A Lonely Hour

Olá,

After Correlation we had appointments on opposite sides of the city so we had a division with members, the member I was with had to go back early so he dropped me off at the chapel where there was a meeting with some of the leaders so I could safely wait there. Long story short, I was alone at the chapel for an hour haha. That is a weird feeling as a missionary because we have a rule that we always have to stay together. I called the Zone Leaders because the member's phone that Elder Angulo was with died, to let someone know, then had to call Presidente Tavares to let him know. He was not happy with the situation. Well they eventually returned and we made it back home safely.

We met Ires who was super confused with the doctrines of other churches and all the faults and differences that they have despite having the same Bible, and who decided that none of them were right so she would just read the Bible alone. Explained the Restoration to her she enjoyed hearing it and receiving a Book of Mormon. She had a Gospel Principles book in her house too. 

When we returned to our appointment with Claudia she was super embarrassed because the cover of their Book of Mormon was completely destroyed by their Dog but we explained that it doesn't matter because the pages inside are all good. She felt so bad about it that despite offering a new book to her she decided to get it fixed by a Paperleria.

There are a ton of Romanians, literally a ton here so i have been learning a few phrases in Romanian to say to them, its pretty fun and they like it haha. I ran another 5k in 23:01, I´m getting faster haha.

Elder Angulo and I have been doing some pretty deep doctrine studying, focusing on 1 point in the missionary lessons and learning it really well. We joke that we study to teach a Pastor. I have been studying Pre-mortal life and have found many verses in the Bible that explained that we lived with God before this life it has been interesting to look into it deeper and makes it a lot easier to teach.

This is likely my lasrt week in Montijo We are going to make it count!

Elder Anderson

 Fun in Belém

 Met up with the Elders from Mem Maretins and played some Ultimate

Carta Semanal

Olá,

We had some weak appointments fall through Wednesday night. We then we saw a recording studio called "Lemon Drops Studio" with a little light on inside. We had talked to André a month earlier who said he worked there so we knocked the door and he invited us in he had a super cool studio a bunch of drums, guitars and recording stuff, reminded my of my Uncle Nate. Then we shared our message with him he explained that he was an atheist but still hadn't shut the door on anything. We explained the plan of Salvation and left him a Book of Mormon. 

Julliana came to church yesterday and had a great time she is currently marked for the 11 of November, and just needs to quit smoking.

This week I printed a list to keep tract of the apartments that we knock and the interest of the people. It has been super fun to do and tract (organized).

I have been speaking at least 99% Portuguese, English feels unnatural now haha.

Another Zone Conference this week, learned a lot, Sister Tavares talked about teaching more simple and direct, Most of the missionaries grew up in the church and are super familiar with the doctrine which sometimes makes us teach over the heads of the people, so we have been working on simplifying the doctrine As President Uchdorf said, "This beautiful gospel is so simple a child can grasp it, yet so profound and ... a lifetime—even an eternity—of study and discovery to fully understand it."

Sunday we were joking around in contacts and doing baptismal invites, we crossed paths with a man at a street corner and Elder Angulo said, "Hey! Want to be baptized? He said i already was then i said, "but with authority" and Elder Angulo Said, "and by immersion" he said I am and was baptized in Salt Lake City a long time ago. Turns out he was the Branch president here some time ago, haha.

I bought a mini Book of Mormon in Portuguese. I love carrying it around with me and always having it to read. The book it true!

Tchau,

Elder Anderson 

 Best way to spend 5€

 Elder Smith is going home

 Drainage system was clogged up- Showerless-Fun Stuff

Brincadeiras

Olá,

The Bishop from ​the Benfica ward in Lisbon moved to Pinhal Novo a city in our branch so now we have one more priesthood holder and are getting very close to being a ward!

We had another Workshop with the leaders, Assistant Elder Egbert worked with us and talked about joking around and having fun on the road and with contacts. That afternoon I talked with everyone in Black shirts and Elder Angulo talked with everyone walking dogs, the next day we had 5 levels of things we had to say in contacts and whoever lost had to fill out the progress record for correlation, They were, Banana, Ferrari, Law of Chastity, Dress standards and baptismal invitation, we had to try to smoothly say these in the contacts and teach a doctrine to make it count, it was pretty funny at the end when we were walking super fast contacting people about the law of chastity haha. Joking around like that made things a lot more light and fun.

We met a 21 year old Canadian named Michael who was walking from Lisbon to Madrid and passed by Montijo, it was his third day and he was clueless about a few things so we helped him out and gave him some information about the area, where to buy food and watching out for the gypsies. Hope he is doing well out there haha

I ran a 5k Thursday morning in 24:29, not to bad for gaining 20 pounds and not running forever, i hooked my GPS watch to the computer it was super cool to see where we walked throughout the day.

Saturday our Zone had a fast for our investigsators to arrive to church, It was pretty difficult because we walked a ton but it payed off with Irmão Dorado arrivving to church Sunday!

Two weeks ago I downloaded the entire General Conference on my MP3 player last night i finished listening to it again, so grateful for living prophets to guide us in these latter days!

Elder Anderson

Package and Oriente

Olá,

I received my package this week when we passed the office for interviews. After that we spent some time at the Afondega getting checked out by the government, haha. The church throughout all Europe has been having a hard time sending packages and supplies through the mail recently. I was excited to get the letters, candy, football and GPS watch. I have been curious to know how much we walk daily so Thursday I wore it, it was a day with a lot of appointments falling through so w walked a ton 4 miles in the morning 10-1 p.m. and 5.5 in the afternoon, 3-9:30. I also ran 2.5 miles that morning haha! A lot of work for my legs everyday. 

Leaving a lesson with a recent convert we ran into Sandro at a corner who we had talked with a few weeks ago we walked to the chapel showed him around and taught him the plan of Salvation.

I gave out a few Book of Mormons this week, the 2 with the most interest: An Angolan named Antonio in Barreiro after district meeting, and the other Jessica who is evangelical. When I offered it to her she said I would love to read it but I don't have any money. She was happy to hear my response when I said the word of God is not for sale. 

We had a good week with 13 lessons and 6 new investigators, this week we will work to achieve the standard of excelence in the mission 15 lessons and 10 novos.

I was Studying the Bible this week and liked what I was reading but I just felt, man this just feels incomplete. Thank goodness our loving Heavenly Father gave us more scriptures to guide us in this life. I am so grateful for the Book of Mormon and Doctrine of Covenants which gives us the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Até Proximo.

Elder Anderson

 Oceaniario

 Package from home

 Burgers

 Oriente