Swine Flu Scare!

Howdy! Down here in the South of America we got some hooligans running ramped! We got cold, flu, fever, cough, headache, and malfunctioning digestive tract all making a big ol´ mess. But we are doing are best to get them under lock and key. I have been sick for over a week and Elder Bryan has been down for the count sense Thursday. I have just had the basic cold. headache, and cough going on for a while, but I think I gave it to Elder Bryan and his system isn't as resilient? He got a fever of almost 102, was coughing up his lungs, and his eyes had so many veins popping it looked like they had gone a gym :P We had a meeting with our ward mission leader on Friday and Elder Bryan could not even participate due to the amount of attention he had to give to his sprinting nose. So then a member called the ward doctor and the doctor our President and we ended up at the hospital with an IV in Elder Bryan´s arm. We didnt get back until 2am. The doctor said Elder Bryan should not work for a whole WEEK! But I think we will try and go out tomorrow. We weren't allowed to go to our investigator's confirmation! One time Elder Bryan woke up with his eye sealed shut by a kind of goober. Hehehe. He is almost at 100% already due to four different kind of pills he is taking. We are working on building up a new teaching group and a new ward mission plan. But the sickness has caused everything to almost come to a halt. We did a division last night, Elder Bryan stayed at home with a member and I went to work, and we met this marvelous investigator who I hope will be baptized next week. She wants to find a church, loved the English class I did, and really enjoyed the lesson we shared. We will go back tomorrow. I wanted to share a scripture with you today about the tree of life. In 1 Nephi 8:12 it reads, ´´And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly great joy; wherefore, I began to be desirous that my family should partake of it; for I knew that is was desirable above all ever fruits.´´ In 11:21-22 it reads,´´the tree... is the love of God... wherefore, it is the most desirable above all things.´´ It says here that God´s love is the most desirable thing one can obtain, the best of all fruits. This implies, however, that there are other kinds of fruits which all bring varying degrees of happiness. This could be friends, cars, books, sports, mind modifiers, etc. I am not saying that people are not happy outside of the gospel. I am saying that I am the happiest I have ever been within the gospel and wish that you might feel the same things that I do. Search for the pure love of god, search for the most desirable of all the fruits, and I promise you can be happier than you ever were before even as I have become. I love you all and with you the best. Come on really, Elder Healy

English and Dinner

Dear My Peeps, Lots of things have been happening in our area and I am super excited to tell you about them. First of all, we started an English class yesterday much to my delight. We had three less actives and one of our more elect investigators show up, among others. We taught basic introductions and how to pray in English. It went over well and I think the class will be even bigger next week. It was so strange speaking in English that it appeared unnatural and we stumbled over a couple words. But all good in my non-existent hood because I only have sweaters :) We also had dinner at the Relief Society President and Councilor in the Bishopric house with their family. The father, Fernando, and his daughter gave us a ride there after participating in the English class. When we showed up the first thing her brother said was Your clothes are completely outside of the standard! Elder Bryan and I were dying. Then when we were leaving, she asked her Dad if she could ride as well. That was the most resounding "no" I have heard in a while. We had a really special baptism this week. When we first arrived here we received a reference to start teaching the son of a member. He wanted nothing to do with us so we decided to reactivate his sister and teach her husband. The first visit was a little cold. He said he didn't think God existed because of all the suffering he saw in the world daily. His Dog had recently had to be put down and was very upset. So we taught the Plan of Salvation for animals. It was just what he needed! That, combined with an answer about the Book of Mormon, gave him the spiritual strength he needed. He was married on Saturday and excited for his baptism for about 3 weeks. I decided to re-read the Book of Mormon so I can testify with more power and I wanted to share a couple verses I found in the first thirty pages today. In 1 Nephi 1:12 it reads, And it came to pass that as he read, he was filled with the Spirit of the Lord. We too can receive the Holy Ghost through diligent scripture study. In 1 Nephi 3:7 it reads, And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I awill go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them. And in verse 15, it reads But behold I said unto them that: as the Lord liveth, and as we live, we will not go down unto our father in the wilderness until we have accomplished the thing which the Lord hath commanded us. Some people of been joking with me about Hump Day that is coming, or one year in the mission field, but I cannot lose focus or let up. As long as I live, I will not go to my father, and everyone else, until I have the accomplished the mission the Lord has commanded me. I know he will prepare the way so I might be happy and baptize flocks of people. I love you all so much. Come on really, Elder Healy

Document

I used my whole email time writing a teaching tool (the 12 points of the true church). Love you guys. We will baptize on Sunday and have BBQ on Saturday! Yeah! We both stayed this transfer and the sacrament meeting had double the number of people from when we arrived! Everyone is pitching in and we are excited. The TWELVE POINTS OF THE TRUE CHURCH 1 must have a foundation of apostles and prophets (Eph. 2:19-20) 2 should be organized by the Lord (1 Cor 12:28, Eph 4:11-14) and have the name of Jesus Christ (Eph. 5:23, Rom 13:14, Col 3:17) 3 Must have a prophet who calls the twelve (Luke 6:13, Mark 3:14-15, Joshua 4:4) and seventy (Luke 10:1, Num 11:16) 4 It should affirm the divine authority given by God (Hebrews 5:4-6, Exodus 28:1, Num 27:18-23) 5 It should be a Missionary Church (Matt 28:19-20) without paid clergy (Isa 45:13, 1 Pred 5:2) 6 must baptize by immersion (Matt. 3:16, Col 2:12) and give the gift of the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands (Acts 8:15-17, 9:14-17, 19:1-6) 7 should meet on Sunday to speak, break bread and remember the resurrection Jesus Christ (Acts 20:7, 1 Corinthians 16:1-2, John 20:19-20) without yelling (Isa 30:15, 1 Cor 14:33, Hab 2:20, 1 Kings 19:11-12) 8 should be taught that the spirit continues (1 Peter 3:18-21) and do baptisms for the dead (1 Cor 15:16,19,29) 9 You must confirm nine spiritual gifts to accomplish divine healing (Mark 16:17-18, 1 Cor 12:7-11) using consecrated oil (Mark 6:13, James 5:14, Exodus 29:7) 10 Must afrimar revelation of God with us (Amos 3:7, Heb 1:1-2, John 14:26) 11 must teach that God and Christ are separate and distinct individuals (John 8:12, Matthew 5:16) that have bodies of flesh and bones (John 20:17. Acts 7:55) 12 should be lost (1 Cor 11:19-19, 2 Thes 2:1-3, 1 Tim 4:1) and restored (Acts 3:19-21, Ephesians 1:10) Fruits by Vos Know (Mat 7:16-20)

Old Ladies

´Ello yo wonderfo peepo, Elder Healy reporting in from Sousas, one of six areas in all of Brasil with a temple. What, what. Opening this area has been an interesting and exciting experience. It has been a true opportunity to grow and put in practice what I have learned. I have reached a point where I am comfortable in my teaching, make good use of my study, have wonderful relationships with my companionships, and am obedient so I might qualify for the Spirit. I have had to take more control of the lessons because my companion is still about as green as a leaf entering Autumn, but is progressing well. After my last transfer I thought I was saintly, but Elder Bryan has showed me the error of my ways. He truly keeps every rule to the letter of the law and I love him for it. One time I wanted to put money on my bus card, but all of my money was on my credit card and you need to pay in cash. So I asked him if I could have 20 Reais and pay him back at the bank. He would not lend it to me because it says in the rule book you couldn't borrow or lend money. The other companionship with us burst out laughing. Whenever I want to get clothes on the line I have to walk one meter from the door to get them. He always waits in the door watching until I return home safely :P Whenever we stop by the house to use the bathroom, we pray when we leave so that we pray every time we leave the house. He really is a great example for me. We both shave daily without real need, but he always uses cream to shave. And he always forgets to wipe away part of the cream on what appears to be a daily basis. I try to let him know to wash behind the ears... Yesterday during district meeting we had a mini talent show. We had singing, dancing, and one-handed clapping. My Rubik´s Cubs was broken recently so I couldn´t do that. And I thought a hand stand wouldn´t be that exciting. So I wrote numbers between 1 and 31 on five different cards and showed them to the audience. People then chose numbers in their head and said which cards had their number. I was able to say there number in seconds to everyones amazement. I felt super, duper special. After the meeting, my professor, Irmão Israel, from the MTC came to do a division with us. It was so wonderful to see him. We chatted all throughout the work day. I felt at ease and had a wonderful time with him. He has become my Brazilian brother. He helped us through one rough lesson and taught me several new techniques. He said I am looking stronger and more fit much to my delight! He is following the blog and I am so glad he is having success in life. We are trying to finalize three older women to be baptized this Sunday. One is the mother of a member, another was a contact and is catholic through and through, and the third was found in the area book and almost visited the church for a year. We are trying to visit them all daily and help them solve their worries about baptism. I strongly believe that we can do it by this Sunday. I hope to stay at least one more transfer here. I am not ready to go. As I was teaching I learned a very important principle. One of our investigators wants to have a perfect life before baptism. I explained to her that she must be baptized to have a perfect life. In Rev 22:14 it reads ´´Keep the commandments have a right to the tree of life.´´ The fruit of this tree is the love of God which is the best possible feeling we can receive here. I promise that as each and everyone of you seek to be baptized or be true to your baptismal covenants, you too can receive this wonderful gift. ´´Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind´´ Romans 12:2. Come on really, Elder Healy

Short Letter

Hello All, I love you, miss you, think about you, pray for you, and worry. I am perfectly fine. I am healthy, happy, energetic, and improving daily. I am loving the mission and hope all of you have a happy Fourth of July. This last week was truly wonderful. We are teaching better, more to needs, and feeling the Spirit. We had investigators and several less actives in sacrament meeting! Come on really, Patriotic Elder Healy

Cell phone Woes

Dear People, This last week was teaching and humorous, at least from the perspective of a missionary. We received a phone from the mission as we opened this new area. What we didn't know however is that the chip inside it was an old one from a different area. So we were calling to confirm lunch one day and we called for Sister Andreia in our phone because she is our Relief Society President. A woman picked up and we asked her for where our lunch would be she passed us a number which we then called. The lunch appointment started describing where she lives and we just were really confused. Turns out the Relief Society President of the other ward is also called Andreia. Hehehe. We also called one member with a collect call and she picked up the phone, didn't hear that we were missionaries, and burned us about calling people without reason. She apologize later when she found out it was us. We are teaching about five couples, four of which need to marry, and all who will visit church this Sunday. We will have a super Family night tonight with three of them to help make friendships one with another and feel more at ease. If this works out, we will have many baptisms next transfer. I am wonderful in case you were worried. I am eating well and am happy and working. I love you all and keep you all in my prayers. The work is speeding up and I am feeling the presence of the Holy Ghost more and more. I am receiving personal revelation everyday as I continually ponder the things I learn and receive confirmations of what I learn. I love you all and would like to share a couple scriptures with you. While studying, I often come across interesting scriptures by chance. This one made me look at my eating habits :) ´´But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him´´ Deut 32:15 We ask people in the street at times for a cup of water to quench our thirst and to have an opportunity to talk with them. I decided to find a scripture to express our thanks. This is the best I got. ´´For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward´´ Mark 9:41 The last verse in Corinthians is inspiring for me. It explains the things we must help the investigators feel. If they feel the love of God, the companionship of the Holy Ghost, and the force that comes from the grace of Christ, they will be converted. ´´The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen´´ 2 Cor 13:14 Come on really, Elder Healy

Reactivation

Dear Family and Friends, I am super excited to be writing you a letter this week. We have been working really hard but feel as if we are spinning are wheels a little. We mark lots of appointments but they all fall through. But we will keep at it. We will have a baptism this week. A woman has been visiting the church regularly for more than 2 years and the first day we see her, she asked the bishop to be baptized the this Saturday. She is dating the Quorum President and is practically a member. We also received a reference from a member. This family is great. The Father accepted baptism without hesitation and we will be trying to baptize them this next Sunday if all goes well. There are many people less active here, but we are doing our best to bring them back. We hope that the members will see our effort and be more encouraged to help us. My companion, Elder Bryan, is great. He has such an earnest desire to improve and I hope I can help him and pass what I know to him. He was really worried about receiving money from members to buy lunch because he thought it was against the rules. I couldn´t help but laugh a little. I remember when I arrived on the mission and always complained about how everyone broke the rules and how many rules were dumb. I have humbled myself and just try to do my best and help those around me. It is funny that every less active we visit, it seems that they want to give us food. I have been studying recently about how to have the Spirit with us and pass this to investigators. This is one of the greatest gifts we can receive from God and without the Spirit ´´ye shall not teach´´. We must all strive to have the Spirit with us constantly. We do this through the ´´prayer of faith´´, through keeping the commandments, through remembering Jesus Christ and the atonement, through developing Christ like attributes, through fating and scripture study, among other things. I hope you can all study about the gift of the Holy Ghost and seek to apply it in your lives. I love you all so much and am so thankful for every package and letter you have sent me. Come on really, Elder Healy