Video Games, you pass me a note

 (Elder Mackrory)

Boa noite gente!

Espero que a semana de vocês foi bem, a minha com certeza foi. Vi 9 fuscas, levando o total a 1393,5. Tenho mais uma semana para ver esse meio fusca.

What’s up guys! So excited to write once more. Today means that there are only 8 days left of my missionary service here in Brasil. It makes me very sad to leave this people whom I love so much. This week was unreal and fast. As I tried to remember last pday, if feels like it has only been three days, but when I remembered what we did, I had to think twice because I thought I was remembering the pday before last.

Last pday we stayed here in Iraja, and did a zone churrasco. As usual, my comp did the honors of absolutely killing it on the grill. We played a bunch of soccer, and I can see that my time playing with the boys on the street (who are way better than me) has made me way better than I once was. Goal goal goal goal. Good times.

On Tuesday we had our district council at the Ramos chapel for the first time this transfer. That afternoon both of our appointments fell through, so we basically spent the day doing online work, and it’s nice to have an area where that never lacks.

On Wednesday we visited a part of our area we hadn’t been to in a while, and had lots of success! We also visited a few members and that was really gratifiying and cool to hear their stories and get to know them.

On Thursday we had an awesome lesson with Luciano and Rubi, and we are so excited for their baptism this coming Sunday. They are so ready. Other than that, just more online work. For lunch we had to quickly head to the supermarket to grab some ingredients and so I grabbed some stuff to make a salad (lettuce, tomato, and onion) and then accidentally walked by the meat aisle and saw hamburger buns. So I accidentally bought them and accidentally made hamburgers for lunch. There was no salad for reasons I can not presently describe.

On Friday we were supposed to go to the temple with Jorge, but something went wrong and he wasn’t able to go. His day off this week isn’t on a day when the temple is open, and so unfortunately we will have to leave it to the next missionaries to take him. We managed to make a few phone call lessons in the time we would have been at the temple, so it wasn’t a wasted day.

On Saturday we were at lunch when we get a message from Carol that she’s on her way to the temple again! She’s super dedicated to temple work and doing her family history. That night we had our regular soccer with the boys, and I noticed that my confidence level was way up because of Monday's games. However, this still does not change the fact that I am the worst player on the team.

Sunday was a day of miracles! It didn’t start out great, since we had planned to chat with a friend of ours before sacrament meeting, but his bus was late. But then, two new friends showed up! They both loved the meeting and said they will come again. We had an awesome lunch, in which the tv was playing the remake of Jumanji with the Rock. We ate while the movie continued to play, and at the end of lunch, which happened to be the end of the movie as well, I shared a message based on the movie. It was funny at first as we chatted about how our life can be like a video game (NPCs, side quests, pay-to-win) and then we had a deeper discussion that was actually pretty cool about the spiritual gifts (abilities, in video game terminology) that each one has. We talked about how we need each other to be able to finish the game. We talked about how Heavenly Father anxiously waits for us to identify, develop and share our Spiritual Gifts. He is anxiously waiting to give us more of these gifts as we care for the gifts we have been given.

Tender mercy: This week I have seen how the Holy Spirit brings to our remembrance all that we have studied. There were many instances in which I distinctly knew what to say because of my studies. One such moment was at Sunday’s lunch when the following quote came to mind:

“Each of you has been blessed with divine talents by our Father in Heaven. He is waiting for you to identify, develop, and magnify those talents He has blessed you with.”

Spiritual Thought: Ponder by yourselves about the Spiritual gifts you have been given. Prayerfully decide how you will develop such gifts, and ask for help from family and friends in developing them. Pray for help from your Heavenly Father, and you will see that you capacity to bless others will be increased.

Tender Mercy part two: Remember the Argentinian family that we taught portuguese? They got baptized this Sunday! It was super cool to see and I was bounding for joy.

Repentance, who knew?

 (Sister Cummings)

Hey Howdy Y'all!!

I had a great week this week! It went by so dang quick!

We've been focusing on inviting as many people as possible to church lately and that's exactly what sister Bradbeer and I tried to do! We invited in rain and shine. In parking lots and on the street! It was so good! We talked to probably close to 250-300 people in two days and got one yes! Hallelujah! She didn't come to church but oh well!

I performed at church yesterday and it went alright! It reminded of playing at home for Castle Hills Ward. I love all you people! I miss y'all!

I went on exchanges with Sister Arledge on Saturday and she is just an AMAZING missionary. Like, I actually learned more from her this exchange than she learned from me! I hope #futurecomps !

Here's some spiritual stuff:

Lately, I've been studying a lot about what the scriptures advise bring happiness into our lives and I found one obvious thing and that is REPENTANCE! Repentance always brings joy and happiness to our lives and here's proof

Mosiah 4:20

"And behold, even at this time, ye have been calling on his name, and begging for a remission of your sins. And has he suffered that ye have begged in vain? Nay; he has poured out his Spirit upon you, and has caused that your hearts should be filled with joy, and has caused that your mouths should be stopped that ye could not find utterance, so exceedingly great was your joy."

I have a testimony of repentance and the joy that comes through Jesus Christ and I hope y'all do too!!

I love y'all!!

- Sister Cummings

Drunk and grumbling on about how I cant sing

 (Elder Mackrory)

Fala pessoal! Tranquilão?

Essa semana foi menos frutífera, vimos apenas 4 fuscas. O total é 1384,5. A boa notícia é que agora estou ciente de um meio fusca. Sei onde está. Agora é só ir. Valeu Elder Owen

Last pday we went to a nearby shopping mall and had lunch at burger king. I for whatever reason did not have much hunger, so I put the other whopper in my bag for later. We then walked over to the other nearby mall for a really nice bookstore. I almost bought a book, but I refrained and bought some more pens instead. That night I ate my whopper while the mission president’s counselor explained about smoke detectors.

On Tuesday we did not have district council because half of the district went to the temple and therefore switched their pday. That day we focused on online work since the previous few days had let a bunch pile up. It was really satisfying.

On Wednesday we had district council, which included a training about planning and togetherness where my companion and I had to cross the soccer court (yes, it is a court, not a field) while I walked on my hands and my comp held me by my ankles. That night we talked with our favorites (If we did have favorites) Luciano and Rubi. We talked about the word of wisdom, law of chastity, tithing, and a few more. Despite the fact that the lesson was more focused on commandments, we were still able to emphasize the Savior’s atonement, which was the best part.

On Thursday we again focused on the online work, since we are trying to meet a goal for the number of people in our system that are deemed “interested”. The problem is that a majority of these are not interested. So we have to find those who are interested, and cut the rest. When I got here in this area, we were coming up on 500, which was really frightening for me since coming from the office, I knew that this area alone accounted for more than 10% of the mission’s “interested” list. We have that number down to a good 100, and we hope to get it down to 50 by the end of the transfer.

On Friday we had interviews with president! This time around, similar to what happened this time last year, president visited our house. I decided to make a cheesecake with jam on top in the shape of an American flag, but the blueberry jam I bought was not blue (ridiculous). So I made a key lime pie instead. It was, like most of my desserts that I make, more of a casserole due to the dish I use to prepare it in, but it turned out to be really good and both Sister and President liked it very much.

On Saturday we went early to do a service project, and then to lunch. Both were really good, but unfortunately my comp hurt his back doing some lifting, and that made him unfit for 3 hours of public transport to and from the temple (total, not each way). We were going to go with Carol, who was baptized this last Sunday, but we unfortunately weren’t able. To our surprise, Carol sent us a message that she went alone! Talk about really wanting to go to the temple! I let Elder Vogt rest for the day while I invited basically the entire world to church.

On Sunday, unfortunately the entire world had excuses. So we went to church and were really happy with our three friends that came. We had an awesome lunch with an awesome family, who actually has (despite the distance) a view of the Christ the Redeemer statue from the living room window. Elder Vogt’s back was still hurting quite a bit, so we stayed home during the afternoon, but we had a super cool experience that night.

Tender Mercy: On Sunday night, we went to administer the Sacrament to a family that lives nearby who was sick. Carol also came down with sickness, and so she was also there. When we sang an opening hymn, not a single person sang in tune. I can’t even say that I was singing in tune because no one followed my lead, and so maybe I was wrong. Anyway, for the first time in my life, I was not bothered by the terrible singing. It has always been a source of discomfort for me when people sing out of tune. I always thought it took away the Spirit. But I came to learn a great lesson last night. During the singing, the mother made a heart with her hands and the daughter made one back. The love and the spirit of devotion to Christ was still very much present. I decided I would focus on the words and the Spirit that could be felt. It was a marvelous experience that taught me much about reverence.

Spiritual thought: Jesus Christ truly said: Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 19:14) The Spirit of the Lord resides with little children. He resides with children in the faith, children in singing, and with all those who are striving without perfection. All these can be called “children” for are we not all children for that reason? The Spirit of the Lord does not withdraw when a child makes an accidental disruption in church, but withdraws when others try, harshly, to quiet the child. The Spirit of the Lord, does not withdraw himself when people sing out of tune, save from those who decide to be bothered by such imperfection. As we strive to see the good and the efforts of others, the Spirit of the Lord can testify to us, despite the imperfections of others.

4th of July!c

 (Sister Cummings)

Hey y'all!!

I am absolutely knackered today so this email is going to be bit a short. I'm just so tired!

We had interviews and zone conference this week and I straightened my hair just for a fun little shock and it was yeehaw! The joke was that I was a different Sister named Sister Goings. It was fun. It was also the 4th of July which really was YEEHAW!

We had a fantastic lesson this week with our friends Charlotte, Hannah, and Abbey! Please pray for them! If they decide to be baptized, they'll literally be such a miracle for Mt Barker! They already are!

Here's a really short spiritual stuff for ya today:

D&C 6:36

"Look unto me in every thought, doubt not fear not."

I think this scripture is so short but it's powerful! We all need this reminder over and over and over! Stop doubting and look to Jesus Christ for guidance and comfort and you will find it! I can promise you that!

I hope y'all had a great week!

- Sister Cummings

Guess I'll just stumble on home to my cats (yeugh)

 (Elder Mackrory)

Boa noite a todos!

Essa semana eu vi 6 fuscas, para um total de 1380,5. Estou começando a orar para ver um meio fusca, pois a busca está me chateando.

What’s up guys! This week was a blast and would (and will) do it over again another 3 times. Tomorrow marks three weeks until my return to the states. Last pday we kinda just hung around at home, with the only highlight being that an investigator (she’s like 90 years old) sent us a AI video of Elon Musk and Donald Trunk dancing to Stayin’ Alive. It was incredible.

On Tuesday we had an online district council due to the fact that Elder Vogt , Roca, and Cunha were sick again. I’m the last man standing here. We had lunch that day with the newlywed couple Claudio and Suzana and our ward mission leader Marcelo and his wife Edineide. It was really good, except for the fact that after Elder Vogt asked for thoughts after giving his message. This gave Marcelo the go ahead to share his testimony for an hour and a half (not exaggerating). It was all good, but we definitely stayed way over our allotted two hours for lunch. Then we went to visit our friend Leandro who lives in the neighborhood. He was busy but gave us a huge bag of frozen acerola to make fresh juice. Nice. We then went home to let my comp rest.

On Wednesday we went to a service project sanding the balcony railing for a less active member, who then gave us lunch. All of our appointments fell through, and so we went to the church to do online work. While there, we heard some kitten noises. So we went behind the chapel from where the sound had come, and we found two little kittens. So cute that we elected to do online work there with the kitten napping in our laps. That night we had a bomb lesson with Luciano e Rubi and remarked their baptism dates for the 13th. Super spiritual lesson as well.

On Thursday we again had all of our appointments fall through, and so again we grinded referrals and yellows. Again at the church, we heard the kittens again, this time, one of the kittens, who was having trouble walking due to weakened hind legs had fallen into a hole very hard to reach. But with some prayers and careful maneuvering of my arm, we were able to retrieve the kitten.

On Friday we again visited the church to do online work and see the kittens. To our dismay, the kitten who I saved the day before was lying on the ground barely breathing. We had noticed that it was slowly getting weaker, while the other kitten got stronger, and so we know that the mother of these kittens watches after them and that there is likely a problem with the one who was suffering that wasn’t allowing her to feed herself. We took her to a vet, and they are now in care of her. That night, the ward had an activity in which the primary came, and unfortunately they found the other kitten and began the fight over who gets to hold it. It was super loud and the kitten was obviously very frightened. So with the parents help we restrained the kids from being near the kitten. This resulted in many tears and silent treatments, but that’s ok.

On Saturday we went to lunch a little early because we planned to go to the temple. On the way to lunch, we stopped by the church to check on our kitten. Sure enough, the mother took her to another place. We heard the kittens cries on the other side of the church wall, so it’s likely that they just moved next door. We ate lunch, and went to the church and left for the temple. There, it was amazing! I got to see many friends from Macabu and Buzios, since they were both doing caravans to the temple that day. It was wonderful to see so many friends, including Elder Ribeiro, whom I thought I had seen for the last time at zone conference. We went to the temple this time with our friend Jeiel, who was baptized last month. He thought it was wonderful and is excited to go again. We had an awesome time chatting on the way back about Spiritual Gifts.

On Sunday we had the baptism of our friend Carol! She was the one who called us like a month again asking all the right questions and knowing everything already. She was so excited and ready to make a covenant with God. But… the right size baptismal suit was at a members house who washed it. So they rushed to the other side of the ward boundaries to get it and we waited. The baptism happened and it was wonderful. We then ate lunch and went straight home, following the members instruction. Sunday was the BIG game. Flamengo qualified for the Playoffs of the FIFA World Cup, and so that means dangerous streets and uninterested people. There were a total of six goals during the game, and each time our neighbors taught me new words I’ve never heard before. Even more so since Flamengo lost 4-2. Fireworks and gunshots celebrated the two goals of ours and the end of the game. Nobody answered the phone. I accidentally spent two hours studying Portuguese grammar.

This week was overall chaotic, but good. In general news, all of the gangs are at work and I don’t think I’ve gone one day without hearing gunshots. Saturday night the skirmishes actually entered into our neighborhood, but I slept right through them. My comp recorded an audio. But life is good, I’ve having toast and jelly with tea (calm down, it’s herbal) for breakfast, and so I’m happy (and safe, don’t worry).

Tender mercy: The fact that the cat moved next door was a huge tender mercy for me since I was worried about Sunday being worse than Friday night’s activity.

Spiritual thought: “And Alma related unto them his conversion, with Ammon and Aaron, and his brethren. And it came to pass that it did cause great joy among them.” (Alma 27:25-26) I love the fact that sharing one’s testimony can bring joy to others. When we testify of that which we know, it enters into the heart of those who are willing to listen and edifies them. It transmits a joy that is only found in being converted. So, bear your testimony in every given opportunity! It will give you and those who hear you much joy.

Awesome Sauce

 (Sister Cummings)

Hey howdy y'all!!

I'm back again! This week was awesome! So awesome that I again can't remember much of what happened!

Random thing: I'm writing this email while staring out at the beach and ocean and I just gotta tell you that God. Is. Real. And We. Are. SO. Blessed. To live in such a beautiful beautiful world! #Alma30:44

Anyways, here's a few things from this week that i can remember:

- Sister Cutler gave me a haircut and it was the nicest thing ever! I've been NEEDING a haircut lately!

- I'm back to playing my violin and it's so yeehaw!

- Sister Bradbeer had me snort laughing everyday!

- We had FOUR services on Friday and it was amazing! We made two old ladies cry! I've never felt more fulfilled!

- I went on exchanges with the one and only Sister Tuiqali from Fiji and it was a miracle filled day! We made 3 new friends in like an hour and handed out a Book of Mormon! We also were biking and my bike's seat fell off so I had to pedal standing up. I was SO sore! So good though!

Spiritual stuff:

Right now, we're trying with literally ALL OUR MIGHT to make friends and find people who want to enter in to the fold and be baptized but this area is a toughy. I'm determined though. I have faith that miracles are here and coming! Anyways, we've started interviewing Australian converts here on their conversion processes and experiences with the missionaries just to see how we can alter our approach and better fulfill our purpose in this area. I've already grown so much hearing people's experiences.

So, this spiritual stuff isn't me sharing with y'all, it's me asking y'all to share your conversion stories with me. Even if you grew up in the church, I know you have one! I want to hear it! Please :)

Anyways, y'all have a good one! I love y'all!

- Sister Cummings

It feels like a perfect night for breakfast at midnight

 (Elder Mackrory)

Bom dia amigos e família!

Estou animado para contar pra vocês minha semana. Foi um pouco louca. Mas tudo bem. Vi 8 fuscas, para um total 1374,5. Ainda sigo sem ver um meio fusca.

What’s up guys! Last pday was really cool. Our recent convert Jorge invited us to have some pizza at the restaurant he manages. Uau. What a pizza. Authentic wood oven, and an Italian menu. The only thing that wasn’t so authentic was the dessert pizza, but I’m not mad about that. We then went home, got groceries and did online work.

On Tuesday we had district council for the first time this transfer. Last first district council. Our lunch was super good. It was crepes with ground beef, tomato sauce, and mozzarella. During lunch, the members were watching the FIFA world cup, and we watched the first half of Fluminense (team from Rio) and Borussia Dortmund (super bad team from Germany). Nothing happened in the first half, and when we left to go do visits i realized nobody was home (yeah right). Apparently nothing happened in the second half either, but the victory was given to Fluminense because of a previous game or something. After a pretty empty day of visits, we went home to study and do some online work.

On Wednesday we had my last zone conference, and to ensure we arrived on time, we left way earlier than we needed to and took an uber instead of the bus. Unfortunately Rio’s traffic had other ideas and I stressfully watched our ETA slowly change from 9:15 to 10:15. Luckily the route had us do some weird loop at the end, and so I just told the driver to leave us a bit before the end of the ride, and so we saved 10 minutes there. Conference was super cool and well oriented to help us be successful. At lunch I sat with President and Sister Dutson and Elder and Sister Butters. I was the first missionary to sit at their table, and also the last because nobody else wanted to. It definitely made me look like I was trying to suck up to president, but that doesn't make much sense since I'm on my last stint. Oh well. Good conversation. On the way home my comp came down with a headache and some nausea, and so for the baptismal interview that night we did a division. During the interview, which our district leader did in a part, I messed around on the old people workout equipment. The interview resulted in our needing president's further approval, which Carol understood.

On Thursday we had really good stroganoff and watched another first half of a soccer game, this time Palmeiras (a good team from São Paulo but not well liked) and some middle eastern team with a weird name. I’m pretty sure Palmeiras won. Then we went to the chapel where we met up with the formerly known Elder Levie, now just Paul. He and I go way back to my first new years eve in Brazil when the rest of the district decided rules are lame and went to the beach at midnight. Anyway, at the chapel we played ping pong and chatted. Basically the entire ward showed up to see him again. That night we did online work.

On Friday I got to do a division with my brozão Elder Patterson. We got caught up on an hour long bus ride and went to lunch. The ward in which he serves only has two missionaries, which made lunch very different from what I'm used to. When we got to lunch, there was a big black stain on the roof, and the Sister who gave us lunch explained that her pressure pot exploded and half of our beans were on the roof. We ate crepes with tomato sauce and ground beef and mozzarella again (better than the other time), and then gave the message. After a little insisting, we cleaned the roof. Super fun. We made sure before leaving to pray that no more beans hit the roof. We started doing some visits in the area, but shortly realized that no one wanted to talk, since the Flamengo X Chelsea game was going on. Flamengo is the most rooted for team in Brasil (possibly in South America as well) and Chelsea is a big name European team. When I say everyone is watching it, I mean everyone was watching it. The streets seemed quieter than Provo during general conference. The few people on the road were also watching the game. We got some ice cream and started for home. It was at that point 1-0 Chelsea. Then, shouts and screams and honks and engine redlining split the air for a good 2 minutes. It was abundantly clear that Flamengo scored. Then, shouts and screams and honks and engine redlining split the air for a good 5 minutes. At first, we thought the celebration was for the first goal still, but as we passed a pharmacy (yes, the pharmacy had a TV out to watch the game), we realized that it had been two back to back goals. I've never seen the Carioca people so happy. About 15 minutes later, shouts and screams and honks and engine redlining split the air for a good 5 minutes. 3-1 Flamengo. A man shouted words I don't know from a window, to whom we smiled, gave thumbs up and said “é noix”. At home we did online work and chatted about spiritual gifts until it was time to order pizza. They gave us a reasonably ETA and just like at zone conference, the ETA got worse and worse until we were eating pizza at like 11 pm. Oh well.

On Saturday Elder Vogt died. Not really, but he woke up with a pretty bad fever and more sickness. We arrived home to end the division and Elder Roca, who was also feeling a little sick went to the hospital with him. While they were at the hospital Elder Cunha and I did online work, kinda independently. That night we went to soccer and then back home.

For Stake conference Sunday, our ward (which is super far from the stake center) was allowed to have a transmission in our chapel, so nothing changed as far as the where goes. However, Elder Vogt was still dying and So Elder Cunha and I went to church to represent both companionships. We had three of our friends come, and it was super cool. That evening we did more online work. What do you do when your comp can barely get off the bed?

Tender mercy: This week the Lord saw fit for me to be shown some of my spiritual gifts. In many instances in the week I saw how the Lord showed me that I had been placed here in Iraja at the right time to meet the right people. I was aware of how I could help them using my talents and the abilities the Lord has given me.

Spiritual thought: Flamengo, After securing the lead, still made one more goal before the end of the game. Ammon, in the Book of Mormon, was diligent in keeping all the commands of the King, even after what he did to save the flocks would have been enough to gain the faith of the King. This is what proved his greatness. It reminds me of the scripture “Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed.” When we do all that we can, not just the bare minimum, that is when the Lord magnifies us and our efforts.