Elder Rocha

Well there have been more changes once again. Today I received a new comp. Elder Rocha from the northern part of Brazil. I wasn't surprised that E. Pires was transferred, because he’s been here for a while. But I really wanted to stay with him. I learned so much with him and he pulled his weight in the work. (There was no pushing to get things moving) But I'm not sure if I'm really ready to take this area over. This last transfer was the shortest transfer of the year with 5 weeks.  I was cut short on learning this area a little and am still trying to figure out which way is up at times so that's my biggest worry here. My new comp has only 3 more months left in the mission  so if he’s as good as he says he is, we should be able to get some new things started here like he wants to.. SO we will see if he can walk the walk and talk the talk. (or how ever that phrase is...) But he seems ok so far, this should really help my language out even more. I’m now the only American in my district and there is only one other in my zone.

But things are somewhat good. The other night we were talking to a member in the street and I was watching some drug dealer’s right across the street, man it was really crazy on how this guy was working. Within 10 min he made around 7 sells or more. He had a huge roll of cash he was flipping around and every time a girl walked by he began counting it. I really wanted to film it somehow for Dad to see because it was so crazy that I saw that many sells right in the front of my face. Usually you see one or two, but this guy was selling it like it was going out of style. But I’m also excited to here where Jake is going to go. It seems like yesterday that I remember all of those feelings of anticipation and waiting it to arrive in the mail. But I know where ever he goes that it’s because he needs to be there and that he will really enjoy it.

I’m glad you’re finally getting sun up there in America and the snow is going away. It seems like it’s been around for a while now... As for the rain it’s been raining off and on. We haven't been hit hard with the rain here in Lapa, but enough to make it miserable. Other areas in Curitiba have gotten it pretty bad with some flooding and landslides but it’s sunny today and really feels hot to me. It’s kind of been hot theses last few days too so it’s not quite winter for us. As for the stuff happening in Japan, It’s really sad. I have heard a little about what’s going on and from the pictures in the news papers in the super markets and it looks pretty bad. Sunday a member or two was telling everyone to repent now because it’s the end of the world stuff it was a little extreme I thought. But yes with the nuke plant blowing up and the earth quakes happening it’s really sad. But It’s good to know were doing what’s right and to know gods plan and his warning signs.

But I know this church is true and that we will all be safe if we continue to hold to the rod and stand strong in what we believe in. I love you all and hope that all of you are doing well and are staying healthy. I’m continually praying for each and every one of you. And I thank you all for your prayers and support. This next few week I will be adjusting once again to another comp, but I’m sure I will learn something really important. I love you all. Stay strong and say your prayers.  “Ask and ye shall receive, knock and it shall be opened”  I’m really forgetting stuff in English. and it not funny.

With Love, -Josh

It’s been a good week once again. Well some what... ha-ha we now live above another church! They opened up a weird church under us and now I live above a church. We already talked to the pastor and told him he needs to be quieter in the mornings and needs to be done preaching at 9:00, and he was pretty nice. He hasn’t done exactly what we said, but he knows the house has ppl living in it and around it and the other ppl weren’t too happy about him opening a church there so it’s been crazy with that. We haven’t told president yet because we’re afraid of him making us more out and there isn’t a better house in this area at all so were keeping it on the D.L.The news of the camera being in another box that hasn’t gotten here has really made me feel a lot better! wow that was good news for me. But things are slowly starting to work its self out here in this small branch. Although one member is moving to Curitiba because there really mad but the branch president released everyone in there callings and re-organized everything!!!  so ppl are somewhat excited about their calls now. But there’s always someone un-happy and you can’t please everyone..... (so there is a member or two that is a little upset.) Sunday I and my companion gave training in Sunday school. We taught them how important the members are to our work and that were grateful for the help they have given them. We also challenged them to step up a little. It went really good. Friday they organized a little meeting, and 4 members will go and knock doors with us and another set of missionaries in our area. (This training was more to get them to help us out and get them excited to help us) every member of the church is obligated to share the gospel. ``its part of our responsibility (preach my gospel).

Anyway the works been good, also I’m so glad JC sent the shirt I used it last night for the first time. I really needed one and was going to buy a plain white one at the store so she must have been inspired. Thanks Sis! Also the candy was awesome, It’s what I needed. I’ve lost almost 4 pounds in this area my comp walks so fast so it’s really helping me lose that extra weight. I have a goal that I’m trying to get down to. I was excited to read that they changed the season rules and now you can fish on basically any river year round that’s pretty cool. The ice fishing sounds good to Bills report’s the new High School gym looks sick form the picture too, that’s pretty crazy they won state. It makes the trip way better and fun.

Also yesterday we had somewhat of a sleepover with our district in our house. Our whole district came over and we bought a pizza and had a really good time. Elder Hann is the other American in my district, and he plays the guitar really well so he and I sang songs. It was so cool, then we all woke up at 5 am and left to go one the tour bus around Curitiba that was really cool. I tried to take a lot of pic with my camera, but I’m not sure if it took any yet it wouldn’t work at all! So I will try to send some of those. Also I ATE AT MCDONALLDS!!!!!!!!!!! ya it was awesome but very expensive. They play American music too and right as I took my fist bite of my hamburger a song came on ``Its like I have waited my whole life...`` Its a song that Jake listens too and it was funny to me because its been 8 months since I have ate there. But I’m doing well I’m so glad everyone is doing well and that everyone is happy and made it back from Boise ok. This coming week is transfers (On the 16th) I know I will stay but I really want my comp to stay one more transfer with me he’s been awesome. But I love you all. Take care and be safe. Love -Josh

Well it’s been an interesting week again, it hasn't rained but its turning cold and I like it. ha-ha Let me start off by saying the bug bomb was a failure, and the flea Battle continues. ha-ha But were taking back over the house with this white powder stuff. I looked under my bed and thought it snowed because I dumped this powder stuff all over on the ground but really I think they’re going away now so it’s not a big deal now. As for the work, we had 7 marked baptism for this next week but all of that fell through because nobody showed up to church. Which in a way was a good thing because ppl were fighting and pretty much everyone said they won’t continue with their callings? (like 6 ppl said that) So that’s only problem with our branch. Were afraid it’s going to close down if things don’t start to get better. Actually my comp said it was bad before I got here but our work goes on. Once again we taught a ton of 1st lesson and yes we have to keep track of our lessons and the things we teach and data.

Anyways that picture dad sent of Jake, well I looked at it first thing and I about died. I felt so bad and thought WOW I’m never getting that done then I started looking and knew it was a fake. Then I read your letter telling me you messed with the original pic on your phone so you guys scared me!! ha-ha But that’s cool everyone is going back down to the BB games in Boise. CJ he can buy more needles to shoot through his slow gun there really cheap. Dad thanks for the quotes, I enjoy them and also yes I like seeing what my friends are doing and are going through.

Also the other day I was looking though the hymn book in English and came across a song that stuck out to me. It’s on page 114 “Come unto him”. I’m not sure why but I really liked what it said read it during church or something. We were walking down a road and saw a cow so I took a few pic with my comps camera it was pretty cool. But I’m doing fine here, not a lot has gone on this week other than I went on a few divisions. But I’m doing well, I’m short on time and I need to send some pics before I go. Sorry the e-mail is supper short I sent a mission ties too so everyone be safe. Take a pic of the snow and keep reading the BOM. Love,  -Josh

Their Back

Family,

Well a lot of things have happened this week. Everything somewhat good. But let me start off with the work before I tell some stories. This last week we worked really hard It was supper cool. We were able to teach 7 first lessons and had 12 new ppl. Now that’s not a ton, but for this area that’s amazing! My comp was supper happy and also the zone leaders. Some of the ppl are pretty weak but this area hasn’t had numbers like that for a really really long time. Coming out of my last area I was pretty spoiled we could teach pretty easy and it wasn’t hard. But in this small town everyone knows who we are and what we do, I’ve never had a door (well gate) slammed on my face until I came to this area. Last week I had 3 ppl do that so it’s different but the work is going good the only thing that slows us down is the rain and the dirt roads.

But we also had a mission conference. It was really good. Pres. and Sister Cordon did a really good job. Sister Cordon even made brownies. She made one plate and then took them around to every missionary and made then smell them. then she was talking about the ingredients she uses to make them. She said she added a special ingredient to them to make them better. That’s when she pulls a sack of cat crap out and told us we all just smelled brownies with cat crap in them!! SICK!  I can’t remember how she tied it into the lesson. (I was a little sick about the whole idea after) but after she gave us real brownies to eat. They were supper good. Another story, we were at a small store eating a pastel and I needed to use the bathroom well I there was a small wall hiding the bathroom doors and since we were sitting next to the wall instead of walking in front of the wall I walked right behind it. Right at first I thought it was strange how they didn't have a boy/girl sign so I choose one and used the bathroom well walking out of the 1 person bathroom, there was a line of girls waiting to use the bathroom and they all looked at me really weird. That’s when I walked in front of the little wall and saw the signs so I guessed I used the girl’s bathroom and I felt supper gay. My comp was laughing supper hard too oh well right... ha

Also last night we were walking in the street and we saw a boy roping a small calf that someone made out of wood. As we walked by I told my comp man I really want to do that... it’s been a long time since I have tired that so he was like let’s go back so we went back and I asked to try. He gave me the rope and I coiled it up in my one hand made the loop in the other hand stood about 30 feet away, and started swinging it above my head. (That’s when I noticed about 15 people watching me and the kid’s family was standing by their houses.) So with ppl watching me and the rope swinging over my head I let it fly to my surprise the thing went right around the wooden calf neck.!!!! It was sick! On my first try I roped it, the kid’s smile was priceless, and the kid’s family was pretty shocked that a kid in a white shirt and tie just roped the thing. I took the rope off gave it back to the boy and watched him one more time before telling him to keep up the good work and we walked away. Man it made my day. I’m so proud of myself too,  I remember learning on time in the church parking lot and Scott Neville teaching us so you can tell him thanks for me.  So that was pretty cool.

Also lately I have been eating a ton of mangos before bed. (There like candy to me) well come to find out that they have 400 calories in each one. That’s a ton for a fruit so I stopped eating those, also we live by an army training place and every once in a while they run by in the morning yelling and staying in there straight lines It’s pretty cool This area is pretty safe for the most part, but we don’t go in some areas. Also I’m not sure if I told you but our church starts at 3pm -6pm. It’s pretty late and I’m not use to it at all.

Oh one last thing, the other day I told my comp I was getting eating by the mosquitoes, he looked at my arm and the bumps and said. “their back “ . I asked him what’s back and he said  “FLEAS”  that's when he went into our room and started pumping white powder all over so to make the story short, we have fleas in our beds and house. And they suck! I have bite marks on my legs, back, and arms so tomorrow were going to bomb the house with bug spray. They better die.

But I love you all, be safe and don't let the elk get you man I wish I could have been there for that but I love you all. -JOSH

New Area

Well it’s been a very good week looking back. Although it’s rained a lot every day, it’s still been good. My area is somewhat small compared to my last one which is ok. But it’s not flat! so I’m often winded within 25 min of walking. I’m a fat little missionary now as for my companion he’s pretty cool and it hasn't been bad he’s very self-conscious! but he hasn't talked a lot about his family. I have asked him a few times about them but he doesn't say much. He’s the only one in his family that is a member so I have a ton of respect of him and he’s been a member for only a year before he came on his mission. But he knows his stuff he studies supper hard in personal study which is pretty cool. One thing that shocked me and I have not adjusted to is the ward. This ward is not a ward but a branch of 30 ppl. O Man church was weird and it’s in a house that they bought I will get pictures somehow. But there are a lot of things that need to be fixed here. The week before a member bore his testimony 2 times, 1st time he held a picture up of the temple and said, “I’m preparing to go there” and sat down, 2nd time he held up an oil vile and said “ this can heal anything” and sat down just things like that. There is also a bunch of members fighting so it was very dramatic at church.
As for the investigators they have none (I don’t think they were teaching here)  I got here and the first 2 days we only visited members so that changed really fast and now we have found 10 new investigators since Friday Most of them are weak... but that’s ok.  Every day we just knock doors all day but I told my comp. we need a teaching group and since he is now a new district leader he needs to be an example. But even though we knock a bunch of doors every day It’s nice to come home to a supper nice house! This house was a couple’s house so it has everything, micro-wave, washing machine that does everything, 2 bathrooms. (I have my own bathroom!!! and it stays clean now because I only use it.) It’s big with a ton of room and a couch, with a homemade workout place so it’s awesome to come home to a supper sweet house. But it’s rained a lot here every day actually and there have been some crazy floods. In Curitiba an 11 year old girl was swept away and a ton of houses have been destroyed lucky it hasn't hit our area too bad. But I’m doing good here It’s a small town so I really like it although there is a ton of dirt roads and cobble-stone streets. Actually I think there are more dirt roads than paved.... so that kind of stinks when it’s only rained every day.
But last night we knocked on a door a taught a really good first lesson to a lady and her husband who is now half paralyzed and mental, 5 years ago he was normal and had a job and everything was fine. Then he had accident and now he like that I felt supper bad because it was a sad story. But the first lesson was supper good. The lady felt the spirit it was supper cool. But I’m out of time. I love you all and pray for you guys every day. Be safe and enjoy the snow for ME! hahaha until next week, -Josh

Big Changes

Well I have been transferred to a new area I'm lost, confused, and very tired I also have a Brazilian comp now (Elder Pires).  My new area is called ``Lapa´´  and it’s in the middle of nowhere!! But our house is WAY nicer than what i was in. It has two bathrooms and a lot of rooms it’s pretty nice so that makes me feel a little better about the change. Anyways Thursday we had our interviews with president. That went really good and i felt good coming out of his office. He shared some really cool scriptures. And he also told me that I would be getting a native comp. I knew i was going to leave and wasn't to surprised when the call came But i found out yesterday that i would be leaving for sure, So i packed my bags and was able to fit everything into my 2 big bags, my back pack. But i wasn't able to say goodbye to very many ppl. we had a lot of appointments with our new investigators so that took up most of the time and last night 2 of them decided that they were going to be baptised. #1 was a 14 year old girl that is going to be baptised for sure she loves the church. #2 another guy said it’s time he needed to be baptized both dates are super firm So the new missionary there will get 2 free baptisms. I was able to say good bye to one of my baptism she about cryed when i said bye so that made it tough on me. It just hit me that i will never see those people again... dang. My new companion has just been called district leader hes from ``Port Allegra`` or some place down south and has 1 year and 1 month in the field he seems pretty cool. I saw Elder Arroyo for the last time today, he is going home and he sat bye me while i got my new comp. I won’t lie i cried when i said bye to him I was the only one crying. ( I have turned into a big baby when it comes to goodbyes) He was  the zone leader over this new area I'm in and over my new comp. I asked him about my comp and he said just work hard because he is lazy when it comes to teaching and this area has only had 1 baptism in the last 10 months So i have a few challenges to deal with, and the language barrier too. I can’t tell you much right now about things because i have only been with here for 2 hours. But I’m  looking at the bright side of things I’m still supper nervous tho...        oh and the fact that 2 wheels on my bags broke adds to that.

Elder Youngberg was called distric leader as i left It was even hard to say goodbye to him he was supper chill. So far I have been lucky with good companions so i hope it stays the same with this native comp. But as for the camera I’ll probably just have you guys send jakes because i don’t want a new one either after hearing justin schmitts story.... So if jake wants to give his up to me,  then lets do that because it cant take any pics of my new house and comp but ill try to get some for next week. I don’t have much more to say for right now my minds blank and confused with the changes. In my last area i knew where i could buy food, where the house is, members, bank, post office and the bank, but now i don't know where that stuff is but the area looks really nice. I'm excited to be here although it’s so far away from anything, like 2 hours on a bus, but I'm doing fine. Im sure I’ll settle down in the next few days and what I'm experiencing is normal. I love you all. Im doing fine and only cried when saying bye to Elder Arroyo. Stay safe and don’t take any chances. I love you all and i have a testimony that this church is true!

Untill next week, -Josh

The Power Of Blessings

Family,

Well it’s been a better week. Things are finally starting to run smooth once again. We are still knocking a lot of doors everyday so were getting more and more investigators. Sunday we had an amazing and scary experience so I will tell you about that first. Well after church we went to our lunch we got there and the food was almost ready once ready we began to eat. Well just after the prayer was said to bless the food, and we started eating we heard HELP, HELP, HELP! (This was coming from the other house who lives behind the members house.) so instantly everyone jumped up and we ran over to the other house. Well right as we got there we could see the member lying on the ground, and her husband was holding her. He was crying uncontrollably and instantly the sister who made us food started yelling at us to give her a blessing! So being the only one with oil I ran back to the other house and grabbed the oil and ran back. When i got back i could see that the member was having a seizure and making weird noises (at this time everyone was crying and yelling give her the freaking blessing now.) Elder Young berg dumped all the oil on her and then gave her the first part of the blessing. After that he stood up and turned to the other member so he could give her the second part Instantly he turned to me and was like ´´go Hope!`` and I was like my language is limited so he turned back to Young berg and was like ``do it again`` So Youngberg gave the second part. The whole time I was just praying that the blessing was going to work! Right after he said ``amen`` she slowly stop shaking and within 40 seconds she had her eyes open and was awake man it was such a crazy thing, but at that moment we all saw the power of a blessing work right before our eyes! I was so scared and shaking so bad! it was intense. We could all feel the spirit at that time, because we just saw something amazing happen before our eyes. Man I have a testimony about blessings now! Later that night I gave a blessing for one of our investigator and did the second part after the lunch incident I learned a few words like comforting, getting better, relying, so I could use them in a blessing but Sunday was a crazy day with that experience.

JC and Mom thanks for the letter, but congrats on your basketball season that's a good record! but it sounds cold there. I can’t imagine -20 now, I'm mean 65 is cold for me! ha ha but that's cool dad got the snow machine running now he need to go ice fishing more for me and I'm supper excited that dads learning the security for the apostles, that's so cool!

As for my camera, it kind of stinks I won’t be able to take pictures saying good bye to the members (maybe my comp will let me use his) but I'm looking at cameras here I can’t decide if I will buy one here or have you send me one from Wall-Mart... but work on getting the shoes here fast. My comp said a funny thing yesterday we were talking about motor bikes and he said I have been on one and we were going so fast so I asked him how fast were you going? and he said `` fast enough that it blew my hat off!`` I about died laughing I was like I could ride a 4-wheeler at 20 mph and have my hat fly off!! ha ha it was just funny.

Today for p-day we went to some Elders house in our zone and made cookies and messed around with a soccer ball, one of the Elders is from Boise and he’s pretty cool. But anyways I better go most likely I will be in a new area next Wednesday so I hope it’s a good area. Tomorrow we have another interview with the president, so that should go really good. But I love you all. Stay safe and drive safe!

Until next week, -Josh