February 12, 2010 - Provo MTC

week #...idk...i lost track

Hello Family!!!! First off mom, thank you so much for the package! i loved the chex mix as did my room mates! we always share and they loved something different around here! i realized i think that's the first superbowl i have missed out on since i was probably like 2 years old but the lord has a better game to watch right now for me! it's funny...i kind of think of missionary work as a game of strategical moves and rules. this game is amazing!

Dad thank you so much for your example! i need you to know i am so proud of you! i need you to know how much i look up to you and i need to tell you how much i regret missing out on the times i stayed inside when i could've been outside with you! thank you so much for being my example and role model! you're the best dad i have ever met! i love you! the priesthood meeting sounded awesome! i'm glad you went! i love pres. finn! i haven't ever met his son but i know his feelings! i love the brazil people so much! i miss them and i haven't even met them! i can't imagine standing at the judgement bar of god and seeing those people i should have taught but didn't by staying home fulfilling my own selfish aspirations! i couldn't bear it!

anyway...also thank you for taking care of the insurance for me! i appreciate it so much! let me know what happens there and with the car! i'm so glad that lawrence came over! tell him i owe him some ice cream when i get home! i need their address too...i had a thought for maddie the other day so if you could send that i would appreciate it!

as far as money goes with missionaries! the money that is paid for them goes into a giant missionary fund for the world! it then gets divided for whatever the cost of living is and travel and running the mtc and everything else involved with the work! right now we receive 6 dollars a week on a campus card that we can spend on mail or haircuts or in the bookstore, we call it the mall! =) so far i have spent very little of my travel money because i get that 6 dollars so that is nice!

as far as visas go....not this week! but i know that i am where i am supposed to be! i am serving the lord and he is directing me! in doctrine and covenants 67:13 it says "continue in patience until ye are perfected!" i don't think i am going to be perfected for a very long time so exercising patience is mandatory! it's really not that bad! i'll get there when i am supposed to get there! and speaking of which...you asked if you would know when i get it...i get to call home for 5 minutes when i get it so mom keep your cell phone on and i will try home first but if not i will call you! mom thank you so much for your letters! i love them! i love you so much!

now for the bad news, our room once again received a "outer darkness" rating on cleanliness but i want you to know that right now my bed is made and MY stuff is put away! but we are only as strong as our weakest person! companionships truly are teamwork!

on p-day we get to go to the temple and do whatever we want as far as sessions! i love it! i get a lot from there! going weekly is such a blessing! then for the rest of p day we get to do laundry and clean and write letters! it's always a well needed day!

spiritual thought for this week...in alma 7:23-24 it has some virtues! i have been reading of captain moroni! he is amazing first off but i have learned more about the virtues he has! while in the scriptures it doesn't say what they are - with him you can easily tell! i've made myself a standard of truth and these verses explain my virtues! i put them in order of importance but my advice to everyone, sit down and pray to know what your virtues should be. god will answer your prayers! he does mine everyday! in fact today when i was in the temple i got an answer to a prayer and i feel like i should share it. i have been trying to set that goal of how many people i will baptize but i've learned lately that it's not our goal to make! the lord provides the number and we provide the means and the work for those people. earlier i told you of my goal of 125...today while i was in the temple i received an answer...i missed one. there are 126 people waiting and preparing for me. i know there are that many people. i was off by one but just like in my farewell talk...how great is the worth of one soul!!! i'm glad i let god set my goals! i will work and do everything everyday to fulfill those goals! another thought....any goal is between you and the lord! he is the only person who can help you set your goals effectively i believe! another thought...john 15...the whole chapter is amazing but the last verse! always remember where you came from! remember you heard his testimony and jesus christ's testimony before!!

now if i have time here is a short Portuguese testimony. blake i'm sorry if i miss some spelling but can you please translate for me! eu sei que deus vive. eu sei que jesus cristo e nosso salvador e redentor. eu sei que o plano de salvacao e muinto importante para deus! familias podemos eternal atravez jesus cristo e o plano de salvacoa! o livro de mormon e muinto importante e muinto verdaderio! that's all the time i have! but i hope that was right and enlightening!

i love you all! a quote and a thought to leave you with! "shall we not go on in so great a cause" and remember love is the solution to every problem! love 3 things through every trial...yourself, the people involved, and jesus christ! you can not fail! i love you all so much! you're in my prayers daily...even multi-daily! i love you all so so much! you mean more than you will know! all of you who have supported me thank you! i owe you so much! to the fam - i love you!