Happy New Year

A Happy New Year to all of you out there in my readerland! This last week was a little different, but it was great! We helped the people in São João da Madeira get the spirit of Christmas by singing at every single opportunity. In fact we got a lot more lessons in than usual because at every door we asked to sing to them, and then we taught them after that. Hardly anyone will say no to a Christmas hymn. It was awesome. We also got an opportunity to sing for the patients in our local hospital on Christmas Eve. The first floor we went to, the nurse and security guard weren´t too overly excited about our proposal to sing to the patients, so we asked to sing to them. They then got the spirit and we sang to many other patients. On another floor, the nursing staff was really excited to have us sing to them and they gave us chocolates. It was a wonderful feeling to be spreading good cheer. The patients really lit up and so did the nurses (which has an even longer lasting effect on the patients) So we felt pretty good. Christmas eve we spent in the house of a member with the Elders in our branch. We have a brand new one from the states who doesn´t understand very much at all and so he was struggling a bit. We had bacelhau (traditional codfish) and potatoes and rice and finished it up with all sorts of sweets...Bolo de Rei (traditional fruitcake that everyone except the missionaries likes), puddings, and brownies (that we brought to spice up the party a bit). Then we enjoyed a few rousing hands of UNO. Everyone was cheating unashamedly and it made for a very enjoyable game. The winner couldn´t really take any credit because he/she had inevitably been hiding cards up the sleeves or practicing some other type of deceit. It was really quite enjoyable. Then we taught them how to play speed with Barbie cards. They were really cute and reminded me of all of my little princesses.
Christmas day was also great. We had some great talks on the Savior and it is always wonderful to sing Christmas hymns. I really love it. I also really appreciated being able to partake of the sacrament and think about the Savior on the day the world is celebrating His birth. I felt really bad for all of the people who missed out by sleeping in and forgetting the real meaning of His life and sacrifice. We then had an amazing lunch in the house of Isabel and Joaquim Moreira. I have decided that Isabel is the best Portuguese cook I know, and there are a lot of good cooks here. She made the only bacelhau that I have ever asked for seconds (This makes sense to all of those who know of my extreme distaste for things that come out of the water--or all types of fish and sea food) It was wonderful, as was the rice(I haven´t yet gotten the recipie, so I don´t know how you can make rice different, but it was great) the potatoes and even the meat. Then she brought out the deserts, rebanados, cake, pudding, everything was not only beautiful to the eye, but also to the mouth. I´m really excited for Sunday when she has promised to give me all of these recipies.

After lunch we taught a couple of lessons and then got to talk to our families. This conversation with our families almost didn´t happen, as we have been experiencing difficulties with our phone. A couple of weeks ago we arrived home and discovered that we had no idea where our cell phone had gone. We then spent an eventful night and later discovered that the phone had been in my jacket pocket the whole time (sheepish grin) I felt pretty dumb. However, this was by no means the end of our telephone adventures...On Thursday, we went to Porto for transfers and Sister Schneiber who had been treating an issue with customs about a package sent to her forgot to return the phone and so took it with her to Viseu. She sent it in the mail to us and luckily it arrived on Friday as that was the number we had given to our families to call and the mail isn´t delivered on Saturday. Then that night, in an added moment of stupidity, I dropped the phone and it hit the heater on the way to the floor, making it unfit for use. We were sufficiently worried that we would not be able to talk to our families, but a kind youth in our ward lent us his phone and we transfered the SIM memory card from ours to his and luckily were able to complete the transaction. We then got to take an extra trip to Porto to arrange a new phone which we are treating with the utmost care and caution. Bit of excitement there, but in the end we were able to have great conversations with our family and to feel of their love. THANKS!!

So, things are going well here. I am teaching a lot more in our contacts because I know the area better than my companion, so it is a different feeling. You feel a responsibility and a weight and more involvement in the work in that way. My language has been improving a lot because of this extra exercise. I was reading the Ensign the other day and I am just struck sometimes with the Global nature of the Church. This really is the kingdom of God on the earth. I know that Jesus Christ lives and that this is His church that I am representing. You may ask, how is it that she know these things. I have received a witness of the truthfulness through the Spirit after much prayer and fasting and now I can say for a surety that I do know. It´s a great feeling. Love you all! Keep up the good work!

Beijinhos!!(the only ones Samuel is allowed to receive from a Sister missionary)

ellen

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Transfers....and...I´m.....still here

So we had transfers this week and I lost Sister Schneiber to Viseu. I will miss her, but I did get Sister Phillips from Braga. She is from Orem Utah and is really funny. We are really excited to be able to serve together. So, that´s the exciting stuff. We also got to see all of the sisters together because we all transfered and Sister Landro and Sister Toler are going home today. It was a good time.

So, exciting things that happened this week... We finally got in touch with this family that I´ve been dreaming about for weeks. Julietta was the Relief Society President that when she was released went inactive. She and her family are not happy and I want so much to give them the happiness that they can have. Sometimes we lose sight of why we do what we do in the church and with this comes discouragement and overwhem-ment. The activities and parties and missionary work, and everything that we do is really aimed at helping us understand the Atonement. The sacrifice of Jesus Christ is central --o ponte central-- of the plan of happiness that our Father prepared for us. All of these other things are to help us be more like Him, to help others come unto Christ, to help us be perfected in Him. They are important, but are appendages.

In this time of Christmas spirits there are many things we can think about. The first level is the Christmas lights, trees and presents, the outward signs of celebration of material things...these things pass. Then there is the second level, the baby Christ child, the Christmas story, carols. However, the third and last level is the most important and that is the Living Christ, our Savior and Redeemer who lived and died and lived again so that we could follow His example. I´m so grateful for His love for me, for his patience and guiding hand in my life, thoughts and actions. I am also so glad for my forever family! Thank you also to all of my friends and family (future and present) who have remembered me in prayers, cards and packages. I am so blessed. Merry Christmas in all levels to all of you--especially my favorite Brasilian trainer Élder Thompson. Love you!!

ellen

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Samuel: ários--Joseph Smith and Jesus Christ--

Oi Família,
This time of year is a very special time to think of why this life is important to us. Only because of the birth of Jesus Christ and later his atonement can we have the chance to return to our loving Heavenly Father again. The atonement makes this life meaningful and full of purpose. I am so grateful to have the privilege to celebrate this wonderful day and also the day of the Prophet Joseph Smith and all that he did to restore the gospel of Jesus Christ. Truly the words of John Taylor ring true--Joseph has done more save Jesus only for the salvation of man than anyother man that lived (D&C 135).

I am so very grateful for all of my blessings of knowing of these things and having the blessings of the Lord poured out upon me. Just through a few simple righteous choices, the windows of heaven are opened and the bleesings come pouring down. With those blessings come the hardships of life that we go through in life. Those hardships are for our good and for our profit because the Lord seeth fit to try his children in all things. I love this gospel and I love the opportunity I have to share that love with others. I am trying to do what is right because of the will of God and not because of the will of others or of myself.

Obedience is the first law of heaven and benefits you. The second is the law of sacrifice which is in benefit of others. The third is the law of consecration which is done because of the will of God. The third is my goal.

I love you family and am excited that the Lord is blessing us so much. May the windows of heaven continue to be opened as we do little things in our lives like reading the scriptures (finished with the Book of Mormon?), praying daily, and going to church. The Lord uses simple things to bring about the salvation of many souls (Alma 37: 6-7). The Lord loves us and it is up to us to show him that we love him.

Martha-I absolutely love those pictures. All the girls look like you especially the freckles and Charles looks like the spudster. Thanks so much.
Mom-You will be calling between 2:00-2:10. I will there at that time. This is the phone number again (012) 3939-1632 or (12) 3939-1632. I don´t know if the zero goes in there or not. I absolutely love the make your own tree. That was so awesome and my companion did too as well as the Trail to Bethelem. Thanks so much.

Merry Christmas to you all--Its the birth of Jesus Christ and the remembering of the Prophet Joseph Smith.

Com Amor,
Elder Thompson

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Samuel: Life Goes TOO FAST!!!!

Oi Família,
I am very sorry about not having a chance to email you all last week because my email account was not working and especially on the most exciting week of my mission. December 4, Elder Ackerman and I were privileged to have two of our investigators baptized. YEAAAAHHHOOOOO!!!!! Johnson and Neto are our investigators and they are both very strong in the faith. It was very very special. On Tuesday the 6 there were transfers. Elder Ackerman was going home as his two years were up and I was somewhat anxious about my new companion. I did not expect what was coming.

I am now the district leader and a trainer. I was floored. I only have six months and am still a long ways from learning the language. I am training Elder Rodriguez from Sandy, Utah. He is American even though the name is hispanic (his grandpa is from Mexico). I am dealing with my responsibility and am learning very quickly to put my trust in the Lord. I can´t do it all alone, I would go crazy--leading a district means I need to have good numbers for other missionaries to follow and being a good example as well as being a trainer means you do most of the leading, paperwork for the first little bit. I like to call Elder Rodriguez my son. Yep, I am the dad. Hehe. So much is happening all at once that I just have to pray hard and then hold on and enjoy the ride. This last week I confirmed Neto a member of the church and that was a very special occasion. The work is great, the challenges are greater, and the rewards are the greatest. I am happy to hear that happiness and busyeness abound in our family, it wouldn´t be our family w/o those things. I am going to make this short as I have limited time today but I wanted to let you know that I love everyone of you very much. I am finishing reading the Book of Mormon in Portuguese outloud. I am pretty excited about it.

Com Amor,
Elder Thompson

Martha-It is easier to use the address of the mission and here it is
R: Caa-Açu, 229
Belenzinho-São Paulo-SP
03171-020
BRASIL
I am very excited to see the pictures.

Mom- This is the number (012) 3939-1632. I don´t know the code for Brazil which you will have to use to call internationally but it should be easy to find. I can only talk for 30 minutes as that is a rule for all the missions in the world and It would be good to call at 2:00-2:15 in the afternoon as it will be 7:00 here. I think that will work with Ellen´s schedule. Let me know if that will work. I did get two packages, card for Thanksgiving and a card for Christmas and that awesome trail that leads to Bethlehem. Joseph and Mary will always be rightside up so there Ellen, oh excuse me, Sister Thompson! hehehehe. Thanks, Mom for everything that you do.

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Perpetual education help

So, I forgot to write about a favor.... We have an awesome sister in this branch named Paula. She is the young womens president and is the divorced mother of two boys. She is working and going to school at the same time so that eventually she can become a family therapist. She and her husband are both members and they went through a hard time. They tried to find counsellors, but here in Portugal the pickings are slim and none of them had a gospel base, and in the end they got a divorce. Her dream is to be able to stop this kind of thing happening to other people here in portugal. She is in the process of applying to BYU and/or LDS Business College and doesn´t know anyone in the United States. So what she really needs is:
A place to live close to BYU or LDS BC (cheap, but nice)
A Sponsor
A good job that she can make enough to support the three of them on the 20 hours a week that a student visa allows

I was thinking that perhaps if we can´t find anything closer to BYU, she could maybe stay in Grandma and Grandpa´s basement, but I don´t know what they would think about that. If any of you have any great ideas, I would love to hear them. aka...little old grandmas whose children don´t visit often enough and need someone to cook a meal once in a while in exchange for a place to live...ect. Let me know ASAP. We´re working on getting her admission papers and everything in order. She is a smart cookie and she speaks English well (she got 239/300 on the TOFFEL) And she is a strong member of the church who wants to come back and help the church grow here in Portugal. Basically she is doing what the perpetual education fund does, but they don´t have it available here in Portugal yet. So yeah.... Love you!!

ellen

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Happiness

Well, this week I´ve been learning a lot about happiness and how it is that we can have this wonderful gift in our lives. On Monday we had a wonderful district meeting that treated the subject. A couple of the scriptures Elder Murphy used (he is the son of the baseball player Dale Murphy) were in 2 Nephi 4:15-35 and Alma 24:29. In 2 Nephi, Nephi is feeling real great and riding high and everything and then he thinks about all of his weaknesses and drops into the "pit of despair" and loses sight of his objective, but then remembers that it is the devil that wants us to be sad, and he picks himself back up and keeps on working.
^^^^^^^^^^_______^^^^^^^^^^ (nephi´s happy line)
In Alma, he is talking to his missionary son (which had special significance to us) and he says not to worry about things, or to worry about them just enough to change things for the better. In this case there is the happiness and the pit of despair, but in between in a godly sorrow line that is just low enough for us to repent and then bounce back to our happy line again.
Like this: ^^^^^^^------^^^^^ (instead of ^^--______--^^^)
Anyway, it´s hard to explain in type, but we can´t linger in the valley of sorrow.

I also was studying in 1Nephi 8 and found some great happiness advice/counsel...verse 4 Lehi is in the dark and dreary wilderness (in portuguese it is translated dark and sad) and he´s really bummed out, but then he finds the solution to this sorrow in prayer and in response to his prayer in verse 10 he sees the tree whose fruit is desirable to make one happy. That´s great fruit! So, what is the fruit?? it is the love of God (1 Ne 11:21-22) or in other words charity. There is then a direct link between our happiness and our love for other people, and we notice in Lehi´s dream that his first thought is to share this happiness he has found with those around him (especially his family). Anyway, it is a great study..(other great references, Alma 5:26, moroni 7:45-48, 1 Cor 13) In the end really it seems as if all that we do in this life must have direction in order to be worth anything. The power that gives faith, knowledge, and patience direction is love. In this manner we give without expecting anything in return and our giving is focused by the pure love of Christ that we have in our hearts as a gift from the Father. This type of giving gets in return happiness, which is the perfect reward because we can only receive when we give without expecting anything in return.
As a result of all of this happiness studying, my week really was a lot happier because I remembered what the steps were. It really was a good week, nothing to overly exciting happened, but it was really positive. Sister Scheiber and I are absolutely sure that one of us will be transferred on the 23rd (we don´t know which) because we are getting along so well together and we´ve been here for a while, so in response to your question Mom, I don´t know what my number is to give to you, but I will know next thursday ( it is difficult when transfers fall three days before christmas) I´m thinking a call at 11:00 or noon would be good because it will be 7-8 here, but it also depends on when Samuel gets to call, let me know when his call is and if you want to hear from me before or after...It will all work out Also, thanks so much for the advent calander... Mary and Joseph are having fun going to Bethlehem upside down without Samuel to turn them into their upright position. Also, thanks a whole bunch Martha for the pictures and the package which arrived on the same day. It made me all warm and toasty inside and out. (ha ha ha) So, basically that´s it for today--BE HAPPY (have love) which means I have every right to be the happiest girl on earth because I have so much love for so many people, not the least of which is my HUGE family (in comparison to the one or two children families here). Also a very happy birthday to a very cute boy Caleb! And that´s the end.

ellen

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nothing to report..except exciting stuff

We´ve been keeping ourselves really busy and we have had some great experiences this week. I did get a package this week and a great little Christmas tree from Mom. Thanks so much for your love and thoughts. Martha, I will be at this same address:
Ave Dr Renato Araujo 369-3ºfte 3700-244 São João da Madeira
at least until two days before Christmas, and in the event that I am transfered at that time, the sisters will make sure that I get the pictures. I´m so excited to see all of my beautiful girlies and my handsome lad. Also, I still do want them, thanks a million! Anyone else who wants to send me pictures would never be turned away to be sure. If they are sent in the mail I can keep them in my album of love as it is difficult to find somewhere to print photos off the internet, but either place, it is wonderful to see pictures of my family/friends...

So, on to the happenings of the week that flew by...We had a great Christmas conference on Tuesday and were greatly fed. We got to see the First Presidency Christmas Fireside which was amazing and shows you that we really have a prophet on the earth today who guides and directs the church and is not swayed by anything man can do. I always love hearing the prophet speak because I can feel the truth of his words. It is watching scriptures be written. Then we had a great chillie lunch and then listened to the words of President and Sister Green. It was absolutely amazing. They talked about being prepared, about making room for the essential things, choosing the best and not just the good. There are 2 daily, 2 weekly, and 2 monthly things as well as 1 every 2 years. The 2 daily things are to pray and read our scriptures. Whenever anyone is really miserable (which misery comes from sin) the things they have faulted are these two. They are not just helpful, but neccessary for our day-to-day functioning. The 2 weekly essentials are to partake worthily of the sacrament and have family home evening (on Monday if at all possible). It is good to be with our family on other days as well, but Monday has been set apart and unless we really cannot get out of another commitment (such as mandatory work, ect) we should meet on Monday. The monthly essentials are to pay a full and honest tithe and to go to the temple (even more often if possible) He said that even here in Portugal with the temple 8 hours away it is not only possible to go once a month, but must happen. The every two year essential is obviously to renew our temple recommend, and to always be worthy during this time. Doing these things first, we will then have room for many other good things, maybe we will have to give up some at certain points of our lives, but we can have the peace and rest now in this life that is talked about in Moroni 7:3.

Antonio,one of the investigators marked for baptism is really finding his testimony. He has been talking with the sisters for over a year now I think and all of that time, really was only convinced that this was the right way, now he is having trials and being humbled by them. With these trials he can no longer just be convinced, he has to tap into the power of the atoning sacrifice of Christ to be able to stand. It is amazing to me how the Lord works to help His children truly come unto Him. There comes a point when one has to choose. President Greene also talked about the Atonement and how we really need to make sure we are helping our investigators gain that help and comfort that is only available through Jesus Christ. In the end, all that we teach is secondary to the all important gift that we received from Christ. This is why we´re here in Portugal to help these beautiful people come unto Christ and through His atoning blood be sanctified, purified, and perfected. This is what life is all about.

The Book of Mormon is true!! Congratulations Dad on your successful completion! We have been extending this same challenge to just about everyone we work with. One less-active we are working with Kázakõ is discovering for herself the joy and peace in that book. She has to read 5 chapters a day to finish, but is finding more faith, fewer doubts and a greater desire to keep the commandments--which in turn is bringing greater happiness that she felt before. It doesn´t mean that she is free of problems, and of doubts, but she is closer now, and there is an inner peace that is irreplacable. I love that book and the more I read it, the more it has application to me and the more I love it. It was written for us to help us in our day to grow closer to Christ...to utilize His atonement. The gospel is so simple!!

Hope everyone is feeling the Christmas spirit. We put up the little tree that must have been left from the sisters last year. It´s pretty--and makes us think of Charlie Brown. I feel very lucky that for Christmas this year, my gift to people will be salvation and eternal life through the gospel of Jesus Christ. It´s a great feeling. Love you all and thanks for your love and support!

ellen

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The novel that is my mission

Mom tells me that my experiences sound like a novel. If a novel, than this week sounds like Jane Eyre. We came home on Tuesday, smiling up at our Christmas lights as we headed down the hill. We saw a stir around the corner from our apartment and like the obedient missionaries we are, avoided large crowds and went into the building. Stepping into the elevator we were greeted by smoke--not an uncommon occurrance as half of the population here smokes and some uncurteously do so inside the public parts of our building. However, during the ride up to our apartment we decided that it didn´t smell like the varieties of cigarrette smoke we had become accustomed to. Opening on our hallway we were met with a haze of the same unpleasant smoke. We then put two and two together and decided that the hub-bub outside accompanied with firetrucks must have been gathered outside the garage door that leads under our apartment complex and that something there must be on fire. We knocked on our neighbor´s door and she was unaware of any happenings and so we headed back down to ´see what was the matter` On the street the smoke billowing from the afore mentioned garage entrance was blacker and blacker and, during the twenty minutes we waited to see if the situation would resolve itself, more firemen and engines were arriving. We decided after consulting with our district leaders that the best thing to do would be to wait out the night in a safe, smoke free place. We then headed back into the smoky building and gathered the few of our few possessions that we could not replace and headed to the house of a member who lives nearby. It was all kind of surreal, and a bit liberating to leave our building with the few things with us that really matter in the world (scriptures, pictures, letters) and an extra skirt. Your really see what matters in life. Anyhow, we had a great pajama party at Ana´s house and during our studies in the morning we received the following text message from the district leaders:
Blue tiger to mother bird, blue tiger to mother bird, come in, do you read? Is everything alright?

to which we replied:
Mother bird to blue tiger. All the hatchlings are safely under the Ana-wings. Studies are flying high. No word yet on the charred nest-tree. Will send word by sparrow.

and then returning to our house later that day:
mother bird to blue tiger. Nest-tree still intact. Happy day, all is well. Smooth sailing and clear skies.

Our house which had a bit of a haze when we came in to retreve our belongings the night before was clear and only with the faintest trace of smoke. So, not to worry, we still do have a house and our lungs are still relatively clear, or no worse off than normal, and we have been getting our exercise by walking up and down the stairs as the elevators are still a bit hazy. Just another day in the life of the novel missionary.

This week I also finished the Book of Mormon again and it is still true... in fact to me it is even more important than the last time that I read it. That book is really a marvel and I´m so excited that members and non-members the world over are changing their lives and turning closer to Christ by reading it. I´m so grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ and for the love that I feel daily. I´m also grateful for the opportunity to share the happiness that I have with the lovely people in Portugal. I love you all!

ellen

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Samuel: From Brazil With Love

Oi Família,
and how was turkey day? Sister Thompson even had turkey day. That´s really cool. I can say that we remembered but noone else in Brasil did-Thanksgiving is only an American Holiday. Missionaries don´t have a lot of money and so we couldn´t buy really anything to celebrate but as long as we remember what Thanksgiving is all about, that´s what really matters.

This last week was a tough one in the life of the missionary because the investigator that we were preparing for baptism broke the Word of Wisdom the night before his baptism. We helped him get married and he decided to have a party after it but his friends who are not members of the church celebrate in the ways of the world and he joined with them but the story isn´t half bad. I think this event had to happen because he was very sad after it and he is repenting a lot. This made he very humble, more than he was before. It has prepared him even more for baptism and hopefully we will have two baptisms this next week. I will tell you how it turns out. I did learn that the Devil will fight to the end and attacks only on the fronts that are the weakest in our lives. It is our decision to make a stand when that temptation or storm hits and its good to make that decision before the squall arrives. I am so very grateful for the experiences that I am having on my mission. I am learning patience, love, humility, diligence, time-management, planning, and how to be like Christ. That is truly amazing and wonderful.

This is the last week before transfers and my companion will be returning to his home in Logan, Utah honorably. Next week, when I write I will have another companion. It means I will be starting another adventure and I will be learning many new things. I am very excited about that. I love you all.

Elder Thompson

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