Week 19 Letter

July 11, 2011

Hey family!

Well, once again, I am lost for words on how to start.  This week was a great week.  A lot of the times missionaries tend to slack the last week of the transfer, but we stayed excited and decided to finish strong.  It was awesome.  I was on splits most of the week because the other companionship was starting to go into slack mode and Edler Melo (my companion and district leader) wanted the intensity up so I was on splits in my area making me the senior and he went with the other missionary in the other side of Sinop.  I love working hard and sadly, being the junior often times means that I cannot be in control of the work schedule, but this week for 5 of the days I was in charge and we worked like dogs.  It also showed.  Yesterday we baptized an 11 year old girl named Teinara.  She is awesome, but from the pics you will see that she is also really little.

She is living with her grandparents and 2 uncles.  Her grandma was baptized but has been inactive for years and really completely lost.  She has lived in Sinop for 2 years but nobody knew.  We found her by a miracle and invited her back to church and taught her as well.  She was afraid to come back, ashamed that she is not legally married to her husband and had left years ago.  With teachings, comfort, and love, we helped her become more than just excited about returning to church.  I returned with Elder Jordan twice, Elder Melo twice, and Elder Muniz once to teach Teinara and her uncles.  Also, the grandpa, who had never been to church, attended Sunday.  It was my job to stay with him for the three hours and help him feel the Spirit and enjoy church.  He loved it.  He is a pretty rough on the outside, but I found a marshmallow on the inside.  He cried when his granddaughter was baptized.  So did the grandma.  She tearfully thanked my for helping her granddaughter, herself, and her family.  It was ironically a humbling moment for me, because really I did not do anything but follow the Spirit who did all of the work.  Teinara asked me to baptize her and It was an incredible feeling.  Also, her dad was at church and he loved it as well and was very supportive.  We made plans to teach him and his wife (who he needs to marry still).  The wedding plans fell through because we had been given false information, but the couples are continuing to do the process.  Sunday night we received the call for transfers.  Elder Melo will stay in Sinop, and tonight I will jump on a bus, heartbroken, to go to Lucas and be with Elder J. Silva (Brazilian and only Portuguese).  I am excited, but it is really like leaving home again, but tied with the fact that I might not ever return.  It is really hard leaving the members, but especailly my investigators.  William is only needing one more interview with Pres Oliveira and he is sending papers.  He cried when he found out that I was leaving.  He said that he would drive to Lucas when he receives his call and open it with me.  He is the man and will be a great missionary.  Today I will say good bye to some people before I leave which will be good.  I knew that I would love the people, but I did not fully understand.  Now I know.  I really would give my life for them.  I am praying that my investigators stay firm in the gospel and hold fast to the rod which leads to that fruit of eternal happiness.  Their souls are so precious to me.  I am glad that Elder Melo is staying.  I am also afraid that someone will fall through the cracks with transfers, but having Elder Melo stay who know that people will help I am sure.

It sounds like everything is going well at home.  I love all of you.  Congrats to Katie again!  Also, I cannot wait to hear more about my two new brothers.  I am so excited!  Mom, you made it into the Sunday school lesson Sunday.  The sister teaching used you as an example of service, having 12 children and teaching and preparing them to serve in the church.  I really did not say anything to invite the example.  I want you to know that your influence and example is a live her in Brasil.  You are an inspiration to many members and investigators her.  I also want to thank you.  You are the best mom any young man can have.  I am hoping to live up the the lessons that I was taught in my home, by my goodly mother and father.  I love all of you, and will write you again next week from Lucas!
Until then, with love, Elder Lee.

These parrots are all over the place, although the big ones usually stay in the park area.  It is wierd because walking down the street you can hear them talking and signing.  Awesome, huh?

Week 18 Letter

July 4, 2011

Hey Family!

Wow, is it really the 4th of July already! I did not even think about that! Time really is flying! Well, we did not get our baptism this Sunday because the 8 year old girl and her mother were in Sorriso with a sick relative. The mom cannot be baptized because we are working on a marrage to her husband who is out of town because of work, but she is every excited about the gospel and loves learning and hearing our lessons. Also, I am the1st American that she has ever seen, and she is amazed by my Portuguese (especailly for only 2.5 months in Brasil). I am very excited today. Elder Reis (the other junior companion, Brazilian) and I are working all day today trying to set up baptisms for the last Sunday of the transfer. I am hoping that we will be blessed for working on a P-day. Everything here is good, although I really cannot think of anything else to say. If I am spelling a lot of words wrong it is because this computer cannot keep up with my typing, so I am trying to go back and fix everything, but I might miss some mistakes here and there. So, what else... I am teaching both members and investigaters and my Portuguese is improving like crazy, both understanding and speaking. Sadly, this probably means that my English is becoming worse and worse. Wow, I have not had a conversation in English since I have called you. Yeah, it has been a little while. After I finish my letter to you I am going to go and visit Lia and Realison. I taught them all of the lessons during my first transfer. Lia is a member of the church. They have been going to church for the last 5 Sundays, and tomorrow the state is paying for marrages, so I will go and tell them, get them ready to be married, and then Realison will be baptized this Sunday. I am really excited! I will let you know what happens next week. It is sad to hear about the bunnies. Stray dogs are more than a problem here. There are hundrends on the street. At least 1 for every block. They do not bother anybody and they are all relativily small because there is not a lot to eat. The life of the dog is really sad here. I love Brazilians, but they do not really care for animals that much. Keep a dog as a puppy and when it grows leave it on the street. Anyways, eveything is good here. Tommorrow I will be in Sorriso for a training meeting with President Oliveira. I am looking forward to some training. I cannot believe that I am finish my second transfer this week. I hope that I stay in Sinop again, even if I am moved to the other branch. This week I helped Will fill out his mission papers because his handwritting is not the prettiest. He is awesome. His mom is member but is not active and not all the way there sometimes and his dad is not a member. He says that he wants to live with me after his mission because we are brothers. When ever I have a hard day, he is always reminding me that all of his baptisms are my baptisms. He is the man. Also, during fast and testimony meeting Surgio (a member 15 yrs old) said, as he pointed to Elder Melo and I, that he decided to serve a mission. He is the boy that I sent you a picture of in the blue escola shirt. He is great. Well, I wish you all a happy Fourth of July! Love you all!

Elder Lee

 

Katie!!!

Happy birthday! You are getting old already! What is going on! So, my little woodwind buddy is all grown up. I hope that you have a great birthday. You have always been a good little girl, and I know that you will be a great grown up girl. I am so proud of you. I miss you so much! I cannot wait to see the pictures of you on the blog! Keep being awesome and know that I love you. You are the best. Save a peice of cake for me, okay :) Love you katie and have an amazing b-day.

Love your big brother, Elder Lee.

P.S. I was kidding about the cake. You know me, I am an ice cream kind of guy. Tchau!

 

Hey shauna, how are you! Wow, I feel like I am talking to you like normal. How are you?  Everything is good. Convinced Elder Reis to work with me today even though it is p day. I am hopping to get some baptisms planned for this Sunday because it might be my last sunday here in Sinop.  I will find out Sunday and probably leave Monday if I am leaving. A transfer in my mission could mean 24 hours on a bus. I hope that I stay here because I am loving it, but God knows the right place, huh.  Sweet! Sounds like a blast. Well, I gotta get back to work. My next appointment should be a fun one. Tell the family that I said hi and that I love them all.

Até mais!

Week 17 Letter

June 28, 2011
Hey Family!
Well, what to report on this week. We did not have a baptism this Sunday which was sad because things fell through, although not because of lack of desire so I am looking forward to next Sunday. Right now my main investigators are a 12 boy Bruno and his dad, a brother and sister of a member friend (18 and 22 yrs), a family consisting of 2 kids and thier parents (although it is complicated because the dad is less interested and the wife has fear of seperation if she joins although she has the desire and has felt the spirit really strongly), the sister of Rachid (Iasmi), and a new family who we contacted and are friends with a member. I am really excited about all of them. High expectations for next week, although Brazilians are so laid back that appointments and commitments are often times forgotten. Dad, you are absolutely right about Sundays. I usually spend about an hour and a half calling people (which is also intense because Portuguese on the phone is way more difficult) and then I am always biting my lip in Sacrement meeting, hoping that my investigators are feeling the spirit, paying attention, and hoping that the new member is  giving the talk does not start to speak false doctrine. It is also the funnest day because it is awesome having investigators to church, recommitting them to baptism, church, and reading the Book of Mormon, and it is the day of baptizing. Next Sunday should be a baptizing Sunday. Anyways, What else is new. I stepped in a scale yesterday and it read 72,6 kilos, which is about 160 pounds. No, I am not fat, although I do not know if I am growing or not (as far as height). Also, sorry mom that my letters have been getting shorter. I have not noticed. I will try to not be so breif. Everything here is good. It was actually cold the last two days and we were wearing jackets (I think that it was in the 70´s). So, how are the Leed´s doing? And everyone else? Has jackson left yet? I am really excited for him. The MTC is a blast, and the field is unreal. I love being a missionary, and I am already dreading the day when dad will take my name tag off of my shirt. I am starting to miss some things, and the family is no exception, but it is not too bad, espeically when I am working. There is a quote in preach my gospel that says that the secret to work is work, and that when you are working, you will find that you will not have homesickness and other such things. It is true. When I am working, which is about all of the time, I do not have time to think about anything else. My Portugues is improving a ton! I can say just about anything that I want, although not always exactly what I want, and my understanding has doubled since my last email. It is amazing! I am dreaming in Portuguese full time, although 2 mights ago I dreamed in English, and as a result, I could not sleep. I am also thinking in Portugues. The other day, I was trying to talk in English to a member, and it was lousy. I was saying things the way that you would in Portuguese, and thinking in Portuguese. It is great! So, how are all of you? You all sound great! I am sure that you are all enjoying the summer. Time is flying, isn´t it? Well, have a great week, and I will write you all soon. Love you all, and tell everything that I said hi.
Love, Elder Lee.

Hey, sorry that I sent you my email a day late. Yesterday was complicated. I was working on becoming legal again because appearently I was missing a document that was suppose to be done in the MTC is Sao Poulo, but because I was only there for 4 days, they forgot or something. Then, I read my emails and typed my email to you and before I could send it, the computer crashed and so I sent it today. Technology in Brasil is not quite caught up to the united states. So, no worries mom, I am perfectly fine, and I still remember my promise to you that I will write to you every week. I love you mom, and I will write again soon.

Your son Elder Lee

Week 16 Letter

June 20, 2011
Hello Family!
Another week flew by. I cannot believe that I have been on my mission for over 4 months! And now I believe that it has been 9 weeks in Brazil. That does not sound like a lot of time, but hey, just think, 9 scout camps. Yeah, anyone who has been to scout camp knows that 9 weeks is forever, but the past 9 weeks for me has gone by so fast! At the end of the next transfer it will be 6 months! Unbelievable! Well, were to start... I did not get my baptism, but we will continue for this next week. I will send the pics of the last baptism. Wow, with lessons and people, I do not even know were to begin. One lady that I have been teaching is ready to be baptized but needs to marry her husband legally. He is living in Cuiaba for work, but on day this week I found him here on a break. I talked with him and taught him the first lesson with Elder Reis (had a division). Because we were working my area I was the lead missionary because we are both juniors. He loved everything that we said. He is more excited about all of this then the wife which is not normal at all. It was really fun, but especially because I forgot that I was speaking Portuguese. I was teaching and speaking like I would in English. It felt so normal and right. It was really fun teaching and then laughing and visiting. We returned the next day, I was still with Elder Reis and taught about the faith, repentance, baptism, Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. Same thing; perfectly comfortable teaching and speaking in Portuguese. Afterwards, I committed him to be married legally and be baptized in order to receive the fullness of the blessings that I had taught. He eagerly agreed and will prepare everything in Cuiaba to be married, return to Sinop and be married and baptized with his wife. Also, we are about to start teaching a family of 8 which is really exciting. The family is a mom and kids. The dad is in prison in Cuiaba because he was an alcoholic and he beat his wife and kids. We taught the 14 year old daughter who came to church and she loved everything and really felt the spirit. Teaching many more oc course, including the sister of Rachid who we are hoping to baptize this week. I love being a missionary. Oh yeah, and yesterday I gave a talk in sacrament meeting about obedience, and how we are saved by grace after all that we can do, and how our faith (being true will include works and obedience) gives us access to the grace and healing power of the atonement of Jesus Christ. It went well. I am becoming more and more comfortable with the langauge. It is awesome! I love Portugues! It is so pretty and really fun to speak and hear. Dad, Happy Father s Day! Sorry that it is a day late, but knowing how we celebrate birthdays, I figure a day late is still valid. Thank you for everything that you have done for me. Not a day goes by were I do not think of a lesson that you taught me, be it is a classroom setting or by example, or in our car rides together. I am so thankful to have been born of goodly parents, and truth be known, the best parents. Thank you so much! I love you all! Mom, I cannot believe that I might have 2 more brothers! I am so excited! I cannot even describe my feelings. I am really happy! The photos are super cute. Plus, Jet Lee just seems to have a ring to it. Well, I have gotta run, but I love all of you and thank you for your prayers. I can feel them. Até mais!
P.S. The photo with fire is because Elder Melo has finished his first year.

Week 15 Letter

June 6, 2011

Hey everyone! Well, I made it through the transfer and I am staying in my little branch in Sinop, which is exactly what I wanted to do. I love the people here. My new companion is Elder Melo, who was in our house during the last transfer working the other side. He speaks no English, which is exciting:) He is also the new district leader. We work well together, and we are staying busy. We have one couple working on marriage now, and the husband will be baptized shortly later. I am really excited for that. It will be great for the 3 little kids as well. They all love me, although I am not sure why. I think that it is because I talk funny. This Sunday I was asked to teach and handle the primary/nursery by myself for 2 hours. It made me think, hum, what would Shauna do? It was good. They all like me, which was a little problematic because they were became little excited monkeys, and so I was trying to teach the 6-9 year olds and entertain the 2-5 year olds. It was good though. They parents all like how much there kids like me. Anyways, the mission is great. We have big plans for baptizing this transfer, which I am really excited about. We also reactivated a large family who have now attended church 4 times are bore testimony this past Sunday (and I wore my silver tie Tony). It was great. My langauge is improving rapidly! I am understanding more and more, especially when teaching people. It is awesome. What seemed impossible has become possible and a reality through the Holy Ghost. It is so awesome. Everything is going great, and we are teaching really cool people. We contacted a guy on Saturday (college aged) and he could not believe that I was from the united states so I invited him to church. He came and brought a friend as well. I talked to them afterwards and they want us to stop by and teach them more. I am really excited. Also, we are helping a member’s husband prepare to be baptized. We only really talked with him once, but I am really excited. He is a great guy, and I think that he has seen the gospel bless his little family and his wife. It is great! The work is great, the fruits are great, and the harvest is wonderful.
So, how are all of you? I hope that you are all doing well and getting ready to finish off the school year. It is unreal how fast graduation came. I cannot believe that I have been on my mission for over 3 months! 3 and a half now! It is incredible. I feel like I need to get busy, time is running out. Well, I love you all and I look forward to your future emails. Love Elder Lee

Hey, I sent an email catching you up with everything, and I did get an email from Bro Schmauder. Let him know that I appreciated the email, and that he was a great help to me and my preparation. I do not think that I am allowed to email him, only to family, but if you get the message to him, that would be great.

Wow, that is great to hear. I love it when people grab on to the gospel and feel its power, and then decide that that is what they want despite of the temptations of the world.

Here are some pics. Tony, I really did wear me tie, and I have a pic to prove it. Also, I am not weak sauce yet, so you better not get lax and think that you can take me just because I come home an old fat man. Also here is a pic of the baptism of Fransielle. It was awesome. She is doing great, and she is excited to teach her parents when she returns home after college. Sorry that it is taking so long. The computers in this lan house look exactly like the first computer we had when I was a kid, and it is taking forever.

No problem. I miss teaching my class in the Havana words. I am right now sitting with a member, the one that I told you about who helps us out a lot. Willians. He is awesome. He is now preparing to serve a mission. He wants to say: “I am the older brother to Elder Lee now because he is my younger brother. I like you all a lot because his family is my family. You do not need to worry about him because he is with me. Wait, I am thinking. When Elder Lee returns home to the united states I will visit you all when I visit him. and... I am really excited to snowboard for the first time in the united states. That is about it. No news more, but see you later.”
He is awesome. Of course I was translating, but he does know some English from school and video games. He is awesome. He is 21 years old, and is attending college in Sinop, although he lives in Cuiaba.

Well gotta run, I love you all, and I hope that you have a great week. Love ya, Elder Lee