Carnaval Was Pretty Mellow Here.

February 23, 2015

Dear Family & Friends,

Mission President Letter

Elder Barros e eu vamos ajudar Lorraine cumprir o compromisso de ser batizada. Ela precisa ler e orar sobre O Livro de Mórmon. Também nós vamos ajudar Jarbes preparar-se ser batizado e receber nossas visitas. Temos Adriana e Gilson também que querem ir na Igreja Domingo que vem.

Google Translation

Elder Barros and I will help Lorraine fulfill the commitment to be baptized. She needs to read and pray about the Book of Mormon. Also we will help Jarbes prepare to be baptized and receive our visits. Adriana and Gilson also want to go to church next Sunday.

Carnaval was pretty mellow here. Our mission isn't that huge into Carnaval. Most people leave for Minas, or Rio, or São Paulo for Carnaval because they think there's nothing to do here.

Yup, my VISA's set!

Hi Cathy!

Thanks, Mom. We'll be sure to take care when we get home from our missions. And I want to stay single for at least a year or two before I get married.

I am happy for Chris!!! Please send them my Love.

Ahhh, I hope Dad feels better. No one likes being sick. Especially when you have work to do.

Yeah, The Discovery Center sounds sweet! :)

Aw, I'm glad to hear that the ward is growing.

Mom, Thank you so much for that last thought about the Shoeman! I felt the Spirit. I know that what you said is true.

Can you do a favor for me? I would Love a recipe on how to make pancakes. Someone here wants to know how.

I hope you all have a Lovely week. I really am happy to be a part of our family, forever. Let me know how I can serve you.

Love,

Élder Weaver

Our Week Was Great!

February 9, 2015

Dear Family & Friends,

Mission President Letter

Nossa semana foi ótima! Eu e Elder Barros achamos uma família onde todos são membros menos um. A gente começou ensinar ela, Lorraine, e ela quer saber que a Igreja é verdadeira. A gente está ajudando ela para ser batizada e confirmada. Também uma outra família menas ativa tem uma pessoa que nunca foi batizada, Vanessa. A gente está tentando trazer todo mundo para a Igreja. Também nós recebemos bastante referências com muito potencial. O Joaquim foi entrevistado para receber O Sacerdócio Aarônico também! :)

Google Translate

Our week was great! Elder Barros and I found a family where all members accept one. We began teaching her, Lorraine, and she wants to know that the Church is true. We are helping her to be baptized and confirmed. Also another active Menas family has a person who has never been baptized, Vanessa. We're trying to bring everyone to the Church. We also received some references with great potential. Joaquim was interviewed to receive the Aaronic Priesthood too!

Hahaha! Thanks so much, Cathy! You are the grooviest! I know it's crazy how fast time flies! I hope all is well at home and at work and in New York, and Arizona, and all of those other places you get to visit!

I am so glad to hear that Allison enjoyed herself! I know, Mom, congratulations! Two 21 year olds...if you put that together that's like one 42 year old :) Crazy, huh?! My birthday was awesome! I got to teach a friend of Jackeline and Felipe's. He is atheist, but we will help him put faith in God. Afterwards we played charades as part of a family night! Hahaha. This was actually yesterday not my actual birthday. Also yesterday, my ward mission leader, Acacio and his wife Adriana the president of the Relief Society told me I had to come to their house. I thought it would just be a family night with some of their friends or our recent converts, but when I showed up, Elder Sewell said..."oh they left..." and I was like "uh-huhhh....?" I walked up with Elder Barros and entered their house and just around the corner they all burst out and shouted, "Parabéns para você!" It was really nice they made me a cake and everything. Acacio used three matches as candles and we all partook (: There is a tradition here in Brazil that when it's your birthday you have to give the first slice of cake to your favorite person. I gave it to Acacio but told him he had to share it with Adriana. Hahaha! It was really nice. (:

Thanks for the update on BYU-Idaho and BYU. I'll keep checking! I am excited! (:

Thanks also for telling me about the letters I will try and get more if that's okay! (:

Yeah, Joaquim is a stud. We had a miracle happen this week and I'll tell you when I get back, don't let me forget! (:

Hahaha! Yes, Mom I'm eating fine :) I just LOOK skinny. The camera takes away ten pounds. It's just from walking around a lot. The members feed us well here.

Mother, Thank You for your positive outlook on everything. Truly we WILL see Josh again.

"7 And if Christ had not risen from the dead, or have broken the bands of death that the grave should have no victory, and that death should have no sting, there could have been no resurrection.

 8 But there is a resurrection, therefore the grave hath no victory, and the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ.

 9 He is the light and the life of the world; yea, a light that is end less, that can never be darkened; yea, and also a life which is endless, that there can be no more death." Mosiah 16

" 5 Know ye that ye must come to the knowledge of your fathers, and repent of all your sins and iniquities, and believe in Jesus Christ, that he is the Son of God, and that he was slain by the Jews, and by the power of the Father he hath risen again, whereby he hath gained the victory over the grave; and also in him is the sting of death swallowed up." Mormon 7:5 

"14 And since man had fallen he could not merit anything of himself; but the sufferings and death of Christ atone for their sins, through faith and repentance, and so forth; and that he breaketh the bands of death, that the grave shall have no victory, and that the sting of death should be swallowed up in the hopes of glory; and Aaron did expound all these things unto the king."  Alma 22:14

These are just a few of my favorite scriptures on the subject. I am so glad everything went well. Josh has received a worthy departure.

I am glad you sent me that statement from President Marion G. Romney.

This week, I had been praying that our Ward would receive a new Elder who would be obedient and good. The next day after one of these prayers, The Lord sent us Elder Sewell. This is his last transfer, but he is working hard. He is the answer to this prayer. The Lord sent him. He baptizes the right way. He follows The Spirit. I am brought closer to Jesus Christ because of his example.

Thank you for everything.  I hope you all have a great week.

Love for this special Valentine's Day,

Your Son,

Élder Weaver

I'm Very Happy To Stay In Cariacica For Another Transfer!!!

February 2, 2015

Dear Family & Friends,

Mission President Letter

Eu estou muito feliz para ficar em Cariacica por mais uma transferência!!! Eu senti O Espírito Santo muito forte ontem a noite no Batismo. Espero que eu possa ser útil para Deus ainda aqui. Essa semana Lorraine (filha de um menos ativo) estava na Igreja e nós vamos começar ensinar ela O Evangelho Restaurado! Ela mora num bairro longe, mas eu acho que dá para marcar uma data para o batismo!

Google Translation

I'm very happy to stay in Cariacica for another transfer!!! I felt the Holy Spirit very strong last night at the Baptism. I hope I can be useful to God still here. This week Lorraine (daughter of a less active) was at Church and we'll start teaching her the Restored Gospel! She lives in a neighborhood away, but I think we will to set a date for baptism!

Ahhh, thank you! 21 is so...OLD! Ewwww. :) But that's okay.

February 7th? No, it's not a coincidence. Actually coincidences aren't real. Brother May, a leader of mine from the MTC, once told me that coincidences don't exist. It's a myth. A word we use to describe something that isn't real. Everything happens for a reason.

Send The Pukahi's, Trish's Family, and all of the Weavers my Love, please.

Elder Weaver, Joaquim and Elder Barros

I attached some photos of Joaquim the legend of 71 years old. Bishop is going to interview him this week to receive the Aaronic Priesthood.

I'm glad to hear Allison is feeling better! I'll talk to her in a little bit. I am glad.

Thank you for your thoughts!!! President Packer holds a special place in my heart. Truly the feelings of regret can be washed away through the operation of The Gospel of Jesus Christ.

In one of the Ensigns you sent me I read a story about fireflies. The author became disoriented one day in South America. He saw a firefly and thought it was the North Star...(yeah the North Star does not appear in South America, only the Southern Cross and others). He compared that to obstacles and temptations how; we must not be deceived by what is up close for those things, which matter most. Things far beyond, even eternal things.

Yesterday was a special, landmark day. Pedro received the Melchizedek Priesthood and shortly after he came to our Chapel in Cariacica and baptized his brother in law. President and Sister Young were there in time to make the ordinance. He gave me a big hug. It felt nice. My joy was bursting over. Like Ammon, I felt my joy exhaust and exceed my strength. Although Gisele and Pedro live in the Sister's area now, I know the Lord will take care of them. Gisele is on the activities committee and Gabriel has received the Aaronic Priesthood if I am not mistaken. The Lord knows the end from the beginning! In one year they will go to the Temple and be sealed as a family. And it all started by a simple, faith-filled street contact. Imagine if fear would have gotten the best of us? You just have to open your mouth. I do not say this to receive recognition, but rather to express my gratitude and infinite Love for my Father in Heaven. He has been so good to me and to my friends.

After the baptism there was a sweet multi-stake training meeting. I saw youth, adults, and friends I had served with in Serra and Colatina! They surprised me. It was great to reunite in Cariacica.

Now, I must go, but I hope to return better than I left. I will make 21 the best year so far. Thank you for starting this Journey with me.

Love,

Your Son,

Élder Weaver

Doctrine and Covenants 130:2

I Am Not Trunky; I have Plenty To Do Still!

January 26, 2015

Dear Family & Friends,

Mission President Letter

Elder Barros e eu estamos achando bastante novos. Os membros estão dando muitas referências também! A gente vai contatar todos possíveis! O Bispo conhece um rapaz com muito interesse em ser batizado. Ele foi na Igreja ontem e a gente vai ensinar ele a manhã! Eu acho que ele tem potencial a ser batizado essa transferência ainda!

Google Translation

Elder Barros and I are thinking fairly new. The members are giving many references too! We will contact all possible! The Bishop knows a guy with great interest in being baptized. He was in church yesterday and we will teach him in the morning! I think he has the potential to be baptized this transfer yet!

I know! They called me too about the flight plans! As The Mormon Tabernacle Choir once put it: "Home is a special kind of feeling!"

However, I am not trunky ;) I have plenty to do still. "...They are seeking to be brave they have precious souls to save..." As Eliza R. Snow put it.

Thanks for checking on that BYU stuff for me.

Wow, sounds like they are pumped for the Super Bowl! Here, they always let fireworks off whenever a game is played. They even let fireworks off after Brazil lost to Germany, hahaha!

Yes, I have. Everyone refers to it this way. When you start your mission you are "born" in an area and then you "die" when you go home. And when you train you refer to your trainees as "son" or "daughter". Likewise your trainer is "dad" or "mom". My Dad is Elder Holbrook and I have 2 sons, Elder Johnson and Elder Barros. Also when I was in the MTC the president there paraphrased The Book of Mormon saying, "And that same spirit which doth possess your body here in the MTC will be in you when you go off into your mission fields!"

Yeahh! I remember one time Jason took us to a similar place called "Sky High" I think, in Portland. I have been explaining Oregon to my son. He thinks it's hilarious.

I LOVE PATRIARCHS!!! Joaquim was actually friend of our Stake Patriarch. Patriarch Samuel is his name. He lives in our Ward, Cariacica. I almost have completed 6 months here. I truly love this area.

That is sweet! I didn't hear about that! Wyoming Mormon Trail Mission!? :) Que legal, parece como uma notícia que o trabalho está continuando!  Google Translation: That's cool; it seems like a story that work is continuing!

Thank You for your comments :) I cannot wait for Wiliane to go on a mission, and Cleiton, and then to see Penha and Manoel get married, and in one year Pedro, Gisele, Rafaela, Gabriel, and Laura will be sealed as a family! :) Andreia will go to the temple in one year and Rebeca will continue in the Primary! :) Bishop said that this Sunday he would interview Joaquim to receive the Aaronic Priesthood! :)

A little bit later Elder Barros and I will go on a visit with Irmão Felipe to visit Penha. Pray that it goes well! We will teach her the first lesson about The Restoration.

I wouldn't be here on the earth if it wasn't for my Mother and Father. I Love you both! Just a little longer.

I only hope to have made you pleased with me.

All The World Is Filled With Love, When There's Love At Home,

Love,

Élder Weaver

Mama I Love You, Mama I Love You, My Heavenly Father Sent Me To You!

January 19, 2015

Dear Family & Friends,

Mamãe eu te amo, Mamãe eu te amo, Meu Pai Celeste mandou-me a ti,

Google Translate

Mama I love you, Mama I love you, My Heavenly Father sent me to you,

Mission President Letter

Essa semana foi boa. Élder Barros e eu estamos trabalhando muito para achar mais novos pesquisadores. Um membro deu bastante referências para a gente! Vamos contatar e batizar o máximo possível dessas.

Google Translate

This week was good. Elder Barros and I are working hard to find young researchers. A member gave enough references to us! We will contact and baptize as much as possible of these.

Mom, THANK YOU SO MUCH for checking on that stuff for BYU for me! I LOVE YOU! :) You really are the best!

I will authorize you as my best mother ever so that you can look up housing and things!!! :))) Thank You so much. If it becomes really expensive, I can live in a tent. Dad taught me how to live in the WILD!

You always help me, even if we are worlds away. I can hide halfway around the world, but I can never hide from my mommy! ;)

I will pray for Allison. Everything will be all right. With you two as her parents she can't go wrong.

Hahaha, Elder Stilson had us do exercises and my arms were singing. But I think last week I was whipped just emotionally and physically from the normal labor. But P-Day helps to get ready for the next week! :)

That's too bad about Oregon; I was actually hoping they would win. Oh well, there's always next year!

I am still praying for Josh. I know everything will be all right. We just need faith.

I am in Cariacica! It is beautiful at night! I'll take more pictures this week. My Ward Mission Leader said I could stay at their house if I ever return to Brazil, hahaha.

This week was awesome. We had a ward activity and the ward mission was in charge. It was hilarious. It was called "Show do Mormão". We had trivia questions about the gospel and secular knowledge. And in between there were games and tests of strength. Elder Bean took a video of Bishop trying to pop a balloon blind-folded. I'll have to get a copy. We all wore our hipster glasses it was hilarious.

Jake is good. He has a new girlfriend and it sounds like she treats him well. He is taking some classes online I think but wants to enter the classroom pretty soon.

A BAND?! That's pretty sweet, not gonna lie.

Thank you for those scriptures. I think I am fine :) Anything I need I will let you know. I Love You! :) :) :)

Remember, The Lord suffered beneath all things. And most certainly, we are not greater than He. He is our big brother and we shouted for joy when we knew HE would be our Savior.

Love,

Elder Weaver

We Are All Here For A Reason, On The Earth

January 12, 2015

Dear Family & Friends,

Mission President Letter

Essa semana foi boa. A gente cortou alguns pesquisadores para focalizar mais em outros. Eu e meu companheiro vamos focalizar muito em achar novos e trazer-los para a Igreja. Vamos incluir mais os membros. Temos algumas visitas com membros marcados já! Eu e meu companheiro serviremos ao Senhor.

Google Translation

This week was good. We cut some researchers to focus more on others. My companion and I'll focus a lot on finding new and bring them to the church. We will include more members. We have some visits with already marked members! My companion and I will serve the Lord.

We are all here for a reason, on the earth. I hope you are all well. I am glad to hear about football! (haha, you know me well). 

This might be a Glimpse Into Gethsemane for her. But she can take it. If she couldn't, The Lord wouldn't have given her this right now. 

Man, I am whipped! I am not gonna lie. I feel like Irmão Felipe when he got home and slumped on the couch and cried, "Please, Take Care of ME!!!" hahaha.

Joaquim is firmer than ever in the Gospel. We also found a new ride for him to Church that will work out well than the last one. We are also visiting Andrea more because she is kind of lonely without Rebeca there. She had to go visit her Dad in Minas or someplace.

I am quite anxious to delve into the Elijah Project, I'm not gonna lie. Sounds like a good way to get the ward focused. We have a ward integration activity coming up this week, too. It should be fun! :)

I've already said this before, but our Ward Mission Leader is a stud! He's planning the activity with our help. I also got to participate in a blessing of a ward member recently that was very spiritual.

Tell Nani I wish her well. I hope everyone travels safe. Any news on Josh? I have been praying for him. Tell Cathy safe travels as well. I wish the best for everyone!

Thank You so much for the insight! I like President Uchtdorf's quotes. And from The Book of Mormon: " 18 And I would exhort you, my beloved brethren, that ye remember that every good gift cometh of Christ.

 19 And I would exhort you, my beloved brethren, that ye remember that he is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and that all these gifts of which I have spoken, which are spiritual, never will be done away, even as long as the world shall stand, only according to the unbelief of the children of men.

 20 Wherefore, there must be faith; and if there must be faith there must also be hope; and if there must be hope there must also be charity." (Moroni 10:18-20)

Have a Good Week!

Love,

Elder Weaver

This Week Was Great!

December 8, 2014

Dear Família & Friends,

Mission President Letter

Obrigado por suas respostas! Essa semana foi ótima! Joacim estava na Igreja e ele tem um data por batismo dia 14! Vamos tentar marcar uma data com Iago também que estava esse Domingo. A maioria dos outros que estavam na Igreja infelizmente não são casados legalmente. Vamos trabalhar para a caramba! 

Google Translation

Thanks for your answers. This week was great! Joacim was in church and he has a date for baptism on the 14th! We will try to arrange a date with Iago also this Sunday. Most others who were in the Church unfortunately are not legally married. We will work to hard!

Yes! I can. Sister Young collects Nativities like you do, so she might know where to find one. She Loved the Wise Men tie you gave me by the way! Thank You :)

I did! We have new pass-along cards with the link to He Is The Gift, and that's been working out pretty well.

Thank you for sending that to Jake for me!

No! I missed it, but I'll download The Christmas Devotional and so I'll listen to it later!!

We had 7 investigators at church this week! I think it was my record. One of them has a baptismal date marked for next week! He is an old man named Joacim and he is sweet.

Your comments remind me of what I read in Alma 26 today:

 5 Behold, the field was ripe, and blessed are ye, for ye did thrust in the sickle, and did reap with your might, yea, all the day long did   ye labor; and behold the number of your sheaves! And they shall   be gathered into the garners, that they are not wasted.

 6 Yea, they shall not be beaten down by the storm at the last day;  yea, neither shall they be harrowed up by the whirlwinds; but when the storm cometh they shall be gathered together in their  place, that the storm cannot penetrate to them; yea, neither shall  they be driven with fierce winds whithersoever the enemy listeth  to carry them.

 7 But behold, they are in the hands of the Lord of the harvest, and they are his; and he will raise them up at the last day.

I especially LOVE verse 7. Our recent converts are a precious priority. President Hinckley once spoke of how they need 3 things: 1. A Friend, 2. A Responsibility, and 3. Nourished in The Good Word of God. We truly need to take care of all of them. That they might "go no more out" (Alma 7:25).

I believe it. I can tell, just through the emails, that Allison is changed.

We were born in a good country.

Thank YOU for your scripture in Doctrine and Covenants 21. I was called upon serious reflection...

This Christmas Season we really should focus more on the Savior.

Yesterday, after teaching 3 lessons in a row with our awesome Ward Mission Leader, Acássio, we were talking about how wonderful the teachings of The Savior are. How He taught simply, and firmly, yet many did not or would not understand. But He kept His course. For instance, when speaking to the Jews He said, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up" (John 2:19) They thought He was talking about the temple structure, but in reality He was referring to His Body as a Temple, and how after 3 days He would be Resurrected. Or when the Jews claimed superiority to other people due to their direct lineage to Abraham and their "rights" to the Covenant established with him. Jesus replied, "Before Abraham was, I am." (John 8:58) The Hebrew name Jehovah means "I am" or "The self-existent one", or in other words, here Jesus The Christ taught that He was "the great I am" who conversed with Moses. Or when He was tried before a corrupt nation and when questioned He kept His peace. Like the centurion present at the Crucifixion we know that, "Truly this man is The Son of God" (Mark 15:39).

Brother Johnson is sweet! I always loved his gospel principles class. As a missionary I have learned a lot about how to teach.

I am glad you got to watch White Christmas. I Love that movie. Also, the church website has "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens available for download. I may listen to it to invite the season; Allison might like to know this as well. I am dreaming of a White Christmas. Not in snow...that would be a little unrealistic here, but in white in Baptisms. Gisele and Pedro were finally married and baptized...the same day. I will send pictures as soon as I get them!

Merry Christmas!

I Love You All!

Feliz Natal!

Élder Weaver