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
Saturday, October 24, 2009
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
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