April 7 - 2014 -Happy Birthday to Dad and Conference Report

Happy Birthday, Old Man!!!! You are getting old haha, but I still love you.  I hope you aren't going to work today!  I think you deserve a day off on out on the course!  I forgot to tell you, but in my ward there is an American who plays golf all over the world and I'm hoping he takes me out on the course here so I can say I golfed in Brazil!!  

I really am so proud to be your son, dad.  Out of everyone in the world, it always was you that I wanted to be proud of me.  You have been such a great example to me in all things and in all parts of life.  How you treat Mom and us kids; how you always seem to be calm and aware of what's going on around you.  Thank you for being an amazing example to me.  

Just want to tell you that I love you dad and that you always have been and will always be My Hero.

Love your son

Elder Chase Thurgood

Chase and Elder Johson

I really enjoyed conference. I felt like I missed a lot too, though, because I watched it in Portuguese; so I understand the ideas, but I would read the lips of people to understand. When you read English and hear Portuguese, it just messes with your mind. I really enjoyed the conference talks from the priesthood session, but all of the talks really were amazing. 

I was talking about the essence or how cool conference is with my companion. If you think about it, conference is a true blessing.  General conference guarantees us two things:

1. A prophetic blessing at the end of conference. ( which I thought President Monson's this conference was something special)

2. Apostolic promises - in every talk given by apostles they promise the blessings of the gospel to us if we are only willing to take it and hold on.

 I really enjoyed the talk by Elder Christofferson about the resurrection and what it allows us to do to believe.  I also really enjoyed President Monson's final remarks.  If you think about it, in conference, we are given a prophetic blessing and apostolic promises.  We need to give heed to the words of the prophet when the Ensign and Liahona become available in paper. I hope that you will study them for they are desrving of our study and review. I watched the priesthood session at the same time as you, but it was 9 o'clock at night for us haha. I was dying I was so tired, but I made it.


I also thought that the music was some of the best at conference in a long time.  Maybe it was because it was the only thing that I understood completely haha, but I liked it a lot.

This past Wednesday, I was lifting a stack of chairs of about 8 chairs and a little girl that likes me in the ward came up and gave me a hug while I was carrying them, putting me off balance. The chairs fell, and they fell directly on the arch of my foot.  So now I have a nearly broken foot that is a nasty yellow-blue-purple color now, but I did get lucky and was able to ice it every night.

Well this week was really hectic for me - we weren't able to work very much with all that happened.  I'll tell you all about the big changes that are coming up next transfer for me.

Alright, so this past week in the mission, President Cabral had his normal leadership council with all of the Zone Leaders and the Sister trainers.  In the mission, we have about 150 missionaries and only 12 people are at this council.  This happened on Tuesday.  On Monday, I received a call from President Cabral asking if I would be willing to attend this meeting on Tuesday.  Normally, if you get called to this meeting and you're not a zone leader already, you are going to be one.  So I don't know for sure, but I'm almost positive that I will be called as a zone leader this next transfer!  I don"t know if this is good or bad. haha.  President Cabral and Sister Cabral send a letter to the family when their child gets put in leadership positions, so you guys might receive a letter here soon, but I'm not sure. Don't go saying stuff to everyone before next Monday until I know for sure if I'm going to be a ZL or not, but it's pretty much set in stone.

This is the big change I was talking about. 

3 patties, 2 pieces of chicken, bacon, 2 eggs, ham, sausage, lettuce and tomato = Heaven in a sandwich

Chase and Elder Wiscombe

 

April 7, 2014 - Sister Cabral's Conference Notes

Good morning!

What a wonderful conference we had, is not it?

I left the conference with a huge check list! And you? Many revelations? Your questions were answered?

As prayed, President Monson, were elevated, inspired and educated!

I'll share some things I learned:

- Elder Holland: Defend your faith with COURAGE and COURTESY - he us remember the importance of courtesy in missionary work. Never get angry and treat people badly who do not wish to share our faith.

- Elder Rasband of the Seventy: Tue joy and desire to carry the burden of discipleship. When we are engaged in His work, our testimony grows and our faith is strengthened.

- Elder Andersen: The law of men may change, but God's laws are eternal and must be obeyed. Cling to the daily scripture study. To be Always Faithful, year after year, their testimony of Jesus Christ will be increasingly confirmed.

- Pres. Eyring: We have in our hands the eternal inheritance of many more people than we can imagine. The duty sometimes be difficult because it must move us on the path toward eternal life. Repent before they come to the sad and painful consequences.

- Elder Nelson: Faith is the antidote to fear. We need to let our faith appear. The laws of God should always be our standard. NEVER WRONG IS RIGHT - even if all they do.

- Elder Scott: Help researchers to knowing who need the gospel; make correct decisions; Know that the Lord is in 1st place; find answers in the scriptures. The conversion of a person is only a part of the work, there is the family temple sealing. Share principles that will help them cerscer daily. Keep the simple principles. Testify of the Savior and the power of His Atonement. Better serve our Heavenly Father influencing others and serving them.

- Elder Hales: "Suffers temptations but gave no heed unto them." Selective obedience = crying love God, chose to obey. When choosing what to obey, it is important to remember the consequences. The reason to disobey is to love Satan more than God. Not rationalize disobedience. Obedience brings blessings and is taught by example. Our Savior lives because obeyed.

- Elder Zivic: How wonderful when we keep the commandments without anyone having to remember!

- Elder Zwick: Treat people with kindness and respect, even when they disagree - applying to the fellowship - there is great need to improve communication, "what you were thinking when you acted that way?"; listen to one another and to see the view from each.

- Elder Cook: Family history is our obligation.

- Pres. Uchtdorf: Gratitude should be a way of life regardless of our circumstances, ie, instead of being grateful for "things", we should be thankful in the circumstances we find ourselves, like Nephi, Job, pioneers, Joseph Smith, who, even in prison, wrote to the saints "hopefully joyfully in the Lord." By being grateful to the Lord in circumstances where we are, we feel peace, experience the serenity of God's grace. Being grateful does not mean that we are happy with the circumstances in which we find ourselves, but we trust in God, exercise faith in Him - "Not my will be done but yours". The spirit of gratitude is the truth we know: the Atonement return to live with God and we will have an eternal family. Gratitude is a catalyst for all the attributes of Christ.

- Elder Ballard: Track - Let us follow requests to act and progress. Each member should study SMEs and share what you learn with the missionaries. At least every 4 months, submit a person to misisonários.

- Sister Stevens: The Lord knows us, hears and answers our prayers. If you truly trust God, will overcome all challenges.

- Bishop Stevenson: This is your life "4 Minutes" pair-do what you do and prepared to receive the award. The Lord is on our side, how can we fail?

- Elder Bednar: Heed the call of the Lord to put His yoke upon us. We do this by making covenants with Him Through the Atonement received muitoalém our ability. Our charges are not removed, we are strengthened to carry them. Learn more about the Atonement to carry his own load. It is the burden we carry establishing sufficient to deliver us and lead us back to our Heavenly Father spiritual traction.

- Pres. Monson: Whoever loves God, loves his neighbor, too. Patience, kindness, gentleness, recognizing the needs of others. Every day we have opportunities to do good. The Best Place to show charity is at home [with your fellow Mission]. Treat with kindness and respect. Only forgiveness heals. Maybe tomorrow, you forget the kind words spoken, but those who received the treasure for ever.

- Pres. Packer: We can all be inspired.

- Elder Walker: Every LDS should be always loyal.

- Elder Perry: To always choose the right, follow the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Be ready to receive the gentle inspiration of the Holy Spirit. To succeed in life, we need to teach our body and mind to work together and obey the voice of the Holy Spirit. Our faithful obedience in the end, rescue us. Obedience is a choice between our limited power and knowledge and unlimited power and knowledge of God.

- Elder Corbridge: There will always be opposition to the truth. Has a tremendous importance what we choose to do cad delays.

- Elder Teh: Our teosuro in heaven: 1) develope attributes of Christ; 2) Strengthen family relationships; 3) Serving others); 4) Understanding the doctrine of Christ and strengthen our testimonies.

- Elder Aidukaitis: Know the truth: 1) Observing its fruits; 2) Experiencing the Word for ourselves; 3) Personal Development = knowledge received from the Lord to ask in faith. If we are truly seeking the truth, we are willing to do anything to find her, to study the scriptures and pray.

- Elder Christofferson: Christ is real. Faith is real.

- Pres. Monson: Carefully study each speech upon receiving the Liahona.

So many things for me to put into practice and improve! Have a great weekend!

With love,

Sister Cabral
Mission Santos - Always Faithful

March 31, 2014 - General Conference Prep from Sister Cabral

This is the suggestions that sister cabral gave us for general confernce thought you would like it

How are you?

How was this week?

We finished our series of conferences Zone, this month ... also finished the month! And it was great to participate in the conference each zone, as learned! I'm exhausted, but with much more knowledge and that makes it all worthwhile!

The General Meeting of Women was wonderful, if you have researchers, invites them to attend this meeting retransmission, they will love!

This is the week of preparation for General Conference - remember you have to attend all sessions. To better aproveitares the conference, suggest some important things to be done this week:

1) Choose a day to do a fast in preparation for the conference.

2) During the week, write down the questions you want them to be answered at the conference.

3) Prayerfully study the scriptures daily to help you understand more about the Apostles, Prophets, personal revelation, the purpose of the conference - this can help:

https://www.lds.org/prophets-and-apostles/unto-all-the-world/conference-participation-brings-blessings-first-presidency-says?lang=por

Or in english: https://www.lds.org/prophets-and-apostles/unto-all-the-world/conference-participation-brings-blessings-first-presidency-says?lang=eng

4) For the conference, go prepared, you need not get up during the sessions Searching reverent and stay tuned to hear the answers you seek And for intervals:.. Takes water, sandwich, apple ... Keep the spirit of reverence, even during breaks.

5) During the conference, notes that all the commandments are given (phrases that begin with: you can ... you should ... it would be nice ... that the Lord wants ... I suggest ... I invite ... etc..)

It will be a great end of the week! Revelation flows from heaven! We are prepared to receive it! Up there!

With love,

Sister Cabral

Mission Santos - Always Faithful

March 31, 2014 - Great Week of teaching in Guaruja

My shoulder is doing good. I  took some ibuprofen this week and then I tried remembering all that rehab I did before.  I just did that for exercising all week and it's feeling a lot better now.  For my toe, they just sent me to a store that works with those problems, but the problem is they don't have one in Guaruja so its complicated.

This week was pretty good with teaching; we had a lot of lessons with members that came with us to visit our investigators.  Probably around 15, so it was good.  We gave the first lesson to a friend of young man on Friday. I retold the first vision to him. When we teach it, we pause so that the spirit can testify of the truth. After I said it, I paused and looked at him. He didn't cry, but he just gave like a big old shake like he got the chills through his whole body and then he asked if we could tell it again. I was like"We can do that!"  He said he really wants to learn more.  He couldn't go to church this week and because of general conference we will have to wait almost three weeks until his baptism.  Rough, but he is already bringing his other friends to hear the message. I hope it works out for us.

Our ward is super good; the bishop is probably the most focused bishop I have seen in missionary work.  It's awesome because we have activities for the whole ward every Wednesday and he wants everyone to bring a friend no matter what, so it's been great making friendships. 

Give a big old hug to Brooke when she gets married.  It's crazy that she's getting married.  I have to tell you what President Cabral told us last week.  He said that a Brazil Santos missionary who isn't married or at least engaged within a year, he is going to fly out to your house and have a nice talk with you and if he needs to hit ya on the head hahah.  I was just like beleza pode deixar.  Awesome say that anytime!;)  ahhah its funny how on the mission you dont think about dating you think about getting married.  Yep sorry dad i said it. hahaha  Keep thinking of ways to be involved in the work of the Lord.  The blessings that are in store we dont even understand the significance how big they are.

 In advance I'm sorry for my writing skills my English has gone down hill this week. I was teaching an English class this week and I literally couldn't even teach the basics. Portuguese is just stuck!  (NOOOOOOOO) 
Matt Hughes told me how good Tate was. She is such a stud! 

Hahah Good luck with dad and his new budgeting ideas and wish dad good luck with your new addiction. 

The blur  (McKaylee) was telling me that her video is pretty funny. I shared a scripture with her and I hope she goes with it. The fake tan is funny, but typical McKaylee right?

Tell Coulson to be bold.  Find the prettiest girl and ask her to Mormon prom. Done set in stone. haha That's what we decided to do, but with the biggest most jacked man on the street last week and now we are teaching him.  He is a little Maurice  Jones Drew. (Football player). 
Thanks for the advice.I need that sometimes. I get so worried about the numbers for the week without a baptism that I get stressed, but thank you so much.

I was talking to my companion this week, just sharing funny stories and he told me one about his old Samoan companion when he was in Arizona.  They were playing flag football, but eventually it turned to tackle football. They were playing with their investigator and a bunch of his friends from inner city Tucson. His old companion is huge -  just a 6' 6" giant. He was just knocking out everyone and one guy on the other team that they were playing was not making fun of them, but he was teasing them a little bit about the church. I think Elder Natane was tired of it. The kid caught the ball and Elder Natane put that kid into the next galaxy; just went air born with him! hahah This is the funniest part, get ready for this. . .  the elder stands up, looks down and while pointing his finger yells, "THE CHURCH IS TRUE!!!!!" Hahah I couldn't stop laughing. Then I thought immediately about the Ray Lewis quote, like "you can't stop this, The church is true!"  So when I get back I'm going to say this all the time - the church is true. Just leave it at that. 
I had a really good week studying with Johnson this week and on Wednesday, we studied faith. The scripture that I liked the most was Mosiah 4:6-12. Normally we think about this scripture with the atonement, but think about it with faith and it's very cool because it lays out what we need to do to receive salvation.

March 24, 2014 Scripture Study and Investigators

This week was a good. I'm starting to understand how I need to study the scriptures!  If you don't look up all the references and everything it has, you miss out on a lot.  It's more work, but it's worth it in the end.  With my studying I've been really looking into the priesthood and I want to know if we have the Doctrine of Salvation books at home. I asked my mission president questions about the priesthood and he said a lot of the things he learned is in these books and obviously in the scriptures.  

One investigator we have been teaching is Tiago, a referral from a member who is a little Maurice Jones Drew -  just short and stacked.  He's very interested in things about religion. He hasn't been going to his church for about 4 years because of some things that happened. We talked a lot with him about the power and authority of GOD. 

Another one is Cicera who is a mom of a missionary that left about a month ago. She isn't a member, but is more interested now.  

We also have Berto who is very receptive, but it's hard to find him in his house. He works a lot, but I think he still wants to talk.  He is about 25ish and has a really big desire to stop drinking because he lost a friend recently so that's been good.  

We had our ward conference this past week; it was very good.  Our frequency went from 105 which is really low to 215 on our conference day. It was definitely because of the efforts we made as a ward to invite people to come back.  We are having a lunch after our church meetings next week - I'm pretty excited.  

I don't know if you remember how the guy at the missionary mall said that those shoes will last at least a year, but both pairs are taking a beating, so I'll let you know how that goes. I'm looking into the garments today. I honestly am in more need of garments and shirts. I'm starting to lose a little bit of weight, but not much. The peanut butter is good, but honestly this Brazilian food is leaving a mark because peanut butter tasted so weird to me - really strange. Licorice would be cool.

I have some bad news. I banged my toe a couple of weeks ago and have ingrown toe nails. I didn't know what to do and now my toes are filled with puss and it's a pain in the butt.  Also more health issues - the shoulder is back.  A member grabbed my shoulder like a chicken wing and pulled and now today I'm having trouble lifting without the help of my other arm. I'm going to talk to Sister Cabral on Wednesday to schedule an appointment.  Sorry, mom, 6 months was pretty good though for me to not go to the doctor or get injured terribly bad.  I'm wearing insect repellant at night now because of all the bug bites I had on my feet. 54 bites on my two feet in total. Yikes is right. 

 I'll have to share with you my notes on chapters 41 and 42 in Alma.  If we understand the principles and doctrines of these two chapters we will understand why we need to do things on earth.  The parable of the great mediator works very well with these two chapters. Another talk that is super good is Mercy for the Merciful by Dieter F Uchtdorf.

Love you

March 17, 2014 - Pictures!

I tried an Avocado Smoothie . . .

. . . and nearly died.

Elder Henryque, one of my good buds on the mission. He;s leaving in April.

Yup - Sister Dalton

Elder Debaltzo is a good friend in the mission. Now he's in my group.

Elder Fernandes is leaving in September; he's a super good missionary and has helped me a lot.

Cruise ships passing by.

Sister Dalton and Sister Hale

March 17, 2014 - 6 months Today!

You´re darn right it's 6 months today!!!!  Its crazy how it seems to go by so fast, but at the same time feels so long ago! 

 

Yeah I had kind of the same feelings you did of you guys being on a family vacation and me here. McKaylee sent me pictures of you guys and it made me want to be there, but it's all good in the sketchy neighborhood in Brazil. 

 

This week has been decent; our area is super big and so we split up the area, but we have a really experienced elder (the Zone Leader) in our area too. When we first divided, we got the area that was farther away, but then we started talking about the new branch and he kind of took the lead so now we are basically starting over.  At first I was a little frustrated, but then I realized that there will be just as many opportunities on the other half of the area. It just depends on what we do with what we are given.  

 

We have a new investigator this week that is super cool.  His name is Tiago, (James in Portuguese). He is a friend of a member and came to one of our activities. He liked it so we were able to talk with him yesterday about the first vision and he thought it was super cool.  He said he felt something different that he had never before felt. We explained that it was the spirit testifying of truth.  Then we asked, "How can we  know with out a doubt?" He said pray and so we invited him to pray about Joseph Smith and the first vision. He was super excited about it and I hope he actually does it.

A scripture that I read yesterday that I really liked a lot is Mosiah 24:12. It just doesn't say, they prayed to the lord. It says they poured out their hearts to the lord.  What do you think the difference could be if we prayed with this kind of intensity.  I have been really trying to have more of a conversation with God so I can have the kind of relationship that He can know that if He sends me a prompting or if He needs me to do something, He can count on me to get it done!

I finally got to walk in an area that was paved road all the time.  My pants and shoes got covered in mud, but I felt more like a Brazilian missionary. 

 

I washed my suits for the first time on the mission. It cost 54 reais, 26ish dollars that I used on the card.

I've been doing good lately.

One thing, because I'm a missionary, I want you guys to really try to think about on the trip is who you could send the missionaries in the ward to visit.  I know you're thinking, PANIC MEDAY MEDAY, but with the help of the Savior you can do anything that you want!

Love you guys