, but when we went to grab the tickets at the bus station, there wasn't any room left on the buses (because of a Brazilian holiday and everybody was traveling) we needed, so we went and grabbed some from another bus company and left, thinking the problem was resolved... That was where the real troubles began. After getting back to the office we realized that we were missing some of the tickets we had bought... the biggest problem being that we had paid for them but the lady hadn't printed them off and given them to us. So we went back the next day to straighten it all up, finding that somehow it never registered that we had bought those tickets, but that we had indeed paid the price for them, (still don't know exactly how that worked out) but we got the credits and bought the tickets we needed. Problem solved right? wrong again, we came around missing one more ticket and so we had to go back once again to the bus station and grab it (the interesting thing was that we had confirmed that we had the tickets, but somehow unbeknownst to us at the moment, it disappeared. As it turned out, the ticket had fallen into some dark abyss on the exec. secretary’s desk, only to be found after the day where we could grab the credits from a missed bus) All good, transfers go into action on time, with a couple calls from missionaries saying they didn’t have money to buy their bus tickets for transfers... easy fixes for the most part, they borrowed money from other missionaries who would be reimbursed later or make I made an emergency transfer to their account. Monday night came around and everybody gets off alright, later on (maybe 10 30 or so) we get a call saying that one of the buses with several of the missionaries (trainers and some of the transferred) broke down in the middle of nowhere, and would have to wait for another bus to swing by and pick them up. The poor elders were already uncomfortable as it was on a low class (think school or city bus) bus we had to get them as the comfy buses were all full with vacationers. 3 or 4 hours later than scheduled they get into Salvador, throwing the trainer's breakfast/training that would have started early morning to a brunch of sorts, leaving just the President and his wife free with us to go pick up the new missionaries while the trainers finished getting their instructions. We then took the novinhos to the office dropped off their stuff, walked to the presidents house, picked up the trainers, (leaving the novinhos there for their training) going over a few administrative things with them (the trainers) and then we had lunch at burger kings (I was still full from breakfast, barely ate a thing) only to return to the presidents place a little later to have them paired off with their new companions. That was a cool experience, topped off by an amazing dessert made by the President's wife (how do they all know how to cook so well?) then back to the office, gave a quick unforeseen training on money on the mission, and finally we sent them off to their areas. Quite a relief when that finished up and then there were the missionaries heading home.... needless to say, there was plenty to do.
Another crazy aspect of this whole office life deal is working out housing contracts in Portuguese. The church has done about as much as they can to leave it as simple as possible, leaving a prewritten contract to be used in each case, but when the house owners start trying to change it here or there, bring up the price etc. I guess I'll leave it at this; it’s a lot of responsibility taking care of the money in the mission. I'm learning alot about organizing and getting things done on a bigger scale, with a good bit of accounting for what I do, and I thought Paneras was stressful. It’s good though, I'm learning.
Recently I've had a great experience in watching someone go through a huge repentance process, and I testify through previous experience in my life, and through what I've seen here and what I've felt as I've seen it go on, is that repentance works, relieves, and renews, it’s never easy, but it’s always worth it. It requires sacrifice, trust in the Lord and a great bit of faith, trusting that in the confession that you will be helped, that the Lord never gives up on you, that we just have to meet His requirements and then, only then we can receive the promise of His comforting Spirit. Seeing this go on has brought a greater desire to grow closer to the Lord, do some repenting in my own life and seek to more fully yield to the enticings of the Spirit so that I can let the sacrifice of Christ take effect in my life. I know that is what He would have us do, and I invite each of us to look at what we can do in our lives today to bring us that much closer to our Father's presence. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amém.
Love,
Elder Jacob Pettit
PS great talk I found and want to share with you all, http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=32e62bce258f5110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&hideNav=1 ifice, trust in the Lord and a great bit of faith, trusting that in the confession that you will be helped, that the Lord never gives up on
Sunday, September 6, 2009
2 are Elder N.and Jacob in Conquista during the "cold" season,and the other two were taken in Porto Seguro, one is our lovely cooking utensils, and the other a picture on the night I had to leave for Salvador, Elder H. and I went running through the rain to say goodbye to a couple of the recent converts, (Maeco (or Falcão)the kid in black was the one baptized) It was a cool night, but a bit rushed to say the least.
Sept. 5, 2009
This was a pretty good week though unfortunately we haven't been able to do much in the way of work outside of the office, my comp Elder R. got Swine flu.. .just kidding, but he did have a pretty high fever and we had to lay low for couple days, and with transfers this weekend he got pretty busy as well. On my end of things transfers aren't so bad, I just pay the services to move people around here in Salvador, and give a short training to the new missionaries and their trainers.
I guess I'll get to the questions first...
The ward here in Rio Vermelho is pretty good sized, something like 150 in sacrament meeting, and as such is much different than any other ward I've been a part of here on the mission. It’s really quite different the way the missionary work is going here in the ward, the bishop is really in to supporting the missionaries and the recent converts which is pretty sweet, and he is working at getting the inactive young guys active, ordained and working towards going on a mission. The missionary leader in the ward is into supporting the missionaries as well and to top it off, I have never seen so many people trying to feed us lunch as I have here. The only problem is that here in the mission office we really don’t have time around lunch to walk out to the member's homes to eat, and even working in the area falls at times when we have a really busy day. (like what seems to happen around transfers) But I think that once he (Elder R.) and I get into the swing of how to do things we'll speed up the process and be able to get out to work in the area.
The weather here is pretty hot (I think, remember I'm in the office from 9 to 6 these days) and a bit humid to boot.
Yes I do get to meet the new missionaries and those going home as well. I also get to know a good number of those working here in Salvador as well. Another benefit of being in the office is that I'm in the district with the AP's and a good number of older missionaries and as such can learn from their experience, district meetings have been really pretty sweet here.
Am I in the groove of things?... getting there, chances are my trainer here will leave tomorrow night or early next week so I guess we'll see just how much I've picked up the beat here.
Sometimes we look for new places, but generally the missionaries in the field ask around the ward for someone who at least knows someone who is trying to rent out a house/apartment.
Thanks for the stake conference insight, I've been thinking a bit about the same subject here recently, and I was thinking about how in our lives (or at least in mine) we often have ups and downs in our spiritual progress, forward a little, stop moving or move back a little, forward a little more, hold still or move back a little. Times where we really strive to grow closer to the Lord, then we grow complacent/comfortable, or perhaps we let Satan deceive us for a bit, then we repent and move closer to the Lord again etc. In the ideal progression, we would always be moving forward, a constant state of faithful living or what you might call living entirely out of your comfort zone. I was listening to a talk a little while ago where the speaker (Cleon Skousen), talking about his mission and having describing how he thanked God for the wonderful opportunity to go on a mission, and to have, "all these scary experiences", and how you just never know what’s going to happen to you "but if you just keep working vigorously and pushing forward it happens." The changes we need and desire happen, if we focus just always striving to be obedient, make the necessary course corrections, and to always move forward, the Lord will lead us in His way. Perhaps you might even say that the more comfortable we are, the greater danger we are in (in terms of our eternal progression).
I know God lives, I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior.
and my testimony I leave with you all in the name of Jesus Christ, amém.
This was a pretty good week though unfortunately we haven't been able to do much in the way of work outside of the office, my comp Elder R. got Swine flu.. .just kidding, but he did have a pretty high fever and we had to lay low for couple days, and with transfers this weekend he got pretty busy as well. On my end of things transfers aren't so bad, I just pay the services to move people around here in Salvador, and give a short training to the new missionaries and their trainers.
I guess I'll get to the questions first...
The ward here in Rio Vermelho is pretty good sized, something like 150 in sacrament meeting, and as such is much different than any other ward I've been a part of here on the mission. It’s really quite different the way the missionary work is going here in the ward, the bishop is really in to supporting the missionaries and the recent converts which is pretty sweet, and he is working at getting the inactive young guys active, ordained and working towards going on a mission. The missionary leader in the ward is into supporting the missionaries as well and to top it off, I have never seen so many people trying to feed us lunch as I have here. The only problem is that here in the mission office we really don’t have time around lunch to walk out to the member's homes to eat, and even working in the area falls at times when we have a really busy day. (like what seems to happen around transfers) But I think that once he (Elder R.) and I get into the swing of how to do things we'll speed up the process and be able to get out to work in the area.
The weather here is pretty hot (I think, remember I'm in the office from 9 to 6 these days) and a bit humid to boot.
Yes I do get to meet the new missionaries and those going home as well. I also get to know a good number of those working here in Salvador as well. Another benefit of being in the office is that I'm in the district with the AP's and a good number of older missionaries and as such can learn from their experience, district meetings have been really pretty sweet here.
Am I in the groove of things?... getting there, chances are my trainer here will leave tomorrow night or early next week so I guess we'll see just how much I've picked up the beat here.
Sometimes we look for new places, but generally the missionaries in the field ask around the ward for someone who at least knows someone who is trying to rent out a house/apartment.
Thanks for the stake conference insight, I've been thinking a bit about the same subject here recently, and I was thinking about how in our lives (or at least in mine) we often have ups and downs in our spiritual progress, forward a little, stop moving or move back a little, forward a little more, hold still or move back a little. Times where we really strive to grow closer to the Lord, then we grow complacent/comfortable, or perhaps we let Satan deceive us for a bit, then we repent and move closer to the Lord again etc. In the ideal progression, we would always be moving forward, a constant state of faithful living or what you might call living entirely out of your comfort zone. I was listening to a talk a little while ago where the speaker (Cleon Skousen), talking about his mission and having describing how he thanked God for the wonderful opportunity to go on a mission, and to have, "all these scary experiences", and how you just never know what’s going to happen to you "but if you just keep working vigorously and pushing forward it happens." The changes we need and desire happen, if we focus just always striving to be obedient, make the necessary course corrections, and to always move forward, the Lord will lead us in His way. Perhaps you might even say that the more comfortable we are, the greater danger we are in (in terms of our eternal progression).
I know God lives, I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior.
and my testimony I leave with you all in the name of Jesus Christ, amém.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Aug. 29, 2009
Well, it’s been another quick week here in the office (I think it passes much faster here than in the field) and to answer your question, yes I do get a bit of exercising in, exercises in the morning have taken a step up and are happening every day as they should :) and at night we get to work in an area here close to the office and the chapel. Speaking of which we had kind of a ridiculous experience last night, Elder T. and I did a division in our area as Elder R. wasn't feeling to good, (flu like deal) and as we were heading back to the house, a group of guys (16-20 yrs old) called to us and one of them told us that he would go to church, (though didn’t really remember ever talking to him) and then one of his friends who was there started talking a mile a minute using so much slang I understood very little of what he said. At this point on the mission I feel like I understand about everything people say, but now here in Salvador I've run into several situations where I barely understand a word they say, (and that not always because of slang) the accent here in the capital is way different from the interior of Bahia.
Elder R. is from (drum roll) Rio Grande do Sul! and has got practically the whole office drinking chimarrão imagine a bunch of grass thrown into a wooden cup deal, with a crazy looking spooned out strainer straw deal, then add hot water, and pronto, you can drink chimarrão to your heart’s content. (Actually I don’t think it was Elder R. who started it here, but the drink comes from Rio Grande do sul)
The apartment is pretty nice, with probably the best shower heads I’ve seen/used on the mission, and as I think about it, it’s probably one of the best houses on the mission, but we may be moving here in a bit cause the landlord is jacking up the price wit the renewal of the contract. As for the count in the house.... 8 missionaries, but we're looking for another house for some of them, normally there are the 2 secretaries, and those who are too sick to be in the field.
Duties... well about anything that deals with money, allowance of the missionaries, house contracts, bus tickets for transfers to and from Salvador etc. (and no, I most def. won’t be switching over to finance thank you very much)
What a great experience mom, I'm looking forward at going back to the temple for the Spirit that can be found there. I'd not really thought about how cool it is to have temples nearby until I look at the situation of many members here, driving something like two days straight (on a bus)to get to the nearest temple, I think I’ll have a hard time saying I don’t have time to go to the temple when I get back.
This week I was reading in the book of Jacob (great name eh?) and in chapt 4 verse 13 it says an interesting thing about the Spirit, how it tells us how things really are, and how they really will be, and I thought about how sometimes in my life I've let myself get a little muddled up as to what would be good to do, and what wouldn’t, but how I need to remember that things are quite divided, things are either good, come from God and bring us closer to Him, or they aren’t and they bring to us at most a temporary happiness and a greater gap between us and the Lord, and the Spirit comes in and helps us to see that difference, like the GPS in the Puida's car that reads out the directions they should go, letting us take our journey in the fastest way through "the most fertile parts of the wilderness" in this world. The question we could ask ourselves is, "How often do I see things (looking back) that I could have avoided had I only listened to the Spirit and not left His counsel behind?" Then let us go forth with a greater resolution to follow His guidance and promptings, letting us see things as they really are and will be, and leading us to true happiness in this life and the next. I know that God lives, that this is His church, and that the Spirit will guide us if we but strive to follow Him. In the name of Jesus Christ amém.
Well, it’s been another quick week here in the office (I think it passes much faster here than in the field) and to answer your question, yes I do get a bit of exercising in, exercises in the morning have taken a step up and are happening every day as they should :) and at night we get to work in an area here close to the office and the chapel. Speaking of which we had kind of a ridiculous experience last night, Elder T. and I did a division in our area as Elder R. wasn't feeling to good, (flu like deal) and as we were heading back to the house, a group of guys (16-20 yrs old) called to us and one of them told us that he would go to church, (though didn’t really remember ever talking to him) and then one of his friends who was there started talking a mile a minute using so much slang I understood very little of what he said. At this point on the mission I feel like I understand about everything people say, but now here in Salvador I've run into several situations where I barely understand a word they say, (and that not always because of slang) the accent here in the capital is way different from the interior of Bahia.
Elder R. is from (drum roll) Rio Grande do Sul! and has got practically the whole office drinking chimarrão imagine a bunch of grass thrown into a wooden cup deal, with a crazy looking spooned out strainer straw deal, then add hot water, and pronto, you can drink chimarrão to your heart’s content. (Actually I don’t think it was Elder R. who started it here, but the drink comes from Rio Grande do sul)
The apartment is pretty nice, with probably the best shower heads I’ve seen/used on the mission, and as I think about it, it’s probably one of the best houses on the mission, but we may be moving here in a bit cause the landlord is jacking up the price wit the renewal of the contract. As for the count in the house.... 8 missionaries, but we're looking for another house for some of them, normally there are the 2 secretaries, and those who are too sick to be in the field.
Duties... well about anything that deals with money, allowance of the missionaries, house contracts, bus tickets for transfers to and from Salvador etc. (and no, I most def. won’t be switching over to finance thank you very much)
What a great experience mom, I'm looking forward at going back to the temple for the Spirit that can be found there. I'd not really thought about how cool it is to have temples nearby until I look at the situation of many members here, driving something like two days straight (on a bus)to get to the nearest temple, I think I’ll have a hard time saying I don’t have time to go to the temple when I get back.
This week I was reading in the book of Jacob (great name eh?) and in chapt 4 verse 13 it says an interesting thing about the Spirit, how it tells us how things really are, and how they really will be, and I thought about how sometimes in my life I've let myself get a little muddled up as to what would be good to do, and what wouldn’t, but how I need to remember that things are quite divided, things are either good, come from God and bring us closer to Him, or they aren’t and they bring to us at most a temporary happiness and a greater gap between us and the Lord, and the Spirit comes in and helps us to see that difference, like the GPS in the Puida's car that reads out the directions they should go, letting us take our journey in the fastest way through "the most fertile parts of the wilderness" in this world. The question we could ask ourselves is, "How often do I see things (looking back) that I could have avoided had I only listened to the Spirit and not left His counsel behind?" Then let us go forth with a greater resolution to follow His guidance and promptings, letting us see things as they really are and will be, and leading us to true happiness in this life and the next. I know that God lives, that this is His church, and that the Spirit will guide us if we but strive to follow Him. In the name of Jesus Christ amém.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Mailing Letters to Jacob
Elder Jacob Pettit
Brazil Salvador South Mission
Rua Lucaia, 295 Sala 202-Bairro Horto Florestal
CEP 40295-130 Salvador-BA
BRAZIL
Brazil Salvador South Mission
Rua Lucaia, 295 Sala 202-Bairro Horto Florestal
CEP 40295-130 Salvador-BA
BRAZIL
We haven't posted in a couple of weeks due to Jacob being transferred up to the mission office. This is his first "real" letter since arriving in Salvador.
Aug 22, 2009
Well, hello again dear family and friends!
Salvador is about as different from the interior of Bahia as you can imagine. Salvador is a good bit bigger, and you might even think at times that you are in the states... except everybody is speaking another language and the style of the houses in the poorer areas. (I'll see if I can grab some pictures some day here soon) I’ve only really worked the area one night though while I've been here, but it was quite a diff. experience. You go out into the streets, lots of cars, people in business attire, street vendors etc. Then turn a corner or two onto a side street, and it just gets narrower and narrower, until its little more than an alleyway (think about 3 feet wide at times maybe even less at others) and houses not only sharing walls, but stacked up three or four stories at times, (maybe even more, its kinda nuts) its kind of a maze, and when we went in there the 1st night, neither Elder R. or I knew exactly where it would take us, we just followed directions from some kids in the street. It’s a whole other world in there.
So why have we only been out once since I’ve been here, because I’ve been called as the new financial secretary, and the secretaries only recently began to have an area to work in. Its a bit of a different work as you might imagine, working in the office, and sometimes I think back to the "good ole tom's days", (especially because the last fin. sec. whose showing me the ropes reminds me a good bit of Kevin, weird huh?) I know the Lord has put me here for good reason, and I’m excited to go forth and do this the best I can. I feel I will learn a lot about responsibility, accountability, and diligence here, not to mention people skills at another level/angle, confidence in the language, a boosted Portuguese vocabulary in the formal and financial end of things and probably a good many other things that I won't notice the Lord has taught me till I’ve learned them. I was reading in the Book of Mormon the other day and had a neat little insight given to me, and to explain I’d like to just ask the question, how often have any of you seen Nephi say that he did something with occasional diligence, or with some force/effort? How about any of the other great Book of Mormon prophets? What about the effort required at Christ's hands to complete the expiatory sacrifice for our sins? In the same way, how can we expect to have faith like them, or have true desire to have it, if we aren’t willing to do the Lord's will with "all diligence" or with "all of our heart might mind and strength"? Just some food for thought that makes me think of a scripture in Luke 9:62, "And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."
I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior, that he paid the price that we could not, and that we truly need to always seek to do follow God's will, in the name of Jesus Christ, amém.
Love,
Elder Pettit
Aug 22, 2009
Well, hello again dear family and friends!
Salvador is about as different from the interior of Bahia as you can imagine. Salvador is a good bit bigger, and you might even think at times that you are in the states... except everybody is speaking another language and the style of the houses in the poorer areas. (I'll see if I can grab some pictures some day here soon) I’ve only really worked the area one night though while I've been here, but it was quite a diff. experience. You go out into the streets, lots of cars, people in business attire, street vendors etc. Then turn a corner or two onto a side street, and it just gets narrower and narrower, until its little more than an alleyway (think about 3 feet wide at times maybe even less at others) and houses not only sharing walls, but stacked up three or four stories at times, (maybe even more, its kinda nuts) its kind of a maze, and when we went in there the 1st night, neither Elder R. or I knew exactly where it would take us, we just followed directions from some kids in the street. It’s a whole other world in there.
So why have we only been out once since I’ve been here, because I’ve been called as the new financial secretary, and the secretaries only recently began to have an area to work in. Its a bit of a different work as you might imagine, working in the office, and sometimes I think back to the "good ole tom's days", (especially because the last fin. sec. whose showing me the ropes reminds me a good bit of Kevin, weird huh?) I know the Lord has put me here for good reason, and I’m excited to go forth and do this the best I can. I feel I will learn a lot about responsibility, accountability, and diligence here, not to mention people skills at another level/angle, confidence in the language, a boosted Portuguese vocabulary in the formal and financial end of things and probably a good many other things that I won't notice the Lord has taught me till I’ve learned them. I was reading in the Book of Mormon the other day and had a neat little insight given to me, and to explain I’d like to just ask the question, how often have any of you seen Nephi say that he did something with occasional diligence, or with some force/effort? How about any of the other great Book of Mormon prophets? What about the effort required at Christ's hands to complete the expiatory sacrifice for our sins? In the same way, how can we expect to have faith like them, or have true desire to have it, if we aren’t willing to do the Lord's will with "all diligence" or with "all of our heart might mind and strength"? Just some food for thought that makes me think of a scripture in Luke 9:62, "And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."
I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior, that he paid the price that we could not, and that we truly need to always seek to do follow God's will, in the name of Jesus Christ, amém.
Love,
Elder Pettit
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
July 29, 2009
Transfers came around a bit differently, and instead of getting an email on Saturday round noon, we got a phone call Sunday night, yeah, that makes for some quick packing if you have to leave the next morning. I stayed here in Porto Seguro, and am now companions with Elder S., from São Paulo, I've really been blessed with native speakers on the mission, really grateful for that, it really helps me out.
The work is progressing here as always, Glacia was baptized on Sunday night and will be confirmed this coming Sunday. She is a great woman of faith, and will be a great support to the branch here. Speaking of support in the branch, it’s a whole other animal working in this area where there is a serious lack of communication between the leaders of the various organizations, but we are working on getting a meeting each month with all the leaders starting with this next month. The Mission will also be holding a training meeting here which I hope will help things out. We have an FHE tonight with some of the members, recent converts and investigators which will be a good time , and even better was the fact that we missionaries didn’t have to plan it, we were invited just to bring/invite new members and investigators to it, and to bring some ideas of games to play.
In my studies this week I did a study on studying, (hope you don’t have to study that for too long to figure out I meant what I said and I said what I meant.... this Elder is serious 100 percent) and it was a great spiritual experience and reminder of the importance of really studying with the intent to apply what I learn, and to truly seek to answer questions that I have, and not just let them slide, if one does that he will miss out on many opportunities for growth and learning. I was also reminded to truly seek to be attentive to be attentive to the Lord's promptings in the street, and wherever we may be, to talk with people, no matter how awkward it may seem, they need it to be saved, and we need to share it as well, in accordance to commandment and on the condition of magnifying our callings and covenants as well. It truly is interesting to see how the recent converts, who truly did their part, repented and prayed to k now if the gospel was restored through Joseph Smith have the tendency to spread the gospel, without even thinking about it, and it makes me think of Lehi’s dream as he partook of the fruit, and his immediate desire was to call his family to partake of its goodness as well. Truly as we become more converted, and feel of God’s love through the gift of His son we will grow in our desires to share that love through the sharing of His gospel.
Well, I’d best be going, but I love you all, and know this is the Lord's work, In the name of Jesus Christ, Amém.
Elder Pettit
Transfers came around a bit differently, and instead of getting an email on Saturday round noon, we got a phone call Sunday night, yeah, that makes for some quick packing if you have to leave the next morning. I stayed here in Porto Seguro, and am now companions with Elder S., from São Paulo, I've really been blessed with native speakers on the mission, really grateful for that, it really helps me out.
The work is progressing here as always, Glacia was baptized on Sunday night and will be confirmed this coming Sunday. She is a great woman of faith, and will be a great support to the branch here. Speaking of support in the branch, it’s a whole other animal working in this area where there is a serious lack of communication between the leaders of the various organizations, but we are working on getting a meeting each month with all the leaders starting with this next month. The Mission will also be holding a training meeting here which I hope will help things out. We have an FHE tonight with some of the members, recent converts and investigators which will be a good time , and even better was the fact that we missionaries didn’t have to plan it, we were invited just to bring/invite new members and investigators to it, and to bring some ideas of games to play.
In my studies this week I did a study on studying, (hope you don’t have to study that for too long to figure out I meant what I said and I said what I meant.... this Elder is serious 100 percent) and it was a great spiritual experience and reminder of the importance of really studying with the intent to apply what I learn, and to truly seek to answer questions that I have, and not just let them slide, if one does that he will miss out on many opportunities for growth and learning. I was also reminded to truly seek to be attentive to be attentive to the Lord's promptings in the street, and wherever we may be, to talk with people, no matter how awkward it may seem, they need it to be saved, and we need to share it as well, in accordance to commandment and on the condition of magnifying our callings and covenants as well. It truly is interesting to see how the recent converts, who truly did their part, repented and prayed to k now if the gospel was restored through Joseph Smith have the tendency to spread the gospel, without even thinking about it, and it makes me think of Lehi’s dream as he partook of the fruit, and his immediate desire was to call his family to partake of its goodness as well. Truly as we become more converted, and feel of God’s love through the gift of His son we will grow in our desires to share that love through the sharing of His gospel.
Well, I’d best be going, but I love you all, and know this is the Lord's work, In the name of Jesus Christ, Amém.
Elder Pettit
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
July 22, 2009
Teaching before the mission... well, I think that teaching the youth has helped a bit, but maybe not in the ways I would have thought at the beginning. I think it gave me time to make mistakes before I came here on the mission, so that I might be able to see them and learn from them before I got here on the mission. Something I don’t think I did so well was knowing the doctrine so well as to be able to go through without having to glance at the material etc.
An interesting thing about teaching here on the mission is that in teaching the same general subjects we run the risk of just habitually teaching the same things until we even get to the point of memorized (though not intentionally) ways of teaching. And in this way we become very much like a tape player, hit play and the machine spits out the info. and if we aren’t careful, we can get to the point where we stop giving attention to new questions, examples and ways of explaining from the Spirit that would allow Him to teach more effectively given in the moments. And so it is key to know what you will teach, but also to leave room for the spirit to teach, we don’t actually teach anything, we could spit out all the necessary information, but until the Spirit brings the info to the people's hearts, nothing comes out of it. I've seen this in my own life, as I found I knew a bit about the atonement of Jesus Christ, in my mind I had a comprehension of what happened (Generally speaking) and why it was necessary, but as I’ve studied it a bit more, striving to learn "by study and by faith", the Spirit has taken the truths I had in my mind into my heart, and then they started making more of a difference in my life. I think I didn’t let the Spirit do enough speaking in the class as I taught, far too often, I just gave out information. Also I think I didn’t trust in the Spirit to give the things to teach before the mission, I would worry about freezing up, losing control, or having long pauses as I tried to catch up in my mind where I was teaching etc. but it’s something I learned to stop worrying about, and worry more about the preparation and letting the Spirit guide as the action unfolds. So em fim, I think it gave me time to make mistakes from which I would be able to learn from, and still am for that matter.
Recently I’ve been blessed to recognize some answers to prayer in our work here in Porto Seguro. Ever since the Zone Conference we've had a focus on finding men and families to teach, with the idea of bringing in a "core" of families and potential priesthood leaders here in the center of town. This focus along with our prayers have begun to put out fruits, and this week looking at our investigators we have yet to find a whole family, but we have found some great potential Priesthood leaders. We met a man in the street the other day named Steven who is 40 years old, and looking for the truth, we also had a man the other day who came up and asked us to visit him and his family (have yet to visit him, our appointment is set for tomorrow) and another guy also called us to his shop to speak a bit with us on Monday as well, who we visited last night though he unfortunately seems to be a bit skeptical about the idea of a prophet in our days. Another woman of great faith is going to baptized here on Saturday and her positive influence has gotten her mom and sister and almost brother in law interested along with her nieces, and their support could also help another family in the area we are beginning to reactivate. The Lord truly does bless us when we pray with faith, and act in patient diligence.
I know that Christ lives and loves us, that God is our Heavenly Father, and that this is their church here on the earth. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amém.
Elder Jacob Pettit
Teaching before the mission... well, I think that teaching the youth has helped a bit, but maybe not in the ways I would have thought at the beginning. I think it gave me time to make mistakes before I came here on the mission, so that I might be able to see them and learn from them before I got here on the mission. Something I don’t think I did so well was knowing the doctrine so well as to be able to go through without having to glance at the material etc.
An interesting thing about teaching here on the mission is that in teaching the same general subjects we run the risk of just habitually teaching the same things until we even get to the point of memorized (though not intentionally) ways of teaching. And in this way we become very much like a tape player, hit play and the machine spits out the info. and if we aren’t careful, we can get to the point where we stop giving attention to new questions, examples and ways of explaining from the Spirit that would allow Him to teach more effectively given in the moments. And so it is key to know what you will teach, but also to leave room for the spirit to teach, we don’t actually teach anything, we could spit out all the necessary information, but until the Spirit brings the info to the people's hearts, nothing comes out of it. I've seen this in my own life, as I found I knew a bit about the atonement of Jesus Christ, in my mind I had a comprehension of what happened (Generally speaking) and why it was necessary, but as I’ve studied it a bit more, striving to learn "by study and by faith", the Spirit has taken the truths I had in my mind into my heart, and then they started making more of a difference in my life. I think I didn’t let the Spirit do enough speaking in the class as I taught, far too often, I just gave out information. Also I think I didn’t trust in the Spirit to give the things to teach before the mission, I would worry about freezing up, losing control, or having long pauses as I tried to catch up in my mind where I was teaching etc. but it’s something I learned to stop worrying about, and worry more about the preparation and letting the Spirit guide as the action unfolds. So em fim, I think it gave me time to make mistakes from which I would be able to learn from, and still am for that matter.
Recently I’ve been blessed to recognize some answers to prayer in our work here in Porto Seguro. Ever since the Zone Conference we've had a focus on finding men and families to teach, with the idea of bringing in a "core" of families and potential priesthood leaders here in the center of town. This focus along with our prayers have begun to put out fruits, and this week looking at our investigators we have yet to find a whole family, but we have found some great potential Priesthood leaders. We met a man in the street the other day named Steven who is 40 years old, and looking for the truth, we also had a man the other day who came up and asked us to visit him and his family (have yet to visit him, our appointment is set for tomorrow) and another guy also called us to his shop to speak a bit with us on Monday as well, who we visited last night though he unfortunately seems to be a bit skeptical about the idea of a prophet in our days. Another woman of great faith is going to baptized here on Saturday and her positive influence has gotten her mom and sister and almost brother in law interested along with her nieces, and their support could also help another family in the area we are beginning to reactivate. The Lord truly does bless us when we pray with faith, and act in patient diligence.
I know that Christ lives and loves us, that God is our Heavenly Father, and that this is their church here on the earth. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amém.
Elder Jacob Pettit
Thursday, July 16, 2009
July 15, 2009
Well, this week's big news.... guess I’ll start with today and explain the my first music thing, Elder Schreiner and I went to a in home recording studio today, and after talking with the guy a bit (Elder S. has a lot of interest in the whole music recording deal) about how we and a couple other missionaries would like to have a jam session some day. He was open to the idea, but didn’t have the equipment outside of the drums, acoustic guitar, and mics. so it won’t happen, but Elder S asked if I could record a little song with the acoustic he had there, and he agreed, so I went in, recorded this little dealio, it doesn’t have an end really, and it was just a quick little go, but I thought it turned out kinda cool, still needs work, including words, but hope you enjoy it :).
Big news from Vitoria da Conquista, I heard that a woman (Redilane) we were teaching is going to get baptized here in a little bit (this weekend I think) Also on the order of big things, met President Vecchi on Monday, he is really easy to get to know, already in the 1st interview with him after the conference I feel like I’ve known him alot longer than an hour or two at the pulpit and a quick interview. He has a son serving in New Jersey speaking Spanish and brought his other three kids here on the mission with him.
The work here with that family we met on my birthday unfortunately hasn’t brought any fruits yet, we haven’t been able to get in contact with the mom and Daughter, and after one visit with the grandpa, (Sinaldo) he decided to listen to the words of others and not trust in God, reading the book of Mormon and praying to know of its truthfulness. He had to work on Sunday so he didn’t come to sacrament and so we called him on Tuesday to follow up on the reading etc. and as he spoke of how he already has his bible, and how he is already evangelical, baptized 5 years, happy where he is, etc. I felt like someone kicked me in the stomach. Here on the mission we get to see the Lord work, but we also see the opposition of Satan at work as well. Whether through the influence of other people speaking lies about the church with ignorance on the part of the teller and the hearer, tendencies of procrastination, the fear of not staying firm in the gospel, not having enough knowledge to be worthy of baptism, or the implacent view that God is in all churches and so it really doesn't matter which one you join or participate in. Satan is absolutely amazing at putting on a show for the masses to draw them in, to replace the Spirit with excitement, emotion, and mystery and lead them all to think these human reactions are the same thing. The prophecies of Nephi concerning the last days and the apostasy that would exist is in plain open view here. But in the midst of all this I still know that Jesus Christ is our Savior, this is His church, with a prophet led by revelation, that the gospel and authority needed to bring us back to the presence of our Heavenly Father was restored through Joseph Smith. I know that the Bible and the Book of Mormon hold the fullness of the gospel and that when we act in faith, the Lord does and will continue to bless us with a testimony of these things. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amém.
Well, this week's big news.... guess I’ll start with today and explain the my first music thing, Elder Schreiner and I went to a in home recording studio today, and after talking with the guy a bit (Elder S. has a lot of interest in the whole music recording deal) about how we and a couple other missionaries would like to have a jam session some day. He was open to the idea, but didn’t have the equipment outside of the drums, acoustic guitar, and mics. so it won’t happen, but Elder S asked if I could record a little song with the acoustic he had there, and he agreed, so I went in, recorded this little dealio, it doesn’t have an end really, and it was just a quick little go, but I thought it turned out kinda cool, still needs work, including words, but hope you enjoy it :).
Big news from Vitoria da Conquista, I heard that a woman (Redilane) we were teaching is going to get baptized here in a little bit (this weekend I think) Also on the order of big things, met President Vecchi on Monday, he is really easy to get to know, already in the 1st interview with him after the conference I feel like I’ve known him alot longer than an hour or two at the pulpit and a quick interview. He has a son serving in New Jersey speaking Spanish and brought his other three kids here on the mission with him.
The work here with that family we met on my birthday unfortunately hasn’t brought any fruits yet, we haven’t been able to get in contact with the mom and Daughter, and after one visit with the grandpa, (Sinaldo) he decided to listen to the words of others and not trust in God, reading the book of Mormon and praying to know of its truthfulness. He had to work on Sunday so he didn’t come to sacrament and so we called him on Tuesday to follow up on the reading etc. and as he spoke of how he already has his bible, and how he is already evangelical, baptized 5 years, happy where he is, etc. I felt like someone kicked me in the stomach. Here on the mission we get to see the Lord work, but we also see the opposition of Satan at work as well. Whether through the influence of other people speaking lies about the church with ignorance on the part of the teller and the hearer, tendencies of procrastination, the fear of not staying firm in the gospel, not having enough knowledge to be worthy of baptism, or the implacent view that God is in all churches and so it really doesn't matter which one you join or participate in. Satan is absolutely amazing at putting on a show for the masses to draw them in, to replace the Spirit with excitement, emotion, and mystery and lead them all to think these human reactions are the same thing. The prophecies of Nephi concerning the last days and the apostasy that would exist is in plain open view here. But in the midst of all this I still know that Jesus Christ is our Savior, this is His church, with a prophet led by revelation, that the gospel and authority needed to bring us back to the presence of our Heavenly Father was restored through Joseph Smith. I know that the Bible and the Book of Mormon hold the fullness of the gospel and that when we act in faith, the Lord does and will continue to bless us with a testimony of these things. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amém.
Mailing Packages to Brasil
Due to the increasing amount of packages that are being held by customs office here in Brasil, we again advise you to instruct your parents or close friends in that matter. Here is some important info (make sure you forward this information to your family/friends ASAP):
When sending a package, make sure you don’t declare a value superior to US$50,00. Packages with a declared value above that are subject to taxation of 60%. For example, if you send a 80 dollar package and it is held, the missionary will have to pay 48 dollars(approx. 96 reais) in order to retrieve it. Since missionaries only receive 100 reais (50 dollars) every two weeks this is not so easy, and this money is not reimbursed by the mission.
Also, when describing the contents, make sure not to use something that will withdraw too much attention. It is wise to write down “missionary supplies” instead of adding “clothing, cds, ipod, camera”. I advise you not to use “food” or “snacks” when declaring it, since any package that contains food may be opened for inspection by customs office, by law.
When sending a package, make sure you don’t declare a value superior to US$50,00. Packages with a declared value above that are subject to taxation of 60%. For example, if you send a 80 dollar package and it is held, the missionary will have to pay 48 dollars(approx. 96 reais) in order to retrieve it. Since missionaries only receive 100 reais (50 dollars) every two weeks this is not so easy, and this money is not reimbursed by the mission.
Also, when describing the contents, make sure not to use something that will withdraw too much attention. It is wise to write down “missionary supplies” instead of adding “clothing, cds, ipod, camera”. I advise you not to use “food” or “snacks” when declaring it, since any package that contains food may be opened for inspection by customs office, by law.
July 8, 2009
Well, guess I’m officially old now, that’s a big fat 20 in the age old numbering system. Hope Mammoth was a good time, I’ll always have good memories of Mammoth, camping, hiking and catching a fish on a single cast into the big lake on the way down from, well not quite lake Ediza where we stayed the last time, hanging out with cousins, sleeping in the loft, willow whistles out back, the dog that played soccer... and the list goes on. Thanks for the memories :)
The birthday was pretty sweet, with the addition of a not so smelly camelback on my back a new cd to listen to and the little blow out things that interestingly enough are called Linguas das songras (Mother in law tongues) here in Brazil, which we didn’t use so much as a way to celebrate my birthday as we did to celebrate when some accepted or completed a challenge to read the book of Mormon, go to church, or be baptized. Thanks to all who contributed to the Happy B-day :).
Also among the specialness of the day was a family (mother daughter and Grandfather) that we found that night who accepted the invite to go to church and to be baptized on the 18th of July on the conditions that God touches their hearts and they feel the church is true. Which if they do their part He will do so, that was pretty exciting. That’s something I would really like to do, is to see the progress of a whole family move towards and take the step of faith required to be baptized. Its interesting to be here in an area such as this where the church is new, and there is so much opportunity for growth, but the sad thing is, alot of this depends on the members as a whole, working together to bring their friends in, to welcome in the investigators and recent converts, to have the desire to magnify their callings. I want so bad to see this branch become a ward here, but I guess I need to just be patient, do my part, and trust in the Lord that if I do my part, rely on Him, and wait patiently, that it will occur in His time and wisdom, for His thoughts are higher than my thoughts, and His ways higher than mine. As for current investigators, they're running a little low, but I have great hope for this family we met yesterday. Outside of them we are working with the family of this a girl who was baptized last week, whose parents need to have to take the step of faith that in getting married, God will bless them. We also met another special family Glacie, her sister and brother in law (D'ajuda and Alexander) and their four kids, all of which accepted the challenge to read the BOM, go to church and prepare to baptized on the 18th of this month (outside of the littlest Alanna). We are also teaching one of the kids who went sk8ing with us and his brother and sister, we have yet to teach their mom and dad, but they also seem to have a lack of interest, so we’ll see what happens there.
Well guess that’s about it for this week, I love you all and know that Christ lives and loves each and every one of us, that this is His church and that The book of Mormon contains the word of God as does the bible and the other standard works of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amém.
Love,
Elder Pettit
Well, guess I’m officially old now, that’s a big fat 20 in the age old numbering system. Hope Mammoth was a good time, I’ll always have good memories of Mammoth, camping, hiking and catching a fish on a single cast into the big lake on the way down from, well not quite lake Ediza where we stayed the last time, hanging out with cousins, sleeping in the loft, willow whistles out back, the dog that played soccer... and the list goes on. Thanks for the memories :)
The birthday was pretty sweet, with the addition of a not so smelly camelback on my back a new cd to listen to and the little blow out things that interestingly enough are called Linguas das songras (Mother in law tongues) here in Brazil, which we didn’t use so much as a way to celebrate my birthday as we did to celebrate when some accepted or completed a challenge to read the book of Mormon, go to church, or be baptized. Thanks to all who contributed to the Happy B-day :).
Also among the specialness of the day was a family (mother daughter and Grandfather) that we found that night who accepted the invite to go to church and to be baptized on the 18th of July on the conditions that God touches their hearts and they feel the church is true. Which if they do their part He will do so, that was pretty exciting. That’s something I would really like to do, is to see the progress of a whole family move towards and take the step of faith required to be baptized. Its interesting to be here in an area such as this where the church is new, and there is so much opportunity for growth, but the sad thing is, alot of this depends on the members as a whole, working together to bring their friends in, to welcome in the investigators and recent converts, to have the desire to magnify their callings. I want so bad to see this branch become a ward here, but I guess I need to just be patient, do my part, and trust in the Lord that if I do my part, rely on Him, and wait patiently, that it will occur in His time and wisdom, for His thoughts are higher than my thoughts, and His ways higher than mine. As for current investigators, they're running a little low, but I have great hope for this family we met yesterday. Outside of them we are working with the family of this a girl who was baptized last week, whose parents need to have to take the step of faith that in getting married, God will bless them. We also met another special family Glacie, her sister and brother in law (D'ajuda and Alexander) and their four kids, all of which accepted the challenge to read the BOM, go to church and prepare to baptized on the 18th of this month (outside of the littlest Alanna). We are also teaching one of the kids who went sk8ing with us and his brother and sister, we have yet to teach their mom and dad, but they also seem to have a lack of interest, so we’ll see what happens there.
Well guess that’s about it for this week, I love you all and know that Christ lives and loves each and every one of us, that this is His church and that The book of Mormon contains the word of God as does the bible and the other standard works of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amém.
Love,
Elder Pettit
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
July 1, 2009
Let’s see, news this week, not really a whole lot to report, everything ran well with the baptisms this past weekend, and I had the chance to confirm Josecleia in sacrament meeting, something I hadn’t had the chance to do as of yet on the mission. President Vecch officially became the president of the mission today; I think we'll be meeting him on the 13th of this month. And as a parting goal Pres Silva challenged us as a mission to work for 1000 baptisms in the last 6 months in which he served here, and as the final count came in at 1018 we were all pretty excited about that, the Lord truly blessed us. Something I’ve been realizing more and more recently is just how much we don’t do in this work, and how it’s really just the Faith exercised by the people who accept us into their homes and the influence of the Spirit that works here.
A couple good stories this week actually just came to mind, We are teaching a great family, Heraldo, Niçi (pronounced knee-se) and Thais, and this week as we talked about the word of wisdom we had a mini fiesta as we gathered around the bathroom to watch Heraldo flush his cigarette stuff down the toilet, (now that faith in action) Thais will be baptized on Saturday and were hoping that Heraldo will continue in his faith and marry Niçi, you could pray specifically for that if you like.
Other than them, we are working with young man about 16 years old named Maeco, who also came to church last Sunday, and said he liked it alot. The only problem is that it seems as though he is a bit embarrassed about being baptized, could pray for him as well to have the courage to move forward in faith.
I really don’t have a whole lot more to share at the moment, but perhaps in sacrament meeting you could throw in a little something about how a person that a member referred was baptized last weekend, and how much the missionary work would explode in productivity if they would just invite their friends, co workers, barbers, fellow dog walkers, book-clubbers, family members etc. to come to church, meet with the missionaries, come to a church activity, or even just eat dinner with the missionaries over sometime. I know from experience that it works wonders when the members reach out to share the gospel, and I know that it will continue to do so in faith that Gordon B. Hinckley, who was a prophet of God, and as he so clearly stated every new member needs a friend, among the nourishment of the word of God, and a calling, and might I add that as another prophet has clearly stated as well (see PMG right after chapt 1 for his name, I forget at the moment), our very exaltation in the celestial kingdom depends on how valiantly we share the gospel with our fellow men, (and yes, that means women too:p)
I know this is God's work, I know Christ is our Saviour, I am grateful for the opportunity I have to be here serving at the battlefront for the souls of our brothers and sisters, and urge each and every one of you to look for ways in which you can spread the gospel, in order to help "save the souls of men from the intensifying wrath of the adversary." (quote from Elder Hamula's conference talk from Oct.) In the name of Jesus Christ, Amém.
Love
Elder Jacob Pettit
Let’s see, news this week, not really a whole lot to report, everything ran well with the baptisms this past weekend, and I had the chance to confirm Josecleia in sacrament meeting, something I hadn’t had the chance to do as of yet on the mission. President Vecch officially became the president of the mission today; I think we'll be meeting him on the 13th of this month. And as a parting goal Pres Silva challenged us as a mission to work for 1000 baptisms in the last 6 months in which he served here, and as the final count came in at 1018 we were all pretty excited about that, the Lord truly blessed us. Something I’ve been realizing more and more recently is just how much we don’t do in this work, and how it’s really just the Faith exercised by the people who accept us into their homes and the influence of the Spirit that works here.
A couple good stories this week actually just came to mind, We are teaching a great family, Heraldo, Niçi (pronounced knee-se) and Thais, and this week as we talked about the word of wisdom we had a mini fiesta as we gathered around the bathroom to watch Heraldo flush his cigarette stuff down the toilet, (now that faith in action) Thais will be baptized on Saturday and were hoping that Heraldo will continue in his faith and marry Niçi, you could pray specifically for that if you like.
Other than them, we are working with young man about 16 years old named Maeco, who also came to church last Sunday, and said he liked it alot. The only problem is that it seems as though he is a bit embarrassed about being baptized, could pray for him as well to have the courage to move forward in faith.
I really don’t have a whole lot more to share at the moment, but perhaps in sacrament meeting you could throw in a little something about how a person that a member referred was baptized last weekend, and how much the missionary work would explode in productivity if they would just invite their friends, co workers, barbers, fellow dog walkers, book-clubbers, family members etc. to come to church, meet with the missionaries, come to a church activity, or even just eat dinner with the missionaries over sometime. I know from experience that it works wonders when the members reach out to share the gospel, and I know that it will continue to do so in faith that Gordon B. Hinckley, who was a prophet of God, and as he so clearly stated every new member needs a friend, among the nourishment of the word of God, and a calling, and might I add that as another prophet has clearly stated as well (see PMG right after chapt 1 for his name, I forget at the moment), our very exaltation in the celestial kingdom depends on how valiantly we share the gospel with our fellow men, (and yes, that means women too:p)
I know this is God's work, I know Christ is our Saviour, I am grateful for the opportunity I have to be here serving at the battlefront for the souls of our brothers and sisters, and urge each and every one of you to look for ways in which you can spread the gospel, in order to help "save the souls of men from the intensifying wrath of the adversary." (quote from Elder Hamula's conference talk from Oct.) In the name of Jesus Christ, Amém.
Love
Elder Jacob Pettit
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
New Address
June 24, 2009
WOOOOOHHHHHOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
Man, p day today was pretty sweet, we ran into a couple guys skating on the street corner last night, and I skated for a few with them, then we marked to go to a skate park here in our area with them. Good times just rolling around on a board again for a bit, our District leader came out to our area too, and he, those guys and I had a pretty good sk8 session... just thought I’d get that out at the beginning, (and my knee was just fine, not a single problem, woohhooo!)
Well let’s see, yes I do feel that time flies by, its kinda weird to let people know when they ask that I’ve been here for ... 9 months today actually.
After a somewhat slow start here in Porto, the Lord is Blessing us and the work is picking up as we have found a family to teach, among a good number of teenagers, and have at least one baptism this Saturday. Elvani is a single mom whose son was baptized a while back, but with no one to bring him to church went inactive. She is a really nice woman, and is one of many who has strong catholic roots in her family, but with a heart open to God’s will she made the steps to go to church this past Sunday and to read and pray about the book of Mormon. When we taught the first lesson and invited her to be baptized on the 27th, she agreed, and her 10 or 11 year old son Guilherme said excitedly, "you're going to get baptized mom? Really?" IM happy for them and for the decision she (Elvani ) made to ask God, to act in faith, and to decide to be baptized, what a blessing that will be in her family. She also lost her mom recently, so we'll be teaching her the 2nd lesson here soon, and share the doctrine of baptisms for the dead, and more about eternal families. Man id be pretty happy to hear about her going to the temple.
I think working in Vitoria da Conquista has prepared me to work here, I learned alot more about working with the members and the leaders of the ward, and prepared me to bring several new ideas to try in this area. The area here close to us is small, and Elder S. has been working here for about 4 months now and as such is a little burned out, so we're looking at staring to work at another part of the area where almost all of the members live, but it’s about an hour’s walk, so to save time, we are only going to work up there with references from members, and then leave the members responsible to bring the people to church on Sunday. I feel that working with the members and recent converts truly is the key here.
I don’t remember if I told you guys that the church is really new here, about 5-10 years old, and it’s amazing to be kind of "on the front" here, one of the neighboring branches here just bought a house to use in place of an Indian school that they were using (did I tell you there’s something akin to Indian reservations here close by) it really is a blessing to be here serving the Lord, and learning more and more how to trust in Him, and to serve more fully and effectively. I know God lives, and loves each and every one of us, that He will help us as we strive to do His will, for I know the Lord giveth no commandment unto the children of men save he shall provide a way for them to accomplish the thing which he hath commanded him.
This testimony I leave with you all in the name of Jesus Christ, Amém.
The new address
Elder Pettit
São Benedito 27, Antonio Tito
Porto Seguro-BA
45810-000
Brazil
BTW here’s a great recipe I picked up from a sister in Vit. Da Conq.
Its cabbage, but done in a fancy delicious sort of way. ( I think she made it up)
Cut up enough cabbage into thin slices to fill a small Pyrex dish (it depends on how much of this stuff you want)
Fry with a little oil; Garlic, onion, green pepper, sal (a pinch)
then stick it all together (the cabbage and the other stuff) and let it cook on low heat (don’t add water, there is enough in the cabbage)
While its simmering (I guess that’d be the word) take four eggs separated into the whites and the yolks, beat the whites until they turn white (reads really strangely, but really, just do it) and then add in the beaten egg yolks. then beat in parmesan cheese (grated/that powder) I don’t know how much, but however much you think would be good,
Then put the cooked cabbage mixture into the casserole dish, and pour the eggs/cheese mix over the top.
Cook in the oven for about 10 minutes and.... tada, you have a tasty cabbage... casserole. Good stuff, make it, enjoy.
WOOOOOHHHHHOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
Man, p day today was pretty sweet, we ran into a couple guys skating on the street corner last night, and I skated for a few with them, then we marked to go to a skate park here in our area with them. Good times just rolling around on a board again for a bit, our District leader came out to our area too, and he, those guys and I had a pretty good sk8 session... just thought I’d get that out at the beginning, (and my knee was just fine, not a single problem, woohhooo!)
Well let’s see, yes I do feel that time flies by, its kinda weird to let people know when they ask that I’ve been here for ... 9 months today actually.
After a somewhat slow start here in Porto, the Lord is Blessing us and the work is picking up as we have found a family to teach, among a good number of teenagers, and have at least one baptism this Saturday. Elvani is a single mom whose son was baptized a while back, but with no one to bring him to church went inactive. She is a really nice woman, and is one of many who has strong catholic roots in her family, but with a heart open to God’s will she made the steps to go to church this past Sunday and to read and pray about the book of Mormon. When we taught the first lesson and invited her to be baptized on the 27th, she agreed, and her 10 or 11 year old son Guilherme said excitedly, "you're going to get baptized mom? Really?" IM happy for them and for the decision she (Elvani ) made to ask God, to act in faith, and to decide to be baptized, what a blessing that will be in her family. She also lost her mom recently, so we'll be teaching her the 2nd lesson here soon, and share the doctrine of baptisms for the dead, and more about eternal families. Man id be pretty happy to hear about her going to the temple.
I think working in Vitoria da Conquista has prepared me to work here, I learned alot more about working with the members and the leaders of the ward, and prepared me to bring several new ideas to try in this area. The area here close to us is small, and Elder S. has been working here for about 4 months now and as such is a little burned out, so we're looking at staring to work at another part of the area where almost all of the members live, but it’s about an hour’s walk, so to save time, we are only going to work up there with references from members, and then leave the members responsible to bring the people to church on Sunday. I feel that working with the members and recent converts truly is the key here.
I don’t remember if I told you guys that the church is really new here, about 5-10 years old, and it’s amazing to be kind of "on the front" here, one of the neighboring branches here just bought a house to use in place of an Indian school that they were using (did I tell you there’s something akin to Indian reservations here close by) it really is a blessing to be here serving the Lord, and learning more and more how to trust in Him, and to serve more fully and effectively. I know God lives, and loves each and every one of us, that He will help us as we strive to do His will, for I know the Lord giveth no commandment unto the children of men save he shall provide a way for them to accomplish the thing which he hath commanded him.
This testimony I leave with you all in the name of Jesus Christ, Amém.
The new address
Elder Pettit
São Benedito 27, Antonio Tito
Porto Seguro-BA
45810-000
Brazil
BTW here’s a great recipe I picked up from a sister in Vit. Da Conq.
Its cabbage, but done in a fancy delicious sort of way. ( I think she made it up)
Cut up enough cabbage into thin slices to fill a small Pyrex dish (it depends on how much of this stuff you want)
Fry with a little oil; Garlic, onion, green pepper, sal (a pinch)
then stick it all together (the cabbage and the other stuff) and let it cook on low heat (don’t add water, there is enough in the cabbage)
While its simmering (I guess that’d be the word) take four eggs separated into the whites and the yolks, beat the whites until they turn white (reads really strangely, but really, just do it) and then add in the beaten egg yolks. then beat in parmesan cheese (grated/that powder) I don’t know how much, but however much you think would be good,
Then put the cooked cabbage mixture into the casserole dish, and pour the eggs/cheese mix over the top.
Cook in the oven for about 10 minutes and.... tada, you have a tasty cabbage... casserole. Good stuff, make it, enjoy.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
June 17, 2009
Traveling to Porto Seguro was pretty cool, I left about 6 30 in the morning and got here about 2 in the afternoon. It was a beautiful area we passed through, and with the weather being cooler and rainy in the heights where Vit. da Conquista resides, traveling to the hotter lowlands I got to see a good bit of misty topped hills, all in all very cool, I snagged some pics, though won’t know if they really came out yet. I’ll try to send some your way in a bit.
As of yet there’s not a whole lot of tourists though it seems they’ll get here in the next month or so. Not too excited about that to tell you the truth, but tudo bem.
Let’s see, had a great last week in the area in Conquista, I’m def. going to miss some good people there. Here in Porto Seguro there is only a branch, but I’m really excited to work here with Elder Schreiner, who is from Porto Alegre, looks like an American, and probably speaks better English then I do Portuguese. I met the president of the branch yesterday, or Monday actually, and he seems like a great leader for this branch, supports the missionary work and seems to care about the members. Yesterday we had a great experience with a partially less active family in the branch. A sister passed away early this week and we passed by to see if we could help, and to leave the message of the plan of Salvation if it seemed right. What a great experience it was, the spirit testified strongly to the family there and to me as well, of the truthfulness and the true comfort that we have in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, including the knowledge of what happens to after we die, where we were before we came to earth, and for those of us still here, why we are here. I know that the gospel was restored through the prophet Joseph Smith, that our families can be sealed such that we can be together for time and all eternity if we but live faithfully to the sacred covenents we make in the temple, and I know that this is possible only by way of Our heavenly Father's love for us, in sending His only begotten son Jesus Christ, in whose sacred name I leave this testimony, Amém.
Elder Pettit
Traveling to Porto Seguro was pretty cool, I left about 6 30 in the morning and got here about 2 in the afternoon. It was a beautiful area we passed through, and with the weather being cooler and rainy in the heights where Vit. da Conquista resides, traveling to the hotter lowlands I got to see a good bit of misty topped hills, all in all very cool, I snagged some pics, though won’t know if they really came out yet. I’ll try to send some your way in a bit.
As of yet there’s not a whole lot of tourists though it seems they’ll get here in the next month or so. Not too excited about that to tell you the truth, but tudo bem.
Let’s see, had a great last week in the area in Conquista, I’m def. going to miss some good people there. Here in Porto Seguro there is only a branch, but I’m really excited to work here with Elder Schreiner, who is from Porto Alegre, looks like an American, and probably speaks better English then I do Portuguese. I met the president of the branch yesterday, or Monday actually, and he seems like a great leader for this branch, supports the missionary work and seems to care about the members. Yesterday we had a great experience with a partially less active family in the branch. A sister passed away early this week and we passed by to see if we could help, and to leave the message of the plan of Salvation if it seemed right. What a great experience it was, the spirit testified strongly to the family there and to me as well, of the truthfulness and the true comfort that we have in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, including the knowledge of what happens to after we die, where we were before we came to earth, and for those of us still here, why we are here. I know that the gospel was restored through the prophet Joseph Smith, that our families can be sealed such that we can be together for time and all eternity if we but live faithfully to the sacred covenents we make in the temple, and I know that this is possible only by way of Our heavenly Father's love for us, in sending His only begotten son Jesus Christ, in whose sacred name I leave this testimony, Amém.
Elder Pettit
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
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