Week 65 Letter

Monday, May 21, 2012

Hey, I sure miss Elder Santana.  He is the man.  I sure loved being his companion.  He was my closest companion.  We really were brothers.  It is amazing the bond that we had in three short months.  I sure hope that he is doing well.  I was able to talk to him on the phone sometimes when I was still in Ji Parana because he would call to Val and ask to talk to me.  It was fun.  I miss that.  He is writing in English well.  We did not talk a lot in English, but I think that it was because it was hard for me, hahaha.  So, this week was good.  We reactivated Natalia, who is the mom of the baby that I blessed.  They are getting ready to get married and after we will baptize the husband.  The marriage process here is a pain and you have to wait for a while, but I hope that I am still here when they get married.  Also, Rosa is ready to get married to so that she can get baptized, but the same thing, just waiting on the papers to get back.  Also, we met, taught, and brought Denner to church.  He is 17 and a really bright kid.  He loved church and he really felt the spirit and wants to get baptized.  He wants to get baptized this next Sunday, but we still have not met his mom so we are going to go and teach his parents this week.  Also, a new member moved from Rio to our ward and he is excited to baptize his family that is here.  We met his cousin who was at church and we are excited to teach him this week.  He has already been to church in the past.  It will be good.  Sadly, Jean was out of town all week and he was hoping to get back in time for church, but it did not work out.  I hope that he gets back into town this week.  He was at his sister's house.  So, that is our week.  Things are going well, and life is good.  I really do not know what else to write... oh yeah, I talk the gospel doctrine class this week because the normal teacher was sick. We learned about repentance.  It was good.  Sometimes, it amazes me still that I speak Portuguese.  The gift of tongues is amazing.  It is real and it is a lot of fun. :)  Well, I love all of you and I look forward to hearing from you again.  And mom and dad, good luck in Africa.  I really cannot wait to see the pics, take a lot. Love you all!!!!!!

Man Daniel and jet are good looking.  I cannot wait to meet them.  They look like they like each other.  It is so awesome.  I already love them like brothers.  Man, it is so unreal.  Jet is 1 and 4 months, right?  That is close to what I have on the mission.  How weird.  I cannot wait to play with them.  Good luck with the tooth.  I think that I should stop brushing and flossing.  Just kidding. Hahaha

I did get a message from tony.  He sounds like he is doing great and is more than ready to get off on a mission.  He is the man.  Here it is hot, although it is a little more chilly.  It is only 75 to 80 I think.  Really chill for here.  But, the cold days are about over and we are looking at another year of sun.

Well mom, I gotta go, but I love you and wish you a great week.  Tell everybody that I said hi and sent a hug.  Love you mommy!!!

Week 64

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Hey mom, I am trying to download Skype on this computer, but it has not been working so far.  I heard that there is a way to do web cam from Facebook.  Is that true?  If it is, maybe that would be better.  Do you know my username and password to Facebook?  Thanks.  I will try to call tonight, but I do not know if it will work because we have a mother s day activity tonight here in a little, and so I do not know if I will have time today.  If anything, feel free to give me a call at 065 9277 0237 tonight with the Brazil codes.  I am aloud to make a phone call really quick today to make sure that everything is alright for tomorrow.  I love you!

I ended up calling Shane.  It was so funny to hear him say hello in Portuguese.  I didn’t even know it was him.  I asked for Elder Lee and he said MOM!  It’s really you!  We got our details set up in a matter of minutes and said goodbye until Sunday.

Talking to Shane was amazing.  He is so cute and manly and engaged in the work and awesome.  He says the kids are all growing up without him and he is so sad his mission is coming to an end – he has almost 10 months left.  Crazy how he views time differently than us.  His Portuguese is so fast.  He sounds like he is speaking with a Chinese accent.  It is so cool to hear him.  He is doing wonderfully and doesn’t miss us in the sense that he wants to be a good missionary and he wants to accomplish everything in the next 10 months.  He is awesome!

Monday, May 14, 2012

As promised, I am writing to you all, although I really do not have much to say.  It seems like I talked and saw all of you just yesterday, haahahahaha.  So, now what... life is good still... I am here still... I am still thinking of what to say... alright, I thought of it... maybe...

It was awesome getting to see all of you.  You are all getting so big.  I feel that I am 18 and the same person, but all of you are getting older, cuter, and more talented every day.  So, I was really glad to be able to answer some of your questions about Brazil and about being a missionary.  It made me realize how much I love being her as a servant of the lord.  A lot of missionaries get homesick when they called, but you all made me want to enjoy it here while I have it, although I must admit that I would like you all here with me, hahaha.  I sure love all of you and you are all the greatest blessing that I have.  We will have to do some fun stuff when I get home.  Maybe a penguin night, lol.  (I do not think that I spelled that right though).  So, this week we are excited to get to work.  This week we have some possibilities for baptisms that we would like to happen.  This Sunday was hard because everybody was traveling, but they should all be back by wed, because the holiday season ends on wed and everybody has to return for work.  So, it should be a good week.  My companion is doing well.  He is awesome.  My district is doing well too.  There have been some complications, but this week I am excited to see them get some good results for their work.  I love being a missionary.  Boys, you will all love it.  The secret to missionary work is work.  Work, love, and being bold.  That is what I have found.  If you work, you will love, and if you love, it takes out all fear and you become bold.  That is when the mission becomes the most delicious thing to you.  It is good.  Well, I love all of you, and it was great talking to you all yesterday.  It will just be a little bit until I talk to all of you again at Christmas.  Time goes by so fast. Let's make the best of it.  I love you all!!!!!!            Love, Elder Lee

Week 63 Letter

Monday, May 7, 2012

Dear Becca,

I saw your pics on the blog.  You are growing up so fast and you are so pretty.  You remind me a lot like Shiloh.  I am sure that you are already giving mom troubles with all the boys that are running after you.  As for the killer whale, I think that it was a kid of a blue whale and a white shark, but hey, that is just me. Hahaha.  I sure love you Becca, and I am glad that you had such a great birthday.  Keep staying cute over there!  Have a great week.  I love you!   Shane

Dear Katie,

Hey wood wind buddy!

Katie, it sounds like you are doing great over there.  I am always seeing pics of you on the blog and you sure are growing up pretty.  I sure miss hanging out with you and doing all the fun stuff together, but a mission is cool too.  I cannot wait to hear from you again, and I want you to know that I love you more.  Love, Elder Shane Lee

Dear Family,

What great news on the boys.  I am really glad that it is all working out alright and that they are doing well.  I love telling people that I have two African brothers.  People think that my parents are crazy, but everybody always lets me know how pretty my mom is and always ask how I turned out Brazilian, hahaha.  You are beautiful mom.  I sure love you.  As for my week, it was a great work week, but the results were not want I was wanting.  We worked really hard and had three people ready for baptism.  One did not want to be baptized because she said that she wants more of an answer.  She has been saying that for a long time, and I know that she has received many answers, and even she knows that, but it is not enough.  Some people forget that baptism is also a step of faith, and that the witness only comes after the trail of our faith.  The other has stopped drinking which was a miracle and we picked him up for church, but he still feels like he does not have enough faith.  He has a hard time believing in himself.  Satan is a punk and is always lowering people's self-confidence and self value.  We will work with him for two more weeks because it is not going to be able to go to church on Sunday because he is going to go out of town to be with his mom for Mother's Day.  The other baptism that feel through was even more heart breaking.  Jeniffer, an 18 yr old girl has a strong testimony and strong desire to be baptized, but her mom fought with her and told her that she would live on the street if she got baptized.  I thought that it was a bluff so we went over to her house to talk with the mom.  I have never seen somebody in all of Brazil with a heart as hard and closed as hers.  She really believes that we are servants of the devil.  We talked for a while, more of a one sided fight really, and nothing changed.  Mom, do you remember when I told you that the hardest thing for me would be people not listening to even logic, let alone the spirit.  Yeah, that is how it was.  She was not even making sense, and I knew that she was lost when I asked her if she would believe in the Book of Mormon if God came down and told her that it was true.  She said no.  What can you do?  But, Jeniffer told me that she is planning on studying in São Paulo and that she will be baptized there.  I was able to bear pure and powerful testimony to her mom though.  I know that the Spirit was there and it was one of those moments when you know with 110 percent that what you are saying is true.  My heart took fire.  In the moment, I even thought of Abinadi.  I felt a lot like him.  This lady was not going to accept what I was going to say and was really insulting, but I knew that my mouth was not to be shut.  Unlike Abinadi, I knew that there was one person there who was listening, and who was feeling the spirit and who would one day be baptized.  So, that is my week.  This week we will continue to work even harder to find the people who are ready to hear and accept the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I love you all and wish you all a great week!

I am going to stay here until the end of May with Elder Elizeu to finish his training.   I heard that Ryne was going to Reno Nevada.  I also heard that Ben is going to West Virginia.  That is so awesome.  I am really excited for them.  Ryne was always a good friend of mine, and I really enjoyed seeing him grow in the gospel.  He is going to be a great missionary and it will be great for him.  It is amazing how god molds us into the men that he wants us to be when we are on the mission.  

I think that I found a place, but at the same time we are not 100 percent sure.  I know that she has a web cam, and I will download Skype on her laptop, but she is trying to get her microphone fixed right now.  So, I will try and give a test call on Saturday, or at least email you with a number that you can call to talk to be so that we can figure it out again like the last time.  I am excited to talk to you too, although I must admit that I am nervous.  I do not know why.  Maybe it is because Elder Maner's parents told me that I have a thick accent.  Hey, did they ever get a hold of you?

Usually my district work happens in personal study and from 9:30 until 10:30 when I am calling everybody to see how things are going.  My district is doing well and tomorrow we are going to have a meeting with Pres Oliveira so I am really excited.  I know that he is happy with our district and our zone and I am excited for the opportunity to receive some instruction.

I will let you pick one for me.  President is leaving in June.  This is his last transfer.  I am going to miss him a lot, but I am excited to meet our new president.  He is from Utah.  I forget his name though.  I love you too mom.  I gotta go, but I will send an email or something on Saturday.  Love you!!!!

Week 62 Letter

Monday, April 30, 2012

Hi again...

We had a bitter and sweet week.  The sweet part was that we baptized a nine year old boy whose 15 yr old brother we reactivated and we are trying to help his parents get married legally so that they can be baptized.  They both have testimonies of the church and the gospel, but just need to get married.  But, Gustavo is awesome, and he is really excited that he was able to get baptized yesterday.  He is great.  His brother is awesome too.  They are good boys.  

The bitter part was that a lot of our investigators did not make it to church and we had some marked baptisms fall through.  One was Jean, who is a really awesome guy.  He is 24 and was really addicted to drinking.  He was drinking a ton, but he is now five days without drinking.  He passed the baptism interview and was ready to be baptized yesterday but he was not at church and we could not find him yesterday.  That was hard for me.  I really love him and was really excited for him.  Giving up drinking is hard and a lot of times it is his own guilt I think that makes him feel unworthy to get baptized.  This week we are going to teach him a little more about the healing power of the atonement.  He is an awesome guy and is really trying to turn his life around.  But, we have our work caught out for us this week.  We are not the only companionship in this ward which is a really big area, so we will have to walk a little more and plan our day and week a little better, but I am excited.  Elder Elizeu is doing great.  We are super good friends.  He seems like a little brother to me.  It is kind of funny, he is only 18 and it shows a little, but he is really excited to work which is a great blessing to me.  I sure like him.  Once again, it will be hard to see a companion go, but that is how the mission is.  So, that is my week for ya.  Sorry that I could not expand it into a longer email.  I think that I am getting so use to the missionary life that really nothing surprises me anymore.  Crazy stuff happens every day, but I kind of am use to it.  For example, yesterday we went to pick up a kid for church who we had met earlier in the week and his mom met us at the front of the house and told us that he is in to drugs.  I explained that that is why we were there to pick him up and take him to church.  She went to get him and came back and told me that he would not leave the bed.  I asked if I could enter and she said yes.  I went into his room and woke him up, saying something like, hey dude, good morning. Let's go to church, everybody is waiting for you man.  He woke up and explained that he did not have any clothes because he just stayed the night at the house and really lives on the other side of Cuiaba.  We talked for a little and he thanked us for coming.  It was sincere.  Maybe he will be able to go next week.  Just little things like that that makes up a mission.  I think that my companion thinks that I am crazy...maybe he is right. hahaha.  Well, I love you all and wish you all a great week!

Love, Elder Lee

Hey Becca!!!!

Happy birthday girl!  I cannot believe that you are going to have 12 years!  Time goes by so fast.  It seems like yesterday that you were eight and you were getting baptized.  I really am stunned.  I am sure that you are growing up to be a great young woman.  Holy cow, you really are a young woman now!!!!  I am sure that mom is freaking out.  I would be, and I am.  I sure love you Becca, and I cannot wait to see how much you have grown.  I will be able to see on mother s day.  I think that I will use Skype again so that I can see all of you.  I still do not know where I will do it but I think that there are a few members who should have a web cam.  Rebecca, I sure am proud to have you as my little, but all growing up, sister.  You were always so sweet and extremely capable.  You are going to be a great mom one day, and I am figuring out that that day comes up faster than we think.  Life is so weird, but it is so good.  I sure love you, and I wish you a happy 12th birthday!!!!  Love your brother, Elder Lee

Week 61 Letter

Monday, April 23, 2012

Hello family!

So, I did go to the dentist, and I got the right price, but it was a nasty fight.  The dentists are not exactly what they are in the US.  So, first I went to three dentists and they all wanted to do a root canal, but they were talking about doing it over longer periods of time.  One even wanted to do a seven month process.  So, none of them worked out.  For sure they just wanted more money.  Anyways, I was talking to members about good dentists and one member had the number and called for me but the secretary would not let her talk to the dentist so I called after she hung up and introduced myself as Pres Lee and told her that I am a part of an international dentist organization that started in the USA and using all of the vocab that I learned from all the other dentists I told her of the process that would have to happen.  I asked her to price it and she said that she couldn't because a dentist would have to look at it.  I think asked to talk to the dentist and said that he was a good friend of mine.  Within seven seconds I was on the phone with the dentist who they said was in an important conference.  hahaha.  The member who had called could not believe it.  So, I priced a root canal for that price and then went in to have it looked at.  They looked at it and told me that they would have to pull the tooth and put in a different false tooth that would cost a ton of money.  For sure they just want money and the Brazilians just believe everything.  So, I told him to just do a root canal and a filling and call it could.  So the next day they did a root canal without numbing up my mouth which was a treat but just another experience from the mission.  All worked out though and it is feeling and looking a lot better.  They told me that eventually I will lose this tooth, but when they said eventually they explained that it could be two years, ten years, or more.  Yeah, so I just did a root canal so that Dr. Bates and fix me up when I get back, if I even need it.  It was the cheapest place that I found, and I think that I know why now.  But, all is well.  So, about the glasses.  One pair broke, so I still have the other pair, but I kind of got use to not wearing them, so I just kind of stopped.  I never really liked glasses anyways.  This week was good, although our family that we wanted to baptize was out of town this week and I think that they will get back today.  We did bring five young women from the ages 16 to 19 to church.  Let me explain.  I ate ice-cream one day and did a contact with the girl that was selling the ice-cream.  I invited her to church and found out that she lives close to use so we said that we could pick her up if she wanted to show her the way.  She accepted and told us that she lives with 6 other girls that are her cousins.  She asked if they could go and so I said certainly.  So, when we got there Sunday morning, five of them were ready to go.  So we went and after the second hour two had to leave to go to work, but the other three stayed until the end and we taught them after church and marked a goal for them to receive an answer and be baptized this next Sunday, which they accepted.  So, we will see how it goes.  Transfers came in last night.  Elder Elizeu and I will stay here and work the two areas now, because president is taking out the other companionship because our mission is sending more home then are coming.  So, I am excited to stay and continue to work here with my comp.  My district had some changes and it looks like I am going to have my work cut out for me.  A couple of elders are coming in that have a rep for not really paying attention to the rules, and one of them is going home after this transfer which makes it hard to work in a new area when you know that you are about to go home, but I am excited to help my district work and baptize.  Anyways, that is about my week for you.  We had a good week and we are ready to start a better one.  So, Tony will not need another surgery then?  just a cast for three week and some therapy afterwards, right?  And how are you dad?  It sounds like the surgery was miserable.  Can you already feel it coming back faster than the first one?  Josh, happy b day again.   I sure love and miss you.  Have a great week everybody and enjoy the sunshine!!!

Hey Dad,

Good deal.  So it will be a full recovery then?  I am doing well.  Today I think we are going to play some basketball.  We play at a little half court hoop that is only 9 feet, more or less, and so I can dunk a little bit, although sadly I think that I have lost my hops.  It is fun though.  Yesterday Elder Maner's parents came to pick him up from the mission.  They live in Arizona.  It was awesome getting to meet them and talk to them for a little bit.  If was once again hard to speak English.  They said that I have a lot of accent, but I really cannot believe it.  I sound normal to myself.  They took a pic with me and they said that they would call you to let you know that they saw me.  They are really nice people and I sure loved their son.  He was a great missionary and a great example to me and a great friend.  It was really weird to see him go.  Yeah, it was like he was dying, but it was cool to see him die with his mom and dad.  I still do not think that you are old.  Everybody here just comments on how young you and mom are.  Also, you can tell mom that she has a bunch of fans in my area who all say that she is beautiful and amazing.  Well, I am off, but have a great week and good luck with the shoulder.  The pics looked pretty cool on the blog.  

Love you dad!