December 26, 2011

 Via Corintians!

Our new shirts.  Oh yeah ... we're cool.  Ha.

 Santa Claus is real.   I know it!

I am loved.  ha. (I actually think there was more than this too. Ha.)

Wow, that was so good to skype home! Yay, I love Christmas. Sorry for my stumbling in English, it's just really weird. Ha. Jk. In reality, it didn't feel too much like Christmas since its super hot, and isn't celebrated like we Celebrate it, but it still was a "day happy." It's so good to remember the Savior in our Christmas season and throughout our lives. Truly we should have so much joy because of the Knowledge that our Savior was born and came into this world. My Scripture of the week is in Alma 19:12-13. We all can experience this same Joy, knowing that our Savior came into this world to overcome sin and death, so that we all have the chance to live again. Thank all of you guys that sent cards or packages to me!  It's always good to hear from all my family and good friends. We had a Christmas conference this week, that went well. We had a white elephant at the end. The Bispo invited us to his house and we were able to do "The Paxman Christmas Eve Program," and that was super good, though I do think its better in English. Ha. This week passed really fast, but it was such a good week. Our Bispo is Bispo Ellison I believe. We are working with four people for Baptisms, including Naide and Leticia, a mom and a daughter who have been taught for almost two years. We'll see if they will be willing and go through with this. We already moved it back once, but we have faith. The other two, we taught the first lesson and they accepted the date. One is a sister of some less actives that we went to visit, her name is Tatiane (Ta-chee-on-ee). The other was found by the other missionaries, but they didn't get a chance to fully teach her, her name is Jucelena. We also really want to focus on going to visit more less active members. I can't believe that its almost 2012. Vaca Santa! (Holy Cow!  --  this really isn't a Portuguese expression by the way) Oxente! (This is, ha) But you know what this new year means?   G oals! As our Bispo said here in our ward, maybe we need to worry less about weight and money, and focus on some spiritual goals too. As for me, that's pretty easy, being a missionary, but we all can improve, and allow ourselves to feel the Spirit more often and with more force. We can do all the little things ...  because the little things make all the difference. Truly we are the only people that can change ourselves. As Michael Jackson said in his song, "If you wanna make the world a better place..." you have got to start with "the man in the mirror."  One minor change in you, could effect a lot more than you think. I love you all, and hope you all have an amazing week.

Abraço,

Elder Tanner Ross Paxman

December 19, 2011

 My new area!  Cows.  Ha. (Vaca Santa!)

 Yay! Merry Christmas! Our tree is amazing!

 New companion and area!

Sweet and Sour Chicken!  Mmm Mm Good!

MERRY CHRISTMAS! I don't believe it. I seriously don't believe that its this week. Ha. Time flies. So, first of all, yes, 9:00 your time I will be calling for you guys. As for multiskype, I don't know if the computer could handle it since the internet is weak here is Salto De Pirapora. And yes, that means I was transferred! I am here, and we have the whole city to ourselves with my new companion. His name is Elder Wendel, and he is from Fruit Heights, Utah, and he is awesome. He has two months in Brazil, with one month that he served in Alabama. I became senior, and things have been going great.  We got a new tree and put all our presents under it. Its pretty dang sweet if you ask me. And, I hope he doesn't get too annoyed with me, but I only speak to him in Portuguese. Ha. But he is doing really great with Portuguese. Our Bishop here, is from the United States and he married with a Brazilian and moved here. He is pretty awesome. The new area is a small city that is actually pretty close to my old area. Speaking of which, I made sweet and Sour Chicken at the house of a member before I left, which was sweet. A little to sweet for Brazilians though. Literally, ha. And I got Heathers Card, I love the photos and all. As for the package, I haven't got anything yet, but we have a Christmas Conference this week, so maybe I'll get it then. A little news for you guys. I decided that I would be Corintiano! Vai Corintians! Ha. (Time for Futeball). Wow, this week will be a good week. I just know it. So, I would like to use a scripture in Alma 7:10-12. It talks about the birth of the Savior, and his purpose here in this life. Truly, Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer, and he suffered for our sins. He knows exactly how we feel, and he wants us to be happy. He is always willing to help, and it is through the Atonement that we all can be saved if we but do our part. This Christmas, is a day of Joy and Happiness to all men across the world. We recognize the Birth of our Savior and Redeemer, the Son of God, and that is the reason of Christmas. I love you all, and wish you all a wonderful Christmas time.

Abraço,

Elder Tanner Ross Paxman

December 12, 2011

Feliz Natal!  This was just painted on the side of a wall - you find them radomly all over the place

 Merry Chrstmas!  Yay!  Our white Christmas tree.

A random outside workout place, and yes, people use it.  Ha.

We still are unsure what will happen at transfers, they will probably call us in a couple of hours. As for sickness here, nothing serious by any means, and all really has been well. Allergies, nada disso também. (Nothing of this also). My companion does want to visit us after the mission according to what he says. All of us Brazilian Bros could show him around. So this week I gave a talk in Church, and several people commented that my Português has really improved. That's good. Ha. It went well, and our Bispo here is really pushing member missionary work. Other News that I forgot, Elder Parker is in my District (the Elder From Aunt Marti´s Stake). He is cool. So, the work here is mostly finding new people at the moment. Sadly a lot of people are traveling or are really busy here. I think the Spirit of Christmas is here, and helping, (though it really doesn't seem like Christmas for me in this Heat, ha) though I haven't noticed it too much. The scripture I will use this week is Mathew 2:11, and this is when the three wisemen give the gifts to baby Jesus, and the gifts are of great value, and the men are men of high class, but they knew who Christ was, our Savior and Redeemer. We should always be willing to give all we have to our Savior and Redeemer. I love you all and hope you all have a good week.

Abraço,

Elder Tanner Ross Paxman

December 5, 2011

Banana Tree 

 My comp and I with Sorocaba in the background

I'm in a tree.  Yay.

Wow, another week passes by. Good to hear that I got the cow in the Nativity this year. Cows are good. Ha. So, I had no idea that the Christmas devotional already passed, so I guess I wont be able to see it. As for transfers next week, we don't here until next Monday night, but I think Ill stay here. As for a Christmas get together of the Mission, I haven't heard anything yet, so I'm not sure, they have done them in the past though. Our ward has a party thing that goes all day coming up on the 17th, so that should be cool. The school here already is out, and doesn't start until February or something like that. I got a package from Autumn this week! Yay! This week truly has been a normal week with lots of "Bate Portas", or lots of clapping at doors. This coming week we are going to focus on old pesquisadores. Maria, Andressa, and Bianca are all doing great and loving the church. We had cake with them the other day, and they are great people. The Bishop confirmed them all, as the all decided to ask him. Anderson has been gone visiting his sick grandma a lot so we haven't been able to encounter him. The mystery man, is crazy, we haven't had a chance that we could teach him since then, but he hasn't come to church again either. So, since this week is the first week of Dezembro, we decided to share Christmas messages and sing Christmas songs for our Almoço messages. Its been going well, though were not the best singers. The Scripture of the week this week therefore shall be 2 Nephi 19:6, were Isiah states all the names of Christ. I love this scripture, and may we all focus on what Christmas really is about. And that is the birth of our Savior. I love you all.

Abraço,

Elder Tanner Ross Paxman

November 28, 2011

 Baptism! Yay!  Bianca, Maria, and Undressa, us missionaries, and Maria's other two boys

 Me and the two I baptised!

 The forest!  We randomly decided to walk through since many people from the States think Brazil is totally jungle.  Ha.

We went running this morning!  Exciting even though I'm not a fan of running.  Ha.

So, the family gets together, and everyone gets sick again. Sounds like normal. Ha. This week passed by fast too. It's so weird, because it feels like forever ago and yet so little time ago at the same time. The reddish-brown mounds are made by ants and they are all over the place. Its random and crazy. Also, before I forget, HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRIS! Yay! So, Anderson still hasn't come to Church a second time. Something always comes up. He has been doing well in all the other things though. The mysterious man is crazy. We taught him two more times and he pulls things out of the middle of nowhere. He didn't show up at church, and so we'll search him out and see if he really wants to keep learning the Gospel. As for the Baptism, it went really well. I was privileged to Baptise Andressa and Bianca and the Spirit that it brings left me bursting with joy. It's so good to see people accepting the Gospel. Our ward has been really excited and helping with the missionary work. We are going to make sure that they know that they are accepted and loved. They already have friends in the Church too. They are a great family and will be good members. So this week we were walking through a neighborhood and three boys started just looking at me as we walked by, I looked back, and one of them asked if I spoke Brazilian. I responded saying that I indeed spoke Portuguese. He then asked if I spoke another Language, and I told him that I spoke Ingles. Then he had me say something in English, which due to the occasion, I allowed myself to say a quick phrase. That was funny. Anyways, I was reading in Jacob this week in the Book of Mormon, and I came across Jacob 3:1-2. I like this scripture, all those that are in the path of Following the Lord, should aways continue to pray to our Father in Heaven. Also, we should always be reading the Scriptures and feasting on the Love of Christ. And if we truly do this, and remain with a firm mind, we can feast of the Love of God forever. I hope that you all remember to stay firm in the faith always doing the small and simple things. God will protect us and help us in our lives. I love you all and have a good week.

Abraço,

Elder Tanner Ross Paxman

November 21, 2011

 Jungle!   I wish ...

The Cidade!

A Coconut Farm (with ant farms as well)  Seriously Cool eh?

Another week gone. hmmm. Weird. Well, as for the weather, its still hot, but I'm more used to it than when I first arrived. My companion is from the second coldest city in São Paulo, so he says its hot for him too. As for the sentence you sent Dad, I understand it, though I don't think its entirely correct. Ha. Its always good to know that we made an impact, it's good to know people are asking about me. Truly I think often times we never truly realize the full impact we have on people, we are just trying to do what we can, and do our best. People are watching us, everyone of us, and we should always strive to be the best we can and be a good example. So, Maria, Andressa, and Bianca are all really excited to be baptised this Thursday. I will have the privilege to Baptise the two girls and my companion will baptise the Mom. Bianca asked me to confirm her on Sunday, which will be my first time and in front of everyone. Yikes, at least I can trust in the Spirit, though I'm still a little nervous. They are a great family that are really nice to us missionaries. Otherwise, we are teaching a few others, including Anderson. He has been taught and has a baptismal date, though he only came to church once, something always comes up. He could use your prayers too. I truly am privileged to work with so many great people here. On Sunday, a man just showed up at church wanting to know more, so we taught him, the first lesson. He is a little crazy though, and said some things from out of the middle of nowhere. We'll see how it goes with him. Otherwise, this week has been good. To be honest, I forgot to write a scripture down for scripture of the week, but then the scripture James 2:17 (Scripture Mastery) came to mind. We can have all the faith in the world, but if we don't act and do our part it will not be worth anything. Truly we all need to do out part. We know that we need to have faith, but faith means that we act. We need to do something. The Lord will help us in all parts of our life, but we need to do our part. Sometimes its not until after we decide that we get our answer. Let us all have faith to move forward. I love you all and wish you all a good week.

Abraço,

Elder Tanner Ross Paxman