Monday December 26, 2011

For everyone.

So this last week was a good one.........minus christmas. Well, Christmas Eve. My companion and I got sick with some kind of Virus or something. So I spent the better part of the day feeling like garbage and vomiting. So that was fun. Oh and Christmas Eve is when everyone celebrates the most here so all the big dinners and stuff were on that day. Lucky us we couldn´t keep anything down, neither did we want to eat anything. SO that was fun. Then, on Christmas, we got our investigator who is going to be baptized next week to come to church. She loved it and she´s super excited for her baptism next sunday. So thats awesome. She also knew a decent amount of people already at church. Which is way cool. So she already has friends and she will be warmly welcomed into the Ward. Got some good goals for this week and things are looking up. Until next week,

Elder Bender

Monday December 12, 2011

So, this week was good. And Sunday especially. We had some great investigators come to church and they loved it. So they will definitely be going to church next week. Also though I got to see a promise I made fulfilled. One of our investigators felt for much of her life that God didn´t love her. And I promised her that she would feel the Love of God that he had for her at church on Sunday. She came to church and she absolutely loved it. She came up and hugged me after sacrament meeting. It was great to see the joy and happiness she felt being there. I love seeing the happiness the gospel brings to the lives of those that open their hearts and let it into their lives. It brings me great joy in my service. And it is because of this that I am in the service of the Lord. I love helping others. I love being an instrument for good in the hand of the Lord. 

This last sunday, I had the great privilege of returning to my last area to baptize a young girl that was a great friend of mine. The meeting was very spiritual and a great moment for me in my mission. Also a great moment for her in her life and also for her family and friends. I know she will never forget her baptism and I know she will be an amazing person and example of the believers. She already is. I was a great pleasure and privilege to be there and be a part of such a significant event of her life. I´m also very happy because I got to see the effect that my service made in that area and in the lives of people there. I have a great love for many there in the Trindade ward and I am happy that I was able to help in any way that I did. 

Elder Bender

Monday, December 5, 2011

So this week was interesting. Worked really hard and talked to alot of people. We got to visit this one lady who has had a really hard life and she truly felt that God didn´t love her. But we taught her and testified to her that God does love her and that he wants the best for her, he doesnt want her to be sad and that he wants to help her with all of her troubles and sadness, and that through the atonement of Jesus Christ she can be happy again, and all the wrongs in her life can be made right, and she can have peace and happiness in this life and in the life to come. Twas a great visit with her. We also talked to and taught some others and they all were doing really well. But, Sadly when sunday morning came nobody kept their word and came to church. Well all except one. She was sick. And we actually went over to her house later sunday and confirmed it. Not merely to comfirm it but because we had been invited by her father to eat some churrascu (barbeque) and because one of the biggest games of the year was on and nobody was in the streets, nor did anyone want to talk with us. So we went there and taught her a little bit and then ate churrascu as the game was on. Twas a good end to a kind of depressing day. Yesterday during Testimony meeting, I was about ready to punch everyone and their kids in the face. So loud in the chapel. I was so annoyed. Flippin ridiculous. After being in a singles branch I really don´t like family wards. It´s so loud during the meeting. I hate it. Anyways, so there´s a reason to never get married. JK nah it´s a reason to always attend a singles ward as well as family ward. That way you actually get something out of sacrament meeting and you can feel and hear the spirit. Anyways, should be getting my Authentic Brasil selection soccer jersey today. So I´m pretty stoked about that. And also we will be working with some pretty cool families and people this week so, that should be really cool too. Well until next week, 

Love,

Elder Bender

I have attached two pictures one of me with a runaway goat in the road, and also a turtle or tortoise that I saw. 

Monday, November 28, 2011

SO, this last week was good, lots of stuff happened. Alot of walking and sweating and drinking of many gallons of water, and guarana, (i´m addicted) and working really hard. We didn´t have much success this week though. Everyone and their dog was never home when when we went to their homes. Very discouraging. But we continued to work hard. I wish I could recount all the crazy things that happened. One thing I will talk about because I thoguht it was funny was I saw a mocoomba animal sacrifice in the road. I think it was a black chicken. So that was funny. But other than that we had a few blessings from the Lord on sunday. Actually they are nothing less than miracles. And now we have a very god perspective baptism for next sunday and an amazing family to teach tonight. So I am very excited for this next week. Also my birthday was good. The members threw me a little surprise birthday party with a cake and stuff. Twas good. Was a great day. It´s been raining here lately. Which is weird. I thought it was supposed to be really hot duiring these months. But aparently here it rains alot. I don´t know why. Anyways, thanksgiving was totally lame. Nobody celebrated it at all. Twas sad for me and I missed all the delicious seasonal foods that we normally have hardcore. Anyways, love you all and miss you tons. 

Until next week,

Love Elder Bender

Members in Spencer's ward threw him a surprise birthday party last Friday!

Birthday Wishes: Spencer's surprise birthday party from some members in his ward.

 

Monday, November 21, 2011

**Spencer's Birthday is Friday, November 25!!**


Here is alright. My companion and I went to Rio today. I was sad that my package hadn´t arrived yet. I was hoping to get it before my birthday but sadly it wasn´t there. But we went to a pizza rodizio and I got hooked up with free OJ and soda. So that was cool. I think it was a mix up though. Oh well. I didn´t know until afterward. Anyways, Things are good. A bit slow but good. We are probably going to be cutting of a bunch of our investigators this week. Because they just aren´t progressing. When I say progressing I mean they arent doing the things they need to do to get answers and testimonies. We´ve told them time and time again and they just don´t do it. Tis sad. But we hope to be meeting alot of really cool people this next week and helping our investigators that we are keeping. Anyways, I don´t know if we are going to be able to get that other house until after the new year. But, I hope that we can. So there at home sounds like things are pretty interesting. Mother of 10 with cancer? Dang that sucks. Hope the family is cool and can get baptized. Thats a major find there in the mission of those sisters. They´ve gotta be doin something right to be finding families like that. The mother sounds like an elect. And if her kids are anything like her then that is totally legit. Oh yes we are walking alot still. No my pants aren't to big yet. they are still normal. We will never have bikes here. And same thing with cars. it´s too dangerous. Way too dangerous. Everyone drives like they are on crack here. Which they probably are. But thats beside the point. I find it kind of funny because they all have to go to a driving school to get a license. Yet everyone still drives like psychos? Makes no sense. So Crack is the only logical explanation. Um water here is apparently bad......but I use that stuff you gave me. Also, our faucet broke last night. So.......it´s kind of hard to get water now. But we always drink water at members houses and stuff and I don´t know if they always filter it so I´ll probably get some kind of worms or a parasite. That´ll be legit. Not. Most of the black people here look at me like I have a gaping wound on my face. Or they ask me dumb questions. It´s kind of annoying sometimes. But it´s funny when they ask my companion instead if he´s from a different country. He gets irritated. Hahaha. Have I told you about makoomba stuff yet? So it´s like voodoo devil worship stuff. it´s all over the place here. People arent afraid to show that they are practicing either. Kind of crazy. They do all sorts of sexual rituals and animal sacrifices and weird crap to invite evil spirits and junk. It´s psycho. But anyways......yeah 6 months went by really fast. Alot has happened in this short period of time but it´s been really good. Oh did I tell you we had a special conference with Elder David A. Bednar of the quorum of the twelve apostles. That was really awesome. I learned a ton. Tell dad to find the two talks by him and read them they are really really good. ``Learning by Faith´´, ``Ask in Faith´´ learned alot during the conference. it was really cool to see him so close and listen to him speak. He truly teaches like the Savior. Simply and yet spiritually. Letting the spirit teach the most. It´s so cool. I know without a doubt He is an Apostle of God. The spirit that he brings with him everywhere is powerful and you can feel that he is the Lord´s chosen servant. Just amazing. Anyways, things are really good. Got alot of work to do and alot to study and learn. And with lots to do there is much to be gained. And so until next week I love you mom, and I love and miss all of the family and friends that will be reading this letter.
Elder Bender

Monday, November 14, 2011

So this week has been really long. I thought it would never come to an end. And I felt like it had been forever since I was able to email. Crazy. So this thursday we get to have a special mission conference with Elder David A. Bednar. So that should be way cool. Looking forward to that. Gonna get schooled. Oh so here in Caxias our ward mission leader is obcessed with Family History. Everything is about Family History with him. But it´s good because he´s getting alot of younger people educated. Hey you should learn how to do all that stuff on the new family search website. Talk with Cheryle Vore about it. I´m sure she´d be able to help you out. It´s actually way easy. You´d have no problems with it at all. Um, Also it´s flippin hot here. And there are so many hills. Trindade was really flat. Here it´s really hilly. I walk up some of the steepest hills I´ve ever been on here. I´m surprised that cars even can drive up them without flipping over and sliding down the hill. But anyways, my new companion is cool. He´s really nice and mellow. He speaks alot of english too because he lived in the States for like 3 years or something with his Uncle or uncles. HE has many that live in Utah. But anyways, we live with the zone leaders at the moment, but we are waiting on approval to move into our own place and in our own area. Yup we live in a completely different area. So we have to walk or take the bus to our area everyday. Which sucks. Because it´s either pay money which we don´t have much of, or walk in the really hot sun a long way to our area. But oh well. We get plenty of water. I am recognized as an american everyday here, whereas in Trindade people thought I was a brazillian from the south. Sucks because people ask me dumb questions all the time just to get me to speak. It´s annoying. Because they arent interested in the gospel, they just want to know for sure if I am american or not. Lame. I think it´s because there are so many black people here. There really aren´t many light skinned people here. There in Trindade there were alot more. But here it´s alot of dark people. But, this new area should be cool. We already have alot of work to do each day and we got like 3 new investigators for free on sunday. they just showed up. Twas legit. Anyways, things are good. I´m a bit sad that I won´t be getting my package before my birthday, but I guess I will get everything on christmas. If anyone is going to write or send me anything make sure they send it all early so that it gets here in time. And tell them not to worry I won´t get it before christmas, we don´t have a conference where we´ll get mail until then. Anyways, well I don´t have a ton of time today because the LZ´s want to play soccer at the church otherwise I would send photos of me and my new comp. But thank you for all the photos and stuff, love you all and miss you.

Monday, October 31, 2011

As far as things here, things are goin alright. Things have been way better with my comp. I had situation arise that made it really easy to talk to him about all that stuff and this last week was really good. We worked really hard and he didn´t have any trouble with his health. I prayed that he would be blessed with health if we worked hard. And he hasn´t had any problems so definitely an answer to my prayers. 

We almost had a baptism yesterday but it fell through because the guy hurt his leg or foot playing soccer, so he was unable to be there, but this next week we´ll baptize him for sure. And this next sunday we have another possible. A 16 year old girl that we found through one of our previous investigators. It´s a pretty cool story. So because we were working hard and pounding the pavement we were in the right place at the right time and we crosssed paths with two guys we had talked to and taught before. They were on their way to go skate with their friends at their friend´s house. They invited us to come along so we did. When we got there there were three other people there skateboarding in the street. We introduced ourselves and one of our buddies told the other three that I skateboard. They then wanted to see me skate. So I did. They were thoroughly impressed. And a little bit later my comp arranged for a lesson right then with 4 of them. Was sweet! so we taught the four of them. And one in particular Joice, really wanted to go to church on sunday. And she did. We went and got her and brought her to church and we even got two young women to befriend her and help her out and she really liked church and now the young women even have some things planned this we. So things should move along fairly quickly now. It´s going to be a great week. We got alot of work to do and it´s going to be good.  

Love ya, Elder Bender

Monday, October 24, 2011

Much has been happening. My comp had some tests done today at the hospital. He´s been having headaches everyday that don´t seem to go away, sleeping problems because of them and also frequent mood swings. It´s really weird. It could be effect of the medications he´s using or something else we don´t know right now but hopefully we´ll know soon. Anyways, so we haven´t done much this week. He´s been taking it easy because Sister Lima said he needs to. If it´s effects of the medication or something worse, if he works too hard out in the hot sun he could have serious medical issues. So we´ve been taking it easy. Which sucks because everything is better when we have lots to do. Alot more to think about and alot less things to focus on specifically. Like people and their faults and other stuff that just brings you down. Like President Hinkley said, ``the secret to missionary work and a great mission is work´´. I´ve come to really understand this in it´s truest sense. I can see the effects of it in all that I do everyday. I am always happier when I´ve been teaching lessons and helping people. And when I´m not doing much of anything it´s really easy to feel discouraged. But anyways, things are good. We've got plenty of work to do this week and we have some members that are going to help us out too so thats cool. We might have a baptism next sunday if this guy we taught last week does everything we taught him. He loved church too so thats good. He´s progressing. Anyways, I love you all and miss everyone (family and friends).

Elder Bender

Monday October 10, 2011

So this week was a bit slow. Having difficulties finding people to teach. But we are working hard to find people. We are trying different things to get references and also we are doing lots of contacts. It´s really hot here lately. It´s constantly about 80 degrees at night and close to, if not above 100 degrees everyday. Ridiculous. I have never sweat so much in my entire life. It´s like I´m sweating as soon as I get dried off after taking a shower and then I´m sweating all day after that. And also during the night too. Crazy! I never thought I´d be able to handle this kind of heat. But I think I have alot of help from the Lord. The girl that we baptized last week, her father loved the session of conference he watched. And now he really wants to continue to go to church. This week we will be inviting him to get baptized. Pretty sure he will accept. Then after him we´ll continue to work with the family. We are really trying to help Jessica with her dream of having an eternal family. It´s awesome. Love that family. We had a member give us a reference on sunday of one of his really good friends. He said the guy is practically mormon already in the way he lives his life he just needs to be taught the gospel. So we will hopefully be able to meet with him this week. It all depends on if the guy has time to meet with us. So I´m excited for that. Yesterday at Fast and Testimony meeting my Comp bore his testimony and threw down on the members. He told them aout how they need to stop judging the missionaries, because they arent with us all day everyday and they don´t know the amount of work we do to help others, it´s their responsibility to be missionaries too and to help their friends and neighbors accept the missionaries, also to give the missionaries references and to be present during lessons with the missionaries. It was legit! Hopefully we will get some more references soon. We really need the work. Anyways, that´s it for this week. Until next week.  

Elder Bender

Saw this on someone's bicycle.

Spencer wearing some RayBan knockoff's.

Monday, October 3, 2001

Hello all this week was awesome! First off, Conference anyone? Heck yes, twas glorious. Also, We had a Baptism! This girl Jessica finally got permission from her Parents to get baptized. Many prayers and sacrifices through fasting have been answered with great miracles here for us. The Lord really does answer the earnest prayers of his servants who seek his will. We had some very spiritual meetings with Jessica and her family. But they still wouldn´t go to church. But, after fasting and praying for Jessica, she developed the desire to know for herself if the book of mormon was true. And she got a powerful answer. Then after that we focused our prayers on helping Jessica to talk to her parents about baptism. She told us she wanted to but that she was afraid to argue and fight with her mom, because her mom didn´t want anything to do with the church. She just liked us missionaries. Anyways, We told her we wanted to fast and pray for her when she was going to talk to her mom, and that we needed her to tell us when she was going to do it. She agreed to tell us. The week passed on and no word from Jessica. But on Friday, I felt that I should fast after lunch until lunch the next day. So I did, and I prayed that Jessica would have the spirit with her and that she would speak boldly to her mother and that the spirit would testify to her mother that this was right. Saturday night, after breaking my fast Jessica came over to the member´s house we were at. She told us she´d talked to her mom. Not only that but she said a little the night before and then that morning. Exactly when I was fasting for her. She received help from the Lord when speaking to her mother. Because that next monday night we were over at the same member´s house, and Jessica and her mother came over. The mother was excited to tell us that she was going to church with us the next sunday. She told us like 5 or 6 times thoughout the visit. That next saturday I felt the need to pray that Jessica would invite her father to church the next day too. Sunday morning came and to my dismay both of her parents were not at church. Little did I know though that the Lord had been preparing to answer my prayer and there was a fireside that night as well as a baptism and choir practice. Jessica was in the Choir and she got her parents to come and watch her sing. After that she got her Father to watch the Baptism. And then after that she got them to stay for the Fireside, which was all about the savior. Her father cried 3 times during the meeting. It was very spiritual and the speakers bore powerful testimony. Was amazing. Then the next Thursday my companion did a division with one of our zone leaders. Visited the Family with the specific intent on getting permission for baptism. It was a very spiritual visit. The next day Jessica asked her father again if she could be baptized. He said he´d think about it and let her know later that night. He came back a few hours later and told her she could. And because of all of this Jessica was finally able to be baptized. Also yesterday her parents came to the sunday morning session of conference. Which was awesome. Perfect for them and their situation. Awesome. Our God really is a God of Miracles. I love this gospel and the true church of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

Elder Bender

A baptism Spencer and his companion had a couple weeks ago.

Spencer and his companion with Jessica and her family on the day of her baptism.

September 26, 2011

So it was kind of a slow week this week. Had a lot of appointments fall through and stuff. But we had a Baptism on Friday! A woman that we have been working with finally was able to get baptized. She wasn´t able to get baptized last Sunday because she was really sick. But we got her baptized. And now her and her kids are a member family together. So that's really cool. Transfers were posted today and looks like I´m staying here with my comp Elder Pinheiro. Actually our whole zone stayed the same. I´m a little sad about that because one of my zone leaders is annoying. I don´t really like him very much and my Comp doesn´t either. Mostly because we don´t feel the love. The other zone leader in the companionship is amazing. Elder Nascimento is legit. Love that guy. He is what a leader should be. That guy really knows how to make others know that he cares about them. Awesome. Anyways, we had a bit of a miracle last night. Total answer to my prayers and fasting. We have been working with this family for a few weeks now. The daughter knows the church is true and wants to get baptized. But the mom didn´t really want anything to do with the church, didn´t want to change anything in her life, just liked our company. And the dad was kind of the same only he actually was reading the Book of Mormon. He said he would support the daughter whatever her decision was. Anyways, it´s been hard because the mom was keeping things from moving along. But the other day the mom told us she was going to go to church with us. She was really excited and she told us like 5 times. And afterwards I told the daughter because she has a testimony, she needs to be a light to her family, look for opportunities to bear testimony, and suggest wholesome things like family prayer and reading the scriptures together as a family. I shared some scriptures from 3 Nephi of things that the Savior told the people to do. Family Prayer being one of those things specifically, and also I told her to be praying for her family daily, and then shared the scripture that talks about anything asked of the Father in the name of Christ, if it is righteous and according to the will of God, shall be given you. She really liked all of it. Anyways Sunday came and the mom wasn´t there with her daughter. I asked the daughter and she said her mom wasn´t feeling well. So that was sad. I told the daughter to tell the mother that I was sad that she wasn´t there. But later that night after having started a fast and praying for the family, the mom and the Dad were both at the church for a choir practice that their daughter was a part of. And after that the other elders in the other ward had a baptism, so the parents went to that, and then after that there was an incredible fireside all about the savior and they stayed for that too. The Dad cried like 3 different times during the fireside. Twas awesome. So I think that the family is going to start progressing nicely. And now that we know we will be staying here for the next transfer we can continue to help them along the path. I´m excited for it. ~Elder Bender.

We got 3 pictures from Spencer this week...

Jesus performed miracles and wonders

and the next can be you

Campaign for Healing with the Little Missionary girl Alani  (7 years old.)

Material in various newspapers, magazines, and wolrdwide tv channels

Come and receive your miracle

 

 

 

 

So in this picture is a sign for a school. The School is called Urim Thummim in portuguese. Weird?

 

 

 

So this photo is of a church in our Area. They are crazy and it´s major apostasy. Anyways, says the following:

top middle
PENTECOSTAL CHURCH OF MIRACLES
CHURCH OF THE POWER OF GOD
THE MIRACLE THAT YOU NEED GOD HAS

Bottom Right
A MIRACLE WAITS FOR YOU

August 15, 2011

So this last week has been full of crazy stuff. So first off my zone leaders are leaving tomorrow and last Monday was their last P-day. We spent it in Búzios. After walking around Búzios and stuff most of the day we wanted dinner. So we went looking at all the restaurants. All of them were super expensive. But we went by this one and we talked to the manager and asked him the prices. He said 54 reals per kilo. We immediately turned it down and started to leave. He then offered us a sweet deal. 25 reals for all you can eat minus the sushi bar. We said we´d think about it and if we decided to we´d come back. He said ok, and so we went and checked one other place. Terrible prices. So we went back. Yeah turns out that place was super super nice. Definitely like a 3 star establishment. We had really really good steak grilled up right in front of us. And shrimp penne and Caesar salad, and this ham stuff wrapped in bacon. Wow! it was so so so good! Especially the steak. Never had a steak that good. Anyways, was my comp´s last week as well this last week. He´s so checked out. It´s really sad. Um other than that the Ward in Cabo Frio had a party last Friday. That was pretty cool. Turns out Brasil has this like three month holiday. It´s basically a harvest thing. But you get 3 months to have a party. Because usually, as I have been informed, everyone usually has one party and it happens at some point during the three months. But anyways, transfers are happening tomorrow. Elder Richins was looking up on the mission website, and apparently most of the transfers are up and I´m getting transferred. Some place called Trindade and my new comp´s name is Elder Pinheiro. Elder Richins doesn´t know much about him, so we´ll be starting off fresh. Don´t know what is in store for me this next week but hopefully lots of work and learning a lot. It´s going to be awesome. Love you all. Elder Bender

August 29, 2011

Things are good here, This last week we taught 3 families, all of which we committed to go to church this past Sunday. And all of them didn´t go. Was sad. Because now we have to wait another 2 weeks before they can be baptized. Been prayin for them everyday. But I feel that things will work out. Churches here are crazy! It´s a miracle if you can walk more than 4 blocks and not find another church. Crazy. And you can really see how real the scriptures are when they talk about the people that are honest seekers of truth but they know not where to find it or are blinded by the craftiness of men. I have a picture of one such crazy church that I´m including with this email. But We had zone conference this last week. It was really good. Got to see my buddies Elder Sanchez and Elder Richins and Elder Laurindo......was awesome. Our Mission pres. taught us some really good stuff to incorporate into our teaching and invitations to investigators and it´s been accepted really well by investigators. Found out that I only get mail like every 3 months. Unless I eventually get transferred to an area close to the office. So that's a bit of a downer. But, oh well. Summer is coming quickly. It´s hot everyday. Humid too. I´m going to a shell of my past self here soon. gonna sweat everything away. Don´t know what I´m going to do when all my clothes don´t fit. But, it will be good. I´m loving it here and am having a great time serving. Learning alot everyday. Love my companion. He´s awesome. Everyday I love him more. We´ll be friends for a long time after the mission, I already know it. Haha had my first close encounter with an angry dog. Haha he almost attacked my companion. But I was ready to punt that cachorro into a world of pain and I think he knew it because he backed down when I got closer. Smart dog. It was really funny afterwards. Haha our zone leaders stayed with us last night because of a gay parade in their city. Haha apparently they mess up church peoples if they see them on the street, so they stayed with us. Hahaha. Anyways that's all for this last week. Looking forward to this next week. Can´t believe it´s almost been 4 months. Crazy. Love Elder Bender

Community Evangelical Pentecostal
Team Spiritual Fighter
Hunters of Souls
Cures-Miracles-Revelations
Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armor of God scripture.

August 8, 2011

OK so this week was crazy! Elder Richins and I were in Rio staying with the secretaries from Sunday night until Wednesday night. So crazy. So Monday morning when we got to the Policia Federal at 5am, we waited for 3 hours for them to open the door and start. When they opened the door, the guy came out and explained that as of that day they no longer accepted the old applications and that everyone needed to have new ones from the internet printed out and have appointments scheduled. So we went to the LAN house there at the airport and found out the next available time was Wednesday morning. So we stayed until then. Did a lot of cool things. Rio is really cool. We went to this giant outdoor vendor place. Rose the subway there, that was cool. Then later Monday night went to a family night out in one of the favelas. That was cool. The next day we had lunch at a member's house out in Copacabana. Found out that the telephone booths there are horrible. Plastered with pornographic ads for hookers. Really really horrible. Anyways, I got to see my first companion Elder Sanchez for a few days! That was cool. We had fun hanging out again. I should have taken pictures with him but I didn't. Transfers are coming up soon. I'm kind of wondering what is going to happen with me. Who my new companion will be, if I will stay in Cabo Frio or if I'll get moved. I don't know. But I do know that wherever I go and whoever I'm put with I'll learn a lot and it will be a good experience. So, I'm excited. Hey I really want to have some of the kids start skyping with some members here that want to better learn English. And they in turn could teach Portuguese. That would be cool. Let me know about that. Going out to Buzios again for P-day today. Our zone leaders are going home next week so we're hangin out with them. They are pretty cool. Oh forgot to say the office is not way inland, it's really not that far from the beach, and Copacabana is rally close to the beach. It's awesome. The home schooling thing sounds like a good thing. You can never get enough scripture study. They really need it. It really helped me as a kid. I learned a lot from the scriptures and had a pretty good understanding of the things taught in them at a young age. And if they do the same thing they will greatly benefit from it. Anyways, got to go lots to do today. I will send some more pictures soon. Hopefully, computer and internet are slow. Lol. Love you all, and miss you. Elder Bender

June 1, 2011

Here is Spencer's letter from June 1, 2011 that I didn't get for some reason. Spencer forwarded all the emails he's sent home so far to me, so I will be posting the ones that I have been missing.  Here is from June 1.

Things are going well. But I still feel a little under par as far as the language goes. It's still really hard for me to understand when its spoken. I just don't know enough of the vocabulary. That and there are a ton of different accents here. Well maybe just a few but they are very different from each other so it's really hard to understand people sometimes. That and my memory isn't that great a lot of the times. But I think that's mostly just because I need to use the language more. Then things will start clicking. Thank you for the prayers, I sure need em. Especially for blessings that are directed toward me learning the language. I pray for you all daily. My comps and I are getting along and we have really started helping each other out with personal flaws that we are trying to overcome. So it's pretty good. Um the food here is getting old. And I don't get nearly enough fiber. Which I'm sure you can guess what that does to a person. Uh, I forgot to say I had kind of a cold slash sickness for the past week and a half. Twas annoying, but it's almost gone. FREAK! Mosquitoes here are dumb. They are small but their bites swell up like twice the normal size and they itch like crazy. Also I hate the dogs here. HATE them. I want to put shock collars on all of them and synchronize a remote to all of them and shock them all at once. They are so dumb. You know the scene in Disney's 101 Dalmatians where the dogs are barking like crazy talking to one another over long distances? Yeah pretty sure that happens here every night, like within a 8 or 9 block radius, and the dogs don't go to sleep until like 3 or 4 am. So it's been waking me up in the middle of the night several times a week. I need earplugs, but then again I need to wake up to my alarm. Kind of a lose-lose situation. Wish I hadn't lost my good in-ear headphones then I could sleep with those and just use my ipod as an alarm clock since it has that option in the clock thing for it. It's what I usually use just minus the head phones. Found out on our last day they give us these sweet filter water bottles. They cost like $60 American they're legit. Oh I should have told you I got my hair cut super short like the week after getting here. The barber here sucked, so like a week later I went to the barber like a block and a half from the MTC and got it cut for 12 Reals and it was 100 times better. I think I have like barely over a hundred Reals left. I need to work out a way to get money from y'all. I think that the church will do it, but I don't know. If you could call travel services about it for me and let me know that would be cool. Then you could just get some money from my account and have them get it to me, however they do. The Temple here in Sao Paulo is really pretty. Especially inside. They have really nice wood all over and probably the coolest chandelier in the celestial room I've ever seen. Lots of cool stone work and some sweet glass mosaics in the baptismal room. Haha one last thing, did I tell you about the toilet paper here? Well I bought some wet wipes...best purchase here so far. Anyways, I love you all I miss you, can't wait to hear from you next week. I think I have only like 4 or 5 more weeks left here in Sao Paulo, Crazy how time flies. Anyways g2g Love Elder Bender

Monday, September 19, 2011

 So this week was good. Our Confirmations happened. But our Baptism fell through. The Irma was really sick. But she still wants to get baptized. I think we are going to have the baptism tomorrow. But, also we found out the reason why the daughter in one of the families we are teaching didn't want to get baptized. The mother of the family is against it. So we are working on seeing what the Lord wants us to do. Taught a new family yesterday. Taught them about the restoration, they really liked it and when we asked them to read the book of mormon, the Father said he would, and then he said, they all will, every one of them. He's a military man. Lol, but it's a bit sad because he will be leaving for duty for a few months in about a week and a half so we don't have enough time to teach him and the family and have them go to church enough to be baptized before he leaves and before transfers. But also when we asked if they would go to church this sunday one of the daughters said that they go to this other church and that they would be going there, the dad cut in and said, I'll go, and they all will too. It was awesome. The dad said he'll read and pray about the book of mormon as well. They are really cool. When we were talking about being missionaries and our everyday lives, the mom asked about meals, my comp told her that we provide for our breakfast but that lunches are usually in the home of a member. But that sometimes lunch falls through and we have to provide it for ourselves. After he said this the mom said if that ever happens call us up and pass by here and we'll make you something to eat. Then the dad reaffirmed what she said. Anytime you need lunch don't hesitate to call us. They are legit. Mission President will be in our area tomorrow to conduct an interview with an investigator that killed someone when they were younger. So, it will be good to see him, get some advice and ask some questions. Our mission Pres. is legit. He always has good counsel. Hahahaha yesterday on the way to bring an investigator to church, these two kids were sitting in this car that was parked on the side road by a little grocery store. as we were walking up, this little old lady walked right by their door. They opened it really fast and made loud barking sounds, the Old lady about died where she stood. I felt bad because the old lady saw me laughing. But as we walked past the car the two kids were dying inside, they were laughing so hard. Had a good laugh about that. I don't know what it is about Sundays here but I seem to see the funniest and strangest things on Sundays. I think it's mostly because people are still drunk in the streets from the party the night before. Hahaha also saw some drunk fat people dancing to music in the parking lot of a gas station / little bar was funny. People are ridiculous here. But it makes for great stories. Looking forward to this next week. Should be really good. Looking forward to helping that girl know that getting baptized is the right decision, and that she will be a light to her family and a guide for them on the path to getting baptized, and eventually being sealed in the Temple.

Elder Bender

Fun Fact: A little bit of Brazil History: 

History

Amerindian tribes populated present-day Brazil prior to the arrival Pedro Alvares Cabral who claimed Brazil for Portugal in 1500.  Portuguese rule continued into the early nineteenth century.  Dom Joao VI and the remnants of the Portuguese royal family fled Napoleon's army to Brazil in 1808 and returned to Portugal in 1821.  The following year, Brazil declared independence from Portugal and Dom Joao VI's son, Dom Pedro I, was proclaimed emperor of Brazil.  Slavery was abolished in 1888.  The Dom Pedro family maintained control of the government until 1889 when a coup led by Marshal of the Army Deodoro da Fonseca established a federal republic and effectively ended monarchial rule.  A constitutional republic government operated until 1930 when a military coup instated a dictatorship under Getulio Vargas.  Vargas ruled until 1945.  Political instability marked the 1950s and 1960s as six presidents successively served between 1945 and 1961.  Brazil's population has historically been densely concentrated along the southern coastal areas.  To ameliorate overcrowding, facilitate government administration over a large geographical area, and spur economic development, the government relocated the capital city from Rio de Janeiro to the government-planned city of Brasilia in 1960.  A coup occurred in 1964 and the military-controlled government exiled political opponents and determined Brazil's presidents until the early 1980s when a return to democracy began.  A total return to civilian rule occurred in 1985.  Since 1989, Brazil's presidents have been successively elected.  With a large population, abundant natural resources, and strategic geographic location, Brazil has emerged as the region's greatest economic power.

  - Taken from: http://www.cumorah.com/index.php?target=missiology_articles&story_id=192

Monday, September 5, 2011

Just got this forwarded to me yesterday...it's last Monday's email from Spencer.

Things are good. We had a good week. Had some disappointment with this awesome family we were teaching. Apparently someone was bad mouthing the church to them and now they don´t want to go to church. But we were blessed because the daughter has been to church before and she still went this Sunday, which was fast and testimony meeting. She really liked it and is going to continue coming to church. We will be going over on Tuesday to teach the family and clear all the doubts that were created by some idiot bad mouthing the church and the missionaries. So that should be good. We also had a lady come to church that we have been teaching. She really liked everything and is going to continue to come to church. She also, gave up smoking and drinking coffee. She´s legit. I think she will be the leader for her family and they will soon be coming to church too. She wants to be baptized too. So that's way cool. Because she loves everything we´ve taught her and she has great faith. So, it´s been a good week. Met a family that just moved here the other day. Went to their house and got to know them better. And then Sunday night we went over again with a member and had a little lesson/chat. And the Mom wants to be baptized next Sunday. Her two kids are already baptized and they are all active. It´s awesome. But other than that, it´s been a bit chilly here lately, well for my companion. Between 60 and 70 degrees? I´m loving it. It´s really funny to see people bundled up in coats and hats and things in the morning. They´re all freezing. Hahahaha! But it sucks because I know by the end of the 2 years I´ll be the same way. But luckily it will be almost summer back home when I return. That's it for this week. Love Elder Bender

Monday September 12, 2011

So this week was good. We had two baptisms yesterday! Two sisters. They are cool. Also the Mother of the sisters told me the other day that she wants us to teach and save the whole family. So, we´re going to do just that. Just got to help the mom and dad get married. Apparently it´s really hard to do here. Takes like a month and like $300. Ridiculous. Anyways, we have our work cut out for us this next week. We also met a single mom this last Saturday that lives in our area, and she is going to allow us to share a message with her this next week. She´s a non practicing Catholic, so hopefully we can help her out. Had a fire at our apartment building this morning. Apparently our fault. Our breaker box blew up and caught fire. But totally because of bad wiring and bad quality everything. The box overloaded because I was taking a shower and the washing machine was going at the same time. Ridiculous. Don´t know exactly what is going to happen with that, but hopefully we can get it fixed this week, if not today. Had some really good Churrascu at a member´s house on friday. Amazing! Never thought I´d like the taste of grilled fat with a little bit of meat, but it was really good. There was some other meat that was more like steak that was only seasoned with rock salt, HOLY COW! So good! But all is good here in Brasil, saw a small clip of the news at a member´s house that the police in the main city of Rio basically had a little war about a week ago with the baditos, aka drug traffickers. Crazy but far from where I am. So that's good. Although did come across a charred car in our area last night. Took a picture. Was weird because usually there are a ton of people selling things in that area at that time on that day, but there was nobody. and a charred car in the middle of the street. Well that's it for this week, but next week should be good. Hopefully 2 more baptisms next Sunday.

Elder Bender

Spencer found this quote from Joseph Smith and sent it. 

I think it's really neat so I decided to post it with this week's update...especially since they got to help a couple get married!

Monday, August 29, 2011

Things are good here, This last week we taught 3 families, all of which we committed to go to church this past sunday. And all of them didn´t go. Was sad. Because now we have to wait another 2 weeks before they can be baptized. Been prayin for them everyday. But I feel that things will work out. Churches here are crazy! It´s a miracle if you can walk more than 4 blocks and not find another church. It´s crazy. And you can really see how real the scriptures are when they talk about the people that are honest seekers of truth but they know not where to find it or are blinded by the craftiness of men. I have a picture of one such crazy church that I´m including with this email. We had zone conference this last week. It was really good. Got to see my buddies Elder Sanchez and Elder Richins and Elder Laurindo......was awesome. Our Mission pres. taught us some really good stuff to incorporate into our teaching and invitations to investigators and it´s been accepted really well by investigators. Found out that I only get mail like every 3 months. Unless I eventually get transferred to an area close to the office. So thats a bit of a downer. But, oh well. Summer is coming quickly. It´s hot everyday. Humid too. I´m going to a shell of my past self here soon. gonna sweat everything away. Don´t know what I´m going to do when all my clothes don´t fit. But, it will be good. I´m loving it here and am having a great time serving. Learning alot everyday. Love my companion. He´s awesome. Everyday I love him more. We´ll be friends for a long time after the mission, I already know it. Haha had my first close encounter with an angry dog. Haha he almost attacked my companion. But I was ready to punt that cachorro into a world of pain and I think he knew it because he backed down when I got closer. Smart dog. It was really funny afterwards. Haha our zone leaders stayed with us last night because of a gay parade in their city. Haha apparently they mess up church peoples if they see them on the street, so they stayed with us. Hahaha. Anyways thats all for this last week. Looking forward to this next week. Can´t believe it´s almost been 4 months. Crazy. Love Elder Bender

**Note: There wasn't a picture attached...it may not have come through with his email. He's had trouble with it before.

Fun Fact:  Carnival fact - Rio Carnival as we know it today is a far cry from the event's beginnings in 1641, when the Portuguese settlers celebrated Ash Wednesday with masked balls and sophisticated parties. Samba began to make its mark on the carnival festivities at the beginning of the 20th Century, with the first official Samba School created in 1928.

Monday, August 22, 2011

**I didn't get an email forwarded to me from Spencer between Aug 1 until now...I'll see if there were any emails that my parents forgot to forward to me! At any rate, here is the latest:

Ok, so, New area, new comp, new experiences. So my new comp is cool. Elder Pinheiro. He, like me, thinks that Japanese is one of the coolest languages ever and that anime/cartoons are awesome. We get along well and he is a really good teacher. Trying to learn as much as I can from him. The new area is crazy. pretty good sized city with a ton of people living in a tiny area. So, there´s always alot of people out and about. We work with members as much as we can and we´ve been working hard. Met some skateboarders here and skated with them for a bit, scratched the heck out of my church shoes. (I know mom it was dumb.) But in the process we made 5 new contacts at once all of which were fine with us coming over and sharing a message with them and their families later. How´s that for using your talents? Anyways, so I guess at some point this week we taught this 17 year old guy who apparently has killed someone. Didn´t know until afterwards when my comp told me about it. I wondered why when we were at the house he came running inside and shut the door and was peeking out the window. Turns out a cop drove by. LOL. The weather here is strange. The first part of the week it was really hot. and all this weekend it´s been cold. I say cold but I mean 63F so cold for what i´ve been used to here in Brasil. Our apartment is kind of big but as everyone knows size isn´t better for apartments when you don´t have stuff to fill it with. Also, it´s on the 6th floor so going up stairs is fun. Um, oh I have had the chance to see some of those people that worship saints or whatever and don´t believe in God. Weird, statues everywhere and stuff and Crosses on their property. Oh and my Comp was on a split with the district leader´s comp and they had a crazy experience with a macumba. Aka Satan worshipper. I won´t go into details but she was absolutely psycho to say the least. Found out there are a lot of snakes here in Brasil. ´´Snakes´´ here in brasil to members of the church are girls that flirt with and try to get with Missionaries.  Haha can´t believe I didn´t say anything about that before. Anyways things are good here and I´m learning alot. It´s very different than Cabo Frio thats for sure. Anyways, thats it for this week, Love you all and miss you as well. Elder Bender

the photo is of me and elder richins on the bus back from búzios on our second to last p-day together in the Cabo Frio area.

 

Fun Fact: Arcos de Lapa: One of the few surviving landmarks from the colonial era, this aqueduct was finished in 1750. At one time it carried water down from the Rio Carioca, it now serves as a viaduct to the wonderful Bondinho de Santa Teresa (tram) that connects the downtown area to the Santa Teresa area. With 42 arcs and at 800-feet long, it is also known as Aqueduto da Carioca. A wonderfully stark example of the old and new architecture that defines this area.

Monday August 1, 2011

Hey thanks mom. Turns out a ton has happened today. So we got up at 4am to go to the airport and get in line for the policia federal thing. Waited for 3 and a half hours just to find out that they changed the way you do everything.......starting today. And so you have to do everything online and schedule an appointment and everything. So we went to a LAN house to get online and the administrative secretary Elder Isom found out that all the spots for today were taken. And tomorrow they had a few times but they filled up by the time we got back to the office. So since we live like 4 hours away from the mission office and it costs 35 reals one way for the bus to our area. We get to stay here until Wednesday night. Oh and 35 reals is alot for us considering we only get like 260 reals a month, it's a huge amount for a bus. Anyways, so today for lunch we went to this Pizza Rodizio. Basically the waiters come around with different pizzas and ask you if you want some. I ate a ton. Including dessert pizza. Pretty sure they have the best dessert pizza I have ever eaten. So good! Anyways, the next two days should be fun/interesting. Because we are in Rio. it's so cool here. Awesome views, and I think it's going to rain tonight, so the sky will be way clear and free of smog so I will be able to take some sweet pictures. I hope. Not much new happened this last week, just alot of looking for people with no success finding them. Made some good contacts this week. Sadly they weren't living in our area. So that's a bummer but we'll find people to teach. No worries. Loving my new backpack. way better than that one CTR one that you got for free mom. It was kind of screwed up anyways. But this new one should last for quite some time. It's really nice. anyways tah tah for now I miss you all and love you too. I will send you some pics. If I get some time on the other computer today. this one has Linux on it and itś way restricted because one of the elders is good with Linux and stuff. Bye bye.

Rio Fun Fact:

Parque Nacional de Tijuca is the largest area of urban rainforest in the world, and is testament to the huge success of a reforestation scheme from the Brazilian government. When the Portuguese arrived, the area which is now the city of Rio was covered by dense green tropical forest. As the city grew the trees were felled and the timber used in construction or for charcoal. However, if you look up from the streets of Zona Sul today, the mountains running southwest from the Corcovado are still covered with exuberant forest, the periphery of the Parque Nacional da Tijuca which covers an area of approximately 120 square kilometres, and is maintained by Brazil's State Institute of Forestry (IBDF). In the seventeenth century the forests of Tijuca were cut down for their valuable hardwood and the trees replaced by sugar cane and, later, coffee plantations and small-scale agriculture. In the early nineteenth century the city authorities became alarmed by a shortage of pure water and by landslides from the Tijuca slopes. Eventually it was decided that a concerted effort was needed to restore Rio's watershed and, in 1857, a reforestation project was initiated: by 1870 over 100,000 trees had been planted and the forest was reborn. Most of the seeds and cuttings that were planted were native to the region, and today the park serves as a remarkable example of the potential for the regeneration of the Atlantic forest.

• © NileGuide2011

Monday July 25, 2011

Yeah I don't know if I have 12 pairs of pants. I'll check though and let you know next week. So a few things I need to ask for slash tell. Can someone please get the recipe for Big Town Hero white bread from Uncle Pat for me I really want to make some good bread for cheap. Sliced bread here is way too expensive for what they give us to live on. Also tell Dad to look into natural gas cars. And or conversion kits for them. Tons of people here have them and apparently they are really efficient. Don't know much about them but they are cool. So this week was good. We had a Baptism! So that was cool. I got to Baptize her too. So twas my first. Was really cool because she's a total elect. She loves everything about the church and has awesome faith. She's going to be a great member. Her grandson will probably be a stumbling block. That kids is crazy. 5 years old and crazy. Shoot. Anyways, small world, the other American elder in the house has a friend on a mission in Oregon, Haha I read his newsletter from this kid and he was talking about Brownsville and stuff and the Strawberry Festival. It was really funny. Also he talked about Sister Probert and a cool experience that happened on her day of the 40 day fast with one of their investigators. So that was really cool. Um going to Busios today! I'm excited. Everyone tells me it's really cool. Kind of a tourist city or somethin. so that should be fun. Um I really love having another American in the house. It's really nice. Haha we talk about all the American food we miss. Chocolate covered doughnuts are number one on the list, or chocolate covered doughnut holes. What I wouldn't give for a giant box of those right now. Shoot. Or a real hot dog, the ones here are way weird. They're good, but not nearly as good. Oh and condiments. I would almost shoot someone for a bottle of Hidden Valley Ranch dressing. They have no idea what ranch is out here. They don't even have Ranch Doritos. They have Doritos, but not ranch. Yesterday after church we had a legit lunch. We went to this member's house. Apparently he's the richest guy in the ward, his house/apartment was really nice, he had nice china and glasses and nice silverware to eat with. The food was really good, dessert was good too. Peaches and Ice Cream. The good kind not the lame other kinds. Oh did I mention the majority of Ice Cream here is really sad. The flavors are so, ...........bland. It brings tears to my eyes. Oh and for some Reason I can't find fresh orange juice to save my life I have no idea why. Thought for sure it'd be way easy to find. Um I'm looking forward to next week. I'm prayin that the Lord will put someone awesome that really needs and wants the gospel in our path. Met a lot of really cool people out here, wish I could speak with them better, and understand them better. But it's coming along. Oh being out here has really helped me to appreciate how good we really have it in the states. I miss appliances like dishwashers and dryers. Dishwashers because my companion doesn't do dishes and a dryer because it's so humid here that clothes take forever to dry. Kinda bummed to hear a lot of stuff isn't so good at home. I'll be sure to pray for you all.
Tell Conner Hein to start prepping now. Tell him to take language stuff stat. And the more he speaks now the easier he will have it in the mish. Once the language isn't a stumbling block anymore you can really focus on the work and helping people. That's what the mission is all about. And that's the most rewarding part. So the more he is able to do that without the language being a problem, the better his mission will be. Anyways, that's all for now. I will send you a photo in a minute. Love you all. Elder Bender

By the way...the photo wouldn't go through...but I have a couple more from last week that I saved for this week! :-)

Rio Fun Fact:  Cultural Rio fact: The impressive Theatro Municipal, built in 1905 and located at the heart of Centro, was directly modelled on the Paris Opera House in a bid to replicate the sophistication of the French capital.

The Teatro Municipal in Rio de Janeiro

Paris Opera House

Monday July 18, 2011

Mom asked how he got to Rio, Spencer's reply:

Ok well anyways, went by bus to an airport and then flew to rio went by a small bus to the presidents house which was ridiculously nice. He's pretty cool. Um later that night met my new companion. He's Brasillian, and he doesn't speak english. Luckily there is another elder there in the apartment that is from Utah. Elder Richins. He makes things easier. Things have been pretty slow, it's freaking hot, I don't know how I'm going to live in the summer. Haha, anyways how many pairs of pants did I leave home with because I think I only have 6 at the moment. So if I had more I have no idea what happened to the others. Our apartment is really nice, according to Elder Richins. Better than all the rest in the mission. Freak! But I understand why after going to many people's houses. They are all really small and made of bricks and stuff it's really depressing. But, things are good. Lovin everyday even though we walk a ton and my feet and legs aren't used to it. I wish they had made us walk everyday for at least an hour in the CTM. So it wouldn't have been quite so bad. But anyways, I never got your package, but hopefully it will come before the other group that is in the CTM now leaves because if it does they'll bring it to Rio for me, otherwise it stays and gets distributed to whoever wants it. Which would suck a lot. I really need a few garment tops. Like 4 or so. and maybe a bottom. But anyways, um Elder Richins told me that there is a lot of weird cultural things that happen all the time. Kind of like yesterday at church a woman just whipped out her boob and began breast feeding, Freak! I was NOT prepared for that! Apparently there's a lot of drunks and crazies everywhere in the street and stuff. I dunno. But yeah everything is cool. Tell everyone I'm sorry I had to make it short and not email everyone, my camera was making the computer slow and I couldn't type for a while. But hopefully I'll get to send some pictures. Love you all and hope you're doing well. Love Elder Bender.

Well he DID get to send some pictures:

Fun Fact this week: Brazilian football fact:  The Maracaná Stadium holds the record for the largest attendance of any football (ok, soccer if you insist...) match in history. A record-smashing 200,000 fans turned out for the decisive match of the 1950 World Cup, only to see Brazil defeated by South American rivals Uruguay.

July 5, 2011

Ah! i wish I could have been there for Fourth of July! yesterday was alright. kind of Cold here yesterday. I wore a sweatshirt all day. But they decorated the cafeteria and had hot dogs and hamburgers and ice cream. Was cool. ice cream was bad. and hot dogs here are really weird. And the hamburgers weren´t like they are in America. But twas good. Oh I wanted to tell you about Prosilyting! So we went to Avenita Paulista. it was crazy. It´s like crazier than the busiest street in New york. So many people. My companion and I were freaking out. We had no idea what to do. We walked around for like 40 minutes before talking to anyone. But it was really strange for me because ever since I got here I haven´t been scared to talk to people. But that day I was freaking out. I guess I was just intimidated. I dunno But anyways this is the cool part. I had been fasting that day for prosilyting to go well and to be able to be more in tune with the spirit and stuff. Anyways so after walking around for 40 minutes and feeling down about not talking to anyone, I said a prayer in my head saying ``Lord I need help, I can´t do this without your help.´´ and then a thought came to my mind really clearly. ``have the faith to act, talk to someone, do your part and the Lord will help you.´´ It came from nowhere and was really distinct to me. So after walking for another couple of minutes I finally went up to this woman sitting outside a store doing nothing. talked to her and got her to accept a book of mormon and committed her to read it and call the missionaries after reading to talk to them more about it. Was really cool. After that, I had so much fun, I started talking to lots of people. Sadly I only gave out one other book of mormon but it was still really cool. Spoke alot of portuguese, tried to walk and talk with people. Got rejected alot, it was awesome. It was a really good day. Had alot of fun doing it. it seems to me that I am happiest when I go to the temple, prosilyte, or I teach people I don´t know and are not members. Which hasn´t happened much yet but I really am alot happier when I am. But I feel that Rio will be cool. I´ll be happy most of the time if teaching makes as happy as it does. I think it´s more about the spirit though, as to the reason why i am so happy afterwards. But anyways, We didn´t have any fireworks here their independance day isnt until like september. And i have been informed that on new years day Rio has a big fireworks show. so that will be cool. Sounds like you all are having fun up in Idaho. but anyways not sure when I´ll write next since I´ll be going to and will be in Rio next Tuesday. So yeah. hopefully I can get you all some pictures by then if not I don´t know what I´ll do about it. I spent the last of my money today so I´ll probably wait until I get to Rio to get any from the bank. Unless I don´t need it. In whichcase I probably won´t. but anyways, tah tah for now, I´ll write you next week! hopefully!  Love Elder Bender

FUN FACT:  Rio Weird fact: The city's rich elite like to dress their pampered pets in shoes, hats, and even full outfits. Poodles are the most popular dogs in Rio high society, and some have a different outfit for every day of the week.

I couldn't find any of the "poodles" in everyday dress, but there were a couple pictures of dogs dressed up for carnivals! LOVE THE SHOES!!!!!  I almost need a dog just to put the shoes on it! LOL!

Week 7 - Next week: Going to Rio de Janeiro!!!!!

Hey mom, that second package sounds amazing. I can´t wait to get it. I still havent gotten it yet but there was a holiday here on thursday and apparently they took friday off too and the mail doesn´t come on saturdays. So yeah and I didn´t get anything yesterday. Which was a major bummer because I was expecting to get at least something but nada. Anyways I leave for Rio on the 12th will be there on the same day. Not sure if I´ll get to email that day or not but as soon as I am able to I will. Don´t worry. Um portuguese is getting better slowly. I guess. It will definitely get better in the field. It just takes time. So, I´m not too worried about it just going to keep working on it. Weather here has been pretty normal I guess. Rained yesterday and the day before but today it´s clear skies and I think it´s like 70 outside. At least. Should be a good P-day. But, I hope Grandma is doing alright. Tell her I love her. Grandpa too. Glad you all got home from Cali safely. 18 hours? crazy. Did Maddy get her License? Thats cool if she finally did. Good for her. That woud be crazy if Carrie was the first to have twins in the Family. Would be Funny too. Anyways, Things are going good. Had some trouble within the district this last week but we´ve got it all ironed out and movin right along. These next two weeks will be interesting. But hopefully I can learn alot more in that short amount of time. Well I love you all, I miss ya too. Tell everyone I love em and wish I could give them all hugs. Love Elder Bender




Fun Fact: When explorers arrived in Guanabara Bay on New Year's Day 1502, they mistook the bay for the mouth of a mighty river. Hence they called the place Rio de Janeiro - literally, 'River of January'.

WEEK 6 - And Week 2 as District Leader!!

Wow sounds like you guys are having a great time. Haha I laughed so hard when I heard from Hannah about having to talk Sarah into getting on some rides. That's hilarious. I thought about that time I went on the plane with her. So funny. Anyways no I didn´t get to call dad. I am bummed because I didn´t get to call on mothers day either. So I think I´ll get to call next on christmas or something. I have no idea. Still havent gotten the second package. Being District leader is ok, a lot more work, but it´s good. Growing alot. Did endowments for man born in Portugal in 1910 memorized his name and birth place and everything wrote it down in my journal for when we go to Portugal someday. But anyways, Cali then to grandma´s? Crazy this is the summer of trips isn´t it. I see how it is. Soon as I leave you all go on vacations. Awesome. JK. But things are good I leave for Rio in 2 weeks exactly. My first companion went today to Rio. I miss him. He´s awesome. But hopefully we´ll be companions again in the field sometime in the future. Carrie is Pregnant!? Thats awesome! I´m excited for her. Thats so cool. I´m missing it but it´s way cool. Hahaha that child is going to be way spoiled. But way cool at the same time. Anyways What about Hannah? wasn´t she supposed to find out sometime around now? I hope she is because that would be cool too. Then her and Carrie could be prego buddies. Haha. Anyways, Well, Hope you all are doing well and enjoying the summer. Things are going well here and I´m progressing. Alot of people I have met here have been telling me lots of missionary stories and stuff. It´s awesome, makes me excited to get out there. Well g2g Love you all! Talk to you next week. Love Elder Bender


Sorry, I didn't have a chance to find a fun fact this week...next week for sure!! :-)

Week 5: P-Days are now on Tuesdays!!

New Email:
Hey so I got one of the packages, the one with Oreos and goldfish and the
fruit and wetwipes. I saw on the packing slip that there were supposed to be
pens and shirts in it too but they were not there. and it didn´t look like
anyone got into the box so maybe they are in the other box that is yet to
arrive. Anyways, things are good, Language is progressing. I´m trying to
practice more than I have been which is what i should have been doing all
along. I saw the price on the one box, that was crazy, but I guess since
it´s international it´s spendy. Thank you so very much for sending me those
things. Especially the extra stuff, you really didn´t have to. Although the
Oreos are like currencey here. I can get anything for oreos. It´s funny. But
they are really good. I´ve been eating them and only sharing with elders I´m
good friends with. Anyways, My new district is cooler than I expected. they
are fun, I got called to be District Leader on sunday, so thats cool. I
gotta be even better now. Better example in everything. It´s crazy, Had some
issues with one elder in particular in my district just not listening to me
but things will be ironed out soon. The Lord will help me know what to do.
But we are all bonding, I think they were feeling a little like I was at
first but after a few days we are becoming good friends and seeing the good
in each other and finding more and more in common with each other. So that's
good. Tell Hannah for me that I will be prayin for her and Steve, don´t have
enough time to write them too this week. I´ve been writing alot. But
anyways, um I haven't been taking the Vitamin C like I should. I have been
eating Bananas so maybe i´ll stop doing that, even though they are way
delicious. The pineapple here is way better than in America. It´s so good.
um I don´t have vitamins so no I haven't been taking those. Oh my P-day got
switched to Tuesday after I got moved to my new District so expect emails
from me on Tuesdays from now on. Also, Tell Desiree thank you for the
goldfish I feel like it was her that mentioned to put them in the package.
I´m glad Sean got my letter. I need P Jorg´s address so I can send mail to
him and Sean. But thank you for doing that for me. I love you all and I pray
for you everyday. Tah tah for now. Love, Elder Bender

This week's Fun Fact:
Pico de Neblina is the highest mountain in Brazil, and it is over 3,000 meters tall, (about 9,300 feet). It is located in the Brazilian state of Roraima, and the peak itself is only several miles from the border of Venezuela, and parts of the foot of the mountain are actually in Venezuela.

Week 4 In Rio

So, some of you have had trouble...NOT seeing Spencer's letters up. I have been updating the blog every week, but went into settings to see about changing the view of the blog when it comes up. For some reason it was only showing the letter from the first week and off to the right, there was a list of all of the other letters...so all the new posts were getting listed on the right, you would have had to click on the title of the post to pull it up....sorry about that everyone! I have changed the settings so there shouldn't even BE an archive now. ALL the postings will always be showing on the page now! (Technology....why can't it just work the right way the first time??  :-/)
So, catch up on the news!  - Carrie
Here below are Spencer's week 4 emails:

Email to Hannah and Steve:
OY!
So found out today that my district is getting split up. Well I knew but i didn´t know what was going to happen exactly, anyways my two companions have gone to brasilian districts because they speak and know the language really well. But I´m getting put with these elders from provo today that just got here. They are a week behind me. But I have to stay an extra week in the MTC because all the Mission presidents in brazil except for like 2 are changing the week I´m supposed to go to Rio. So thats why I got put with them instead of being on my own. Totally lame. I was really looking forward to some good class time really focusing on the language. I get distracted really easily so more people just makes it worse. So that sucks but nothing I can do about it. I´m stuck so I´ll have to deal with it but it´s way relaxed here. Anyways, That´s what is happening right now. Oh and my original companions are leaving like a week or two earlier than me because they switched. Crazy. Tah tah for now yo, oh and my friend rene was wondering why you havent updated the blog. Don´t know if you did or not. Love you and Steve both. Love Elder Bender

Email to Desiree:
Ok meat would be bad to send but Honey Mustard, and BBQ sauce and peanut butter and raspberry jam would be so awesome, you have no idea. They don´t really use condiments here, at least from what I´ve seen. And the condiments they do have are terrible. Nothing like in America. It sucks hardcore yo. yeah I havent gotten the package from mom yet but I hope it comes soon. I really hope I don´t have to pay import tax on it that would be lame. Oh tell mom if she sends me anything again, take everything out of it´s packaging don´t let anything look new in it´s original packaging, Something in it that I´m gonna like huh? hmm we shall see. Anyways thank you for being an awesome sister and writing to me. nobody else from the fam did this week. Way lame. Tell mom that I found out today that my district is getting split up. Well I knew but i didn´t know what was going to happen exactly, anyways my two companions have gone to brasilian districts because they speak and know the language really well. But I´m getting put with these elders from provo today that just got here. They are a week behind me. But I have to stay an extra week in the MTC because all the Mission presidents in brazil except for like 2 are changing the week I´m supposed to go to Rio. So thats why I got put with them instead of being on my own. Totally lame. I was really looking forward to some good class time really focusing on the language. I get distracted really easily so more people just makes it worse. So that sucks but nothing I can do about it. I´m stuck so I´ll have to deal with it. But anyways gotta go outside and buy stuff and mail stuff.........ya know. anyways, Love you Sistah!         Elder Bender


From Carrie: I'm trying to make the blog interesting and I LOVE pictures, so maybe we can have a fun fact a few times a month or once a week or something....who knows...anyhow, here's the first one.....

*Fun Fact: I was able to find Brazil's favorite dish: Feijoada, which is black beans cooked with pork and "many other elements" ---hmmmm....interesting, but here's a picture!