Crossing Paths

 

So this week was so good. Loving missionary service.

Fun fact: Relief Society in Portuguese is Soc Soc, which is Sociedade de Socorro, e toda mulher precisa de SocSoc.

This week I have been thankful for answered prayers. We had an experience with S, a 15 year old who lives close to the chapel. He has been playing soccer with people here for the past a few weeks, and when we talked with him last week, he was really interested in the learning more about the gospel. He said he has been feeling strongly that he has needed to be preparing to be baptized, but he didn’t know where, or why baptism was important, so we’ve been teaching him, and he’s preparing for baptism this coming month! Awesome how the Lord crosses the paths of those who want to serve Him! 

At Zone conference this week we talked about the basic doctrines of the gospel, or Evangelho, of Christ: faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and then enduring to the end. This is also our purpose as missionaries—to bring the gospel to others and invite them to follow Christ.

President Silcox talked about 3 Nephi 11 and Christ’s love for everyone. He talked about Christ establishing His doctrine, about and how contention about doctrine, and contention between people is not of Christ. We have to eliminate this contention to actually follow Him, and to be effective missionaries.

The Sister Training Leaders talked about learning to understand the Spirit and how we need to listen and follow promptings, even if it’s hard sometimes. This all has inspired me to recommit to my calling as a missionary, and to try better to be worthy of receiving the Lord´s spirit while teaching true principles. I’ve borne my testimony many times this week about the Restauração.

I got my sweet package delivered at Zone Conference and opened it that night—YES. The coolest tie that ever existed! (Letters and tiny pineapples tie with "be optimistic" patch sewed on the back.)Thank you! I was seriously so amped. Ha ha.

Loving learning and feeling the Spirit. I’ve read about Elijah recently, and about “whole-souled” faith—real faith, tested and tried, to the very core of our beings” faith.  Awesome. Also reading 2 Nephi—one of my favorite books from the Book of Mormon, and chapter 4 is awesome. I heard one time that to get the full effect, you need to read Nephi’s words out loud (like a monologue of sorts, which I’ve never done, but maybe I’ll do that soon). I’ m almost done with the Book of Mormon in Portuguese and I’m really enjoying the experience. I feel like I’m learning more because I have to read carefully to understand. 

We have great people here, and we have stake conference this weekend. Should be awesome!

You are all a blessing in my life!

Love you,

Elder Hughes 

- - - - - -

Bonus email exchange:

From David to Elder Hughes: Yesterday I went with the Eagle scouts and Bro. Mills to the Napa Valley Gun Club. We worked on the Shot Gun Merit Badge. We had three scouts. They needed to hit 12 out of 25 clay pigeons. And do that two times. All three got it. At one point Carson was 14 for 15. Kid can shoot. Had I been a scout, I would have qualified too. And I have a kickback bruise to prove it.

Elder Hughes to David: At scout camp I did the shotgun merit badge, and it was the last test of the week—and the last extra badge I had to get before my Eagle. I was doing super poorly (like terrible) only hitting 3 of every 15 or so. I went about 3 times that day to shoot, and eventually they told me I had to just go for it, so I said a prayer and then shot 23/24. God knows guns. And me.

 - - - - -

Zona São José dos Campos.
Elder Hughes, Elder Vasconcelos, Bro. Jones, Elder Oliveira, Elder Amancio. Photo: Elder Vasconcelos

Batismo do Eduardo Guto

P-Day + Churrasco (BBQ). Photo Jessica Gonçalves

Zona São José dos Campos - Batismo do Adryan. Photo: Elder Vasconcelos

Progressing

Going forth with swiftness

This week I'm not gonna have much time to write because of Syd and Ben and needing to email them both and congratulate them. Super exciting news! Forgive me. But I love you all!

All is well; it's been a great week. We are working hard, helping people make commitments and progress in learning about the gospel. I am loving the scriptures. Truly am. I read them almost every free minute I have.

Praying for you all!

Love you,

Elder Hughes

- - - - - -

 "'The best and most clear indicator that we are progressing spiritually and coming unto Christ is the way we treat other people."—Elder Marvin J. Ashton

- - - - - - 

A Continuous Commitment

Hello everyone! I hope you are all doing well!

Well, this email is gonna be a short one because I don’t have much time today -

The week! Tuesday we had transfers; I stayed here with Elder Amâncio, but Elder Vera was transferred to Itaquera in the capital of São Paulo. Elder Oliveira is here in his place -- he’s from Manaus in the Amazon, and is a cool guy. Before Elder Vera left, all 4 Elders and Clayton, Diogo, and Jota made açaí and it was awesome. It was all good—but change is also kinda sad. Gotta rip it off like a bandaid at times!

This week we worked. Hard. The week was good, but literally everything kept falling through. At least we are being diligent. And learning patience. Something I keep learning about myself is that sometimes I just want to get through my own plans when I actually need to rely more on the promptings I get. That’s the cool part of the work though, learning to rely just on Christ.

 It’s super hot now, and you have to be careful about that cause you get heat sick really easily. Bummer. You (meaning me) also sweat like crazy. The Brazilians think it’s funny how much I sweat. I often wash my face and don’t dry it ... because that’s less wet. Anyways!

We had a baptism this week—Nicolas is the nephew of a church member here named Sandra, who is like a mom to the missionaries here. He comes to church and is 8 and ready for baptism. Sandra’s mom, Grandma Maria, was baptized last week. I’m totally amped by all the people who accept the gospel, love it and then share it with those around them!

Carnaval starts here tomorrow, yikes! I’ve heard it’s pretty calm here in this part of the country, but I’ve also heard that elders from some missions have to stay in home for days at a time because the streets are just filled with wild festivities.

This week, remember that following Christ is a continuous commitment. We are members everyday all day long, and always examples to someone.

Well, I am praying for you all!
Have a great week!
Love,

Elder Hughes

 

Elder Hughes, Elder Amâncio, Jota Silva

Pumped Like a Tire

Hello! 

To begin! Transfers are tomorrow, so yesterday we got the transfer call—Elder Amâncio and I will both be staying here in Cidade Jardim for six more weeks. Ahh, yes! This will be my third transfer in this area and I love it to bits. The ward here is full and loves the missionaries. We have really good member friends in the area which makes the work that much more fun. Pumped like a tire to stay here! 

This week was a tough week, but we are working hard. I personally worked a lot on patience. Many difficult things popped up during the week that I’d normally get a little bothered by, but I worked really hard to keep my cool. My exercising patience is going well, but the refiner’s fire is certainly doing its job. I’m really happy where I am serving and being a missionary; I am just learning more to move forward with faith.

During the week we had the awesome opportunity to see the baptism of Avó Maria—Grandma Maria. She is the mother of a church member who takes good care of us here named Sandra. Maria has been going to church for a several months and decided to be baptized this week. It has been a really cool experience to watch her daughter, Sandra, help her grow in her conversion. The gospel of Jesus Christ is for everyone, and the key is love! There’s a reason why love is the first commandment.

We very consciously applied this principle in our missionary work this week which was really amazing to watch. Love is the first great commandment, obedience is the first law of heaven, and faith is the first principle of the gospel. With these three things, we can have the Spirit in our lives. And with the Spirit, we are edified and we can edify others. One really cool part of the gospel is that the gospel is meant to help the individual reach out to others. The gospel motivates each person to affect the life of another. It’s meant to bless and uplift, helping us move towards the greatest gift—eternal life, or in other words, the fullness of love and happiness. We just need to practice the small scale now person to person! Awesome sauce! 

The week was extremely hot—and we also ate a lot—which was great. I’m learning to love the heat, and I have a righteous tan line from my watch on my wrist, and from my collar on my neck. Only the best. 

And that was the week. I am loving the work! 

I hope you are all well! 

Love, 

Elder Hughes 

 

 Sandra and Avó Maria

View leaving the apartment

Study, Work, Serve; Happy

#domingoãobrothers  |  photo: diogo jones
Elder Vera, Elder Vasconcelos, Elder Amancio, Elder Hughes, Diogo Jones, Clayton Rodrigo

Hello!

Not gonna have time for a full email this week like usual --

How are you all?? 
This week was good and I had a lot of answers to prayers; working more on recognizing the Lord’s hand in my life. Studying, working, serving. I’m loving the scriptures and I think I’m the happiest I’ve ever been. Seriously. I love the mission and just getting out and doing the work!

We moved this week! 
The move was good, though on the fly (literally got a call 30 minutes before the movers showed up that we’d be moving that day) and the new house is really nice. lots of space. And mosquitos. Hot water too.

We had interviews with President!
Interview went well! He’s pleased with training; Elder A is doing really well. Talked about my goals; he was happy with the ones I’ve set. I told him I’d prayed and sought guidance about them. He prayed for me to feel and continue to develop more charity and patience, so I’ve taken a hint and went to the books this whole week to learn more. Also, kinda nervous about the transfer coming up, but we’ll see.

Had a sweet Missionary devotional from Provo over the wires!
Quotes from the broadcast:

“You are called to testify of Jesus Christ and to invite people to do what He has required to come unto Him and walk the path He has defined by His doctrine ...” —Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

“Speak of the Savior. Testify of Him. Speak of His doctrine, of faith in Him and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end.” —Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Hope all is well there!

Love you!

Elder Hughes

Dreaming in Portuguese

Elder Amâncio, Bispo Alan Cardoso, me, J. and G after Saturday's baptism.

Hello! 

This was a good week and also a really wet one. It rains everyday now—and it’s summer—so it’s hot and really humid. And it makes me sweat. I’m getting used to it! 

This week we received many, many blessings. We met a family with the help of a church member, and they are eager to accept the restored gospel and be baptized! Awesome! Many other people appeared almost out of nowhere during the week who have interest in hearing and learning about the gospel and what it has to offer in their lives, and we’re super excited about the work in this area now! This week we had two baptisms—two sons of a member who were never baptized for various reasons. Awesome stuff. They are 10 and 11 years old, and were baptized on Saturday and confirmed yesterday (Sunday). Also, a wedding date and baptism date have been scheduled and set for M. and G. today! They are a 75- and 73-year-old couple who have been together for many years. They will be baptized on Valentine’s day. The examples and faith of these good people are incredible and I’m learning a whole lot from them!  I’m trying hard to be immediate in my giving thanks for the blessings. One of my favorite parts of the day is personal prayer at night and just conversing. Good stuff. 

I've been dreaming in Portuguese and practicing my pronunciation. I had a dream last night that I was traveling through Mexico, correcting people on their grammar because they were speaking Spanish. I have a better Brazilian accent in my dreams haha, so I think my mind is telling me that I have work to do. 

I love the scriptures and I feel like in Portuguese I’m understanding them much more and like I’m understanding not just the words, but also the doctrine and teachings, and why everything is important in Heavenly Father’s plan for all of us. I’m reading only Portuguese; English is hard. My testimony grows a little more each day and it’s awesome to see that and feel it too! It seems the more I fast and pray, the weaker my tear ducts become haha.

When I speak English now, I notice phrases and things that I use of dad's and mom's and it makes me laugh. I pick up Portuguese phrases from the people I live with which is fun too.

This week I was thinking a lot about the Atonement. The Atonement is Christ’s gift to us that allows us to become cleansed from sin and return to Him and to Heavenly Father after this life if we remain faithful and actually try and use those blessings. The blessings of the Atonement are essentially conditional upon our discipleship; we actually get to try and work to be worthy of that gift. That is why we have commandments and the ordinances of the gospel, like baptism and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. They help point us in the direction we should move forward in to show Christ that we respect His sacrifice, and for Him. Doing this willingly, because He knows better, allows us to use the blessings of the Atonement completely. Christ said he died for his friends, and his friends are those that keep the commandments. I’d sure like to be a friend of the Savior! 

I hope you are all doing well, and I will continue to pray for all of you,

Elder Hughes 

In Vista Verde last week after splits with Elder Zamudio from Uruguay.

Direct and immediate answers

photo cred: Jessica Gonçalves

Hello! 

How are you all? 

This week was super good. I’m totally in awe of how the Lord answers our prayers. Last Sunday, we fasted for 24 hours to know how we could best help our area, and this week we received direct, immediate blessings from this fast. We’ve been able to contact many amazing people who have been prepared to hear the gospel. I shall explain: 

We had Family Nights with many people, and many invited their friends who wanted to hear about the gospel. We were able to talk with many people that way and share the message of the Restoration! We also contacted C, the friend of a member here, to see if she had interest in learning more about the church and the gospel. She sure did! She accepted a baptismal date in the first lesson—actually, she asked to be baptized before we even started the lesson with her! This week, a couple we are working with also received—with much help from the local bishop—paperwork needed for them to get married so they can be baptized soon. So many blessings have been received this week, and I have been stunned by the answers to prayers we have received. 

Like always, we have been speaking Portuguese. However, this week I had difficulty separating Portuguese from English. Sometimes I can’t tell. Some words now have been completely replaced with the Portuguese word, and it’s kinda odd. I have to think about English now which is surprising—however, it’s continuing progress! I still have a Portuguese/Portugal accent from my trainer and not a Brazilian one, but we’re working on it. Lots of prayer and fasts to learn the language are being answered. 

During the week we did splits with the bishop here and visited several less active church member families in the area. In one lesson we taught with him, the Bishop asked if he could teach about stewardship and share the importance of keeping the Sabbath holy. He shared scriptures in Doctrine and Covenants 104:11-16, and he explained how the Sabbath Day is a way we show our respect for our stewardship, or our responsibility to take care of what has given to us. We’ve been given the ability to go to church, to know that we are children of God, to give back and to serve, learn, and humble ourselves, and to become clean and be forgiven, and we can take the sacrament. It is our opportunity and responsibility to do this because God has given us the ability to become more like Him through these things, and since we know their importance, we don’t really have an excuse for not using them. That is an awesome thought! I’d never thought about a stewardship like that before, but in the lesson it made perfect sense—and the family joined us at church two days later! Awesome experience! 

The APs (Assistants to the Mission President) came to the zone last week to do some training. They gave us good tips for the area and that should be a big help to us. One of them, Elder Homer from New York, should be at home now, but he was asked by the Area President to stay one more transfer as AP. Probs good idea to take the advice he gave me. 

We´re working hard, and having a good time. The gospel is true. I’m praying for all of you!

Love,

Elder Hughes 

photo cred: Jessica Gonçalves

photo cred: Jessica Gonçalves

photo cred: jotasilva

photo cred: jotasilva

photo cred: jotasilva