The Power Of The Member Missionary

July 28, 2014

This week was awesome!

Wednesday we had a family night to reactivate a family of less-actives. We did it in their house and it was awesome to see them all at church on sunday!

Friday we did an 'exposition' in market-fair. It was really fun. We got some members that stayed with our table of church materials and explained about the church, BOM, plan of salvation, etc. We (four of us) missionaries went into the crowd handing out pass along cards and bringing people to the table to learn more. In two hours we had 32 addresses and the members catching fire with missionary spirit.

Saturday was the Festa Julina. Usually it's festa junina because it's in june and a Catholic holiday to celebrate Saint John (the beloved). But the Mormons do it in July and call it festa Julina because it's a great excuse to have a ward party.
Festa Julina means eating Pé de Moleque, Paçoca, lots and lots of popcorn, Square dancing, everybody dresses like pioneers, hot dogs, and lots and lots of corn. Everything has corn. Corn cake, corn pudding, corn soup, and my favorite "canjica" That's basically a sweet soup of a type of corn, peanuts, cinnamon or coconut and sweetened condensed milk. mmmm. 15 investigators came, (it's always a lot easier to get the people to the party than to the church) haha.

Sunday night we did a family night and brought a family that we´re hopeing to marry and baptize. Fabrício already has a testimony of the Book of Mormon, and loved seeing that we listen to music and dance instead of saying that it's all SIN!!! haha.
I made chocolate chip cookies for the member that's been wanting the recipe since I got here.

It's funny that most people we bring to the church and that start progressing don't have doubts about the doctrine. They have doubts about if they can still listen to their music, if they can still hang out with the friends.
But when they see How LDS life really is, they LOVE it. No where else they have seen a group of people so joyfull, that values the family so much and that lives the commandments is happy doing it. Who wouldn't want to live the life we live?

That's why we try so hard to get referals from the members. Their friends already admire them for the life they live and the example they give. They already know that we are a happy and different people that can listen to music and play soccer and joke around too.

Thanks for all the support family, Here are some pics.
love,
Elder Wallace

Exposition at the fair.
Me eating cake at the bus stop.

 

Finally...Cabou Copa

July 14, 2014

Thank you Germany! Finally this World cup thing has ended. As much as I love soccer every game meant 3 hour less in the Lord's work.
Wow so all was quiet after the game with Germany. It was an utter disaster. Brazil didn't have Neymar or Davi Luis playing in that game. Funny thing is, as bad as we lost to Germany, Brazil still cheered for them in the Final. It's a big rivalry here and Brazil cheers for whoever is playing AGAINST Argentina.

This week we took 4 people to church. 2 of them went by car, (it's been so long since I've had investigators with a car!) The two that went by car are really cool, but as much as they are liking the church they are determined to investigate for a long time. The Husband thinks he's american, plays lots of basketball and listens to Vinyl records at home. He also prays in japonese.. It's always an adventure teaching him but when he get's baptized he'll be a great member! haha.

We had 14 visitors in the ward this week, because we did an open house type thing called "Pegue a Onda" (catch the wave).

Elder Cunnington was transfered to Uberaba and Elder Bezerra lives with us now. He's a great missionary. He'll play basketball with me and Elder Doney today (Elder Doney's been dieing to play since I got here). He's from Natal, and taught me to make cous-cous like a "Nordestino" (they eat a lot of cous-cous there. It's basically a corn based food. Ends up a bit like corn-bread but less sweet and a bit stronger.

Love you all,
Have a great week!
Elder Wallace

What's on the stove at 9:50 p.m.? ramen and my couscous. I'm going to buy a couscous pan for us to make at home.
Ivone, Recent convert, and her bird she got.

Copa Do Mundo

June 30, 2014

So...
Yeah the closer the game the harder they party. haha. Needless to say with the quarter-finals we'll be staying indoors again Friday.

This week we mostly dropped investigators, which is always a bit depressing but I know the Lord has people prepared to be baptized. I always let them know that we want the best for them, we're just a phone call away, and we'll still visit every once in a while.

There was a fireside sunday, the temple president from campinas came down which was really cool. I was amazed at the attitude of our ward. The bishop's wife said the opening prayer, thanking the Lord "that we have a temple so close to us". I was thinking, "The temple is 12-15 hours away!" But it's amazing the gratitude that these people have and the willingness they have to spend the money to have a spot in the temple caravan.

We'll keep looking for new investigators this week. President says we have to have 15 baptismal dates and 9 in the sacrament meeting, so let's go!!!

Faith is built not by miracles, but by steadfast righteous living and steady obedience to the commandments.
That's why nephi was always full of faith, and his brother's weren't.

Sorry the computer is having problems so that means no photos this time, but I'll be sure to send some to you guys!

Love you all!
Elder Wallace

A Letter To My Sister

Jess!

You are like the captain moroni of Roosevelt gurl!
Thanks for the awesome email. Yeah from here on out things change a lot. Mostly because of the choices.
Like you said our decisions shape our destiny, the trick is to recognize those decisions that are IMPORTANT. For example: I was deciding if i would come home on christmas or stay an extra transfer to come home in february. I was thinking, either way it's not much difference. But then I reallized, that is a decision that will make a difference in my life. I'm going to stay an extra because I know that even though my call is for 2 years, I don't want to have that thought in my mind "what would have happened if I would have stayed?" I want to give all I got.

I think I know a little how you feel. They always tell the missionaries to love the people right? Well here the only way to have a spiritual lesson is to try and love that person and want the best for them. That way you can pass the gospel in a way that shows you want to help. But every week, we meet people that are suffering, praying to get help from the Lord, and of course, he sends us...
We teach them about the gospel, about how these decisions will change their life for the better, will help the family, keep your kids out of drugs and fornication, and promise all that the lord has will be theirs.

More often than we like, we watch these people that we come to love simply choose that they don't want what we are offering. It's especially hard if we've already helped them go to church and start changing their lives.

Satan's power is real. All of the important decisions are those that give us the option to follow god, or to follow the natural man. Satan uses Shame, embarassment. Tells people that they can't change, that it's too late. They should stay the way they are because it's easier, less painful, and maybe it is.

Christ teaches the complete opposite. It's never too late. There's nothing he can't heal or cure. He's never ashamed of us or disappointed. There is no sin that is too great or too late to forgive. His power is absolute the only thing that keeps us from feeling the relief of the atonement and the absolute joy of coming back to his paths is ourselves.

Something that I've learned is that it really does break our heart when our friends make decisions that can only bring pain and suffering. Imagine how Heavenly Father must feel all the time. But even though it breaks our hearts, it doesn't mean they are lost. Not yet. Even if it takes years or decades, they can still come back. They can make it to the baptismal font, to the temple, to the celestial kingdom.

And even if it feels like you are powerless to help them now, maybe in a few months or at least years, you can be sure that Heavenly Father will start pulling at their heart. He (who knows and controls everything) will make them pass through the circumstances that will help them have the Highest probability possible to come back to his fold. He will give them other choices or trials that will give them the chance to take his hand, that is extended all the day long for them. (He says that like 15 times in Doctrine and Covenants.) And maybe something that you said, or did, or just your example of life your friends will remember in that moment, and choose to do the right thing.

3 Nephi 18:23
But ye shall pray for them, and shall not cast them out; and if it so be that they come unto you oft ye shall pray for them unto the Father, in my name.

Jeremias 24:7
And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the Lord:and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.

Love you tons siss, you've always been a bonfire of example for all your friends! Keep doing what you do and I'll see you in 2... 6 months.. haha.

Tchau!
Amo Voce
Elder Wallace

Hola

 June 16, 2014

Oi Familia!

So this week we had a mini transfer because of some visa waiters who got their visas.
My new companion is Elder Almeida, From São Paulo. He's a great missionary and I'm looking forward to working with him.

This week on friday we'll have the baptism of Ivone! She is a golden investigator, since we gave her the book of mormon last sunday and she is now reading in ALMA!!!
We're super excited for her and have a few more people on date too.

this week the World Cup started, as you probably know the people here love their soccer. We are supposed to go home an hour before Brazil's games, and wait until they end to go out. During a game everything stops. The stores are all closed, not a car in the street, which never happens here in busy goiania. All was quiet until brazil made their first goal! people were lighting off fireworks, blowing air horns and making all sorts of racket! This allows us to keep score when we are sitting in the apartment!

I got an awesome brazil jersey from Elder Silva, I'll send pics this next week, because this computer has all sorts of problems.

Thanks for all the prayers and I know the Lord will bless all of you,
Keep looking for missionary oportunities,
Have an awesome week!
Love,
Elder Wallace

What A Welcome Week!

June 9, 2014

Ok, so I've got to boast a little bit.

This last p-day we found out that the Brazilian world cup team would be training in Goiânia, and would be holding an open to the public session!

We called up president, I was thinking "there's no way he'll let us go."
He responded "Save a spot for me I'm coming too!"

Best p-day ever.

This week was awesome! We had an investigator decide to be baptized on the 21st even before she went to the church. The testimony of a member made all the difference.
Of the 5 people that went to church 3 have baptismal dates! I was so happy and learned that everything depends on the Lord. All the work I do will be for nothing if I don't do it with his help. Alone we can accomplish so little, but in the strength of the Lord, I can do all things!
2 And though I have the gift ofprophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

We're super excited to get the office baptizing because it looks like it's been a while since the Elders have baptized there.

Also things are going a lot better, much more organized and I get it done a lot quicker.

I know this gospel is true, and that everything Christ did was for us. One of my favorite scriptures in portuguese right now is the story in John 4

 31 ¶In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master,eat.
32 But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.
33Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any manbrought him ought to eat?
 34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him thatsent me, and to finish his work.
The desire of my heart now is also to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
 Em nome de Jesus Cristo, Amem.

Amo todos Voces,
Fiquem Firmes!
Elder Wallace

Elder Doney, Creer and Silva getting there 4 hours early.
Tickets!
Serra Dourada Stadium
The team that will take the cup!



The Guys from our house and The assistents. President got there a little after.
Elder Ximim, Cunnington, Moreno, Robinson, Doney, Creer, Silva

The bus to lunch on sunday
Eler Silva Sleeping
First ones in the stadium!

Adeus Rio Verde

May 26, 2014

Saturday I got a call from president, he told me I was being TRANSFERED... ah man. then he said I'll be going to the office. One of my good friends, Elder Srur (from Belem, Para) is going home and I'll take his place.
I'm pretty sure that means I'll be taking care of the paperwork and weekly reports as Gerente Historiador. Which is another way to say Baptismal sheet digitizer.... I'm thinking this is Karma for my bad handwriting and all the times I forgot to send the name and age of the baptisms to the office in the weekly report...

Was I sad? I was WAY sad! I love Rio Verde, even though we didn't have that much success here, and I'll be transfered before our investigators get baptized... But I know I've got something to learn in my knew area. Really I'm excited to work with Elder SILVA! I was his district leader a few transfers back, and he's a great guy.

I'll also be living with my budy Elder Creer, and Elder Doney. With my companion being the only brazilian in the office, this is one more sign that this is the Lord's work. How else would a mission of 140 missionaries still be standing being run by a few american young men in Brazil? haha.

Anyway, here are some pics of the family and friends I came to know and love. They are fantastic and I hope to see them again.

Elder Moon was a great companion, super fun! We had a bunch of good times, and great memories.

But yeah. I'm headed to the office. I hope I will still have lots of time to proselyte.
I'm probably going to gain like 20 lbs...
haha

Love y'all
Elder Wallace

Caqui, looks like a tomato but tastes like a... peachish thing?

Elder Moon.