Happy New Year

Family,

Well it was awesome hearing from everyone on Christmas! I really enjoyed it and I hope you guys did too. I also hope everyone was happy and that I didn't leave anyone out. I wish I could have talked to everyone individually but there isn't enough time for that so I hope nobody was disappointed or sad. That was my only worry after I said bye anyways I thought I would be homesick after the call but I haven't been at all which is a good thing. It was awesome seeing the pictures and it made me feel better!

Also I will stay for another transfer in this area and with the same comp... I guess my work isn't done in this area there must be some more people I need to talk to and to learn more and Patience so it’s really going to test me after getting the phone call. Today we spent an hour looking for an Ian House to send e-mails home because half the things are closed until ``carnival`` (it’s like martygraw for us) |Anyways I learned that missions are full of emotions. You experience Joy, Success, accomplishment, happy, loved, but you also experience frustration, failure. I have felt all of those at one time. But looking back I only remember the good feelings. (They erase the ugly ones) and it’s been good. It’s turning me into a stronger person. Anyways Sunday I had to give a talk. After we finished sacrament in our regular ward, a counselor from one of our other ward ran in and said hey can you guys give a 5 min talk in about 10 min. If I remember right I laughed and said no, thinking it was a joke but before I knew it I was standing at the podium giving a talk. It was really, but we gave a talk with another missionary who returnerned 5 days ago so he had a talk all planned out, while we gave our short ugly talks because we didn’t have anything planned.. Anyways my 3 min talk on faith went great!!! Lol and I also found out that I have 2 packages waiting for me but my zone leaders said the still won’t go and get it until next Thursday so not much I can do there. Mom and jc thanks for the letters and jc keep playing hard in your games the varsity coaches are watching! So no pressure lol

But there hasn’t been a lot happening here things are still slow people are gone to their families in other states and so it’s been hard to find lessons to teach. I hope everyone has a Happy New Year! I have a bunch of pic to send so I better work on that. Everyone play safe, and play smart. I love you all it was so nice to hear your voices. Love -JOSH     

Never give up!

Well this week has been full of emotions. Let me start off by telling about the baptism we lost before I talk about anything else. My comp and I were positive we were going to have a baptism for this 8 year old girl. Her older brother and grandmother are members and so we were teaching her with them. Well Friday can around and we went over to do the interview for her. That’s when the grand mother told us she didn’t want her to be baptized and she needed to wait. The grandma told the little girl that she needed to be older so she knew what she is doing and stuff like that. And that she needed to be taught for a longer time. When we showed up at her house and she told us we were very disappointed. She swiped our baptism right from us. The grandma was converted about 4 years ago and was very evangelic. And she holds to their ways a little, but you would think that a member would want what’s best and really push her for baptism because it’s such a good thing. But this lady thinks different. Anyways were not teaching the girl with the grandma anymore just her 16 year old brother and he wants her to be baptized so that’s good. Anyway really quick, Monday night I had an awesome experience, but let me tell you about the day. This whole week it’s been nothing but rain so Monday after lunch we were quickly walking and it wasn’t long before our shoes were totally wet matter of fact 45 min is all it took (haha) anyways it started to turn into a rough day all of our plans kept falling through; we were wet, tired and cold because the wind picked up we tried to knock some doors with no luck. (by the way I was on a division with my leader) But we did have a family night marked at 7 pm. so at 6:15 we began our 45 min walk there by the time we were there the member let us in. He said they couldn’t get us someone to teach, but then the member called us in for some snacks had some snacks and then the Elder leaned over and asked if the girl that was in the other room was a member. I Told him I have never seen her at church and so I asked the member he said no, so after the snack we attempted to teach her. she accepted and we asked her if she has ever been taught. To our surprise she said no. and she has lived with the family her whole life. So this girl who was not dressed very well and who was probably freezing because the lack of clothes she was missing. So we began teaching. at first she had a smart attitude and after a few questions the Elder with me must have made her felt dumb because we taught the same thing 2 times before she started listening. Then after we got done teaching about the first vision she began crying. We were talking about how Christ loves everyone and how he will help us if we let him. she continued to cry for the rest of the lesson about 15 more min. and when her mom walked by she was balling up a storm. The the spirit was so strong. We gave her a BOM and she repeated a prayer that was said. Now this story might not sound like much and probably doesn’t make since. but that night I and my district leader learned something! That God does love all his children. She probably has a rough history with her family and things that she shouldn’t be doing but she felt the spirit that night I know because I could she it in her and this lesson for the both of us came at the end of the day. When we were cold, wet, and tired and it showed us both to never give up early for the day no matter what. Now I don’t know what that girl will do or even if she will let us teach her again but it taught me something that night.

. But everyone I’m doing awesome! I’m happy and I hope you guys are too if I can make it thought the holidays alive I will be able to make it though the mission hahaha, but everyone I love you! have a good week. -Josh

Kelvin

Family,

Well we had another baptism this week! That makes the week better. Anyways Kelvin was baptized and it was really cool. Kelvin is very quiet and chill, at first we though he wasn’t interested. A month ago but after talking to his friends at church we started over with the lessons and now he’s baptized. Although, right before Elder Youngberg and Kelvin entered into the water a kid was looking in the water and saw something and when we started looking closer some littler kid through 6 thumb tacks in and they were all right in the middle, it wasn’t cool. It didn’t look good to Kelvin’s family who are not members. So that was the bad part. We had a better turn out for support there too. I was happy with the amount of people there but Elder Youngberg wasn’t because there really was only 12 other people there. So that’s something Elder Youngberg wants to fix. Anyways we should have a baptism this week as well for an 8 year old girl. Her brother and grandma are members but she’s not so were teaching her.

I also sent my SD card out I hope you get that before Christmas. This week I also saw a ``capivada`` the world’s largest rodent running around in a field that was cool it had babies too. As for our investigators we are really looking for some new people to teach. All of our 7 main investigators are big times smokers, so were praying for a golden investigator with none of those problems. haha

Also that’s cool Nelson will be speaking at the stake conference! I wish I could be there for that one. Sunday night there will be a choir broadcast for a Christmas program and were going to watch it at the church I’m excited to see it. And dad you’re probably right about the stocking and me fitting inside it. lol I’m pretty big now. lol and I’m packing weight on again even though I have gotten up on time everyday and done my exercises. I just keep gaining!! It’s bad lol. IM also sad that those hunting shows that are on TV are fake from what Taylor says lol but I would love to go back east and cherry pick a big buck for the bedroom wall :) :)

But I’m out of time and this computer doesn’t love me today and it’s making it clear so I better go. Oh before I forget the phone call. I will call you the p-day before Christmas give you the number to the house and then we will do a test call to see if it’s all working for Christmas. I want to do it a few days before incase we run into problems so I will buy a small phone card but you will have to buy a big one so you can call me deal? haha I also wrote a better mission ties about the call. But I love you all. Be safe and wear your seatbelts love -Josh

Strength and Struggle

´`Strength and struggle go together. The supreme reward of struggle is strength.´´

Well here we are another week. This week has been a lot better for me and the work is ok. Now To tell you a little about my Thanksgiving because you asked. Ha ha  It was nothing at all actually the member forgot it was here turn to feed us... even after we called the day before so All we got for food was a pork steak fried in oil and was tougher than steel to cut with a knife and plain old rice without any beans and some juice. One of our worst meals so far just had to fall on thanksgiving. :/ Nobody here even knew it was thanksgiving to tell you the truth. Anyways during our lunch I leaned over to E. Youngberg and told him quietly in English Happy Thanksgiving man kind of as a joke but being serious at the same time, the member didn’t eat lunch with us she was in the kitchen working. But I got to eat lunch looking at a 3 year old in front of me and her older brother next to her. The conversation was very dead you could say. Ha ha anyways I didn’t think about it much because I didn’t want it to get to me.

Now about 3 seconds ago I about had a heart attack, this freaking spider came out right next to me and its the size of a dollar coin, ill send a pic. to you. Also we should have a baptism on Sunday we have a pretty good kid lined up. We also have a ton of investigators that just can’t stop smoking. It’s hard to help them when they don’t try and there baptism dates keep falling every week because of it. So that’s kinda hurting us right now.. I did get a pretty good prank on my comp. the other day so I’ll tell you about that. I think it was on Friday, anyways we just got back to the house for the night we were tired and hungry after doing all of our stuff we started cooking some eggs (eggs I know, but it’s all we had) anyways it was about 10 pm now and we heard some loud bangs out in the street. I looked over at E. Youngberg and said `` kinda sounded like gun shots huh`` just in a kidding way. Then he looked back at me when we heard some more and said `´ya man I think those are.``  At this time I knew what they were and could see the fireworks out the window. Also they really don’t sound too close to a gunshot but anyways I was like `´man those sure do I mean listen that one was a shotgun and those small ones are handguns.`´ then right after I said that I was like ´` dude turn the light off! I can see them shooting in the street.`` he like instantly dropped to the ground and crawled over and turned off the lights. So now it’s dark in the house and were under the table almost when I said ``elder... do you want to go watch the fireworks now....?`` and got up, turned the lights on and walked outside. I guess he didn’t think it was too funny because it took him a second to get off the ground and realize that it was a prank. I was laughing so hard!!! man those city kids are sure gullible!! I told him sorry but I just couldn’t help it. But it’s all good now he’s tried to do the same thing but nobody will get me with my own prank. lol

Also its funny you said something about snakes and harmful things. We almost had a incident with a few catapillers. Here you can’t touch them because their hair has a chemical that will burn you and there was one on E. Youngberg’s pants when we were talking to a member and he goes to flick it off and the members about died because he almost touched it. It was funny. They brushed it off with a stick for him.

Well I need to go, thanks for everything and for all the pic. Everyone I love you, be safe on the roads. I know everyone’s busy with different things so I wish you all the best of luck. Once again I love you -JOSH

New Companion

Well we had another baptism. Eloim was one Arroyo and I found. He had been going to church for a few weeks before the member introduced us to him in the other ward. he also was taught by the missionary's a year or two ago and he knew everything so we only taught him 4 times pretty cool though. I have been supper busy with everything and the only time I get some relief is during study time. It’s easy to get lost and forget about everything, mostly in the Book of Mormon! And I’m learning so much. Also Antonio who I baptized a few weeks ago passed the sacrament this last week. He’s really firm!! and it was a awesome thing to see. He’s always reading scriptures for the class and studying the BOM it’s so cool. Anyways I hope you guys have a good thanksgiving tomarrow. Eat a lot of food for me. haha Its crazy you guys have that much snow and wind already. This is the time I would be living in my tree stand!! haha but dad you asked about my new comp. so his name is Elder Jake Youngberg from Oregon, and has one year in the field and that’s about it. I have a mission ties coming that will tell more about him.

Anyways I think I have found every Jehovah Witness here in Brazil now! No joke. But its all good. this last time we asked and showed them scriptures they didn’t have in there bible. They also had a list of question to ask there `prophet`` too lol pretty cool. It’s all been friendly lessons except for one with my zone leader. he was almost in tears when he left. ops...

Yesterday I sent a small package out too so I hope you guys get that. I will also be sending my SD card home either this week or next week. I have to print photos off for some ppl of their baptism and members. So that should be on its way soon. Also a week ago I was at a member’s house and he had me take a looks at his motor bike, his chain keeps falling off and I was going to fix it for him. (sliding the tire back) but then I started looking at it more closely and a bolt was missing from the back wheel sprocket and the teeth one the motor sprocket was almost gone so I really couldn’t fix that for him but he knows what the problem is now. I’m still shocked to hear about the snow and already having to plow it. The first year I leave Idaho for the first time in my life and I miss all the snow my luck right. It would have been easy to get those big bucks!! hahaha anyways I love you all. Be safe on those roads and wear the seatbelts! Good luck with all the food and take pics. Once again I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!! -JOSH

Think Snow

Well its already been another week. Today I got a new companion. Hes from Oregon, Salem. And today was his year mark,so thats pretty cool. I have only been with him for a few hours so I cant tell you a lot about him. But I do have my first impression, and thoughts already. But I will have some work to do now. Anyways this last week with  E. Arroyo was just awesome. We had some good times. I was really sad to say good bye and it was kinda hard. He is a good missionary. Monday he got called to be a zone leader. So I knew before everyone else I would have another comp. Anyways things are diffrent here with the new comp, it just doesnt feel the same. But these next few weeks should be good. I did get a mission ties out yeasterday. I would have on Friday but the post office was closed  Monday because it was another holliday. I also found out that when a holliday comes on a Monday then the post office closes early Friday for some days off, kinda dumb but oh well right? 

 But Jc im glad you made the team. I never heard if you did or not but it sounds like your playing awesome already!! Keep it up! Oh and dad I do remember about the lights. I think we took them down within 10 min! thats a reacord for me!! I also told Jake not to step on  the clips that were on the ground. So im sorry if there broken. lol jk jk But anyways its getting hot like you said. I do have a waterbottle with a filter that I use, so I can get water from anywere really and not have to worry about it. As for the language its slowly coming along but im able to get around pretty good now. But I know theres a reason why im speaking this language. 

 But let me tell a few storys now. The other day I went to another area with E. Arroyo so he could do an interview. Well after he got done we were walking back through a small field along a path when I looked down and saw something glowing. I thought it was just a cig so i stompped it out. ( thinking someone could have started a fire with that) then as I walked a few more feet I saw another so I stomped that one out too! Then I lifted my head up and looked over in the weeds and saw something glowing there too. Then it went dark. Then I saw another, and another ,and another. Then it clicked. Fireflys!!! hahaha so I yelled and ran caught 2 in my hands. The other missionarys were laughing but I thought they were the coolest things ever. And I had to have a pic of them so I put one in my pencil sharpener and brought it home. Now I have pics and a video of fireflys! (And they really do glow when you smash them too!) Anyways we also on Friday helped with another baptism. But the font wasnt filling up fast enough so we ended up using buckets to fill it up. I had 2 buckets that I was dunmping at the same time for 1 whole hour, it was crazy. Not too fun by the way. But we filled it up just in time to put a smile on and greet the members as they walked in. hahaha But last Sunday was really cool. After our sacrament we were talking to the other Ward as they were walking in. and instantly we had 4 diffrent members tugging on our sleves saying they had a friend for us to teach. And 1 of them almost got baptized the same day, but he bailled on us at the last moment. Anyways it was such a blessing for us. We just havent found too many new investigators and that day we gained 5 new ones. It really was a blessing for us. E. Arroyo was like ``dude that was so cool.``! anyways it just was cool.

But im so glad all of you guys went through the temple. That makes me feel so good inside! but it looks like im going to be busy with this new comp. Im going to send a few pics now. Everyone please becareful on the slick roads!!! I love you all. Thanks for everything. Love -Josh

Vanda

Hello,

 This week has been good. We had another baptism. Our neighbor ``Vanda`` was baptized. It was a really good baptism and everything went well. And yes we have been very careful with what we do and where we go. now that we have them baptized we can turn the family over to the ward and they can finish teaching them. But I didn’t want you to worry so I didn’t tell you right away. But things are all good when your being obedient! haha anyways I can’t believe there’s snow!! I could use some of that here! lol Anyways it makes me sick to my stomach to here the neighbor girl died, wow that’s just so crazy to me. but it’s also comforting to know it not the end for her and they can still be with her. I still have a lot to learn about the plan of salvation. Even I have questions sometimes... but I’m learning, but I know it’s just a small part of the plan. There’s so much more after life too. Anyways were writing a little late tonight, because we just got back from the temple. It was such an awesome experience. And the spirit was so strong there. There’s no doubt that Christ loves me and all of us. I also had an interview with Pres. Cordon, and he’s very very chill! During our interview I could see why he was called a Mission Pres. because he has such a strong testimony!! And he’s got me even more excited about the work.

We also had a huge rain storm yesterday and I have never seen anything like it. E. arroyo said it was exactly like a hurricane and there were trees fallen down and we were stuck out on the street. i will be writing a huge mission ties soon about all of it, but I was completely wet almost like I fell in the river. At one time we were standing in water above our shoes. Oh and I also got 2 letters about a hour ago but haven’t had time to open them yet. so I will respond in a mission ties along with grams letter. Tell her thanks so much. But the reason my comp has choir practice is for the mission choir, they sing on Christmas for the whole mission when we get together and also will go to a few areas and sing for the governor and to the city. It’s pretty cool and I almost was in it but bailed out on my comp lol

Baptised Slowly

Well its p-day again. This week has been good again, but no baptisms. But I helped with three others this week. (just preparing things) ours all fell through. But last night we got a supper awesome investigator. So let me tell you about that. First things first, with our area we are actually in charge of 2 other areas. So we really have 3 areas to take care of. These areas dont have missionarys because of the visa problem... anyways we only work in our area unless members from the other wards have a reference. And so last night one of the familys who are in the other ward had a family night and had a non-member over there too. So we got there and began to teach the first lesson. The lady was really excited and really likes the church. (Shes been to church 2 times already) anyways after our lesson she accepted all of our invatations and we set up a baptismal date for her. She said we told her exactly what she was looking for and was excited to read the Book Of Mormon. Anyways after we had dinner, pork,rice,beans,and some salad! yum yum lol anyways we got home a little late but its all good. They drove us home so we didnt have to take the bus. But this family is very good. There awesome and they make our work easy for us. They give us references, rides, food at night lol etc.

Anyways its getting hot here! yesterday I looked at my arms and thought I was a mexican for a min. untill I saw my blond hair in the mirror.! jk jk Oh and last night when we got home we had anothere visitor (lizzard) inside. Haha its good hes inside now, hes got a lot of spiders to eat! we have a huge gecko that chills out side our door every other night too. But yesterday was a holliday. It was the ``The day of the Dead`` or what we call memorial day haha. So no stores were open untill noon. Jc I hope the basketball tryouts are going good! and Jake I hope your working hard in school. Dad Ill make a list of things for my next package, and give it to you next week. Now a funny story, friday my comp and I were helping with another baptism that 2 missionarys had. Anyways one girl was really big, she almost didnt fit in the biggest baptismal suit they had. Anyways they also had an 8 year old girl. Well for the huge girl, they got a big member in the ward to do the baptism. And when she went under the first time her legs came up. So the bishop was like do it again but take your time and go slow. Well the guy took those words literally and her started putting the girl back under the water ``slowly`` but he was having trouble getting her belly and her girls under the water... And all the members cool see what was happening in the mirror. And they were all chanting more, more, more untill she was all the way under. Now by the time everything was under she had been under the water for  10 seconds!!  I was almost laughing out loud with my comp and to top that off the guy had problems getting the girl back up and used 2 arms to bring her up !! Anyways the little 8 year old was simple for the member. But after she was baptized she started swimming around and saying ``this is fun, look im going under again mom``  it was awesome, just awesome haha anyways im going to try to send some pics now. I love you all work hard. The Church is true.

With love -Josh

One more Baptism

OK well 1 more baptism this week!!!! her name is Maria and shes our neighbor. I sent a missiontie out on Monday all bout it, so I wont go into much detail here. But it was a very good baptism! I didn't get any pictures on my camera because the guy didn't push the button down on my camera so I only have one pic that I took. Anyway my comp got a pic so ill send it to you when I get it.  This week has been good tho, we should have more baptisms this week. (we actually have 3 that should be baptized) and we also  have about  3 more who are ready for there baptism next week too, so all we got to do is to get them to church this week!!. yesterday the Jehovah witness stopped us, he said if we didn't show up this Friday he would know were scared and tell everyone how bad our church is. So this Friday we will have one last meeting with the Jehovah witnesses. (or however you spell it) except we have done a little studying this time and marked our scriptures. There's a book that some missionaries have and it teaches how to bible bash... now I know its not a good thing to do but we memorized a few things in case they decide to stop our message and pull the bibles out again but dad like you said the devils presents is so strong and I hate it, it really bothered me when we were there. After we left I had to read the Book of Mormon for a few minutes just to feel better! It seriously is just like you said anyway this week has been good I'm outta time now so I better go. I will respond to everyone in missionties! The church is true! I love you all, play safe and work hard in school Jake and JC! even though its not fun to do its worth it in the end! There are just so many un-educated people here! It's really crazy! Well play safe and read the Book Of Mormon everyday!! Com Amor -Josh 

 

Book of Mormon

Anyways this week while I was reading out of the book of Mormon it really hit me how important the BOM is. One morning after finishing reading from it I was just sitting and thinking about what I just read and how to apply it. That’s when I realized that it is such a great book when you use it right. It’s awesome when you read it but when you apply it to your daily life. That’s when it becomes AMAZING! I started thinking how much better my day goes when I read from the BOM. And then I remembered the days where I was struggling the most or having trouble with the work, those were the days I didn’t read from the BOM. and how it brings the spirit. I just want to let you guys know that I know the Book of Mormon is true. I have a testimony of it and my testimony grows every day when i read out of it. It’s such a amazing book that everyone needs to read for themselves

Conference

OK so the week has been awesome! one more baptism in between confrence session!!!! haha it was very good and ´´jonas´´ was baptised. my comp did the baptism and i was able to enjoy just watching. the spirit was so strong!! anyways i didnt change areas and i was able to stay with my comp. whitch im very gald!  Confrenece was awesome and very good. i think it was the first time actually watching the whole thing... ooops. hahaha but elder scotts talked killed me the most. and it was my fav out of them all. i cheered out loud when the guy hooked the fish on his fly-pole. (it was only me and my comp in the room) i could just picture and feel the fish as if i was the one in the video. anyways it made me a little home sick for fishing... it was like giving a baby his bottle for 30 seconds then taking it away and not letting him have it to finish eatting. but in my case for 2 years! lol but i loved it. i do have about 3 talks that i like.(Pres. Uchtdorf- slowing down.) he used a plane for an example but it was really good. talking about slowing down and focusing on the important things like family and the gosple.

Elder Hope Arrives in the Brazil Curitiba Mission

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Dear Brother and Sister Hope 

We love your son.  Thank you for letting him serve in the best mission in the world.  He arrived safe and very happy.  We have given him one of the best missionaries to be his trainer. We pray that the Lord's choicest blessings will be with your family while he is in the Lord's service.
Warmest Regards
President and Sister Cordon

Your Missionary Arrives at Brazil MTC

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Dear Parents,
We are happy to send the good news that your missionary has arrived safely at the Brazil MTC.  What a great joy and privilege it is to greet each missionary as they come through the front door of the MTC for the first time. We promise to take good care of your missionary.
They now have companions and are settled into their rooms.  They are assigned to a district with capable and caring instructors for language and lesson study.  The branch presidents and their wives, will soon give them a second greeting.  These couples are rewarded in their callings through the love they always develop as they embrace and watch over the missionaries.
The MTC has a full time live-in physician to care for their health needs.  He is assisted by his able wife. We are also happy to report that the Cafeteria food is abundant and very good.
Your missionary will be able to e-mail home on Preparation Day after a morning at the Temple.  This will be either Tuesday or Wednesday, depending on individual assignments.
Your very important young person is about to make an eternal difference in the lives of others.  We hope you will be encouraged and comforted by this quote by President Lorenzo Snow: “There is no mortal man that is so much interested in the success of an elder [sister] when he is preaching the gospel as the Lord that sent him to preach to the people who are the Lord’s children.”
Please accept our love,
President Donald L Clark and Sister Zaza Clark