Happy April!

March 31, 2014

Dear Family & Friends,

News from the Land of Oz (get it? because I'm not in Kansas anymore, and there are flying monkeys here:)):

Luciano Baptism March 29, 2014

Luciano was baptized!!! He is one of the coolest people. He reminds me a lot of Troy from Kansas. Luciano, after one Sunday in the church said, "I accept everything, and I want to be baptized." We didn't even have to invite him! He is going to help so many people! He proved to me that you can not judge anyone. The Savior never did.

Hahaha, yeah Disney movies :). I might buy one on the street to watch later. Even though I can I probably won't still. I don't know it feels weird, haha. You can buy movies for like 2 American bucks...but they're all pirated, black-market, and ghetto, but hey cheap is cheap. Yeah we are opposite, huh? But to be honest we don't really have seasons there's just hot and less hot. Yes, the members are awesome. This is like a coveted ward of the mission. Everyone wants to be here because the members feed you a bunch and the ward mission leader is good. Yesterday I ate too much actually, haha. Lunch is the big meal of the day, so we eat with members during lunch and proselyte from about 2 to 9 pm. They made us cake, too. It was way good. They had stroganoff, which is probably my favorite here in Brasil because it tastes different with rice and beans. The food isn't weird per say it's just different. They like weird combinations of things. Like fried bananas, avocados in smoothies, and they drink soda like it's going out of style. Like I'm pretty sure they drink more soda than actual water. Haha, I haven't eaten that many weird things, but I've had a chicken feet already.

I don't know, I think they like Come, Follow Me, but I still don't understand much, haha. P.S. Where Can I Turn For Peace is a great hymn.

That's great to hear about the DuFords. President Bell served in the Phillipines. President Araújo will leave I think in July. We just know President Young is American...so subsequently all the Brazilians are freaking out saying we'll have more rules and baptize less, but we'll see I guess, haha. Not many people can say they've had 3 mission presidents, haha. I Love you all, and thank you for that quote.

If you find it's me you’re missing, if your hoping I'll return, to your thoughts I'll soon be listening, and in the road I'll stop and turn. Then the wind will set me racing, as my journey nears its end. And the path I'll be retracing, when I'm homeward bound again. Bind me not to the pasture; chain me not to the plough. Set me free to find my calling, and I'll return to you somehow.

Love,

Élder Weaver

Mission President Letter - Luciano Was Baptized

March 31, 2014

RE: Mission President Letter

Luciano foi batizado! Depois a confirmação os membros da ala tiveram uma leitura Do Livro de Mórmon na casa dele. Elido e a mãe de Luciano tem potencial para ser batizados também! Sandra foi ensinado Lição 1 e 3. Esta semana vamos ensinar A Lei Da Castidade e A Palavra De Sabedoria. Ela quer ser batizada ainda, nós só precisamos levar ela à Igreja.

(Google Translation)

Luciano - Baptism

Luciano was baptized! After confirmation ward members had a reading of the Book of Mormon in his house. Elido and mother of Luciano have potential to be baptized too! Sandra was taught Lesson 1 and 3. This week we teach the law of chastity, and the Word of Wisdom. She still wants to be baptized; we only need to take her to church.

Love,

Élder Weaver

Aparacida's Doing Good, But Hurt Her Leg

Dear Family & Friends,

Aparacida's doing good, but she hurt her leg this week, so she couldn't come to church. Hopefully it heals up this week, but I'm doing good! An Adventure I had this week was my exchange with Elder Rodriguez. He is my new Zone Leader who replaced Elder Williams. He is way sweet! He is from Uruguay, but lives close to the Brazilian border, so he actually knew some Português before the mission. We worked in his area and got to make some new contacts. Then we had ice cream afterwards :)

I'll let you know when I get it. Thanks for sending me things. I know it's expensive :/

Hahaha! I'm glad you caught one! Yeah, I can picture Dad now with the rat. Haha. I hope you catch them all. Yeah, he sure is swell. I think about him often and what he would do if he were here. What he would say to me and help me to be a better missionary. The best I can be.

That's interesting to hear about BYU. It's still my plan to go there, but we'll see how that all works out. I'm glad to hear y'all still feed the missionaries. As missionaries we visit many homes and places where the Spirit of The Lord simply does not dwell. Where it simply cannot dwell. It can visit there for a time to testify to our investigators, but He doesn't linger. Not like He does in Member's homes. You need to understand that when missionaries enter your home, (I hope this is not sacrilegious) it feels like entering the Chapel or even The Temple. It is like stepping from night into day. They don't get that chance very often and just one hour or so a day, maybe. The Bible Dictionary says that only the Home can compare to The Temple in sacredness. I don't get to go to the Temple much as a missionary, but I get to visit the homes of Member's. And to me, that is the next best thing :) And in this setting, with The Spirit of The Lord, we can talk about your friends, your families, and the people in your lives who may benefit from this message.

I'll have to try that bread sometime. I have heard of mini-missions but never knew if they were available in the places I have lived. That is a neat experience about Harris. Thank you for sending that talk to me! I will use it to bless the lives of Brazil.

I read something in Jesus The Christ today, quoting Matthew 8:20, " 20 And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head."  As followers of Christ we often find ourselves the same way. Missionaries get transferred (sometimes across continents), boundaries realign, new people move in. Our world is in a constant state of flux. But one thing remains the same. If we put The Lord as our First and Great, all-encompassing priority, everything works out for our good. I love you all and think of you often. May the Lord ever watch over you all.

Love,

Élder Weaver

RE: Letter To Mission President

March 24, 2014

RE: Report To Mission President

Deborah não estava na Igreja, mas vamos acompanhar ela. Luciano estava na Igreja e ele quer ser batizado nesse Sábado! Vamos ensinar ele A Lei Da Castidade e A Palavra de Sabedoria. Aparecida tem um filho, Gabriel, que pode ser batizado também. A língua é um pouco melhor.

(Google Translation)

Deborah was not in church, but we will followup with it. Luciano was in church and he wants to be baptized this Saturday! We will be teaching him the law of chastity, and the Word of Wisdom. Ali has a son, Gabriel, who can be baptized too. The language is a little better.

Elder Weaver

Wow! How Did You Know I Had A Baptism?

March 17, 2014

Dear Family & Friends,

Wow! How did you know I had a baptism? I sent a picture of her and her name is Aparecida. Elder Reinhardt got transferred to Campos in part of the mission that's in the state of Rio. He's going to be a District Leader down there :) My companion is the same one. He's been out for a month less than me. It's not often that you have more time than your trainer ;) but my training finished last transfer.

I'm glad to hear all of the great news! I am glad to hear about Todd at BYU-Idaho. I have been worried for some reason a lot about him. I had a dream about him the other day. I hope he is well. How is Ryan? I'll send Brad an email after this one :) And thank you for reminding me about John's birthday. I'll send him an email, too!

Pictures:

Pedro-Ward Mission Leader, Elder Alexandrino,
Aparecida and Elder Weaver

I decorated my Bible some more :) And there's a random picture of my desk because you all know I don't like taking pictures of me, haha.

Bible - Front Cover

Bible - Back Cover

My Study Desk

As for Google Hangout. Yeah, it is better than Skype. But I'm not sure if it is approved. I'll check with Presidente Araújo about it. That would be sweet if we could!

That is so neat Nani gets to speak! If there is anyway you could send me some notes or it written out or something, I would Love to read it. :)

I think about The Atonement more and more and I am learning that we can always learn from it during our mortal sojourn here upon the Earth.

I Love You All So Much! I have been learning more about Trusting in The Lord. And in having more confidence in me mesmo. I think this might have been one reason I chose that scripture for my missionary plaque. Our time in Earth, and my time on a mission, is meant to help us learn to have confidence in ourselves on a level that we could not have learned in our Pre-Earth Life, or for me, even before my Mission. Here's a scripture from Doctrine and Covenants 68:6. My companion shared it with me the other day. " 6 Wherefore, be of good ^acheer, and do not ^bfear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you; and ye shall bear record of me, even Jesus Christ, that I am the Son of the living God, that I ^cwas, that I am, and that I am to come." This helped me a lot. It was in Português when I read it.

Fique Firme,

Elder Weaver

The Report To President

March 17, 2014

Aparecida foi confirmada, ontem! Também ela frequentou uma leitura do Livro de Mórmon com outros membros. Junior estava na Igreja ontem. Nós descobrimos ele Sábado. Nós encontramos Deborah esta semana. Ela mora juntos com seu namorado, mas ela tem um desejo para casar ele e ser batizada. Rodrigo e Jenecí tem um desejo para casar e ser batizados também.

(Google Translation)

Ali was confirmed yesterday! She also attended a reading of the Book of Mormon with other members. Junior was in church yesterday. We found him on Saturday. We found Deborah this week. She lives together with her boyfriend, but she has a desire to marry him and be baptized. Rodrigo and Jeneci have a desire to get married and be baptized too.

So My Report Will Be Different This Week

March 10, 2014

Sunset in my Area

Dear Family & Friends

Aparacida was baptized! But she wasn't at church so we hope to confirm her this week! We are also working with Rafael and Laudimar. Rafael has family in a lot of other churches, but I hope they will let him come. Laudimar has a whole family that will hopefully join him at church this Sunday!

Tomorrow is transfers. We're all staying this week except for Elder Rinehardt who will be transferred. I am grateful to have at least one more transfer here. 

Elder Williams (Zone Leader) & Elder Weaver

The Elder next to me in the picture is Elder Williams, my Zone Leader who I've told you a little bit about. I think he returns home today. I was so glad I had the opportunity to serve with him. He was a great leader. What I learned from him I will carry throughout the rest of my mission and life. 

My District

The other picture is our District. They are so special to me. It feels weird to be done with training again the second time. I don't feel ready, but I guess that's the point. This transfer will be great!

I'm glad what we said helped out a bit. I Love You Too, Mom! If I had all of the mommies in the world, you would still be my favorite :) 

Also, you don't need to send it now, but in the next care package if you could send an extra flash drive that would be great so I could keep copies of pictures and stuff! :)

Yay Aunt Tess! Did you know you could request the Patriarchal Blessings of our deceased ancestors? The church let’s you request up to 4 a month! So, I will hopefully getting a lot of mail from across the veil this transfer! :) I'm glad you had a wonderful experience at the temple.

Allison told me about "Get Air" sounds way fun!

Hey, I was watching "On The Lord's Errand" (the church video about President Monson's life) the other day and I got the impression to share that with Chelsey and Eric. I am glad to hear that they still have interest! Keep inviting. And suggest that video to them to gain a testimony of modern prophets. I think they'd like it. I Loved It.

Elder Alexandrino watched The District 2 for the first time with me yesterday. When I get home, I want to have movie parties of that with you guys. I think You'd like it! :)

I Love You So Much! Thank You for all that you do! :)

Thank You for the scripture last week, it really helped.

Love,

Elder Weaver

Doctrine & Covenants 121:45 - Let thy abowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let bvirtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy cconfidence wax strong in the dpresence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the edews from heaven.

Vitoria Truly Is Beautiful

March 3, 2014

Dear Family & Friends,

Thank you so much, Mom. I probably could have bought one here, but I appreciate it. It is a mattress cover, right? Like a thin sheet with elastic? Not a huge pad like I had at home? Because I probably won't have room for it in my suitcases if it is. Sorry, I should have been clearer. I am glad to hear my mission is influencing even people in Oregon. And Thank You Mom, for being a missionary.

Vitória truly is beautiful. And our mission is special. Every mission is special, but there is something different here. It is not a coincidence that the mission is called "Victory" and the state that this mission covers is called "Holy Ghost" in Portuguese. Thanks for that scripture in Alma it is very insightful. President shared with us Doctrine and Covenants 104:82 that talks about the Victory. The theme for this mission is Doctrine and Covenants 128:22 "Brethren, shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren; and on, on to the victory!" It's pretty sweet. I've been thinking a lot about something my companion said in a lesson the other day. He said something like, "We only receive the blessings for the commandments we keep." In reference to the Atonement, we only receive the true blessings of the Atonement when we keep the conditions of faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. Those are the conditions the Lord set when Jesus Christ became our creditor and great Mediator. I think it is wonderful you get to talk on this subject. It is perhaps the most beautiful doctrine in all of the gospel. That bad men and women can become good, and good men and women can become even better. I have reflected again and again on a statement I heard in the MTC. Elder Bednar was quoting Elder Neal A. Maxwell, something to the effect of, "The infinite Atonement would not have been possible were it not for The Character of Christ." Also, in Kansas, Elder Marcus B. Nash of the Seventy spoke to us. He said something like, "When we heard that Jesus Christ would be our Redeemer we all gave a huge sigh of relief because we knew His Character. We knew He would be good on His word. We knew of all of God's Spirit children, He would fulfill His promise." So, when you teach these youth, I hope they can feel the Spirit to truly understand why the Atonement was important. While entire volumes alone have been written on The Atonement, and I don't think we can fully comprehend it, we can at least gain an appreciation and deep and abiding Love for It. Something also that may help is a talk I read this morning from General Conference "Teaching With Power and Authority of God by David M. McConkie. Maybe this can help.

Thank you for that scripture, Mom. I hope You know you made me cry :')

I am glad you got to go to "A Casa Do Senhor" and Thank You for the experience you shared with me. Boy, do I have stories to tell YOU when I get home.

We had Stake Conference, too! Isaaque (our Elders Quorum President) gave a good talk on the Rescue. He said, "It's easy to think it's not my problem. But brothers and sisters it is always our problem."

I'll try and take more pictures of us this week. And please send me some. This is a two-way street :) But I promise. This week I will.

I Love You All. I Love The Leaders the Lord has blessed me with in this mission. Elder Alexandrino, Elder Williams, Elder Johnson, Elder Richards, Elder Quiroz. I will Always Love You. It's All True.

Love,

Elder Weaver

Doctrine and Covenants 130:2  And that same ^asociality which exists among us here will exist among us there, only it will be coupled with ^beternal glory, which glory we do not now enjoy.

This Week Report To President

March 3, 2014

Esta Semana:

Aparecida foi batizada esta Sábado, mas ela não estava em casa antes Igreja ontem, então não foi confirmada ainda. Vamos tentar este próximo Domingo. Fernanda ainda não sente pronto pelo Batismo. Ela tem uma amizade com Glória, um membro. Espero que isso vai ajudar ela. Luiz não estava na Igreja ontem. Vamos ensinar ele mais e dar ele com uma nova data. Continuamos a trabalhar com Vitória e encontrar novas pessoas a batizar. Eu sou grato pelo Conferência de Zona esta semana. Foi muito inspirado e eu vou aplicar as coisas eu aprendi la em meu trabalho.

(Google Translation)

Dear President,

This Week Report:

Ali was baptized this Saturday, but she was not home before church yesterday, so she was not confirmed yet. We will try this next Sunday. Fernanda has not felt ready for baptism. She has a friendship with Gloria, a member. Hope this will help her. Luiz was not in church yesterday. We will teach him more and give him a new date. We will continue to work in Victory and find new people to baptize. I am grateful for the Zone Conference this week. It was very inspirational and I'll apply the things I learned into my work.

Elder Weaver