"Teach them to walk in the ways of Truth"

Elder Castro leaving for home

This past week. How do I describe this past week. Crazy? Rushed? Miracles? Awesome? All of the above haha. It was super awesome. Thing

s have been pretty hectic! Good example of what the week has been like, one day when we were trying to get to Espirito Santo do Pinhal for a baptism interview and a baptism, we were almost at the bus stop and the driver drove off just as we got close. He must have been having a bad day! So we had to turn and sprint up the street to beat him to the next stop because we had to be on that bus or we would not make the interview or the baptism! It was a pretty high energy week going to work in all the other areas with the sisters and elders of our district. We did a lot of progress interviews and met a lot of the people that are being taught by the missionaries in our district. They are all great people who are progressing so well with their testimonies of Christ. It honestly impresses me and strengthens my testimony to see the changes in the lives of the people who have never prayed in their life, or never gone to a church, or never read a verse of scripture, now doing those things and receiving answers/personal revelation from God. There is no greater joy then to see the happiness they have as they change their lives forever. It is such a privilege for me to see that! I am thankful for this opportunity to serve a mission.

Took a picture so I could remember the full on race to catch the bus to Espirito Santo do Pinhal

At the baptism of Robinson

Celebrating Sister Nascimento's 3 month mark after District Meeting

With some of the sisters at the church after a PDay activity

So this week we taught and worked with Ademir and he doing better with the challenges he has. It is by taking consistent steps that changes are made and he is working on it. We also had a great lesson with Vanuza this week. We actually went with the sisters to team teach her. She is from the area of Brasil B, where Sister Costa and Sister Montaño are. We actually did a cool demonstration/activity with her that we planned. Some of you may have done it as youth, it is sometimes called a faith walk. We put a blindfold on her and then put a picture of Christ at one end of the room. We then told her there would be one voice that would represent the Holy Ghost and would speak to her so to try to guide her to Christ. And then there would be other voices also but they were of Satan, trying to confuse and steer her away. She had to discern who was who and who she would listen to. After the activity we spoke with her about how we are able to discern which voice is the Holy Ghost and the one we should follow. It was a great activity because she realized the importance of making an effort to hear the right voice and follow it. Sometimes we have so many distractions and so many voices from the world telling us things that just aren't true. We have to be able to recognize that still, small voice of the spirit and the feelings we have when the Spirit is speaking to us.We also spoke with her about how the pathway to Jesus Christ is not always easy and its a lifetime journey that will always have temptations. But through baptism and the gift of the holy ghost, we can have the lifetime companionship of the Holy Ghost to always help us and guide us away from bad things and temptations. Overall, it was super spiritual and great lesson. When we left, I had a longing to go back to her house to return to teaching and talking to her because I felt that sweet feeling of the Holy Ghost so strongly.

This week I would like to share a scripture with you I have been thinking about, it is Mosiah 4:15-19.

"But ye will teach them to walk in the ways of truth and soberness; ye will teach them to love one another, and to serve one another.
And also, ye yourselves will succor those that stand in need of your succor; ye will administer of your substance unto him that standeth in need; and ye will not suffer that the beggar putteth up his petition to you in vain, and turn him out to perish.
Perhaps thou shalt say: The man has brought upon himself his misery; therefore I will stay my hand, and will not give unto him of my food, nor impart unto him of my substance that he may not suffer, for his punishments are just—
But I say unto you, O man, whosoever doeth this the same hath great cause to repent; and except he repenteth of that which he hath done he perisheth forever, and hath no interest in the kingdom of God.
For behold, are we not all beggars? Do we not all depend upon the same Being, even God, for all the substance which we have, for both food and raiment, and for gold, and for silver, and for all the riches which we have of every kind?

It is sad but true that sometimes we find ourselves not helping because of something that the person has done to us or others, or even sometimes to themselves. We think that because of their past we are justified in not helping them. We may think "They brought this upon themselves. They chose to do that so its their fault and they will now have to deal with the consequences." I have been guilty of this before in my life, I don't think I realized I was doing it most of the time but I was and it was completely and utterly wrong. We cannot stop helping or caring about someone because of something they have done. We need to continue to help. Just think if our Heavenly Father acted that way with us we would all be in trouble. None of us are perfect and everyday we are forgiven as we repent and it is forgotten and remembered no more. Thank heaven our Heavenly Father doesn't say "I am done with him and I am not going to forgive him anymore". He doesn't do that, yes He will let us learn through consequences but if we come unto Him He NEVER stops helping and loving. Neither should we!

Have a great week! Love you all!
Elder Davis

Cristo Redentor in Poços de Caldas

With Pres. & Sister Bangerter at the top

Wow. This week was full of miracles. It was a mixture of an awesome P-Day hike as a zone to the Cristo Redentor outside of Poços de Caldas with Pres. and Sister Bangerter, great interviews for baptisms, spiritual experiences with investigators, learning to be humble before the Lord, and the Lord helping us get where we needed to be and get done what we needed to when our schedule was crazy. Lots of blessings this past week. Best way to describe this past week is that it was full of those days when you work so hard that when you get home you fall asleep the instant you sit down. That was EVERY SINGLE DAY this past week. Every day we had appointments for every hour and wow was it crazy. When I say we were running to every appointment, I mean we literally were running like crazy people in the street to our next appointment. We were sprinting hahaha. Not gonna lie we probably looked super funny because it felt awkward but hey we had places to be and people to teach. We met a lot of new people this week and invited them to church. It is so amazing how the Lord works. He makes us think we are somewhere to complete a certain purpose but in the reality, we are there for an entirely other purpose with someone that we don't even know yet but will get to know on the way. So many times that has happened that we have met someone while we were trying to get somewhere and the Lord put them in our path or put us in their path. Its amazing and marvelous knowing that the Lord is showing us tender mercies and His ways which are so much above ours. He is incredible. It is literally impossible that this gospel is not true or that the church is not true. The miracles that happen in our life and the guidance and love we can recognize or receive through the gift of the Holy Ghost is just so real and so.....so.... i don't even know how to describe it. So. Divine. It comes in the exact moment we need it and in the way we will know its Him.
asd

Making the climb as a zone

Group picture at the top with Cristo Rendentor

Coatis - like a raccoon but with a super long nose

On the hike we also saw a lot of monkeys- it reminded me of Costa Rica.

The whole zone on top

At the top reppin' CATA- wearing one of my favorite old high school practice jerseys that I have held on to - the saying on the back relates to all we do everything from soccer to missionary work.

 I had an interview with an investigator this past week and something came up which really surprised me. I have been a LD for awhile so have had a lot of experience in interviews. This time it was obvious that I was going to need more than myself to handle this. I was in the interview and was talking to him and was dligently praying & searching for help of the spirit. I was listening to investigator, but I was also intently listening for the promptings of the Spirit and sure enough, they came. It came in the exact moment I needed it and everything turned out well. The Lord is marvelous. He lets us go to see how we do and if we do our part & show our faith - then He provides the way.
"...I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.(Ether 12:6)
We need a trial of our faith first then we will receive a testimony or the blessing we are needing if we are listening.

Twinning with Elder Kleinkauff

At the Sisters' baptism. 

Elder Kleinkauff is my new companion and well he is "the man". He started his mission in Porto Ferriera which was my first area too. He came there when I left so Sander was his trainer too. I love him like a brother already and we work great together. He is super awesome and an excellent missionary. I am grateful for him. We working with a lot of people right now. Ademir is one of the people we are teaching and he has set the date of the 19th of August to be baptized. We are happy for him. He has some challenges he is trying to overcome but we are working on it and I am sure the Lord is right on it too. Right beside us in every step.

One last thing I want to share with all of you is something I think about all the time as a missionary and that we all have times when we need to be reminded of it.. The Lord is always on our side. I know in the mission I have felt Him there with me. No matter the day or circumstance He is there every step of the way, helping me teach, helping me carry the burdens of others as well as mine own. He is our Savior and Redeemer. He loves us.He lived a perfect life and will always be our greatest example. I love Him and am so grateful for Him. Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you.

I hope you have a great week.
Elder Davis

Best Two Years That Prepare You for the Best of the Rest of Your Life

With Elder Kleinkauff and Castro at Stake Activity

Hey Everyone-

First of all Happy Birthday this week Dad!! Thank you for your love and your example. I love you and feel blessed to be your son. I hope all is well with everyone! This is going to be short. This morning we are going to Poços de Caldas for Pday to hike to Cristo Rendentor with Pres. Bangerter and the zone, so my time is really short today. The week was pretty good. My investigators are doing well! We marked 2 dates for baptism so we are super excited and working hard for that. We had a ton of training this past week at our multi-zone meeting and that always gives us a boost. I am stoked to apply all of it. Our biggest challenge in this area is getting those we teach to church and since it has been winter and it gets really cold up here it seems to be even harder. I have to admit it is cold! I sleep with 3 blankets! haha It is usually so hot here in Brazil it is hard to adjust back to the cold. But FYI- I do go to church even when it is cold! haha Things are going good and I am excited for the next few weeks.
asd

Yes, that is the baptismal font OUTSIDE of the church in Espirito Santo do Pinhal. It is crazy cold in the winter months up here in the mountains.

Underneath the church building in Espirito Santo do Pinhal. We were there for interviews and the sisters told us about the history. The church is in an old historical building where there are still tunnels and hideaways underneath. They were built  before the building was a church. They were used to hide slaves. Espirito Santo do Pinhal was one of the first places in Brazil to abolish slavery.

Underneath the church building in Espirito Santo do Pinhal with Elder Bahia and Sister DeJesus and Sister Nascimiento. 

With Elder Xavier one of the APs @ Multizone

The short Chilena - Sister Mendez

At Multizone with Elder Azevedo and Elder Silva

In Pocos de Calda with the Zone Leaders

No scripture today but I would like to share my testimony of Christ. I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to serve a mission. You always hear about how the mission will be the best two years of your life and it is super great. But I think a truer statement is that it is two of the best years of your life that prepare you for the best of the rest of your life. It is an experience that has changed my life as I have come to know my Savior and Redeemer better and has helped me become a better person. I know with absolute surety that Christ lives and that He made the ultimate sacrifice for not only our sins but for our difficulties and challenges. He loves us and knows each of us by name. He knows of our trials and our needs. If we turn to Him and our Heavenly Father with a humble heart in sincere prayer they will guide and bless us. I love them and am so thankful for the blessings they have given me in my life and the opportunity to repent and return to live with them. The gospel and the spirit of Christ will teach us if we let it, all things and truth that is necessary for happiness in this life and the life to come. If you doubt this, pray and come to know Him through prayer and the scriptures. He will let you know He is there. I know that is true.

Thank you all for your love and support. Have a great week!

Elder Cole

"No Strangers or Foreigners"

Got to see my Brazilian brother Adriano!

Oi -
How's everyone doing? Hope the week has been great for everyone. Everything went well this week. Had a cold/flu thing but hey when you have that missionary spirit nothing can hold you down right? We had a leadership meeting last Tuesday so as usual that was super awesome. Traveled to Piracicaba with Ricarte and Christensen (LZs) and Rasmassen and passed the PDay in Piracicaba on Monday. Then had the meeting on Tuesday. Stayed at the house of some of the zone leaders there. Cool to see all the mission friends, get great counsel from Pres. Bangerter and get spiritually refueled! haha Yeah it was a well needed break. I also got to see Adriano from Hortlandia! He and Samara are doing great. Hard to believe we started teaching him about 6 months ago, he got baptized the next month, then married to Samara two months later and now he is strong in the gospel and doing so great. I love that guy like a brother and hope that I will be able to see him and Samara sealed in the temple. It is a great feeling to see the happiness and growth the gospel brings. I feel so blessed to have been with him since the beginning and I hope to be there for the sealing. I also got to see a couple other members from Hortlandia- Hugo and his brother. Love those guys! Sorry for the overload of pictures. Got to see a lot of great people from the mission. Wish you could meet them all.

With Hugo and his brother

zx

Leadership Meeting

At leadership with Sister Mendez & Elder Sander

With Sis. DiMartini who is close to finishing her mission!

With Elder Rocha - old LZ from Hortlandia

At leadership with Sister Mendoca who was in my Hortlandia district

Also thanks for all the year mark packages mom! Yep finally got them from the mission office when I was in Piracicaba and I am stoked! All that Belgium & German chocolate plus all the other food! Thanks for the sick new speaker and the conference talks too and the journal. I really appreciate it! Mail is like manna from heaven to a missionary! haha

With Elder Sander and Gomes

With Elder Sena

With Elder Mota

With Elder Rangel

With Christensen, Rasmassen, and Ricarte grabbing something to eat before catching the bus back to SJBV

We are still spending a lot of time trying to make initial contacts and trying to find more people to teach. The last few weeks have been challenging teaching wise but things will work out. We just have to keep moving forward. Things are going well with the district meetings. Doing a lot of travel for interviews. I have a good district.

I was reading in Ephesians 2:20 the other day when we were teaching a lesson and was explaining how Christ is the cornerstone of the church. How he, the prophets and apostles form the firm foundation that we can build on to withstand the "storms and winds" of life. I am so thankful for that. But also as I was reading I was drawn to verses 19 and 21. In those verses Paul talks of how ALL should be taught the gospel that there should no more be "strangers and foreigners but fellowcitizens with the saints and the household of God" Maybe I was drawn to that phrase because now I could easily be described here as a stranger or foreigner by some people. haha But he was speaking of the division of the Jews and Gentiles at his time but that is a teaching for us too. We have to be careful not to exclude others, to share the gospel freely, to impart the good word to all that will hear. Then in the next chapter, chapter 3 verses 13,16-19 it speaks of the blessings that come to all those who come to know and love Christ. It says,

"Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.. That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God."

That love and understanding is a gift for everyone, not just for a chosen few. As we share the gospel and the love of Christ, our spirits(our "inner man") will be strengthened and our hearts will be filled as we bring others to Christ. I have felt that as I have served here in Brazil and I know it is true. Hope you all have a great week and share the gospel with all. Remember there are no strangers or foreigners! :)

Have a great week!

Elder Davis

"Fourth Floor Last Door"

After lunch with DJane and her husband

Hey Everyone-
Happy 4th! This week was good. We focused on Jaqueline a lot this week. We are having some challenges. She is having a difficult time making the commitment. She is letting fear take over. We are doing everything we can to help her. We set up progress interviews with the LZs, took members there for every lesson that are of her type of personality to try and help her make connections with the members. had the sisters come with us for a Family Home Evening, as well as accompanying her every day by phone. Members also visited her without us just to see how she is doing. We are running out of ideas. Really it boils down to her overcoming her fears of change and making the decision and commitment. We emphasized to her that Heavenly Father wouldn't take her agency from her and make the decision for her. She has to make it and then bring her decision before Heavenly Father and He will then confirm it whether it is right. So on Saturday when we spoke with her she committed to letting us know on Sunday what her decision was but she did not end up coming on Sunday. So I think we are going to have to step back until she makes a decision whether she wants to move forward or not. I hope she listens to the spirit and makes the commitment.

Our Zone with a few new members after transfers

With Elder Ricarte

Piracicaba Soccer Jersey - a great gift from a friend

We spent most of the our time this week trying to find people to teach. When Elder Ricarte and I were on a division we found a guy named Leonardo. Just imagine this. That day everything had fallen through the whole day and we were not finding anyone that would even answer the door. Those who did were not interested. Just an example. We taught a lesson that was SUPER powerful, the guy was answering everything and seemed super interested . Then at the end we invited him to pray about the Book of Mormon and the guy said simply "no I am good, thanks though" and sent us out the door. We also found a less active member when we were knocking doors who was pretty argumentative so we answered some of his questions and then invited him to pray again asking the right questions to find his answers. Then came the moment. It was 8:49 at night. We were ready to go home but we felt "lets just knock a few more of these doors" so we knocked like 8 more and no one answered. So I was thinking I was done...we left and when we were walking down the hill I felt like we should knock this door we were passing, So I followed the prompting and we knocked. They actually answered. A guy named Leonardo answered it. He seemed a little rough on the edges but I just started to talk with him and before we knew it he had opened up and started joking around with us. We then spoke with him about prayer. He accepted for us to start to teach him. We had a great lesson with him that night. At the end of the lesson he told us " I feel I need to be one of those disciples of Christ that just drop everything and follow Christ " We found a diamond among the coal. We marked to go back there this past Sunday and had a great visit and will visiting him again tomorrow. He owns three companies so he is very busy. Man he is just the best. That reminded me of a talk that my dad recently sent me from Pres. Uchtdorf "Fourth Floor, Last Door". He told about two missionaries who served in Europe in a place where doors were not opened to them very much but they did not let that discourage them. They did not give up just because there was little chance of getting in. They kept going. One day they knocked all the doors on the first floor of an apartment building, no one let them in. Then the same thing happened on the 2nd and 3rd floors and all of the fourth floor until they got to the last door where a girl answered the door and she begged her mom to let them in. The missionaries gave the mom a Book of Mormon and she read it in a couple days. She and her daughters were baptized. The daughter that begged her mom to let them in is Pres. Uchtdorf's wife. So when it is 9 at night when we are knocking doors IN SAO JOAO DA BOA VISTA I want to be knocking on that last door. When it is raining and everything is going wrong we got to keep it going. I try to remember the Fourth floor last floor story. I know the blessings will be there! When it feels like we are climbing uphill and things seem to get more difficult the harder we try we just need to know that is when the greatest blessings are in store. That is when we learn the most and can draw close to Christ and strengthen our testimony in Him. We just need to continue on the right path.

Have a great week.
Elder Davis

Intense game of Uno on PDay with the District

Out working with Elder Bahia