Cameron September 5, 2011

Dear World,

This week passed by so quickly. It started off very well. We were getting ready to work when we get a call from one of our investigators. She said that her mom was wanting to be baptized and that we should go visit her. (her mom was also an investigator). Turns out she had a meeting at her son's school where they talked about preparation for disasters. If the flooding happens again in Friburgo, they are preparing the parents to react in the right way. This part really touched her because really anyone could die in such an accident. She said jokingly to her daughter that she will be baptized this week. We showed up there and left a message about being prepared spiritually. She resisted. We insisted, and she accepted. It was cool to work with her because she was set in her decision. Her son fell last week because he didn't want to be baptized and he still didn't. He tried to convince his mom not to be baptized, but she was set on being baptized. On sunday, the water was so cold that she almost didn't get in. I don't blame her. The last few days have been really cold. Luckily Elder Branco was the one doing the baptism. I got the comfortable role of taking pictures. Fátima stuck her big toe in the water and immediately took it out. Then she went down to her knees and once again sprang out of the water. We are so fortunate to have wonderful members who were there to help her and give her courage to enter the water. She finally got in and was baptized. But right after the baptism she didn't hesitate to leave the water.

Our beloved Rocha is still reading the Book of Mormon. After two weeks he is now in 2 Nephi chapter 14. Unfortunately he still hasn't decided that going to church is important. Although I am loving his progress in the book. It's about time he did something more than just read. He needs to put his faith into action. We invited him to be baptized and he accepted. When we get him to church this next Sunday, we will baptize him the week after.

The other two missionaries in my district pulled off 4 baptisms and 3 confirmations. I am so proud of them. Our district is holding up the zone. It's funny because our areas have a reputation for very few baptisms. Just goes to show that with a little bit of faith and work, there can be miracles anywhere.

Congratulations to Craig for his call. Cochabamba, Bolivia. I have no idea where cochabamba is, but i'm sure you will learn all sorts of indian languages and dialects. If it's close to Brazil you might also pick up a bit of Portuguese. 

This next week we will be having a conference with Jairo Mazzagardi who is a seventy from here in Brazil. I will have lots to share next week! 

Love,

Elder Walker

Marissa August 29, 2011

¡¡¡¡Hola!!!!

 

Let me start off by giving Mikey a shout out for getting the job down in Texas with a big time JP Morgan company!!!  That made my week to hear that congrats you'll be great, I'll be sending you a letter today.  Glad to hear the funeral all went well.  So this week is kinda full of stories...but they're funny one's.

 

No visa, probably won´t make it to the Spain MTC but I love it here :)

 

So we found a mouse in the bedroom scurrying around....GROSS.  You can imagine a bunch of girls squirming and squeeeeeling around.  It freaked me out for the next couple of nights thinkin that something furry would end up in bed with me.  It probably found the food.  We put in mouse traps so hopefully that will help.  The Elder's decided somehow that it was prank week.  Out of all the Hermana's they decided I would take it the best.  So First was the woopy cushion.  They got me good.  Then because I'm gulible they make up stories like how were allowed to take a bus to see different temples in the valley; etc.  It was like prank after prank but it was funny so I just learned to laugh with them.  Growing up with brothers I'm used to it. 

 

I see Brooke McEween everywhere!  She just got hired here.  She came and observed our class for the last hour and it was fun to have her there.  She's grown up a lot!!!  We get new teachers this week and all the Hermana's keep talking about this cute teacher were getting but I have to remind them we're missionaries keeping an eye single to the glory of God.  Haha girls are funny.  We have this really intense sub who comes in too and is a marine so he's way strict!  But his teaching just motivates you to naturally want to be better.  My companion was sick all week then had Pink eye.  It was also her birthday so we went full out and did celebration things all day.  Ofcourse I put it all together.  I think this is where mom comes out in me!  ha.  It was like taking care of a child all week, but a good skill to acquire. 

 

Thanks for the package it was great!  I got it within the same day you sent it.  Also...did you guys happen to pull in the MTC after the service on Saturday?  I could have sworn I saw you!  I was sitting on the grass eating my sack lunch then I saw a car pull in that looked like you guys.  As you made a "U"iee I you had a BYU sticker on the back and a Nevada license.  haha so whether it was you guys or not I started running after you but you pulled away too quickly.  oh well! 

 

So I keep getting lots of different letters asking if I'm not only enjoying jut my district, but the work itself.  I know I write a lot about how much I love my district, but may I remind all of you that...THAT IS THE WORK!  ha.  Learning to love others and relate to them and share what you've know to be true your whole life is the work.  That includes having fun together too and just becoming friends with your investigators.  Not some piloted robot.  That is the work of Jesus Christ loving others.  But don't worry I study my heart out everyday and am learning a lot!  It's crazy to see how much I've progressed in a year!  I've learned more about myself, the gospel, and other people in this year and a half then in my whole lifetime. I know this to be the work of the Lord.  And yes it's work, but that is because Salvation and then Exaltation is not a cheep price.  I love the Lord, I love this work, and I love my family and the people here!  Elder Bednar once said, " You all chose to be a missionary in the pre-existence."  I believe that with all my heart.  The thought of going on a mission has never left my heart or head.  I love my Savior and am striving each day to be more like him.  May we all do the same.  Have a good first week of school with homework and assignments while I get to do the greatest work the earth will ever know!  Have a good week, breath, don't stress, be happy, and remember who you are, a precious child of God.  ¡BuenoSuerte!

 

Sinceramente,

Hermana Walker

Cameron August 29, 2011

We had one more really busy week. Due to a Conference we had, there wasn't a lot of time to work in our area. I was super excited to work this week because we are building up a good group of people that can be baptized. We had several miracles.

On Tuesday we showed up to Rocha´s house. This elderly man had received a book of mormon on Saturday. I get there thinking he will give the same excuse that everyone gives: I didn't read, I read and it's really interesting...(didn't really read). He said he read. I was like "oh yeah, what do you remember?". He said he remembered Nephi. I thought, "that's just the first name he read and the only thing he remembers." Then he went on to explain how nephi killed laban, returned for Ishmael's daughters, left Jerusalem, and talked about the great and abominable church. He spat out somany details from the book. Things that most people don't remember. He read 14 chapters in 3 days. I was really surprised. I think he'll be worth working with. 

We had many contact from Heavenly Father this week. This being that the people come up to us and talk about the church. We have marked two baptisms for next week because of this. 

Friday we had Zone conference in Petropolis. We had to leave Nova Friburgo Thursday night to be in Teresópolis to then leave Friday morning. I saw Elder Alvorado there (he's in my zone, but lives way far away). Elder Alvorado was nice enough to make dinner for the whole zone. I managed to endure the ever so disliked bus rides. The road had a lot of sharp turns being that this region of Rio is full of huge steep hills. It didn't help my motion sickness... Luckily I survived the ride there and back! In the conference we learned a lot!! President Lima has many great techniques for us to practice in our teaching. We have many strategies we are going to use to take away people's fears. The main reason people don't get baptized is due to fear. We are going to be inviting people for the baptism using much more seriousness and assure them that we were called by God to do this. It's hard to explain this by email, but it's really powerful the way we're practicing. We also discussed the importance of love in our work. I think I am going to repeat that message to my district in district meeting. 

We also have tactics for helping our investigators pull through on Sunday morning. Many baptisms are lost at the last moment. We are going to start making efforts to firm them up better. First we will go to the house of the baptism and leave the baptismal clothes with them. That way they will have to show up on Sunday. We will also be using more invites for the person's baptism. They invite people, friends show up, more obligation, more investigators at church. Everything in the conference was great.

Saturday we made it back and went instantly to work. We didn't baptize this week, but there are several in perspective for next week.

Thoughts from the Liahona this month:

Love at home -Prez Monson

"Never let a problem to besolved become more important than a person to be loved."

"What is most important almost always involves the people around us." 

"We will never regret loving words that were said nor affection shown." 

Love you all. The church is true, and we can all know that by living the principles that are taught. 

Love,

Elder Walker

Marissa August 22, 2011

Oh Grandma Beth!

 

Oh how I loved every minute of you!  She always made me laugh and feel good.  Never complained a second of her life.   Always looking for the good in others and always had a smile on her face.  I'll never forget all the good memories I shared with her.  Even if it was just reminicsing of her train-track stories....how she will always be known from my friends as the train-track Grandma.  Or when Hannah and I made fun of her Moe haircut from the 3 stooges.  As Beth would say...Oh bless her soul!  Oh bless your soul Grandma Beth for being the rock of our family.  For staying strong.  Bless you for being at my every dance, piano recital, and soccer game.  I always heard her voice over every one ele's as a kid...."Yay Marissa Maroo from Peru!"  She was always well dressed and had a new hair-do.  She was beautiful.  I know that if I ever needed someone to talk to she was just a phone call away.  Whether it be my boy-problems or other choices I had to make, she always had good advice to offer.  The best advice she offered was, "You let him take care of you, LET HIM PAY!!!"  haha I'll never forget that.  Oh Grandma, always saying and doing the darnest things.  Life is so much more than just being born, waking up everyday, brushing your teeth, then passing away.  God has a plan for us and has given us families to take care of one another on this earth.  He trusts us to take care of one another.  Bob has done just that.  He has been there for her every need.  What a Christ-like example and love he has demonstrated so thank you Bob.  I'll never forget the time when Bob had the TV volume way up to 74 during his favorite show Jeapordy.  Beth was trying to talk to him from the other room and he wasn't responding.  She said, "Bob turn down that TV so you can hear me."  no response.  5 minutes later it was comercial and finally that loud thing wen to mute and Bob says jokingly, "Beth I don't wanna hear ya."  haha she laughs and came in and gave him a big kiss.  They were always so funny!  They loved each other so much.  How grateful I am for you Grandpa and taking care of my Grandma Beth.  I love you so much and you have also been a good example to me and just a crack up to have around the Walker home.  Both of you always made everyone laugh.  I always looked forward to you visiting or going to Grandma and Grandpa's house!!!  Granny always was trying to brighten your day.  Whether it was presents, kind words, or a funny story.  Although some of the funny stories would not be appropriate at this time many other thought provoking, learning experiences to share like the time I kicked the soccer ball in the air to show off for the neighborhood boys in Wrightwood.  That ball landed smack right on top of her car windshield shattering the thing.  I wanted to tell her but my family was taking my back to school shopping that night and I didn't want to not miss out this once a year experience.  I got a phone call an hour after we left because Craig and Cameron asked if they could go break Grandma's other wind-shield.  I apologized as my mother said then asked what I could do to help pay for it.  She quickly said not to worry about it and forgave me without even thinking about it.  Man I should have just told her the moment it happened if it would have been that easy.  What a Christ-like example she was to me.  I have learned through her the power of forgiveness.  How easy it was for Christ to love and forgive everyone because he knew they were not perfect but were trying their best.  What a Christ like example she has been to me my whole life.  What a beautiful day it was last year on Christmas eve when both my Grandpa Martin and Grandma Beth were in the same house same room with all of us just laughing and chatting away.  The power of forgiveness is real through and only through the atonement of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  I know God lives as well as his beloved son Jesus Christ.  So much that he showed how to make it through this life.  He succeeded and accomplished God's plan so that we would have a Savior because we cannot do it alone.  We just can't no matter how hard we try.  I've had to rely on the atonement and I know it's healing power first-hand.  How grateful I  am for my Grandmother for helping me realize that.  I'm glad I got to be up in Utah with her for the time I did.  What a blessing she is in my life.  I know the divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave.  I know Grandma is in a happier place right now starting a whole new chapter of eternal life.  I know she was greeted by her family as well as the hosts of heaven whom she has done work for on this earth.  I I know she is at the face and in God's hands who has make it passible for all to return to His presence and for families to be united eternally.  I will see my Grandmother again!  She is up there just cheering us on.  Bless her soul.  I LOVE HER!!!!  Now I must continue laboring in this sweet message that truth is restored, God loves His children and wants us to live again in His presence.  I know Jesus Christ is His beloved Son, my Savior, my Redeemer, this I know in the name of Jesus Christ amen. 

 

Love you guys and hope all is going well and not too crazy there.  When is the funeral?  Any other details I should know?  How is everyone handling it?  Well you are all in my prayers and everything is going great here!

 

Craig....please send the plan of salvation notes from Brother Bott's class esp. the part on the 1/3 hosts of heaven thing...ya know what I'm talking about??  and PS you or Ryan never write me why>?  haha.

 

Love you all,

sinceremente,

Hermana Walker

Cameron August 22, 2011

Dear Family,

My week went very well.

It all started Tuesday. My cell phone broke because it got wet. WE had to leave early in the morning to be in Rio, but we had no way to call a taxi. So, we arranged to have a guy pick us up at a specified time. He didn't show up and we were going to miss our onibus, so we went to the nearest pay phone to call him. He said he would show up in 5 minutes. He took 10 minutes. We rushed over to the bus station. I ran to catch our bus in case it happened to be leaving late. (it was already 5 minutes after it's time to leave). It was still there! We barely made it because it was leaving in that moment.  Got here in Nova Friburgo that afternoon. 

My comp is awesome. He only has two months on the mission, but he is already on fire. Some people were just born to be missionaries. His name is Elder Branco and he is from Florionópolis. We get along very well.

Nova Friburgo is a great area. The ward is doing rather well. The city is still recovering from the disaster in January. It's really incredible to hear the testimonies of people who lived through the disaster. There is a lot of evidence still included houses that are half gone lots of piles of dirt that fell from the mountains, etc. 

We baptized this week!! His name is Gilmar. He is the last in his family to be baptized. The rest of his family was baptized last year and he barely moved back in with his wife and kids. Elder Branco really knew what to say to him because he changed his mind this week and decided to be baptized. He talked about the importance of having the father figure in the family. His family needs him to be a priesthood holder for them. It was really bold and just what he needed to hear. The family is way cool!!

We are also working with a man named Maicom. He had an accident a few years ago and lost the ability to speak. He is slowly recovering. He has a few more changes to make before he can be baptized, but he is way excited. He is showing fruits of repentance. We learned about family history on sunday and that night we went to his house and he was already looking up familysearch.org. He will have an interview with the mission president next week. I hope everything goes well for him. 

We are also working on another family. Fatima is a single mother with several kids: Flavia, Betinho and marlom. They have gone to church several times already, but fatima doesn't feel the desire to be baptized yet. I'm pretty sure it's because she still smokes a little. We will have to help her get rid of that this week. When she gets baptized Marlom, 11, will go with her for sure. He already wanted to be baptized, but Fatima didn't want him to yet.

Friday we had a ward party with lots of really good food. We showed up earlier. While I was  waiting, I got a phone call. It was President. I knew what it was. He asked me if I believed in the plan of salvation. I said yes. Then he shared the news with me. Nothing tests your testimony like an experience like this. Lots of questions came up. Will I really see her again? Luckily I know that I will. I moved on and worked the rest of the week.

With love,

Elder Walker

From Marissa August 15, 2011

Hola!  Como estan??

 

Well still Visa-less but to be honest I'm okay with that.  I am just LOVING my MTC experience.  The travel agency told us that if they are not here two weeks before we go into the mission-field that we will most likely not be able to go to the Madrid MTC and might even be re-located in a temporary state-side mission.  I'm happy though and that's all that matters!  :)  They said we might get to visist Madrid and go to the temple our last weeks in the field so we'll see! :)

 

I am soooo mad ya'll went to Little Mermaid without me.  You know how bad I wanted to see that musical.  Little Mermaid was always my favorite as a kid!!!!!  Oh well I get to participate in the greatest work known to man-kind right now!!!!  Soooo be a little jealous.  Glad to hear my Rhonda the Honda is lookin good!  That makes me feel better that he said it will last even to little Emily.  Glad to hear her play of Tangled went well.  Wish I could have seen it...that would have been hillarious to see Craig and Ryan.  Just tell them I'm making fun of them still 300 miles away haha.  Tell Mimi I said Happy Birthday and wish I could be there to give her a hug!  That's awesome that Emily has Mrs. Mitchell!!!!  That breaks my heart about Grandma but good thing we know about God's plan for us!  I love teaching about the plan of Salvation.  I am very passionate about it and feel it is my best lesson when I teach it.  Tell Grandma I love her and her spirit will be missed her upon this earth!!!  She has been such a good example growing up and so fun to have around.  I love you grandma God be with you til we meet again :)

 

Mom and Dad- which classroom and building did you used to teach at??  So I can get a picture of where you both met!  haha.  I would LOVE to teach here after the mission and think I would be good at it.  I am loving the Spanish language.  Our lessons have been getting better and better.  We practice on all the new people or people from the "outside world" as they come through the gate...it's a lot of fun!  As a district we've labelled everything with sticky notes and can only talk Spanish during breakfast and dinner.  It's been fun!  I've never laughed so hard in my life!  We all come up with the funniest one liners in Spanish.  We've started a quote wall. 

 

Everyone in the district likes to make fun of me cause I repeat every Spanish word the teacher says out loud.  That's just how I learn.  haha.  They also like to make fun of me at meals because I eat so much.  me estamago es muy grande!  I ate 3 entrees, a house salad, 2 cookies, and a popcicle.  I just get so hungry.  They were all like.."where does it go?"  haha.  As a district we all work so hard and get like no sleep so everything seems to be funny all the time.  It's hillarious!  We'll get loopy and on laughing highs because the days are just so long but the weeks fly by!  It's so funny though all the inside jokes we have.  A lot of the Elders said they want to room with my brothers at BYU when we all get back.   They've become like brothers and I love them dearly.  They do everything I tell them it's great I feel like a queen.  "oh elder will you get me some ketchup?"  haha.

 

So that's crazy the missionaries there say my accident.  What were they doing?  My deaf friend it's so sad, she'll come bawling to me all the time because she's almost lost all of her hearing.  She's so sweet and caring for everyone.  Such a Christ-like example to me.  None of her family has written her yet either.  Me and all my Hermana's in the district are getting along so well.  It's like I've known them my whole life.  Some of us decided to room when we get back to Provo.  I feel a little more relieved now about that situation when I return haha.  It will be nice to have people my age to room with since I'll be an old hag when I get back.

 

Well I love you all.  Thanks for the love and letters.  We as missionaries NEED it!  so thanks.  The language it really coming I'm so close.  I just struggle with subjunctive but how grateful I am for the gift of tongues!  The church is true, I know it with my whole heart, might, mind, and strength!  I cannot deny my testimony of this everlasting gospel!

 

Have a great week and don't forget to WRITE ME!!!!!!!!  haha :) 

 

sinceramente,

Hermana Walker

August 15, 2011

Week of Father's Day in Brazil.

I am going to be transferred tomorrow. I can't manage to sit still. I will be going to Nova Friburgo, the city that was flooded in January. My new comp will be Elder Branco.

The week flew by without me noticing. We did our best to help people accept baptism, but right now isn't their moment, and I pray that the new elders in the area will continue working with these people

Edmilson doesn't really want to be baptized. We worked with him a bit, but he insists that he will continue going to a different church. I took this to be a sign that he is not yet prepared to be baptized nor to stop drinking. I was reading the 12 step program that the church offers to help people with addiction. It is actually really good stuff to help anyone overcome bad habits or become more perfect.

Cristiana is having difficulties understanding that the book of mormon and joseph smith are inseparably connected. Knowing one is true is knowing the other is. We taught the family the plan of salvation. They liked it. We tried to get a wheelchair so we could take the dad to church (he can't walk). I think the best way to help her is take her family to church to help her get used to it. It really comes down to the fact that she doesn't want to change religions. I know that one day she will accept the truth. I pray it will be soon.

Marina is simply delaying. We visited her and wanted her to be baptized, but she honestly just wants to be baptized on her birthday. We can tell she wants to be baptized (she never said it directly, but she already decided who will baptize her). She finally came up to us at church and said she wants to be baptized next week by elder Gallacher. Unfortunately We are both leaving the area. Right when we start having success we are taken from the gold mine. 

I pray for the success of the new elders. I tried my best to set it up for them. The worst thing on the mission is to show up to a ward that hates missionaries, has nothing to work with, and a dirty house with unpaid bills. We have left a ward with a lot of potential and a good teaching group.

The church is true. Love to all

Love,

Elder Walker