October 27, 2009 - Letter Home

Man , I’m in the mission field! In the place I was meant to be for my whole life! I've read a bit of all of your emails, and am looking forward to reading them today.  Unfortunately, the computer  I was using to write  this e-mail  shut down 15 minutes into writing it,  and I don’t have much time. Also, I think I've done a good job documenting as much of the journey as I can through  photos, but I forgot the right cable at my new house! NOSSA! (AW MAN!) So the next letter will have a bunch of awesome photos, promise!

Very quickly, here's what happened on my first day!:  I left the CTM early in the morning, and separated with  my best friend and companion,  Brendon. It was hard for me. I know Brendon was feeling the same as I. But I walked out the door, and went to the airport, and arrived in Porto Alegre an hour later. Met with the President there,  had an excellent buffet lunch with all the new missionaries, and went to the President's apartment for some short interviews and some informational meetings. I  found out my trainer and mission “dad”  would be Elder Losee, an American whose been here 18 months. Went on the bus with 3 others who were going to my new area: Passo Fundo. It’s the furthest area from Porto Alegre, so the bus ride was 4 hours long! Passo Fundo is a city near Porto Alegre, to the northwest, so you guys should find it on a map! Dad can look up from his desk and see where in the world I am even as he's working! I met up with Elder Losee at night,  and we took a bus to our house.

Elder Connor Carpenter with President and Sister Pavan in Porto Alegre

 

New missionaries for Porto Alegre North!

The Bus ride to Passo Fundo

Elder Losee is awesome. He’s a little shorter, and he’s always wearing a smile and laughs a lot, although otherwise he is somewhat  quiet. The people here  really like him, and hes a good role model. He's fluent and has done a good job teaching me.

Elder Connor and his "trainer",  Elder Losee

I am loving the language now even more than in the CTM, and its fun to learn “gaucho” words and pronunciations that are unique to Rio Grande do Sol (the state of Brasil my mission is in). My area is amazing. It’s a paradise. Mom would love it. Hills, green pastures, blue skys, big puffy clouds, cobblestone streets more places than you'd think (they call it “parallelo-pipido”)… everyone here has horses and its quite funny because you'll see a horse every so often going right along the main roads. So you see a lot of horses grazing here. Honestly, the weather has been amazing, and I love it here.

Typical Passo Fundo

I am serving in the ward Boquerao (means “Big Mouth”), which has some AMAZING members. They greeted me into their ward like a king. After reading Brendon's letter, I feel a little spoiled here. The city  is completely modern other than the cobblestone streets and horses and actually there are some neighborhoods with only dirt roads and shacks. Most people also hang their clothes outside to dry and have chickens and cows and stuff. Oh, and there's stray dogs everywhere. Weird. I'm really liking it though. My house is very nice, although when I arrived it was ridiculously filthy. I met with the rest of my district today and compared stories with the other new elders here, and their stories were the same. If there's one thing bad I've seen here is that the missionaries seem a little too comfortable. We spend a little too much time just hanging out with members  and eating meals and walking long distances, and I feel like some things could be much more effective. Still, there is a lot to learn from the other missionaries, and I'm planning on just grazing around the edges a little while until I know what to do about this. My main goal right now is to become fluent, and do as much good with what we're doing now. Everyone says fluency comes at about 6 months into the mission, but I'm planning on doing it in 2.

I'm sorry if I sounded a little negative just now,  but Mom, you said to include it all. That’s what I'm dealing with now. However, its super awesome. I truly have felt that the adventure has begun, and I sincerely feel I've grown in just these last couple days. In fact, I might say I'm already drastically different. My goal in arriving here was to arrive as the missionary I want to be, and that doesn’t just mean you know the doctrine and the language. I've been working on being super social and making jokes and talking to everyone, and constantly wearing a smile. I love this goal. I still need to find a balance, but I'm absolutely giddy about trying to make people happy, through the gospel, yes, but also through kindness, love, and outgoingness.

I testify that through Jesus Christ, we can find enough joy and happiness so that it flows over, and we can only share that with others. I consider myself very anti-social by nature, but I think that through the light of God I will be able to turn that weakness into a strength. I know this is possible for everyone, and that there is SO MUCH happiness to be found in making others happy. The gospel is not a somber, serious thing. Sometimes we require quiet happiness in reverent places, but the gospel is filled with light and happiness always, and you can feel that wherever or whoever or however you are, in any circumstance, as long as you know where to look. You can know where to look through Christ and his teachings.

"Minha Casa"

"Living Room"

"My bed is on the left"

                             "My clothes are in the Center"

I love you all muuuito, and honestly there's so many details I wish I could share. I love you all so much, and there's no place I'd rather be than here at this time in my life. Read the scriptures and pray always, especially in families, but also by yourself. As you ponder and pray for yourself about these things, you'll find a way that nothing can touch you, save the love of God and the love of others.
Ah! Saudade! Until next week! Até mais!

Connor Carpenter

If you wish to send mail, send it to the following address:

R. Alípio Endres N 200
Bairro:  Edmundo Treim
CEP: 99030-030
Passo Fundo - RS
Brasil

@ Parents: Can you send me pictures of my baptism in an email? It will help me explain baptism to others. Thanks!

@ Dad: You've helped me a lot in my messages to the people here. Your experiences with the scriptures and the result in our family has really helped me relate the power of the Book of Mormon to people. There is a lot of problems in the economy here also, and I often am able to relate about how many people at home are in the same situation, but that through prayer and diligence I know that our family will be taken care of. I really think it has helped people look up from their problems. Thank you very much for all that you’ve done for me. There's so much more than the things I just said.

@ Mom: I love you so much. You are great. You would love it here so much. I'm trying to enjoy it like you would want me to . I can't wait to bring you back here. Wow, mom, I miss you so much. Thank you for all you have done for me throughout my life. You did such a great job and I never even realized how much you did. Thank you so much. You’ve made so much of you I am.

@ Lynsey and Kaitlin: Ahhh! My sisters! I love you so much! Im having such a fun time here! I miss you lots, but I'm also excited for all the cool things we are going to do when we return. So many excellent experiences we will have together. Enjoy every day!

Lyns, what cool things are you doing with your friends now that the lake and river is off  limits? Driving in the fog  now? I love you so much! Be strong and find comfort in the arms of the Lord!

Kaitlin! Halloween is soon! So exciting! I'm playing a lot with Brasilian children and they are sooooo cute! They have sweet little Portuguese jabbering, and laugh so much when I try to say things! They would love you so much here! How is learning languages? Are you enjoying learning and school? Watching any new cool shows or films? Tell Mom to take you to the library! It was so fun looking for books with you. The holidays will be so much fun! What do you want for Christmas? Going to see family soon? Any cute new clothes? Send me pictures! I can open them in my email here, and print them off! Love love love! So happy to have such beautiful princesses waiting at home for me.

@  Brendon: I Love you bro. I miss you very much, but I'm  also loving sharing this adventure with you. It will be so awesome to exchange stories after the mission. As per our agreement, I have a good memory for you. Remember on that super activity where we went to that lake near the Sierras, in the folsom ward? Remember going fishing together in the morning with Brother Dawson? Remember later going on that small boat at top speed going to that one cave? Warm, slow-baking sun, the fresh cool wind in our hair, flecks of cool water hitting your body and your hand when you stuck it out to feel the wake? The quick bobbing of the fast boat. Green everywhere, green mountains too, and also in the distances snowcapped peaks? That cave was really cool too, but the ride there was sweet. And it was also cool that we were together, for that activity and so many others. That made it better. Too bad I think I took that for granted. I love you buddy. That’s when I started to notice that life was an adventure. I forgot how to do it a couple times since, but its one of my most favorite things I've learned to do. And all the best adventures are shared. That’s why its cool we’re both doing the same thing now. We might not be together physically, but we’re in this together. Live it up and live with all the gusto you got! Love you buddy!

@ Todd, Nick, Zach:
Wow! So awesome to have so much to read tonight! I love your family home evenings! I wish I  could respond more, but I promise I will next week. And I will enjoy your  letters so much  today! I love you guys so much! Nick, Zach… man. You guys are going to love the mission. I thought the CTM was pretty fun, but this takes the cake! Practice overcoming your fears and problems and concerns through the power of the gospel. Continue building up your testimonies by looking for and receiving all the blessings and happiness God is waiting to give us. You guys rock! Thanks muchly for information about your lives (and especially information about Halo!). Love love love!
Todd, thank you so much for the stories and advice, I will digest them later and I truly appreciate it. You are truly a mentor. Like Gandalf. Or Obi-Wan. I love you guys muchly! Be strong!

October 24, 2009 - Goodbye Brother!

Elders Brendon and Connor say Goodbye for 22 months!

Connor is headed down to the Southern part of Brazil, to Porto Alegre

 

and
Brendon is headed North to Fortaleza.

 

Until we meet ...in August 2011!

October 23, 2009 - Goodbye to Sao Paulo and the CTM!

Some Photos from the Last Days at the CTM...

Fifteen Fated Porto Alegreans!

Elder Connor and Elder Lima

CTM Presidentes and Elder Connor

The Sixth Floor Spectacle!

 

 Last morning breakfast with Elder Feller

October 20, 2009 - Letter Home

E ai! Vindo á você para São Paulo por a vez ultima!

So I am on my last P-day here in the CTM! This is the last e-mail from the CTM! Yes! I can´t explain how excited I am to leave on the 23rd (they changed it again) at 8:35AM, to board the plane with all of the 15 other missionaries heading to Porto Alegre, seeing São Paulo for the last time from the air, and enjoying the Brazilian landscape before setting down in the magical city of Porto Alegre, then setting my foot for the first time on the land that I was meant to serve in since before I was born, and meeting mission president, get briefed, and shuttled straight off onto a train for my first area in the field, to meet my trainer, and to finally start this journey I’ve waited for since before I received my call more than 6 months ago. Yeah!

                              Elders Carpenter and a "Sister" Missionary

Yesterday instead of class our district went to meetings for departing districts, and it totally psyched us all up. We got our schedules, had a nice spiritual message from Presidente Woodward’s wife, and then had a health meeting where I got an excersize band and a cool water filtration thing! Truly gifts for a warrior.
Also, for the past couple days our instructors have pretty much used up half the class just talking about mission stories, and I'm just really stoked right now. However, although I'm so excited for the field, the day keeps coming closer that I'll have to part with Brendon. It's going to be a bit harder than I thought, I think, just like it was a bit harder to leave my family at the airport than I had thought. He’s going to be an excellent missionary. I can’t wait to hear about his success.

So last Friday we did our 2nd proselyting day. And it was wild. So here’s what happened: they put our district on a bus, drove straight into the middle of the city, to a city square with a huge cathedral and crowds of busy people, and told us to get out really fast while we were waiting at an intersection, and out we went with 3 Livros de Mórmon, a couple passalong cards, our testimonies, and a very limited knowledge of Brasilian portuguese. Wow. It was intense. We managed to place all of our Livros, though, even handing out Elder Feller’s own copy, and all of our passalong cards. We were out on the street for about 4 hours. My past stories of proselyting were very interesting, but I'm afraid that wasn't the case this time. Some nice people, some more rude, but nothing out of the ordinary. The oddest thing was Elder Feller and I ending up talking to this homeless lady for about 20 minutes. She talked about her life, and she had a very very sad life. It made me feel so grateful for the life I've been given. We gave her a LdM (Livro de Mormon - Book of Mormon), read a scripture, and bore our testimonies that she would be taken care of, but I'm sad to say that it didn't seem to have much effect on her, and it didn't look like she would be taken care of very soon; how can you focus on God and spirituality when so much of your basic needs are severely lacking, and you are trapped by addiction and an unmerciful societal structure? I guess the best thing to do would be to have faith that the Lord can provide a way for her to change her life. But it really got me blue for a little while.

We also met some very nice people. Marcus was a college student on a working vacation to São Paulo, and he was a very active evangélico who knew the Bible inside and out. At first he was somewhat argumentative, but I know he could feel the spirit, and he was very curious and interested in the LdM, despite the fact that he beleived there could be nothing more than the Bible. I hope he reads it. It'll be so nice to be able to teach these people past the initial meeting. Sonha was a very nice old lady with bright red hair who, honestly, I couldnt understand what she was saying, but apparently my attempts to communicate with her eventually paid off because out of nowhere she was giving us huge (illegal!) hugs, and took our Book of Mórmon, kissed it, raised it to the sky and said Halleluhah! I came away from that very bewildered but also couldn't keep a smile off my face. Sweet! I hope she understood what it was she had taken... Hehe, the memory still makes me laugh. Anyway, it was a solid day. Can't wait to do it full time!

                     Elder Lima is pretending to pull me out a 6th Floor window

Well, I'm running out of time. I just want to let you know a couple things before I go:
- You might not get a letter or e-mail next week, for some reason, because I hear its harder for the first week in the field
– I finished reading the New Testament, and am starting the Book of Mormon in Portuguese
– I've done so much fun stuff here that I haven't told you about, a couple things:

- Closing the windows in the shower room, running them all on top heat, closing the drains, hanging a bedsheet by the entrance entrances, creates a sauna and our entire floor had a lot of fun during free time that day (sounds a little weird but it was cool)
– Shooting sharpened toothpicks out of straws at balloons during lunch
– Tying candy to a string and lowering it out the window to try to get people below us to reach for it
– Sleepovers in our room complete with ridiculously funny and ridiculously scary stories
– Doing service, lifting boxes of tile on the roof of the CTM, with 4 foot barriers guarding against an 8 story drop
– Trying to scare guys all the time as they come around the córner of the stairs
– Goofing around all the time in between intense study and class
– More details later I guess.

                     Brazilian Friends and Roomates

Family, I am thinking about you, and I love you.
I have a more personal written 3 page letter coming to you via MissionTiés. (And yeah mom, I haven't sent any for the past 2 weeks, sorry)

Okay, gotta go!
Love love love! Dad! Mom! Lynsey lyns! Kateyloo!
Till next (or next next) week!

Very much love,
Elder Con

P.S. Shout out to Uncle Kevin! I got his letter and I love it and I can't wait to get some pictures of my brand new cousin Jonah! Be strong guys! Also, some very interesting ideas about fun things to do from the top of tall buildings... Will try and see if it works in Brasil as well. Just as an experiment. :) Love you!
P.S.S. Also, thank you Randy and Codee for your awesome card. I actually got it two weeks ago. I loved the custom cut-outs and Jamison’s virtuoso artwork. That really made my day! Thank you!
P.S.S.S. Oh yeah, photos! Just remember I love all those guys! Especially the Brasilheiros. Funny people, all of them.

Bye!

Handwritten letter that he wrote that same day
(but I didn't get til 3 weeks later!)

10-20-2009
My dear Family!

I just finished with a temple session at the Sao Paulo temple. It was my third time there, my 5th time in Brazil, and my last time going with Brendon for at least 2 years. That’s odd to think about. I am so thankful that I have been able to go as much as I have in the last six months. I have so many good memories about the temple, especially of those times with family and extended family. For certainly all the temple sessions I can go to in the future will be reminding me and helping me feel connected to them.

So just yesterday me, and everyone else who arrived at the same time to the CTM, had a bunch of meetings about our departure schedule. It got all of us so pumped! I’ll be at the airport at about 6:30am on the 23rd, and we will depart at 8:30am, and we will arrive at the Porto Alegre airport at 11:30am. So awesome.

I’ve learned so much here at the CTM, and it’s already acquired a feeling of home. I will also miss so many people I’ve met here. More than anything I’m dreading that last moment with Brendon. We’ve spent more and more time together as it ha gotten closer, but it would never be enough. Although I love writing to you guys and are enjoying our communication, it’s still different. It’s weird that Brendon will turn into that same distant voice that I hear from you.

             "Instructor Ramon and Me"

Honestly, I’ve gotten a bit homesick over the past week. Our teachers have lessened the work load, and we’ve all gotten so comfortable in our schedules, that it seems like there’s just so much more time to think. And thoughts eventually lead to home. I can’t wait till I can get out into the field so I can have a constant supply of new people, problems, and responsibilities to apply myself with. The CTM definitely gave me that rush at first, but I feel like I’ve conquered it now. Onto the next adventure!I feel like I’m prepared.

The language came fairly easily, although I’m far, far from any stage of fluency. It seems with the language, you get exactly what you put into it, I know that for “X” hours of study I can get “X” much better. There are ways to get “more bang for your buck”, of course, like by listening to Brazilians or using the scriptures, but I don’t think there’s any secret formula with learning how to live to a strict schedule full of steady and learning 14 hours a day, it’s a bit different. A little harder, but I still think it’s just a matter of time before you get used to it.

The hardest thing I think was to learn how to coexist with a bunch of strangers without going crazy. Especially being with one specific stranger 24/7.  I was pretty scared at first. And during the first couple of weeks I didn’t know if I’d ever be good friends with Elder Feller. However, I think my relationship with him has been one of my greatest victories of the CTM. We are very good friends now, and enjoy being companions. We used to have companionship inventories where we would just talk about what we could do better, and what bugged us about each other, but for the past couple we just talk about stuff we’re succeeding at and about our lives, and I’m really going to miss him as a companion. It’s cool that someone you initially though would be incompatible with you could end up being your very good friend. I think that’s probably possible with a lot more people than we expect. Cool. My trick to becoming friends with him was to stop trying to win every argument, and stop trying to show off so much, and to not point out all his mistakes but instead celebrate his successes. There's definitely more lessons to learn, but I’m thankful for what I’ve learned from Elder Feller.

"Most Awkward Companionship"... turned great friends

So, anyway, I miss you guys lots.

Dad, I think about you often and how you would have wanted to serve your mission. The excitement you had for us to go serve always puts what I am doing here into perspective. I also can’t wait to help people and families change their lives just like you did. There’s a lot of happiness to be had.

Mom, I am so very thankful for your constant correspondence and it always gets my hopes up when I need it. I’m so excited for you and Dad to go on a mission a little further down the road. Actually, let me rephrase that, I’m excited to return here to Brasil in a couple of years with you and the fam. (little more closer to look forward to). I think you would love Brasil, especially Brasilians. I t would be cool if we all moved down here later on for a year maybe. I just think you especially would love learning the language. Actually, all that goes for Kaitlin too! Anyway, Mom, you’re doing great at being a mother of missionaries, and I’m so thankful for you and how you’ve raised me, and all the great memories we have together.

Lynsey, you are also very often in my thoughts as I think of you having the high school experience. Live it up! There’s so much I wish I had done different, and you’re doing great, but remember that you’ll never be in high school again! I also think of how great you’ll be out here, and how much fun you’ll have on your mission. Thank you so much for your letters. I love them! I know you may think that nothing interesting is happening to you, but I just love hearing from you. I know writing letters are hard though, so don’t worry about it. I love ya so much Lyns.

Katilin! I especially miss you, and have been missing you lots! Don’t forget about me okay, my sis? I know you wouldn’t. But just know that I think of you always, and I can’t wait to see you! But don’t think about it too much, it’s a long way off, I just hope you can love every day, and have fun with our family, and have fun learning at school! There’s so much to be happy about my Kate! I hope you enjoy the fall, and seeing the trees change and have fun holidays! Halloween will be super fun and I can’t wait to see pictures of your costume! Also, you need to write me about the languages you’ve been learning about!

Alright guys! Next letter you get from me will be from Porto Alegre, and I’ll be a bonafide “greenie”!

I can’t wait!

Love you muchly!
Elder Connor Carpenter

October 13, 2009 - Letter Home

October 13, 2009

Minha Famila!

Hello from São Paulo, Brazil! Thank you so much for your letters, I have enjoyed them sincerely. Letters are the most coveted object out here in the CTM. Every paragraph you send is like a Christmas present. Unfortunately, parents, I didn't have time to write a written letter this P-Day, because we went to the São Paulo temple. I think I will be able to get everything I want said out in this email though. I hope.

Sao Paulo Temple

So the same day I sent you my last update, we later went out into the city just to explore. We found the central park of Casa Verde (neighbourhood where the CTM is located) and it was very dirty, but also very cool because it had a lot of grass and trees! We only see vegetation like that when we go to the temple! Anyway, we saw a bunch of elementary schoolers playing soccer, and for a while we just stood by a cheered for every goal for them (they really liked that they had an audience), but then me and 5 of my companions joined in and started playing! Fortunately, we managed to hold our own, but they were crazy good, and also like a third of our age! It was hilarious. We were all laughing the entire time. We had to end it when my companion accidentally tripped one of the kids and then they all stopped playing and glared at him until we left. We joked around with them a little more and they were back to smiling and laughing again, but we decided to call that the end of our futebol experience.

So yesterday the Brazilians that arrived three weeks ago had to leave, and it was a sad day.  I really grew close to those guys, and we were all pretty misty as we said goodbye forever to them. Makes me think of how hard it will be to leave the rest of my district, or Brendon. Man. Actually, we might be leaving a bit earlier than I thought. The rumor going around now is that my district only will be leaving for the field on the 21st, because our mission president hás a meeting later when we would otherwise come. I love the fact that I could be in Porto Alegre 8 days from now, but am also scared and don't want to think about leaving Brendon. I think I'm ready though: there’s only so much learning I think you can do out here without being completely immersed in the culture, the language, and the work, 24/7. I ready to get out there and work!

Right now I'm trying to finish the New Testament before I leave. I'm actually really enjoying it! I'm in 2 Corinthians now. It actually really supports and expounds a lot of doctrine we learn in the Book of Mormon. I love the Bible. I'm hoping that me knowing the Bible well will help me when I get out to Porto Alegre, where I hear there are many well-read evangelicals who base their lives on the New Testament. Cool.

I'm starting to miss my family more and more now; I think I am now officially away from home longer than I ever have been before. Wow. I'm hoping that I'll be able to accept the homesickness and get used to it, so I can turn it into a strength. I am however, grateful that I have something to be homesick for; one of the Brazilians we became good friends with, Elder David, was an orphan who lived on the streets with a gang until he met some missionaries. He was way cool, but I cant imagine being in his shoes.

I would like to bear testimony of the power and reality of the spirit. We are truly guided by God through our lives, but I think its just a bit more noticeable in the mission field. A couple of days ago I felt impressed to fast (I didn't know for what), and also to extend scripture study through our gym time. Later in the day, one of the other people in our district had a really tough time in his milestone lesson (a test on how well a companionship can give a specific lesson out of Preach My Gospel). He’s been having a little rougher time out here than a lot of us, and also some problems with being really shy, I think. Anyway, he couldn't speak during his entire milestone. My teacher sent him down with his companion into an empty room with his companion to pray and figure out how they could receive help for this problem. I didn't know about any of this, because they were in a different room. Then my teacher comes in while I'm doing personal language study and tells me that I am the one that that the Elder needs to help him. I didn't know at all what I was going to say, or what the problem was, but I went into the room, and felt the Spirit I think stronger than I ever have, and the words just came about what I think this Elder needed to hear. We were probably in there for about 45 minutes, and I was just completely astounded at how thoughts and words just came. So we figured out how to solve the problem, and all felt really good, and the spirit was so present, and we embraced and everything since then with this certain elder hás been just awesome. It certainly wasn't me that helped the Elder out, it was the Lord. I'm just thankful that on that one day in particular, I had been prepared to be more able to listen to the spirit to be a more effective tool for the Lord to take care of his sheep. Way cool.

Anyway, this hás been an otherwise uneventful week, but it is going well, and I am so excited to start this work in the field. Thank you so much for being there on the other side supporting me and my brother with your thoughts and prayers!

I love you all. In Brasil they have a word, “Saudade”, which means, in short, “a deep, intense longing for home and family.” That's certainly what I have for you all, and especially my family. I guess I'm turning Brasilian already! You’re in my thoughts and prayers!

Love love love,

Elder Con

October 6, 2009 - Letter Home

Ola ao Mundo!

October 6, 2009

Hey everyone!

Things are going great here in São Paulo, Brasil! General Conference was amazing this weekend, and I even feel a little guilty having a whole P-day to myself right after it! Despite the amazing talks and wonderful spirit, we also had 4 meals a day for two days instead of just 3, and we had probably 4-5 hours of free time on Saturday and Sunday. It was very cool. I got to sit next to Brendon for most of the meetings, and we got the opportunity to catch up a lot between meetings. After General Conference, it seems everyone hás kicked it into high gear here, and I hope that attitude continues! I'm feeling the spirit more than ever, and am having good success in my work, in both spiritual knowledge and knowledge of Portuguese.



This last week was also very cool because we were preparing all week for our first official proselyting day as a district. Instead of going to our class for four hours on Friday, we went out into the streets of São Paulo around the CTM, and were given 2 Livro de Mórmons per companionship, and a bunch of phone numbers to hand out for the church. Although I had a little experience from a previous P-day, I was still very nervous because the bar had been raised! So we said all the prayers we could and tried our best to memorize contacting phrases in Portuguese, and Elder Feller and I stepped out into the world!

Our first contact was with two seventeen year-olds returning from school, waiting for a bus. We sat down right next to them and talked with them for probably 15 minutes! They were very nice and they were actually in English class at their school so they were trying it out for the first time on real English speakers. We had fun teaching each other for a while and laughing at pronunciation differences, and then we slowly brought it into religion. They were both born Catholic but one of them had this idea about how he believed in nature and not God. Anyway, I was able to give a really cool testimony (I'm still impressed I was able to communicate it) about how church wasn't something you only do on Sundays, and that through knowledge of God's plan for you, you can more realize how beautiful and complex life and the world is. Anyway, we were feeling the spirit and we introduced the Book of Mórmon, and the one nature guy seemed really interested in reading it! We tried to teach as much as we could, but their bus came and we had to wrap it up. I had written my testimony in the book and also a phone number for more information. I hope he reads and prays about it!

Our second contact was with a man and a woman sitting on the grass in a little park. They seemed intimidating to talk to, because they were in the middle of a fast conversation. However, Elder Feller and I were committed to talking to everyone, so we approached them, said hi, and I think once they realized we weren't going away, they started talking to us. Luckily, the woman knew pretty good English! Another lucky contact! The man went off on talking about American politics and the unfairness of how people in Brasil have it so much worse, and Elder Feller and I really got a bit discouraged because it seemed like that is all they wanted to talk about, and we didn't really know what to say in response to some of his statements. However, I was impressed to read Helaman 5:12 with him, which is one of my favorite scriptures, about how if we are built on the rock of the Lord that nothing can topple us. We then were able to talk a bit about their religious lives. Then the man left, but said he was coming back. As soon as he was gone, the woman started crying and told us that they had three kids, but were not legally married, and that they had just been talking about getting separated! She said she had studied the Book of Mórmon when she was younger, but had lost her copy before she prayed about it, and that she knew that we were sent to her and her husband to help them focus on what God wants for their life! Woah! Elder Feller and I were misting up as we bore our testimonies, and gave her our second copy of the Livro de Mórmon, and I really can't remember what exactly happened except that we were both really feeling the spirit and the woman was very happy when she left. Way cool.

After that, we walked around without any books to hand out, but we talked to a bunch of people and handed out 8 phone numbers to people who said they were interested. Cool! It was a very uplifting day, but Elder Feller and I were absolutely dead tired after we got back. I slept good that night.

In other news, my District Leader got promoted to be an Assistant to the President. And I’m the new District Leader! Woah! It really caught me by surprise, and I'm still filling into the responsibility, but the rest of the district hás been really great in supporting me. So that's cool.

General Conference was amazing, and I also would have to say Elder Holland's talk was one of the highlights. There’s an Elder in our neighboring district, who came on the plane with us, who hás been having some problems with his testimony, specifically about Joseph Smith, and wanted to go home. He told his district that if something major didn’t happen at General Conference, that he was going to leave. Anyway, all of us were thinking of him as Elder Holland spoke, and it really seemed to be directed at him. That Elder is still here. Cool.

to watch part of Elder Holland's talk from General Conference, click here


However, General Conference was also a great blessing to me personally. It was awesome to think of all of you out there watching at the same time. I really liked Elder Scott’s talk at the beginning, Elder Packer’s, and Elder Eyring’s, which seemed to be pointed at the ability to receive the spirit, and gain real knowledge and real direction through it, and the possibility of miracles if we keep ourselves worthy and close to God. I liked the point that one Elder made, I can't remember who, who said not to become casual in your prayers and scripture study. I challenged my district over the next week to pray and study the scriptures about how their Heavenly Father wants to improve, and to trust in Him as they apply whatever answer they got. I know that if we do this in the right spirit, and trust in God and have faith in Him, that miracles could happen inside all of us. Cool.

Anyways, that was pretty much my last week! Everything is going very well! Of course, the reality is that time out here is, like the time out in the real world, made of its ups and downs. The trick is savoring the ups, and realizing that the downs are only there to challenge you to learn and develop so you can turn them upside down. I'm loving the fact that through sincere prayer, scripture study, and pondering, the Lord will help us in that process.

Dad, thank you so much for your email and update! Elder Uchtdorf's Priesthood talk especially made me think about you, and I imagined sitting beside you in Priesthood meeting. That's the thing I most missed during this weekend. I love you Dad. You are with me in my prayers. Your example hás held me up out here. Another talk I loved was the talk in Priesthood meeting about how to be good fathers and sons. You were a very good Dad, and I have absolutely no complaints or regrets. I know its a bit difficult while we’re separated out here, but I think our relationship will grow still, and I can't wait to be with you and continue to enjoy that relationship after we get back, and through eternity. Thanks for bein a good dad, Dad.

Mom! I love you! Thank you so much for your words! I love the updates! I wish I could write a more lengthy personal note, but I am out of time, and I love you! You are doing a great job with this missionary mom thing, and all the other elders are jealous!

Lynsey! I love you so much and you are such a great example to me. I am so proud of everything you have done so far in your life, and you are a beautiful young woman inside and out! Keep to the spirit and call on the Lord to lift you up! Whenever I see sisters here I think of you and how awesome you will be here! You were meant for this! Your life will for surely hold many great experiences and accomplishments!  Love ya sis!

Kaitlin! I love you so much! I am so glad you are having a good time at school and I am excited to get pictures of you as a beautiful Indian princess! I cant wait! How are you doing on learning Japanese? Do you know any new words? Have you still been learning about Hindi things? Is there anything cool in school that you've done? Any new friends? What are you doing with the family that hás been fun? What do you want to know about Brasil? Want to know any special words or ways to say things? I love you sis. You are such a special spirit and person and I am so glad I have someone back home who I love so much. Are you reading the Book of Mórmon every day? Just a little bit is fine! I know you will feel the Holy Ghost if you do it! Heavenly Father wants you to be happy, wherever and whatever you are doing! I love you Kait! Heres a big olé Con hug!

Till next week guys! Amor amor amor!Love you all very muchly! You all are the only reason I am looking back, but also one of the main reasons I am looking forward!

I am with you in thought, prayer, and spirit!

Love, Con
(Elder Carpenter)