Wednesday, November 28, 2012

November 28, 2012

 Jabuticabra !!  It is good !!
 Me and the Temple !
 The Temple and Me!
 Three Crazy Elders! (Elder Nóbrega, Me, and Elder Wolfe)
 My area!
 Burgers !!!
"I love View"  Ha.
 
First of all, sorry I forgot to advise you all, we went to the temple this week so our P-Day was moved to today. Lots of crazy things happened. And also, HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRIS! Today the temple was awesome ...  and I also got three packages. (1 From Family, Other Grandma, and Other Rachel). So, I forgot to mention, even though I am not a zone leader anymore, I still am a district leader, and so I give trainings, and still do baptismal interviews. So as I mentioned this last week has had some adventures. We found a family, and we are teaching them and helping them as well. The little boy said that he prayed and asked for help on his test, and that God sent us as little angels ... he said that one of us was on his head, and the other on his shoulder. Apparently we helped him on his test, though one of us almost fell off when he shook his head. It is a Mom, Graça, and her son, Léo, and his friend Gabriel. We also started teaching Gabriel's family. But that's not all, we also have a super nature aware member in our ward, that has her own garden, and we got to eat leaves and flowers for Almoço, and other stuff she grew in her garden. It turned out great. Also, probably since this week was longer without P-Day I started falling asleep while talking and teaching an old man. It was a good thing it was that old man though ...  it was rather funny ... I am thinking there was something in the almoço that we ate. Ha. All was well though. Ivan, Renata, and Emily are a family, and we are still teaching and helping them. I want to send home 2 Nephi 32:3. Always remember to search the scriptures. I love you all, and have a great week.

Abraço,

Elder Tanner Ross Paxman

PS:  I am not that far from my last area, I am in São Paulo, the city itself. We live in a house type thing. Its like a duplex, and we are surrounded by members. We have some flies and other little bugs, but nothing that we can't handle.

Monday, November 19, 2012

November 19, 2012

Another week passes by, and I'm still doing great. Time still is flying by as well. Elder Wolfe and I are great friends and excited to work here in Jaguaré. I got a package from the "fam" this week, yet again all re-wrapped. They like to look at all the goodies I'm going to get. Ha. Oh, before I forget, HAPPY BIRTHDAY LAINE! Craziness that he is already two. So many crazy things. This week, we have been working with a family of three, Ivan, Renata, and Emily. They are super cool, and really progressing in the Gospel. Ivan came to church on Sunday which was great. We also are having lots of family nights, and trying to work a lot with the members. Things are going great here, and I'm loving the mission. One time, my companion sat down on a bench to rest for a little, and we heard a weird noise. It sounded like a high pitched voice. We looked over, and a papagaio ("parrot") was looking at us. It started talking to us, and singing as well. Also, we had a funny experience at church. We went outside between the classes to make a phone call, and we saw a pesquisadora passing in front of the gate. She looked at us, and then she took off running. I went to look from the gate, and she was still running a ways down the street. It was about a 50 year old lady in a skirt. That was pretty funny. So, this week I wanted to pass along Alma 23:7. We all need to put down our weapons of rebeliion, what ever they are. I love you all, and have a great week.

Abraço,

Elder Tanner Ross Paxman

PS:  As for advertising here, its pretty much the same as the US, with billboards, TV ads, and lots and lots of little paper pamphlets. There are lots of little self owned stores here  --  they don't have much advertising.

Monday, November 12, 2012

November 12, 2012

Paulo, Glaucia and Me
 Elder Wolfe and I
Elder H. Santos and I
 

So, here comes the big news. I was transferred to the zone of Osasco, and the area of Jaguaré. I am now with Elder Wolfe, who has a little more than six months in the mission. He is super awesome, and things have been going great. He is from Tennessee, and I'm his second companion in the field. I'm getting to know the area, and we are working hard trying to help several families progress towards baptism. And my second day here, I already went to do a baptismal interview in another area, called Jardim Veloso, and stayed there with Elder H Santos. That was crazy being so soon after the transfer, but it went well. In my new area, we live with another companionship of Elders. The other Elders are Elder Nóbrega, and Elder Vazquez. A Brazillian and a Paraguyian (please spell that right for me). This area, is pretty small, and was created into a Branch about two months ago. It'll be super great to work here. There are about 35 active members that go each week for now. There are some really cool members and recent converts here as well. I am really excited to be here, and Elder Wolfe and I are ready to work. The area is pretty normal for Brasil, and has nothing too dangerous, and is a great place to work. We have some elect families like the family of Ivan, Renata, and their daughter Emily. There are several people that are super close to baptism, but havent decided to enter the water yet, and we are working and praying for them. I also heard that I have a package from my family waiting for me tomorrow. I wanted to send home a scripture that is found in Alma 30:44. Its when there is a man that wants to deny God, but we already have had so many witnesses that God really exists. Not only people that believe that he does, and not only the Prophets, but also the World in and of itself testifies that God exists. I also want to bear my testimony that God lives, and that he loves us all, and wants us to return and live with Him. I love you all, and hope you all have a great week.

Abraço,

Elder Tanner Ross Paxman
 

Monday, November 5, 2012

November 5, 2012

 Elder Reis and I
It's a Festa!  Party with the biting of apples hanging from the ceiling!
 
Wow, time flies. Its already transfer weeks, and we find out tonight about the transfers. Or, just kidding, Presidente just called me right now, and thanked me for the time I served as zone leader, and told me that I would be transferred to a new area. That was unexpected. Anyways, Its so exciting to see so many people that are getting their mission calls back home. A mission is an amazing thing for our lives. This week has been another average week in missionary life, though we have been helping Ricardo and his family a lot. I have already noticed a huge change in Ricardo, and its amazing to see that change. (A mighty change of heart). When we change, it might not all be at once, because this kind of change is a lifelong progress. Ricardo also has another daughter that is eight years old, and I'm sure that he will baptise her soon, as Ricardo also received the Aaronic Priesthood this past Sunday. We are working with there extended family as well, as there are several less actives and non-members that are great people. Their family is crazy, its super funny. We are really trying to expand our teaching pool as well, and find more people that are wanting and willing to progress towards baptism. I'm having a great time on the mission and am excited to be here. This week I will pass along a scripture in Mormon 9:12-14. We, as "men", are impure, and could not enter into the Kingdom of God, but through Jesus Christ we are made clean. Truly it is only through Christ and His sacrifice that everything is possible. If we are keeping the commandments of God, then we will be happy, and we will be restored to happiness. There are no greater blessings than that which God gives us through our obedience. I love you all, and hope that you all have a great week this week.

Abraço,

Elder Tanner Ross Paxman

PS: We lost an hour of sleep the week after conference, as the daylight savings is opposite for us. As for golf courses - I believe that they have a few here, but I have no idea ... They probably aren't in my mission  --  nothing famous that I know of.   As missionaries, we only can do zone activities every 3 months, and normally they are soccer or something similar. We normally stay home and rest on P-Days ...  there isn't too much to do. Sometimes there are hikes or bowling, or something random, but those are rare. I'm sure they have other sports here that people play ... but normally its soccer soccer soccer.