Well hey there everyone! How're you all doing? I gotta say, thanks everyone for writing me this week. I really appeciate hearing from you all and the pics of my little (big) nephew. I also got my package with the sweet BYU Football shirt. Thanks a ton! I will also be making lots of pancakes, french toast, and Root Beer with my district. I didn't especially like the Krispy Kreme hats, but at least it wasn't an In-N-Out wrapper, and I know it was well-intentioned.
So who liked General Conference? I did!!!! How many talks were about missionary work? and THEY'RE MAKING THE PROVO TABERNACLE INTO A TEMPLE?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? Woah, how did that go over in Provo? Did everyone get way excited? I am! I'll probably be there when it gets dedicated! (In Provo, not the temple mesmo). I seriously thought conference was ridiculously good this time (its always really good).
So this week was fairly interesting. Murphy's Law was in effect in our area, just about everything went wrong. Remember how I said that I was feeling feverish? Well that shortly exploded into a fever of 101, so we didn't get to work much. Then, on Friday, we had interviews with President Cordon and then I had a couple baptismal interviews in my district so we didn't even work in our area that day. THEN, on Saturday my comp woke up puking because of food poisoning and that put him out of commission for the rest of the weekend. So... it was... interesting...
...but I followed what the Spirit told me and I feel strongly what I did was best. It was interesting to me to realize how much I've learned here on the mission about the Spirit and about following his guidance. It'll all work out in the end.
...So, has anyone gotten what I sent yet? They should have arrived in all of you respective houses now. Have they gotten there? LEt me know when they arrive!
Well family, I'm glad that you're all doing well. Everyone's doing great and so am I. The Lord sure blesses us. I love you all and hope that things will keep going along well for you all and that life keeps going spendiferously. The gospel is true and we are all truly being blessed. Keep´it up! Oh, and can you believe that its October already? NUTS!!!!!! My birthday is next month! CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Hint hint... presents...)
Love you all! Gotta run!!!!
-Elder Marx
Hey!
Hey everyone! How are you all doing? Things are going well here, actually, I'm a bit feverish so I'm not feeling all that great, but life goes on. How was everyone's week? How is my little sobrinho? (Hint Hint... Elder Bubba wants new and current fotos...). Are things starting to get a little cooler now that its almost October? Things are starting to get a little warmer here. Spring officially started here and the sun is STRONG. Don't worry, I'm using lots of sunscreen so I don't fry like a shrimp. But yeah, is everyone excited to watch General Conference? I am! Its going to be sweet! And did you all see the new Liahona/Ensign all about the Book of Mormon? It thought it was cool. I think it will help out a lot of people investigating the Church, and the members as well. Actually, speaking of the Book of Mormon, PResident Cordon (my mission president) challenged us all to read the Book of Mormon before New Years. So, we're having to read about 6 pages a day. You'd think it a lot of reading, and it is, but he then pointed out that it took Joseph Smith about 75 days to translate the Book, which is way less time than its taking us to read it. Its kinda crazy to think about, but its just another testimony builder about how the book IS true.
So, if I remember right I challenged you all to do something to help out the missionary work. How did that go? Did you guys go on splits with the missionaries or give a book or mormon or pass along card? I'd like to know how it went (and if you didn't do it repent and DO IT). I had an interesting experience this Sunday, one of the people who would have given a talk in Church didn't show up so they asked me to give a talk about missionary work. I had about 10 minutes to preapare, but it worked out all right. I read Alma 13: 24 to them and testified to them that angels really are preparing the people to recieve the Restored Gospel. I then told them that many people think that the angels that Mormon is referring to here are the missionaries, but actually we aren't the angels- the Word that comes in its glory. There's actually a better way- the members. There's someone who can prepare the people before the missionaries even say a work to them, and that's the members. The members can help the people prepare and accept the Gospel well before the missionaries show up. We (the missionaries) are the word that comes in its glory, but the angels that are working beforehand are actually the members. I then challenged them all to be angels and to help us find the people that are "who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it—" (D&C123:12). I think it went well, I felt the Spirit at least and I think and hope and pray that the members did as well and that we can start working together to find more people.
But how is BYU Football going? Is there anything exciting going on that I should know about? Its been more than a month since I recieved any letters because I'm waaaaaaay out in Podunk, so if you're counting on me getting your letters its doubtful. If there's anything important that you want me to know, put it in the email. Oh and speaking of letters, has anyone gotten what I sent to you all? I think its been about 2 weeks since I sent them so you should be getting them soon. Let me know when they arrive and what you all think of them.
But yeah, so I haven't really heard from anyone so I'd like to hear how you all are doing. Drop me a line! Especially Mr. I'm-engaged-but-won't-write-to-Brasil-Boy-to-tell-him-what-is-going-on... *evil glare*. So people, drop me a line! I love you all and would like to hear how you're doing! Give Bronson-Boy a hug from his uncle as well...
Love you all!!!!
-Elder Marx
So, if I remember right I challenged you all to do something to help out the missionary work. How did that go? Did you guys go on splits with the missionaries or give a book or mormon or pass along card? I'd like to know how it went (and if you didn't do it repent and DO IT). I had an interesting experience this Sunday, one of the people who would have given a talk in Church didn't show up so they asked me to give a talk about missionary work. I had about 10 minutes to preapare, but it worked out all right. I read Alma 13: 24 to them and testified to them that angels really are preparing the people to recieve the Restored Gospel. I then told them that many people think that the angels that Mormon is referring to here are the missionaries, but actually we aren't the angels- the Word that comes in its glory. There's actually a better way- the members. There's someone who can prepare the people before the missionaries even say a work to them, and that's the members. The members can help the people prepare and accept the Gospel well before the missionaries show up. We (the missionaries) are the word that comes in its glory, but the angels that are working beforehand are actually the members. I then challenged them all to be angels and to help us find the people that are "who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it—" (D&C123:12). I think it went well, I felt the Spirit at least and I think and hope and pray that the members did as well and that we can start working together to find more people.
But how is BYU Football going? Is there anything exciting going on that I should know about? Its been more than a month since I recieved any letters because I'm waaaaaaay out in Podunk, so if you're counting on me getting your letters its doubtful. If there's anything important that you want me to know, put it in the email. Oh and speaking of letters, has anyone gotten what I sent to you all? I think its been about 2 weeks since I sent them so you should be getting them soon. Let me know when they arrive and what you all think of them.
But yeah, so I haven't really heard from anyone so I'd like to hear how you all are doing. Drop me a line! Especially Mr. I'm-engaged-but-won't-write-to-Brasil-Boy-to-tell-him-what-is-going-on... *evil glare*. So people, drop me a line! I love you all and would like to hear how you're doing! Give Bronson-Boy a hug from his uncle as well...
Love you all!!!!
-Elder Marx
Carta Semanal 21 de Setembro
...So how is everyone doing? Life down here is going amazingly! Our P-Day is going great, I'm going to another area tonight to do a baptismal interview so we invited the other Elders in our district to come hang out with us. So, there's a member who teaches Muay Thai here and every P-Day he teaches us for free, so Bubba'a learning Muay Thai. I'm actually really liking it too. Is there a gym or place with Muay Thai in Provo? If so, I want to keep at it after the mission, I'm really liking it. So after that we went and climbed this HUGE hill and tooki pics of the area. It was really pretty but the hill was covered in mud so we all kept slipping and sliding and falling and by the time we made it to the bottom of the hill, we were all covered in mud. So after we get done writing emails we going to the beach play soccer in the sand. Yeah, this is a pretty darn good P-Day. Also, thanks for getting me your addresses, you all have post cards en route to your new addresses and I hope that they get there sooner than later.
So the work here is going along well. We were blessed to have a lot of investigators at church and they all really liked it, so things are going really well here. I was in a division with a zone Leader yesterday and we actually had a really cool experience. We were knocking doors and these two people let us in the house. At first, I thought it was going to be a bible bash but they let us share the message.The guy said he was in seminary (training to be a priest in the catholic church) but the spirit was in the room really strong. In the end we gave him a book of Mormon and he had a ot of interest. Its great to know that D&C 123 is true, that there are people everywhere in the world that are seperated from the truth only because they don't know where to find it. So the work's going really well here. We're working really hard and we're starting to see fruits. Its a great feeling to be here and work hard and start to see fruits for all your hard work.
So how is BYU Football going? How is college football in general? Who's number one right now? I don't want lots of details, but I would like to be informed. How's mom and dad's new house? Any fun, new, and interesting developments?
So unfortunately, I don't have much to write about this week. Nothing really exciting happened, just lots of hard work, and lots of blessings from the Lord. So I'd like to just share my testimony with you guys. I know that this is the work of the Lord. I know that He wants us all to help our brothers and sisters out to find the Restored Gospel. Without the members, missionary work is waaaay more difficult. I ave a challenge for all of you guys: Either go on splits with the missionaries or invite someone you know to church, or give someone a Book of Mormon. Simple and little things, but that make all the difference in the long run. Love you guys!! Tell me how it goes this week!!!
-Elder Marx
Pictures!
So the work here is going along well. We were blessed to have a lot of investigators at church and they all really liked it, so things are going really well here. I was in a division with a zone Leader yesterday and we actually had a really cool experience. We were knocking doors and these two people let us in the house. At first, I thought it was going to be a bible bash but they let us share the message.The guy said he was in seminary (training to be a priest in the catholic church) but the spirit was in the room really strong. In the end we gave him a book of Mormon and he had a ot of interest. Its great to know that D&C 123 is true, that there are people everywhere in the world that are seperated from the truth only because they don't know where to find it. So the work's going really well here. We're working really hard and we're starting to see fruits. Its a great feeling to be here and work hard and start to see fruits for all your hard work.
So how is BYU Football going? How is college football in general? Who's number one right now? I don't want lots of details, but I would like to be informed. How's mom and dad's new house? Any fun, new, and interesting developments?
So unfortunately, I don't have much to write about this week. Nothing really exciting happened, just lots of hard work, and lots of blessings from the Lord. So I'd like to just share my testimony with you guys. I know that this is the work of the Lord. I know that He wants us all to help our brothers and sisters out to find the Restored Gospel. Without the members, missionary work is waaaay more difficult. I ave a challenge for all of you guys: Either go on splits with the missionaries or invite someone you know to church, or give someone a Book of Mormon. Simple and little things, but that make all the difference in the long run. Love you guys!! Tell me how it goes this week!!!
-Elder Marx
Pictures!
Hey!!!
Hey family!!! How are you all doing? How is life on the other side of the world? How is College Football going? I don't want too many details (no trunky!) but I would like to be informed. How is life? Is it getting colder now? Can you believe this week made 10 years since September 11th? How did all that go? Any fun and exciting new developments?
...So, this week was actually really good. We worked really hard and saw some success. Its kinda complicated here because its a tourist town and summer's starting so most of the people we talk to aren't from our area, but we're making it work. I actually got back last night from a rather fun excursion to Curitiba. So here's what happened: so to get to Curitiba we had to take a bus for an hour and a half to get to Paranaguá, where the nearest missionaries live. We slept in the LZ's house and got up at 4:30 in the morning so the four of us could shower and get to the bus at 6. We then took another bus another 2 hours to get to Curitiba, where we then had a training for all the leadership in the mission. After sitting in the training the whole day, we then had to run BACK to the bus station and take the bus BACK to Paranaguá and then take the bus BACK to Matinhos, another hour and a half. Yeah, I spent a LOT of time on the bus.
Actually I had a really cool experience on the bus coming home to Matinhos. I sat in a seat away from my comp and another person sat down next to me. I was really tired and was starting to fall asleep but I felt a strong prompting to talk to the guy. I kinda groaned to myself about how I was tired and didn't want to talk to him but the prompting came back even stronger. Finally, I started to talk with him. He was actually a cool guy and works with music, so we sat there chatting about music and then I started to talk to him and teach him about the Book of Mormon. He got really interested and I started explaining to him about how God called prophets here in the Americas and how Christ came and taught the people here in the Americas after his Resurrection. He got really interested and so I went on to 3rd Nephi 11 and he started reading right there on the bus. He said he really wanted to know more about what Christ did here in the Americas and so we marked a day to teach him. After he got off I felt so great, I was so grateful that I listened to the promptings of the Spirit and that I opened my mouth and taught this child of God the Gospel, even if it was 9 at night and I was tired and wanted to sleep. If you follow the Spirit you can find opportunities to share the gospel with anyone and in any situation, and last night strengthened my testimony of that.
So yeah, we had a great week. We had lots of experiences like that and I'm grateful that I'm here serving as a missionary. I love this Gospel and I love the Book of Mormon. Its true!!!!!!! I get sad when I think I only have a few more months that I can keep sharing the Gospel with these wonderful people here in Brasil. I hope you all are doing well and I want you all to know that I know that this work is the work of the Lord and that this church is true!
-Elder Marx
Pictures:
...So, this week was actually really good. We worked really hard and saw some success. Its kinda complicated here because its a tourist town and summer's starting so most of the people we talk to aren't from our area, but we're making it work. I actually got back last night from a rather fun excursion to Curitiba. So here's what happened: so to get to Curitiba we had to take a bus for an hour and a half to get to Paranaguá, where the nearest missionaries live. We slept in the LZ's house and got up at 4:30 in the morning so the four of us could shower and get to the bus at 6. We then took another bus another 2 hours to get to Curitiba, where we then had a training for all the leadership in the mission. After sitting in the training the whole day, we then had to run BACK to the bus station and take the bus BACK to Paranaguá and then take the bus BACK to Matinhos, another hour and a half. Yeah, I spent a LOT of time on the bus.
Actually I had a really cool experience on the bus coming home to Matinhos. I sat in a seat away from my comp and another person sat down next to me. I was really tired and was starting to fall asleep but I felt a strong prompting to talk to the guy. I kinda groaned to myself about how I was tired and didn't want to talk to him but the prompting came back even stronger. Finally, I started to talk with him. He was actually a cool guy and works with music, so we sat there chatting about music and then I started to talk to him and teach him about the Book of Mormon. He got really interested and I started explaining to him about how God called prophets here in the Americas and how Christ came and taught the people here in the Americas after his Resurrection. He got really interested and so I went on to 3rd Nephi 11 and he started reading right there on the bus. He said he really wanted to know more about what Christ did here in the Americas and so we marked a day to teach him. After he got off I felt so great, I was so grateful that I listened to the promptings of the Spirit and that I opened my mouth and taught this child of God the Gospel, even if it was 9 at night and I was tired and wanted to sleep. If you follow the Spirit you can find opportunities to share the gospel with anyone and in any situation, and last night strengthened my testimony of that.
So yeah, we had a great week. We had lots of experiences like that and I'm grateful that I'm here serving as a missionary. I love this Gospel and I love the Book of Mormon. Its true!!!!!!! I get sad when I think I only have a few more months that I can keep sharing the Gospel with these wonderful people here in Brasil. I hope you all are doing well and I want you all to know that I know that this work is the work of the Lord and that this church is true!
-Elder Marx
Pictures:
Hi!!!
...Anyhoo... How is everyone doing? I'm glad to hear that BYU won... So is it starting to cool down or is it still blazing hot? Its actually pretty chilly down here (again) its cold and rainy and wet.
So unfortunately I only have 45 minutes now to send email. So, Bubba is now going to have to start writing letters because this silly computer isn't even letting me type very much. The keys are all sticking together so I can't even type very fast and I have to pound on the keys to get them to type.. grr...
Anyhoo...
So, I'm really starting to like my area. I seriously think I was transferred to paradise. I live about 100 yards from the beach so we go jogging on it in the mornings. The people here aren't from Curitiba so they're a lot more open, and we have a member who will teach us Muay Thai on P-Days. I'm really loving it here. The downsides: Every time I have to do a baptismal interview or go to district meeting I have to take a rickety, old, slow Brazilian bus for an hour and a half to get to Paranaguá. Then take the same rickety, old, slow bus back to Matinhos after. I feel like I live on the bus. But our area has TONS of potential. We have several investigators who are progressing well and I'm hoping and praying that we'll help them be baptized soon.
Okay well... my time's up. I feel really bad that I couldn't type much but I'll write a letter and when I know everyone's addresses I'll start sending letters to make up.
The gospel IS TRUE!!!!!
-Elder Marx
Pictures:
So unfortunately I only have 45 minutes now to send email. So, Bubba is now going to have to start writing letters because this silly computer isn't even letting me type very much. The keys are all sticking together so I can't even type very fast and I have to pound on the keys to get them to type.. grr...
Anyhoo...
So, I'm really starting to like my area. I seriously think I was transferred to paradise. I live about 100 yards from the beach so we go jogging on it in the mornings. The people here aren't from Curitiba so they're a lot more open, and we have a member who will teach us Muay Thai on P-Days. I'm really loving it here. The downsides: Every time I have to do a baptismal interview or go to district meeting I have to take a rickety, old, slow Brazilian bus for an hour and a half to get to Paranaguá. Then take the same rickety, old, slow bus back to Matinhos after. I feel like I live on the bus. But our area has TONS of potential. We have several investigators who are progressing well and I'm hoping and praying that we'll help them be baptized soon.
Okay well... my time's up. I feel really bad that I couldn't type much but I'll write a letter and when I know everyone's addresses I'll start sending letters to make up.
The gospel IS TRUE!!!!!
-Elder Marx
Pictures:
So there have been some changes...
So... guess what happened... Okay everyone made their guesses? I got transferred!!!!! I am now writing to you all from the city of Matinhos. Don't know where that is? Neither did I until I got transferred here lol. (you guys can go google map it and look it up). So, I'm waaaaay out in the boondocks now. So, to get here I had to wake up at 5 in the morning, then I had to have a member drop me off at the bus station, took a bus for 2 hours or so until I got to the city of Paranaguá, and then I took another bus for another hour and a half until I got here in Matinhos. Yeah, I'm pretty far away. From everything. Seriously, the nearest missionaries are like an hour and a half away so we're pretty isolated. Actually, it'd probably be easier to get a hold of the missionaries from the Florianopolis Mission. We're also like right on the beach. Like the beach is 10 minutes from our house. So, all in all, I think Elder Bubba's in for an adventure. Oh, and my companion is Elder Bruce, despite his name, he's actually Brazilian. He's got 3 transfers here on the mission so I'm not training, but he's young and full of energy, so it should be good. I'm actually super excited to be here, its going to be a whole new ball game, but I'm excited for the challenges. Oh, and what does this mean to you guys? Well, once again, packages and letters will only come once a month when the LZs go to the super-secret-special-boy-club meeting (Also known as the Zone Leader Conference). So, if you've got something important to tell me, put it in the email because it'll take a while for the letters to get to me. Perguntas até agora? Muito Bom.
So, I was actually really sad to leave my area. I had spent 6 months there and I had come to really love the ward. I kinda almost cried a few times when I was saying goodbye to the people I had come to know and the people that I had the blessing to help to know the blessings of the Restored Gospel. I feel like I honestly made a difference with the people and the ward and I am truly grateful for the time I spent there. I baptized 12 people in the ward and it was great to see that every one of those people is still going strong in the church. Most of them have callings and they're all super strong. One of the young women I baptized came up to me with tears in her eyes and thanked me for everything I did helping her to know the gospel. There's nothing better than that in the world. It reminds me why I'm here as a missionary.
So... I think I've told you all that I'm working on making a collection of books in Portuguese so that I can get back and still stay strong and current in the language. So, we were walking and I saw a book by Glenn Beck. In Portuguese!!!! If I remember right its called "The Overton Window" It should be a good read when I get back. (I promise it won't leave my suitcase and I won't read it until there isn't a name-tag on my chest anymore.)
Okay, and one more thing. I know that my time is starting to disappear rapidly here on the mission. I really, truly want to avoid getting trunky at all costs because I can't afford it. If I get trunky I'll get less effective as a missionary and I won't be able to do the Lord's work. So, I'm asking you all now for your help. I don't want to hear anything about how much time I have left, what I will do when I get home, or what the plans will be. We can worry about that in another 8 months. I'm saying this because this last transfer the trunkiness started to get to me and I became much less effective as a missionary and the work suffered. I want to forget all about that stuff and stay focused on the mission.
So what else, well, here's some fotos for you all!!
hmm... what else? Does anyone have questions for me? I'm kinda out of it because I'm tired beyond reason and so if I forget anything forgive me. I love you all, I love this work and I love being a missionary. I truly have a testimony and I want to do everything I can in this time I have as a missionary of God.
-Elder Marx
PS Next week I'll have pics of the beach for you all!!!!
Hi!!!!
...Anyhoo... how is everyone doing? How's life up in the US of A? Life down here is pretty cold. Like its been cold and rainy for the last few days. Its getting near freezing at night. Not a big deal you say? Well, you forget that heated houses don't exist here in the Brasil and so how cold it is outside is just how cold it is inside. I'm not dying or anything, I'm just fine. I just had to bust out the fleece liner for my jacket and the thermals and things were just dandy... So yeah, I'm enjoying the cold while its here because soon it'll be gone and Elder Bubba will be cooking.
So this week, things are still going slow. We adopted a new program with our investigators called "Lute ou Chute" (Fight or kick) Basically we go in and lay it all out on the table that we are here to help them come unto Christ by helping them have more faith, repent and be baptized. The things we ask them to do are the things that will help them do just that... a lot of the people don't want to go to church, stop drinking coffee, read and pray, so our teaching pool is dwindling rapidly. Its kinda sad but necessary... So, this fun phase of the work involves "burning" the investigators a little so now we have some fun "Elder Marx-isms" and quotes:
- "You look sad, why are you sad?" "Because you didn't go to church like you said you would!"
- "You're only here for your church!" "No! I'm here for CHRIST!!!!"
- "Who are you to decide what Christ cares or doesn't care about?!"
- "I don't believe in that!" "That's great, but it doesn't change the fact that its a commandment from God!"
I just want to make it clear that I'm not doing it for fun, but to help these people realize that this IS the path that leads to true happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. It actually helped out quite a few of them... and they're now progressing and keeping their commitments. So, it was all worth it. I truly know that this is the true and everlasting Gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that this is the only way for people to get back to live with our heavenly father. I know that this is the work of the Lord and that the Lord truly wants everyone to follow this gospel. I love you all and hope you all know how important this is to me and that I truly have a testimony of this work. Its true!
Love you all!
-Elder Marx
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