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

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

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

Our Week Was Great!

December 1, 2014

Dear Family & Friends,

Mission President Letter

Nossa semana foi ótima! Encontramos a família de Josélia (uma menos ativa) na qual Wenderson não foi batizado! Também marcamos datas com Gezieu e Washington. Nós estamos achando bastante novos. Michael também tem muito potencial. Vamos trabalhar muito para realizar essas metas.

Google Translation

Our week was great! We found the family Josélia (a less active) in which Wenderson was not baptized! Also mark dates with Gezieu and Washington. We are finding quite new. Michael also has a lot of potential. We will work hard to achieve these goals.

I am so sorry! I just couldn't wait ;) But thank you. The only present I want on Christmas is to speak with all of you.  And of course, helping others receive of baptism would be wonderful. I am dreaming of a "White Christmas", if you know what I'm sayin'! :)

I am glad that you got to visit everyone! I hope Thanksgiving was edifying. I am grateful you live in a country where holidays like that are still celebrated.

As always, I will pray for Josh.

I love our family. It isn't always that we get to see each other. Thanks for the pictures from Ashley!

I have so many goals to share with y'all when I get home. 

Your thoughts remind me of one of my scriptures from a favorite chapter of The Book of Mormon

" 15 And upon these I write the things of my soul, and many of the  scriptures which are engraven upon the plates of brass. For my  soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them, and writeth them for the learning and the profit of my children.

 16 Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard."  2 Nephi 15-16

Thank you for your quote from the marvelous Marvin J. Ashton!!! I actually received that quote one year in seminary! It helps a lot to know of all the gifts of God!  I, too, have a quote from Elder Marvin J. Ashton to share, "A True Friend is one who is willing to take us the way we are but is still able to leave us BETTER than he found us."

No matter what happens, I just want all of you to know that all I intended from my service as a missionary was to bring honor to first My Heavenly Father, then to my Family, and thirdly to the Stake in which I represent (which in my case is the magnificent Salem Oregon Stake in Zion).

I Love You All!

'Till Next Time,

Élder Weaver

Rafaela, Gabriel, and Laura Were Baptized!!!

September 29, 2014

Mission President Letter

Rafaela, Gabriel, e Laura foram batizados!!! Eles vão ser confirmados no Domingo que vem! Os pais deles choraram e eles vão ser batizados também depois o casamento deles no cartório, provavelmente essa mês. Eu sou bem animado pelo Conferência Geral essa semana. Eu vou procurar respostas a algumas perguntas específicas. Também nós ensinamos Eviraldo que tem muito potencial a ser batizado. Vamos procurar novos também. Eu sou muito grato para servir O Senhor mais uma transferência aqui em Cariacica com Elderes Ferreira, R. Silva, e Mortensen.

Google Translation

Rafaela, Gabriel, and Laura were baptized!!! They will be confirmed in next Sunday! Their parents wept and they will also be baptized after their marriage at the registry office, probably this month. I'm pretty excited for General Conference this week. I will seek answers to some specific questions. Also we teach Eviraldo that has much potential to be baptized. Let's also look new. I am very grateful to serve the Lord here in another transfer Cariacica with elders Ferreira, R. Silva, and Mortensen.

Dear Family & Friends,

No, that is Vila Velha, we were just there for the day. Awe thanks, Mom. I bought that shirt at Goodwill for 5 bucks! Steal! I ate a duck egg this week...just thought I would share that with you all. I, too, am excited for this General Conference. I will ask the Lord for some specific answers this time around. That was something Elder Evans taught me in Kansas. It helps a lot. Give it a whirl if you haven't yet!

Thank you so much!!! I would really love Deodorant and Contact solution. I would also like to see all of you on Skype and an acceptance letter from BYU would be nice, but if that all doesn't fit in the box, I understand ;)

Sure, you can go ahead and sign them.  I did, thanks, they helped a lot! :) Yeah, that makes more sense now, because the only option available for application was Winter 2015 which...is not possible, haha. So I'll get as much ready as I can now, but some things will probably not be able to start until October 15th, but I will mark on my calendar and start on those as soon as they are available! :)

That's interesting about the movie.

I will continue praying for Josh. I hope he gets what he needs. And I hope we all draw closer to Heavenly Father and each other as a result of this trial. Whatever Jessica decides to do, I support her. I used to think that when some missionaries go home it is because they are "wimping out". That is not always the case. And I do not want anyone to say that of Jessica if she prays about it and a determination is made for her to come home. She has my complete Love, admiration, and support. As does the whole Pukahi family. Actually, funny enough, the Irmã who fed me the Duck egg this week looked a lot like Jessica.

Little BRUTTTTTHHHHHERRRRR!!!!!!!!!! I sure hope so! I wuvvv that wittle guy!!!

The October 2013 General Conference I felt was written just for me. One talk called "Like A Broken Vessel" might provide insight and focus regarding the current struggles Annette and others in our family are having. Whatever happens, I want you all to know, I Love You. I do not think there is any title more honorable than "Father" or "Mother" and you two earn that right. Of all the names God asks us to use for Him, I think one of His Favorites is "Father." Perhaps the poet, prophetess Eliza R. Snow put it best:

"When I leave this frail existence,

When I lay this mortal by,

Father, Mother, may I meet you

In your royal courts on high?

Then, at length, when I've completed

All you sent me forth to do,

With your mutual approbation

Let me come and dwell with you."

No matter what happens, I feel like the most blessed son in the world. I was reading about The Atonement today. Gethsemane gives us such a good example of what The Best Son would do and Has Done. I hope to be like Him one day, and be able to say, "Not my will, but Thine be done!"

May The Good Lord Bless And Keep You,

Pay Attention to the Words of Our Prophet This Week,

I Am With You,

Élder Weaver

On the Bus

Shopping on P-Day (Selfies)