Alma 37:6

Well it sounds like everyone is doing good and doing things before school starts. I’m a little surprised Crue likes Utah. I hope he doesn’t get attached to Utah, because he’s going to have to move back to Idaho in a few years. I had a little stressful weekend, it seemed like with my talk and then preparing for the District Lesson but after it was all over I could really relax. Everything went really good in the end I’m not sure why I stress with little things like that but it must be a hope trait and along with the food. I get pretty quiet without food in my tummy. Ha-ha But anyways the work went really good this week. We thought we were going to have a baptism but our investigator randomly went to his mom’s house... oh well we will get him this week! Also this is the last week here in the transfer. So next Wednesday is day I could be moved. I really want to stay one more and I think I will. But there is always that chance so I guess we will wait and see.
Also my one pair of slip-on shoes are trashed now I’m not sure if you want me to take pictures and see if you can get a new pair or just put money in the account so I can get some cheap ones here. Let me know what I should do. If I do get transferred I will throw them out and will be sending a few more books home to make space in my bags. I also found peanut butter in a Wal-Mart today and bought some. I’m so excited to go home and eat it with an apple so don’t send peanut butter because I have some now. lol but I will make a list on things I need, some of my stuff is showing wear my watch broke so I’ll probably buy a cheap $30 Reais one here if that’s ok.
But I’m doing well here we had a supper awesome lesson here last night when a member from another ward took us to a friend who lives in our area. It was very cool and I’m sure the member will never forget this lesson. Her friend was praying for help and to know how she could find out which church is true. She has cancer also so she really wants to make sure she is in the right church. Well this friend of hers had huge feeling that she needed to take the Missionaries over to her house. She said it was the strangest thing ever and she knew that he had to follow her feelings. Well last night the two of the made the connections and knew it was all a planned and a response. It was very cool and after the member offered a blessing after he explained and asked if she would like a blessing. So that was really cool. It just goes to show that things happen for a reason. EVERYTHING! Without a doubt the lord has a plan planned out and his responses. He really hears and answers our prayers. I know that he loves all of us and wants the best for us. I’m so grateful for all your e-mails and letters. My new favorite scripture at the moment is Alma 37: 6 because some ppl really are confused with small and simple things. It’s so crazy when someone stops us an asked us things, then show them how they can know for themselves. (by prayer) it such a small thing, but yet it confuses some of the brightest ppl. Ha-ha I know this church is true and I love you all.  -Josh

Salmos 91:4
Ele te cobrirá com

Powerful Testimony

It’s been a very special week for me and full of spiritual experiences. Last Friday and Saturday I went on 2 divisions all over the place doing baptism interviews. (Like 5 ) And I must say that I learned so much in each one of them. The spirit was also very strong and during one interview I almost cried when the lady bore her testimony to me. It was such a joyful experience knowing that were a part of the church and to know that we really are loved here on the earth. This lady has passed through so many hard challenges with her 10 month old baby dyeing and her dad. She had a powerful testimony of the plan of salvation and of the book of Mormon. It was something I won’t ever forget. But we also had an awesome Sunday and had a baptism. Liliane was baptized and had a smile from one ear to the other, she choose me to be the one to do the baptizing so it was really cool for me.  I must say I was nervous because I haven’t entered into the water too much but everything went well. (I’ll send pic to you guys) But we were working to get the other person baptized this Sunday so I sure hope things will work out.

Yesterday we also had a zone conference with President Cordon. It was very cool and I learned a ton for the training. It seems like every time I leave training like that I’m so pumped up to work and to try things different. Oh before I forget I was wondering if you could send me Jakes address for the MTC. I really want to send a hand written letter to him. Also if you could print off a few pic. I send in e-mails and send them through the mail to him that would be awesome thanks. You will also have to forward his letters to me so I can read want to know how he’s doing. 

I must say the story about the cat is funny though. I didn’t know Thor buried things, that’s unlike him. Man even the dog changes personalities while I’m gone for this short time ha-ha. Anyways funny you gave me a scripture dad. Sunday I was asked to give a 10 min talk. I think you were inspired also, but the work here is going good. We have a few goals were working on to help get some more ppl in the waters of baptism. It’s going really good. Today we also messed around as a zone played soccer but also flew kites. We tried making our own kite but that didn’t work so I bought one for 25 cents. These kites are different though you battle with others to cut their lines. Usually the grind up glass in a powder and take elmers glue and run it along the string then when it touches another kites string it cuts it and the kite floats away. It’s really cool how it works because you latterly can control the kite by how you pull on the string in patterns very interesting. But we didn’t have the glass line to cut other kite down It’s illegal. But I’ll also send pics home about this, anyways I better send this pic to you guys. I love you guys a lot. say hi to the kids for me. Be safe. Love -Josh

Moving Fast

From:	Joshua Hope (joshua.hope@myldsmail.net)
Sent:	Wed 8/03/11 12:29 PM
To:

This week passed by a lot faster than it should have. I don’t really remember where the time went, but it’s been an awesome week from all the events. But most of the time I was thinking about Jake and you guys at this moment. I must say thought it will be awesome for him and the blessings will pour out in abundance for him and for your guys. Just remember to send little letters often for him he will enjoy every one of them and it’s like the best thing to get while you’re in the MTC.

I must say things are defiantly moving fast for me here in the mission. Friday we had a mission conference and I was able to talk to a few ppl. 1st I saw Elder Youngberg and we had a great talk, then Elder Oliveira showed up and gave me some awesome news about Lapa. He said one week after I left they baptized a girl that we were teaching... It made me so happy to hear that kind of a satisfaction that I was able to be a part of that. Also to here that Rryilda was still going to church, them when walking down the hall I saw a member from my first area. After talking to him for a while I asked him if the people I baptized were still going to church and he told me ALL are firm in the church and that Antonio will receive the Melchizedek Priesthood in two weeks and that the young adults are still on the right path and going to church every week. After we finished talking to him I was truly happy knowing that everyone was still firm in the church. I also realized just a little bit of my purpose here in the mission. The work I’m doing and the opportunity of sharing this gospel with others, It was such an awesome day to here all that.

The work is still going good here. My district is also working really hard. The sisters in their area were having some difficulty teaching but now it’s all good and there doing awesome. In our area we are being blessed. Last week we had an investigator walk in the church and said she would like to be a sister missionary. We left her with the 1st lesson after church was done and then we marked a baptism date with her. She was so excited and said she would absolutely be baptized. Then the ward had a party this week too called `´fiesta junina`` and when we showed up she was there waiting for us it was awesome. I never have seen someone with such a desire

to be baptized. She stopped drinking coffee on the spot and said she knows the BOM is true so she defiantly is an elect.

Anyways it rained for about 4 days straight here and the city literally was flooded. and also our house. I took some pics and will send them your way but it was crazy a lot of little mud slides, flooded houses, and everything.

About an hour ago we watched a helicopter land in the street because a motor bike smashed into the bus it wasn’t pretty.  Anyways I’m doing fine It’s stopped raining but it’s really cold. We stilled played soccer though this morning. I just want you guys to know that I love you all! I have really prayed a lot for each and every one of you this week. I just want to say that I know this church is true. I know Jake will be in good hands and safe also you guys will too. Keep praying and holding on to the iron rod with all your might. Until next week. Love, -Josh

P.S. I guess I’m not the only Elder Hope now so I hope the church doesn’t give all my money to Jake every 15 days ha-ha that would be good for him bad for me. :)