Moonwalk for the Lord

Well, what can I say, another Christmas has come and gone.
My Christmas was great. It was great to talk to you guys and hear that everything is going great. Thanks to all that sent me a package. I loved them all.
Well 12/26/09 I had another baptism. It was a girl named Samiley. She is 15 and her cousins are members. We had been teaching her and she was progressing so well that we decided to baptize her a week early. She was so nervous to be baptized though. She thought that she would have to change her life and stop listening to Michael Jackson music and all that. ha ha When she said that, I just stood up in the living room and started to bust out my MJ moves, and do the "moonwalk." It was so powerful it just about melted her face off. And I said, "Look, I like Michael Jackson and I'm a member of the true Church of Jesus Cristo, so what do you say lets be baptized?" And she said, "Yes."
So I'd like to thank Rob Haynes and Jason Carpenter and all of their friends for teaching me how to "Moonwalk" when I was little. :) It's funny how people think that baptism will change their life too drastically like they can't play basketball or can't wear jeans and stuff. But it's sad at the same time because there are many churches down here that do this, they don't allow anything. So sometimes just at the word "baptism" people get scared and run away. But I love teaching them about true baptism and how the Church of Jesus Cristo [Christ] has this atoritade [authority] to do this work, I know that this church is true and that only through this Church and atoridade [authority] one can be saved.
Happy New Year to Everyone,
Love,
Elder Manis

Short Man

Eai Familia,
To answer your questions; ya Campos is pretty far away from the coast and ya, it's a big city. Lots and lots of people. It's about the same size as San Diego. My new companion is Elder A. Silva, this week I got to know him a lot better and he is a crack up. Remember "50 First Dates", the little dude that wants to be a body builder? haha Well that's A. Silva. haha In the mornings he always does push ups and stuff, and I always ask him how many push ups he did. He is always like, "I did 37." But he says it in a big tough guy voice. He is funny, he bearly comes up to my shoulder. Let's just say he has "short man syndrome" haha its so funny.
Here in Campos it has been storming a lot lately. There is a huge river that has been overflowing and wrecking houses and stuff, its sad to see. :( And when I say storm in Brazil, I'm talking 500 times crazier than a monsoon in Arizona. It's crazy to the max.
As far as work, its going great. It's so amazing to have members that actually love you and want to help you in any way possible. It's amazing, it's heaven in comparison to Cariasica. The lessons are coming along great. We have found some really good people that I feel that the Lord has prepared for us. It's so amazing to teach someone that actually pays attention. Not only with their ears but with their heart. I can't explain how much less stressed I am here. haha But of course with all the good there is bad as well. We still find the people that don't want anything to do with us. But like I said before, the ones that listen make it more worth while.
As for Christmas. It doesn't feel like Christmas at all. It's still hot here and there is nothing going on Christmas wise, like Christmas trees and stuff. But its all good. I'm looking forward to calling home and talking to all of you. Just a warning, its been a good couple of months that I haven't spoken English so it's probably gonna be a little backwards when I speak to you. But it's gonna be great. I will call home Christmas Eve and give you all the details and stuff, for calling. I'll call about mid-day there, OK?
Thanks guys.
Love ya,
Elder Manis

Campos

Hey Guys,
Well, yup I got transferred. I'm now it the city of Campos in Rio de Janeiro. It's pretty cool down here. My area is on the outskirts of the big city and is the smallest of the mission. I have no clue why. Missionaries haven't been in this area for about 6 months. The area is known for making missionaries depressed and making them skinny too. Ha Ha Or you could say the food sucks.
Well, to tell you the truth, I don't see any of that. This is almost the best Christmas present ever. The branch is great, the members leave [church] with you and teach lessons. The branch president has about 160 references for us, so now all we have to do is get to work. Ha Ha It's going to be great. I think we are going to have a lot of success here in this city. President said he was holding this area out for 2 missionaries whom he could trust to work hard day in and day out. So I got a lot of motivation from him. He is the best, I love him.
My new companion is Elder A. Silva from Fortaleza. He is cool, he is really short and stocky and is a hard worker. We have been out for the same amount of time in the mission field, so we are both senior companions. Ha Ha I live with 3 other Brazilians again. :) It's great, I never speak English. It's the best.
Well as for the Christmas phone call. I'll call you a week before Christmas to talk to you all about what's going to happen, what number you will use to talk to me and all that. Sorry guys, no Skype ;(
I gotta go. I have a lot of stuff to do to get this new area on a roll. (haha P-day.. relax, haha ya right, hahah)
Love you guys,
Elder Manis

Answered Prayers

Oi Familia,

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving. As for me, it was just another day. Ha Ha

This week has been a crazy week of ups and downs. This week is Elder Adriano's last week in the mission field. As you can imagine it's been a roller coaster for him. Just all the crazy emotions thinking about home and stuff. So that kinda messed things up for me a little bit too. For example; there were a few days where he said about 5 or 6 words to me and that was it. I got all mad, because when I would ask him something all he would say was; "I need to focus." It just didn't make anything easy, because I didn't want his last week to go on like this. One day it was really bad, I was angry and I didn't want to be with him. All day I was thinking about how I only had 4 more days with him and then that's it. (I was being really negative) That day we had an appointment for a lesson with a really good and promising investigator, who I'm 99% sure I will baptize next week. Anyway, this lesson needed to be good, and really good spiritually. I was thinking... how can we have the Spirit with us when I am being like this, this can't work. So I prayed and I prayed and I prayed. I was working straight on faith that this lesson would be perfect. And what do you know... we got to teaching and the nasty feeling that I had in me went away and we were able to teach. To teach and teach with the Spirit was amazing. To feel that the Lord really answered my prayers and that I know that He is listening to me and He is helping me do His work. Lincoln, the investigator, was so into the lesson too. It was amazing.
Well, in other matters, I saw a dog get ran over this week. It was sad because it didn't just die right away, it was screaming and yelping. I wanted to help it out so bad.
As for Christmas (calling home)a sister in my ward has this thing called Skype. Its like i-chat on the computer. I'm not sure if mac's can have Skype, but you should check it out. All the rules and stuff, because she said that I could use it if I wanted to. (So maybe on Christmas you can see me as well.) I have no clue about it, I just know I can use it if I want. If not I'll have a number for you guys to call on Christmas to just talk to me over the phone.
Well, that's about it for this week.
Love you guys,
Elder Manis

I am Thankful

Oi Familia,

Como voces estão pôwell?

This week has just been another hard week of work. I'm sorry I don't have any cool stories, just been working hard and the results have been coming slowly but they are coming. Elder Adriano and I are getting along great. Of course we have our little brigazinhos now and then, but everything is going great. He is getting a little trunkie, he only has one week left in his mission. So ya, you can imagine how he is feeling.

Well, a random story. This week I had an interview in English with President Pickett and I could hardly speak English. It's so crazy because I have to think so much to speak English and its just facil [easier] to speak Portuguese, :) cool huh? Vai ser muito mais facil se eu escrever minhas cartas do e-mail em portugés... mas vocés náo podem entender. haha [It's easier for me to write letters and e-mails in Portuguese...not that you guys would understand though.]

Well, I just checked my e-mails and I found out that it is almost Thanksgiving. Holy poo, I totally got lost in time. It is summer down here and I'm still waiting for it to get cold, but that will never happen. Ha Ha

Here are the things I am thankful for:

1. My Savior Jesus Christ and o que ele fez pra nos. I have been studying a lot about the life of Christ and trying to develop better Christ-like attributes. In doing so, I realized how much of a sacrifice he made for each and every one of us. He suffered, he wasn't just put up on the cruz [cross]. Ele [He] suffered in the garjim [garden] a pain that no one can describe and then he was persecuted and beaten, spit on and mocked and then he suffered on the cruz [cross]. Guys, know that Jesus Christ loves you and know that He died for you and only traves [through] him we can receber salvação [receive salvation].

2. Cada um de vocés [Each one of you] I love you all. For real's man.

Well I'm sorry I don't have much more to talk about.

Mom, I got my Halloween package. Ha Ha the candy lasted a good 5 seconds. I gave a Reese's peanut butter cup to Elder Adriano and he didn't take the paper off. So he ate the paper and said it was nasty. Ha Ha... burro. Ha Ha

Read the scriptures and know the Church is true.

I love you guys,

Elder Manis

Pic's

Sweaty and wet - again

Getting ready to walk in the parade.

Migraine

Oi Familia,
How goes it in the AZ??
Everything going OK?
Things are going great down here.  Well kinda - as far as work- it's going perfect, but this week I found out that I am my mother's son and my grandpa's grandson.   In other words MIGRAINES, and they are killer too.  Just yesterday during church I started to get a headache.  I thought nothing of it, drank a bunch of water, but still it was pounding.  I was sure it would just pass because I was almost positive my head hurt because I was dehydrated.  So [after church] we went to teach a lesson.  I was fine-ish, then BAM, I couldn't talk, I could hardly see and I was sweating like crazy.  It was crazy.  So we hurried up the lesson and left. Then BAM I threw up like 10 times in the street.  I had Elder Adriano help to walk me home because I was basically blind.  It was crazy!  I couldn't see and I felt like I was going to pass out.  It felt like a horse was kicking me in the head.  I just went to bed and crashed.  I'm not sure if it was caused by stress or the hot sun or something else, but it sucked big time.

As for work, it was, well...OK
We have been finding a lot of people to teach.  But they are all burros. (donkeys)  You can teach and teach and teach and your words go in one ear and out the other.  It's really frustrating.  But we found a real good kid named Lincoln, he is 19 years old and is just looking for the right path in life, which is amazing.  He is not a burro.  He is really smart and actually pays attention to what your are saying.  It's so much easier and makes you happier when you teach someone that cares.  As far as Elizete, she is progressing so well.  Just this Sunday she paid her tithing.  It is so amazing to see her progress.

Things have really been looking up.  Elder Adriano is a little trunkie, but its all good.  He only has 3 weeks left in his  mission so he is now thinking about what he wants to do with his life.  He always talks to me about what I want to do in life, and its made me realize that I have no clue. Ha Ha Oh well.

Hope everything is going great,

Elder Manis

A Date to Remember

Oi familia como voces estao, disculpa sobre a semana pasada ue tina problemas com esta site,

Well, what I just said was - sorry about no e-mail last week. I was having problems with this site. I didn't even get to e-mail President Pickett.
Anyway, this week I had my first baptism. Lets just say it was one I'll never forget. I will tell you about it. Yes, it was Ilizete, she has been progressing so well and she finally got baptized. I bought a cake for after the baptism to [make it special] and because its almost Christmas the store wrapped it in red wrapping paper. OK, so now Elder Adriano and I are walking to the church which is about a one hour walk(it's a good 10 to 15 miles). It's about 110 degrees out and 100% humidity, and between me sweating and the humidity the red ink of the bag went all over my pretty nice baptism shirt. But Elder Adriano and I traded shirts for the baptism, ta bom.
Now we are at the church and its time to fill up the font. So I followed all the rules and filled it up, but because it had been raining like crazy the week before, the church's water well was all dirty and the water that filled the font was.....GREEN! I'm talking like lake water, it was horrible. It got to the point where I asked her, "Look, the water's green. Do you still want to be baptized in this water?" I was so lucky, because she said "Yes". Then when we are in the water and I'm about to baptize her, I said the baptism prayer and put her under the water. But I messed up the prayer - I forgot one little word. [Since this is an ordinance of God I needed to do it right] so I had to baptize her again. Ha Ha All in all, it was the day I have been waiting for for a long time. :) It was amazing to hear her testimony afterword. The first thing she said was "Us so grato prá mue dois anjos." (I'm grateful for my 2 angels) It's so amazing, I can't describe to you how I felt. That scripture in Doctrine and Covenants is so true.. how great will your joy be if you bring one soul to Christ.. I think that's how it goes.. I just translated it.

[15 And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!
16 And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!]

I got bit by the bug now. I feel like a new missionary. It's crazy, now I'm ready to go.
The first thing Ilizete said when I knocked her door was, "I already have my religion." And look at her now. She is a member of the true Church :)))) I'm so happy!
Well, other than that this week has been just another week in the book, working hard and seeing results. :) Elder Adriano and I are getting a long great, so nothing to worry about there. :D
For your Christmas presents, what are your shoe sizes in Brazil (don't say "I don't know" you have the Internet use it haha) and sent me a cd walkman that plays mp3 cds
Love you all,
Elder Manis

Baptism

Hey Guys,
Well, this week has been great.  A lot of hard work is starting to pay off.  Elizete will be baptized this week!!  Finally we are getting results.  Well, I shouldn't say finally but you know what I mean.  Things are going great with her.  She is a little scared about leaving her church but she is really confident in her decision, which is great.  She is really excited to start her genealogy and all that stuff for her family.  Sunday we learned about baptism for the dead and it gave her a bunch of questions and doubts and stuff.  I was freaking out, but everything smoothed out and she is growing in the faith which is amazing to see  But I also saw how powerful Satan is.  The day before the interview of her baptism Elizete had the worst craving for café.  She was getting the shakes and all that stuff.  She looked like she was on drugs.  It was crazy to see how much Satan doesn’t want to see people get baptized.  But she worked through it and everything smoothed out in the end.  So I'm really excited to get a baptism this week :).  Thanks for the prayers.

Well, as for Halloween everything was crazy.  It has been raining here for the past 5 days and by raining - I mean RAINING.  Its like a tropical storm or something.  At times it was hard to walk against the wind because it was so strong.  The little dinky umbrella I had broke in like 5 minutes.  So I wasted all my money on a beach umbrella.  I'm talking like the ones that Nana has in her backyard.  The big huge umbrellas that you have to wind up and down, that weigh like 20 pounds. Ha Ha, yup I has walking around the streets with that, its huge.  I did manage to buy a watermelon that weighed 20 pounds.  It's pretty big, and we made a jack o' lantern out of that.  It worked pretty good.  The Brazilians that I live with were freaking out, but they thought it was cool. Ha, the first jack o' lantern in Brazil. They do have a day for the dead here but its not all crazy like Mexico.  It's today actually [Nov 2].

Its good to hear that everything is going great there.  I'm glad you finally got the pictures. PS - I don’t say the N-word... Elder Hale said it.
Well, everything is going great just working hard.

HAPPY B DAY WYATT!
O grandõna 17 mané sempre faz bem e concivar tua rota.

Te Amo,
Elder Manis
Oops - I need every ones shoe size in Brazil sizes.
Don’t ask why just do it.

Photos

Many Blessings

Hi,
How is everything going guys? Things here are really going great, and a lot of hard work.
Well, to answer your food question from last week, a still eat rice and beans every day without fail. About a month ago on P-day I went to Burger King, got a burger and it still came with rice and beans. Ha Ha funny huh?
Wyatt - Ya, Elder Crapo has a little brother that goes to Red Mountain but I don't know his name.
Mom - I'm sorry about the memory chip :( it makes me really sad that you haven't seen the pictures. Don't worry, next time I'll just send them to you. I'm sorry :(.

Its funny to hear how things are starting to cool down there. Because it's just getting hotter and hotter here. When I left AZ it was summer and when I got here it was winter, but it still felt like summer. 2 years of summer isn't a bad thing. I'm all tan now and my arm hairs are blond. Ha Ha, back to the summer Elder Manis.
OK now for mission work. Well, this week we have been blessed like crazy. We still have 2 dates marked for baptism [with investigators]. Both for the 7th of Novembro, and they are progressing amazingly. Ilizete stopped with café [coffee] which is like impossible to do down here, and she found work so we are crazy excited for her to progress. This week we also found some really promising investigators. One of them is Renata (say Hanata). We were having a slow day of work and I really wanted to teach so I just decided to knock some doors and after getting rejected a few times we finally got into Renata's house. We taught her and at the end I asked her if she would pray to know if what we had taught her was true. She just said, "I don't need to. I prayed last night for something good to happen in my life and you bringing me this gospel is it. You're an answer to my prayers." So that was amazing.
Then another night, we were walking home and in front of our house was a guy 20ish years old. He just said, "I want to know more about your Church. But my Mom can't know, because she is the founder of the Maranata Church (the biggest apostasy ever). It was amazing. He is really open to the gospel. Then Sunday he came to church and played the hymns for us on the piano, so he really felt welcome. We have just been so blessed.
Also, this transfer we got a Brazilian in the house and now I'm the only American in our house and in our district. It's kinda lonely at times, but it makes me get really good at the language.
Well, that's about it. Just been working really hard. The language is easy now and I speak almost without error. Just hangin' in there. I have been having some problems with sleep lately. So if you guys need something to pray about, pray that I can get some sleep at night. :)
Thanks guys.
Love ya,
Elder Manis

Christmas List

Oi Familia,
Como voces estão?  Things are going great here, I'm going to start out with my Christmas list so I don't forget it.
OK here we go:

• Chlorine scented candle (I miss the pool)
  
• EZ- Mac
  
• Pictures (a lot of them, from anyone)
  
• yo-yo (Bumble Bee)
  
• Nerf basket ball hoop
  
• Hacky Sack
  
• AMERICAN CANDY!
  
• 2 ties
  
• some Zebra pens (just black and red)
  
• Red Mountain shirt
  
• beef jerky
  
• "Portuguese for Dummies"
  
• lyrics to Jack Johnson
  
• Tylenol PM
  
• books about Joseph Smith
  
• Hannah's old mp3 player, with Mo' Tab' and not just hymns, other calm music.
  

Well, that's about it.  I mean, I haven't been missing anything as far as shirts or shoes and stuff like that.  So ya, just that [stuff] and whatever you guys can come up with.  Just send random stuff, I dunno. Ha Ha

As for my Christmas presents for you guys.  I got lucky.  My AP Elder Crapo, he is finishing up his mission and will be home before Christmas.  Lucky for me, his family are neighbors with the Zimmerman's.  Small world huh?  He lives less than 2 miles from us. So I'm going to send some stuff home with him.

OK, now for this week.  It has been another down to the grind week, we have been teaching all over the place.  It's good because we have been teaching and finding new investigators.
Remember that guy that came up to us at Church and said that he wanted to be baptized?  Well, we went to his house and found out that there was a little more baggage to him.  He is wanting to get baptized because his wife said "Straighten up or get out".  He smokes crack and likes that weed.  It's sad to see how his family is suffering because of his stupid past.  It makes me want to become the best dad that I possibly can.  But we are working with him.  He knows he is going to suffer for a while before things start to get better, so we are doing everything we can for him and his family.  

Illezete we taught her some really good lessons this week.  I think the best was the Plan of Salvation.  She had some doubts when we talked about the Spirit World.  But when we pulled out that scripture in Peter, that talks about Jesus ministering [to the souls] there before he was resurrected [1Peter 4:6].  It's good to know that our Father in Heaven has a plan for us, and no matter what we do we can almost always repent.  We also brought back Bernidette.  We just decided to go and talk to her, and she said that she misses our Church and that she wants to come back.  So we are really happy about that.  Things are going great.  I just want you guys to know that I'm working hard every day, and I don't want you guys to think because I haven't gotten a baptism yet, that I'm slacking off.  I promise,  I'm working hard.

In other news, Brazil has daylight savings time...retarded. I don't get it.

Well, my time is running out.

I love you guys,

Elder Manis
PS -  It's raining :)

Burning in your bosom

Hey,
I want to thank you for all the prayers and all the support. It means a lot to me that you would do that. But I also want to apologize for my e-mail last week. I guess I just had a venting moment, and maybe it went a little to far. But that night me and Elder Adriano got into it pretty bad. We weren't screaming at each other or anything, but you could say it was a fight. I sat him down and just said.. "Ollio no nao podemos contuniar com isso, que e aconticendo, nos estamos brigando sobre nada." Basically, said "Look, this can't go on anymore, something needs to change." So we had a good talking session, and we both figured out that we need to melorar (I can't remember the word in English).
So this week we started over and tried to do our best to "ficamos animado e trablhar" diligently and we had some good fruits this week. But we both agreed that this talk should have happened the first weeks of the transfer not the last. (I think I'm going to stay here com [with] him for one more transfer)
But anyway, we taught a good lesson this week with a lady named Ilizete. Durante [during] that lesson for some reason I started to get all nervous and my heart was beating all crazy and I had no clue why, and then it hit me... "MARK A DATA FOR BAPTISM WITH HER". So I did it, and she accepted. It was crazy because I have marked dates with other people and it was just a regular thing, but for some reason this one was different. Now I know what a burning in your bosom feels like. It feels like your going to throw up and poo your pants at the same time. But if you tried to throw up or poo your pants, nothing would happen. HaHa. And come Domingo [Sunday] she was in the church. In the Doctrine Class we were learning about temple marriage. She had a lot of questions that where good, but we kinda got into some deep doctrine. and one guy said "I'm sealed to 3 people... after this life I will have 3 women".... so that kinda killed us. Ha Ha. But it's good she loves the Church and said that she wants to frequently attend.
Also, we had a family that came. The same family that I used our family photo [to teach a lesson to] and they too loved it. So it looks like your prayers are paying off. I can see the fruits and we just have to let them ripen before we harvest.
Also, a part member family like our family came up to us, and the Dad said that he wants to get baptized. So we are going to work with him and maybe get a baptism this week.
Thanks a lot every one, really.
And Mom about [your friend], I can't sit on your shoulder and whisper in your ear and tell you what to say. Just because you don't have a name tag, doesn't mean your not a missionary. You have a testimony, use it and don't show fear. People attack on fear, just relax and let the Spirit take you for a ride. See what happens and don't fell sorry if things get a little crazy. Ha Ha The Spirit works in crazy ways, let me tell you. You can do it, I know you can.
As for my house and stuff. I live with Elder Adriano, Elder Silva and Elder Hernandez. Our house is 2 stories and is pretty big. It's a nice house, Elder Silva is from Fortoleza, he actually went on a division [split] before his mission with Clint Lawler. Small world huh? Elder Hernandez is from California and he has the same amount of time [out in the field] as Preston but he is pure Mexican and so he speaks Spanish too. Ha Ha, he is a cheater.
Well I gots to go. I'm so sorry but my time is running out, I only have enough time to write a few people.
Christmas list next week. I promise.
Love you guys,
Elder Manis
PS - Wyatt do you think you could get the home addresses of some of my friends like Kelvin and stuff. Thanks

My heart is hurting

Guys,
Well, this week has been..... well, a rough one (Mom you don't have to put this one on the blog) Things have been going pretty hard as work goes... We work work work work and nothing comes of it, and it's so hard to stay positive when your [companion's] heart has a heart of coal.
This week he decided to cut Bernadette because she had too many questions. Questions are a good thing. They are about the Church...HELLO?? Aghhh! This week has been so hard, he is always so negative about everything. When we teach a great lesson, all he has to say after is... "She didn't want anything to do with us."... "She isn't an elect." My area hasn't had a baptism in about 7 to 8 months. Things are moving pretty slow, we are trying to make friends with the members, but they can't get around my comp'. I'm sorry, I'm just kinda venting. I dunno what to do anymore. My prayers have moved from "[help us to have more] success to - "please help my companion be a little bit nicer." For example, I got all dressed up for the Priesthood Session [of General Conference] and he just decided to stay home. "Na I don't wanna go, it will just be in the Liahona in a month." AGGGHHHH! My heart is hurting just trying to get along with this guy.
But as for Conference, I missed both first sessions and Priesthood, so if you can mail them to me that would be amazing. But I did get to hear Elder Holland's talk. Powerful huh? It's so true, any other man wouldn't have gone to the grave with for a book. It was a big testimony builder. It was amazing. Another thing was one of the songs that we sang. "Come ye Children of the Lord, let us sing with one accord. I got goose bumps when I thought how many people are singing with us. Like, if you pushed pause on the world and just let us sing, you could hear it all around the world. I'm so thankful to be a part of this amazing Church.
Give Nana and Paco a big hug thanks for me.
I don't remember any numbers for America, I don't even remember my house phone. So I don't have a number for Cara. My Portuguese is coming fast. When I stop and realize how fast I'm learning, it's crazy.
I love you guys,
Elder Manis
PS - Christmas list next week

Instrument in the Lord's hand

Hey Family,
It's good to hear that everything is going great back at home. To answer your questions; yes, I did get your package. I got it pretty quick. Thanks for the shirts, my comp' loves his. Ummm I'm not sure what I want for Christmas. I'll come up with a list and pass it to you next week. I will have a new companion by Christmas for sure, but honestly if it's a Brazilian, what I get will be his anyway. They think everything is theirs. Ha Ha Its funny.
Well, this week we really really worked hard. I'm about dead. We started working in a neighborhood that has never been worked in. We taught some killer lessons and had some people promise God that they would come to church. But what do you know, when Sunday comes around, nadda nõs temos 0 pesquisadores na capela. Frustraiting! You work your face off trying to help people and they can't even keep a promise they made with the Lord. It's hard because my companion likes to chastise people. Kinda makes them feel like dirt, so we burn through investigators like crazy. I'm not sure if they aren't progressing because it's just not there time or they don't like Elder Adriano. But he's my companion... gotta love him.
One of the lessons we taught was with a family who loved our message. I pulled out a picture of us that you sent me. (The one that Tiffany took) I showed them my family, just to let them know that I'm human, and I talked about each and every one of you and how the Gospel had blessed our lives as a family. Ha Ha, yes even you Dad. That was the first lesson that I felt like a instrument in the Lord's hand and it felt great.
That's all the stories I've got. Just working hard and looking for results. AZ is still hot? Dang. Its starting to get pretty got here about 104 with 100% humidity. So ya, ha ha, its pretty muggy but I'm pretty used to it, so it doesn't bother me to much.
:) I love you guys,
Elder Manis

Bernadette

Hey Guys,
This week has been getting better... not too much better, but things are progressing. Elder Adriano hasn't taught me how to make [cook] anything cool yet, ha ha. I still do most of the cooking, which isn't that hard, just throw the noodles in some boiling water. Ha Ha My leg is doing fine. It wasn't that bad in the first place, just some scratches.
Well this week we really hit the ground running. We started working in a neighborhood that we had never been to before. It was good. We got into a lot of houses, and taught a lot of good people. We had 15 people promise God in prayer that they would go to church with us on Sunday, but when it came around, none of them showed up. It was kind of depressing to have worked my tail off all week with these new people and see no results. But we did have a good investigator show. Her name is Bernadette. She has been to church 3 times now and is just now getting the hang of singing the hymns. She is progressing well, we have a date marked for baptism on Oct 3. I really think she is an elect. It's awesome to see her progress when I teach her, just kinda see her eyes open and say "Ya... this is true." It's sweet, because she gives us chocolate at almost every lesson. She is a nice lady.
Well, I'm sorry to say that that's about it for missionary work for this week. But this week I have been studying a lot about baptism and covenants. And I have really begun to realize how big a promise to God it is... it's no joke. I also got really temple sick. I'm not sure why, I just miss being able to go to the house of the Lord and feel His Spirit and just relax. I guess after seeing all the iniquity in the small town I'm in, and all of the churches, just took a tole on me. I want to go to my temple.
On other news, next month is going on 6 month for me... that's crazy.. I just left.
I gots to go guys.
I love you and pray for you every day,
Elder Manis

RUN!

Hi :)
Well, to answer your questions - First: my new companion is Elder Adriano. He is from Sao Paulo, he is 22 and he only has 2 transfers left in his mission. It was a little shock to my system at first. The first few days where hard...I mean hard. Just being with a new companion and having to remember where everyone lives and stuff like that, it was just a little stressful I guess you could say.
But I figured out how much Portuguese I know. I surprised myself. But at the same time, I am like....dang, I've got so much more to learn. But it's OK, I am at the point where I can understand just about everything. However, when I try to talk I get mixed up, but at the same time just this week I have learned how to speak without thinking. I don't know if that makes sense, but I just stop thinking and talk.. Sabe?
Well, along with being shocked because of transfers myself, so were our investigators. Some of them didn't really like the change. Some of the members of the church/ward as well. But it will all be better in time I guess.
We have a good investigator, her name is Bernadette. She is about 50ish years old. She is progressing well and we have a baptism date set for next week, so we will see what happens. We aren't sure if she is progressing because she really knows the church is true, or if its just because she like the missionaries. It's kind of hard to tell at times but I think she is progressing because she sees that she needs the Gospel in her life. Also, this week we had to cut one of our best investigators... because we found out he has 2 wives! Ya, I know, crazy huh? But I guess its common it this state of Brazil :(.
The funny story for this week is I was bitten by a dog haha. There is a dog that lives on this street by our house and every time we pass him he chases us. But the other night there was construction on that street so I figured he wouldn't be there. We were walking all quiet when we passed one of the huge work trucks and heard a growl. I just yelled RUN! Well, I guess you can say I didn't run fast enough and the pit bull got me on the calf. Its not that bad, Mom don't worry, I don't have rabies. We got it checked out and stuff.
Other than that things are going great. It's good to hear about Wyatt's team kickin' butt. That's how that Red Mountain rolls haha. My language skills are improving everyday. I started studying the Book of Mormon it Portuguese. I study in Portuguese only, and Portuguese is now in my dreams. But I'm not speaking Portuguese - its everyone else. Ha Ha
The work is progressing.
I love you guys,
Elder Manis

E. Hale is getting transferred

Oi!
Hey guys,
Mom, good thing you wrote something about money because I need it. Ha Ha I'm starving out here.  Raman noodles for every meal isn't working anymore.  I know I can take money out of my savings so if you can move some money to my savings that would be great. I'm going to the bank tomorrow so if you can do it soon that would be great.

Well, as for everything else, its getting better.  The language is still choppy.  Elder Hale says I need to stop thinking so much.  He says when I just talk, I speak it good, but when I try to think about it I mess up.  He says, "Just be a Brazilian in your mind.  You're just chillin' on the beach in flip flops and flying a kite.  When you think like that, you can talk."  So it has been getting better but it's hard.  

Also, I found out that today is my last day with Elder Hale.  He is getting transferred.  So I'm a little scared about that, but I think I'm ready for it.  He was an amazing missionary, and I learned a lot from him.  It's going to be hard getting stuck with a Brazzie, but I can do it. 

As for Daniel, he doesn't want anything to do with the Church.  He is so blind, so we forgot him and really worked hard this week.  Just forgot everything and busted our butts.  We were so caught up in the work, we didn't see our blessings 'till Sunday.  When we had 6 new investigators in the capela.  It was a surprise, it was just like... Dang!  We worked hard and the Lord did the rest, it was great.

The weather is hot.  I'm used to it, so it doesn't bother me any.  I'm used to sweating all the time.  But I'm so wiped out by the end of the day. 

It's good to here that Red Mountaña is kickin' some butt.  Today is Brazil's Independence Day, and all the Missionaries in Vitoria got to march in the parade.  It was so cool.  Ha Ha Brazil loves Americans. But we were right behind a marching band and they were playing the drum line stuff, so it just put me back on the [football] field hearing the band play.  I got goose bumps.  It was cool, they were so good.
That's all I have for this week.  The work is hard but that's what you get for being here in the most religious state of Brazil. Espirito Santo means Holy Ghost.  But I'm still working hard, sometimes all I can do is love the people, and that's not hard at all.

Love ya guys,

I love this work

Oi Familia, como voces estão?

Well, this week has gotten a lot better.  I'm just getting over being sick, so I'm feeling a lot better now that I have some food in my stomach.  It stopped raining too.  It has been raining for the past 2 weeks.  Now the sun is out and its really humid.  But I don't mind it, we are right next to the ocean so we get a good ocean breeze every once in a while so its not too bad.  I'm not sure if it's the water that made me sick.  I'm past the point of caring and I just drink the water that they give me.  

Well you wanted to know what I do all day, so here we go.

We wake up and exercise at 6:30a I usually just do push-ups, sit-ups and pull-ups so its nothing amazing.  Then at 7:30a we make breakfast, which is usually just chocolate milk...because we is poor :) ... Then its personal scripture study at 8:00a, then companion scripture study at 9:00a.  Then language study at 10:00a.  Then at 11:00a we walk to lunch which is about an hour's walk everyday.  Lunch goes to about 2:00p, then we go to work.  Clapping (knocking) doors and teaching people 'till 9:00p.  Then we come home and plan for the next day. 

So ya, that's about it.  Hard work and tons of walking. Ha Ha.

This week has been a good week for us.  We have found a lot of new investigators and we had 6 of them in the Capela este Semana.  It was good to have everyone there.  One of the guys we brought was Daniel, we contacted him and just invited him to church, and sure enough he came.  He knew the Bible really well and was into all the lessons.  Later that night we went to his house to just follow up on how he thought church went.  When we showed up all he said was, "Let's go. We are going to my church tonight."  So out of respect, we went with him to the Quadrangular Church which is one of the many Apostasies around here.  I walked in not knowing what to expect, and when we got there I saw 800 people.  800 people is 2 stakes worth in the LDS church [down here], my heart sunk. Here are 800 people in this building that are so blinded by the works of man.  It was so sad to see their pastor screaming and everyone saying ..SIM JESUS.. they are so blind.  It made me realize how cunning the adversary is.  He will stop at nothing to get people to fall away in his traps.  It also made my testimony grow.  Even in our ward building with a billion crying babies and kids running around, our meetings still have the quiet Spirit of the Lord present.  Being in this meeting with 800 people without the Spirit made me so grateful for what we are blessed with.  I know this Church is true.  I have no divide in my heart.  This is the restored Church of Jesus Christ and I am so grateful to put this name tag on everyday that has His name on it, and to represent Him.  I love every second of it.  I love getting rejected, I feed off of it because, it makes the one person that is willing to listen that much more important to me.  I love this work, missionary work isn't easy because salvation isn't a cheap experience.

I love you guys and I pray for ya every night,
Elda Manis

Gripe

Hey Family,

Funny thing that you start your e-mail to me with "Have you been eating good?"...... This week has been the hardest week on the mission yet.  It started out last week that I got ..."Gripe"... What they [the Brazilians] call the flu.  Then it turned into the stomach flu.  Everything I eat I throw up, EVERYTHING.. even if its just a cracker, it comes up.  So I basically haven't eaten anything this week..just within the week I think have lost about 12 pounds.  It has just been a hard week spiritually, mentally and physically.  I feel so weak walking up the hills, like I'm going to die. Ha Ha  That's all our area is is hills, its been hard.  It is offensive to the people if you don't eat [the food they provide] so I eat hoping that it will stay down.  But 20 min. later walking down the street, I yack.  My companion tells me I should just take a day off to relax and give my body some rest.  I say, "Heck No, I can't rest.  I only have 2 years here, and if it keeps going as fast as it is now, one day of rest will be a big waist." I just suck it up and keep moving.  

Elder Hale is so cool.  He is really like a brother.  We like all the same things.  So Mom, to answer your question about  Elder Hale he is basically me but about 3 inches shorter.  HaHa

This week has been a hard week spiritually like I said before.  Our investigators that have been progressing, just decided to not work this week.  We had to cut this family that I thought we where going to baptize for sure.  It was so depressing, they know the Church is true, they have a testimony of the Book of Mormon.  They just don't want to give up watching soccer on Sunday to go to church.  It's just hard because I have worked as hard as i can, with my crappy Portuguese, and spiritually drained myself for these people but they just don't want to change.  But what can you do sometimes you've got to cut an elect.  It's hard to do but sometimes it's what you gotta do.
Well family, everything is going great.  Besides being so sick in the gut,  I'm still working hard don't worry.
As for sending packages, I'm not to sure what the easiest way is.  I don't even get mail every week. I get it about every 4 weeks.
But put stickers of Jesus on the package so people won't open it.

Love ya guys,

POSO USAR SUA BANHERO?

Oi rapaz,
Its good to hear all about home and how you guys are having fun. Ha Ha.

Well, this week has been a really hard week for us.  A lot of our prime investigators that we had lessons marked (scheduled) with, fell through.  They were either at work or just didn't have time [to see us] so that was really hard on us for the first couple of days.  On Tuesday I went on splits with some other missionaries.  (The AP's) [Assistant to the President] It was fun and a humbling too.  I went on splits with Elder Crapo, funny name I know, but even funnier is that we went to school together.  He lives in Brock Perry's old neighborhood, and we were in the same Seminary class, but he graduated in '07 so he only has 4 months left of his mission.  It was fun but it was also humbling because I had to be the senior companion for that day and I didn't realize how much I lean on Elder Hale for stuff, like directions.  We got lost a couple of times but we made it fun.  

Another thing we have been doing this week is getting people to promise God in their prayers that they will come to church with us.  Because when they promise the missionaries.....random guys that they just met, they probably won't keep the promise.  So we started them promising the Lord, and I'll be... it worked.... they showed up to church.  

This week's church was kinda crazy 3 people in the ward died and they all had their funeral after the Sacrament Meeting. So it was kinda crazy. One of the guy's who died was attending his mom's viewing and afterwards he was crossing the street in front of the church and got hit by a car.  So...Ya... you  can still see the blood splats on the ground.  Its nasty.

OK so are you ready for some funny stuff.....

This week on Thursday we ate lunch at this Irmas house and she had half a foot.  It was nasty.  It looked like a horses hoof. Ha Ha. Anyway, after we ate there we went to work clapping doors and I was talking to this one lady that wouldn't let us in.  Randomly Elder Hale said "POSO USAR SUA BANHERO?", meaning "Can I use your bathroom?"  I looked at him, he was all sweaty and doing a pee dance.  She said  "No."  He looked at me and said, 'Dude I gotta poo!!"  I started laughing and I said, "OK, lets go to a store."  But he wanted to go home which was a 5 minute walk.  So we started to walk and we got to about a block from the house and he starts walking all crazy and I asked him, "Hale, you OK?"  He said, "It hurts." I asked,  "What?" and he said... "My rectum."  I was trying so hard not to laugh, so I ran ahead and unlocked the door for him.  He sprinted up the stairs and ran to the bathroom.  I walked in laughing soooo hard because I heard the shower going. Ha Ha! When he came out all he said was, "I didn't make it."  So yes, meu companiero fez um cocõ no calsas dele. (He pooped his pants) I felt so bad for him but I was laughing so hard. It's probably going to happen to me someday.
Well I hope next week will go better for us.
Love you all 

Flying Poo

Oì Familia tudo bem??
This week has gone by so fast, I can't believe it.  My companion just says to get used to it because it doesn't slow down.  It was good to hear about your trip to California, and Hannah suck it up and talk to your mom, haha she loves ya haha. 

Well, this week we have been greatly blessed for our work.  I'm not dreaming in Portuguese yet, I'm so tired at the end of the day I pass out.  We walk about 30 miles a day and its all hills.  I don't mind the walking, but my knees do. Ha Ha But back to what I said. We have been greatly blessed this week, we have taught some awesome lessons and I starting to break out of my shy shell... just starting to talk to people and all that I figured, the only way I'm going to learn is by messing up. 

But any way, we are teaching this man named Iraner and his daughter Jessica.  The first lesson we taught was The Restoration and this past lesson was just a follow up to see how his studies and prayers went, when we asked him [how it went] he started to cry and said that he new in his heart and in his mind that this is the true Gospel and that he needs to be baptized.  I couldn't really understand everything he said the accents down here are so hard to pick up.  But I could feel it.  So I asked him, "So will you be baptized on the 29th of August?" and he said "Concerteza" meaning "Certainly".  It's such a good feeling when you bring someone to Christ it's worth a thousand doors being slammed in your face.

Also, another thing that happened was we had an appointment that didn't follow through...you can't really count on Brazilians so I decided to clap the next door (we clap instead of knock down here) and an older man let us in.  We gave him the first lesson, and he basically said "Sweet when can I be baptized?"  One thing I have found out is that the Lord works in mysterious ways, and He puts you in places for a reason.  

Another random thing, every one says I look like the actor Christian Bale, Ha Ha.  I have even given a few autographs, Ha Ha  The people down here are crazy, if you are American you're famous. Also, a funny story.  We where walking in a rural street in a ghetto area and we clapped this door.  We heard a flush sound and poo flew out the side of the house. Luckily we weren't in the way! Ha Ha  I was laughing sooo hard!  All Elder Hale said was"Welcome to Brazil".  Last P-day was so fun, I got to go to Vitoria and play soccer on the beach with my sone.  It's so cool I'll send some pictures, and we just walk around to all the little vendors it's so fun I'm starting to gain a bigger love for this work and it grows every day.
I love you guys.
Stay safe, I pray for you every night and morning.
Peace,
Elder Manis

My first area

Hey family!!
Well, I'm out of the CTM now. It was kind of like being slapped in the face with the real world.  The people here talk so different, like instead of ..luz.. they say  lushh.. everything is so slurred together.  The first day or 2 was really hard but now I'm starting to catch along. My area is called Cariasica, its a little port town outside of Vitoria just like Apache Junction is to Mesa.  The people here are way relaxed, they are always in there swim suits and flip-flops.  I haven't seen one dressed person yet.  The people being lax is a good thing because they will always listen to you, but it is also a bad thing because no one really takes your message seriously, and to top that within 5 blocks of our house there are about 12-20 different churches.  So its hard to contact people that aren't so involved with one of the many churches.  But we work hard, my comp. is Elder Hale he is from Salt Lake.  He is a really cool guy and we get along great.  He has been serving for a little over a year, so he always asks about home and whats going on, which makes him kinda home sick which in turn makes me homesick. 

This week has been a roller coaster of ups and downs.  But it's just now starting to smooth out.  The food with members is amazing.  It's seriously better than anything back in AZ.  I love it, but for some reason I always get the neck of the chicken when we have chicken.  It's all bony and just weird.  

Church yesterday was kinda crazy. Let's just say a lot of breast feeding going on and a lot of babies crying.  I bore my testimony and afterwards everyone told me that if I needed anything they would help my out.  The members here are really loving.  The members think I look like a soldier from the movies.  I have no clue why, but its funny. 

Well, now for the good news through all this hard work and ups and downs we did have some success.  My first day in the field we contacted this family and we invited them to church, and they came.  Then just yesterday we taught them another lesson and asked them to be baptized, and they said yes!  It's so amazing, a million rejections is worth one baptism.  We are also going to baptize one of the Bishop's daughter's friend so that will be cool.  Well, I got to go. I have to go shopping.

:( Miss you, Love you all

In Vitoria

No letter this week as P-day was spent in transit to Vitoria 

We are very grateful to have Elder Manis with us in the Brazil Vitória Mission.  He arrived on Tuesday from the CTM in São Paulo.  Although a little tired due to an early plane flight, he was anxious to begin his service in the mission field.  After a session of training, we met in our home for lunch and an afternoon interview.  Attached is a picture taken in the mission home.  Once again, it was a pleasure getting to know your son and we look forward to serving with him as we invite others to come unto Christ and enjoy the blessings of the gospel. If in the future you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.

 

President and Sister Pickett

There is a God!

Oí Familia
Como vaí, esta bem
This week was a great week, on Friday Elder Snyder and I went street contacting again. This time we went to down town Sao Paulo, it was CRAZY! Sao Paulo is the 2nd biggest city in the world, so you can just imagine how many people are walking around. Its like New York on steroids. Millions and millions of people. It was crazy to also see such poverty too, you have no idea. There is a store that sells 4000 dollar suits, and a homeless man sleeping on the side walk right out side. There was hundreds of them, they just lay down and fall asleep. It's scary because they look like they are dead. It made me appreciate my home and the things I have.
What's worse than the homeless people are the girls... When I was walking through the people one hand was on my shirt pocket so my wallet wouldn't get stolen, and my other hand was on my butt. I guess an American guy down here is like gold. They would just walk up to me and pinch my butt and stuff like that. I don't know why they wouldn't do it to Elder Snyder [though], Ha Ha He got a kick out of it.
OK now to the good stuff. When we started we had 7 Books of Mormon to place. We handed them all out within 20 min. One guy I handed it to in Central Park actually thanked me for sharing this message with him. We walked by that same park 30 min. later and we saw him reading it. It's the best feeling in the world when you know you can bless someone's life so much just by giving them a book. They love that it is for free too.
Well, me and Elder Snyder got done pretty quick so we decided to just talk to people. One older man we were talking to asked us how long we had been in Brazil. We answered.. "8 weeks", he grabbed his head, shook it and put his hands to the sky and said; "There is a God!" Ha Ha I thought that was pretty funny. It made me realize how much I have learned in this short time, and there is no way I could have done it without the Spirit. 3 years of Spanish in highschool doesn't even compare.
Other than that, we all are getting excited to get to the field next week. I leave at about 6 in the morning next week. Then I'm going to be a missionary-missionary.
I love you all,
Elder Manis

Me and Elder Scoza, we like the same soccer team. Ha Ha

Me [center] and Elder Snyder on the right, Elder Jaquez on the left, we always bust into rooms and just be crazy at night.

Faith

Sup Guys,
Well, nothing really exciting happened this week.  Just another CTM week, but we did have some really good firesides.  The first one was on Faith. It was given by President Morrill, it was really good.  In the [meeting] I learned that faith is what will convert my investigators.  Faith is the ultimate teacher and converter.  I also learned some steps that will strengthen my [own] faith and also test it. 

First, Believe you can do it 

Second, Look for the Lord in your blessings.

Third, Make the sacrifice

Fourth, Expect the miracle.

And [lastly,] recieve the miracle with thanks.  He also said that no matter how much we stay on the strait and narrow, that there always will be hard times and bad things will happen.  It's kinda scary because I know the mission will be no walk in the park.  It will be a big test of my faith. Just like I said in my farewell talk; 'Faith without works is dead", and I'm working everyday for 2 years to build up my faith and the faith of others as well.

Other than that, nothing really amazing has happened.  We are all getting kinda nervous and giddy about leaving the CTM.  It's going to be a good experience, but I'm going to miss my District of 12 Elders who I see everyday and move down to 1 companion, but I know I'll do fine.
Other-s than-s that-s I-s got-s nothin-s.
I love you guys and pray for you every night.
Elder Manis

All the Elders from room 622. 

My new hair cut and my American Flag.

Siempre

Hey guys :)
Mom I just used my card today I bought scriptures here so I don't need the quad. That sucks big time that you guys didn't get to go to the cabin this year. That just doesn't make it the 4th of July.
Well this week has gone by soooo fast its crazy. My language [Portuguese] is coming on great. I can talk to anyone now and not sound like a crazy person.

This week Elder Snyder and I got to go street contacting. It was way fun. The first guy we walked up to was flying a kite with his little boy. I basically was bold, and I said; "There is a restored gospel on this earth through the Prophet Joseph Smith, and through this gospel families can be together." And the little boy (about 5) said; "SIEMPRE" (meaning Forever) and I said; Por todos Eternadade, (all eternity)... The man was so happy, and he took the book [Book of Mormon] and promised that he would read the book.

It's an amazing feeling when you can bless someones life so much just by giving them a book, and its FREE! The people are nice here. Ha Ha You just have to know where to find them. :) The Lord will take you to them, all you've got to do is ask Him to help you out.

Well, other than that nothing to exciting has happened here. I only have 3 weeks left [in the CTM]... kinda scary... but I'll be fine.

Oh, funny story. The director for all the MTC's came here to Brazil this week. Elder Mills is his name. He caught a [stomach] bug and got the runs. Ha Ha Ha So during the fireside that he was giving he would have to get up and walk to the bathroom. It was funny. But I felt bad for the guy. Ha Ha.

My testimony has grown sooo much. I have said it a million times but you can be so surprised what you can accomplish when you have the Spirit with you.
I love ya guys,

Elder Manis

AP Huh?

Well, I've got some good news and some bad news.... bad news... I sprained
my ankle... here's how I did it. 

All the basketball hoops are 9 feet tall here because all the Brazilians are way short.  Well, during our gym time all
the Brazilians want to do some killer slam dunks so I was showing them how we do it in the US... I was doing my last dunk of the night, and I went to do a sweet 360 between the legs dunk over this tiny Brazilian Sister.  When I slammed the ball, it shattered the back board.  Glass went every where when I let go of the rim, and when I came down I slipped over the glass and "snap!" there goes my ankle.

The good news..... that story is totally fake. [Really] I snapped it in coming down the stairs.  Yup, just like a grandpa. Ha Ha But I'm doing OK.  It works.  I suck it up. I'm fine, it's my left foot, I hurt my right foot last time, but ya it's tender, so don't worry.

More good news I'm now the AP (Assistant to the President) Crazy Huh? I asked the president, "Why?" and he laughed at me and said, "Don't ask me, ask your Heavenly Father." Crazy Huh?

This week has gone by so fast, it's P-day again [and] this week our Brazilian roommates left for there missions. Both [are] serving in the São Paulo Sul Mission. It was hard to watch them go. I didn't think that I would miss them because they smell, and are crazy weird and stuff.  But it was hard to watch them go.  And it's crazy because I do miss them.  I had my first meeting as AP yesterday. It's not that bad.  I just have to tell people when to go to bed, that's about it.
OK, so last P-Day I did buzz my head.  I'm trying to send pictures but this computer isn't going to let me I like it I think I'm going to keep it for my whole mission. I'm hoping everything is going OK. I sent you guys a letter 2 weeks ago so it might be coming soon.  I sent another last week I think it takes about 2 weeks for letters to get to AZ I hope everything is going good and I hope everyone is having a good summer.

Love you guys.

Elder Manis

My CTM District

Me and Elder Snyder at the Sao Paolo Temple

I believe in Christ

Well this week has been super super crazy, just so much to learn and apply and so little time, my head is going to explode!!  But its all good, its a mission. 

Well, this week was a big spiritual week for me. I don't know why, there wasn't anything really amazing that happened. But to start the week off we had a fireside and the speaker only spoke Portuguese. Before it all started I said a little prayer, that I would understand what the speaker was saying. And sure enough, I understood every word. It was so amazing, I felt the Spirit like crazy.  After the talk we all sang "I believe in Christ".  I have never felt the Spirit so strong.  We sang it in Portuguese but still the Spirit was so strong.  I do believe in Christ eu so que Jesus Cristo é meu salvador e redentor,eu se que a ingraja é verdaderahahah (that's a little Portuguese for ya). 

Street contacting was fun this week, but it also was a kick in the teeth.  I feel comfortable with the language, enough to where I can understand [the people], but as soon as they ask me something else.... all I do is testify. (Ha Ha)  I just need to work hard and it will come with time

Elder Snyder and I are doing great, we are going to buzz our heads tonight... just for fun.  Actually he talked me into it.  This week makes it one month for me. Crazy, it seems like yesterday I was at home.  It really does fly by. I thought I would tell you guys I'm used to the smell of our Brazilieros. (ha ha) I don't know what it was but they reeked for a little while.  They even used deodorant.  I guess they are just smelly people down here. 

We went to the temple again today.  It's always good to go there and just get away, and ask some questions, you know..its always so peaceful there. I think my President sent you some pictures of me there. 

How is Arizona, I love getting letters from you guys, it means so much to me.  I'm sending you guys a letter today, I don't know how long it takes to get to you but its nothing amazing,

Hey Momma there is a Portuguese hard cover quad, on missionties.com its 60 US dollars if you could get that for me that would be amazing , just the black hard cover with my name on it, if not that's OK. Well, I really love you all. Dad I know your mom is looking after me.  I know this Church is true, and this work is great.

Keep sending me letters :) I love them

Elder Manis

Sit down Elders

Well it's P-Day again, it seems like yesterday it was here, the time is passing sooo fast already. Well I've got lots to say, so I'll jump right in.

First off, we've got Brazilian roommates. I can't even say their names so I'm not going to try[to spell them]. They are serving in the Sao Paulo Sul Missâo. They are funny. It's crazy because they don't speak any English at all, so I always ask them crazy stuff like "Have you ever punched a midget in the face?" or "Have you ever eaten a cat with cheese on it?" its funny, Ha Ha, they don't know anything. I taught one of them how to say "I'm a Gangsta." and "I'm a Play-ya".  But they help me with my Portuguese a ton. One of the Brazilian Elders snores so bad he keeps me up all night. And they smell soooooooo bad it's like wet hay or a turd covered in burnt hair, its nasty (Ha Ha). But they are here for the same reason I am, so we get along great. 

This week we learned how to teach the first lesson in Portuguese, at first it was tough but the words are now flowing.  Next week we start street contacting. I'm nervous but at the same time excited. 

Hmmm, what else. 

Oh well, on Sunday me and Elder Snyder where way bored. So we were like, what can we do? We were all studied out and we needed some fun.  So....I was like..... Well, we are on the 6th floor.... lets make paper airplanes and see how far we can fly them out the window. Some made is so far it was amazing. But 3 landed right in the street in front of the CTM.  So that night we get called into the Presidents office..... the planes are on his desk and he says; "What are these?" We were too scared to talk. Then he yells; "What were you thinking!" Again, we were so scared.  Then he went on and said, "You guys can't make a paper airplane to save your life. Let me show you how its done."  So after I cleaned the poop out of my pants... Ha Ha  just kidding.... He made one and took us up to the sixth floor and threw it out [the window] it seriously went a mile. Then he looked at us and said; "Don't do it again." So ya, we were let off the hook. He is so chill.

Another thing, I invented here is tie fishing.  We tie 2 of our ties together and lower it down to the floor below us and they fill one tie up with candy and we pull it up and there you go, candy.  We fished our cameras down too. I'll send you a picture. Everything here is going great.  The days are long but they go by so fast, thanks for the letters that is the best part of the day, for real. I hope everything at home is going great.  Havasupi must have been pretty cool, and Hannah have you gone to nationals yet? Mom how is my pool doing? and Dad how have you been?  Thanks for the prayers everyone. The pictures I sent you are out of my window and and me and Elder Snyder,
I love you all,
Elder Manis

06-09-09

Its good to hear from you guys. :) I miss ya , I love that Missionties.com thing, its good to get a bunch of letters randomly during the week, because that is like the most amazing part of the day, mail call.  I'm glad Wyatt is taking care of my car, Stanley. I think it's funny there have been six poops in the public pools. Ha Ha that's awesome! Nothing here is that exciting anymore now that I have gotten in the grove of things.  The language is hard. I wish I was Spanish speaking, I would be out in the field already.  But its work that I need to do [to get ready], my brain kills at night and I am frustrated with all the conjugations. I sent you some pictures, I hope you get them.
Well, I love you all so much.  Today I got to go through the temple. It was amazing. It's the only place where it feels like home, because its all the same on the inside, but in Portuguese, (ha ha) It's cool because I can do all the talking there in Portuguese.  Shoot!  Well, my time is up.  I love you all.
Gotta poop,
Elder Manis

I made it

I made it to Brazil. It is so crazy here, but let's talk about the flight first. Well I made it to Dallas and we were about to take off and then we got delayed, because of some thunder storms, but only for 20 min. The flight [here] was about 9 hours long and every time I was about to fall asleep the baby behind me would start crying, (hahah) but I did get some sleep. Right when we got here.... mom you where right.....it was raining.  It seriously looks like Jurrasic Park, its a jungle over here, its soooo crazy. I'll send pictures next week. The MTC is awesome here, and my distrist is super chill. 

When I got here I found out that my mission had changed, it is now the Brasil Vitoria mission. They just changed the borders a little bit and moved the headquarters to Vitoria. 

OK, I'm bouncing around because I have so much to say and so little time. The CTM here is amazing. I expected to work, but man they pound you over here. The language is hard to pick up but I'm getting the hang of it, its just different. 

I miss you guys sooo much, but don't worry not that much. I didn't know how much you guys mean to me. It's so nice that I finally get to send you for information.

The weather here is actually pretty cold its about October here, and it gets down to about 40 degrees. Its crazy, my room is on the 6th floor so I have a great view and I can hear the soccer games on Sundays. Its so crazy! You guys need to WRITE MEEE ASAP.  Everyone please write meeeee, and send me some family pictures... please.

How is Arizona?  Summer, Wyatt how's work and summer school? How is Nationals going to be Hannah? Just tell me everythingggggg and please ask questions I have much more to tell, just ask. I miss you, I miss you, I love you, I love you.... please write meeeee.

Elder Manis