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

It Was So Good To See All Of You One Last Time On Skype!

December 29, 2014

Dear Familía & Friends,

It was so good to see all of you one last time on the Skype ;) For, the next time will be in person :)

Mission President Letter

Joaquim foi confirmado e ele falou como ele sentiu O Santo Espírito do Senhor descer sobre ele. A gente vai focalizar bastante em achar novos pesquisadores. E aqueles que nós temos vamos ajudar eles a cumprirem os compromissos deles. Esse Domingo Everton e Ana devem estar na Reunião Sacramental.

Google Translation

Joaquim was confirmed and he spoke as he felt the Spirit of the Holy Ghost descending upon him. We will focus rather on finding new researchers. And those that we have we will help them to fulfill their commitments. This Sunday Everton and Ana should be in Sacrament Meeting.

It was good to talk it all out with you guys! There aren't any other people I trust as much as the members of my family! :) You really are THE BEST!

I ended up speaking on Genesis 22 and the great sacrifice that Abraham made of his son Isaac. It didn't seek in before, but I learned that Moriah, the land where that sacrifice was made, is the same place where Jesus Christ was Crucified (Golgotha). The name only changed because of the great difference in time. Each of us should make a sacrifice to show our love for God this New Year!

We have to go home at 7 o clock, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day!

Yes! I loved to see Ashley as well. That was a once in a lifetime experience! :)  I am so glad you got to see Grandma and Grandpa! Please send them my Love! I hope to see them soon, too!

And send Josh my Love. I have been praying for him. I Love him.

I hope Allison Loves it! She will. This is good. As Angels and Airwaves once put it, "...sometimes it comes with a Shove..." :) Allison will thank you for all of your tender nudging down the road, because that is your purpose as parents. To set your children on a course that will lead them back to their Heavenly Father. Bishop Porter told me that once.  And thank you for your help on setting goals! I will certainly apply this to 2015! This year will be the best one yet!

I Love each of you so much. And boy do I have stories to tell you when I get back. As Gadalf said, "You'll have a tail or two to tell by the time you come back."

Bilbo, "But you never promised that I would come back."

Gandalf, "No, and if you do...you will NOT be the same!" :)

You have probably noticed, but...

I am not the same.

Not completely.

Love,

Elder Weaver

Transfers Was This Week, But Everyone Stayed!!!

December 15, 2014

Dear Family & Friends,

Mission President Letter:

Dayene, Dayara, Chayene, Shayara, Isabela, e Joacim estavam na Igreja!!! Joacim vai ser batizado esse Domingo e nós vamos convidar Iago ser batizado esse Domingo também! Eu amo ver os filhos de Pai Celestial arrependendo para ser batizados. Nós estamos muitos animados para batizar essa transferência!

Goggle Translation:

Dayene, Dayara, Chayene, Shayara, Isabela, and Joacim were in the Church! Joacim will be baptized this Sunday and we will invite Iago to be baptized this Sunday too! I love to see Heavenly Father's children to be baptized and repenting. We are very excited to baptize this transfer!

So, Transfers was this week, but everyone stayed!!! I get to train still. And Elder Bean is a great District Leader.

Yay! I Love That Movie!!! I got a letter from the Potts! Please thank them for me! I need to reply today to them. And I am glad you got to join in the rescue. We are all dear to the heart of The Shepherd.

This Sunday the Elders Quorum President asked what Christmas traditions we had to remember the Savior, and I talked about how my mother always put Nativities throughout the house and Dad would read the passage in Luke about The Birth.

What a wonderful opportunity you had to juxtapose two very different Christmas events. How bright is the contrast between a work Christmas party and a Christmas Activity of the Church! We also had a Zone Christmas Party, which was awesome. I got sunburned! hahaha playing volleyball. We watched an adorable video of these Brazilian children re-enacting the nativity story. I'll have to send you the link.

Also, Pedro and Gisele held their Wedding Reception at the Church. There was a huge turnout. People from out of state came including her parents. And I even got to speak English with some dude from England. We took pictures, which are on her camera so; I'll forward them as soon as I can. Everything was perfect! I didn't get to sing like they wanted because the microphone wasn't working...saved by the bell! Haha. But seriously it was awesome! Gisele told me in 1 year they will go to the temple to be sealed as a family. They invited me to attend if at all possible. I Love fading into the background to notice how the gospel transforms people's lives. We really did nothing. We just invited. They were the ones who made the changes and it was The Savior who atoned for them.

Hahaha, oh Dad. I'm glad you guys got a visit from a Seventy! Yeah, Sundays offer a different sort of work than the rest of the week.

You got it! I'll try and shop for a Presépio today!

As for now the plan is to spend Christmas at Acassio's. We will probably Skype from there after lunch about 2 a clock our time, but I am not sure. Is it possible for Ashley and I to speak with each other? If you know her schedule please let me know! :)

Thank you for your kind words.  I am just trying to do The Will of The Lord.

I am not sure what will happen, but I hope you know that whatever happens, my only desire in all of these things I've done has been to bring honor to My Heavenly Father, second to my family, and then to the Stake which I represent which is the Salem, Oregon Stake.

Merry Christmas,

Love,

Élder Weaver

Happy Thanksgiving!

November 24, 2014

Dear Family & Friends,

Letter To Mission President

Essa semana a gente foi protegido muito do mão do senhor. Membros e missionários na aula Cariacica trabalhavam juntos para ensinar nossa pesquisadora Brenda. Temos a meta de batizar ela depois a Igreja no Domingo que vem. Eu estou muito feliz pelo batismo de Pedro e Gisele dia 4 de Dezembro! Eu nunca tinha um pesquisador que marcou o próprio reunião batismal deles! Eles são bem especiais. E eu estou feliz a ver Élder Ferreira de novo. Washington e Damiana foram na Igreja também e vamos marcar uma data por eles essa semana!

Google Translation

This week we were protected much of the Lord's hand. Members and missionaries in Cariacica class worked together to teach our researcher Brenda. We have the goal of baptizing her after church on Sunday next. I'm very happy for the baptism of Peter and Gisele December 4! I never had a researcher who scored the own baptismal theme! They are very special. And I'm happy to see Elder Ferreira again. Washington and Damiana were also in the Church and we set a date for them this week!

His new companions name is Elder Barros (Bah-Hooz).  

Acassio! He is stellar! We had a good meeting with him and Bishop yesterday. He knows what it's like to serve a mission and so he knows how to meet our needs in coordination with the ward. He's like me; he talks like an old man sometimes. His wife is really nice too. She calls herself my "black mom" hahaha.

It's funny you should mention that. We have new pass-along cards that say, "He is the Present" with a picture of The Savior. And Elder Bessa goes up to people and says, "Hey have you received a present yet today? No, well here's one just for you..."

Our Sacrament meeting was good too. Washington showed up at the last second even though he was really tired. It was nice to get to partake of the Sacrament this week.

Oh, Mother. Thank you for your kind words. I too, am touched by the story of the Brother of Jared. The Lord could have made any way for them to get to the Promised Land, He could have invented an airplane, He could have parted the ocean, but He chose to send them through a stormy sea with light in their barges and all this to test their faith.  "Off to the rescue we'll hasten..."

I received your package! Thank you so much! The Mint Oreos are already gone ;) The gummy bears and cinnamon bears are still there, but not for long. I LOVE the CD from Vocal Point. They added another verse to "Danny Boy" that is not included in the original. It is way good. I appreciate all you do to support the Lord’s work and me. Sometimes I wish I knew just how to show my gratitude.

The Ensigns have also been a great source of study and spiritual nourishment.  Sadly, I need to go, but may His Spirit be with and bless you this week, and forever.

Love,

Élder Weaver

And thank you so much for the package!!!

These should be some familiar faces!

My friends from Colatina.

Elder Branco is still my Zone Leader

and I see him almost every day!

And Sister Benítez is training now as well!    

I Was Very Happy To Have New People In Church This Week!

November 10, 2014

Dear Família & Friends,

Mission President Letter

Nossa semana! Eu fui muito feliz para ter novas pessoas na Igreja. Conseguimos marcar datas com duas delas (Com Brenda e Willian) por esse Domingo. Vamos tentar marcar com os outros essa semana. Também eu sou feliz para ouvir de Élder Mazzagardi. Eu sou muito animado por essa nova transferência! Eu amo minha Cariacica.

Google Translation

Our week! I was very happy to have new people in the church. I managed to score dates with two of them (Brenda and William) for that Sunday. Let's try to score with others this week. I am also happy to hear from Elder Mazzagardi. I am very excited by this new transfer! I love my Cariacica.

Bahahahaha! Cute picture! I Love it!

Well transfers have rolled around again, and I'm staying! My good companion, Elder Ferreira will be transferred. I Love Him.

That's sweet Elder Andersen came to Stake Conference! He came in person or it was a transmission?

Haha. That's a funny story. Yeah, I heard the Temple in São Paulo was the first one in South America.

It is wonderful. When we get the chance to baptize unto repentance. Once they have developed faith and repented, nothing impedes them to enter in by the gate. That was a neat baptism because the daughter asked to go first and then she waited on the steps and watched as her mom was baptized as well.

I do Love the people I teach. They are each different. And have unique life experiences.

Yeah, it's easy to feel lonely sometimes. I just remember that I have thousands of other missionaries around me serving our tiny world. And there are perhaps even more Missionary Moms who lend support to each other and those around them. I hope this experience will bring us closer to our Father in Heaven.

That sounds like it was a special meeting. We thank the Lord for a prophet. I am glad they worry about even us in little old Oregon.

And that is good news to hear about Emma and the other missionary returned from Slovakia.

I only had a few moments to speak with President Wilder. But of those few, I could see that he is a man of God. I am glad the Lord has put shepherds over us to watch and remind us of the only true way to the Father, even the Son, Jesus The Christ.

Your thoughts remind me of a hymn I came to Love in Kansas. It rests in our hymnal under the appellation, "We Are Sowing". It was sung at a Stake Conference there. This song holds both literal and spiritual application for those who live there.

I was also pleased to see that the Church will participate in a religious gathering at The Vatican to speak out on the importance of marriage and The Family.

I Love that part of Alma!!! The scriptures lift us up from the blues. I Love how President Packer once spoke on how sometimes it doesn't always matter what we study just that we study. For instance, said he, just open The Book of Mormon and start to read! You will feel the Spirit in your life.

Yay! Angels & Airwaves!!! :) I have some new music I picked up on my mission to show you guys too! There's a church band called "The Lower Lights" that do renditions of hymns! It's wayyy groovy. They got their name from the song, "Brightly Beams Our Father's Mercy"..."...let the Lower Lights be burning...send a gleam across the wave..."

I Luv You more than Butterscotch Loves to drool! Send that widdle guy my wuv pweeez!

I'm sorry this is short, I will have to make a trip to Vitória to get some things ready for transfers, but know that I Love You All!

From Brazil With Love,

Élder Weaver

P.S. My Testimony Experience This Week

So, I had a neat experience this week. I was teaching a lady who did not believe that Jesus Christ was resurrected, or at least not in the traditional sense. She had been taught that His Spirit went through a "change" but not that he re-entered His mortal body to a glorified, perfected state. Imagine trying to teach this in Portuguese. I was not there in the tomb. I have not thrusted my hands into His side or over His hands and feet as Thomas did, but I know that He was Resurrected. I gained a stronger testimony through teaching this woman. I KNOW. "For a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have" (Luke 24:39) were His own words. But I know simply because The Spirit made it known unto me. As was told to Peter, Flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto me but my Father who is in Heaven. (See Matthew 16:16-17) I Love each of you, and I just felt I needed to bear testimony of this particular doctrine.

We Had A Great Week! Andreia & Rebeca Were Baptized!

November 3, 2014

Dear Family, (The Most Important Social Unit) and Friends,

Mission President Letter

Tivemos uma ótima semana! Andréia e Rebeca foram batizadas!!! (Aquele da Cervada) Elas têm respostas bem fortes do Evangelho. Essa semana eu vou trazer mais membros lá para integrar eles na Ala Cariacica. Foi um privilegio ter você e Sister Young lá! Esse sábado nós temos duas datas marcadas por Wilmax e Gezieu. Vamos trabalhar bem para realizar essas metas juntos com a ala.

Google Translation

We had a great week! Andreia and Rebecca were baptized !!! (That's Cervada) They have very strong responses to the Gospel. This week I'll bring more members to join them there in Ala Cariacica. It was a privilege to have you and Sister Young there! This Saturday we have two dates scheduled for Wilmax and Gezieu. We will work well together to accomplish these goals with the wing.

Thank You so much! I will get it all in ASAP! I was very pleased with the visit I had with President Young.

I am emailing from 10:30 our time. I am not sure how many hours separate us now. It's summer now, or will be soon they say.

Wow! I didn't know that Marisa got called to Boston! That's crazy! Everyone here has family in Boston. It's ridiculous. It makes no sense.

I am glad Halloween was swell for y'all! Halloween is also Elder Cervantes' Birthday!

Andréia and Rebeca

As you may have read, we had a baptism!!! Andréia and Rebeca! I took pictures this time and I'll send them in. They are really special. Andréia is the mom and Rebeca is her 8-year-old daughter. She is so great! When she learned about the Word of Wisdom she stopped drinking coffee immediately and started drinking Cervada (it's this substitute made of corn or wheat or something that many members drink here). She came to Church twice. We invited her to be baptized on Saturday during the first visit and she accepted! She loved the story of a boy with sincere questions who received answers and identified much with him. She has gone through hard times like all of us, but she has always sought Jesus Christ. She had always seen missionaries passing by her home (because it lies on the way to church) and she wanted to know what they do, but never asked. Elder Branco (my buddy from Colatina, last companion, and current Zone Leader) did an exchange with us one day and he decided to talk to her and Rebecca when we passed by their house. Her Facebook page is filled with posts from the church website and she watches conference talks after work. She also tells everyone at her work about her baptism and the church. She read parts of The Book of Mormon that we didn't even assign to her. She wants to be a Visiting Teacher soon. And she thinks it would be neat if Rebeca decides to serve a mission one day.

In other news Gisele and Pedro (my two friends who will marry soon in order to be baptized) moved to Marcilho. We helped with the move. It was a sad day for me, but I think it will be for the best. The ward there has more youth which will be a good support for my 3 recent converts Rafaela, Gabriel, and Laura.

Haha, that's good to know about Cathy and Nani! I'll come to them when my wife wants to decorate the house for the holidays.

That sounds like a wonderful activity! For Young Women in excellence, we did something similar with our District in the MTC. We found out much about one another, and grew to trust each other from this activity.  I like it when Dad shares that testimony. I am always reminded of the song "I Fall Asleep Counting My Blessings (Instead of Sheep)" from White Christmas. In Kansas, Sister Bell gave each of us a gratitude tablet (a notebook) and each day we write 3 things we are grateful for. I still use it, and reflect on it from time to time.

Thank you for that story. I have always been touched by that story. We watched it in the MTC. A video where President Hinkley recounts the tale, I would like a picture of that crossing in my home, one day, when I have a home of my own.

I Love You All So Much! I am anxiously awaiting the work we will do together for those on this side of the veil and on the other. This side of The Sweetwater Crossing and on the other. We will save ourselves with all our dead. And we cannot stop, until the work is done.

I will get everything in, I Promise.

The Savior Already Suffered The Atonement. He will never condemn us for coming to him. As Sister Bell once put it, he will say, "Thank You for coming to ME for help, and not some other source."

May we ever come to Him is my plea, prayer, and invitation,

For All Of Us,

Love, Your Sweetwater Son,

Élder Weaver

Yesterday, For Instance, Was A Miracle

October 27, 2014

Mission President Letter

Essa semana foi bem especial! Gisele, Pedro, Andrea, e Rebecca estavam na Igreja! Andrea e a filha dela Rebecca vão ser batizadas esse Sábado! Eles mostraram um arrependimento sincero e tiverem experiências bem especiais no Evangelho. Vamos continuar ajudar eles e encontrar mais novos pessoas a ajudar.

Google Translation

This week was pretty special! Gisele, Peter, Andrea and Rebecca were in church! Andrea and her daughter Rebecca will be baptized this Saturday! They showed a sincere repentance and have special experiences in the Gospel as well. We will continue to help them and find more new people to help.

Dear Family & Friends,

Some areas do get way into it, but I think around here it's not too big. Hahaha! I'm glad y'all get the quadruple "F"! We are going to enjoy a family night I think on Halloween, but it won't be for the holiday.

I am grateful that Jessica gets to be home during this time. She has such a bright smile and helpful spirit. She was there when I entered the MTC.

Planning is vital.

Yesterday, for instance, was a miracle. We needed Andrea and Rebecca to come to Stake Conference. They might have come anyway, but we arranged a member to drive them in the rain. I couldn't understand everything he said, because the rain was so loud, and I'm not a native speaker, but he showed up in the nick of time. She has quit coffee and wants to be baptized with her daughter. She has had marvelous spiritual experiences including dreams and she is progressing well.

The Church is rolling forth like the stone that was cut out of the mountain without hands. And will continue so on. And on.

I do! Yes, I hear from Steven and Michael just about every week. That will be good for Jake to go to school! I am excited for him. I heard from McKay Noll this week as well! I do hear from Elder Cervantes every once in a while. And Elder Chun from Kansas Guys. You have to meet him when he gets home. He is HILARIOUS! Like almost as funny as Ashley and Allison.

Thanks for the package!!! I'll let you know when it comes in!!!

So, I had my Ecclesiastical Endorsement from President today, and I hope to get it all sent in ASAP! I will try and get the Transcripts in as well. If I need help I will let you know! Thanks! I am so excited that I can be applying to BYU!

I had a dream that I had an interview with the Savior this week. He had on a white and purple robe. For some reason we were in the Primary room. He told me that everything would be okay.  He Did Love Us First,

If The Savior Stood Beside Me Would I Do The Things I Do?

Love,

Élder Weaver

At District Meeting

Off to the right it says, "The Mission Will Be Fulfilled!"

Mom, you will laugh at how I still sleep like this sometimes...

my companion took a pic of me sleeping 

like this and was confused so he asked me about it later.