July 7, 2010
Well, well, well indeed, interesting how I got one day older today but everybody seems o be making a big deal... I got the package and really enjoyed it, thanks for the talks and a special thanks to Elizabeth for the birthday brownies!! Amazing how good they taste after having gone so long without them. I really enjoyed and am trying to apply the principles in that talk about excellence, trying to do excellent work sure does get tiring and it takes a good bit of self control, but its worth it and its all we can acceptably give in this the work of the Lord. The interior of Bahia.... its good, and this city in and of itself is pretty big. As is the ward, (did I mention its getting pretty close to dividing?) The interior means lower education (usually) wooden shacks are more common, and we have a greater chance of running into bizarre food at lunch. (I had cow's tail the other day, imagine a backbone looking thing with a really fatty meat wrapped around it... mmmm mmmm, it wasn't too bad to tell you the truth)
Our teaching group is wearing a little thin at the moment but we met a man yesterday who seems ready for the gospel. He just got into town after years working out on a farm. He had great plans to buy a house and start a new life here with his ten year old daughter but he met with some difficulties and temptations and unfortunately spent that which he had on that which he truly didn't want or need. I hope that he will accept the gospel and find the happiness we all seek where it truly exists, in the gospel of Jesus Christ as restored through Joseph Smith. Delile, that lady who just showed up at church one night a bit before english class, is progressing and is eager to share the gospel with her family though unfortunately no one else seems to have really picked up on her excitement yet. Though in saying that it also seems like her step dad is not a big fan of Maristella (Deliles mom) going to church. We hope to resolve that though he stays in the other room when we visit and seems petty shut as far as conversation goes.
I know this is God's work and that Christ is our Savior. In the name of Jesus Chirst, Amém.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
June 16, 2010
Transfers will be next week. Monica was baptized his past week and her son Caiu will be baptized this coming Saturday. We are also helping an inactive mom come back to church and then we will baptize her son. We had what you might call an iceburg moment Monday night as she really opened up and finally told us about the problems she has had in her life, her true desire to go back to church, her worries and doubts and her desire to be a faithful follower of Christ. Her words made me think of just how much Satan uses doubt as a tool in our lives. How he also tries to stop us from beginning something great with thoughts and feelings of I'll never make it to the end, or I'm not worthy. That’s the importance of a firm foundation of Christ, if we are faithful, we can have the hope that we will be able to do our part and that God will do His if we continue acting in accordance with His will. Interesting to think of big buildings, there is usually a lot more material in the foundation under the ground then there is above...
I've been studying Humility read a scripture that I'd never seen in this light before. King Benjamin in the 4th (think) chapter of Mosiah tells us that we can remain humble through prayer and that the pure love of Christ is one of the blessings we receive as we humble ourselves. If we want to be humble we need to work on having fervent thankful prayers and if we want to be full of Charity we will need to be humble.
June 23, 2010
I was transferred this morning at 1 am, it was a long night/morning and I am now in Itabuna, area São Caetano. The transferencial cleaning has begun and once it’s done the house will be really nice which is always a plus...
I would have been happy staying in Amaralina as I really came to be friends with so many there and the way the work was progressing, it was easily one of my favorite areas on the mission and also one where I learned the most.
Elder N. is my new comp here. I am really looking forward to working with him and helping the Lord's work move on here in this city and a neighboring city called Jequié.
Don't have a whole lot of time today though as we will be having a meeting with the Mission leader here in a little bit but I love you all and will send more next week.
Love,
Elder Pettit
Transfers will be next week. Monica was baptized his past week and her son Caiu will be baptized this coming Saturday. We are also helping an inactive mom come back to church and then we will baptize her son. We had what you might call an iceburg moment Monday night as she really opened up and finally told us about the problems she has had in her life, her true desire to go back to church, her worries and doubts and her desire to be a faithful follower of Christ. Her words made me think of just how much Satan uses doubt as a tool in our lives. How he also tries to stop us from beginning something great with thoughts and feelings of I'll never make it to the end, or I'm not worthy. That’s the importance of a firm foundation of Christ, if we are faithful, we can have the hope that we will be able to do our part and that God will do His if we continue acting in accordance with His will. Interesting to think of big buildings, there is usually a lot more material in the foundation under the ground then there is above...
I've been studying Humility read a scripture that I'd never seen in this light before. King Benjamin in the 4th (think) chapter of Mosiah tells us that we can remain humble through prayer and that the pure love of Christ is one of the blessings we receive as we humble ourselves. If we want to be humble we need to work on having fervent thankful prayers and if we want to be full of Charity we will need to be humble.
June 23, 2010
I was transferred this morning at 1 am, it was a long night/morning and I am now in Itabuna, area São Caetano. The transferencial cleaning has begun and once it’s done the house will be really nice which is always a plus...
I would have been happy staying in Amaralina as I really came to be friends with so many there and the way the work was progressing, it was easily one of my favorite areas on the mission and also one where I learned the most.
Elder N. is my new comp here. I am really looking forward to working with him and helping the Lord's work move on here in this city and a neighboring city called Jequié.
Don't have a whole lot of time today though as we will be having a meeting with the Mission leader here in a little bit but I love you all and will send more next week.
Love,
Elder Pettit
Friday, June 11, 2010
June 9, 2010
I think I'll be transferred this next time around, we are on week 5 of 6 here in the transfer.
The work is going well, though Carlitos and Dorita didn't go to church this last Sunday. We talked to Dorita and she told us how she has started reading the Book of Mormon from the beginning though and how she feels a "homesick" for church when she does. Her grandson Carlitos was also progressing well last week but then it seems he got a girlfriend who is drawing him away from the gospel we'll be fighting to help him this week but we don't seem to be able to find him at home anymore.
We have been blessed with a mother and her two kids being interested in the gospel though. Monica is going to be interviewed tonight and has a date set for this Friday. She has been coming to church alone these past two weeks and is excited for her baptism. We will be baptizing her eight year old son next week as well. Her little daughter Clara is probably the cutest little four year old I've ever seen btw.
Sunday night we also got to know another lady named Roseangela who is quite interested in getting to know the church as well. She had been going to several churches at varying points in her life but had left them behind as she found things that she didn't think were right. It's always a great experience to be lead to people who truly want to know more about the gospel, those who the Lord is preparing.
I know this is God's work, that Christ is our Savior and that they love each and every one of us. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amém.
Elder Pettit
I think I'll be transferred this next time around, we are on week 5 of 6 here in the transfer.
The work is going well, though Carlitos and Dorita didn't go to church this last Sunday. We talked to Dorita and she told us how she has started reading the Book of Mormon from the beginning though and how she feels a "homesick" for church when she does. Her grandson Carlitos was also progressing well last week but then it seems he got a girlfriend who is drawing him away from the gospel we'll be fighting to help him this week but we don't seem to be able to find him at home anymore.
We have been blessed with a mother and her two kids being interested in the gospel though. Monica is going to be interviewed tonight and has a date set for this Friday. She has been coming to church alone these past two weeks and is excited for her baptism. We will be baptizing her eight year old son next week as well. Her little daughter Clara is probably the cutest little four year old I've ever seen btw.
Sunday night we also got to know another lady named Roseangela who is quite interested in getting to know the church as well. She had been going to several churches at varying points in her life but had left them behind as she found things that she didn't think were right. It's always a great experience to be lead to people who truly want to know more about the gospel, those who the Lord is preparing.
I know this is God's work, that Christ is our Savior and that they love each and every one of us. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amém.
Elder Pettit
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
June 2, 2010
Jey hey hey!!!
Just about done with the move here, our new house is pretty cool, the only problem might be when the ocean breeze comes in so strong it blows pillows off beds, papers off tables and brings in the corrosive salty air. (it also spins the fans turned off in the room, making me think of dad for some odd reason as I ponder the possible alternative energy solutions...battery powered fan which recharges itself while we missionaries are out and about as the wind turns the fan blades)
The work is going well, Dona D's grandson, (not the little one) but another one named Carlitos will probably be baptized on Saturday, it was kinda funny he was going to be baptized on the twelth but in the gospel principles class our Mission leader invited him to be baptized on Saturday and he accepted... We've also had some tender moments with the Marília's mother Claudia. From the very first day we met her she told us of a difficulty she has with certain things in her life, feelings she has trouble with but that with this time that we have been stopping by and leaving messages at her house, her reading the scriptures and going to church she is feeling changes in her heart. She is a very humble woman and has had a good bit of difficulty in her life.
This past week we were able to have a meeting with a member of the 1st quorum of the seventy (I think) Elder Godoy. He taught a variety of different things to us and we also had a meeting with President Vecchi. Something that stands out more and more to me here on the mission that was also mentioned in the counsel with President is the importance of having people take action and not just to receive action from others. The both of them also talked in sacrament meeting at church as well. We were blessed that day as we had a good number of investigators come, investigators that are truly interested in the gospel. Interesting how the common theme of the talks were on friendship even though they hadn't planned it out like that before hand. That is one thing this ward is in need of unity in friendship.
I love the Lord, this work and each of you.
Elder Pettit
PS: The internet access here is kinda different. It isn't common for people to have internet access in their homes so they have these little internet house where you go and pay between one and two Reais for an hour.
Jey hey hey!!!
Just about done with the move here, our new house is pretty cool, the only problem might be when the ocean breeze comes in so strong it blows pillows off beds, papers off tables and brings in the corrosive salty air. (it also spins the fans turned off in the room, making me think of dad for some odd reason as I ponder the possible alternative energy solutions...battery powered fan which recharges itself while we missionaries are out and about as the wind turns the fan blades)
The work is going well, Dona D's grandson, (not the little one) but another one named Carlitos will probably be baptized on Saturday, it was kinda funny he was going to be baptized on the twelth but in the gospel principles class our Mission leader invited him to be baptized on Saturday and he accepted... We've also had some tender moments with the Marília's mother Claudia. From the very first day we met her she told us of a difficulty she has with certain things in her life, feelings she has trouble with but that with this time that we have been stopping by and leaving messages at her house, her reading the scriptures and going to church she is feeling changes in her heart. She is a very humble woman and has had a good bit of difficulty in her life.
This past week we were able to have a meeting with a member of the 1st quorum of the seventy (I think) Elder Godoy. He taught a variety of different things to us and we also had a meeting with President Vecchi. Something that stands out more and more to me here on the mission that was also mentioned in the counsel with President is the importance of having people take action and not just to receive action from others. The both of them also talked in sacrament meeting at church as well. We were blessed that day as we had a good number of investigators come, investigators that are truly interested in the gospel. Interesting how the common theme of the talks were on friendship even though they hadn't planned it out like that before hand. That is one thing this ward is in need of unity in friendship.
I love the Lord, this work and each of you.
Elder Pettit
PS: The internet access here is kinda different. It isn't common for people to have internet access in their homes so they have these little internet house where you go and pay between one and two Reais for an hour.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
May 28, 2010
Hey Hey!
We had a meeting with president yesterday and another one with Elder Godoy (an area 70) this morning. As always they were inspiring and full of learning.
As a leader on the mission often times I would feel so unable to really help others who seemed to have either more experience etc. as I often I wouldn't see ways that they really needed to improve. Today we discussed "traps" in the missionary work. Ways that at times we work hard but have little results that come out at the end. We discussed specific measurable ways to evaluate teaching, planning and other aspects of the missionary work and how to evaluate where the problem is so as to be able to really help.
Afterwards Elder Godoy finished up reminding us about the importance of repenting, sanctifying our lives to bring them in line to the Lord's will, letting Christ's sacrifice take effect in our lives. How so often we in our lives and at perhaps a faster rate on the mission we may recognize a problem that we have, a "favorite" sin and we put off the repentance process.... With thoughts of, "oh, I'm junior and just have to follow my companion, when I'm senior and I really need to be in tune, I’ll change." then, after becoming senior and seeing one is able to be senior even with that little sin etc. one might put off the repentance for a bit further down the road..." And so on to Zone leader, than Return Missionary, Married man.. bishop.... etc Until it becomes deeply embedded into our character and as a result much harder to "root out".
May we all remember that today is the day to perform our labors, to repent, to prepare to meet God, before we come to that day, in which no repentance can be done and we will stand before Him to report that which we have done with the time he has gave us here on Earth.
I know God lives, this is His work. Thomas S. Monson is God's prophet on the Earth today. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amém.
Elder Pettit
Hey Hey!
We had a meeting with president yesterday and another one with Elder Godoy (an area 70) this morning. As always they were inspiring and full of learning.
As a leader on the mission often times I would feel so unable to really help others who seemed to have either more experience etc. as I often I wouldn't see ways that they really needed to improve. Today we discussed "traps" in the missionary work. Ways that at times we work hard but have little results that come out at the end. We discussed specific measurable ways to evaluate teaching, planning and other aspects of the missionary work and how to evaluate where the problem is so as to be able to really help.
Afterwards Elder Godoy finished up reminding us about the importance of repenting, sanctifying our lives to bring them in line to the Lord's will, letting Christ's sacrifice take effect in our lives. How so often we in our lives and at perhaps a faster rate on the mission we may recognize a problem that we have, a "favorite" sin and we put off the repentance process.... With thoughts of, "oh, I'm junior and just have to follow my companion, when I'm senior and I really need to be in tune, I’ll change." then, after becoming senior and seeing one is able to be senior even with that little sin etc. one might put off the repentance for a bit further down the road..." And so on to Zone leader, than Return Missionary, Married man.. bishop.... etc Until it becomes deeply embedded into our character and as a result much harder to "root out".
May we all remember that today is the day to perform our labors, to repent, to prepare to meet God, before we come to that day, in which no repentance can be done and we will stand before Him to report that which we have done with the time he has gave us here on Earth.
I know God lives, this is His work. Thomas S. Monson is God's prophet on the Earth today. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amém.
Elder Pettit
Sunday, May 23, 2010
May 19, 2010
We have yet to move into the new house though the time is not too distant when the long awaited move will take place. Elder W. and I are having a good time as companions and I really enjoy his sincerity and optimistic outlook. It hit me the other day that the one year and eight months mark is already coming about... really kind of weird to think about, time goes so fast.
Investigators this week, not a whole lot of new people to work with but Dora is progressing slowly but surely. She is an older lady raised catholic but after many missionary's efforts, her faith and God's goodness she is having what you might call a paradigm shift. Suane and Marília are undergoing some great changes as they submit to the spirit's guidance and have been sharing the gospel with their friends and neighbors. Marílias mom has also been talking up the gospel message as well and has already invited one of her neighbors over to hear the message in addition to having encouraged Marília to do the same. We are currently going about the separation process of João (Marília's dad) and his ex, he and Claudia have tried doing this before but there is an unfortunate catch in the law here in Brasil. If the husband or the wife desire to divorce, but the other one doesn't there is a somewhat lengthy political process involved requiring a bunch of documents showing this and that, in addition to having a lawyer running it through the judicial system, and going over to the soon to be ex partner's house to have them sign the necessary documents. if he or she doesn't sign them after three attempts (or something to that effect) the case will be reviewed by a judge... a rather drawn out process to say the least. Fortunately they have already been doing their best to start this process and have already gotten most if not all the documents, and just need a little push to help the ball get rolling again. Interesting how we happen to be teaching a lawyer at the moment... we are hoping that she will be able to help this issue come to a close.
Until next time,
Elder Pettit
We have yet to move into the new house though the time is not too distant when the long awaited move will take place. Elder W. and I are having a good time as companions and I really enjoy his sincerity and optimistic outlook. It hit me the other day that the one year and eight months mark is already coming about... really kind of weird to think about, time goes so fast.
Investigators this week, not a whole lot of new people to work with but Dora is progressing slowly but surely. She is an older lady raised catholic but after many missionary's efforts, her faith and God's goodness she is having what you might call a paradigm shift. Suane and Marília are undergoing some great changes as they submit to the spirit's guidance and have been sharing the gospel with their friends and neighbors. Marílias mom has also been talking up the gospel message as well and has already invited one of her neighbors over to hear the message in addition to having encouraged Marília to do the same. We are currently going about the separation process of João (Marília's dad) and his ex, he and Claudia have tried doing this before but there is an unfortunate catch in the law here in Brasil. If the husband or the wife desire to divorce, but the other one doesn't there is a somewhat lengthy political process involved requiring a bunch of documents showing this and that, in addition to having a lawyer running it through the judicial system, and going over to the soon to be ex partner's house to have them sign the necessary documents. if he or she doesn't sign them after three attempts (or something to that effect) the case will be reviewed by a judge... a rather drawn out process to say the least. Fortunately they have already been doing their best to start this process and have already gotten most if not all the documents, and just need a little push to help the ball get rolling again. Interesting how we happen to be teaching a lawyer at the moment... we are hoping that she will be able to help this issue come to a close.
Until next time,
Elder Pettit
Saturday, May 8, 2010
May 7, 2010
Howdy Neighbors!!
I wasn't able to write on Wednesday because we had a meeting with President. It was a great experience as always and I came away feeling very much inspired and ready to go forth and do better. Of particular interest in the meeting we discussed the need to do more as a mission. I think I already explained how the work has been changing in general here on our mission and at this point many missionaries are still working on bringing about that change in their work. One of the biggest challenges as a leader is not only being an example for others but also inspiring others, helping them to feel the desire to change, to do more, to "spin all the plates" increasing the quality and the quantity of work.
The Lord has been blessing us immensely this week. Last Thursday night we visited a guy we had contacted on Tuesday or Wednesday only to find he hadn't red and basically told us he didn't really have any interest. When we got to his house he was leaving to go buy something from the bakery (or something like that) so contrary to what would have made sense based on what he told us about his lack of interest, we marked to pass by a half hour after to talk a little bit better. When we came back his attitude was the same, but he told us that two girls had come up to talk to him after we left who asked him about us and wanted to know more about the church we were from. They had since left but as we talked in those few minutes with him, they appeared and we invited them to hear our message. The next night we went over to one of the girl's houses (Suane's) and her friend Marília came over with her mom. They opened up to us asking sincere questions and as with anyone who is eager to learn the Spirit taught them. The two girls went to church on Sunday had a great experience, (Marília's mom couldn't go because she was taking care of her husband, but she is reading the BOM) they will be baptized this next Sunday after church, Suan's mom has also begun reading the book of Mormon, the members are eager to help out and... well, life is good.
We also met another family (Grandma Dorita, her daughter in law Rafaela, and her grandson Juraci) who will be going to church on Sunday. Juracy has been going to church with one of the members from the primary presidency and he and his aunt will probably be baptized next week. It was pretty funny as we taught them this past Monday, Dorita has already been taught several times by the missionaries and feels that Joseph Smith was a Prophet so as we started teaching the first lesson she cut us off as we were talking about Christ’s ministry (or thereabout) and said, "tell her about Smith, about how the Mormons started, she needs to hear it!"
Afterwards she staring talking about baptism for the dead too which was kinda funny as someone who is just hearing the 1st message won't understand the need/the doctrine of it but it worked out and they are all excited to read the Book of Mormon and visit church on Sunday, Juraci will be participating in the Mother’s day program as well which could help his mom have a greater desire to visit church as well.
I know that this is the Lord's work and the diligence in obedience to the Lord brings His blessings into our lives. In the name of Jesus Christ, amém.
Elder Pettit
Howdy Neighbors!!
I wasn't able to write on Wednesday because we had a meeting with President. It was a great experience as always and I came away feeling very much inspired and ready to go forth and do better. Of particular interest in the meeting we discussed the need to do more as a mission. I think I already explained how the work has been changing in general here on our mission and at this point many missionaries are still working on bringing about that change in their work. One of the biggest challenges as a leader is not only being an example for others but also inspiring others, helping them to feel the desire to change, to do more, to "spin all the plates" increasing the quality and the quantity of work.
The Lord has been blessing us immensely this week. Last Thursday night we visited a guy we had contacted on Tuesday or Wednesday only to find he hadn't red and basically told us he didn't really have any interest. When we got to his house he was leaving to go buy something from the bakery (or something like that) so contrary to what would have made sense based on what he told us about his lack of interest, we marked to pass by a half hour after to talk a little bit better. When we came back his attitude was the same, but he told us that two girls had come up to talk to him after we left who asked him about us and wanted to know more about the church we were from. They had since left but as we talked in those few minutes with him, they appeared and we invited them to hear our message. The next night we went over to one of the girl's houses (Suane's) and her friend Marília came over with her mom. They opened up to us asking sincere questions and as with anyone who is eager to learn the Spirit taught them. The two girls went to church on Sunday had a great experience, (Marília's mom couldn't go because she was taking care of her husband, but she is reading the BOM) they will be baptized this next Sunday after church, Suan's mom has also begun reading the book of Mormon, the members are eager to help out and... well, life is good.
We also met another family (Grandma Dorita, her daughter in law Rafaela, and her grandson Juraci) who will be going to church on Sunday. Juracy has been going to church with one of the members from the primary presidency and he and his aunt will probably be baptized next week. It was pretty funny as we taught them this past Monday, Dorita has already been taught several times by the missionaries and feels that Joseph Smith was a Prophet so as we started teaching the first lesson she cut us off as we were talking about Christ’s ministry (or thereabout) and said, "tell her about Smith, about how the Mormons started, she needs to hear it!"
Afterwards she staring talking about baptism for the dead too which was kinda funny as someone who is just hearing the 1st message won't understand the need/the doctrine of it but it worked out and they are all excited to read the Book of Mormon and visit church on Sunday, Juraci will be participating in the Mother’s day program as well which could help his mom have a greater desire to visit church as well.
I know that this is the Lord's work and the diligence in obedience to the Lord brings His blessings into our lives. In the name of Jesus Christ, amém.
Elder Pettit
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