It Was A Miracle To Baptize Robson

March 30, 2015

Dear Family & Friends,

Mission President Letter

Foi um milagre batizar Robson. Ele tem esquizofrenia e outras problemas mentais, mas ele seguiu o exemplo de Jesus Cristo. Ele tem dificuldades na vida dele mas o batismo vai continuar ajudar ele bastante. A gente vai continuar trabalhar com novos pessoas para trazer eles às águas do batismo.

Google Translation

It was a miracle to baptize Robson. He has schizophrenia and other mental problems, but he followed the example of Jesus Christ. He has difficulties in his life but baptism will continue to help him enough. We will continue to work with new people to bring them to the waters of baptism.

DUUDES! Yeah, chocolate here is half off! Holla! Also, there is a brand called "Cacau Show" here it is sooooooooo gooooood. I'll try and bring some home! It says there's alcohol in it, which might be why it is so gooooood????????? But my ward mission leader says it's not against the word of wisdom, I guess......??? Maybe it's just like the alcohol that's in vanilla or something....??? Hahahahaha!

Thanks for all of that stuff! Maybe Jury Duty will help me decide if I want to be a lawyer or not??  Also, thanks for doing that BYU-I stuff.  Also, could you do me a favor? A few emails ago, I think you said I could also apply for summer term at BYU Provo. Could you try and do that for me?? I don't know if it's still possible. But I would like it if you could look into that option for me!! THANK YOU!!! :) !!!!!

Sure I'll send pictures. Ummm whitey companion?? You mean Americans? Yes, the only time was with Elder Reinhardt, but Elder Branco (as his name suggests) and Elder Couto are both pretty white, but Brazilian. Guys I have to say...it's really weird. I like speaking Portuguese and stuff now.

Yes this is exactly what I needed!!! Thanks. The fan chart helps. But I mostly needed it updated on FamilySearch because I have access to it here. I'll show you my "Minha Família" pamphlet when I get home, it's pretty sweet!!

I am so glad Allison loves her job. Working taught me to Love other people. I loved my job at the hospital. At the time I might have thought it was hard but looking back, it was wonderful. I am glad Allison get's to do something she is really good at.

I hope the Prophets get better. I am excited for my last Conference in Brasil. It is touching, but I am going to General Conference with some specific questions in mind, that I hope to receive answers to.

I wish Bishop luck, and I accept! However, I probably won't remember how to drive when I get home...it's been so long, haha. Dad will have to give me another crash course.

I love Bishop and sustain him. I wear my blue tie he gave me whenever I am missing him or home or Oregon. He taught me a lot during our little time together. I am glad DAD and brother Kahn gets to be part of the Creekside Ward.

Guys, I saw something really sweet here in the Turf Ward the other day. They gave training on Home and Visiting teaching, but they gave it in the form of a skit. It was so well done. They showed members acting out what church is actually like sometimes and showed ways we can improve. They showed a class being taught on how we need to make our visits and it showed two people texting and taking selfies during the lesson. Then afterward they showed how it should actually be. It was really well-done and to the point. They also sang a few hymns. I'm not saying you guys have to do this, but I think it would make for a great Ward Activity. I would call it, "Have I Done Any Good In My Ward Today?" Someone in Kansas told me that. She talked about that hymn and how in order to change the world we have to do some good right at home first. It was really special! :)

I LOVE YOU! :)

I gave a talk this last Sunday. I talked about who I was before the mission, and how I have completely changed. I used to prefer to hang out with friends on Friday nights, but now, the only people I think about other than my investigators and members here are the members of my family. When I think about my life, I think about them. When I think about the temple, and heaven, and eternity, I think about my family.

Thank YOU for putting things into focus.

Let me serve you,

Élder Weaver

Elder Borros, Elder Nascimento
 and Elder Weaver

Elder Borros, Elder Weaver,
Elder ?, and the Legend Joaquim

The Amazing Elder Weaver
"Whitee"

The Internet Cafe

I Am In Rio de Janeiro!!!

Some peeps from the Ward.

March 23, 2015

Dear Family & Friends,

So Robson will probably be baptized this week and André and Laisa perhaps the following week.

I am in Rio de Janeiro!!! (The state, not the city.) In a ward called Turf. The members are super cooool. The first day we got here our Ward Mission Leader, Walter, gave us a ride around town, and showed us the streets. It is suuuuuuuuper flat. Which is way different from Espírito Santo. I feel like I am in Kansas again. It is so weird to not have hills. My companion's name is Elder Couto. He is actually from Colatina.....the same Colatina where I served. Crazy world, huh? What happened is he was serving in São Paulo Sul when we got sick and had to come home. President Young talked with the Area Seventy (Elder CRM Costa) and got him re-assigned to the Vitória mission for now. I am sort of on a special assignment right now...I"ll tell you about it at home (you guys must not like it when I say that, sorry, haha!)

School. Sure. Do whatever you think is best. But I do not want to go to Mtn Lofts if the only reason you are putting me there is Jake and Michael. As much as I Love them, I would like to go wherever YOU think is best independent of who lives there or not. Also, I prefer to room with returned missionaries, ones I don't know. But whatever works. Yes, sure. Do the track thingy, please. Thanks so much.

I appreciate you preparing all of these things for me.

I'll pray for you. I hope you get a job in the elementary again. They always like you there.

L. Tom Perry?!  That's so cool!

May 10th sounds good. Because the first Sunday I get home will be Fast and Testimony meeting I think.

YES, MOM! I was actually singing that song the other day! "It was Captain Kellie in his short-top Wellies in the middle of summertime! He was looking fine! His pants had holes in the knees he was proud as ya please with his ole wellies he keep strolling along!...He was poor but he had style, he made EVERYBODY smile...he wore his ole wellies...like he had nothing to lose! Bahahahaha! I forgot about that one. Yeah, Jake showed it too me.

Yes, I haven't seen it yet, but we got the pass-along cards in Portuguese already. I'll have to watch meet the Mormons with you when I get home. I can't wait. I am so glad to be a missionary.

Thanks for that quote. Today, I read a talk from Elder Richard G. Scott. Said he, "If you are a young man of appropriate age and are not married, don’t waste time in idle pursuits. Get on with life and focus on getting married. Don’t just coast through this period of life. Young men, serve a worthy mission. Then make your highest priority finding a worthy, eternal companion."

Rapaz! Eu sei o que eu tenho que fazer quando eu voltar pra casa!

Translation: Boy! I know what I have to do when I come home!

Hahahaha.

Love,

Élder Weaver

I Have Been Transferred!

March 16, 2015

Dear Family & Friends,

I have to be quick, but I will try and send more later. I have been transferred :( I Love Cariacica! But as Lido would say, "just one more shot oughta get it...one last time before we quit it..." Hahahaha. I'll send more pictures, too!

I Love YOU,

Élder Weaver

Buckle Your Seat Belts Because There Is Even Better Up Ahead!

March 9, 2015

Dear Family & Friends,

Mission President Letter

Essa semana nós achamos Taís, Vera, e Railane. Também Jarbes e Paulo estavam na Igreja! A gente ajudou Paulo mudar casa, e ele recebeu nossas visitas. Ele gostou da ideia de profetas modernas e O Livro de Mórmon. Nós vamos visitar a família de Alex com mais membros para integrar eles com a ala e ajudar Lorrainy cumprir o compromissos dela. Jarbes também aceitou nossas visitas também marcado por Terça.

Google Translation

This week we found Thais, Vera, and Railane. Also Jarbes and Paul were in the Church! We helped Paul move house, and he received our visits. He liked the idea of modern prophets and the Book of Mormon. We will visit Alex's family with members to integrate them with the wing and help Lorrainy fulfill commitments it. Jarbes also accepted our visits also marked by Tuesday.

Right now it's 3:00 PM. But normally I email in the morning 10-ish am.

That was so nice of Sister Burrows. I cannot wait to talk with her and Bro B in Portuguese! That explains my confusion over the box. I am so glad! :)

BYU-Idaho. I have never had a problem with it. I've been thinking about it and maybe I could do 2 years at Idaho. Get a bachelors degree and then after transfer to BYU for a Masters program, which would take another 2 years...what do you think? I really am not concerned about the track. If it is easier for you (and Dad, haha) I can go Winter/Spring at the same time as Allison. Who knows maybe we would even have a class or two together! :) Yeah, I'd kinda prefer off-campus. (I need my wings!) Also, I want to know if they accept my Associate's Degree. I hope I really will be a transfer student. I also thought about that in summer semester, but I want to see Ashley and the trip and, yeah.

You have no idea how happy I am that you contacted the Wonderful Kansas Wichita Mission! :) I want you to see EVERYTHING! I Love President Bell.

Oh, Mother. IF only I could explain to you everything that has happened within the last 2 years. The mission is a great school. It's a trial and a test. It shows you the worst and yet, teaches you the best. I have suffered, snapped, and sickened. And yet, it shall still be called the best 2 years of my life up to this point.

But buckle your seat belts because there is even better up ahead! :)

I Love Elder Holbrook, Elder Chun, and Elder Sewell.

Also, that reminds me, Elder Holbrook asked if I would have a homecoming? I don't even know what that is, but if I am to have one, do you know what day? He said that if his Sister's baby has not arrived yet, he wants to come.

You will need to help me remember to share the gospel when I get home. I am so glad you like sharing the gospel. Don't ever let that dim.

I Love you more than mint Oreos. I Love you more than beans and rice. I Love you more than Lego’s.

Ether 6:4

 4 And it came to pass that when they had prepared allmanner of food, that thereby they might subsist upon thewater, and also food for their flocks and herds, andwhatsoever beast or animal or fowl that they should carrywith them—and it came to pass that when they had doneall these things they got aboard of their vessels or barges,and set forth into the sea, commending themselves untothe Lord their God.

Sometimes, after all has been prepared, we just have to go.

I am preparing a sweet letter for you guys. I think you'll like it.

I Love You,

Élder Weaver

This Week Was Great!

March 2, 2015

Dear Family & Friends,

Mission President Letter

Essa semana foi ótima! Jarbes estava na Igreja e está fazendo passos essenciais para tornar um membro fiel. A gente vai trabalhar bem esta semana que vem para achar novos pesquisadores.

Google Translation

This week was great! Jarbes was in church and making essential steps to become a faithful member. We will work well this week to find new investigators.

Thanks so much for the recipe! A sister here is going to try and make some. I think we can substitute for the ingredients that fault.

Well, I didn't get into BYU, but that's okay. Life is full of little disappointments. But at least I made it into Idaho. Maybe the Lord has another plan for me there.  Maybe they'll let me into Clown College like DJ in Full House. Or maybe I'll apply somewhere else! I've thought about Weber State or U of U and also, University of Oregon. Or maybe I'll just be a beach bummm....?...do you think I could grow dreadlocks? Or maybe I'll be a professional surfer for a living? It's a good thing you sent those mint Oreos. I'll be relying on their comforting powers during this interesting time. Haha, no one can frown with Oreos in their mouth! :)

Unfortunately, I have still not found a Nativity. I have tried but they only have statues of Maria. Fetching Catholics...But I'll look some more.

Dudes. I've turned into a genuine hippie! When I get home to Oregon, I'll fit right in. I've started using Vegetable-Based soap! I think it's Biodegradable, but I don't know yet.

It's interesting you shared that experience with me. Something similar happened. President Young came to the Cariacica Fast and Testimony meeting and he shared the experience he had of interviewing Joaquim. He also said that he visited recently with a Seventy and showed him a picture of the Legend Joaquim. He expressed his gratitude to me and another missionary. It was really weird. I would have preferred he didn't use my name. John 5:41 "I receive not honor from men." This is one of my favorite scriptures, so short and yet so true. Jesus Christ taught so well. There really was never a better teacher. And we learn much about Him and His Teaching Styles in The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ.

Guys, there's no point hiding how I feel. I am so HAPPY! :) "A mission is a trial and a test...it shows you the worst, yet, teaches you the best...", as Sister Tenney once taught me.

I really miss President Bell. I will never have a President who is equal to him. That might sound harsh. There might be many good men who are as righteous or just as him. But none will ever be the same.

Guys, "I have moved, and I've kept on movin'. Proved the points that I needed provin'. Lost the 'Friends' that I needed losin'. Found others on the way." I will be so different when we reunite. My goal has been and forever will be for you to not even recognize me when we are brought face to face. The nose might be the same, perhaps even the eyes, and crooked ears. But You will see something new.  If I saw myself through your eyes, perhaps I would be more generous.  I am glad the VHS brought you back in time.

"And remember the truth that once was spoken: 'To Love another person is to see the face of God.'"

Apologize for the literal application:

"And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as

for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

Joshua 24:15

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom you will serve, whether the "glory of men" which your Zone Leaders served that were on the other side of the mountains, or the Assistants to the President in whose mission you dwell. But as for me and my District, we will serve The Lord.

We use Preach My Gospel.

I Love You All,

Élder Weaver