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

Monday, March 26, 2012

So this week was kind of slow. Mostly because we had more downs than ups. But however , we had a baptism! A little girl by the name of Alice. She's turning 11 today. Anyways she is the daughter of a recently re-activated member. They are a really cool family. Also went on a division in the other area here with Elder Braithwaith, that was cool. We had fun and we taught some really cool people. And one guy who was really awesome who really has been prepared by the Lord and wants to know the truth and just get closer to God in his life. So that was a great experience to be able to help him out and answer alot of his questions. It really is amazing how true the gospel is. And how God still speaks to man in our day. He gives us all we need to know and do through our beloved prophet and apostles. To lead us and guide us back to Him because he really loves us more than we can comprehend and doesn't want us to be lost in this world, full of uncertainty not knowing the true path back to his presence though His son Jesus Christ. I love helping people to learn and come to know this for themselves. The spirit is always really strong in those visits with people who really truly desire the truth. These experiences make it all worthwhile. 

Elder Bender

Monday, March 19, 2012

So this week was a little boring/disappointing. Alot of nothing happened. Mostly because alot of appointments fell. Woot. Spent alot of time walking in the street talking with my comp about strongbad emails and teen girl squad. Twas quite the convo. In reality, today is alright for tonight. And big muscly arms coming out the back of necks is totally legit. Also homestarrunner makes a good Strongbad and insults perfectly. But anyways, My comp touched a capybara. That was funny. And we also met some really nice people. Worked alot and searched forever but we did manage to find some. So we have them to look forward to this week. Oddly we had some really really good lunches this last week. And the members seem to like us alot more now. Mostly because we baptized Irma Aparecida and her daughter. They all thought it was impossible when we told them we were teaching her and her daughter. But then, because of inspiration from God and a miracle from hard work, they were both baptized. The members were impressed. So hopefully they will be more willing to work with us more often now. But they are good. Just like most members in the world. And we love them. Looking forward to this week. 

Elder Bender

Monday, March 12, 2012

Well it turned out to be an exciting week! We had 2 baptisms! A mother and her youngest daughter. So that was a great day. Was also a bit interesting because the mom has a fear of water. So it was a little difficult for her. But we helped her though it. And now there are 2 more members in the family of 5. Just one that hasn't been baptized. But yeah also I found out today I'm staying here with Elder Elliot for another 6 weeks. So thats going to be cool. I'll probably get to go with him to Rio in 6 weeks and we'll go over by Copacabana and hit up some really cool stores over there. Should be sweet. But thats in 6 weeks. Anyways, things are looking good for this next 6 weeks I'm hoping to continue to learn alot and do lots of good in this area. Well, until next week.

Elder Bender

Baptism from two weeks ago.

Last week's baptisms.

Spencer FINALLY upgraded to better transportation...no more walking everywhere!! LOL!!
Just kidding...I don't know if they call this a donkey or a burro down there??

Monday, March 5, 2012

So this week not alot has happened. Had some dissappointment this last week because none of our investigators went to church. However we are trying to reactivate this family in our ward and one of the daughters came to church with the active brother. So that made me happy. But yeah I´ve been seeing capybaras like almost everyday. So thats cool. Also it´s been pretty warm lately. Which is a bummer as well. But oh well I´m drinking a ton of water everyday because of it. Never thought I could drink and eat so much in a single day as I do. But thats what happens when you´re out walking around in the hot sun all day. I´m workin hard and enjoyin it. Transfers are next week. So that will be interesting. Hoping to stay. Pretty sure I will but only God knows for sure. Well until next week!

Spencer