And the rain came down, down, down

Dear Family,

I am so exhausted. No one said that the mission gets easier as you go. As the end approaches I feel more tired and I think more about home. It's not that I want to think about home, but it's so close that I can calculate exactly how much time is left without even thinking about it all that much, and thinking about his brings up other questions: What will I do after the mission? What will be my major?

The week was once again very difficult. The rain is very discouraging. It just doesn't stop raining in this city during this time of the year. We are trying to talk to people on the street, but we aren't getting the results we desire. We actually knocked doors this week. I don't ever want to do that again. In Brazil that sort of work is associated with the Jehovah's Witness which many people don't like here. Anyway, so we were sitting there in the rain with no idea of what we should do to find people prepared to hear our message. Then I had an idea to read our planners under the section "Ideas for finding people". We read the list and discussed many different ideas. Ultimately we decided that the best idea would be a drawing class. Elder Assis draws really well, and a few members of the ward noticed it and complimented him on it. The next day we asked the bishop, and the bishop approved and we made the flier. On Sunday we announced and everyone got excited. I too am very excited to see the results of this class. This is only the beginning of our ideas. Our first class will be this Tuesday. Wish us luck!

We had training for leaders on Wednesday. I had the privilege to take the long bus ride to Rio and back. The training was excellent. A lot was said about the goals we set and how we should set them. There is an excellent quote in Preach My Gospel by Elder Ballard about goals. Learning the principles of goal setting is something that will change our lives a lot. 

On Sunday, we finally got Rosane and Adriano back at church. Adriano is still unsure about baptism. He is very indecisive like any other adolescent (I was too. mom and dad can confirm that. I believe one of my favorite lines used to be "I don't know"). Slowly we'll get him. He just has to open up a bit. Rosane is excited to chat with Mom. They have already traded several comments on facebook. Tomorrow I will go to their house and invite Adriano once again to be baptized. I will not leave without at least a baptismal date goal.

Any last words of advice for the boy (Craig)?

Um, there is quite a bit to say. I would have to repeat what Ray Fast said to me before i left. Speak the language in the MTC. There will be a lot of americans and really cool people, but that doesn't mean you need to speak english. The elders who spoke the mission language in the MTC are way better prepared. Don't be afraid to speak. 

Also, follow Preach My Gospel. Read it. Learn it. Love it. EVERY DAY. Learn and apply the doctrine of Christ.

Respect leaders, other missionaries, everyone. Don't get upset over little things. Always think: In five years will this really matter? Whether it be rain, something your companion does, anything little.  Most of it won't matter in five years.

A successful missionary studies the doctrine of Christ and applies it in his life.

Love,

Elder Walker

Pictures of Marissa's first Piso, Thanksgiving and Christmas decorations

Oh Happy Day!

So we finally got to have our delayed Thanksgiving dinner.  I think the most we did and had on Thanksgiving was a turkey sandwich!  The Churches, the senior couple, invited the whole district over all ten of us for a big dinner!  It was so good.  Mom I made your mashed potatoes and everyone loved them!  We´ve been so busy it´s hard to keep up with ourselves.  Today we played sports to let out all of our energy before everyone in our district is transfered.  Yes everyone is leaving except for my companion and I and one set of Elders.  I am SOOOO sad because I have really come to love these people and working with them.  All day my heart ached.  But I know that right when we get comfortable with people that´s when the Lord likes change. 

 

Funny story of the week, gas alarm went off at 9am during personal study.  Hermana Preston goes to just unplug it, then back to her studies.  haha.  Hermana Dalton and I were like um there´s a reason that the alarm is going off.  So we evacuated as it went off again.  I ran back in with my breath plugged to open windows.  We called our Dueño and the Elders.  The Dueño came over and thought we were blonde or something because he checked the place, nothing wrong.  Come back in he says.  Hermana Preston kept saying I think it´s all the hairspray from Hermana Fuentes.  We laughed at her and said no that can´t cause it.  Well sure enough we tested it and it was going off from hairspray in the room.  hhahaha, it was Hermana Fuentes because everytime she walked by it would go off.

 

Exciting news.  Abel and his wife, who are rich, invited my companion and I to a Spanish ballet.  We called President and he said as long as it wasn´t during procyliting hours, it is so we can´t go.  But they showed it to us on video instead, very nice of them.   They also took us out to fancy Spanish restaurante´s this week.  Very nice.  My companion says they favor me because they invited I and my parents after my mission to come back and go to a show in town with them.  haha.  They´re nice.

 

Miracle story of the week.  Evans, the one who was in the hospital sick but had a baptism date next week, is better!!!!  He received a priesthood blessing and we told him as he made the time to read and pray we knew he would be healed so that he can come to church and be baptized.  Well that next week after the blessing he never read and actually got more sick.  Then one day we went to go visit him and he wasn´t there, he was better.  It took us days to find him but once we did he said he had read and prayed his last day in the hospital. Then the next day he was feeling better so he was released.  WOo-Hoo!  I know miracles happen as long as we exercize faith and act upon our faith.  Faith without works is dead.  I meet so many people a day that say there is no God.  Well I am here to testify that there is and he loves us.  Nada es por casualidad.  Nothing is a coincidence.  I´ve seen way too many blessing and miracles through this work.  I meet Athiest more than once a day that ask, Well what about evolution etc?  I´m sorry but there is a reason God doesn´t want to give us all the answers right now.  THis life is a time for testing our faith, a time for experiences, a time to prepare to meet our Father and Heaven and His son, our Savior who is Jesus Christ the Lord.  Simple as that, having faith in them.  God is the father of our spirit´s and he knows us better than anyone else because he made us.

 

 I love you all and hope you have a fantastic week!  The gospel of Jesus Christ is true!

-Su Hija

Hermana Caminadora, Spain Barcelona Mission

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

Rain, rain and more rain

Dear Family,

This week was very interesting. We are being hit with rain off and on. We do our best in such conditions, but not much happens. No one likes to be outside in the rain. 

Rosane is doing better this week. We had a few talks after becoming discouraged that they never go to church. But she shared some good news with us. She will get married in the next few months. Now, in Brazil it takes two months for the marriage to happen after you've started the process.  It will take a while. Wednesday was Adriano's birthday. We went to a restaurant with their family. The food was great, but the company was better. We were the only guests they invited. They really have a love for us, and I hope this love can change to be love for the church. They were out of town this past Sunday, so one more Sunday without going to church. My goal for this next week is to take the two sons to soccer at the church and take Rosane to the family history center. She would love genealogy. 

On Thursday we did splits. Our zone leader helped us a bunch with finding a good are to wrok. The best part is we found ten couples in that area, some better than others. We will work with these couples to get tot know the church and talk about marriage and baptism. Marriage isn't the most popular thing in Brazil. I am excited to work with these couples.

That's about it for this week. Not too exciting. I promise a more exciting week next time.

I know the church is true and that Joseph Smith is it's restoring prophet. He indeed translated the Book of Mormon. I taught a lesson yesterday and taught the Book of Mormon. At the end of the lesson they had several unrelated questions, all of which I answered using a scripture from the Book of Mormon. It truly has all the answers. You just gotta look.

Love you all. Have a great week.

Elder Walker

¡Me Encanta mi misión!

November 28, 2011

Dear Family,

 

I´m so glad to hear about the Thanksgiving success!  I sorry I couldn´t have been there with you Daddy to watch the Macy´s Day parade.  You know that´s always my favorite.  And what?  Is this Newzies you say that´s going to be on Broadway this Spring?  okay you have to wait one more year to go sorry!  My compañion and I were just wondering why it was never put on Broadway...better bite my tongue.  Seems like everybody is undergoing surgery lately.  Hope all is better!  How´d you like "Phantom" Craigy and Ryan?  Was that your first time seeing it?  You´re kidding no one would help you put up lights this year dad?  well you know it would have happened if i was there...

 

This week has been full of miracles.  I´ve never givin so much thanks before to my Heavenly Father and the blessings he has given me.  Every prayer all I could do was rejoice morning, evening and night.  My relationship with my father in heaven has grown so strong over these 4 months.  I feel as if prayer has replaced my telephone and let me tell ya...it´s a good feeling!  I prayed Wednesday pleading to find those who are ready for baptism.  That day I put in all the effort I could to find the prepared.  And it happened!  One after another we found 2 ready for baptism!  Crazy!  Lot´s of other success and little miracles all week.  Then on Sunday we went to go pick up our investigators at church.  What we thought would be a mess turned into a miracle!  A family that we had been trying to get to church for over a 2 months, we finally got them there!!!!  It took dragging them out of the house, but later the mother told us that she thinks the spirit was telling her to go.  We were there over an hour helping the kids get ready and out of the door.  The two boys are incredible and were ready in 3 minutes, but the grandma, daughters and mom all come up with the same excuses.  I just kept saying a prayer in my head that this would all work out and that the member would be waiting in the car outside when we finally got out the door and he was!!!!!  peuffff!!!!!  That was a pain, but it worked.  Then we were just in time to meet up with another family to get them there!  It was a miracle we had over 10 investigators there!!!!!!!!  Great week! 

 

I´ve learned that the Lord strengthens us in our weaknesses.  He always provides a way when we are doing what´s right.  I know that this great work is impossible without the members.  This church is all about service.  Something the mission does is magnify your weaknesses and pin-point your strengths.  How grateful I am for this opportunity of a lifetime. 

 

2 weeks more of training.  What this program does is technically qualify you to train the next missionary who comes along.  Well I don´t quite feel like I´m fluent enough in the language.  I´m to the point where I can carry a conversation and get the point of what is being talked about and ofcourse I am able to teach any lesson in Preach My Gospel.  I really feel like I´m at the point where I can briefly fulfill my purpose, which is the most important part, but I want to be able to have more inteligent conversations, esp. with the members.  If they start talking about something that is not food or the gospel, I usually have a harder time understanding....all this street talk.  If I don´t understand something someone says in the street, I usually just giggle say Si?  then change the subject...haha.  It works though.  It´s also really funny seeing what people do to avoid you, or when people give you the wrong number.  Or you have the people like the other day who are just flat out RUDE to you.  I don´t like that.

 

You ask about Christmas mom...we will be at Abel and MariaJesus´ house Christmas night around 6pm to skype. They are...well I´m not really sure if they´re are investigators or just really good friends...but we´re close and they have offered their house for Christmas.  Very nice people.  Someone I will definitely keep in contact with.  They are actually coming to Vegas in May...I might send some stuff with them.  They travel a lot. 

 

Well I love you all.  The message of the gospel of Jesus Christ is the most beautiful message ever!   Take time this Christmas season to share it with somebody.  There is somebody waiting to hear it!   Love you, cuidase.  ¡Chow!

 

-Hermana Caminante (this is what all the members call me)

Life in the Mission

Mom, I know you are always ahead of the game and organized, but we don't know anything about phone calls yet. President will no doubt wait until the last moment to let everyone know about what we can and cannot do. The only thing we can plan is the time. It will have to be in the afternoon. Anytime from 3:00 to 7:00 Brazil time is perfect for me.

Cam-How are your shoes holding up?  

These are the best shoes because they will actually endure a two year mission. They are a bit worn, but are still in one piece, still shine-able and cheap.

Dear family,

My week was insanely tough. I don't think I ever had a week where I just wanted to be home, but this week was it. I wasn't home-sick but I was just plain sick. I had so much pain that there were just moments that I thought how much more wonderful it would be to sit in my bed at home and be watching TV. Tuesday I started with a slight cold. I didn't feel like eating or drinking anything. By the time Thursday rolled around I already was having problems in the stomach. I never threw up, but I had a lot of neck pain, headache, and stomach pains. I woke up several times nightly to use the bathroom. Don't worry about me, I'm all better now. 

After all of this came the rain. Friday it started off and on, Saturday continued, and now it hasn't stopped since then. I can't begin to explain how difficult it makes our work in this city. Everyone is afraid to die due to the tragedy in January.

Alright, enough with the bad news. Good stuff:

We held two family nights this week. One was a family night for recent converts. We had four there. It's good for them to know how these things work in the church. Maykon and Eleziene were there. I haven't seen them as much as I used to, but they are still going good. The other family night was with Rosane and her two sons. We pretty much dragged them to the family night. I think they need a bit more responsibility. They mark to do things, but the moment comes and they either show up late or don't show up. I took them by the hand to go to the family night they had marked with their neighbors. It was also a lot of fun. Speaking of Rosane, no one had any advice for me except for Marissa! 

We are working on Maykon's parents as well. They live very close to him, and they are way open to the message seeing the change that has come into his life. They are also legally marraige which is a huge blessing here in Brazil.

That's basically my week. Pain, Rain, and Families.

Love, 

 

Elder Walker

Mission shoe.com shoes have held up!

Companion study area

Bedroom

Bed

Study area

Bathroom

Companion with rodent

Kitchen

Happy Thanksgiving and Craigy Day!

HAPPY TURKEY AND CRAIGY DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

Sounds like you have lots of fun plans for Thanksgiving!  Wow and Craigy baby you´re getting so big!  19.  Seems like just yesterday you were in Pampers and i was babysitting you.  You leave in a month for the MTC!  That´s crazy!!!  YOu´re in for the best adventure of you´re life!  Glad to hear you´re okay too Mommy!!!!  Keep me updated!

 

Where to start....it´s been a crazy week!  lets see to start...we met a lot of crazy people...we´ll just leave it at that.  We had a baptism fecha with Marcos, until we found out that he was just trying to get money from the church.  He comes from this group of friends, a long train of homeless men, that we teach.  First Spaniard with a fecha for me...that group has been interesting but humble to teach.  This week has also been a lot of less active visits.  I get tired of listened to their sob story of how they´ve been offended.  " Do you know the book of mormon is true?  What about Joseph Smith?  Then nothing else should matter.  People are not perfect, but the gospel of Jesus Christ is.  Come to church!"  That shut´s them up. 

 

I´ve been trying to find someone or a studio where I can learn the traditional dances of Spain for a while now.  Well we passed one street and happened to hear those clasping clapping thingy´s they use...can´t remember the spanish name for them.  So neat!  I peeked in the studio and neither of the Hermana´s wanted to follow me because they were scared.  Well being taught right by dad I walked in and made myself at home and started to talk to them in Spanish.  THey were really nice and taught me how to use them and how to dance this traditional dance called "la jota."  The Hermana´s were really shy and bright red by then, so they just sat in the background and watched.  Then I asked if these professional Jota dancers would put on a show for me.  It was so neat and so easy to learn.  I finished by ofcourse doing my job and sharing the gospel.  I invited them to my dance class and church but they haven´t showed yes.  Very nice people.

 

We then got a call from president that a new hermana was coming to our pizo to live with us and be trained by Hermana Fuentes, my trainer, and that only me and hmna. Preston were companions now!  Well that not only came by a bit of suprise but Hmna Preston and I looked at each other and said....oh no!  We´re doomed!  haha...we laugh and goof off way too much because we´re A LOT alike.  Well we both had to step up to the plate a little because we would always just follow Hma Fuentes because she not only knew the city but liked to take charge so we just let her.  Well no big we just got lost a couple of times the first day, missed a couple of buses and meetings, but we´re alive and learning to take responsibility.  We make a great team.We just snapped into this serious mode and it works great.  She has really taught me to just laugh at things when you´re stressed or worried.  

 

Something I´ve really learned about myself so far is that I´m always the brave and bold one.  I don´t mind sweetly putting people in line.  Or talking to people or what not about what they need to do to change.  Hma Fuentes always says I don´t want to offend them, " Hermana Walker will you tell them?"  sure!  I never knew I was such a bold person...but it works!  people listen!

 

To end President came to our city to give the wards a conference and really gave them animo for the work!  All of the sudden everyone´s asking us what they can do to help.  This week our mission went from 13 Hermana´s to 18!   we have 104 missionaries now!

 

I love you all the church is true and mission´s rock!!!!! 

 

-Hermana Walker