Switch 'em up

Well we had a little accident.

On Tuesday morning, I was standing at the bus stop with my companion and all of his luggage, waiting for the bus. Well, a missionary called me and said that my companion wasn't transferred and it was me that was. The missionary that called me likes to joke around so I didn't listen to him. And so we got on the bus and went to Porto Alegre, then I got a call from the assistants that it really was me that was transferred. And so I had to go back, pack my bags super-fast and go back to the station in Porto Alegre. There apparently was some miscommunication. But for everyone to know, I was transferred to Pelotas, again, with Elder Bispo and the area Tres Vendas.

The area is good and the ward is kind and helpful.

We had a really cool experience with a member who was having lots of problems. She was starting to doubt that God was helping her and that she didn’t know what to do. And we didn’t know what to share with her to help her.

I heard my companion say, “Me ajuda” and then he opened his Book of Mormon to a random page and read two scriptures in Mosiah about faith and miracles. After he read them the member started to cry and my companion as well (I didn’t because I´m made of stone).

Two days later we returned and learned that a huge problem she had was resolved and that the aid was of heaven.

We are really excited to start working here and to baptize.

Falta só um pouco.

Elder Willard

Surprise, no Transfer

I am not being transferred. I will stay and the missionary I trained is going to Pelotas. My new companion will be Elder Bispo (Elder Bishop...hehehe)

I don’t know anything about him but I´ve heard that his cool. Vamos ver. He might be my last companion.

I asked the President to leave me here in this area until I go home; looks like he will do it. I only have 2 transfers left. 12 weeks.

It feels weird that I’m almost going home. I feel like I just got here.

The family that got baptized got confirmed and are all happy. They have a few questions still and some doubts, like why we believe that God has a body of flesh and bone. But we are helping them out.

Elder Murilo is really happy to be transferred to Pelotas. He´s already tired of the area. It’s been 6 months since I got here and there is still a lot to do.

Hope everyone is happy.

Elder Willard

Last week in Aguas Claras

Well the family that was baptized didn't get confirmed on Sunday. Apparently Dad had to work but we learned later that the wife Danny had visited some anti-Mormon sites on the Internet...we don't really know what happened but will do are best to get them confirmed on Sunday.

We didn't have much success this week, but it’s part of the work. Well, that's great that Frazier is going back to the mission field in Florida speaking Portuguese.

Halloween is not celebrated in Brazil.

They have a holiday to visit cemeteries to see passed away family members.

I think it’s my last week here in this area. I’ll be transferred for sure. Even though I asked to stay. Vamos ver.

Only 2 more transfers and it’s all over, and no way to go back.

Thanks for the help and support,

Elder Willard

Lost Kittens

The family got baptized and everyone is happy; they are excited to get started with everything as members of the church. They just need to build a house on the property that they bought recently in Aguas Claras.

All Sunday morning we had a thunder storm with lots of rain and when we woke up we heard a baby kitten crying outside on the neighbor’s property. My companion jumped the wall and grabbed him; he was completely drenched and very little. We grabbed a rag and wrapped him up with the heater on. We left him on my bed because we had to go to church. 

After church, the baptism and lunch, we got home and we heard the kitten crying again, and two more baby kittens we at our doorstep as well, his brothers. It appeared that mom had brought them to the front door to keep all of her kids together. We opened the door, picked up the kitten and his brothers and we tried to give them milk.

A few minutes afterwards, mom showed up wanting her kids back and of course we gave them back.

Mom grabbed each of them, one by one, by their necks and carried them home. Very cool.

We are really excited to be here serving the Lord and to help people come unto Christ to be happy and to have eternal life.

 It’s getting difficult to write, talk and think in English.

 All is well here.

 Elder Willard

Miracle

Yesterday at conference, a family that has been investigating the church told me the 19th of this month is no good. I got confused, “What do you mean, 19th?” and they said, “Oh for our baptism, isn't it marked for the 19^th?”

We had invited the family last week to be baptized but they didn't accept. But now they have accepted and want to be baptized this week on Saturday. It’s a conference miracle.

Beyond that super miracle, this week was normal. Conference was great, but on Sunday I got frustrated because we showed up an hour late.

On Sunday we went to lunch a little earlier than normal to be able to get to church before 1 o´clock. When we got to lunch we learned that the family´s car had two flat tires. And the last bus to conference left right when we got to their house. No bus, no ride, no way to get to conference on time. So we walked to the nearest bus stop and got a bus. When we got off the bus an older women got off too walking with a cane. It was irmã Maria, she saw us and got excited and asked if we were going to conference. We said yes and she said, “Oh good because I’m always scared to cross the street alone. Can you guys help me?”

I think the Lord made us late to help her cross the street.

But it’s all good here, we are excited for the baptisms and a new week.

Elder Willard

Worst week of the Mission (so far)

It has been the worst week of the mission because we didn't teach anybody, really nobody. I got a migraine which was terrible, and stayed home for 2 days, then we worked in another area for a day, then a service project. Then we passed 2 days trying to contact all of our investigators but nobody was home or was busy.

It was pretty sad but we are happy; it’s part of the work. I got the package a few days ago, THANKS MOM YOU ARE SUPER FLY.

I´m having some problems with my companion. It seems like everything has to be done his way which is tiring me out. I just let him make all the decision and I don't say anything. If I critique him, he shuts down and stops talking. But it will get better...I hope.

Yesterday I shared some of my peanut butter (that came in the package) with Marlene. She said, “Que delicia.” Brazil doesn’t have peanut butter (that´s good and cheap). They have some kind of peanut butter that is terrible and expensive.

I´m learning new things every day, and I’m learning that I don’t know almost anything.

Go back to the mission field Frazier

Elder Willard

Semana Farropilha

Rain, rain, rain.

This week was a holiday here in Rio Grande do Sul.

Apparently a long time ago, the south of Brazil, Paraná, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul wanted to separate from the rest of Brazil and be their own country, much like Texas. And apparently had a little mini war. But they ended up staying with Brazil. This holiday is called Semana Farropilha. Everybody walks around in their tradition `Gaúcho` clothes, eat barbecue, riding on horseback, dancing traditional `Gaúcho` music, and drinking Chimarrão.

But the rain pretty much destroyed the merriment.

Emerson was confirmed and received the Priesthood yesterday but it looks like he´ll get married and will move back to Canoas with his ex-girlfriend and be a member there. It’s great that he´ll be happy and get married and keep the commandments but...sad that he´s leaving.

We had the opportunity to work in another area last Friday and while we were knocking doors, we found a little old lady, who will turn 80 next month. She offered us food and shelter from the rain. She revealed to us that much of her family are members of the church and that she isn't. She also was very sad about her son-in-law who is dying of bone cancer. We shared with her how our families can live together forever and the importance of baptism. She readily accepted the invitation to be baptized and said that she would call a relative to baptize her.

It’s neat how the gospel cures us emotional and spiritual, if we let it.

I love you all.

Eat your vegetables,

Elder Willard