MOOOOMM!!!
So I just got access to a computer, they monitor EVERYTHING here. Where to begin? So much has happened over the past few days, it feels like it's been years. First things first, I love my companion, Elder Childs. We get along so well. Our district (54E) is known as the most disciplined district in the whole MTC! Really hope they don't say that to everyone...
Learning Portuguese is so fun, it's unreal. I am learning to speak very quickly. I look forward to Language study class every day. Este lingua es moito facil. It really is the celestial language. It's so beautiful. I miss you guys so much! It's been so fun here, there's nowhere else I'd rather be. My district is comprised of 6 Elders, 6 Sisters. All going to Interlagos. I'm here for 6 weeks. I'm betting on not getting my visa before I leave, but I'm happy to go wherever the Lord would have me go. The second day, the MTC president, President Hodges, gave us great council. He said that "Obedience brings blessings, obedience with exactness brings miracles". It is so true. Our district has the goal to read through the entire Livro de Mormon by the time we leave. I'm already on 2 Nefi! My life has been so blessed this past week, because of my exact obedience to the will of the lord, my district, and my companion.
We were counciled by Sister Petitta (our language professora) that we should take some of our language study tiome to read O Livro de Mormon (pronounced Oh Leevro jee Mormohn), and that if we do so with our investigators in mind, that the language will come much easier. And it's so true. The more I subdue my will to the will of the lord, the easier it is to learn to speak the language. (obedience with exactness brings blessings). Friday is P-day, so I wont be able to email again until then.
It's so hard to figure out what to say, SO MUCH HAS HAPPENED! I have not experienced a single moment of doubt or loneliness. I know that I am supposed to be here and I know that Christ is with me every step of the way. He truly does love us (Ele nos ama). I am so grateful for the opportunity to be humbled before the lord, to do nothing but his will, to suffer for him, serve for him, and see the miracles that do come from exact obedience. Things get very hard, we have 18 hour days, with almost no time to stop and relax. But I haven't felt more peaceful in my life. No matter what happens, whether it be an intimidating goal, the daunting amount of time left here, or feeling pure physical exaustion, I have unwaivering faith that the Lord will always provide, because I KNOW that the lord will give no commandments unto the children of men save he shall prepare a way that they shall accomplish the things wich he has commanded them. I urge the family tonight to drop whatever it is you're doing, and give an hour to sincere scripture study and prayer. The blessings from that small sacrifece will bring great blessings. Every night at 10:00 I am so exhausted I can hardly stand, but I have felt the hands of the lord come down to bear me up. I love him, he is My best friend, and my savior. i LOVE THE FAMILY SO MUCH. I am doing so well, I can't express it. I'll email you soon,
Elder Smith
Eu sei que Jesus Cristo e um filho dedeus.Eu sei que nos ama. E eu se que La Igresa es verdadeira, e es muy improtante a los filhos de Deus. Eu amo meu Pai Celestial. Eus se que ele vivir.
So I just got access to a computer, they monitor EVERYTHING here. Where to begin? So much has happened over the past few days, it feels like it's been years. First things first, I love my companion, Elder Childs. We get along so well. Our district (54E) is known as the most disciplined district in the whole MTC! Really hope they don't say that to everyone...
Learning Portuguese is so fun, it's unreal. I am learning to speak very quickly. I look forward to Language study class every day. Este lingua es moito facil. It really is the celestial language. It's so beautiful. I miss you guys so much! It's been so fun here, there's nowhere else I'd rather be. My district is comprised of 6 Elders, 6 Sisters. All going to Interlagos. I'm here for 6 weeks. I'm betting on not getting my visa before I leave, but I'm happy to go wherever the Lord would have me go. The second day, the MTC president, President Hodges, gave us great council. He said that "Obedience brings blessings, obedience with exactness brings miracles". It is so true. Our district has the goal to read through the entire Livro de Mormon by the time we leave. I'm already on 2 Nefi! My life has been so blessed this past week, because of my exact obedience to the will of the lord, my district, and my companion.
We were counciled by Sister Petitta (our language professora) that we should take some of our language study tiome to read O Livro de Mormon (pronounced Oh Leevro jee Mormohn), and that if we do so with our investigators in mind, that the language will come much easier. And it's so true. The more I subdue my will to the will of the lord, the easier it is to learn to speak the language. (obedience with exactness brings blessings). Friday is P-day, so I wont be able to email again until then.
It's so hard to figure out what to say, SO MUCH HAS HAPPENED! I have not experienced a single moment of doubt or loneliness. I know that I am supposed to be here and I know that Christ is with me every step of the way. He truly does love us (Ele nos ama). I am so grateful for the opportunity to be humbled before the lord, to do nothing but his will, to suffer for him, serve for him, and see the miracles that do come from exact obedience. Things get very hard, we have 18 hour days, with almost no time to stop and relax. But I haven't felt more peaceful in my life. No matter what happens, whether it be an intimidating goal, the daunting amount of time left here, or feeling pure physical exaustion, I have unwaivering faith that the Lord will always provide, because I KNOW that the lord will give no commandments unto the children of men save he shall prepare a way that they shall accomplish the things wich he has commanded them. I urge the family tonight to drop whatever it is you're doing, and give an hour to sincere scripture study and prayer. The blessings from that small sacrifece will bring great blessings. Every night at 10:00 I am so exhausted I can hardly stand, but I have felt the hands of the lord come down to bear me up. I love him, he is My best friend, and my savior. i LOVE THE FAMILY SO MUCH. I am doing so well, I can't express it. I'll email you soon,
Elder Smith
Eu sei que Jesus Cristo e um filho dedeus.Eu sei que nos ama. E eu se que La Igresa es verdadeira, e es muy improtante a los filhos de Deus. Eu amo meu Pai Celestial. Eus se que ele vivir.
Ok, so I got more time...
Ill just kind of tell you a bunch of random things,
I'd tell you the names of my district, but I know that you'd just look their families up on facebook.
Today, an Elder from my district and I both took bananas from the cafeteria, and walked towards each other down a hallway. We stopped about 10 feet away form each other, whistled western music, and drew on each other with the bananas. Immediately after, the Elder turned around and smacked his face into a metal support pole. I haven't laughed so hard in weeks. The entire district is so goofy and extroverted, It's unbelievable. We all laugh and joke whenever it's appropriate. They are my family, and I feel like I've known them for years.
I cannot express how great it feels to finally wear the nametag. Everytime I look at it I am overwhelmed with the spirit and a sense of deep belonging.
Please print out this email and give it to sister Marcucci. She sent me a letter, and I really want her to know how much I appreciate it. I love the Marcuccis so much.
I guess Ill just leave with my testimony,
I know that God lives. I know that he is our father in heaven. I know that he loves us beyond comprehension, and that he wants us to return to him.
I know that Christ is our savior. He is truly my best frind. I see him standing next to me everytime I close my eyes.
I know that The Book of Mormon is the word of God. We HAVE TO read it diligently to be able to discern the promptings of the spirit more clearly.
I know that families are forever, that the Temple is the house of God, and that Joseph Smith is a true prophet of the Lord.
I absolutely know that every person on this earth is a son or daughter of God, and he demands that we respect them.
The Missionaries here never speak ill of anyone, ever. And you can feel the power and spirit that attends. When we love our brothers and sisters, it is so much easier to feel
the Lords love. I am filled with the spirit so much here because of my exact obedience and subduing myself to the Lord. All I regret is that
I dedicated more of the free time I had so much of at home to serving the Lord. I would be so much more in tune with the spirit.
These things I say in the name of the Son of the Most High, Jesus Christ, Amem (portuguese for amen)
One more thing, All of the dorm rooms in my building have Full size Brazil flags in them that the Missionaries brought. If you could send one, I'd really appreciate it <3
Love
Elder Smith
