Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Transfered!


Oi!

Alright! Well I was transfered! Like you guessed :P haha. I´ll get the address for you guys so you guys can see where I live. It´s Jundiapeba in Mogi Das Cruzes! It´s really cool here! It's a different area but I think I´ll really grow to love it. It was really hard for me to leave Jacareí. That place became my second home. Me and some of the members were crying like the whole week :P haha Í really will miss them, but I will visit them all again soon :) also, on october 5 or 6 I think I might have a chance to go back there to do a baptism. There was someone there that I worked with almost the entire time and she never got baptized because of authorization but now she will be able to and she really wanted that I bapitze her so we will see! I also lived with the same missionaries for 5 months. Elder Halls and Elder Squires. Be the way, Elder Squires knew Aunt Susan at the MTC. Cool huh? yeah. it happens haha. But anyways, so basically I miss them like crazy and I miss my old area, but I´m super excited to be here in Jundiapeba! I think it was really good for me to move too. I´m still Lider of district but now I´m over two areas, one of them being sisters. Hey random thing so when we went to templo of Campinas I met the missionaries from that area and they said that their LZ is Elder Williams or Peter Williams. That was cool :P haha. Anyways, Things are going way better now. I´m the oldest in my district.. kind of one sister has the same time as me but she leaves first but sister´s don´t count :P haha. Another sister from my zone is Sister sommers, which she is from David´s group, and she is leaving soon, which means David is getting to one year and 6 months. Wow! we are getting old on the mission :P haha. That´s weird. But anyways, so there is only 3 americans in our zone which means, I speak 0 english now. Ít´s normal but just different cause I lived with americans for so long. I don´t really mind because speaking portuguese is really easy now. In fact I was thought to be a brasilian when I first got here and some rapazes of the ward thought that I was speaking perfectly :D Yay! happiness! progress! wootness! Good :) haha.

Anyways, we found a family here that is inactive and we are trying to reactivate them and we will be bapitzing their son of 10 years too. They didn´t go to church but they will :D. There´s a lot of Ghetto here which makes it hard working at night time because it's complicated. But it does make it easy to baptize. Just you have you to do it in the right way. Sadly, the missionaries that were here before me and my companion were baptizing wrong and lost complete confidence in the bishop to the point he became inactive as a bishop. So when I first got here we were more or less without bishop. But a new bishop has been called and now we have to fix things that were broken here in this area. We are working very close with the leadership here so the confidence in the missionaries is regained. I know we can do it. Did I tell you that I spent the entire day on thursday with the presdiente? haha. I did and with sister. Because I went to the police station to renew my visa and president was there. We talked about basketball, and he talked about how he has built houses for famous basketball players like stockten (spelling?). So THAT`s cool :P Why do I have such awesome presidentes ;) haha. Anyways, after the police station I was in the van going back to the office talking with another elder about nerd stuff :P haha. Like windows 8 our opinions about it, hacking, pokemon, zelda, computers, how I want to do programing, my sudoku program, making websites, making computers, just a bunch of nerd stuff. First off, it was AWESOME, second off, presidente heard, so what did he do? Well, he said this to me: "I heard you are a computer nerd. Do you think you could fix my internet and phone for me?" Sure presidente! haha :P so anyways, I went and lunched with presidente and his wife and then went to their house and fixed his internet. Which was easy because he just forgot to press a button to allow the use of wireless internet. The phone problem was that he was using an internet phone adapter to try calls to the united states for free. The problem though was that the adapter needed to be started in the america first and then brought to here. So what they will have to do is send it there and get it back. But now I know I´m on the presidente´s good side ;) haha. I was scared though because I thought for sure I would get transfered to the office O_o hahaha. :P But luckily no :] did not want to go there. haha. So anyways, that was a fun experience.

I still haven't received your package but I´m sure it´ll get here soon :P Also tell david that I already received his postcard makes time already, but his letter still waiting :P haha. Speaking of letters... I need to respond to a lot still and write. Woops! Times gets by ya :P I´ll make sure to do that. I know I´m really bad at it. But you learn right? So in august we baptized 177 in our mission. That was kind of a bad month especially taking into account that in july we had as a mission 276. I'm not sure how we are doing in september but I´m trying to excite my district to really get them pumped up for october. I want to have 300 baptisms in the mission in october :) That would be cool. It´s already happened in this mission I believe but let´s do it again! Woot! Oh hey I forgot to mencion! This is a long time ago but she is still there! So there is a girl from the ward in Jacareí that is from the one of  best families of Jacareí (they are so awesome love that family) that is in the united states right now. Guess where she is at? Walnut Creek! What the?! Of all the places she is where I was born! haha Awesome. But I think the mom is there now too. The daughter went there for work kind ofish? I'm not sure, but it´s cool! Also one of the sisters´from my zone is from São José dos campos. Which is the city next to Jacareí, where we would go all the time for district meetings. Bascially she is doing a short mission thing. She´s done it before and she´s doing it again. Sister Rabelo is her name. But I know her better as Nicole haha. :P But what eves. Her family is moving to the united states now. She speaks really good english.
 
Did I tell you that my companion's name is Elder Caetano. He´s an aweomse guy :) my second northeastern brasilian companion and 3rd brasilian. Oh they're awesome :P Northeastern are so funny. When they talk it´s like they are singing. hahah. They have this angry/happy/funny as heck attitude all the time as well. I don´t think I´ve ever seen an northeastern sad.. haha ;P But anyways, I think I´ll leave it like this for now! But things are going great here! Sounds like things are going AWESOME :) Have some chocolate with your fries okay? okay :] love you guys and the world and the squirrels! Alright... that means it´s a time for me to go! Tchau meus amados! :D

Com Amor,
Élder Grant Shaw Merrill! <------ That´s me! :D

Monday, September 17, 2012

transfers are here!

For what it's worth--but I believe this means Grant is happy and involved in the work he is doing!


Oi!

Minha Família! what´s up? So I believe today I will find out that I will be moving out of here and going to a different area! I don´t have that much time but basically things are going well. Man, it´s been a sad week because I´m pretty sure I´ll be leaving from this area. I´ve really loved the people here. I really am going to miss my recent converts here and the members but it´ll be good to meet other people. But who knows, maybe I´ll stay :P haha, no I´m kind of wanting to leave at the same time. But sorry I´m going to have to keep this really short I have no time!

com amor,
Élder Grant Shaw Merrill

Monday, September 10, 2012

Coming up on a new transfer!


Oi!

what´s up my family? So we are coming up pretty soon on another transfer. I´m 95% sure that I will be transfered. It´s a weird feeling that I will leave from here. but I think it´ll be good for me. I´m excited for it! So there are some changes happening now in this mission. Now on mondays at night, we have our meeting of districts now. and each week the leaders of zone will be doing divisions for 2-3 days with different people of the zone. It´ll be very interesting.

So guess what? first off I went to São Paulo this week to do my visa thing, which didn´t work so I get to go again :P haha. And while going there I went a guy who went by the name of: Elder Aguiar! He said: "Hey what´s up man?" and he we started talking and he asked me did you have a brother who served in forteleza? Yeah? What year did you serve? 2008-2010! Then that definitely was my brother why? he was my senior companion! Man I love that guy! You guys are equal! Weird! hahaha. It was sweet :P haha. Thought you would like that. :P

Gavin´s learning well :P haha Love that kid hehe :P Well you asked if any one in particular that we are teaching. We were and then he cut us O_o haha. he destited..... gave up coming to church and on baptism... always sad but do what. We are working with this girl that really REALLY wants to be baptised but... her dad´s isn´t letting it. But now on oct 5 or 6 her mom is coming from the usa to help get baptised. (her mom is member) so I´ll probably miss it, but I´m happy that she will :) My companion has 4 months on the mission. He´s doing super well! He´s a little funny :P but I absoultely love him haha :P Yeah I´m still leader of district. guess what? My zone gets to go to the campinas temple this week :D I´m so excited! :] it´s been a long time since I´ve been to the temple! WOOT!

Anyways gots to go! We´ve got some plans today! :)

Love you guys!

Élder Grant Shaw Merrill


Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Translation

It's nice to have another son who speaks Portuguese!

Here is the translation from Grant's latest e-mail:
 
I know that this church is true.  I know that Jesus is the Christ and my savior.  Because of Him we can return to the presence of God.  My joy comes from the progress of others.  Sometimes it is difficult to continue and be focused, but we still have to continue.  It might be the hardest thing in the world, but we have to show our faith to God and just do it.  :)  People that I am teaching here are the most important people to me right now.  That is something that I have learned recently.  The most important place in the world is the one where you are!  It is there that you must be useful, helpful, and a friend because this is your place.  The most important task in the world is not the one you think is fun to do, but the one that needs to be done in that moment, because the will to help awakes in you the most beautiful feeling that exists: Solidarity (i'm not exactly sure what he is trying to say with this word but something along the lines of comraderie, unity, maybe sympathy).  The most important things in the world are those that are right now.  Have a plan.  Have a goal.  Focus on that goal, on that plan and do the things that are essential NOW, so that you can progress NOW.  Don't procrastinate the work until tomorrow.  Do everything now!

So I hope that helps.

I love you guys,
Phil

Monday, September 3, 2012

Going well :)

I'm working on getting a translation for the last paragraph! Enjoy--

Oi!

This week was a very interesting and growing week for me. I learned a lot during this week. I´ve learned so much this past week. We´ve been working hard really to get new people to teach and we are getting more and more. It´s been going well. We have been really trying focusing more on finding. Our chapel here got "moved" as well. Our chapel is getting reformed and so we had to rent a place and use it until the reformation is completed. Which will be here in a year. So bascially that´s fun :P But It´s all good, it´s closer to our house now. That´s always handy! My companion , Elder Wilker, and I are getting along perfectly. He´s so awesome haha. :P I really am hoping to see some progress here soon. I know there will be. but this my chance to learn a lot. so I´m greatful for that. We have soome people that are progressing well. I just hope it continues. :) I know it will.. :)

I´ll be making 7 months in this area now O_o that´s crazy! I´m about 95% sure that I´ll be leaving from here to another area next transfer. haha. Don´t worry mom, I`m happy and all good :) I´m actually really a lot better, interview went really well and helped me a lot so it´s all great :)

I need to still write the christensens again, actually a lot of people haha. :P my bad. I´ll get on that today. So I´m confused dad, you sponsered a race? like how? haha

On the mission, it is such a great time for growth. you gain such a testimony about each and every principle individually. like prayer, repentance, faith, fasting, etc. It´s amazing. I´m been really trying to apply more and more of what I learn in my mission now. It really helps the progress of those that you are teaching. When you see people progress in the gospel, it gives you so much joy that there is n´t enough room to kepp it in. love it!

I feel like I´m getting old! This thursday I get to go to the police station thingy in São Paulo to renew my visa. what?!? That´s crazy! I only have 10 months left! What?! I would rather have another 2 years please... :) but anyways, I Love you guys. It seems like you guys are keeping busy with fam and stuff :P that´s always fun! ;) Tchau!

com grande amor,
Élder Grant Shaw Merrill

eu sei que esta igreja é verdadeira. Eu sei que Jesus é O Cristo e meu salvador. Por causa dele, podemos voltar à presença de Deus. Minha alegria vem do progresso dos outros. Às vezes, é difícil pra continuar e ser focalizado, mas mesmo assim, temos que continuar. Talvez seja a coisa mais difícil no mundo, mas temos que mostrar nossa fé pra Deus e só vai! :) As pessoas que eu estou ensinando aqui são as pessoas mais importantes pra mim agora. Isso é algo que aprendi recentemente. O lugar mais importante no mundo é aquele onde você está! É ali que você deve ser útil, prestativo, e amigo, porque este é o seu lugar. A tarefa mais importante no mundo não é aquela que você acha divertida fazer, mas a que precisa ser feita naquele momento. E a criatura mais importante no mundo é aquela que precisa de VOCÊ naquele momento, porque a vontade de ajudar desperta em você o mais belo sentimento que existe: A Solidariedade. As coisas mais importantes no mundo são aquelas que existem agora. Tenham um plano. Tenham uma meta. Focalizem na meta, no plano, mas façam as coisas que são essenciais AGORA, pra que possam progredir AGORA. Não procrastinem o trabalho até amanhã. Façam tudo agora!

It´s so much easier to express myself like that haha. That´s why i write little, because I have to think a lot now to write in english. bye bye!