"Are we not all beggars? We all rely on the same God and the same Savior to redeem our sins."

BOM DIA QUERIDOS AMIGOS!

Quick shoutout to Haley for hitting 22. (Cue T.Swift) 

This week was a little strange. Well, basically there is some gang activity going on in our area. So President called us on Thursday and told us to head home at 5:30 for Thursday and Friday. We had to work with a full stomach right after lunch, when the sun is basically on top of us, and when everyone is taking a nap, but it was good. We tried to make the best of it and we were able to work a little magic and reschedule Allison's baptism and his baptismal interview last minute. It all worked out. Helano, a member here who gave us the referral of Allison was able to perform the baptism. He said he was a little rusty, but he rocked it. He's just the coolest guy.

We also have been teaching a girl named Dayane. We've been really trying to focus on the Book of Mormon with her because her only doubt before she gets baptized is about Joseph Smith. She feels like the Book of Mormon is true and we're helping her to make the connection between the Book of Mormon and Jospeh Smith. She is going through some personal things right now and she said to us, "I feel like you guys came at the exact right time in my life, when I needed God the most." She started to cry, Elder Pereira started to cry (He's a crier), and I couldn't help but shed a tear. The Spirit was so strong in that room. The only disappointing part was that when we went to accompany her to Church this Sunday, she said she injured her leg the day before. She felt so bad, but she promised to go next week!!

Elder Periera and I were able to give a talk in sacrament meeting over Missionary work and working with members. After sacrament meeting, everyone started running over to us to give us referrals. It was absolutely awesome. I feel like we have gained the trust of the ward and that we will make miracles happen in this area.

In my personal study of King Benjamin's discourse, I came across this scripture:

"For behold, are we not all beggars? Do we not all depend upon the same Being, even God, for all the substance which we have, for both food and raiment, and for gold, and for silver, and for all the riches which we have of every kind?"  -- Mosiah 4:19

In Bom Jardim, there are tons and tons of homeless people--people asking for food, and people begging for money. When I read this scripture, I realized how similar we all are. "Are we not all beggars?" We all rely on the same God and the same Savior to redeem our sins. 

I've had some great experiences with just going around and trying to minister like the Savior would and I have seen a difference in my life. We're more happy and confident when we don't judge or compare with others. We all have the same goal: To Return back to our Heavenly Father. But our job as missionaries and members is to to tell them how they can get back to Him.

AMO TODOS DE VOCÊS

Com carinho,

Elder Eliason

Even Fortaleza has to rep a piece of D-Town

Me and a random horse (We named him "Brancinho")

Allison's baptism

AÇAÍ!!!

"When we do all we can, we will see miracles. Not always how we expect, but they come, always."

BOM DIA MINHA FAMILIA E MEUS AMIGOS!!

What a week!! Elder Pereira and I have been hitting the ground running in this mammoth of an area we have. We walk a TON every day, but that's just part of the job. We've been finding new investigators all over the place, through members, through our own efforts, and through recent converts and less-actives. We have been blessed so much this week. 

We had Alice's baptism this week!! She is just the happiest girl you could ever meet. When the reunião batismal started, she got REALLY nervous and right before we entered the font and she was breathing really hard. I set her aside before we went into the font, and promised her that all the fear and nervous feelings would be left in the water. After the baptism, the nervousness slowly left and her usual captivating smile remained. She really is a special daughter of God.

During our fast on Saturday for our zone, a miracle occurred. We were making contacts in the street when a member ran up to us and told us that there was a youth that lived above him that has been going to Church ever since he was 5 but never got baptized because he was scared to talk to the Bishop hahah. We went there immediately and marked a date for this Saturday! I really have learned to expect miracles here. When we do all we can, we will see miracles. Not always how we expect, but they come, always.

I love this quote from Russell M Nelson:

"When you reach up for the Lord's power in your life with the same intensity that a drowning person has when grasping and gasping for air, power from Jesus Christ will be yours. When the Savior knows you truly want to reach up to Him - when He can feel that the greatest desire of your heart is to draw his power in your life - you will be led by the Holy Ghost to know exactly what you should do."

We have access to the power of Jesus Christ in our lives, but it has a condition: to be willing to use the power that we receive. The Lord wants us to become like him and use his atoning power in our lives every day, but we have to be willing to use it correctly, quickly, and worthily. I have seen personally the power of the Atonement work in my life and so many people here in Fortaleza. It's real. We can try again and again and again, because of the Lord's sacrifice for us. I'm so grateful to be a missionary and minister like he would 24/7 all day, every day!!

Love you all. Make it a great week this week!!

- Elder Eliason

District meeting, went with a weird face for this one

Pizza for 10 reais, 3.50 dollars (Blessings)

ALICE'S BAPTISM

"...went and picked up my companion fresh from the CTM...Elder Pereira, from Rio de Janiero."

OLÀ MEUS AMIGOS 

What a week of change!! I went and picked up my companion from the mission office on Wednesday fresh from the CTM. His name is Elder Pereira, he is from Rio de Janiero and he is a goofball haha. He knows how to make anyone laugh. We also got put with ANOTHER ward, so now we are responsible for Ala Palmares and Ala Nova Conquista. And our area is ENORMOUS, haha. But everything is gonna work out.

We got straight to work when we got to our area (which is on the other side of the City where I used to be), and met some of the members here. We have 2 baptisms ready for this week already! We have Alice, who is just the sweetest little girl in the world. She had been coming to Church for about 5 months but her mom never let be baptized before me and E. Pereira came along. 

We went to her house and invited Alice's mom to come and join the lesson at a member's house who lived close by and she accepted. We became friends with her really quick and we taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Alice remembered the whole lesson! It was like she was teaching us! When her mom saw how much she had progressed and after we bared our testimonies, her heart softened and she allowed her to baptized next Sunday! What a blessing and a miracle.

This week has been a little different because the roles have been reversed with my companion. For the first part of my mission I was being trained, but now I have to be the trainer! It is so much fun, and I'm loving every part of the area and the members here. 

Something I learned this week is how important an example is in our life. The best example we can ever have is our Savior Jesus Christ. He showed the path for all of us so we can return and live with him again. One thing that we always say as missionaries is the example he set being baptized. Even though he was perfect, he set the example for us being baptized to fulfill the law. 

That's why we always invite our investigators to follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized. For us, we can be an example for our neighbor, our friends, and our family. I know that when we SHOW our love and not just say it, we become more like the Savior and provide an example for our fellow brethren. 

AMO VOCÊS!!

Elder Eliason

Last Family Home Evening in Alvaro Weyne

Saying goodbye to Bispo Santos

ELDER PEREIRA!

"I'm going to be training a brand new missionary..."

Hello family and friends!!

We got the transfer emails this week and I have been transferred to Area Palmares in Zona Bom Jardim!! I'm going to be training a brand new missionary as well!! So, I'll have to go down to the mission office to pick him up and take him back to our area. I don't know his name yet, they like to do a whole big revealing thing, it'll be fun.

This week was difficult once again because I caught a fever that has been running through the ward here in Álvaro Weyne, and I had to stay at home for a couple of days. But I'm all good now, and ready to start a new chapter!!

We also confirmed Regina last Sunday as well! When we asked her how it went, she said that she felt like she was flying and that she knew all of what we taught was true. What a powerful moment, it was a privilege to be there.

Something I learned this week was about how we can "Draw the Power of Jesus Christ into our lives", a talk by Russell M Nelson in the April 2017 conference. He talks about what a true disciple of Christ looks like,

"True disciples of Jesus Christ are willing to stand out, speak up, and be different from the people of the world. They are undaunted, devoted, and courageous."

True Christians are not afraid to stand up and be different from the rest. They think, speak, and act differently than the world, because that's what Christ did in his ministry. This doesn't mean we need to have a screaming match with an atheist or any other denomination, but be firm in your belief and show your discipleship through how you act. This is what will separate as a true disciple of Christ.

I know that Christ lives, my favorite thing to do here is to testify of Him and what He did for you, me, and all of us. I'm grateful for his infinite sacrifice and His love for me. I know that He loves all of us because he suffered for every single one of us.

AMO VOCÊS!! TCHAU GENTE!!

I know that we are lead by a Prophet of God, in Russell M. Nelson... What a Conference!

HEY EVERYONE. Hope you're all doing swell.

2 new apostles! Elder Soares is from Brasil! VAMOS LÀ 

This week, both missions in Fortaleza, (Brazil Fortaleza, and Fortaleza Leste) were invited to watch a play put on by members of the Church called "Jesus, O Cristo" (Jesus the Christ). On Friday they held a special session only for the missionaries. It was held in the famous Teatro José Alencar. It's one of the most visited tourist attractions in Fortaleza, behind the beach of course. 

There, I was able to be reunited with the CTM buds, and my friends in the Fortaleza Leste mission as well!! BUT. I forgot to bring my camera, regrets. The play was magnificent, it detailed the story of Christ's life, the miracles he performed, and the Atonement, his infinite sacrifice. 10 out of 10 from me. Jesus is the Christ.

On the other hand, General Conference was so good! A lot of change! This seemed like the best General Conference ever, even if all of it was in Portuguese. Thankfully I was able to understand more than 90% of it! Progress. 

I learned so much about the importance of the sacrament, loving our neighbor, forgiveness, and the need for repentance. We watched all of the sessions at our local building with wards Alvaro Weyne and Belo Mar in attendance. There were only about 20 people there because everyone likes to watch it at home, but it was a fun time. We were able to bring Fernanda to the Saturday morning session to sustain the prophet!

General Conference reminded me the importance of listening to the Spirit. I remember a quote from a devotional that Elder Bednar gave while I was in the CTM that struck me. At the beginning of his talk, he said,

"I hope that you don't remember a word I say, but that you remember what the Spirit will say to your heart."

Thanks to the help of the Holy Ghost, I've never learned so much in a General Conference!  When we listen to what the Spirit is saying to us, we learn how we can apply the teachings of the prophets and apostles in our lives. This doesn't mean we can't write down direct quotes, (everybody knows how much I love a good quote) but that we should pay attention to how we can apply what we learned in our day to day life. 

I am grateful for the opportunity I had, to have my personal questions answered through modern-day prophets and apostles. I know that we are lead by a Prophet of God, in Russell M. Nelson. The chance we all had to sustain and support him as the President of the Church was a special moment for me. What a Conference!

Love you all!

Abraço,

Elder Eliason

P-Day de Zona!! (Featuring Pres. Chamberlain)

We chowed on some Chinese food, Elder Momesso is always down for a selfie haha

Elder Momesso, the Therapist

"Through Jesus Christ, we can reach our grand potential and unlock "the mysteries of God" that await us."

BOM DIA FAMILIA, vocês estão bem?? Espero que sim. 
(Good morning family! Are you all right? Hope so.)

Regina was baptized this week! On Saturday she was feeling really nervous and she said she made the decision that she would be baptized next week, but after the Baptismal interview, she changed her mind and decided to be baptized on Sunday! We jumped for joy. 

On Sunday, everything was set for her baptism. After the 2nd hour, Regina and Cicera went to the bathroom and we started talking to some members. When we went to the Salão Sacramental (Sacrament meeting is 3rd hour here, because no one shows up on time smh), we only found Cicera. I went up to Cicera and asked where Regina was and she said, "She left, she wasn't feeling well." 

In a panic, I told Elder Momesso and we started to run after her. We ran for a whole mile (I measured) and finally caught up to her. She didn't feel well because she doesn't like the gospel doctrine classes because they ask questions. When they asked her a question in the gospel doctrine class, she felt embarrassed. She is accustomed to the whole preacher talks for an hour and we throw a couple of "Hallelujah" "Amen", and then we go home. 

She said she didn't want to go back there. We shared a scripture with her, calmed her down. We bore our best testimonies and persuaded her to attend the last hour. We walked back with her, and she was baptized after the Sacrament meeting. She told us after her baptism, "It stinks we can only be baptized one time." Miracle.

I read a scripture that related to my experience after sacrament meeting in Matthew 5:41:

 "And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain."

Christ teaches us here that we should go above and beyond our call of duty, not just the bare minimum. I can testify that God's will, will never be the bare minimum. He will always try to guide us to be better each and every day through the purifying gift of repentance. Through Jesus Christ, we can reach our grand potential and unlock "the mysteries of God" that await us. 

(Didnt have a lot of time today, P-day de Zona today!!)

AMO VOCÊS!!! 

- Elder Eliason

 Elder Momesso wanted one thing for his birthday, to play guitar. He was happy.

 Our investigators, (Narselio, Cicera, and Regina) threw a little party for Elder Momesso

Noite familiar (Family Night)

Noite familiar (Family Night)

 I taught Zona Oeste (West) to throw up the West side sign, shoutout to Tupac as well

Pizza

Stud pic

Baptism

Just playing around... 

"Everything works out... in the Lord's time."

Hello family and friends!! 

Another week in the books, I can't believe I've been in Brazil for almost 5 months. Time is flying by. 

To start off, we continued to teach Fernanda this week and prepare her for her baptism on Sunday. She is amazing and super genuine. She has some family problems, and her starting to listen to our lessons hasn't helped the peace at home. Her Mom hasn't liked us since we stepped foot in her house, because she is Die-hard (and I mean die-hard) Catholic. 

Fernanda is progressing so much, we gave her a Book of Mormon on Tuesday and by the next day she gave us a summary of the first 6 chapters!! It's EXTREMELY rare to find people who are so desirous to find an answer for themselves. By Friday, she told us "I know it's true. Everything that you guys are saying is true." We had her baptismal interview and she passed, but she decided that it was too early for her to be baptized. On Saturday, we taught her the Plan of Salvation and she loved it. We expressed personal experiences when we didn't feel prepared.

For me, it was when I arrived in Fortaleza. I wasn't even close to ready (in my own perspective) to be a missionary. I was in a different country, different culture, and speaking a different language. With time, I grew into the missionary that I had set out to be, but without that first decision to serve a mission, I wouldn't have progressed. But because I took that first leap of faith, I was blessed. It's the same with baptism. I told her that we can teach her for 20 years but there has to be a point in time when we're willing to act and follow the Savior's example in baptism. 

I remember feeling the Spirit so strong in that lesson, the strongest I've felt it while I've been here. But she said she wasn't sure but would think about it. The day of her baptism, she didn't show. Elder Momesso and I went to her house and no one answered. It was sad, but we are going to continue to work with her and prepare for her baptism next week. 

I learned something really important this week. On Saturday, we decided to fast for Fernanda and for her family. We fasted and prayed all day that she could feel peace and follow the answer she received. I always hear of amazing miracles in the mission that happen through prayer and fasting, but when Fernanda's baptism didn't work out I was left wondering: Where's my miracle?

We had done all that we could to help and prepare her to be baptized but how come it didn't work out? In my personal study, I recieved an answer through a talk by Elder Donald L Hallstrom:

"My limited knowledge can't explain why divine intervention occurs sometimes, and other times it doesn't. However, maybe what we are missing is an understanding of what a miracle is."

Sometimes we think miracles have to happen on our own time, but it is always on the Lord's time that miracles are performed. Miracles can be physical, but most of the time they are spiritual experiences. A miracle was realized, but not the way that I had thought. The answer to my prayer was a miracle, a spiritual experience for me. I'm grateful for the Lord's timing and that everything is in his hands. Everything works out.

Also, it's Elder Momesso's birthday today!!!! I bought him some ice cream and made him breakfast but the pampering shall continue. Photos next week.

AMO VOCÊS!!

Elder Eliason

Our fancy apartment

The view from our apartment

The Birthday Boy

Breakfast of Champions