I know I know it's Thursday, not my normal P-day. And yes I also know you probably had a terrible night's sleep last night mom because you didn't hear from me all day yesterday, but don't worry I am fine. The internet went down in pretty much all of Casa Verde yesterday so we didn't have the chance to use it so we are taking some time today to do so.
I will be perfectly honest...I forgot it was Thanksgiving today. The only reason I remembered is because I read a letter from Grandpa and Grandma (thank you for the game recap by the way...that subject deserves its own paragraph though) and they mentioned that Thanksgiving would be today. So it finally dawned on me and I looked up to talk to someone about it but then realized that I was sitting around 7 or 8 Brazilians...who literally have never heard of Thanksgiving before in their lives. So I said a silent "hooray." to myself and continued on reading.
So the BYU-Utah game. Unbelievable. Games in which your team has tons of turnovers are the worst to watch. One moment you think to yourself that you actually might get back in the game, but then another pass gets tipped and picked off for another 6 points. Terrible. Oh well...what bowl will BYU play in? Will Utah get a BSC game? They should.
Sounds like Twilight was a pick hit? I don't care. I get slightly angry even thinking about it.
To be honest this wasn't a way exciting week to talk about. I mean it wasn't bad for me but it was pretty much just normal stuff for me. Just a bunch of teaching and the ever-ending quest to find the ultimate easy-to-make food product at night (I have settled on penne pasta with butter, salt, an italian...rub (don't know what to call it), oregeno, and 2 fried eggs on top). Can I put a parenthetical phrase inside of a parenthetical phrase??
I did learn this week that Brazilians don't have much of a sense of personal belongings. Especially the Brazilians I live with (well mostly Elders Chaves and Martinatto, Sousa is fine). It's like they think that if something is in the house they live in then it must obviously belong to them. So annoying. Food is probably the worst. I buy some food for myself and when I return that night, extremely famished and ready to feast, all the food is gone with only satisfied Brazilian stomachs as an evidence of the food's existence. Sometimes I get really mad and talk in a louder voice than my 6-inch whisper to them. It's funny because they don't see anything wrong with it and get mad right back at me and say that I am "tight-fisted" which is an expression meaning I am cheap. Sometimes they ask me if they can use my food, sometimes I say no and that I need it and they get really mad and tell me I am cheap and then storm off. I just sit there extremely confused because we receive the SAME amount of money each week. It's not like I am some rich kid on my throne tossing pennies among the starving orphans below! They get the same amount of money as I do so why should I have to give them food? Rather annoying sometimes. I think they think because I am American it obviously means I am rich which entitles me to give them stuff.
Oh so a rather funny experience. We have been working with this lady Nilzete for about 3 weeks now and we finally got her to come to church on Sunday with us. Before we went we let her know that our church was probably going to be a little different than any church she had ever visited before...but I don't think any investigator can ever be prepared for the Primary Program in Sacrament Meeting. Yep, the Primary Program happened to be this last Sunday...and I am not sure why but it was even more out of control then the ones I have seen before. I turned to L. Sousa in the middle of it and said "you know what, if this is my first time visiting this church I would think 'what kind of sick people are these?! What are they making these children do and why?!' I would almost definitely not want to come back." But to our surprise she actually really enjoyed it (probably because our bishop didn't stand up and "bless" his tie then start cutting it up into pieces and selling each piece for 10$ like the bishop does at her church...ridiculous). I think she will be coming back this week again. We taught her the Word of Wisdom 2 days ago and it was a missionaries dream when she said "no I don't drink coffee! I hate the taste." No other problems either.
So yesterday marked the end of my first transfer. I wasn't actually transferred from my area and for that I am actually gratefull. Mostly because I don't want to pack my suitcase, I am dreading that day. It will be horrible to do it again. But also because I want to do more work in this area and I am used to having L. Sousa as a companion...don't want to leave the kid from Rio and his laid back attitude that comes along with that. Actually no one from our district got transferred (8 Elders), pretty crazy. The only bad thing about not being transferred is that I didn't have the chance to see any of my friends from my district in the CTM. I really do miss all those guys. They were literally some of the funniest people I have ever met and after spending two months in that hell-hole with them...creates a bond only to be out-done by that of a mother and a child. Oh and it also sucks because we couldn't get any of our letters or packages but we have our 6-week interviews tomorrow so I am sure I will be able to pick it up then (I have not got that package yet mom but I am sure it is there now and I will grab it tomorrow). "Stop with the parenthesis!" Sorry Karrissa. Glad you could correct me, heaven knows that's the only way that you'll ever get to use your major. WOOOAAHHH! He went there.
So we taught that family that I talked about in my last letter 2 more times this week (Paulo and Priscilla). The lesson following the really good experience I told about last week was actually pretty dull unfortunately. I don't know why but I guess he just chose to ignore and forget everything he felt. So annoying. Anyway we taught him again last Tuesday and it was a good lesson except Paulo is still refusing to get married. Priscilla is all for it but Paulo keeps saying he is not ready. You have 2 kids and have been with the same woman for 7 years, I think you are ready! It was funny though because we asked if he would be baptized and he said "you guys are going to need a pretty strong bath in order to baptize me" I laughed for a while after he said that.
Oh yeah! I am not sure what to do about this situation. So I was on a division a couple weeks ago with our DL Elder Rariclay. We found and taught this guy named Moisés. He was really knowledgeable about the scriptures and was interested in our message so that was cool. But there was something just a little bit strange about him. So set another appointment and left. Later Rariclay was on another division with my comp L. Sousa and they went and taught him again. Apparently during the lesson he asked "So what does your church believe about Homosexuality?" There it was! The thing that was "off" about him! And that's not the worst part. He also asked them during the lesson "Where is Elder Parsons? Why didn't he come to teach me today? Does he have a cell phone number that I could call and talk to him?" They said he had an unhealthy interest in me. So I dont know. We have an appointment with him this coming Monday and I don't know what to do! He needs the gospel but I also need to keep my gay-virgin lips! Just kidding...kind of. We will go teach him and I am sure it will be fine but I am not kidding about the attraction...I thought he was just staring intently at me the first time I met him because he was interested in my strange accent...we wrote "Has homosexual tendencies!" on his paper in the area book haha.
Well I am sad that I am missing Thanksgiving today (now that I know it is Thanksgiving). It was always way fun to have the whole family over, eat, then try to sneak away to another room so I could watch football without being disrupted. Oh those were the days. This Thanksgiving I get to spend checking out references from the internet and delivering DVDs to people that will most likely regret their decision to call the number and receive the DVD when they find out that we want to give them a message along with the DVD! Hooray! Hooray for bribery! "If you want this DVD you're going to have to listen to a message...ha!" I will get the Thanksgiving package you sent me tomorrow mom, so it will all be good. It really is fine though, the very thought of stuffing makes me want to throw up something...hey, that looks like stuffing!
Better end it there. I was really anxious and slightly angry yesterday because I wasn't able to use the internet all day because I love to hear from you all and I actually enjoy writing these emails too. Again, please tell me if there are things that I am not writing about that you would like me to...and if you think I should be writing more spiritual experiences then...$%^&* you! Those are my experiences! Just kidding. But really, it's sometimes kind of awkward writing those experiences through email, not that I wont but I might not write tons because of that...and they are personal. Anyway, love you all, hope you all have a fat-filled Thanksgiving. I'll lose a belt loop out here while you guys gain one there. Have fun! Love you!
-Elder Brent Parsons
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Cliché Greeting,
Thanks for the emails this week everyone, helps me a lot here when I know what's going on with you guys. So yeah, I really appreciate you all taking the time out of your lives to write me!
So I hear Jake's Farewell and JT's homecoming went really well? That's good news. I was just surprised to hear that Jake actually ended up speaking and not hiding in the women's bathroom until sacrament ended.
I am glad to hear BYU pulled it out in the 3rd quarter to beat AFA. I want a in depth break-down of the game against Utah this Sat!
So this week was a red-letter week for me in several ways:
But near the end of the lesson I am not sure why it happened but all of the sudden everything changed. L. Sousa was talking about our prophet Thomas S. Monson we have today when all of the sudden it just got a lot quieter. L. Sousa dropped his voice and talked nearly at a whisper and started to bear his testimony about the priesthood. The spirit literally filled the entire room. Paulo stopped talking and his eyes were glued to L. Sousa. Sousa finished his testimony then looked over at me, bidding me to bear mine as well. Paulo slowly turned his head to look at me. I looked at him and started to bear my testimony about a lot of things that I don't quite remember. The amazing thing was that I knew I was saying some stuff wrong, and usually when that happens the investigator will look away because they don't understand, but Paulo didn't look away once. His eyes were moist and we both stared at each other while I told him that I know the church is true and that is the only reason that I was sitting in front of him on that day, the only reason I am here in Brazil.
So I finished talking after a couple minutes or so and then looked back to L. Sousa. Sousa said "Paulo, will you come to church with us this Sunday?" He had refused the previous two visits but this time he looked at us for a while, unable to speak, then he slowly turned his head to his wife and all he could say was "Yeah, can we?" It was really hilarious actually. She said that they could and so we will be teaching them again this Friday and taking them to church on Sunday. It was the best lesson I have had so far in Brazil, and hopefully not the last.
Oh yeah and on a different note did I mention that my ward is the ward that nearly all the instructors from the CTM attend? You would think this would be a good thing like I originally did but it has turned out to be horrible. Nearly all the instructors are "super missionaries" and would rather be serving missions their whole life then accept that they actually should be beginning theirs.
Anyway, so because of this they try to re-live their missions through us, and since they are instructors at the CTM they obviously know SO much more than we do so they always go behind our backs to the Ward-Mission Leader (who is actually one of my instructors from the CTM, Irmão Nasciamento), the Bishop, and other missionaries and complain about all the things they think we are doing wrong. It really is so annoying. We went to the adult-session of Stake Conference on Saturday and were severely chastised for that because it was "precious time we could have been working." Chill out! It's Stake Conference! It tells us in the missionary handbook we should be attending it! So annoying.
Well I guess I will end there. If this somehow gets to you guys before Jake leaves tell him that he will love a mission and to just have fun. I see missionaries out here that are way too serious all the time and they are no fun to be around. When L. Sousa and I are working, we work. But you don't have to be a stiff to have a strong testimony and the ability to teach effectively. I say this because Jake just needs to lighten up a bit you know? He is just way to serious about everything, especially the gospel :). Anyway, I will send him emails through Ryan or someone while he is in the CTM. Love you all, hopefully your lives continue to deliver you all boundless blessings...later!
-Elder Brent Parsons
So I hear Jake's Farewell and JT's homecoming went really well? That's good news. I was just surprised to hear that Jake actually ended up speaking and not hiding in the women's bathroom until sacrament ended.
I am glad to hear BYU pulled it out in the 3rd quarter to beat AFA. I want a in depth break-down of the game against Utah this Sat!
So this week was a red-letter week for me in several ways:
- I ate my first meal at a member's house that didn't have rice and beans (it was tacos and they were delicious).
- I saw my first mugging! I was so excited and I literally thought of this exact moment I am writing you guys while watching it. I was like "sweet I get to tell everyone I saw some helpless dude get mugged!" We were about to cross a street Sunday night when L. Sousa stuck his arm out in front of me and told me to stop. So I looked up across the street and there was 2 guys beating up on this one guy (wasn't really brutal at all actually they were just kind of shoving him) until the guy reached in his pocket and gave them some money out of his wallet and his cell phone too. I really did want to help but it happened so fast and the 2 took off running before I even realized what happened. L. Sousa said that he wouldn't have let me because we didn't know if they had a weapon or not. Anyway, so we went over and consoled the frightened 25-year-oldish Bolivian (you can always tell if they are Bolivians because they all look the same) then just left because there was nothing else to do. I felt bad for him though because his eyes were really as wide as dinner plates and I wouldn't have been surprised if I had smelt urine.
- I had my first Zone Conference last Thursday. We had 3 zones there (about 70 missionaries) and it was different than I expected. First off it was about 6 hours long...sitting in a chapel the whole time. Second, it was very logistically based. We talked a lot about money, health, and rules. And third, apparently every zone conference all the "old" missionaries that will leave before the next zone conference and all the "new" missionaries, like me, have to get up and bear their testimony in either Portuguese or English depending on which is your first language (if your first is English then you bear it in Portuguese and vice versa). So anyway, we all got up and some Brazilian Elder got up and bore his in English then my two friends from the CTM Elder Fabian and Elder Bigelow got up and bore theirs. So I was the only "new" Elder left that had to bear his testimony before the "old" missionaries went. So I got up and said (in Portuguese of course) "Well I guess I will be the first old missionary to bear their testimony..." which I thought was really funny because I speak such horrible Portuguese. Anyway, everyone that knew me laughed but those who didn't know me didn't really get the joke so it didn't really get the resounding laughter that I thought the joke warranted. Anyway, I hadn't really thought past the initial joke so I stumbled through my Portuguese testimony and sat down. L. Sousa loved the joke so at least I got him on my side and no one else matters but your companion right?
- First time I hit anyone in the face on my mission. There is this kid in our ward that is 16 years-old and he loves to hit me for no reason other than I am white, can't speak Portuguese, and bigger than most people he has ever seen in real life. Anyway, so I never do anything when hits me because I am a missionary and it doesn't really hurt because he is weak. So we were at Stake Conference this Sunday and I was resting my arm on the back of my chair and he was sitting behind me. He went to hit me but before he did Elder Martinatto said "don't do it because he might actually hit you back one of these times." The kid chose not to believe him and punched my arm and right as his hand hit my arm I back-handed him in the face. I unfortunately did it a lot harder than I probably should have and his eye got a little swollen, but it really was hilarious and I couldn't stop laughing for a while. OK, not really a story worth telling but I thought it was really funny.
But near the end of the lesson I am not sure why it happened but all of the sudden everything changed. L. Sousa was talking about our prophet Thomas S. Monson we have today when all of the sudden it just got a lot quieter. L. Sousa dropped his voice and talked nearly at a whisper and started to bear his testimony about the priesthood. The spirit literally filled the entire room. Paulo stopped talking and his eyes were glued to L. Sousa. Sousa finished his testimony then looked over at me, bidding me to bear mine as well. Paulo slowly turned his head to look at me. I looked at him and started to bear my testimony about a lot of things that I don't quite remember. The amazing thing was that I knew I was saying some stuff wrong, and usually when that happens the investigator will look away because they don't understand, but Paulo didn't look away once. His eyes were moist and we both stared at each other while I told him that I know the church is true and that is the only reason that I was sitting in front of him on that day, the only reason I am here in Brazil.
So I finished talking after a couple minutes or so and then looked back to L. Sousa. Sousa said "Paulo, will you come to church with us this Sunday?" He had refused the previous two visits but this time he looked at us for a while, unable to speak, then he slowly turned his head to his wife and all he could say was "Yeah, can we?" It was really hilarious actually. She said that they could and so we will be teaching them again this Friday and taking them to church on Sunday. It was the best lesson I have had so far in Brazil, and hopefully not the last.
Oh yeah and on a different note did I mention that my ward is the ward that nearly all the instructors from the CTM attend? You would think this would be a good thing like I originally did but it has turned out to be horrible. Nearly all the instructors are "super missionaries" and would rather be serving missions their whole life then accept that they actually should be beginning theirs.
Anyway, so because of this they try to re-live their missions through us, and since they are instructors at the CTM they obviously know SO much more than we do so they always go behind our backs to the Ward-Mission Leader (who is actually one of my instructors from the CTM, Irmão Nasciamento), the Bishop, and other missionaries and complain about all the things they think we are doing wrong. It really is so annoying. We went to the adult-session of Stake Conference on Saturday and were severely chastised for that because it was "precious time we could have been working." Chill out! It's Stake Conference! It tells us in the missionary handbook we should be attending it! So annoying.
Well I guess I will end there. If this somehow gets to you guys before Jake leaves tell him that he will love a mission and to just have fun. I see missionaries out here that are way too serious all the time and they are no fun to be around. When L. Sousa and I are working, we work. But you don't have to be a stiff to have a strong testimony and the ability to teach effectively. I say this because Jake just needs to lighten up a bit you know? He is just way to serious about everything, especially the gospel :). Anyway, I will send him emails through Ryan or someone while he is in the CTM. Love you all, hopefully your lives continue to deliver you all boundless blessings...later!
-Elder Brent Parsons
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
What a week eh?
So last week was pretty crazy. I can never remember what happened when I come to email you guys so I always have to bring my journal along to remember my experiences; I have like 10 pages from this week.
Before I tell you about my stuff...so JT is home huh??? WRITE me JT! I wanna hear from you bro. How is it being home? What was your last month like in the mission?
All hail Obama eh? Stupid. I have given up even trying to explain my stance with him to people here. First off I can't truly express myself and my views in Portuguese, and second whenever I say that I wouldn't have voted for Obama had I voted everyone gets really mad at me and starts speaking really fast then I just look like an idiot because I don't understand then their trust in me fails then they won't accept our message...just not worth it. I just politely nod and say "He may or may not be a good thing for my country, but who knows?" Usually satisfies them.
So first off, the funny story of the week. And I am not sure if I can explain it fully right now but it really was so hilarious. L. Sousa and I had a reference we needed to check out. So we "clapped" at her door like 5 times but no one answered. We unfortunately had nothing else to do right then so as we were deciding what to do some guy in his 50's walked up to us holding a bible and, what I later learned, was a book of hymns. He said to us "Hi, do you guys want to come study the gospel with me in my apartment?" It was perfect. A glorious contact. We thought he was a God-send. So of course we said yes and he lived just around the corner. His apartment was small and he had 3 filthy dogs that gave us a very "warm" welcome when we entered by nipping out our heels and nearly nibbling my manhood away. His walls were covered in dog pictures, calenders of dogs, and whatever else dog-related you can think of. Anyway so we sat down at the table and he said "I love your prophet Alma." We thought, wow this is great he knows about our church and wants to know more. So we asked if we could open with a prayer and he insisted that he would say it. So we said OK and he began his prayer.
Oh what a prayer. He blessed Obama probably 7 times and the USA as well. Then he blessed us, and who knows what else. The funniest part though was that we were all closing our eyes for the prayer right? Apparently he likes to end his prayer without signaling he did so. So what we thought was just a brief pause in his prayer was actually him ending his prayer, opening his eyes, grabbing his hymn book, and he began to sing. So our eyes were still closed when all of the sudden he started singing this crazy weird hymn that I couldn't understand. So we were startled to say the least. We both opened our eyes all of the sudden when we heard the singing and looked at each other completely bewildered.
Now his voice was not worthy of participating in the Primary Christmas Program. It was terrible. So he is just singing away and we have no idea what to do. I was trying so hard not to laugh, and apparently L. Sousa was doing the same but all of the sudden he couldn't hold it in any longer and just burst out laughing. Of course I followed and we sat there laughing, trying to stifle it as much as possible but it was so funny. I have no idea how he didn't hear us, probably because he was so concentrated on the...beautiful hymn...he was singing (he was also rocking back and forth while singing).
So I pretended to be interested in a passage of the BoM to get myself to stop laughing. So he finally ended his song and preceded to tell us some story about how he served in the military and how "the movies made in California are all true" then he told us he belonged to the Congregation of Brazil, a church here.
L. Sousa told me later that they are all just crazy, and this man was definitely proof of that. He said he was baptized in his church, but not only did he receive a remission of his sins, but he also said that he was baptized with the gift of tongues as well. Apparently he could speak fluent Italian after he was baptized, not knowing a word in Italian before hand. I was sorely tempted to pretend like I knew Italian and pretend to talk to him, but I pushed away the temptation. So L. Sousa politely explained that baptism has to be done with the proper authority and that the gift of tongues isn't given at baptism but it is real. He very graciously used me as an example of the gift of tongues, a gift I am very sure I do not have. Anyway, long story...long he invited us to his church and we invited him to ours, then we parted ways. L. Sousa and I turned the corner and laughed for literally about 5 minutes. It was so hilarious. Sorry that was just a big long ramble but I hope it made sense.
So that was Thursday evening, then afterward we headed to the church where Beto and Gilmara (baptismal candidates) had their baptismal interviews and passed! Sweet, and they asked both L. Sousa and I to baptize them (I would baptize Gilmara and he would baptize Beto). So on Saturday we had the baptism. The baptism was at 4:00 so Sousa and I got there about 2:30 to get the font filled and set up the chairs and everything. Everything was going to plan until 4:00 showed up and we were sitting alone in the room...waiting for somebody, anybody to show up. 4:15 came and went...nobody there. I was starting to get really anxious but L. Sousa "calmed me down" by telling me that when you say 4:00 in Brazil it really means 4:30. OK look, this is a baptism! It's not some frat party that you are throwing that you say to show up at 8:00 and people start trickling in around 8:45 or so. You aren't "fashionably late" to a baptism! In the USA we would have people there half an hour early, a center piece set up on the front a day before hand, and a person playing the organ 15 min before the service started. Anyway, long story short we ended up starting the baptism at 5:20. Yeah I was nervous the entire time waiting for everyone to show up.
So I suited up in my very figure-flattering white "moo moo" and prepared myself to baptize Gilmara. I thought I had the prayer down but I kept going over it just to make sure. We had a a prayer, a talk, sang a couple hymns, then it was time to do it. L. Sousa went first and it went fine. Then it was my turn. I led Gilmara down into the rather small and cold font. I showed her how to hold on to my arm then was all ready to go. I was about to say the prayer when I forgot that I didn't know her full-name. So I asked her and she told me it was "Gilmara Silva Dos Santos". Yeah not that long but I guess the name took all the memory space in my brain because I started the prayer and said "Gilmara Silva Dos Santos tendo..." then I forgot it. So I started again "Gilmara Silva Dos Santos tendo..." paused "sejo comissionado por Jesus Christo, eu te batizo em nome do Pai, e do Filho, e do Espírito Santo. Amen." Then I "dunked" that little Brazilian. I thought I had nailed it but then I remembered that the second word wasn't "sejo" but it was "sido". Anyway, long story short it was fine that I said it like that and the baptism went well. I was mad at myself the entire day for getting that word wrong though. But, it was an awesome experience and I won't ever forget it. Gilmara told me on Monday that she won't ever either so that was pretty cool. I love their family and I am glad they decided to be baptized.
I have lots more to say but I don't have time. I will send some pictures of the baptism (just one really of Sousa and I with the family outside the church) and a couple more from this Stake Activity we had this week where each ward put on a few dance/song numbers. It was actually pretty cool and funny. Each ward was assigned a different Disney movie to have as a theme. It was really funny to hear the ones who were assigned "High School Musical 2" chant "Wildcats" in their terrible accents. For the most part they were all terrible at dancing but Brazilians don't get embarrassed so they just danced like crazy so it was hilarious. Anyway, couple photos of Sousa, Martinatto (other Brazi I live with, comp to the ZL), and I at that.
Anyway, got to go love you all. Thanks for the emails this week everyone! They were great.
-Elder Brent Parsons
Our 'Clothes Keeper'!
Elders Parsons, Sousa, Martinatto
Me and L. Sousa
Beto and Gilmara and L. Sousa
Before I tell you about my stuff...so JT is home huh??? WRITE me JT! I wanna hear from you bro. How is it being home? What was your last month like in the mission?
All hail Obama eh? Stupid. I have given up even trying to explain my stance with him to people here. First off I can't truly express myself and my views in Portuguese, and second whenever I say that I wouldn't have voted for Obama had I voted everyone gets really mad at me and starts speaking really fast then I just look like an idiot because I don't understand then their trust in me fails then they won't accept our message...just not worth it. I just politely nod and say "He may or may not be a good thing for my country, but who knows?" Usually satisfies them.
So first off, the funny story of the week. And I am not sure if I can explain it fully right now but it really was so hilarious. L. Sousa and I had a reference we needed to check out. So we "clapped" at her door like 5 times but no one answered. We unfortunately had nothing else to do right then so as we were deciding what to do some guy in his 50's walked up to us holding a bible and, what I later learned, was a book of hymns. He said to us "Hi, do you guys want to come study the gospel with me in my apartment?" It was perfect. A glorious contact. We thought he was a God-send. So of course we said yes and he lived just around the corner. His apartment was small and he had 3 filthy dogs that gave us a very "warm" welcome when we entered by nipping out our heels and nearly nibbling my manhood away. His walls were covered in dog pictures, calenders of dogs, and whatever else dog-related you can think of. Anyway so we sat down at the table and he said "I love your prophet Alma." We thought, wow this is great he knows about our church and wants to know more. So we asked if we could open with a prayer and he insisted that he would say it. So we said OK and he began his prayer.
Oh what a prayer. He blessed Obama probably 7 times and the USA as well. Then he blessed us, and who knows what else. The funniest part though was that we were all closing our eyes for the prayer right? Apparently he likes to end his prayer without signaling he did so. So what we thought was just a brief pause in his prayer was actually him ending his prayer, opening his eyes, grabbing his hymn book, and he began to sing. So our eyes were still closed when all of the sudden he started singing this crazy weird hymn that I couldn't understand. So we were startled to say the least. We both opened our eyes all of the sudden when we heard the singing and looked at each other completely bewildered.
Now his voice was not worthy of participating in the Primary Christmas Program. It was terrible. So he is just singing away and we have no idea what to do. I was trying so hard not to laugh, and apparently L. Sousa was doing the same but all of the sudden he couldn't hold it in any longer and just burst out laughing. Of course I followed and we sat there laughing, trying to stifle it as much as possible but it was so funny. I have no idea how he didn't hear us, probably because he was so concentrated on the...beautiful hymn...he was singing (he was also rocking back and forth while singing).
So I pretended to be interested in a passage of the BoM to get myself to stop laughing. So he finally ended his song and preceded to tell us some story about how he served in the military and how "the movies made in California are all true" then he told us he belonged to the Congregation of Brazil, a church here.
L. Sousa told me later that they are all just crazy, and this man was definitely proof of that. He said he was baptized in his church, but not only did he receive a remission of his sins, but he also said that he was baptized with the gift of tongues as well. Apparently he could speak fluent Italian after he was baptized, not knowing a word in Italian before hand. I was sorely tempted to pretend like I knew Italian and pretend to talk to him, but I pushed away the temptation. So L. Sousa politely explained that baptism has to be done with the proper authority and that the gift of tongues isn't given at baptism but it is real. He very graciously used me as an example of the gift of tongues, a gift I am very sure I do not have. Anyway, long story...long he invited us to his church and we invited him to ours, then we parted ways. L. Sousa and I turned the corner and laughed for literally about 5 minutes. It was so hilarious. Sorry that was just a big long ramble but I hope it made sense.
So that was Thursday evening, then afterward we headed to the church where Beto and Gilmara (baptismal candidates) had their baptismal interviews and passed! Sweet, and they asked both L. Sousa and I to baptize them (I would baptize Gilmara and he would baptize Beto). So on Saturday we had the baptism. The baptism was at 4:00 so Sousa and I got there about 2:30 to get the font filled and set up the chairs and everything. Everything was going to plan until 4:00 showed up and we were sitting alone in the room...waiting for somebody, anybody to show up. 4:15 came and went...nobody there. I was starting to get really anxious but L. Sousa "calmed me down" by telling me that when you say 4:00 in Brazil it really means 4:30. OK look, this is a baptism! It's not some frat party that you are throwing that you say to show up at 8:00 and people start trickling in around 8:45 or so. You aren't "fashionably late" to a baptism! In the USA we would have people there half an hour early, a center piece set up on the front a day before hand, and a person playing the organ 15 min before the service started. Anyway, long story short we ended up starting the baptism at 5:20. Yeah I was nervous the entire time waiting for everyone to show up.
So I suited up in my very figure-flattering white "moo moo" and prepared myself to baptize Gilmara. I thought I had the prayer down but I kept going over it just to make sure. We had a a prayer, a talk, sang a couple hymns, then it was time to do it. L. Sousa went first and it went fine. Then it was my turn. I led Gilmara down into the rather small and cold font. I showed her how to hold on to my arm then was all ready to go. I was about to say the prayer when I forgot that I didn't know her full-name. So I asked her and she told me it was "Gilmara Silva Dos Santos". Yeah not that long but I guess the name took all the memory space in my brain because I started the prayer and said "Gilmara Silva Dos Santos tendo..." then I forgot it. So I started again "Gilmara Silva Dos Santos tendo..." paused "sejo comissionado por Jesus Christo, eu te batizo em nome do Pai, e do Filho, e do Espírito Santo. Amen." Then I "dunked" that little Brazilian. I thought I had nailed it but then I remembered that the second word wasn't "sejo" but it was "sido". Anyway, long story short it was fine that I said it like that and the baptism went well. I was mad at myself the entire day for getting that word wrong though. But, it was an awesome experience and I won't ever forget it. Gilmara told me on Monday that she won't ever either so that was pretty cool. I love their family and I am glad they decided to be baptized.
I have lots more to say but I don't have time. I will send some pictures of the baptism (just one really of Sousa and I with the family outside the church) and a couple more from this Stake Activity we had this week where each ward put on a few dance/song numbers. It was actually pretty cool and funny. Each ward was assigned a different Disney movie to have as a theme. It was really funny to hear the ones who were assigned "High School Musical 2" chant "Wildcats" in their terrible accents. For the most part they were all terrible at dancing but Brazilians don't get embarrassed so they just danced like crazy so it was hilarious. Anyway, couple photos of Sousa, Martinatto (other Brazi I live with, comp to the ZL), and I at that.
Anyway, got to go love you all. Thanks for the emails this week everyone! They were great.
-Elder Brent Parsons
Our 'Clothes Keeper'!
Elders Parsons, Sousa, Martinatto
Me and L. Sousa
Beto and Gilmara and L. SousaWednesday, November 5, 2008
Another Week In Brazil
Oi!
So I would first like to say that Kenton's quote to my Mom after Obama won was hilarious. "Enjoy your last night in a 'sovern' nation!" I am not sure if he knew quite what he said but it is funny nonetheless. Obama huh? EVERY Brazilian loves him. If I, a large white American LDS missionary, said something against him it might just add enough to my already hostile characteristics to put me over the edge; they would probably kill me.
Anyway, I am having a tough time thinking of things to write this week. Which reminds me that the emails this week were getting a little skimpy...are we getting a little lazy on the home-front people?! I am getting laughed at and sweating kilos out here can't I get a little love?! Just "drop me a line" or whatever you guys want to call it when you're bored or something.
So JT gets home next week doesn't he? That's crazy. And Jake leaves the week after? Comes up faster than you think huh Jake? Getting excited for that big farewell talk? Told anyone about it yet? And you get to go through the MTC...woot! It's a blast...I mean...it's so fun and doesn't get repetitive and make you want to hurt people in your district...good luck! Write me before you leave. How's lax going? Have you took any road trips yet? I wanna know about all the games and stuff...when does BYU play the two D1 teams?
This week was eventful...but uneventful at the same time. We teach lessons, walk, eat lunch at a member's house everyday, and contact. That's pretty much it during our waking hours. We found a couple new promising investigators this week and Beto and Gilmara will have their baptismal interviews tomorrow and will be baptized Saturday. They still haven't chosen who will actually perform the baptism. I'll let you know all about how it goes next week.
Oh yeah, can I get an update on the Jazz too? New players or anything that is going on with them? Oh and if Ben sends any emails/letters can I get those too somehow?
So we contacted this old lady out on the street this week and L. Sousa gave her a contact card and told her if she called she would receive a free DVD about Jesus Christ, then she responded and what I heard was "Oh sorry I don't have a DVD player..." and that was all. So I reached in my pocket and found another card with the Book of Mormon on it so she could get a Book of Mormon instead. I said "Oh that's fine you can call this number and receive this free book instead." She looked at me really funny then accepted the card and we left. As we turned the corner L. Sousa said "you didn't understand her did you?" I said "Yeah she said she didn't have a DVD player so I thought it would be better if she got a copy of the BoM instead." He said "Yeah she said that but right after she said that she also told us that she couldn't read." So she said "Sorry I don't have a DVD player and I can't read anyway." Then I pulled a card out of my pocket saying she could receive a free book if she called the number...how gracious of me. Sousa got a good laugh out of that one...
Oh and the best news of the week!! We got a dresser!!! And we both have desks now!!! I woke up Saturday morning and L. Sousa was saying something about a (if translated directly) a "keep-clothes". I could not understand it forever but finally I figured it out and realized that we were getting a dresser that morning. It was awesome. I literally had a smile on my face the entire time I was unpacking that blasted suitcase for the first time. I found stuff in there that I had totally forgot about; it was like Christmas. What a glorious glorious day it was. I'll attach some photos of our new desks and the "keep-clothes".
I have been debating with myself for two days about whether to share this or not considering how bad my last "bad news" went over with everyone but I will try it one more time. 2 days ago (Monday) I became extremely sick. Probably due to the 2 hamburgers and hot dog I ate at a member's house the previous night. They say most American Missionaries will get sick from the meat here at least once during the mission so I got mine out of the way in the beginning eh? I woke up and showered and while showering I realized how bad my stomach was hurting. So I went back and laid down in bed and only got up 5 times the rest of the day. 4 times to pump some liquid out of my raw-bottom and once for a blessing from my companion. I called Sister Cooley (Mission President's wife), told her I had a fever of 100.7, so she told me some medicine to take so I took that throughout the night and it all worked out. I woke up yesterday still feeling the effects a little bit but I got up and went to lunch but had to come back for a little bit in the afternoon to lie down. But we ended up playing soccer last night with some members and I felt fine so it's all good now. Got that one out of the way eh?
I am not sure what else to say...skimpy emails this week!
Oh yeah sounds like it was an intense game between BYU and CSU this week, miss watching those games and eatin' them weiners ma' mama fries up.
Love you all. Still miss ya. Write me.
-Elder Brent Parsons
So I would first like to say that Kenton's quote to my Mom after Obama won was hilarious. "Enjoy your last night in a 'sovern' nation!" I am not sure if he knew quite what he said but it is funny nonetheless. Obama huh? EVERY Brazilian loves him. If I, a large white American LDS missionary, said something against him it might just add enough to my already hostile characteristics to put me over the edge; they would probably kill me.
Anyway, I am having a tough time thinking of things to write this week. Which reminds me that the emails this week were getting a little skimpy...are we getting a little lazy on the home-front people?! I am getting laughed at and sweating kilos out here can't I get a little love?! Just "drop me a line" or whatever you guys want to call it when you're bored or something.
So JT gets home next week doesn't he? That's crazy. And Jake leaves the week after? Comes up faster than you think huh Jake? Getting excited for that big farewell talk? Told anyone about it yet? And you get to go through the MTC...woot! It's a blast...I mean...it's so fun and doesn't get repetitive and make you want to hurt people in your district...good luck! Write me before you leave. How's lax going? Have you took any road trips yet? I wanna know about all the games and stuff...when does BYU play the two D1 teams?
This week was eventful...but uneventful at the same time. We teach lessons, walk, eat lunch at a member's house everyday, and contact. That's pretty much it during our waking hours. We found a couple new promising investigators this week and Beto and Gilmara will have their baptismal interviews tomorrow and will be baptized Saturday. They still haven't chosen who will actually perform the baptism. I'll let you know all about how it goes next week.
Oh yeah, can I get an update on the Jazz too? New players or anything that is going on with them? Oh and if Ben sends any emails/letters can I get those too somehow?
So we contacted this old lady out on the street this week and L. Sousa gave her a contact card and told her if she called she would receive a free DVD about Jesus Christ, then she responded and what I heard was "Oh sorry I don't have a DVD player..." and that was all. So I reached in my pocket and found another card with the Book of Mormon on it so she could get a Book of Mormon instead. I said "Oh that's fine you can call this number and receive this free book instead." She looked at me really funny then accepted the card and we left. As we turned the corner L. Sousa said "you didn't understand her did you?" I said "Yeah she said she didn't have a DVD player so I thought it would be better if she got a copy of the BoM instead." He said "Yeah she said that but right after she said that she also told us that she couldn't read." So she said "Sorry I don't have a DVD player and I can't read anyway." Then I pulled a card out of my pocket saying she could receive a free book if she called the number...how gracious of me. Sousa got a good laugh out of that one...
Oh and the best news of the week!! We got a dresser!!! And we both have desks now!!! I woke up Saturday morning and L. Sousa was saying something about a (if translated directly) a "keep-clothes". I could not understand it forever but finally I figured it out and realized that we were getting a dresser that morning. It was awesome. I literally had a smile on my face the entire time I was unpacking that blasted suitcase for the first time. I found stuff in there that I had totally forgot about; it was like Christmas. What a glorious glorious day it was. I'll attach some photos of our new desks and the "keep-clothes".
I have been debating with myself for two days about whether to share this or not considering how bad my last "bad news" went over with everyone but I will try it one more time. 2 days ago (Monday) I became extremely sick. Probably due to the 2 hamburgers and hot dog I ate at a member's house the previous night. They say most American Missionaries will get sick from the meat here at least once during the mission so I got mine out of the way in the beginning eh? I woke up and showered and while showering I realized how bad my stomach was hurting. So I went back and laid down in bed and only got up 5 times the rest of the day. 4 times to pump some liquid out of my raw-bottom and once for a blessing from my companion. I called Sister Cooley (Mission President's wife), told her I had a fever of 100.7, so she told me some medicine to take so I took that throughout the night and it all worked out. I woke up yesterday still feeling the effects a little bit but I got up and went to lunch but had to come back for a little bit in the afternoon to lie down. But we ended up playing soccer last night with some members and I felt fine so it's all good now. Got that one out of the way eh?
I am not sure what else to say...skimpy emails this week!
Oh yeah sounds like it was an intense game between BYU and CSU this week, miss watching those games and eatin' them weiners ma' mama fries up.
Love you all. Still miss ya. Write me.
-Elder Brent Parsons
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