One year mark

 Bundt cake for my 1 year mark

Elder Hodgkinson from Madison

Members back yard Dock

Fun on the Dock

Me on the Dock

President Ballards Car

Zone Conference

Conference in Boston with President Ballard

Conference in Boston with President Ballard

Fun with the Trio

My Companions

The Cool Trio

Week 53   10-21-19
Finally at my year mark!

     Well P-days in a trio are tough when we don’t have a washer and dryer in your actual apartment. Most of the day we just tried to do laundry along with the usual shopping and cleaning. That night we had a lesson, and our friend had to reschedule but we ended up talking to a few other Brazilians with interest. It was super cool and we set up an appointment later that week!
     Tuesday after studies we made a lot if calls to people taught in the past to see if there was still any interest with them. We left a lot of messages because no one picked up. After we finished up studies we went to the Jenny Museum to cut the lawn, it went pretty well. After that we made our way to visit the Calas. While we were there we had lunch and had a lesson with them and Jimmy (Sister Calas brother who isn’t a member) it was really good, and he enjoyed it. We then helped with some service and dug 4 holes for some shrubs. Because we had time, we took pictures on their dock. Elder Leite was having a blast! We kept throwing in rocks and pretending fish were jumping. We then came home changed and made our way to the Chapel for Ward Coordination.  It went really well and we then went to dinner at Rio Churrascaria. While we were there we met 4 Brazilians with interest! We had a good time there. Brother Volpetti took us to a referral who wanted a blessing. We went to the wrong house twice lol but we ended up finding a family to start to teach! We finally made it to the right house and she was so happy to see us. After we got our car back and drove to our next lesson. We officially started teaching 4 more Brazilians this week! To end the night we had a few more stop byes to make contact with and set up times to come back! With Elder Leite not knowing too much English we are helping him learn. He asked us "what does figure it out mean?" It was too easy so we told him to "figure it out" Elder White and I were dying of laughter lol. He also pronounced "doubts as dub its" oh boy we were having a good laugh and teaching him.
     Wednesday was Zone Conference and we got a ride from the Brewster Elders. The ride was a little longer then expected so we were a couple minutes late. When we got there President Mavromaitis was talking about the 10 Commandments and the old movie about the story of Moses. It was pretty cool because in my personal studies I just started to read about Moses in the book of Exodus. After he spoke for a little bit we split into smaller groups and had a training on the importance of daily planning, along with winter driving safety, because the snow is coming soon! Other things we talked about later on in the day were the importance of acting on faith and following the spirit. We then had a long drive home after an uplifting Zone Conference. All we did the rest of the night was a lesson with Al and helped him set up his DVR so he could watch the Restoration Movie. We then walked downtown for the rest of the night.
     Thursday, well today marked my 1 YEAR MARK!!! First thing in the morning was a lesson with Brother Gould to share a message with him. Later that morning we were expecting an extra mattress to use because I've been using the couch the past few nights. It came earlier then expected so that really helped with planning for the day. We finished up our studies then made our way to the Calas for lunch, a lesson and service. Sister Calas Brother Jimmy who lives with them has been asking them questions so we helped them with his first lesson! It went really well, and we hope to come back soon. After the lesson we helped dig 4 holes for some bushes they had. They live right on a lake so we kept throwing on rocks to pretend a fish was jumping, Elder Leite wanted to see it jump lol. After we went on the dock and took some pictures. After we finished up with some yard work we made our way to see Billy Salmons, when we got there the lights were all out, and they had to hit the generator to get them all back on. While we were there I burned a shirt for making it to my year mark! It burned pretty dang quick, but it was honestly an amazing moment for me. After we came home to change and then made our way to a Brazilian couple to share a message, we ended up teaching 2 others as well!! It was so cool, We started to teach 5 people in just one day. We then met up with Brother Volpetti to go to our next appointment. When we got there sadly no one was home, Brother Volpetti then took us our to McDonald's for a quick dinner. We made our way to Walmart to get some cake and came home. Something awesome about today is My little Sister Kaylee was adopted 1 year ago as well, the morning my family was at court for her adoption then shortly after made my way to the MTC. Tonight we share a year mark for an amazing change in our families life and she was also Baptized! I was so lucky to be able to call her and teach the lessons with the missionaries in her area. Both of the talks given at the baptism were given over video call. My Brother  Tyler from Oregon on Baptism and me from Plymouth Massachusetts on the Holy Ghost. It was definitely a memorable Baptism. After it ended I made a cake for my "1st birthday " it was dang good! I also listened to the talk "live right" and it made me ponder about how I can better serve the Lord this next year.
     Friday we didn’t have District Council because we had Zone Conference this week. We had to do some things at the Chapel and we were there for a little bit. While there we made a few calls to our friends to set up times for lessons. That night we had dinner with the Hovey family when we first got there we played some yard football with the boys, we all had a good time and it was Elder Leites first time playing. We had some really good Chicken Casserole, it was a family recipe for them. To end the night we contacted Brazilians up until 8, after that we had an appointment with a Pastor to talk about an English class in his Church, he didn't want it at his Church but he will let his members know when we get it started!
     Saturday morning we had a North East North American Missionary Broadcast. We met up as a District to watch it together. It went really well, we heard Elder Bennett,  Elder Crossing, and President Ballard talk. They had a big focus on, being a hard working missionary, keeping busy and helping and loving others. It's not just about Baptisms, it’s about helping others come closer to Christ. We then were invited to have lunch at the event that was going on at the Chapel. We then helped them clean up. We came home for studies and did some calling around. We tried to call for a lesson with Larry and Ollie and the family but they couldn't do it that day. That night we had a great lesson with Pam and talked about Faith and Repentance. We helped her and invited her to Church to learn more.
     Sunday morning we get a text from Pam asking if we could wait for her by the doors at the Church. She came and had a good time for the most part! We sat with her in Sacrament and helped answer her questions as they came up. Brother Polleys from the Vineyard was there to give a talk! I also saw the whole Polleys crew! It was great to see them all. In second hour it was tough for Pam because she had a hard time understanding. We helped testify on the love that Christ has for us and that through him we can overcome anything! We then got permission to go to the Worcester Center that night to hear the Apostles speak if we got a ride! The Martin's said they could take us, so we came home to eat and have a quick study session. We got to their house by 2 and made the trip to the Worcester Center. On the way there we ended up passing the Larose family from my first area in Madison. I had to wave and they waved back. When we parked I saw the Brown Family from the Vineyard, and at the front doors saw a lot of members from past areas. I had a great time seeing them all, especially the Larose family,  and my companion Elder Hodgkinson!! The actual devotional was so amazing. President Ballard gave his whole talk about the Revolution and Plymouth! It was pretty cool. He also invited us all as a Nation to Pray for our Country. We then came back with the Martin's and had dinner with them and came home for the night. It truly was a great week!

               Jacob 5:41

     "41 And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard wept, and said unto the servant: What could I have done more for my vineyard?"

      Sometimes we need to be like the Lord and ask "what could I have done more?" As we go through life we don’t do everything we could, but we should always try to do everything that we CAN DO. As we are presented with an opportunity I invite you to ask the Lord before you finish "what can I do more?" I promise it will bless your life. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen