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
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
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
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