Dyonas Babtism

Dear friends and family

Well this week was freaking awesome.

So we had another babtism, a guy named Dyonas (Jonas, they spell it differently here). His conversion story is super inspiring. So, this is actually a flirt to convert story. He is going out with this member named stephenie. theyd been going out for a while, and she always invited him to church stuff. Seminary, church, activities. Volleyball and all sorts of stuff, and he soon became super interested. Within time, the elders started teaching him. and he started progressing a ton. he understood all the lessons, and fulfilled all his commitments. hes in the military here though, which makes it hard for him to go to church sometimes. But that wasnt a problem after a while. After little bit we marked a date for babtism, and we started working towards that goal. It was amazing, we would go and meet him real quick at his house to share a quick little message, and he would tell us that hes been reading the pamphlets so that he can understand better. and that before he would read, he would say a prayer so that he can feel the spirit better, and have the spirit teach him better the doctrine. he also took the gospel principals book, and had been studying hat as well. doing all this on his own! and when his babtism came, he was so excited, nad felt so good after his babtism! his face was beaming! (even though the babtismal font was freazing! haha). anyway, thats our experience with him this past week.

The other cool thing I forgot to mention that happened the week before was we went ot an english school, and spoke english to a bunch of english learning students. Then we shared a message about what we teach, and our purpose as missionaries. haha, something that would never happen in the states! 

This week though, I learned that God prepares the elect. the biggest things we do as missionaried is invite out investagators to do things which will bring them salvation. the miricle of the mission is when the investigators fulfil there invitations, and come unto christ! thats when you see change in there lives. its amazing, because you can actually percieve a light enter their eyes. A change that changes both the teachers, and the learners lives. its a testimoney to me that the lord has the power to change lives. If you think your life is in the dumps, and that theres no way out. remember that the power of the atonement has the power to change all of that. Trust in the savior, your savior. trust in him and follow. If you do that, there is no way you will ever go wrong in your life. Regrets only follow those who neglect christ, and his teachings. 

Love you all, and stay strong

Elder Shurts

Babtism of Jonecir

Dear friends and family

This week was super good. 

So, its supposed to cooling down, because down here is going into winter, but its been pretty hot here. Like an oregon hot summer day pretty much every day. Bento is also a very hilly area, there's a lot of elevation change. So, walking up and down hills is super tiring making me sweat a TON! but it'll cool down here in a little bit, so tudo bem!

So, we had a baptism this last week, a guy named jonecir. He is amazing, and super elect. So here~s his story. He started dating this less active member, who left the church when she was about 14 years old. But, while they were dating, she told Jonevir that she is Mormon, and told him a little bit about it, and he became super interested. So, one day (about five to six weeks ago, before I arrived in Bento) he walked in the church. The second counselor in the bishopric, Brother Cunha, found him at the door, and talked to him. Brought him to us, and we helped him out a ton. Started teaching him. When I arrived, they had already taught him a few things, and in the first lesson I had with him, he asked us what he needed to do to be baptized. and that was miracle. We set a date for his baptism, and had his baptism last Saturday. A little more than a week ago. Then he was confirmed the next day. but anyway, he is amazing, and a super fun person to hang around. Hes elect, and was prepared by the lord to receive the message of the gospel.

The other day, we talked to this one man on the street who tried to convert to his church. which is located in central somewhere. it was an interesting conversation, because, basically, he told us that we were wasting our time on the mission... I got to thinking about that statement for a while. How There are many people who think that about us missionaries and members of this church. that we are wasting our time doing this work. well, those people usually back up their opinions by either stating that god doesn't exist, or that the church we represent isn't true, or any other reason. these opinions usually originate from a lack of faith, or faith choked out by elaborate theories and scientific facts. or lies which Satan places in the hearts of man of anti-church statements. they all wonder why we are missionaries, or why we continue being faithful members of the church of Jesus Christ. Well, for those who never exhort a little energy to learn about god, and don't walk where he walked will have a hard time knowing who god is and believing he and his Son Jesus Christ exists and requires something of us. 

If life eternal is eternal joy, then what does life eternal mean: During Johns ministry as an apostle, he shared this eternal truth about Heaven. that ^Life eternal is this, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent^(John 17 Ç 3). We come to know Christ through doing what he did. We come to know Christ through learning about him reading the scriptures, receiving testimonies if him and his doctrine through the holy spirit and regularly attending his restored church. We come to know God through praying to him each and every day, and pouring out our souls to him. for those who don't do these things, faith is a difficult thing to have, a testimony suffers, and the soul of that person thirsts and hungers for eternal truth. So, I guess that brings us back to our original questions. What causes us to even do the things we do as members and missionaries. There are many many answers that could be said. The things we try to do, and commandments we obey are the same rules and commandments which Christ and God keep and kept perfectly. Thus, doing what we do brings us closer to him, which also brings us closer to his love and his goal for us, which is life eternal. in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

Sincerely 

Elder Shurts

No Letter from Dallin this week, but lots of fun pictures:

GENERAL CONFERENCE IS SUCH A BLESSING!!

Dear friends and Family

This last week has been awesome, I've been transfered to a new area n the same zone. This area is called bento Goncalves. I have another American companion, Elder Pryer, from Sandy Utah, and we get along Great. 

Anyway, here´s the miracle that happened this week.

So, conference is a blessing, and prayers can be answered during conference. This conference (though in Portuguese) was super special. I felt the spirit testifying once again of the truth of these things, and that the words of the apostles and prophets are inspired. One of the biggest miracles that happened during conference was a person named Neris, who has about 45 years of age. He was a contact that Elder Pryer made last transfer before I got here. But, he decided to come in, and watch, and when we arrived there, we found him sitting in the chapel waiting for the session to start. Realizing that he was not a member, we sat down and talked to him, and found out a little more about him. Then watched the first session of conference. After the session, we talked with him for a while. and he told us about all the regret he feels from mistakes hes made in his life. In short, hes a man filled with remorse, godly sorrow which has caused him to do the best thing he could ever have done in his life, search for God. Which is why he came today, the pain of guilt allowed him to humble himself before the lord, and begin the search for forgiveness. which is why he was there with us watching general conference. He wanted to feel the peace of the lord so bad in his life. and when he heard that all sins can be forgiven, it gave him such hope. That time talking with him was super special, and the spirit was felt, and tears were shed. He told us that we gave him hope, and how he felt a light here. we marked for him to return tomorrow for the one of the conference sessions. And tomorrow, he came for the last session of conference. When he got there, some member was super inspired, and gave him a paper and pen to write notes on. and so, he took notes this time. After the session, he had two main questions, who was Joseph Smith, and Whats the book of Mormon. Then he asked us if we had time to answer those question right now, and of course we said yes. We went into one of the classrooms in the church, and taught the first lesson, The spirit was super strong, he understood amazingly well. But that experience was such a miracle, for us just to be a part of, and for him especially, because he will soon be able to feel the sweet blessings of repentance. Its such an interesting thing to me, feelings are such a vital part of our lives. How can anyone deny the feelings they receive, that is proof enough that god exists. if we were just 

Love you all

Elder Shurts

Update from the past three weeks! The mission is a Miracle!

Dear friends and family.

Its been a while since I've written. I've been pretty busy.

But here are the big things that have happenned so far

We've been teaching this young family, (Leo Eliza and a little 7 year old named Gabriel). They progressed so much. The story of his conversion is absolutely amazing. So he lost his job a few months ago, and things have been pretty rough for him for a while. Hes also been going to other churches, trying to find the true church. and one day, he ended up praying to god to help him find the true church. He prayed for someone to be put in his path that would be an answer to his prayer. and the very next day, he was going to bring his kid home from school, and decided to take a different route there. It just so happened that we were doing contacts on that same street, and we made contact with him that day, took his address, and the next day, visited his house. At his house, the lesson was super spiritual, and it didn't take long until he received a strong witness that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, and that this church is true. He's been going to institute, he's almost stopped smoking, and we're working on getting them legally married (because no one's actually married here in Brazil). They are such an elect family. 

We're also teaching this man named Luciano. He's 26 years old, and is separated from his wife, yet has a daughter, who switches back and forth from mom to dad. and we taught him on and off here and there. But I ended up giving him a Book of Mormon, and he's read it, and prayed about it, and has received an answer. He now has a desire to get baptized. the only problem he has is work, he works every day, including Sunday, which makes it hard for him to go to church.

We ended up teaching this single mom Friday, and she ended up accepting the gospel, and went to church that week. She's going to get baptized in the second week of April. She really likes the church, and has already talked about it with a friend of hers, and she's only known us and the church two days. Shows the faith the humility in her heart. That was such a miracle. This experience also taught me a lesson about diligence and obedience. We made contact with her in the morning, before lunch. Missionaries have to leave at 10:30 to proselyte. but that day was raining, and windy. Horrible conditions to preach, and do missionary work. but, we got up, and got out, and talked with the few people that were on the streets in that horrible weather. We ended up walking down this one street, looking for this other house, with people we made contact with a while ago. and we found her, made contact, and ended up returning to her house that night to teach. I learned that no matter what conditions it is, if we are obedient, and diligent, and go out and preach the restored gospel, miracles will happen. 

The other thing that happened was transfers. I'm finally leaving the Branch Serrano and going to another area called Bento Gonsalves. Which happens to be in the same zone, Caxias do sul. so, Im going to stay here in Caxias, which is a blessing, because winter is arriving, and its going to get cold pretty soon here. I'm also going to be companions with Elder Pryer, who is another american. Nyland has been my companion for the past six weeks, and I've learned a lot from him. This past transfer has flown by! We found families just amazing to teach, and it's just been miraculous. 

The more and more I preach the gospel, and teach people these gospel truths, the more I am taught as well. The purpose of the holy spirit is guidance, and to teach, and preach. The holy spirit preaches by confirming truth, it teaches by enlightening our minds, and distilling understanding in our minds, and guides by feelings and thoughts that we receive. The role of the spirit is essential, not only in converting the investigator, but also in converting the missionary. And I've learned that my searching and trying, and qualifying to have the spirit with me, is allowing the spirit to convert me more, and draw me closer to my Savior. If you live an entire day without the spirit teaching you something , something needs to change in your priorities. Read the scriptures, and started praying to your Father in Heaven, and go take the sacrament with purpose. because without doing these things, it becomes a million times harder, if not, impossible for God to work the miracle of change in your hearts. Love you all, and just know, If I didn't know this gospel to be true, I wouldn't be here preaching about it.

Sincerely,

Elder Shurts

delicious pizza

President Caio and his family

Time Passes Swiftly

Well, I'm here, still in my first area, and still very new in the mission, and my sister is returning home this week. Oh, how easy it is to start feeling trunky. I still lack a year and seven months. Which is a lot of time if you think about, yet, no time at all. Time flys by so fast. As much time I still have to go on the mission, I've almost reached my 6 month mark, and it feels like I arrived yesterday. Which is a really wierd feeling. Just remember to enjoy the moment, and if you simply can't find something to enjoy about now, find something to learn from it. Because there's nothing worse, in my opinion, than wasted time. Wasting time is such a horrible feeling. And the next closest thing to wasting time is spending it in the wrong areas. Remember to prioritize and use your time wisely because discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs tons.

So, what happened this week? Well, we walked a lot. I got a few new blisters on my feet, I finally had a chance to use my mole skin I brought from home. My legs cramp up at nights because we walk so much. We did a lot of conatacts, and talked to a lot of people. Bought and ate lots of icecream. We have an amazing family we are teaching. I don't have all that much time to write today, but things are going absolutely great. The mission is full of challenges and blessings, and experiences that will last for a lifetime.

Sincerely

Elder Shurts

New Companion!

Dear friends and Family

This week was transfers, which means that companions switch. you never know if your gonna go out, if your companions gonna leave, if your both gonna stay and who will replace the one the leaves. We found out sunday evening last week. and monday was transfers. My new companion for the next little while is Elder Neyland. He is from texas, a shorter person, and very different from Ferreira. I am staying here yet one more transfer in Serrano. A little neighborhood next to a city called Caxias do Sul (Caxias of the south).

The work is great here, we've met many new people, and have a few people progressing. and believe it or not, but I understand pretty much everything now in Portuguese. Im very close to being fluent, and being able to speak without too much effort. Its amazing how fast it was for me to get this far. Its only really been three months, which is a short time for me to be where I am right now with the language. Ive been very blessed. Now thhat Im understanding people more as well, Im starrting to see just how amazing our branch is. The people in the Serrano branch are so humble, and have pure hearts. Its amazing. But dont get me wrong, I still have a long ways to go before im completely flluent. probably fove more weeks and Ill be there.... I hope

Elder Shurts

me and Ferreira and Joel (leader da obra) our last lunch together

Transfers

Family Home Evening Tuesday Night in Bela Vista Ward: Good food, fun people