My mission is honestly one ofthe most amazing experiences of my life and i am so grateful to be able to be here. I am sorry first off that I have not been able to get my group email set up sooner, and that I have not been able to write, The mission is very busy and i have been limited in my time to email. This is my first week out in the feild. I have been called to serve in the costal city of Paranaguá, here in Curitiba South. The weather here is exactly like Hawaii and it is a really third world area. I love my first companion, Elder Dos Santos, who doesnt speak a lick of English.
Para Meus amigos Brasilados: leia baixo in português.
Today marks two months for me in the mission, sorry i havent been able to keep anyone but my close family updated, its been a very busy two months focused on learning Portuguese and getting settled. I wll not try to write too much as to bore you, but my first email will definitely be big, since i am updating you on some of the big things that have happened to me in my experience here in Brazil over the last two months(: After this, i will keep everyone updated in a smaller email in my week to week. For those not wanting to read all of this, i will break it up into parts. I have had many things happend to me over the past 8 weeks as to change my life and i would love for you to read a little about this at least.
My CTM experience and district:
I had the opportunity to serve as a District leader of our large district in the CTM. My district included Elders Eddington, Cannon, Lott, Laney, Guthrie, Rupp, Mackley, and Sisters Johnsen, Cluff, Hurst, and Atwood.All will amazing and different spirits. My companion was Elder Eddington, who is an awesome missionary and made adjusting to the mission life easier for me. I also met lots of other friends who have changed my life including Elders Bangerter, Harvey, Shumway, Blount, Williams, Chaves, Silva, Marhino, the Ramires brothers, Roshdahl, Kelley, Paxton, Snow, Francis, Esteves, Dutra, Waters, Zinn, Kotter, Saunders, Garner, and Lima. I had amazing instructorsand the Language flowed through faith and the help of my friends. I had opportunites like prosolyting in downtown São Paulo, a city bigger than new york, and teaching fake investigators, all in Portuguese. The senior couples in the CTM helped a lot too. especially when i got really sick. I also have a funny story about basketball. Also i got to see my friend from Hurricane, my hometown, Sister Behrman in the CTM, and spend four weeks with her.
Doctrine:
The past few weeks i have recieved more personal revelation than i ever have before in my life. I have learned so much about faith and christlike attributes nd the importance and power that they bring to us. Irmão Duran, my instructor, was a huge help in fulfilling that, along with President and Sister Grahl in the CTm. My portuguese is recieved through the gift of tongues and im so grateful for that.
Field:
In the feild i had the opportunity to have my first companion be an Elder by the name of Dos Santos, who doesnt speak any english. i Live with elders Rodgriguez and Garlick. Rodriguez is from Guadalajar MExico and Garlick from West Bountiful Utah. I am serving in Paranaguá on the coast and the weather is just like Hawaii and its winter here. Our water went out for three days drinking and five days without shower so i was showering with a bucket which was an amazing missionary experience. I laughed after because i never thought i would do that in my life. We attend the gym everymorning now and life is good. My first babtism will be this Saturday and i am so excited for those that we are teaching as they grow in the gospel.
Experiences:
A lot has already happened to me in my mission so far. It has strengthened me in every way and i am so grateful for my trials because of how much im growing. I have:
Prosolyted in the rain
Been denied/cried/been homesick at times
Walked probably 20 miles a day
Gotten sick from the food once
Learned how to speak protuguese and so much more.
Driving here is crazy too, luckily i dont have to drive. I learned how to do that finger snapping thing all misionaries learn how to do too. I play piano for our ward, Samambaya. All in all i have ben strengthened. I am not here for me but for my Father in heaven and the people of brazil. For all my friends, family, and other elders, Read D&C 18:10-23. This is what our purpose is as members and missionaries.
For my friends:
I miss all of you so much and im so grateful for your examples in my life getting me to this pint! I miss you all dearly and i would love to hear from you. Congrats to the class of 17 who graduated! (16 is still better) and my scripture for you this week to read is Mosiah 24:14, whether or not youre struggling.
For my priesthood leaders:
Thank you again for all your examples, your jobs are not always easy but so worth it. I see how your hand in my life is helping those in Brazil as well. I think of many of you often, including your teachings.
To my Family/Extended Family:
I miss and love all of you lots as well. You are all in my prayers and your needs and concerns. Remember the importance of Eternal Families. I have come to learn a lot about this and used it a lot as i teach others about theirs. For my family and anybody ese that wants to: Read 3rd Nephi 18:21 about families.
Para meus amigos Brasilados:
Eu estou tão bom! Em minha missão, estou servindo em Paranaguá. O clima aqui é oi timo, e amo as pessoas aqui também. Faz dois meses eu estou em minha missão. Faz dois meses eu estou no campo. Eu tenho saudade de vocês! Meu Português esta melhorando! Minha experiencia aqui em o campo é loco! Mas, eu amo este areá, e minha companheiros. Meu primeiro companiro é Elder Dos Santos, de Belem. Nos vivemos tambem com Elders Garlick e Rodgriguez. Eu tehno em pesquisador eleito. Ele nome é Filipe. Ajente vai batiza nesta sabado. meu testimuhno é muito forte, especialmente com o dom de linguas. Atraves do espirito santo e ajuda do senhor, eu estou falando com poder e cumprindo meu chamada como missionario. Avisa-me como esta suas missãos!
Forte abraço, -Elder Arscott
I add my testimony that the church is true, the spirit is real and is with us when we are righteous and im so grateful for it. I am grateful for this in my life! Next week my email will be much smaller. I love you all! Keep winning the day and the Church is true!
With Love,
-Elder Arscott
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