April 25, 2016 - Sete Lagoas

I see a Belo horizonte

So the biggest event of the week was a split. We went to the District leaders area and worked with him. He really helped with the work for the rest of the week, as he showed us the area book. As missionaries we record the names and information about our investigators in a book and I never really knew how to use it. I always organized it and then kind of put it in the corner. We really started to use ours this week and have seen quite a bit of results. Funny thing, I found a few record in Pedro Leopoldo that had the name Elder (Brent) Kimbler on them, from 2012, we barely ever have records that old.

The rest of the week we used our area book and actually found a few really good investigators through this method. We were searching for one person when we found two people sitting in front of a house. They were mother and son and we asked if they knew a Margarita. The son said that she lived way up the street. The mom asked why we wanted to know and we explained that we were missionaries and wanted to talk with her and share a message of Christ. She then responded that she was Margarita. We don´t really trust the son anymore and he doesn´t really like us.

I ate so much food on Saturday. We were eating lunch at Luis and Rosa's and I ate a bunch (steak, french fries, rice, salad, feijoada) . After church my companion wanted to visit another member named João. We were both still full and I told him that we wouldn´t be able to leave without eating. He didn´t believe me. I had to tell him I told you so after wards as he made pasta, meat, and gave us ice cream. My companion and I waddled out of there stuffed. It is 12:00 the day after, and I haven´t eaten anything else and don´t feel hungry.

Well that is about all of note, I think we will go eat cheese bread and play ball.

Elder Quain

Elder Quain & Elder Ribeiros

April 18,2016 - Sete Lagoas

I see a belo horizonte.

We had a really good week this week. We worked really hard and things just seemed to be working. The best thing this week started with a reference. There was a member that gave us a reference for a person called Joice. We were trying to contact her, but found her younger brother. He had some free time and was willing to listen to our message. He is really intelligent and has already studied the bible a lot at only 15. He also has some great questions that we are trying our best to answer and have challenged him to learn for himself through the Book of Mormon. He then told us what time to return to talk with his sister. We were able to talk with her and she was very similar to her brother. The best part is that they were both interested and came to church. They seemed to have really liked it and we have a family home evening marked tonight with them. Now we just need to get the rest of the 10 family members involved. 

The miracle of the week, besides finding them, was that we were making a visit to their house with a member that I had never made visits with and he turned out to know their dad. They had played soccer together when they were young. It really helped to open the father up more to us. It is great to see how God is really preparing people.

Other than that everyone here just wants to talk politics right now; who I want to be U.S. president, and what I think about the Brazilian President. It was different to hear people talk about it. We generally ask people what they want us to ask for in the prayer and nearly everyone responded 'impeach or no impeach the president.'

Well, it's off to another good week of 'spreading gospel cheer, preaching loud for all to hear.'

Elder Quain

Sete Lagaos zone conference, we also got to eat subway and açaí.

April 11, 2016 - Sete Lagoas

I see a belo horizonte

This week was pretty good. I got a new companion (or as Elder Gonçalves said, onion) and was super tired by Sunday.

Monday: P-day was pretty relaxed and we actually played soccer. We have a concrete court here that also has basketball and volleyball, but it is really hard to get Brasilians to play those games. After that we just visited members and Elder l. Silva thanked them for all the help they have given.

Tuesday: Transfers. We rode in a bus to Belo Horizonte and swapped companions. My new companion is Elder M. Ribeiro, he´s good. He is from north Brasil.  I also said bye to my trainer, Elder Barbosa, who was heading home to Fortaleza. We rode back and were about to start planning, when we decided that cleaning was more urgent. We ended up cleaning our room and planning afterward. Then we tried to visit investigators, but none were at home so, we visited some     members.

Wednesday and Thursday: Don´t remember much, but we taught a lot of lessons and just did good. We have started to help people carry their groceries again. This always helps to open the hearts of people.

Friday: The lunch for the other elders fell though, so they walked with us to our lunch. We ended up kicking rocks through each other´s legs. I am really bad. We were walking down a street and I thought I found the contact. It turned out that I read the number wrong, but the person had already had the missionaries and accepted us back. Later we were walking down a different street, when I noticed we were going the wrong way. We ended up passing in front of a members house because of this and they gave us a cake. Moral of the story, lose yourself in the work of the Lord.

Saturday: We had great planning, but no one was cooperating. First our lunch fell through,  but luckily we were able to go to the other elders lunch. The bad thing is we had already walked to the other house. We ender up walking more then 7 kilometers before lunch. we were only able to get into one house of an investigator. It wasn´t very productive as she canceled on us for church. This was after we told her that we already had a ride. We got home that night and didn´t really talk much. We just went to bed as we were wiped out from all the walking.

Sunday: I was still tired, especially during Sacrament meeting. We have our Sacrament meeting after ward council and lunch. Our lunch on Sunday was an hour long walk each way(10km). During Sacrament meeting my vision kept on blurring as I was fighting going to sleep, but I overcame and was able to make it thought the rest of the day. We also had a member that made pizza for us. We always like getting pizza. I think I might be becoming a little more Brasilian, as I now put ketchup on my pizza.

Well, my week in a nutshell

Elder Quain

April 4, 2016 - Sete Lagoas

I can see a belo horizonte

But, this week was a little bit of a blur.

We worked like crazy this week, and were really tired.

We visited a bunch of people, but for some reason things just aren´t working out too well. When I started to the mission I had trouble getting anyone to accept a commitment. Now we have a bunch of people that will make commitments, but few that will follow through. Unfortunately, that is many times just due to a lack of a real desire. God truly does respect our agency. Our desires are what motivate us. Anything is possible if you really put in the effort. 

I learned this when I was learning Portuguese. It was really the desire that helped me gain the ability to speak. The desire to be able to help the people here. This desire was so strong that it brought me to my knees in humility asking my Father in Heaven for help, then putting in the effort. The Book of Mormon has the invitation that all might read, ponder and pray to know the truth. Through praying we demonstrate humility, but all three steps show our desire.

Why would you want to know that the Book of Mormon is true?

Why wouldn´t you want to know with assurance that you are following the path that leads to the greatest and most lasting blessings achievable, including; eternal families and eternal life, which is living in the presence of God and Christ with our families for all eternities.

I am truly thankful for this hope and this knowledge and invite all who have already tried the promise of the Book of Mormon, but have doubt in their heart or who have yet to do this to read, ponder and pray to know if the Book of Mormon is true. I know that it is a witness of truths. Firstly, that God has restored his church, but also other questions, such as, I lived with God before this life, He knows me and loves me, He has a plan for us, and life and family ties do not end at the grave, but continue on forever.

Randoms:

* I´ve been teaching my companion how to play guitar

* Excited that Adam and Garrett got their mission calls

* I love to see the Temple

* In Brasil we eat Pão de queijo 

eu amo vocês

Elder Quain

lifting Elder Buchanan in a wheelchair to church after he twisted his ankle