August 27, 2012

 

My companion and I are Chique (She-Key)! 

 Elder R. Silva and I in the mountains of Morro Doce!

Companion and I heading out to work

 

Its already P-Day! So this week was interesting, as there was an emergency transfer in the mission, and our zone was affected. The day before, I did a division with Elder R. Silva in the huge mountains of Morro Doce. There is nothing doce about those morros. Or in other words, there is nothing sweet about those hills. Ha. Its a hilly area, but the division went well. So other than the division, Elder Nogueira and I have been working hard, and trying to help people prepare for baptism. There are a lot of contacts, people not being home when we mark, and some good lessons. Silvio and Simone both came to church, and Silvia came as well. We were so happy to see them there. There is a member family, Rodney and his family, that are really helping us as well too. They have been helping us, and have been helping the investigators feel welcome at church. We have several families that we have found, and we are hoping that they will progress, but the majority of them are not married. We are hoping that they all can get married, and progress in the Gospel. a scripture that I would like to pass on this week is in Mosiah 29:26. If we trust in God, and humble ourselves before Him, He will help us in our hardships, and trails in our lives. The Lord will bless us as much as we work to obtain blessings. I know that God lives, and that he loves each and everyone of us, and he will bless us when we do out part. If we trust in Him, all will work out. I love you all, and hope you guys have a great week.

Abraço,

Elder Tanner Ross Paxman

PS: As for my areas here, I really don't know which is my favorite ...   I love the people in every area I have served ...   but if you don't consider the people, I would probably choose either Salto de Pirapora or Alphaville. Salto, because it was a great area, that I think of all the good times there ...  and that it was just peaceful and nice out in the interior. Alphaville, because it has a lot of cool things, and access, and there are good stores, people, and its just a nice secure area. I don't really know where I would want to go in the mission next, anywhere will be another great adventure.

August 20, 2012

Elder Brock and I before Transfers 

 Elder Wetzel and I before Transfers too ...

The Elders in our Zone before transfers, yet again. Ha.

 

I don't believe that its already Monday. That's crazy. First off, about the transfers. Every companionship in our Zone was changed, except ours. Que Alegiria! I'm still here in the good ol' Jaraguá with Elder Nogueira! As for divisions, we, as the zone leaders decide when and with whom to do the divisions, and try to help out the zone the best we can. We wont be doing many divisions for now though, as we need to focus on our area. We found some really great families to work with that have been progressing a lot, and are "ellects". They unfortunately didn't go to church this week, but we have faith that they will next week. It is two couples, Silvio and Simone, and Silvia and Tiago. The latter couple, has two kids as well. This week has been kind of crazy with all sorts of stuff happening, but its all going great. I am loving the mission, and am so grateful for my opportunity to be here. The Lord is always blessing us in our efforts. This week I wanted to make reference to the scripture in Alma 37:35. Truly all the happiness we want lies in keeping the commandments of God. It is the greatest wisdom we can attire is through keeping the commandments of God. This scripture was written for a young man, but truly all of us need to learn now. We cant let these moments slip by, we should always be seeking to keep the commandments that God has given us, and we will be blessed in all things. I love you all, and hope that you all have a great week.

Abraço,

Elder Tanner Ross Paxman

August 13, 2012

Elder Nogueira and I

 

Wow, Ha. Not only has a week passed, but another transfer as well. That's crazy ... we'll know later on tonight about the transfer, and I'll let you guys all know next week what happened. I got a package from family this week, and grandma last week, so I'm sure loved. Ha. So first of all, there is a new training meeting that we do once a month as zone leaders to train the missionaries instead of a training from the president every three months. We will still have zone conferences, but the leadership trainings will be by the zone leaders. Anyways, here in our zone we have five Americans, and no sisters. In this area, it is a little bit more dangerous, so the sisters don't come here, also, there are a lot of Hills. Sounds great eh? Ha. So, speaking of Hills, I did a division in Fransico Morato with Elder Brock, and that went great. He is an awesome missionary, and he had some fun in his hilly area. Ha. I also did another Division with Elder Engberson which went well too. I also want to send you Mosiah 4:9. We all need to believe in God, and trust in His infinite power and love. He loves us all. I hope you all have a great week, and I love you all.

Abraço,

Elder Tanner Ross Paxman

PS: The National bird here is the Tucan. I like their National anthem though, its cool.

August 7, 2012

 Yay! Irmão Joaquim from Alphaville was baptised! Good news eh? The other is the Bispo of Alphaville

 Here are some pictures from the temple!  Yay!

Ópaíó! Its already time to write! Yes, I know that it isn't Wednesday yet, but I was confused last week. The Temple was absolutely wonderful. I love the temple. It truly is a different place than this busy and unbelieving world. The spirit is so strong there. I get so happy each time that I go there. President Martins is amazing, he is super intelligent, and is strict on the rules. I couldn't imagine a better mission president. This week, we also had a mission counsel, and that went well, even though President had to leave early. Also I did a division with Elder Wetzel in my area, and that went really well. He is a great guy from Utah, and we were able to see some miracles of the Lord, like people coming up and talking to us. The Lord loves us, and is always looking out for us. This week has been a crazy week, they all seem to be flying by, and we also had a new thing that they just started in all the missions which is a zone training meeting. Its a training that we as zone leaders give to our Zone.  Its about three hours long with lots of practices. It also went really well. So this week I wanted to pass along the scripture 2 Nephi 33:10. Truly the Book of Mormon contains the words of Christ. They were written by God´s prophets and we should believe in them. If we truly believe in Christ, we will believe in the Book of Mormon. I'm not just saying this of my own understanding, I have received an answer from God, and I know that the Book of Mormon is true. The Lord has revealed His gospel again on the earth, and we can receive all its blessings through being baptised, and enduring to the end. I love you all, and hope you all have a great week.

Abraço,

Elder Tanner Ross Paxman

PS:  As for the Olympics: we hear a little about them from the members and sometimes they are watching it when we show up at their houses. Also, some missionaries talk about it. As for Brazil, they are supposed to be really good in men's Soccer. Otherwise, I don't really know. Approximately 10% of our mission is sisters, so its not that much, but we still have some. Its about 16 of 160 in our mission.