November 28, 2016 - Ribeirão das Neves

I see a Belo Horizonte

Well to start off, this week we baptized. We have been teaching a guy called Luiz for quite awhile and this week he finally decided that he wanted to be baptized. He even chose me to perform the ordinance. This Sunday he was confirmed a member of the Church and given the Gift of the Holy Ghost. He is now preparing to be a priest.

This week we did a split with the other elders in our District and I was with Elder Marques. We focused our efforts on finding more new people to teach and we were able to find quite a few people that are incredibly prepared.

This week I did my first baptismal interview and I had planned to take a list with the questions to ask the candidate. After we said the prayer, I noticed that I forgot the list, but decided to continue. I started asking the questions I could remember and in the end I remembered them all. I didn´t say them word for word, but in a way that the investigator could understand.

Elder Quain

 With Luiz after the interview

With Elder Sabino and Luiz before his baptism

November 21, 2016 - Ribeirão das Neves

I see a Belo Horizonte

Well this week we did a split with the Zone Leaders in their area. It went well and I was partnered up with Elder Volino. He´s a Brazilian, but he looks like he´s American. Quite a few people think that he is American. He speaks English well and we were switching between the two the entire day. We did quite a few visits and it was good and helped me identify some things that I can improve on. When we woke up in the morning we did exercises. They had a pull-up bar at the house so I decided to take advantage of the opportunity. Unfortunately, the bar gave up before I did and I ended up falling on my knees, but everything is good now.

We also had stake conference this week. President Fertnandes talked about listening to the promptings of the spirit and following them immediately. Elder Leal from the quorum of the seventy talked about the missionaries and how we are messengers, which means that we have a message. Our Message is the Restoration of the Gospel and Church of Christ. Our message is great and we need to become great like our message. He than asked and of the full time missionaries to stand up and asked why so few people were standing. He continued and stated the quote, "Every member a missionary" and had everyone stand up.

Lastly, my Christmas package came in and, as I was impatient, Christmas came early. I don´t know which was more exciting; chocolate, peanut butter, or socks.

Elder Quain

Oh, The packages came in this Sunday. Sorry, I don´t have very much patience and I already opened up them both. Muito Obrigado!!! Muchas Gracias! Thank you!!
Christmas came early this year, and my companion was rather excited.

We love the peanut butter. Elder Erazo

 

Doing splits: Elder Searle, Elder Valino, Elder Quain, Elder Sabino

 My new Christmas tie.

November 14, 2016 - Ribeirão das Neves

I see a Belo Horizonte.

Well, this week it started to rain again. So, things have gotten quite a bit colder. I'm enjoying it, but we run more of a risk of falling down. I haven´t fallen yet, but others have. I hope I didn´t curse myself.

We did another integration activity and had some investigators visit. They even brought refreshments for everyone. Everyone was grateful to eat some cake as it has been popcorn for the last three weeks, but I guess that´s what you get when the missionaries are in charge of the snack.

I decided to study the Book of Moses in the 'Pearl of Great Price' and I have really enjoyed the study. It explains really well the Plan of Salvation and each day I have received new insights. I think this also has to do with he fact that I have started keeping a study journal, which has really helped me focus my study and more importantly remember my study.

We were able to do a lot more visits with the members this week and visit their friends. This really helps the work move along. We have this great opportunity to be among the first to receive the gospel and as such it is our duty to share it. Why wouldn't we want to, if it makes people happier?

Randoms:

*  We talked with a mom of a member that wants to leave for a mission and we told her that it passes by fast and she responded, 'not for a mom.'

*Yesterday we were stopped by a drunk guy that wanted to talk English with us. He just kept repeating that My eyes were beautiful, but scared him. My companion and I got a good laugh about that afterwards.

Elder Quain

From last week's zone conference - can you find Elder Quain? (very back Elder)

November 7, 2016 - Ribeirão das Neves

I see a belo horizonte

This week we had a zone meeting. To get to the meeting we had to ride about 2 hours on a bus and we stood the entire way there and the entire two hours to get back. My legs felt like jelly after the two trips. Another thing that I discovered is that I get cold a lot easier now. I just sat there shivering throughout the entire meeting. My favorite training was about the conversion process. We talked about how a person has to act on their faith to really know that a principle is true, but also that they can´t make an action until they are presented with the principle. That is where we come in. We need to be the teachers and present the gospel truths in a direct and simple way that they can understand.

One night this week, I was sitting down and finishing up the day, when the other companionship walked through the door. Elder Erazo just looks at us and said,"I fell." His Companion starts to laugh and explained the rest. It turns out that he fell twice and had fallen on top of dirt and animal poop. That´s what we get for serving in a rural area.

Elder Quain

 Views of the are where I serve.

 The Missionaries as the "Avengers" - can you name them all?

Trying out Elder Erazo's glasses.

 After Elder Erazo fell.

Selfie time