January 14, 2013

Last week on our pday we made a trip to the Pico do Jaraguá, which is one of the highest points in Sao Paulo, maybe even Brasil, not too positive which it is. But it was definately high up there. It was an amazing view from the top and you're able to see all of the Sao Paulo city which is ginormous. It was really sweet, it was also pretty crazy because from one side all it is is city and from the other side its all just hills and trees like the Adirondacks in New York. It was a pretty rough climb to get up there but in the end it was all worth it for the view we had. However, it also had its after affect seeing as I didn't put any sun screen on, not the best decision I made. Seeing as with my white shirt it covers more of my neck and with a regular everyday tshirt theres more neck showing the sun burned the crap out of my whiteness. Including my legs. The next few days after were full of a lot of aloe vera and pain walking in the streets haha. But it was for my own stupidness that it happened. Overall it was a pretty sweet pday and I included some pictures of our hike up there.

Also this week I went to the federal police to update my visa which has been expired for a few months now. So Wednesday night we went and slept at the mission office and then on Thursday morning way early we went to the federal police. It was cool to see so many people from all over the world that were there as well for visas. I even met one lady who was from Rochester, NY, what are the chances of that. It was a neat experience and I was able to talk about the church in English a little bit, which was ridiculously difficult and I'm not sure how it turned out haha.

However this week we also had an enormous disappointment. We had 5 weeks in a row baptizing and this week the streak stopped. Our baptism for this past week was super strong but then at the last minute fell. The guy that was preparing to be baptized was so amazing and already thinking about serving a mission but in the end his wholeee family starting persecuting him about the church. Even cousins that lived in Europe found out that he was going to church and were calling about it. He unfortunately couldnt handle it and didn't want to have to have his family divided and asked for some time to get things settled. It was extremely hard on us. He was an awesome young man and so strong but his family couldn't accept it and was rejecting him because of religion. Its so ridiculous. I was really aggravated yesterday night after he told us about all the stuff that was going on. People choose religions like its some kind of sports team and fight about it when you're thinking about changing. We're not bringing another church or another religion to people, we're bringing the Kingdom of God on the earth and salvation!

But one upside on the week, the son of Simone, that we baptized a couple weeks ago, decided to be baptized and will be baptized next week. It came out of nowhere. He was always leaving his house when we got there to get away from us and then we got a call this week saying that he wanted to be baptized. Trully a mircale.

Eu Te Amo

Elder Gleason

P.S. 3 Nephi 15:9, 16-18, 21-24 and Proverbs 9:10: 13:7, 9; 15:16, 29

 

January 7, 2013

Well this week was another good one, a little crazy with new years but it was good and ended even better. On new years night we went to a members house and ate a big dinner and had a lot of fun talking and joking around. But the worst part was midnight. As a missionary I really don't care about fireworks or any of that kinda stuff that happens. So I went to sleep as normal at about 1030 and it was tough just to get to sleep, then the worst part was when it hit midnight a million and a half fireworks went off literally right behind our house, I was going nuts. It was so loud and annoying and I just wanted to go to sleep. While Elder Ahmed woke up and took videos, I rolled around screaming in the bed, screaming for them to stop haha. I wasn't so happy thats for sure. So I didn't get much sleep that night which just made it worse the next day being extremely tired. However on my birthday things went well and at night we had a small family home evening with a member family and the lady that we baptized last week, Simone, and her family. It was great! And at the end they had a "surprise" birthday cake for me. So I didn't go without cake on my bday. And now I'm the big old 2-1. I also got 2 ties for presents from a couple members here and for some reason my companion got ties as well.

So the week ended greatly with the baptism of Riva. The area has now baptized 5 weeks straight and me and Elder Ahmed 3 weeks straight. And we have no doubt that all the 3 weeks were miracles and blessings from the Lord. Riva is an awesome old lady who is single without kids and treats us so well. She's our grandma here on the mission for sure. This week we helped her to give up smoking and now she has been baptized and confirmed. I had the privilege to confirm her and give her the gift of the Holy Ghost. Also next week we already have a firm baptism date with a young man named Carlos who yesterday showed up to church in a full blown suit that he bought just for church. It was awesome! And he's already thinking and seeing how it would work for him to serve a mission. The Lord is truly blessing us New Yorkers here in Jaraguá!

Eu Te Amo

Elder Gleason

P.S. 3 Nephi 14:11, 14, 21-23 and Proverbs 1:7; 3:5-6; 4:18; 8:17

 Riva's baptism on January 5th

 J.R.'s birthday cake for his 21st birthday

December 31, 2012

HAPPY NEW YEARS!!!!! andddd Happy 21st BIRTHDAY TO ME!

So christmas day was fantastic, getting to see the fam on skype yet again and of course seeing pops with his beard and hair. I am definitely a fan. Everybody here thinks he´s crazy but they think its funny too. A few asked how it is when he eats soup and has to clean it out haha. It was pretty easy to get back into the groove again after christmas though because it really didnt even feel like christmas in the first place. But next year I'm at home for christmas woo! Also today doesnt feel like new years even, especially because we have to be home by 930 and sleeping at 1030, that is if we can with all the fireworks and parties that will be going on. We´ll see how it all goes tonight haha. And this Thursday I turn the big 2-1. And I'll celebrate byyyy doing the same thing as always haha. However I will have cake, maybe even 2 during the day. Here in Jaragua everybody loves to feed the missionaries. And its good but kinda stinks at the same time.

As for the week we had yet another baptizing week! And nows its been 4 weeks straight that this area has baptized and we don't have plans on stopping that streak anytime soon. Me and Elder Ahmed are really working well together and we´ve literally seen miracles. This week the lady that was baptized, we hadn't seen in over a week, and we figured it had fell. We finally went over to her house on Friday, the day before the baptism, and she was all excited asking how it was going to be and what time and everything. It was a mircale. She had went travelling and everything so we couldn't see her. It ended up being a super rush to get the interview done and plan the baptism but in the end everything went perfectly and she was baptized. Also this week on Wednesday we went by to see a lady that we had helped carry her groceries a week back and we were literally the answer to her prayers. We had thought about going by her on other days but it never worked out and the day it finally went right it was our Plan C. She told us that the night before she was looking out her window and prayed and asked God to help her and show her the way, and the next morning who showed up on her doorstep? We did. It was awesome!! And now she's preparing to be baptized. And we´re teaching another young man who is already asking about how it would work for him to go on a mission! It was a fantastic week and this week will just keep getting better. The New York team is doin work haha. So yeah we´re really happy and things are going really great.

Happy new Year to everybody! 2013! How did that happen already?

Eu Te Amo

Elder Gleason

P.S. 3 Nephi 12:14-16, 20, 48; 13:19-21, 24, 33 and Psalms 128:1, 4; 140:13; 146:10

 

 Elder Ahmed and J.R.

The sign J.R. made for himself and Elder Ahmed for their house, the symbol on the bottom is the baptism symbol for missionaries

 Baptism on 12/29/12 for Simone

 Baptism on 12/23/12 for Gabriel

December 24, 2012

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Well I was transfered this last week like I was expecting and now I am in Jaraguá, almost in the middle of the jungle haha and back to the good ol hills. Man that was the real good thing about Itu,  everything was flat and the highest hill was a speed bump haha. But now I'm back to climbing hills all the time and I definately didn't miss it. But so my new companion is Elder Ahmed, an American! But he's got about 30 nationalities.. jk. But he´s from..... (drum roll) NEW YORK! We are the only missionaries in the Sao Paulo North mission from the state of New York and now we are companions, its pretty sweet. I actually knew him from when I was back in Guapira because he was in the same zone for 4 months as me, and now we´re companions here in Jaraguá. I was pretty shocked when I got the phone call last Monday about the transfers. We always joked saying we would be companions since we're the only 2 New Yorkers and now we really are, its pretty sick. So thats the transfers news.

So the area I'm in, like I said, is full of hills but its also a really good area thats starting to get better and has been baptizing a lot recently. And yesterday we baptized a young man named Gabriel who's 12 years old. He's a really awesome kid, some of his family members were baptized recently and he went to church last week and decided he wanted to be baptized. I can't send any pictures though today because the Lan House we're at is really crappy because everywhere is closed since its christmas eve today. But next week I'll send the pictures. We also have baptisms coming up in these next few weeks as well. Were really excited for whats happening here.

So leaving Itu was tough but good at the same time. I really enjoyed the 4 months that I spent there and I met some wonderful people in my time as well. The lady Elder Messias and I baptized with her son a few weeks back is so awesome. When I went by to say goodbye I don't know how many times she said thank you for all you've done. And she said that at the next testimony meeting at church she was going to go up and bear her testimony!

Well tomorrow is Christmas and I'm not sure how its already here, but it is. I can't wait to see the fam tomorrow and especially my dads beard! Yesssss. But Merry Christmas to everybody!

Eu Te Amo

Elder Gleason

P.S. 3 Nephi 11 and Psalms 118:8; 119:71-72, 105

 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Elder Gleason!

December 17, 2012

I´m not sure what I like less, the heat or the rain. This week it did a flip flop and went from extreme heat to nonstop rain. I have no idea how the sky has so much water to just keep raining and raining, it's incredible. The worst part about it is our shoes. They get soaked and it takes a while to dry, but then the next day my other shoes get soaked too. But what can ya do.

But so this week had a few great things that happened and at the same time was a difficult one. On Tuesday Elder Messias and I went to Indaiatuba which is another city to do 3 baptismal interviews for some other missionaries. But the bus takes forever to get there so we ended up losing our entire day to be able to work in our area. But the people that were baptized there are super awesome. And the interviews were fantastic. I interviewed just one of the daughters which were identical twins and Elder Messias interviewed the other and their mom. In the interview we were talking about some things and she said something super interesting that I really reflected on a lot. She said "A lot of people hope and dream that someone would die for them if they were in trouble but they forget that Christ already did that for all of us." It was super cool and I learned a lot from it. Christs sacrifice truly is infinite for everyone that has ever lived, is living, or will live. It doesn't have a limit and he died for each and every one of us specifically. Baptismal interviews definately aren't just to help those preparing for baptism but as the interviewer as well we learn a lot in each one.

Then on Wednesday we had divisions with the assistants and I went with Elder Rodrigues and Elder Messias with Elder Santiago. It was really good and we both learned some things that we can get better at that will help the area get better as well. Also Elder Santiago went to Tiago and Daniele´s house, which is the young couple we've been teaching that wanted to wait to get married, and helped them decide to get married. Which now brings us to the best part of the week. On Friday morning we went and marked their wedding in the government building here in Itu. YESSS!!!! They're going to get married on Jan 19, 2013!!!!!! After a lot of struggling its finally going to happen, and we´re going to mark their baptism for the same day. It was so awesome. The only sad part is that tonight we hear about transfers and its really likely that I'll be leaving. But we´ll find out tonight.

So those were the highlights of the week, and next week is already christmas... whatttt. It doesnt feel like christmas at all. But SKYPE. WOOO

Eu Te Amo

Elder Gleason

P.S. 3 Nep 9:13-14, 16-17, 20-22; 10:6 and Psalms 103:13, 18-19; 111:10; 112:1

P.P.S. I found out that the guy that was baptized a few weeks ago in Guapira, that I did a contact with and taught, baptized his wife yesterday. An eternal family!!! All because of a simple contact when he was at his door. Gahhhh. So awesome. The elders in guapira sent me the pictures.

December 10, 2012

And I thought that last week was a hot one... It's just getting worse down here, I don't think I've ever used so much sunscreen in my life combined as I have been these past weeks. And its been even worse because unfortunately we've been spending a lot of time out in the street as well. I think this week was probably one of our most difficult ones that we've had here yet. It felt like nobody was home or wanting to let us in. But we worked hard all the same, doing all that we could to bring the gospel to everybody we could. Also this weekend the 2 people we baptized 2 weeks ago were confirmed members of the church and received the Holy Ghost. Last week they already had other plans to travel so they couldn't make it. But now they're all set and really excited to continue learning and growing in the gospel. It's amazing how much the son, Gabriel, who's 9 years old is already learning and memorizing. He is extremely intelligent.

This morning I had the fantastic oppurtunity to play basketball for the 2nd time on the mission. Me and Elder Messias went down to the chapel after our studies and played for awhile. He played around with the soccer ball of course and me with basketball. Man how is it so good to play basketball. I miss it imensly.

Also this week on Wednesday we had our christmas zone conference in Sorocaba. Its crazy to think this is my 2nd and last christmas already, where has the time gone. But the conference was really good and we learned a lot. Also we got a call last Monday saying that we would be giving a training at the conference. So we also gave a training there on how to evaluate our investigators to see if they're progressing or not. It went really well and we gave the training to roughly 50 missionaries. It was my 2nd time giving a training at a conference as a Zone Leader.

Oh and so one of our investigators who are still waiting on getting married that I've mentioned a couple times are going really well beyond the getting married part unfortunately. But this week the "husband" even went to clean the church. It was so awesome when we heard about it. Also yesterday we taught another really awesome couple thats already married. At the end we asked if the husband wanted to pray and he said he never prayed in his life but that he would try. And so he did and it was great, he was super happy after finishing the prayer. It was a great experience to see how happy he was to talk with his Heavenly Father. It was crazy to hear that he had never prayed in his life, but now he's on the right path. And that was basically the highlight of our week, it was another tough one for us but we keep going hard.

Eu te Amo

Elder Gleason

P.S. 3 Nephi 1 23; 5 8,13; 7 17-18, 24-25 and Pslams 86 11; 92 15; 97 6,10

 

Elder Messias, J.R., Elder Siddoway, Elder Vincent, and Elder Fox (sitting down). This was at the Christmas zone conference.

December 3, 2012

Wow talk about extreme heat. I'm pretty sure its hotter than it was last year when I was here but I'm not positive about that. I don't know how many times I've heard in this past week, "Wow you're really red". But the thing is I'm using sun block everyday and multiple times each day. So there's nothing more I can do. I'm a white guy in Brasil, I'm gonna be red haha. The worst part is when it rains, I still have hope that one of these times it rains that it cools off too but until now everytime it rains it ends up getting hotter than it already was. It doesn't make any sense at all. I miss having snow and being in the cold when its close to christmas, it doesnt even feel like christmas is just a couple weeks away because I feel like I'm in the middle of summer. The other day I passed the 1 year and 3 month mark, it was a pretty normal day and nothing too special. The time is just flying by and months are going before I know it.

This week we worked a ton like always and had very few results from our work, and even had a few big disappointments. The hardest thing we're finding right now is having people progress and a desire to learn more. The 2 families we´re teaching that need to get married have also slowed up. The young couple has decided that they no longer want to get married for right now, that it's still way early and the other had some other problems with work and other things and are waiting on some papers to get married. But they both want to keep going to church and everything, just that baptism is going to be in the future most likely when I'm not here in Itu.

But this week didn't really have any real high points or real low points so theres not much to talk about. It was just a normal week. I'm trying to remember some other stuff that happened but I'm drawing a huge blank and can't think of anything new and exciting. Oh, it happened a couple weeks ago but I dont think I ever mentioned it, I finished The Book of Mormon for the 3rd time here on the mission. Until that point I had only been studying it in English and now I've started it in Portuguese. My goal is to read the Book Of Mormon 5 times on the mission, 3 in English and 2 in Portuguese. I have no doubt that it is a sacred scripture and that it came from God. Everytime I read it I learn more and more and strengthen my testimony that it's true. I love reading the scriptures and am so grateful for all the knowledge I have gained here on the mission.

Eu Te Amo

Elder Gleason

P.S. Helaman 12:23; 13:11; 14:13, 30-31 and Psalms 56:4, 11; 62:6-8; 64:10; 71:5