Here is a letter received by Elder Jolstead dated August 22,2011:
Oi Familia!
So this week was a lot better than last week, but we still need to do better. My companion has a problem with speaking to members for a long tome, but we're going to fix that this week. So I found out that I'll probably be training next transfer. I know its crazy. 2 months in the field and I'm alredy going to train, our Father in Heaven doesn't always call us when we think we're ready and usually He calls us to positions that stretch and grow. I know it'll be difficult, but once again, like always, I'll just need to trust in the Lord for help. So this week I gave my first talk in Portuguese. It went well. It was on missionary work and while I was preparing I came to the conclusion that there is only two reasons why we would ever not want to share the gospel or be afraid to. 1. We don't completely understand the message of the restored gospel; 2. We don't believe it's true. There's no real reason not to share. The message we have is one of and happiness and peace that can help everyone and for us to be afraid and not want to share it we either don't understand this or we don't believe it. Anyway, I would like to share an experience that happened this last week that was very humbling and really boosted my testimony of missionary work. Last Tuesday, I think, the night before when we were planning, Elder De Oliveira Silva said after teaching Alex Sandro, our recent convert, we should contact his neighbors, because he thought that they were a great family living there. So the next day we did and a woman in her late twenties came out and let us in. After talking a while in her house we found out that her father(who she lived with) was very sick and she was as well. We found out she had depression and I think something else. She cried alot. Then after she said something that was very humbling to me. She said that she had seen us many times when we went to teach Alex and she told her mother that we had a message for her and that we knew the things that would help her. When I heard her say that I was extremely humbled. The Lord had really prepared her to hear our message and the fact that we were the ones to give her the message that would help her was incredible. The spirit was extremely strong there and we taught a great lesson to her and also gave her a blessing. Unfortunately two days later after teaching a second lesson she left in a message on our phone that she didn't want us to come back. I honestly don't know why, probably because of her mother who had a other religion and didn't like us very much, but I was really sad after that. That just goes to show you that even after feeling the spirit some people won't accept the gospel. Anyway thats my story. How are all of you? How was the family reunion? Have a good week! Love you lots! Tchau!
Love,
Elder Jolstead the younger
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Monday, September 5, 2011
September 5, 2011
Oí Familia,
My week was ok. We´re working hard, but sometimes I think we can work harder. Yesterday we taught a training for the adults of the branch. It went well I think. It was on Faith and we taught to help the members have a little more faith in the work. Hopefully it helped them. We´ll see in the coming week. So this is probably my last week in Santiago. It´s crazy how fast time flies. I keep telling people that but it´s true. If you don´t use your time wisely and enjoy the moment it´ll slip right on by. So the work continues and I´m doing better all in all with everything: language and teaching. That´s funny about Jaren. I felt about the same, but once he´s out here he´ll learn it. Trial by fire. Learn or die.haha Thanks for the addresses by the way. Oh did Steve leave? I didn´t here about that. You Had the corn feed this week? You know it was last year at the corn feed that I got the job with Bro. Novakovich. So school starts again! Joy! Rapture! How´s everyone dealing with it? Working hard I hope? Anyway, that´s about it with me. Have a great week and stay happy! Love you all! Tchau!
Elder Jolstead the Younger
My week was ok. We´re working hard, but sometimes I think we can work harder. Yesterday we taught a training for the adults of the branch. It went well I think. It was on Faith and we taught to help the members have a little more faith in the work. Hopefully it helped them. We´ll see in the coming week. So this is probably my last week in Santiago. It´s crazy how fast time flies. I keep telling people that but it´s true. If you don´t use your time wisely and enjoy the moment it´ll slip right on by. So the work continues and I´m doing better all in all with everything: language and teaching. That´s funny about Jaren. I felt about the same, but once he´s out here he´ll learn it. Trial by fire. Learn or die.haha Thanks for the addresses by the way. Oh did Steve leave? I didn´t here about that. You Had the corn feed this week? You know it was last year at the corn feed that I got the job with Bro. Novakovich. So school starts again! Joy! Rapture! How´s everyone dealing with it? Working hard I hope? Anyway, that´s about it with me. Have a great week and stay happy! Love you all! Tchau!
Elder Jolstead the Younger
Monday, August 29, 2011
August 29, 2011
Message bodyOí Família,
Well there was a black out this week. I really don´t have time to talk about it but I´ll explain more about what happened in my letter this week. So school is here once again for you guys and I think the last three months went by extremely fast. East Farms sounds like it looks a ton different. That´s awesome that you´re planning on seeing General Conference. I can´t wait for conference. I´m really excited to hear it in portuguese! I´ve also come to have a greater appreciation for the words of the prophets since I´ve been out here. They´re always really inspiring for missionaries. Maybe I´ll see you guys on the TV. That would be cool. Why do you need a van? What happened to our van? Oh were you able to find the talks on the Book of Mormon by Elder Holland for me? Anyway the work is starting to be better here. We found a ton of new investigators this last week and the great thing about one couple is they actually understand the importance of the message. That´s hard to come by here. Anyway that´s it for this week. Oh sorry in advance if I don´t respond to some of your emails. Its really hard to reply to everyone´s. but if I don´t this week I will next week. Love you guys.
Elder Jolstead the Younger
Well there was a black out this week. I really don´t have time to talk about it but I´ll explain more about what happened in my letter this week. So school is here once again for you guys and I think the last three months went by extremely fast. East Farms sounds like it looks a ton different. That´s awesome that you´re planning on seeing General Conference. I can´t wait for conference. I´m really excited to hear it in portuguese! I´ve also come to have a greater appreciation for the words of the prophets since I´ve been out here. They´re always really inspiring for missionaries. Maybe I´ll see you guys on the TV. That would be cool. Why do you need a van? What happened to our van? Oh were you able to find the talks on the Book of Mormon by Elder Holland for me? Anyway the work is starting to be better here. We found a ton of new investigators this last week and the great thing about one couple is they actually understand the importance of the message. That´s hard to come by here. Anyway that´s it for this week. Oh sorry in advance if I don´t respond to some of your emails. Its really hard to reply to everyone´s. but if I don´t this week I will next week. Love you guys.
Elder Jolstead the Younger
Monday, August 22, 2011
August 22, 2011
Oí,
Sorry but I probably won´t be able to answer everyone this week. So the family reunion sounded like fun. It would have been cool to see everyone since I haven´t seen some of our family in years but I´m over it. This week was dificult. My companion likes to talk to members for long periods of time so it´s hard sometimes to get work done. Oh well. So I found out I might be training next transfer. pretty scary, but I know the Lord will help me. School´s starting soon! Hoorai! Oh which songs did you play at the reunion? The Talent show sounded fun. I can just see you and aunt Barbra and Aunt April doing that skit.haha So do you think you could send me the addresses for Shane and Kurtis? I haven´t heard anything about them. Wait so why did you tye dye socks? Oh you want to know how to get Kate beckinsale? Send her my picture and say that I´m home.haha Just joking. So now that summer is winding done I hope all your brains haven´t wroted away. Anyway have a good week! Love you guys!
Elder Jolstead the Younger
Sorry but I probably won´t be able to answer everyone this week. So the family reunion sounded like fun. It would have been cool to see everyone since I haven´t seen some of our family in years but I´m over it. This week was dificult. My companion likes to talk to members for long periods of time so it´s hard sometimes to get work done. Oh well. So I found out I might be training next transfer. pretty scary, but I know the Lord will help me. School´s starting soon! Hoorai! Oh which songs did you play at the reunion? The Talent show sounded fun. I can just see you and aunt Barbra and Aunt April doing that skit.haha So do you think you could send me the addresses for Shane and Kurtis? I haven´t heard anything about them. Wait so why did you tye dye socks? Oh you want to know how to get Kate beckinsale? Send her my picture and say that I´m home.haha Just joking. So now that summer is winding done I hope all your brains haven´t wroted away. Anyway have a good week! Love you guys!
Elder Jolstead the Younger
Monday, August 15, 2011
August 15, 2011
Oí Família,
This week was ok. We had training at Santa Maria this week so that was cool. So the family reunion is this week? Oh Father I don´t need a hat or gloves it´s extremely hot here now. Eu Não gosto...So Jaren´s going to provo! Tell him to look for Irmão williams and Irmão... crap I forgot his name. I can´t believe it! Anyway tell him that Irmão williams looks like what you´d think Nephi would look like in our day.haha So how´s every one doing? School´s coming. hehehe. It´s crazy to think when I come back Shantewa will be graduating. Oh Braeden How was your B-day? Sorry I missed it. I was previously engaged.haha Oh sorry about the bee Mother. Sounds like it hurt. Anyawy this email has to be short, but I wrote a letter so no worries. You´ll get it in about a month. haha. Anyways Have a great week and a great family reunion. Tell everyone Hi. Love you all. Tchau.
Elder Jolstead the Younger
This week was ok. We had training at Santa Maria this week so that was cool. So the family reunion is this week? Oh Father I don´t need a hat or gloves it´s extremely hot here now. Eu Não gosto...So Jaren´s going to provo! Tell him to look for Irmão williams and Irmão... crap I forgot his name. I can´t believe it! Anyway tell him that Irmão williams looks like what you´d think Nephi would look like in our day.haha So how´s every one doing? School´s coming. hehehe. It´s crazy to think when I come back Shantewa will be graduating. Oh Braeden How was your B-day? Sorry I missed it. I was previously engaged.haha Oh sorry about the bee Mother. Sounds like it hurt. Anyawy this email has to be short, but I wrote a letter so no worries. You´ll get it in about a month. haha. Anyways Have a great week and a great family reunion. Tell everyone Hi. Love you all. Tchau.
Elder Jolstead the Younger
Monday, August 8, 2011
August 8, 2011
Message bodyOí Familia,
this week was good. I have to say that if I don´t watch it, I could come home fat. Despite what I said before the food here is amazing especially the desserts. You´d also be suprised of the varityof the foods. This week I had spagetti and there is always chicken or some kind of meat with the lunch. And they´re always wanting me to eat more. Like I said I´ll probably be fat after two years. I´m glad Jaren liked my letter. You better tell him to bring gloves and a hat because it is extremely cold this week. It almost snowed. But now it is extremely hot which I´m not too happy about. So this week we found another couple that´s golden, but like the other they are not married. Figures. We´re also having some trouble with some of the members, but hopefully we can help them out. Anyway that´s all from me. Oh yes supposedly there is a werewolf here. I have yet to see it, but you´d be suprised how many times I´ve heard about it. That is kind of funny that there would be a werewolf in my mission. So Bro. Lee came to see Nathan. That is weird that he´s old enough to go to seminary. Oh do you think you could find out Shane´s address and Kurtis´s too. I haven´t heard anything about them and I´m really curious how they are. Oh I got the package. You guys are saints! Top ramen and Peanut butter crunch! I almost cried!haha Thanks a ton I´ll finally have a normal breakfast. I´m was getting tired of grilled ham and cheese sandwiches for breakfast. Anyway have a great week and enjoy your last three weeks of freedom!haha. Love you lotsTchau
Elder Jolstead the Younger
this week was good. I have to say that if I don´t watch it, I could come home fat. Despite what I said before the food here is amazing especially the desserts. You´d also be suprised of the varityof the foods. This week I had spagetti and there is always chicken or some kind of meat with the lunch. And they´re always wanting me to eat more. Like I said I´ll probably be fat after two years. I´m glad Jaren liked my letter. You better tell him to bring gloves and a hat because it is extremely cold this week. It almost snowed. But now it is extremely hot which I´m not too happy about. So this week we found another couple that´s golden, but like the other they are not married. Figures. We´re also having some trouble with some of the members, but hopefully we can help them out. Anyway that´s all from me. Oh yes supposedly there is a werewolf here. I have yet to see it, but you´d be suprised how many times I´ve heard about it. That is kind of funny that there would be a werewolf in my mission. So Bro. Lee came to see Nathan. That is weird that he´s old enough to go to seminary. Oh do you think you could find out Shane´s address and Kurtis´s too. I haven´t heard anything about them and I´m really curious how they are. Oh I got the package. You guys are saints! Top ramen and Peanut butter crunch! I almost cried!haha Thanks a ton I´ll finally have a normal breakfast. I´m was getting tired of grilled ham and cheese sandwiches for breakfast. Anyway have a great week and enjoy your last three weeks of freedom!haha. Love you lotsTchau
Elder Jolstead the Younger
Monday, August 1, 2011
August 1, 2011
Oí Família,
Sorry for bugging you with the whole quad thing. I completely understand and I´m sorry I asked. My companion just keeps asking me and sometimes I´m not sure if you recieve my emails. My companion will have to understand. So anyways, Alex Sandro was baptized this week! It was awesome. He´s a pretty cool guy. and I guess its the first baptism in this branch since March. Oh and a 11 year old boy named Luiz Filipe and a women named Genecir will hopefully be baptized pretty soon here. They said they want to, they just haven´t come to church, which is an obsticle that happens a lot here. The water pump broke again? That sounds like fun. Its funny. I wasn´t home when it happened the first time and I´m not home when it happened again. So I guess for the rest of August, it will rain and be super cold which actually isn´t bad compared to what´s going to happen during summer here. I´m not excited for the summer. So this last week there was a huge thunder storm. It was awesome. The thunder sounded like gun shots. So Kelleene hopefully will be done with all of this stuff soon? That´s good. Elder Bise ate a snail? That´s hilarious. Yea the armidillo tasted like chicken and i´m not sure how often they eat it. I haven´t had any since. Yesterday me and my companion saw Gaucho´s on horses lassoing wooden cows being pulled behind motorcycles. It was pretty cool. The people here make me laugh some times. Anyway That´s about it. I love you all and I´m sorry for bugging you with the quad thing. Tchau!
Elder Jolstead the Younger
Sorry for bugging you with the whole quad thing. I completely understand and I´m sorry I asked. My companion just keeps asking me and sometimes I´m not sure if you recieve my emails. My companion will have to understand. So anyways, Alex Sandro was baptized this week! It was awesome. He´s a pretty cool guy. and I guess its the first baptism in this branch since March. Oh and a 11 year old boy named Luiz Filipe and a women named Genecir will hopefully be baptized pretty soon here. They said they want to, they just haven´t come to church, which is an obsticle that happens a lot here. The water pump broke again? That sounds like fun. Its funny. I wasn´t home when it happened the first time and I´m not home when it happened again. So I guess for the rest of August, it will rain and be super cold which actually isn´t bad compared to what´s going to happen during summer here. I´m not excited for the summer. So this last week there was a huge thunder storm. It was awesome. The thunder sounded like gun shots. So Kelleene hopefully will be done with all of this stuff soon? That´s good. Elder Bise ate a snail? That´s hilarious. Yea the armidillo tasted like chicken and i´m not sure how often they eat it. I haven´t had any since. Yesterday me and my companion saw Gaucho´s on horses lassoing wooden cows being pulled behind motorcycles. It was pretty cool. The people here make me laugh some times. Anyway That´s about it. I love you all and I´m sorry for bugging you with the quad thing. Tchau!
Elder Jolstead the Younger
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)