Nova Area! Novas Responsabilidades!; Mission Weeks 29 & 30; Area: Dalcol; Ponta Grossa, PR, Brasil

Howdy Y'all! I know its been quite awhile since my last email so let me get you caught up.

Two weeks ago all us missionaries in Ponta Grossa got together at one of our churches and talked for about an hour finding out where everyone would go and what everyone would do etc. As we waited some played Football while the rest of us continued to talk waiting on the Van to show up from Curitiba with all the new missionaries. When the Van finally arrived we all got excited and that's when I met my 6'6" tall companion Elder M. Cutler. I have to specify which Cutler I am talking about now since there are two of them that I know. We talked briefly and then got lunch with the other Elders and then went to our apartment/home. We live in a house/apartment that is behind the Bishop's house and above a family of the church as well. There is a cat that meows super loudly and his name is Jeremias, but he is a very kind cat. The rest of our P-day we spent shopping and talking to family. I then mentally prepared myself for the first District Council meeting that I had to run. Did I mention that I am a District Leader. 

To explain how things work here on the mission we have classifications for every missionary. New missionaries are considered Trainees, after their training they become Junior companions. A missionary who has more time than their companion is called the Senior companion. A District Leader is a missionary who is placed in charge of a small group of missionaries normally 3 other companionships. Then comes the Zone Leaders who take care of a larger group of missionaries and works closly with the District Leaders in their zone. A Zone is normally made up of 3 Districts. Above the Zone Leader are the Assistants to the President. They with the Mission President take care of all the missionaries in the mission. So yeah thats the basics.

I was called by the Mission President and he asked me if I would be willing to be a District Leader (You basically cant say no), and so I became the District Leader. It's not too bad its pretty easy I just have to take care of everyone in my District which consists of Elder Jenkins e Elder Araujo in Uvaranas, Sister Cardoza e Sister Flor in 31 de Março/Jardim Florença, Elder D. Cutler e Elder Speirs in Paraíso, and I e Elder M. Cutler here in Dalcol. Its nice I've gotten to be with Elder D. Cutler for my entire mission so far and its honestly been a blessing. Don't know what I'd do without him. I've had days where I have felt stressed and frustrated and if it wasnt for Elder D. Cutler I probably would've lost it. We truly help one another in many ways and the Lord truly blessed us to still ne together.

Another person I have to thank is Elder Jenkins. Over these past two weeks he has been the most patient and loving. He helps me and guides me and always gives the advice that I need. I could not be leading this District nor dealing with this area without his help and his counsel. I truly have to thank him for all the hard work he does and how loving he truly is. I couldn't do what I do without his support and care.

Anyway, so that first night I ran the meeting and it went by smoothly and then we went to bed where I mentally prepared myself for the week. I was not truly prepared for what was to come the first day. I was in a new area, training a brand new Elder M. Cutler, and having to continuously talk to all the missionaries at the same time. Dalcol is a very large area. It is made up of about 15 neighborhoods and the futhest out we go is a little more than 2 hours away. So for an area thats pretty big and yeah a lot to tackle with no knowledge of the area. The first few days went well we struggled to talk with a lot of people, but it slowly got better and better. We found an amazing family, the Rogalskis, they have such an incredible story that I'll have to explain at another time. They have had so many struggles and trails through their lives and when we met them they received us so nicely. We talked with them and got to know them a little better and then they went to church with us. I will never forget when the Mom said, "When I walked through the doors I was filled with an overwhelming sensation of peace and comfort as if I was at home." Hearing that made me so happy, and they are just incredible. I have seen so many great and marvelous things on my mission so far and they are one of those. Also during that first week we did splits with Elder Jenkins e Elder Araujo. I went with Elder Araujo and man is he cool. Before the mission he went into the military into the horse division or something and he is just a funny and intelligent guy. We also had a mini Bible Bash completely in Spanish because a Venezuelan Lady couldn't speak Portuguese so Elder Araujo spoke Spanish with her and it was interesting, but we left with an invitation to come back, so I think it went well. That Sunday we introduced ourselves to everyone in the Ward and yeah that was the end of Week 1

Week 2

Started off with multiple meetings for me and then another day of shopping this time with Elder D. Cutler and Elder Speirs. After we had a churrasco with our Stake Presidency whom I know very well. It was very good food. The next few days kinda flew by and my time every night to relax shortens. I find myself constantly having to work up until 10:30 our bed time. When I say work I mean I have to both know everything that is going on in all areas in my district as well as check up on all the missionaries and see how they are doing and if they need help. I've had to send voice messages checking up on the Sisters from time to time. It also helps that I know their area like the back of my hand and since they are also both new there I have been able to help them when they needed. 

On Thursday we did splits with Elder D. Cutler e Elder Speirs and it went very well. Elder Speirs went with me and since he is also super new of course I forced him to only speak Portuguese and talk to basically everyone, but I was very impressed by him and his fearless dedication. We met a lot of great people and had a wonderful time. He has strong testimony of the gospel and such an incredible life story. 

Friday, we went to the temple and man it was funny. Our bus driver showed up so late, and then he stopped halfway to Curitiba for a smoke break, and then he took us to the wrong place before finally we arrived at the temple. After which we had Zone Conference and then returned home. The rest of the week kind of flew by in a blur, but it was still awesome. That's basically the sum of the two weeks. It's been stressful and rough, but still amazing. I am still studying Christ-like attributes everyday and its truly helping me become a better person. I strive to always help one another and to be an example. I may be harder on myself than others, but its all to the benefit of myself. I wish I didnt feel like so much was on my plate, but its because there truly is and that is something I gotta figure out. Anyway, I'm trying to relax the rest of this day and destress so I'll talk more or less next week. 

Pictures!!

1. A bunch of teens we talked to who wants to play soccer with us

2. Elder Cutler sleeping in the house of our lunch before lunch

3. A sticker that's supposed to represent me given to me by Sister Cardoza

4. Elder Rizo-Patron sleeping on the bus going to the Templo

5. Just a cool wall

6. More teens that we talked to

7. Division!!

8. I (Elder Hyatt) holding Elder Batman Escuridão (thats the name we have the puppy)

9. Me with more teens/Kids praying soccer in the street

10. My district with our Stake Presidency eating churrasco!!

Oh Dear, I Got Transferred!; Mission Week 28; Area: Dalcol, Ponta Grossa, PR, Brasil

Howdy Y'all, so I don't have too much time. I'll go in more depth next week, however, I got transferred! I am still in the same Stake but I moved to another area right next to the one I was in. My new area is called Dalcol. It's a massive area and I don't know anyone here. On top of that, I had to part ways with the beloved Elder Jenkins and now I am training a brand new missionary. His name is Elder Cutler, and no it's not the same as my first companion Elder Cutler. This Elder Cutler is crazy tall, great at basketball and skiing, and pretty funny. I know it'll be a great companionship. 

ON TOP OF THAT, I was called to be a District Leader. So now I have to take care of all the missionaries in my district and also relate everything, everyday, to the Zone Leaders, missionaries who are in charge of the entire zone (most of the city). Pretty crazy! It's why I haven't had much time. Next week I plan to go into more depth, but it's been a little stressful. 

We already got a little lost trying to walk home from shopping, so yeah, this will be fun. Anyway, I got to go, unpack, and prepare for the week, and I'm making pasta, so I'll talk to you all next week!

Os Poderosos!

Tree of Life in the sidewalk

Elder Cutler (1), Elder Cutler (2)

                                                       

Elder Cutler (1), Elder Cutler (2), Elder Jenkins

New Shirt and Tie

                                

Wet, Rainy, hot

         Picking up an investigator from her home one Sunday morning

                                    

                                                                        Tacos

6 Months!!; Mission Week 27; Area: Uvaranas, Pontas Grossa, PR, Brasil

 Hey howdy hey during this past week I passed 6 months here on the mission. I'll tall about things I've learned towards the end.

This past week has been great. Elder Jenkins and I have basically been "running" everywhere talking with people and meeting families and members of the church. It's  been great because Elder Jenkins has kinda been throwing me under the bus helping me get better. It may sound like it's horrible, but it's been very beneficial because I've been learning how to teach and help people better in a manner that is clearer and simple. I at times complecate things and this whole week has been Elder Jenkins just telling me to be simpler. I have been seeing the difference though and it's been great to help me build more confidence and actually trust in myself and what I know. This week has also been great because we got to go visit some people with the new Bishop. (A Bishop is like a pastor and nothing like a pastor. He doesn't own the church, but is a member who was asked to serve for 5 years volunteering and helping all the members of the ward. They do not get paid and they don't get anything different except they have a responsibility to help the members of the church.) So we got to go out and visit with Bispo Thales and Irmão Teru and man was it awesome. They both carry so much spirit with them and truly know how to help and connect with people. 

We also went to the temple this week and helped the Sisters in their area where we found members who recently moved to their area and they didn't know there was a church nearby. It's was great talking with them and I got to get a picture holding a real fencing sword that was made from France, pretty cool right. 

This past Saturday and Sunday we had General Conference. It's when the Prophet, Apostles, men and women of the church give brief discussions about Jesus Christ and how His gospel can help and change our lives in multiple different ways including in the home and with family. It is always such a wonderful opportunity and since I've been on the mission I've been studying all the past Conference talks and they truly offer guidance and help when you need it. If you want to listen to some you can download an app called Gospel Library (Biblioteca do Evangelho). Trust me it's awesome. Anyway, we were going and watching Conference with many people throughout the day. Sunday after the last session of General Conference we had the baptism of Larissa e Maxwell. It was a blessing because Maxwell and Larissa fought before we got to the church and so Maxwell wasn't not in the best mood, but Elder Jenkins got on his knees with him and they said a prayer together and his mood changed to being so happy. Italo (one of the youth in the ward preparing to serve a mission next year) was there and had the opportunity to baptize Larissa. It was funny because we didn't have enough time to fill up the font all the way with water and we forgot to turn the heater on, so it was a little cold . It went very well however and they both really enjoyed it. Yeah that was basically my week.

Anyway the past 6 months:

Man when I think about the time I realize it has flown by. It only seems like yesterday I was with Elder Cutler in the MTC and now I'm starting the last week of my 4th transfer. Man it's strange to think about, and honestly I've had a wonderful experience so far and have learned many things from many people and my companions. I had thought about explaining it all here and now, but with the limited time that I have left today it will have to wait until my 1 year mark. I would like to reflect on this transfer and what I plan to work on and take with me into the rest of the mission. This transfer with Elder Jenkins has been great and necessary. As I have explained I truly needed his help for the betterment of my own self. My focus has been adjusted. What I mean by that is my purpose here and who I am and who I want to become. Our whole purpose on this earth is to become like Christ, but I realized just how little I was actually doing to achieve that goal. We study the scriptures daily and let me tell you how much it has changed my mornings and has given me the guidance I have needed daily. Now we don't have anything in specific to study, but just studying in general helps. My main focus over the past 2-3 weeks has been on Christ-like attributes, and how much I lacked them. I never realized how important it is to have Charity, the pure love of Christ, not just for some people but for all people and yourself. The concept of Charity is so much more important than we realize, but I'll leave it at that for now. 

Today I was studying Humility, well it began with Humility and quickly changed into a study of Pride. Anyway let's begin with Humility. To be humble is to recognize gratefully our dependence on the Lord. It is the acknowledgement that our talents and abilities are gifts from God. It is an indication that we know where our true strength lies. In the literal definition it means, 'to make meek and teachable, or the condition of being meek and teachable.' Humility is a sign of spiritual strength because you are fully trusting in the will of the Lord. When you humbly trust Him and acknowledge His power and mercy you can have the assurance that his commandments are for your good. You are confident that you can do whatever the Lord requires of you. You are willing to trust His chosen servants and follow their council. I know that being humble is not easy because it is so natural to be Prideful. It's funny to think about since everyone makes it seem like there are two types of pride. Pride in yourself and Pride for something such as like school, family, etc.. Pride is a very misunderstood sin, and many are sinning in ignorance. In the scriptures there is no such thing as righteous Pride. It is always considered a sin. Therefore no matter how people may use the term, we must understand and realize how God uses the term. Pride is to put greater trust in oneself. Pride is competitive. Pride is to seek to have more and presume that you are better than other people. Pride is characterized by 'What do I want out of life?' rather than by 'What would God have me do with my life?' It is Self-will as opposed to God's will. The proud wish God would agree with them. They aren't interested in changing their opinions to agree with God. "Pride doesn't look up to God and care about what is right. It looks sideways to man and argues who is right."- President Ezra Taft Benson. I know this was a lot, but truly stop and think about what you are doing. Are you caught up in your own Pride? Are you submitting to the Lord even through the toughest times? Are you Humble? I would beseech all to contemplate what you are doing and what you can do to be more meek and lowly of heart and more grateful. 

Anyway here are some scriptures I was reading and studying when I had these thoughts: John 5:30; James 4:6,10; Alma 5: 27-28; Mosiah 4:11-12.

Anyway I finally made a Google fotos thing so here is the link: https://photos.app.goo.gl/RsbD9gUFvaoUHSvJ6

Photos: