Monday, December 3, 2012

Here are some pictures Spencer sent on Monday.

Monday, November 12, 2012

So, it's been a long time since I wrote anything for the blog but things are going well. I'm being transferred to a different area. Ramos. It's closer to the center of Rio though. It's like part of the metropolitan area of Rio. But, I'm sad to leave this area, and my comp and the people here in this ward and area. Twas fun while it lasted. I hope that things will be good there in Ramos. Especially with my birthday and christmas coming up. But things are good with me and I'm learning more and growing everyday. Well, thats all for now, untill next time.
Elder Bender

Monday, Aug 27, 2012

Hey everyone so I know it's been a while since I wrote anything but I am doing fine. I'm workin hard and tryin hard to be a good friend to my comp and help a bunch of people. It's getting hotter here, and it hasn't rained in a long time. So thats a bit of a bummer. But things are going good. Time is flying. And I really like the area that I'm in. Even though a majority of the roads are dirt and my shoes are always dirty, the members are super nice. But yeah anyways, I hope that all is well on the homefront. Until next time. 

Elder Bender

Monday, July 30, 2012

So this week was good. We had an awesome conference with the Brasil area president Elder Claudio R.M. Costa of the quorum of the Seventy. Twas super legit. He spoke about many things that I can apply and learn from in my mission and my life right now. So it was an awesome learning experience to say the least. We had to go to Rio super early in the morning to miss all the traffic and stuff. That was lame. But I got to see some cool places because we fell asleep on the bus and missed our stop. But the ride back to our area after the conference was totally lame. bus was full and we had to stand for like 3 hours on the bus in rush hour traffic. Took like 2 hours to cross the bridge from rio to Níteroi which normally takes only 7 minutes to cross. When we got back to the apartment I was dead tired. Passed out and didn't wake up till morning. And in the morning I was still tired. But anyways that is all, untill next week.

Elder Bender

Monday, July 23, 2012

So this week was good, and we baptized! Eva and João. Was a bit of a struggle to get everything ready and set for the baptism, We had to go to another chapel in another nearby city to have the baptism. But it was good. Had a good week workin well and helpin people. I would send pictures but at the moment I cannot send them using this LAN house. But I will send pictures in the future. I have continued to find a bunch of old coins here. Well older coins not super old. But thats cool. It's a cool area with lots of cool people. Well until next week.

Elder Bender

Monday, July 16, 2012

So I got transferred to Apolo. It's back in Rio. It's between the cities of São Gonçalo and Itaboraí. So it's really close to the area that I worked in about a year ago. Had a big stake party thing on Saturday. I got to see a bunch of the people that I met and worked with back in that area. Was super cool to see a ton of awesome people again. Especially one of my recent converts. Also got to see 2 of my past comps at transfers. So that was cool. One went home. Mission completed. Took a pic with him so that was cool. But yeah this week my comp and I worked decently. Brasillian. Only speaks portuguese. Awesome. Exactly what I wanted. Blessing for sure. Although I'm seeing that the mission is making me a little nit picky and easily annoyed. Not sure why. Maybe I need to learn more patience instead of losing it like I have been. Who knows maybe once you hit your maximum you just start to lose it. This new area is quite different. People are more receptive. And the Ward is far more willing to work with us and to help the work. So thats pretty legit. Also the chapel is a big house. And the baptismal font is a pool! It's big, and dirty. We get to clean it this week. Should be fun.......We're working with a few people at the moment. Nothing in particular has happened, thats super incredible anyways. Found a ton of old coins here in this area. Thats interesting. Found lioke 11 of them yesterday. It's easier to find them after it rains. But yeah thats pretty much it for this last week. It was a good week though.

Elder Bender

Monday, July 9, 2012

I got transferred. Gonna have a brasillian comp. I'm looking forward to it. Gonna be just me and him in that place. And apparently he's from Ceara which is awesome. My second comp was from there and he was hilarious. My LD says my new comp is practically the same. So, this should be a interesting transfer. I'm sad to have to leave this area and a bunch of the people that I have met and grown to love. But, it's for the best and the Lord needs me in my next area. The lame thing is that food is going to be more expensive and same thing with buses. And it's a bit hotter. But oh well. Should be good.

Elder Bender

Monday, June 25, 2012

Things are going good. Not really a lot of new people to teach. But, our recent converts are progressing nicely. Maria received the holy ghost yesterday at sacrament meeting. And she had a good experience. The main thing about this week was the fact that we were able to help a past recent convert that my last comp and I baptized. She doesn't have a testimony. And it was mostly because of the way things were rushed. But now she's working on it. And we're prayin for her a lot and the Ward is going to help out a bunch too. This ward is changing and getting better. So it's a good thing. But this week we should be doin a decent amount of stuff. So should be good. Been eating a lot of pancakes since I got Emily's recipe. I made a decent sized batch of Syrup and put it in a glass bottle. So been eatin decently. It's a nice taste of home. Even though the brown sugar here isn't refined and has an odd taste. But then again everyone tells me that al the best stuff gets imported to the States and all the bad stuff stays here and is sold to the people. Now that I think about it I probably ought to get some more recipes.....like cookies......Jubilee jumbles with burnt butter frosting....?

Elder Bender

Monday, June 18, 2012

Well, This week was good. Seemed kind of long. Don't know why......we were relatively busy. Well more towards the end of the week but yeah. I noticed today that the blog is a bit behind. Anyways, had some interesting things happen. Had some humbling experiences happen. So that was good but I expected it and it was a good experience. But, my companion and I baptized this week. That Lady I told you about, Maria. She's awesome. She's getting integrated into the ward nicely, and I think she'll be a great member. Also Cintia our other convert got confirmed yesterday. She's awesome. So all in all it was a good week. Today my comp and I will be celebrating with milkshakes and maybe pancakes.....I'm stoked! And this next week we got lots to do and lots of people to meet and help. So I'm also stoked for that too. Well, until next week,

Elder Bender

Monday, June 11, 2012

So this week was a bit slow and difficult. Mostly because we are having trouble finding people to teach. However, we did have some success with an investigator who is the girlfriend of a less active member. She really wants to help her boyfriend to get active in church and stop drinking and smoking. Also she is super super awesome. She's such a good person. I can feel the goodness radiating from her. It's crazy. Honestly I haven't yet met someone like her here. She's just so kind. It's rediculous. So needless to say I'm stoked to work with them and to help them out. Now I just gottqa do all I can to have the spirit with me when I go there and help them to feel it. So the Dedication of the Temple in Manaus was AWESOME! President Deiter F. Uchdorf presided with Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the 12 and Also Elder Walker of the 70. But we got to go to all 3 sessions which were broadcasted at the stake center. Was super awesome. Learned alot about the blessings of the temple and also about temples. Learned some stuff that went completely over my head when I went to the Nauvoo Temple dedication. So all in all it was a great experience. Helped me out a lot. Mostly because we don't have a temple here and it was an opportunity to feel the spirit of the temple there in the chapel which was an extension of the temple during the session. But President Uchdorf was Hilarious during the sealing of the cornerstone. The translator was doing nothing so all the brasilians missed out. But it was hilarious all of his ''comments''. But anyways, thats about it for now, until next week.

Elder Bender

Monday, June 4, 2012

So this week was a bit slow, mostly because we had trouble finding people to teach. And we had alot of cancelations. But thats alright. BECAUSE, we are teaching this Lady who is awesome. She's progressing nicely. We're planning on a baptism for the 24th of this month. So that should be legit. But yeah. I'm starting to see the great blessings of the Lord in my service. Especially those that come from testifying of the truth. I'm starting to really see a difference in our investigators and their actions. So that is really cool, because it means that the Spirit is testifying to the truth of our words, and it's making a difference in the lives of our investigators. This next Sunday, we get to see a Temple dedication of the Manaus Temple! So it will be the first time being in a temple since I left the CTM in São Paulo. It will be because the First Presidency said that all the chapels that show the live broadcast will be extensions of the temple. So it will be a unique experience that I'm looking forward to. Anyways, until next week. 

Elder Bender

Monday, May 28, 2012

So this week was much better than last week. We had much more success and met some really awesome people. Also we had a baptism! Cintia was baptized yesterday after church. She's awesome. She's really intelligent and she's only 16. It's rediculous. She has a passion for learning. Especially for learning the things of God through the scriptures. It's awesome. Also this week we got lots to do and lots to learn and stuff because me and my comp stayed together here in the same area. So as I said lots to do and lots to learn. I'm excited for this next week and for this next transfer.
Elder Bender

Monday, May 21, 2012

So this week was a doosey. In the way of not much happened. Searched alot for new people and found plenty. Sad thing was though that they didn't have time or didn't want anything. So that sucks. But we found a girl by the name of Cintia, she's legit. She's very smart and is progressing quickly. She loved church yesterday and she had a ton of questions afterwards. But she loved it all. So she has been a ray of sunshine to us to make these past few weeks completely worth the effort. Also it's been consistently cold here. Like 60 degrees farenheit every morning most times a bit colder than that. Like 57. So thats interesting. We've been freezing each day in the mornings, bundling up like eskimoes almost. I'm glad I brought a pair of long john bottoms. I know right weird.....I'm in Brasil where it's warm and I brought long johns. Actually I think I was inspired to do so because when I was packing I got the thought that I should and the thought came to mind. It's going to be hot there. But then I threw them in just in case. And turns out it's been cold and it's a good thing I brought them. Along with a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt. So, I havent been suffering from the cold too much. But yeah anyways thats pretty much all thats happened this week. Well of importance anyways. I bought a sweet portuguese to english dictionary last monday. Cost me like 50 bucks. But, it was worth it. It is an awesome dictionary. anyways, until next week.  Elder Bender

Monday, May 14, 2012

So, this week was a bit slow. Not much success. But we were blessed to be able to see a miracle. An elder here had a huge surprise when his whole family showed up and he got to baptize his Father! His father had been anti mormon for like 40 years and I guess some missionary visited his parents home and listened to the spirit and said what the father needed to hear. Now that Elder's family is complete. And they can recieve the blessings of having an eternal family here in about a year. It was a very emotional baptismal meeting. And the spirit was poured out in abundance. Was a great experience to be able to be a part of. It taught me many things. But one in particular, that the Lord is aware of all of us, and is preparing the means to bless us in our lives with all that he has to offer, if we do what he asks we are worthy of those blessings and happiness, and we will recieve them. That I know for sure. 

Elder Bender

Monday, May 7, 2012

So this week was a bit difficult. Mostly because there is so much to do and so little time in the day to do all of it. Also I'm finding it very difficult to find those elects. But We are showing the members that we are wanting to work and that we are good missionaries, so hopefully the references will start coming soon. But until then we will continue to work hard and do everything we can, plus a little more with the help of the Lord. I am super excited for sunday, not only to call home but to see this one lady and her awesome son go to church. They are legit. I know they will love it. And the mom is kind of sensative to the spirit. Like, she feels the difference it makes everytime we're around and everytime she reads the Book of Mormon. So needless to say I'm excited for them. Now it's just up to prayers and helping the members to make them feel welcome. But yeah, got another week of hard work comin up. And zone conference on Friday. So that should be really good. Anyways, Anyways, I'm sending a photo of a thing I made and put on the bulletin board at church. Its pretty funny. The words mean, Row together, work with one another and progress. Thats it for this week, until the next!
Elder Bender

Monday, April 30, 2012

So, this last week was a toughy. New companion, and lots to do. Especially for me. My comp doesn't speak portuguese very well so I kind of have to do 90% of the talking. But oh well, I needed the chance to grow and to better my speaking abilities in the Language. And I'm super thankful to my last companion Morgan Gentry, who helped me out a ton with the language. It's halping me to help my companion that I have now. But we worked hard this week with not much success. But on the brightside, I got to see this one lady at church yesterday that me and Elder Elliott taught. That was cool, because she loved the first lesson and then she went traveling to Cabo Frio, my first area in the mission. And we passed the information on to the elders there and we never heard back about her. But turns out she got baptized! And she remembered me from when we taught her. So that was really cool to see her and to learn that our efforts made a difference in her life. We may not have been the ones to baptize her but we opened the door and helped her to start along the path. 

Elder Bender

Monday, April 23, 2012

So, we baptized this week. A guy named Isaías. Which means Isaiah. He's super legit. He's got alot of difficulties in his life but he wants to follow Christ and be on the right path in his life. And his baptism was a great start along the path of Christ.. Anyways, so this week was kind of slow. My comp was kind of getting everything ready for this week. He's going back to the good 'ol USA on thursday. But anyways, twas a good week. Transfers are up and now my new comp is another American. Elder Davis. So it will be interesting to meet him tomorrow. Also tomorrow is the day of the Special conference with Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles. So that will be really cool to hear again from an apostle of the Lord. The last time we had a special conference with David A. Bednar also of the Quorum of the 12 apostles and that was really awesome. They teach so well and you can just feel that they truly have been called of God as apostles to teach us His gospel and help us to help our fellow man better than we knew how. It's a major blessing to be able to be in the same room and be taught by an apostle of the Lord. I'm excited for tomorrow. Anyways, thats about it for this last week. Until next week,

Elder Bender

Monday, April 16, 2012

So this week my comp and I tried some new ways to contact people. Like setting up a table in front of the church and talking to anyone who showed any interest. We made lots of contacts and some people said we could go to their houses and share a message with them and their families. But, sadly, the ones we went and looked for were not home or the address didn't exist. And then my comp got sick and has been sick for a few days now. Like thursday through today. So that has been fun.......but mostly boring. But we had a man show up at church that we contacted in the street. Really cool guy. Really wants to follow Christ and know the truth. We'll be teaching him tomorrow again. Gunna be cool because he's awesome. Totally an elect of the Lord. But also this next week is transfers. Which means new companion, and also going to the special conference with Quentin L. Cook of the quorum of the twelve apostles on Tuesday. It's going to be really cool to listen to an apostle of God in person. And in english! Anyways, thats about it for this week, hope everyone is doing well. 

Elder Bender 

Monday, April 9, 2012

So this week was a difficult one. Here in Brasil, or maybe just in this particular area, lots of people travel for easter and visit everywhere else. So the city was pretty dead this week. We only able to find one person who was interested in our message. Pretty much everyone else that answered their door was Espírita and wanted nothing to do with us. And for those that don't know what Espíritisma is or ''Spiritism'' Its a religion that was invented by some white dude who basically just wanted money and preached reincarnation and that spirits exist and they can manifest themselves if you do sayance type stuff. Also that you can pretty much do whatever you want as long as you are nice to others and a relatively good person. But then they don't have standards or morals so there isn't anything to really explain how they should be besides that they know they shouldn't kill. It's weird. Because they believe that people who are really bad, are punished in their next life by being reborn as a person with a mental handicap or disability so they can't do anything bad. But because they did nothing bad in that life they are rewarded in their next life with a life full of opportunities and privelage. Also they preach progression of knowledge but they don't remember their past lives so they don't actually progress in knowledge at all. It's weird. But yeah, that was pretty much all that happened this week. Quite the memorable week. Hope everyone had a great Easter and that everyone took some time to ponder on the sacrifice Jesus made for each one of you. And also the events that took place afterwards in which he won the victory over death that we also may do so to fulfill the plan that was made for all of us to return and stand before our maker and be judged according to our works and recieve our just rewards. And also that through the sacrifice of Christ if we repent of our sins, when we stand to be judged, Christ will be our advocate with the Father and prove to the Father that he has taken our sins upon him and that our garments are clean. Remember this sacrifice and seek to be worthy of it through repentance. Love you all and hope you are all well. 

Elder Bender

Monday, April 2, 2012

So, Conference was good and stuff. If you didn't see it, you should watch it. http://www.lds.org/general-conference?lang=eng Go watch it! Anyone will for sure benefit from it. Other than that not much exciting happened. Sad I know. I taught a brazillian that speaks english, in English. That was cool. A little strange because I'm not used to it but cool. And yeah thats pretty much about it. Oh and my comp and I discovered that capybaras do their waste business outside of the water too. Also they run quite fast and are quite expert divers. And that is about it for this week, until next week. 

Elder Bender