Here for another six

Tomorrow is the transfer, and our district leader called Sunday to say that I'm getting transferred to another mission. Just kidding. Elder Rodrigues and I are here in Cohab Juscelino for at least another 6 weeks, which is good because I feel like I just got to know the area! I'm excited to see what experiences yet the Lord has for me here!

More firsts from this week: I knew from Mariokart that banana peels are textbook items to slip on, but I learned that orange peels are just as effective.... I nearly died, and Elder Rodrigues nearly died of laughter. I also learned that when some people don't have a collar or leash but want to walk their dogs, apparently an extension cord is a functional alternative... real thing, I saw a lady with a power cord tied around it's neck walking down the street. Who knew?

I still feel like my Portuguese isn't getting better,  but it must be because I can finally understand what people say most of the time... at least I think so... It's getting easier to know when people are talking to me or not, which was something I totally didn't know when I got here... Elder Rodrigues doesn't have to say "Elder!" as much, because I just got pretty used to assuming the conversation didn't involve me until someone got my attention because it was just so difficult to make any sense of the sounds floating in one ear and out the other haha... One thing I'm really looking forward to is when I can use humor in Portuguese.... I miss making other people laugh like I'm used to, so I've learned to cope by telling myself jokes and making myself laugh... It's semi-pitiful, but it feels good to have your humor appreciated by at least one person, even if that person is yourself heh heh...

One cool thing they do here in Brazil for people leaving on missions is called a "Bota Fora" (translated roughly to mean a "kicking-out" party). Basically it entails spiritual thoughts on missionary work and sharing of testimonies, then lots of delicious food and festivity like only Brazilians know how. It was super fun! 2 of the members from the ward are entering the CTM on October 14, which is super exciting because it's a pretty small ward. One of them, Natanael, goes out with us at least once a week, and he's been a member of the church for less than 2 years. He is so awesome, and I'm going to miss him a ton because other than Elder Rodrigues, he's the only other person I've really spenta bunch of time with while I've been here.

This weekend is General Conference, and I don't think I've ever been more excited. I want to invite everyone to think about some questions you really want answers to or reaffirmation of things you're struggling with, write them down, then go listen to the words of the living prophet of God. Seriously, don't miss this opportunity. I promise that you won't come away from Conference uninspired if you prepare this week to recieve, and then apply the teachings of Christ through His prophet, President Thomas S. Monson! 

I love you all!

Elder Merrill

Sorry it's mainly just a bunch of pictures with this kitten, it was just so cute and tiny and so now you can be jealous of the cuteness

Bota Fora de Fernanda and Natanael (that looks like my thumbs up, but it isn't haha)

Looking up

Família,

Wow, this week was full, I just will share a tiny part.

So I had corn flavored ice cream for the first time.... it was pretty good... the best way to describe it is like the buttered popcorn jelly beans but better... that just made it sound kinda gross, but trust me, it was good.

After weeks and weeks of not being able to get anyone to come to church with us, we broke the drought! We planned on going by the houses of 10 investigators that said they would come, and so yesterday morning we went on divisions to cover more ground. Every single person I and Sebastião went by was either sleeping or gone, but Elder Rodrigues and Natanael (a young man from the ward) showed up with one! Even though we weren't able to get everyone, we were blessed to have at least somebody come. It was great. We were so happy.

The coolest experience I've had here so far was on Saturday. We were able to go to the temple with the ward, but stayed outside because we brought an investigator, the dad of one of the young men who is leaving on his mission in 3 weeks. It was amazing to just be on the grounds and feel that we were in a special place, but it was more amazing still when we went into the waiting room of the temple and teach a lesson on the amazing blessing of an eternal family. He said he really wants prepare to enter and be sealed to his family one day The Spirit was so strong, and we could all just feel the power and sacredness of the Lord's holy house that we were in. It was such a sweet moment, and I know that all of us can truly enjoy that feeling every time we go to the temple, and I am immensely grateful to be truly sealed to my family for eternity.

I feel your love every single day, and I love you all sooo much!

Elder Merrill

Elevator in a chapel that had a mirror.... why not take a picture?

Temple with the young men and our investigator

Sebastião, our lider da missão da ala

Parque that we went to for P-day today

Slow, but goin.

Querida família,

Other note about Brasil: the bus drivers go super fast on windy narrow roads and can text the whole time... it's a little scary, but they never crash...

This week work was kinda slow, but still learned lots. We had an AWESOME  mission conference on Thursday, and Elder Mazzagardi (2nd quórum of the Seventy) came and talked to us. I took 4 pages of notes, and really want to apply everything he taught us... But Elder Rodrigues and I got kinda lost on the way there, so it took us 2.5 hours to get there instead of 1..... oh well, we made it haha.

I'm still on and off sick, and had to stay in one day last week because I had a fever... But I think I'm getting better.

On Sunday, we had an amazing Stake Conference with a diferent Seventy, and from his message I really learned about how we need to keep a positive atitude and simply trust in the Lord through our trials. Sometimes they resolve in a day, but others take weeks, months, or years to get through. Yet through it all He is molding us, and only He knows exactly which challenges we need to become who He wants us to be. 

For everyone that sends me letters, I really try to respond within 2 weeks, but even if I don't respond, I read every letter and am thankful for every word of strength you guys give to me. I feel your love so strongly, and I love you all more and more every day.

Elder Merrill

There've been some pretty rainy days this week with EPIC thunder

Sebastião, our awesome Lider da Missão da Ala

My district (but one Elder is missing and a random Elder jumped in on the bottom left haha)

A vida

Dearest family,

Sorry for the letter a day late, yesterday was independence day here, so everything was closed.

Word of the Week: bárbaro - super super awesome

So this was another hard week, but I feel like I'm able to actually contribute more and more each day... It's difficult because we teach people and have awesome lessons, but haven't yet seen any results... All of the investigators that were for sure going to come to church were all asleep when we went by to pick them up on Sunday. But it's still good.

I've been battling a cough and stuffed nose for a few weeks now, which makes it especially interesting because my ears are often plugged, and it's hard enough to understand people when I have full hearing hahaha. Also just after 3 weeks I can't imagine how I used to think it was a long walk to school... We walk a lot. To resolve my cookie problem, I bought bananas instead... I've actually developed a surprising liking for bananas and various juices. I think it might be one of my blessings as a missionary, because everyone knows I've never liked fruit, but now I can eat it and enjoy it! Weird.

The language comes along bit by bit. I still feel like my Portuguese was better in the CTM than it was now, even though I know that probably isn't true. I can't always express myself very well, but I can at least understand more and more. I'll just keep chuggin along, and have faith eventually I'll be able to feel like a real person in Portuguese.

Though this week was a LOT better than the last, there still were plenty of hard times. It was a particularly hard day, I was feeling sleepy and sick and I was super hot from walking for over an hour uphill to get to an investigator's house, and when we got there, nobody answered. We tried a few more houses in the area of people we could teach, but nobody was available. I felt just awful. We stopped to use the bathroom in a recent-convert's house, and I just fell to my knees and pleaded with my Heavenly Father to help a weak and inexperienced young boy with his simple desires, just pouring out the feelings of my heart. We left the house, and I really felt like we should return to the first house we tried about 30 minutes earlier. Not only was he home, but we were able to have an awesome lesson. As we taught, I began to lose all of my previous worries and stresses and feel God's love for the boy we taught and for me. The rest of the day, every other house we tried was successful, and we were able to teach a bunch of people that really needed it. It was amazing how my day completely turned around after one simple act: sincere prayer. I know God is mindful of us and wants to hear from every single one of us. He can change our days from failures to triumphs. I'm so grateful for Him.

I love you all so much!!!!!

Elder Merrill

Kitty

Steep hill

Kitty

Even the cat is laughing with us

I'm thankful for my pillow tie after a long day...

Thank you Serena for the AWESOME shirt! I appreciate your humor just as much from thousands of miles away!

Adapting

Querida Família,

Wow, there's just so much that happens here. I feel like it's been at least a year since the CTM, not 2 weeks! But I finally feel like I'm adapting a bit better to life in real Brazil.

Term of the week: da hora - used to describe something really cool, usually an object or game (literally translated "of the times")

Some quick facts about Brazil (or my area at least) - 

Everything is a hill. No joke. We are always walking either up or down or across a hill, never just flat. I'm gonna get super buff legs before I leave

I don't think there are traffic laws.... the general trend of 

Everyone here is always watching TV. It's super weird. I know people in the US watch more TV than we did (we didn't watch hardly any), but wow, it's constant. Sometimes it's really hard to teach because they don't always switch it off for lessons.

I'm most certainly gaining weight despite the walking. The members feed us every day, and I eat a LOT because it's just always soooo good. Also, I think I'm developing an unhealthy addiction to the super yummy biscoitos (cookies) they have here..... They are SO GOOD and super cheap.... Ah, I just love them too much.... I think I might have to ask Elder Rodrigues to help me through this difficult trial.

So I had a couple new experiences this past week that I never thought I'd have...

First, I got to play soccer with a bunch of Brazilians. REAL ONES. And what's more: I scored a goal. Yup. I did. It was more of an accident than anything else (I just happened to be in the right place and have a lucky kick) but that's not important. I still scored a goal. We took an investigator to play with the group of members that plays every Wednesday night at the court we have next to our chapel, and it was super fun, even though I felt severely out of place and unworthy. They are soooo good. Today I bought some soccer shoes for $20, so maybe that'll help me out... maybe.

Second, I got hugged and kissed on the cheek by a drunk, smoking old guy. It wasn't a supremely pleasant experience, but there wasn't a whole lot I could do. It was when we were leaving someone's house after a lesson, and the whole family said goodbye (because that's just what you do) and grandpa was a lil tipsy and had a lit cigarrette, but if I did anything but take it, that would be rude.... I had to change my clothes completely before we planned because I just wreaked of smoke and alcohol. Elder Rodrigues kept cracking jokes about how he wished President could come smell me, because he'd send me home for sure.

This week I started to read the Livro de Mórmon from the beginning in Portuguese, because we teach about the Livro de Mórmon every day, and I realized I needed to read it so I could strongly testify that it's true. I have a testimony of the Book of Mormon in English already, and though it's the same book in both languages and I already know it's true, I just want to strengthen my personal testimony of the Livro de Mórmon, in Portuguese. As I've read, it's been amazing to discover treasures I've never before discovered, and to feel how my day improves when I read it in a spare moment. Seriously, everyone should read it, it just helps (but I guess you don't have to read it in Portuguese if you prefer English).

We had an AWESOME first lesson with an this great investigator. We taught about the Restoration and he just was so involved, and my Portuguese was coming so much more easily than usual. When the time came, I was able to explain about Joseph Smith and recite the First Vision while looking into his eyes, and I could just see the Spirit work in him. As I testified in my simple Portugues, I felt so strongly the power and truth in those words. He closed his eyes, made a fist, and whispered fervently and joyously: "yes. yes." It was such a powerful moment, and it helped me realize how important that message is, and strengthened my testimony. I can't deny the feeling present in that room, through the background noise and chaos in the other room, that God did restore His church to the Earth in these days.

I'm so thankful for all of the words of support from all of you, you have literally no idea how much they strengthen me every day. I love you all sooooo much!

Elder Merrill

Descendência: 4 generations (dad, grandpa, and great-grandpa)

​We had to make lunch one day, so we took pictures 

..but I got a bad apple

Classic view of a regular laundry day for an Elder..... 2 weeks of black socks

Lest you think I'm going without kitties for 2 years, I'm here to prove you wrong. Cool cat at an investigator's house.

Happy Caturday!

Our apartment building feat. blurry Elder Rodrigues

With some balloons we found randomly in our apartment: "Elder Merrill, olhe..... cachorro girafa!!!" (Dog giraffe)

Swimming

Dear family,

Culture shock.

Love, Elder Merrill

Okay, I totally copied Natalie, but it's true.

To explain the title, I will use an analogy to explain the transition from the MTC to the mission field:

You are placed into a wading pool, the water at your ankles. It's a little shocking at first, but you get used to it real fast. You have floaties, noodles, life jacket, the whole shabang. Over the course of 6 weeks, you are coaxed gradually to wade up to your knees. Occasionaly you get splashed with water, exposed slightly to more and more, but nothing much. Then, one day, someone picks you up, takes away your floaties, and chucks you into a swift, deep, cold, river, saying "good luck, remember what you learned in the wading pool!"

Seriously. my life turned completely over. I'm in Brazil. I finally had that thought in full face-slapping fruition this week. My companion doesn't speak a word of English, and that has presented some interesting challenges, but I'll learn pretty soon.

But it's been good. The hardest week of my life, yes, but good. I would honestly be nothing without the support of God, and the power of prayer.

The food here is amazing! The members that feed us never let us leave without stuffing us first. It's great that we walk for about 6 hours every day, because I would gain 50 kilos in the next 2 years if we didn't! 

I hate to be cliche, but I was at our first lesson and legitamately thought "this ain't the language they taught me in the MTC"

We have some amazing people that we're teaching! I want to share one experience that I had this last week. We were teaching a couple that needs to be married, and the lesson was about Eternal Marriage.  I was able to share with them my testimony of how important very important it is, so important that I would miss my own sister's wedding to come here and teach THEM. My Portuguese was terrible, and I couldn't say much, but I just tried to put my heart into those few words. I looked into their eyes, and I felt so sure and peaceful as I spoke my simple testimony, and I know that the Spirit carried the feelings of my heart to theirs.

I love and miss you all!

Elder Merrill

Hey look! I was dressed up on Friday [for Nat's wedding] and all ready, but I got called in to work

View out our apartment window

Part of my area.... yup. It's mostly favela [urban slums]

CAMPO (bonus: pictures finally!!)

Querida família:

Well everyone, I'm alive. And in the mission field. It was super weird this morning realizing that I was actually leaving the CTM.... it just passed so fast.

President Silcox is letting us email our families today, but my P-day will be on Monday for the rest of my mission. We also have 90 minutes for email, instead of 45 in the CTM, and I can finally start sending pictures!

I gave a talk in Sacrament meeting on Sunday! In the CTM, every missionary prepares a talk every week(in portugês, of course) and you don't know who is speaking until you get there and the Branch President announces it from the pulpit. It was super fun actually, and I feel comfortable giving talks in Portuguese now. I had a few more firsts these last few days: First time leaving an MTC, first time riding a Brazilian bus for too long, first time getting a Brazilian companion, first time running a pen out of ink. The list goes on and on, but the last I'm most proud of. I actually wrote so much with a pen without losing it to empty it. I don't think any of you appreciate how cool that is for me...

Anyways, to explain the previous. We left the CTM at about 7:20 and got to the mission office at 7:50, where we had an orientation thingy and interviewed with President Silcox. He is soooo cool! I'm so excited that he gets to be kinda like my dad for the next 2 years! After all the meetings and stuff, I met my companion, Elder Rodrigues. He's from Fortaleza, and even though he speaks only Portuguese, we're already friends. Fun fact about him: he played professional soccer before he came on his mission. Yeah. Professional. When he gets home, he's going to play for São Paulo, which is a really big team. I hope he teaches me some of his ways in the next 12 weeks. More than soccer, I'm excited to learn how to be an awesome missionary from him, because he is just ótimo, I can tell already.

So we left the Mission office and walked for a while to a bus stop, then waited for a while for the bus, then rode the bus for a really long while. I asked how much time he thought we had left once I started feeling a little carsick from the bumpy stop-go-stop-go-turn motion, and he said 10 minutes. About 40 minutes later, we finally stepped off, then walked a while to our apartment (which is on the 5th floor). It took like a solid 4 hours to get to our area, which isn't super far from the mission office. Our area is called Cohab Juscelino, and Elder Rodrigues says that it's super successful. I'm excited to be here!

On Saturday, we had our last class with Irmã Correa and it was so sad :( We surprised her by singing "Deus vos Guarde" (God be with you til we meet again), and she cried so hard. We then had a super powerful testimony meeting, and It was awesome to realize even more that I was there in the Brazil CTM to be with those people, because I learned so much about Christ from each of their examples. The love that we all developed as a District was amazing, and I know it was because we all were there for the same purpose: to bring the people of Brazil to Christ. This is the right place for me, I know it.

I love you all!

Elder Merrill

The view from our room

My candy stash

The view from our room

District pics

The view from the Campinas Temple

Cool view

Epic pic photobombed by Elder Batten

Epic pic successful

Pic with roommates

São Paulo Temple

Selfie, featuring the São Paulo Temple

District pic w/ Irmã Correa

District "limp peace" (it was one of our inside jokes)

With my awesome district. If you're wondering why all of my photos are at the temple, it's because we could only take pictures on P-day at the CTM, and most of P-day was spent traveling to the temple

We made a poster for Irmão Severo, who hurt his ankle and couldn't teach us the last week:( anyways, the paint we used for handprints didn't come off, and this was the result of minutes of vigorous scrubbing

Yay for classic missionary photos

Elder Hughes and Sister Kinsman are here in São Paulo Leste as well

Our tiny little jogging track, it's so cute

Cool garden that's in the center of the CTM. I love this place.

Poster for instructor

Diagram from our classroom on our English/Portuguese ratio that we needed to be speaking (and the consequences of each option) with Jesus lovingly reminding us "Fale a Sua Lingua" (Speak your language)

Picture with district and Sister Correa

Presidente and Sister Swenson (btw I bought that tie here, it's awesome)

LEGIT handmade leather scripture case from a guy here... It's super cool.

Look! Kevin Clive, from our Stake!

A pic of our apartment (sorry, my camera died)