Hill Walking

What eight months looks like. 

Hi all!

We walked a lot this week. A whole lot. There are more hills here than in São José, so that’s exciting. Also, we’re eating lots of pizza here—regular sized pizza along with small mini pizzas that are sweet and are dessert. Good stuff. Loving missionary work. Working hard and having fun. 

Mogi das Cruzes was quiet on Good Friday—no one was in the streets—and it rained a lot. A whole lot. Easter Sunday was so good. The director of the Brasil MTC spoke in Sacrament meeting at church about the life of Christ and being meek and humble as He was, focusing on the Atonement as the ultimate example of meekness and humility. A High Counselor shared a message about the opportunity we have to take the sacrament in remembrance of the Atonement and resurrection every Sunday. Awesome talks that I really liked. The MTC director then taught Sunday School about the history and importance of Easter that blew my mind. 

I’ve been grateful for Irmã Sonia this past week. She has given us home-baked breads and tea and has taken good care of us. She is an elderly widow who hasn’t visited with the missionaries in years. We went to her house to share a spiritual thought with her but she ended up teaching us haha. It was a great experience to visit and talk, and was a blessing. 

On Wednesday we are going to the temple which will be a welcome miracle! It will be awesome to go, and also to see other people in the mission. 

I've had the opportunity to conduct a baptismal interview with a woman named Maria, and it was a really cool experience to talk with her and hear her testimony. She found the church through a friend, has been learning more about the gospel of Jesus Christ, and has decided to be baptized. Her two sons want to be baptized too. Awesome stuff. 

I’m excited for General Conference; I can’t wait to be taught! 

Love you! Will think of you all this conference weekend :) 

Elder Hughes

Me and Elder David

View from my window

The District

Hello! How are you all?! 

For transfers, I took the train—I didn’t go to the office. I went direct...alone! That’s the rule here now. We just go direct, so I had like 2 hours all to myself! Kinda odd but I liked it haha. 

The area here is really big with a small ward. The director of the Brazilian MTC lives in the ward. That’s pretty cool, and he gives lunch too! We’re still getting to know the area; liking it here. It’s very much city and not like my last area at all—lots of hills. We have a big area to open, so we're trying to get to know it and find where the members live. Good stuff!  

There are 2 Elders here in the district—me, and Elder David. Elder David is from Londrina, Paraná. He and his brother are the only church members in their family and both are serving missions and being awesome examples. Super inspiring to me! We met the ward on Sunday and were received warmly, and we were asked to bear testimony of missionary work which was cool. The district includes four areas—my area plus three other areas of all Sisters. We have had a meeting but we have yet to take a photo all together!

This week I’ve been inspired to really think about the Atonement and Resurrection before Easter. I’ve finished up the book of John, and I think this week I’m gonna try and read another one of the gospels. I really love reading in Portuguese. One of the biggest things I’ve learned on the mission is a love for the scriptures. Not reading them almost seems impossible now haha. I love reading about the life of Christ and the Atonement. I like feeling and being taught by the Spirit. 

And that is really it...sorry! We need to get to the mission office today to pick up a package Elder David got from his family for Easter. 

Love you!

Elder Hughes 

Transfer

Hello all!

The transfer call came this morning (Monday). I was at the office earlier in the week with all the foreign missionaries to get a CPF document thing and President Silcox told me I was would be leaving São José, so I knew I’d be transferred, but to where, I didn’t know. President called this morning and I am going to the Zona Mogi das Cruzes to be a District Leader with Elder David. (I’ve never met him but he’s been on the mission for 1 year and 3 months. President mentioned that it’s a great area, but will probably be challenging; I’m keeping positive.) I’ll be opening an area for the third time in a row. In the three areas I’ve had on my mission, I’ve been able to help open each of them. Right on! 

At the mission office I also saw Elder Martins (my trainer); he is the Financial Secretary now, and Elder Hirst who is the mission Excecutive Secretary, which was cool. Anyways, it was a good week. Tonight we have a dinner night with people from the ward here to eat açaí. 

Awesome about seminary! I liked the Old Testament and wild to think that it was so long ago that it was just us every morning to read it! I have good memories from those days :) 

This transfer I learned more about trusting in the Lord to fulfill and magnify your calling. He qualifies those whom he calls and help us understand how we can do better and learn more. Training has been a challenging but very rewarding experience, and I have learned a so much about the fospel and about myself. I’ve really liked learning to put gospel principles in practice better and to be taught by the Spirit. When we have a duty in the Lord´s service, He helps us fulfill it. 

I’ve been inspired this week to develop my ability to think positively through trials and have patience in them. Learning this is kind of a learn-by-experience effort but it is necessary. We need faith and hope to work through our trials optimistically and learn from them; things we can gain from a testimony of the Atonement. 

I’m thankful for being companions with Elder Amancio because he has taught me so much during our two transfers together; I think I have essentially been the trainee. I’ve been thankful for his example and the opportunity which I had to work with him and watch him help others. Elder Amancio has great love for his family, and has showed that in our area and for our investigators and members. 

In the scriptures, I just finished the Book of Mormon in Portuguese and I’m moving on to the New Testament now, starting in John. One thing I noticed in the Book of Mormon over and over is that we need faith, hope, obedience, and charity to prepare ourselves to meet God again. We need these things to prepare ourselves for our trials and to have positivity through them. I’m liking learning and understanding better what I’m reading, and then putting in practice what I’ve been reading and being taught. It’s a little hard, but sometimes I get up early to read more and study which is fun. I just like the scriptures haha.

That was pretty much the week. We’re working hard and I’m looking forward to the next transfer. Leaving the area is hard ‘cause I really love the people here. It’ll be good, though, to see new things and meet new people. I’ve really liked São José dos Campos areas, but I am looking forward to the new ward and new zone and new experiences! Tomorrow I leave early in the morning to get to my new area and get to work.

I will have more news next week! Love you and pray for us!

I’ll be praying for y’all too! 

Elder Hughes 

Pizza with Diogo and Elder Amancio

Arm wrestling E. Amancio

photo: Diogo Jones

Zona São José dos Campos. Photo: Elder Vasconcelos

Photo: Diogo Jones

Awesomeness in a Pea Pod

Zona São José dos Campos; missing Sisters Feitosa, Cordner and Swindler 

Hello! 

Wild story about Donner Pass and sliding and snow and such things. Zoinks. I would have died a little inside i think if I was the driver haha. Good work to you I say! That is awesomeness in a pea pod.

The streets here fill with water because it rains so much now that it’s winter, but there’s also a bit of sun too. Bummer. I like rain lots.  

This week was super busy for us. This is the last week of the transfer. We’ll be having a baptism this coming Sunday—the last Sunday of the transfer. We’ll get the transfer call Sunday afternoon. I’ve been here in the Zone for a while (there are people who were here, left, and came back already haha) so i think I’ll be leaving. I feel like I’ll leave but then I also feel like I’m going to stay here. I’m going to keep working, that doesn’t change. Gotta keep on keeping on. 

This past week I learned that sometimes when you follow the spirit with regards to one thing, the blessings can sometimes come from a different direction. An appointment fell through because we then were able to go to an investigator’s house who lived nearby. The timing was actually perfect. She had contacted us to let us know she was ready and excited to be baptized, and we were able to go right over and talk with her. I was able to bear my testimony to J. that her decision to be baptized was the best decision she could make now. This taught me that God helps us in all sorts of ways! 

During the Saturday session, President Silcox spoke and talked about missionary work and how our small actions can bring about huge differences in the lives of those around us. For example, Wilford Woodruff taught President Silcox´s great-grandfather the gospel four generations ago, and now President Silcox is helping teach the gospel and serve here as a mission president in Brasil. Awesome stuff. He also talked about the importance of reading the scriptures and enduring to the end. During his talk, President Silcox asked all the 1st generation members of the church there to stand up, and nearly everyone besides elder Amancio and me stood. Crazy to me. Literally, the only ones sitting were Elder Amancio and me. 

The visiting General Authority, Brother Maurício Gonzaga, talked about developing charity and other attributes that we need to become more like the Savior. 

In the scriptures, I’m finishing up 3rd Nephi and will start the New Testament soon—reading in Portuguese. My goal for the year is to read the Book of Mormon, Doctrine & Covenants and New Testament in Portuguese. Do you have a favorite book in the scriptures or a favorite chapter? I really like John 21, but I feel like a favorite chapter or book in the scriptures isn’t playing fair, right?

I am happy, working hard, and I will keep praying for you all.

I hope you have an awesome week! 

Love you!

Elder Hughes 

Stake Conference with President and Sister Silcox. 

Domingo dia de Conferência! Photo credit: Diogo Jones

Rain.

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 

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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.

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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

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 "'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

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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