July 3, 2017

On Mon, Jul 3, 2017 at 11:57 AM Matthew Josef Allen Arscott <matthew.arscott@myldsmail.net> wrote:

Dear Family and Friends:

It is said that it generally takes Six weeks of a time period in a certian enviroment to get used to a certain or any given situation. 6 Weeks in the feild and i finally am starting to see the reality of that. This past week I improved left and right in the language, learning many new concepts and I love the times that i feel confident in speaking to people, like i do with English, but with Portuguese.

Transfers: Last Night, Sunday the 2nd, we recieved our transfer calls, we four in our house are staying the same, which i am so excited for. We recieve a lot of new missionaries in our area this week though and i look forward to that. 

English: I am helping my Companion, Elder Dos Santos, and my other friend, Elder Rodgriguez with their English a lot. In turn they help me with my scriptural reading in the Portuguese Book of Mormon, which the language is very hard, just as is in English. Elder Dos Santos and I work on basic words like "Bike, Run, Talk, Man, He, etc." while Elder Rodriguez and I work in the scriptures where i help explain the conjugations and definitions of words such as "Thus, Thee, Thou, etc." and I love teaching with that. Elder Rodriguez says all the time that he isnt fluent in English though I tell him he is (And he is, having the ability to hold down any conversation fluently) with this, last night i had a special experience with him: While waiting to recieve our transfer calls, we were in our house around 9:00. Elder Rodriguez wanted me toteach him about doctrine, somewhat as just a time filler, so i did, and afterwards told him to teach me... in Enlgish. We opened with a Prayer in fluent English and Elder R. then continued by teaching me about Nephi and the promises made to him through the Lord, all in perfect English. It was a spiritual experience and hit me on a personal level as i learn the language of Portuguese, and know the kind of triumph that is.

Anniversario: This week we had the opportunity Wednesday night to celebrate the one year in the mission anniversary with Elder Garlick! I will include pictures, he burned a tie, and we had Pizza and sang and had a jolly old time.

Leadership/Investigators: We have one solid investigator and this week we are so excited to see the work move forward. The lord will always put those in our path he needs to in a certain time, and its all about his will and not our own in the work out here in Brasil. Tuesday night i went on splits with the companion of Elder Alvarado, who i went with on splits last week. Elder Pirerra. We had a missionary leadership exercise and meeting on that night, and with the others out of town and my companion as well, i attended alone with my split. I was able to relate all of our work and even converse with the other priesthood brethren in Portuguese that i know was through the gift of tongues. I was so grateful for that. A true miracle and i even laughed after with my companion on how it wasnt me but the spirit speaking through me. 

Por meu Português amigos: Eu estou preparando todos as dias em minha missão continuar servindo o senhor. Este semana nos estavamos trabalando muito com nosso pesquisadores e os membros também. Nos celebramos a anniversario de Elder Garlick por um ano na missão com pizza e cantando! No terça, nos frequentamos um reunião com outro membros na ala sobre trabalho missionario. Eu espero todas as coisas são bom come vocês especialmente em sua missãos em Brasil ou outro lugars em a terra. Este semana meu mensagem espiritual é sobre obediencia. Leia em D&C 41:5 sobre nosso instrucoês com nosso conveinos. Firme e forte! Eu amo vocês!

Thought of the week: I hope that all will be able to read my Spiritual thought for this week. I encourage and invite all to pray and ask for strength with obedience, we are instructed through prayer that temptations will weaken when we pray and are obedient. (3rd Nephi 18:15) Anyone of any age, young or old, under the direction and influence of leadership of any kind, whether through church, work, or school: Willingly obey and follow the council of your leaders (Hebrews 13:17) Members of the Gospel of Jesus Christ are instructed to "Recieveth my law and doeth it, the same is my disciple." (D&C 41:5) This week remembers our obedience to those we owe favor to, and also remember our freedom to be able to choose such through agency. 

I wish you all the best week and a Happy Fourth of July as well!! Love you all!!