Show me a gray sky, a rainy cab ride

 (Elder Mackrory)

Hey guys, boa tarde!

Essa semana eu vi 4 fuscas, totalizando 1307. Muita chuva essa semana e o clima tava muito bom esses dias. Quase deu pra usar jaqueta.

Unfortunately we had a busy pday today and so I don’t have enough time as I would like to write this, and also I got carried away explaining how two engines of the same displacement can have very different levels of horsepower and torque. It was fun but in hindsight I probably should have spent the time writing.

Last pday we switched for Monday to have district pday. We decided to go to a really famous market in the center of the city called Uruguaianas. Not sure why it’s called that way, but it’s got some good cheap stuff. Just that we were dumb and decided to go on a rainy day and a national holiday, and so almost everything was closed. There were a few shops open and I got what I wanted, expecting to be transferred.

On Tuesday we had district council and Elder and Sister butters made French toast for everyone and brought real syrup. It was marvelous. Then we went to lunch at some recent converts house, and on the way there, we passed by an abandoned church building. Same old style you would expect, but really run down. This area had been taken over by gangs like 8 years ago and so the church just kinda abandoned it and the members have been going to another chapel since then. Super weird.

On Wednesday I had a bunch of meetings, one of which was cancelled because I was the only one to show up. Then we worked in the office and went home and had a super cool lesson about how church works.

On Thursday I taught English class again and then we rushed to a lesson with Nathalia with Jade participating. We talked about the plan of salvation and some other doubts of hers. It was a super cool lesson.

On Friday we went to get an ultrasound because my comp has a really big 2 centimetre cyst on his wrist that needs to be removed. So we went to do that and worked in the office and then went home to work. We found a super cool guy named Kauan that had been taught by the missionaries before, but then he wasn’t allowed to be baptized because he was a minor and his mom didn’t let him. Now he’s 18, living on his own and wanting to be baptized. So year miracles are real. Oh and also my flight plans arrived. I now know exactly when ill be home. So yeah, I'm an old missionary.

Anyway that’s it for this week, tender mercy is from the lesson with Jade and Nathalia. Nathalia had a really tough and common question, “Why does God let people suffer if He is just?” and as I tried to answer, a scripture came to mind, we read the story and I explained a little about the context, and I just saw her eyes go wide. I had barely even begun to “answer” her question when she understood the answer. It was a cool manifestation of the power of the scriptures in teaching doctrine.

Spiritual thought: Oftentimes we want specific “steps” for perfect living. We want it easy. And it is. One needs not look further than in the scriptures. No better example for a perfect life exists than that of Jesus Christ. You want a list of things that you need you develop in order to be more Christlike? You need look no further than the beatitudes. I find great peace in studying the scriptures. I know that they are the path to eternal life. Study them, apply them. Do not let one day pass that you don’t pick up your Bible and Book of Mormon and intentionally read and ponder. Your mind will open and you will begin to raise your thoughts to a higher level.

Sorry for the lack of photos, it was kinda busy and I forgot to take photos

This love is alive back from the dead oh, oh, oh

 (Elder Mackrory)

Feliz Páscoa! Ele vive!

Vi 2 fuscas essa semana, totalizando 1303.

This week was good, although a little long. As you are aware, we switched our pday to Monday so we could be with the district today. Last Sunday was super cool because it was Jade’s baptism. The water heater wasn’t working (it was completely removed due to some Rio bylaws about where you can and can’t put a water heater), and so the water was a little cold. While I was pulling the drain out, I mentioned that I didn’t think the water was that cold, and so she told me it was because I didn’t go under. So, I dunked myself, and sure enough the water was pretty cold. That night we had a stake music presentation in which I sang with the ward choir. One of our soloists was helping set up audio stuff so I jumped in on the solo just for rehearsal. Later, the soloist tells me that he would travel the next Sunday and so when the ward choir sings for the ward Easter presentation, I would sing the solo.

On Monday we had our normal meeting, except all the sisters in the mission were doing a pday together, and so It was just us guys there. We got tapioca and it was super good. I also had a meeting with our representatives at the MTC who gave me some good tips on how to help the mission improve our work with social media.

On Tuesday we left for lunch (it was confirmed for 12:30) and we got there on the dot. No one answered the door, so we called her and she was at the gym. She said that dinner was confirmed for 6:30. So we’re just sitting there at the waiting room of the apartment complex awkwardly, really confused at what happened. So we got McDonalds real quick and headed back to the office. Then we went to dinner.

On Wednesday we had a really cool family night again at Copacabana beach. We ate dinner and had some good talks about what one can do to study the gospel. He's super interested in learning more and wants to apply what he learns.

Thursday I finished reading the teachings of Joseph Fielding Smith and started on Harold B. Lee. We also had English class which went well.

Friday we had a super relaxing day because it was the first day that we didn't have an urgent reason to get to the office before 10. So we finally got to do personal study at home and in the morning which was amazing. That night we had a lesson with Erick about Easter and it really strengthened my testimony.

Saturday we also had a super relaxing morning with good studies. At the office I completely remodeled the way our mission does social media posts and this next week I'll put it into full swing. That night we had a lesson with Jade at her house instead of at the mall because she broke her foot working out. She called her cousin over to be there with us and we had a great time talking with the two of them about the Restoration of the Gospel and daily habits of conversion. When the lesson ended we ran home because it was raining and we didn't have umbrellas.

On Sunday we had a special presentation, and it all went very well. My solo went well and I was able to sing without gringo accent, so that's a win. Later we had the baptism of the man himself, Rafael. He has been investigating the church for about seven months, and was originally taught by Elder Kjar and Elder De Los Angeles. Rafael is seriously the coolest dude. That afternoon while we planned the day, we got a call from president informing us that Elder Patterson and Elder Dodge were robbed and were in need of new phones. So we quickly headed back to the office and prepared their new (old) phones and sim card. With all that taken care of, we contacted our referrals, studied, and had the mission Easter devotional, which was really good. I bore testimony of what Easter means to me and how it makes me who I am and who I will be.

Tender mercy: I feel like I speak pretty good Portuguese. However, it kinda messes me up sometimes because I know more grammar than I can apply. So sometimes I stutter. But I had a realization that whenever I intentionally bear testimony of what I am teaching, my Portuguese flows really nicely and I can express exactly what the person needs to hear. I've found recently that as I make a conscious effort to testify more in the lessons that they flow much better and the Spirit is much more present.

Spiritual Thought: Happy Easter! Yesterday was a special day that brings meaning into the lives of all who understand its significance. President Nelson taught: “It is the most important religious observance for followers of Jesus Christ”. The resurrection of the Lord promises hope, peace and joy to those who have none, new life to all, and higher meaning to the things He taught. There is true joy in pronouncing that He lives! And I testify that He does live! I invite all who read this to ponder in their hearts what the phrase “He lives” means to them. For me, it means the words of “I know that my Redeemer lives” in Portuguese.

1. I know that my Lord lives!

My sublime Savior!

Who lives and reigns over us

His voice calls to all

Who always prays before God

Watching over his children;

Who lives to support me

And to comfort my soul.

2. I know that my Lord lives!

And that he has great love for me!

While he lives I will sing:

“O Redeemer, Lord and King!”

For him I will give my life

I will conquer death;

I will prepare my place,

In heaven, which is my eternal home.

3. Who lives, oh, give praise!

And always exalt Christ!

Let us cry out, today, with fervor:

“I know that my Lord lives!”

Who lives to encourage me

To calm my anguish;

 My troubled heart, calm it

And inspire new breath

4. Who has counsel for me

And sends his peace without end;

Who lives to console

And guide me with tenderness!

Who lives, oh, give praise!

And always exalt Christ;

He is the Redeemer of the world.

I know that my Lord lives.

We were both young when I first saw you

 (Elder Mackrory)

Boa tarde meus queridos!

Bom, essa semana eu finalmente alcancei 1300. Como total essa semana, vi 2; o total sendo 1301.

Alright lets get right into it. This week went really well. On pday last, we got together as a zone to do nothing specific. It was good times though. Good stroganoff, good volei and good guitar. We jammed out to “Love Story ” and it has been stuck in my companion’s head all week. As a result, he constantly tells me how good the song is and asks questions like “What album is this from?”, “Are there any other songs from this album that are good?” and other things like that. He’s a budding Swiftie and I’m so happy for him.

On Tuesday we had a pretty rushed day at the office since we were catching up on stuff from the weekend. We had district council too, which tightened up the schedule. We had a district pizza party, Elder Butter’s treat. I annoyed one of the assistants because I was on a roll with dad jokes. That night we had a goated lesson with Jade, and helped her prepare for the baptismal interview. She’s basically a member already with the level of testimony she has.

On Wednesday we went early to the office for my meetings. EnglishConnect 1 and 2, followed immediately by Media specialists. We are debating the idea of getting professional mics to record better videos. During personal study, I started reading the teachings of Joseph Fielding Smith, which I’m realizing is a concentrated version of Doctrines of Salvation, also a really good, but long, series of books. So I’m liking it a lot. We had a cool lesson with Erick about prophets and then got ready to leave, when a couple visiting from Salt Lake wanted to see the chapel and wanted to practice the piano. He is from Salt Lake, and served in Spain, and she is from Peru, so we spoke Spanish the whole time with bits and pieces of English. It was cool.

On Thursday as we left the house, our doorman gave me a box! This isn’t outside of the ordinary as parents usually send their kids packaged to our apartment. This time however, it was mine. Last week when I did the division at Jardim Botânico, Elder Cayris was there doing a Division with the other companionship. He had some super sick cowboy boots, the kind they use on Brazilian farms. They’re not the high top American boots, and they had a cool design on the front. So I bought some online and they arrived! they’re super nice and I think they look sick.

Yesterday I had a crazy productive day in the office and pretty much got everything done that I had. So naturally right when I left, a bunch of messages came in asking me to do things. So it was nice to not have anything to do for 10 minutes. The mission is preparing me for parenting, I think. We also had a training for the Brasil area, where they introduced an AI assistant that has studied all the secretary manuals and the president’s manual. So they asked us to ask the AI before entering in contact with the area office. Super cool stuff, and apparently Brasil is the first area in the church that is trying this out. That evening we had the baptismal interview of Jade, and we had dinner with the young single adult crowd to celebrate. On the way home Elder Vieira still had Love Story stuck in his head. I don’t blame him.

Welp that’s all folks, it was a super short week.

Tender Mercy:

This week I focused more on reading the Book of Mormon. What I found is that I’m sleeping better, my other studies are more spiritual and more productive. I feel more immune to temptation. It was just a really relaxing week despite all that happened.

Spiritual thought:

God is a god of chances. He is forgiving. He gave Israel at least 1000 chances in the wilderness to go to the promised land before they softened their hearts enough to be led there. From Cairo to Jerusalem is a two week journey. 40 years divided by two weeks comes in just over 1000. So let us notice the chances that God is giving us on a daily and even hourly basis. Let us take the first chance and thank Him for all He has done.

Twenty stitches in a hospital room

 (Elder Mackrory)

Boa tarde. I was trying to think of a good funny/slang greeting in Portuguese this week, but I realized that the best hook is this: “Gancho”. Stay tuned for Friday's loucura.

Vi 4 fuscas essa semana, totalizando 1299. Também, eu esqueci de dizer na última carta, mas semana passada eu completei 600 dias na missão. O tempo tá voando. Hoje eu faço 20 meses.

Last pday was super cool, we started out the day with house cleaning and email responding. Promise I will get to everyone. We had our office meeting with president and we had a super cool spiritual thought by Elder Butters, speaking of our divine origin and God’s special love for us as not only His creations but as His children. Then we went to eat lunch at the mall, and crashed the next door district’s district pday (I’m pretty sure we were invited, if not, I’m sorry Elder Owen) and then we went to go get some overpriced ice cream and chatted about grammar with Elder Owen and Hayes. My ZL’s are lit. We parted ways after that, and they went back home to grab stuff for the sleepover in preparation for the division they planned to do after district council. Elder Hayes is also like a professional barber, and so he clutched up and gave me a nice fade. Half-way through the cut we realized we forgot the scissors at the office (again) and so I said screw it and I buzzed my head instead of letting my hair get more out of control. A few nights before I had prayed for the Lord to send me something to humble me, and so came the buzz cut. It’s ok, Elder Hayes did a good job. A buzz is a buzz.

On Tuesday we had district council, and half the people showed up late, which stressed me out. We got a lot of work done in the office and had a cool lesson with Jade in which we taught the Word of Wisdom. The Spirit was really strong and she agreed to live the Word of Wisdom faithfully.

Wednesday was a pretty normal day. Well actually it was pretty unusual since nothing strange happened. Usually something goes really wrong or really right.

Thursday I had a division with Elder Skidmore in the area that has the other 90% of Copacabana that isn't my area. It was super cool to spend the whole day finding teaching and serving people. At night we got Açaí and I went to bed early (on time).

Friday was quite eventful. And the events started at 6:45. I woke up, prayed, and got to my work out. Elder Sperry was with me getting absolutely shredded with some resistance bands. I then took form to do some tricep pull-downs on a band attached to a hook in the ceiling. When I went to pull down, the hook came out of the roof, and went flying into the back of my head. I guess I'm too strong. Anyway, there I am with my ears ringing thinking that resistance bands hurt more than I thought. Then I saw the hook on the ground. I put my hand on my head to feel it and just a second later when I looked at it, it was drenched in blood. That's when Elder Sperry goes “uhhhhhhh I'll go get some paper towels”. He comes back with some toilet paper and we put some pressure on the wound. After we got the bleeding came under control, the question then was what to do. So we decided to take some photos. We cleaned up the puddle of blood on the floor and got ready for the day normally. Back at the office we googled the nearest hospital and had our meeting to end the division. Afterwards we went to the bank and paid some bills. Then we went to the hospital where I got 4 stitches. The nurse said I was so bwave. Then the day went on normally. I made a bunch of jokes, purposefully misinterpreting the doctors advice, and saying that I wasn't allowed to shower for two weeks.

Saturday was general conference, and it was great, except I kinda had a headache. The stitches in themselves didn't hurt, but that night we concluded that I had gained a minor concussion from the hook as well. So I went to go lay down in the dark to listen to the evening session. Anyway an hour later I woke up in the middle of the last talk, acknowledged that laying down in the dark at 9pm is not exactly the most effective strategy to stay awake, and went to bed.

In the morning I was super fatigued and didn't have much energy to do anything, so we stayed home in the morning. I listened (staying off of screens) to the session I slept through, and ate a nice salad, since it was the only thing I wanted to eat. We watched the first session at the office, and then during it, some members from Mato Grosso knocked on the door asking if this was the temple. We talked to them for a bit and explained where the temple is and that it's closed on Sundays. So we missed some talks there because this couple would not stop talking. It wasn't even good conversation, just the weather and an unsuccessful “do you know so-and-so?” back and forth conversation. That evening we watched the last session with some of our investigators and some members at the chapel and shared our thoughts afterwards. It was super uplifting to hear the counsel of the living prophet. 

Tender Mercy: When I took the hook to the head, my head bled a lot. Except it didn't. It was bleeding quite fast, but as soon as we put pressure, the bleeding stopped. The photo of me holding the toilet paper to my head has a good amount of blood in it. But the toilet paper was still white. I don't think it's because I'm really good at putting pressure, or anything that I did. The Lord stopped the bleeding. No question about it. Heads bleed a lot and fast. Mine stopped bleeding almost immediately. The Lord protects His servants and those who are obedient to His commandments.

Spiritual Thought: Prayer… and charity…

Found this from the Bible dictionary on prayer:

“The object of prayer is not to change the will of God but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant but that are made conditional on our asking for them.” This conference, I felt a specific emphasis on charity, the pure love of Christ. Perhaps you noticed that too, perhaps that's what the Lord highlighted in my mind. One thing that I have learned about charity is that it is not something that simply appears inside of us, even after trying to develop it. Prayer is the way we can achieve the highest blessings. Charity is one of the highest blessings there are. Charity therefore must be asked for. Yes, we must still put in our own effort to develop it, but we must ask. Since then I've asked for charity in my prayers I have felt the Lord fill me with faith and hope and love and all good things, and I invite all of you to pray for charity as well, in all of your prayers. It will bless you as it has blessed me.

And the camera flashes make it look like a dream

 (Elder Mackrory)

Bom dia pessoal! Tudo certinho?

Essa semana se saiu muito bem. Eu vi 9 fuscas, trazendo o total aos 1295.

Last Saturday we went to the stake elders quorum activity to play soccer. There wasn’t enough people on the neighboring wards team, so I played for them. I think it was pretty close. We barely lost, the final score being 5-0. The next game was pretty good, and we lost again 8-0. To be fair, we were a skeleton team and the others were switching players like every minute. Our self-proclaimed team captain also wouldn’t let us attack, thinking that we would win if we just defended. It’s ok though, I didn’t embarrass my home ward. We then had a churrasco and chatted too much at the grill. People hate on dads for doing that, but its actually the life. That night a member dropped off 10 litres of Açaí because she had to buy a certain quantity to get free shipping, but she didn’t need the rest.

On Sunday we had a good time, our friend Jade who is on baptism date went to church, and sang in the ward choir. It wasn’t the most successful day as far as work goes, but my studies were really good, and we had a cool comp study with both companionships. House study is always better.

On Monday we went to buy things for zone conference, and it was so much stuff. Seriously insane quantity. That night we had a super cool lesson with Jade, in which she shared a cool experience she had in relief society. For her it was the confirmation she needed that her decision to be baptized is right.

On Tuesday we did the other half of the purchases, filling presidents car again. We rushed that night to ready all the things for conference the next day. Afterwards we left for a family night with a part member family on their beachfront property. What beach? Copacabanaaaaa. Super cool, and the message was super cool too. That night Brazil got annihilated 4-1 by Argentina. Sure would be embarrassing to lose so horribly. Not that I would know. That night we got a text from the ComeUntoChrist website asking us for 4 missionaries to help record videos for ads that will go all around Brazil. President advised that it would be best if I and my companion went.

On Wednesday we had zone conference and it was super good. We all got vaccinated, and the nurse who was giving the vaccines liked the messages and asked for a Book of Mormon. On the car ride home the uber drivers car broke down at, you guessed it (no you didn’t), Maracana. It’s a super famous soccer stadium that is famous for its super crazy atmosphere and crowd energy. So I took a picture and we got another uber. Now I don’t have to spend a pday there. That night we went to the temple with our recent convert Erick. He’s super cool.

On Thursday we rushed to get stuff done in the office and then headed to the Governor’s Island. Its a part of the city, not a private island for the governor of Rio. There we recorded videos for ComeUntoChrist.org. We taught lessons to member actors and they recorded their story. Super cool. There was a toddler that was super cute. He couldn’t stop looking at the camera. That night we taught Jade again at the mall and there was a flash mob with like 20 guitars and they were singing hymns bringing people to church. Super cool.

On Friday we spent the whole day filming at the park at the base of the Christ the Redeemer hike. Super beautiful park. At lunch I ate 4 lbs. Muito bom. That’s really all that happened.

On Saturday we went to the temple grounds to record. The chapel there is super nice and really picturesque. We went to churrasco for lunch at a place called Frontera. All paid for by ComeUntoChrist. I could get used to movie star life.

Sunday was nice, we didn’t have too many people at church, but we were able to do a good cleaning in our system. We literally couldn't do much more. The 9 day week, probably the busiest week of my mission, left us dead exhausted. But it was so good.

For such, I will combine by Spiritual thought and tender mercy. During the entire week, I was reminded by a scripture I read once in doctrine and covenants. I didn’t remember where it was or even any of the phrases that it had. But I remember the promise the Lord made to His servants. He promised (now I’ll quote the scripture because I found it), “For whoso is faithful unto the obtaining these two priesthoods of which I have spoken, and the magnifying their calling, are sanctified by the Spirit unto the renewing of their bodies.” The Lord promised that as I fulfill my calling, meaning do everything in my reach to serve with all my heart might mind and strength, I can be filled with the energy I need to do what is required of me. At the end of each day I felt tired, but during the day I felt not a wink of sleepiness, nor the slightest hint of tired. As I look back on this long week, I see how the Lord has kept His promise. And He keeps all His promises. There is no exception. He loves and cares for each one of His children. This I know because I am one of His children.