March 30, 2015- week 30- Transfer day!- Will he go or stay in Sumaré, Brazil?

BOM DIA FAMILIAAAA


So, this week was the last week of transfer number 4!!! It was a good week. I know you guys are all waiting to hear about transfers. AND SO AM I. They decided that from now on they want ALL the missionaries to pack up and at night time like 21h they're gonna tell us all who got transferred, and who will be staying. *sigh* I really want to know, but nothing to tell you guys. I have a feeling that I will finally be transferred, but if I don't get transferred, I won't be upset or anything. Actually, I'd be pretty content as long as I get to stay with Elder Maxwell. Anyways, it's been a while since I've touched my suitcases haha. I cannot even count how many spiders I found hiding on my bags. Too many. 

This week, though, we were actually able to mark 2 baptisms for Saturday (last Saturday). They were super excited to get baptized, but then their mom refused to sign the paper. She said she felt they weren't ready for baptism. NOOOOO! They both passed the baptismal interviews, but their mom is from a different church, and I think she still wants them to frequent her church. The two investigators are the two girls I was talking about- Andrielli and Adria. Aged, 15 and 16 respectively. They're super cool, but I don't know if I'll be here for their baptisms. They've gone to church for the past 3 weeks and every Monday we have Noite Familiar with them and a family here. They really like the church and especially the members. They also have a cousin named Tamara who wants to be baptized too. The only problem is that she works every Sunday, so we're working with her to find a new job so that she can go to church. She goes to all the Noites Familiares too. 

Yes, General Conference! I AM SUPER EXCITED FOR GENERAL CONFERENCE. This is gonna be so awesome. I don't know why, but ever since I got on my mission, I've started to really love every chance we have to hear the Apostles and Prophet speak. I never even realized how great of a privilege it actually is. I will definitely tell you guys my favorite talks.

As for transfers, this should be exciting for you guys! Oh, and for me too, although it won't affect me as much as it will you guys. My guess is that you guys will be leaving for England too! Btw, have fun up there for Spring Break. I'm sad that I won't be able to go with you guys, but I'm happy being here in Brazil. Besides, none of you have been here yet! Hah! I definitely recommend it though! A pretty sweet country, I'd say. Even better if you know what they're saying or what the billboards and posters say haha.

Well, have a great week everyone, and next week I will let you guys know where I am. Whether it be here, or some other place. Also! Next month I get to talk to you guys again!! (Mother's Day) It feels like it was just the other day, but I'm still excited!! Talk to you soon!

Love you all,

Elder Collins

P.S.  I wouldn't trade the time I've been here in Brazil for anything. There has been a lot that has gone on here, some stuff that has left me sad or angry, but no way would I trade this time for anything else. Most definitely the mission has made an impact on my life. There is so much that I've learned here. Not only about the gospel, which I have (ask Dad about how much he learned about the Gospel on the mission, I promise you he will say the same thing as me), but I've also learned a lot about me. I can focus a lot better than before the mission too haha, something that Mom and Dad will probably be happy that's changed. 

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Last district photo of the transfer!

March 23, 2015- week 29- reached over 200 days on the mission!

Hello Everyone!



This past week was a really good one. Starting with Monday, we had another Noite Familiar (yes, this is Family Home Evening) with the Bishop this time. Three of our investigators came, and it was really good. Speaking of our investigators, two of them are super close to baptism. Meaning, maybe even this week. It all depends on when they get an answer. This is the closest I've come to baptism, and I'm really excited.


The only problem is that transfers are next week, and I have a feeling that I'm going to be transferred. I've been here for 6 months! That's a whole quarter of my mission! Wow, the mission is going by so fast. I never thought it would be like this haha. Let it be known to all who will soon embark on this journey- MISSIONS GO BY SO FAST. At least to the ones who are serving it.


Anyways, this week, I also did another division with our District Leader- Elder Sanchez, just this time, I went over to his area in Villa Flora (like 10 minutes away by bus). I also took a picture with Jesus!! Apparently in every city, there is at least one Redeemer statue. Like the really famous one in Rio de Janeiro. So, yeah, I took picture with the statue.


On Saturday, we celebrated our being here on a mission for 200 days! We went and got some big hamburgers haha.


Also, yesterday, Elder Maxwell and I had the most spiritual lesson we've ever had on our missions. It was awesome. We went there with two sister members and we all shared our testimonies to our really good investigators.


This transfer was definitely the fastest one I've had so far. I'd have to say the CTM transfer was the slowest one haha. That makes me think back to Brendon. He was definitely right when he said the first couple weeks are the slowest, then everything just flies by so darn fast haha. This was also definitely my favorite transfer. It's so awesome being back with your original group, or at least some of them. Especially in the same house. Even more so as a field comp.


Anyways, thanks for all the emails guys! Once again, I appreciate everything! Love you guys!


Till the next week,


Elder Collins

Fotos

"O Redentor e Eu"

From Elder Maxwell: 4 of us in Sumaré, ward mission leader, and in the back is his wife and step son.

March 16, 2015- week 28- P-day in Sumaré, Brazil!

Olá familia!

I cannot believe how fast this transfer is going by! ONLY TWO MORE WEEKS LEFT WHAT IS THIS. So, this past week, we had interviews with the President! It was good to talk with him; it's been like 5 months since I had an interview with him. Anyways, this week was a normal week. We decided to go out with the members a little more, and that was cool. Nothing new or different this week. We were finally able to find the foosball after being gone for like 3 months!! We were super excited to find it! Also, on Monday, Elder Arnson and I did a Noite Familiar at our Missionary Ward Leader's house (Eduardo Pedroso).

Alright, question time.

1. What has been your biggest challenge this week?
Hmm, we had a 2 hour Bible Bash with this Assembleian dude that lasted till like 9:40 at night.

2. What has been your biggest concern?
Waking up at 6:30 every morning.

3. What has been your biggest success?
Our two eleito investigators read the Book of Mormon and prayed!

4. Who has been your favorite person this week? Why?
Well there's this one member here, who is also a part of the Stake Presidency; a super cool dude. He went out with us this week, and also we've gone to his house a couple of times, and every single time, he's given us ICE CREAM. haha

5. What has been your most significant tender mercy?
President Canuto haha. He can really burn you, but at the same time make you feel good.

6. What are you looking forward to this coming week?
I look forward to the next Sunday when we'll see if our investigators are really progressing!

7. Do you have a goal set for this coming week? Tell me about it.
Project Purification and 150 contacts.

8. Which scripture has had the biggest impact on you this week?
Mark 16:15-16

Sorry for the short email this time, we really didn't do much that was like "whoaah gotta write about this". Thank you my peeps for all the emails!!

Love,
Elder Collins

P.S. I still have not received any packages. Actually, I did get one a while back and I forgot to tell you guys about it. It was from the Anna Bors family! Tell them I said thank you, cause I really appreciated it!

P.P.S. This week, I got a really bad haircut, but good thing I don't have any girls to impress over here. haha

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Pyramid: The Cool Kids 

March 9, 2015- week 27- P-day in Sumaré, Brazil!

HELLLLOOOOO FAM!

Well, another week down, and with a little more than 6 months on my mission, I am so happy to be on a mission!!! Okay, so this week has been, for some reason, a whole lot harder. I guess the only thing I can say is I definitely have a testimony of Satan. Haha, since the day Elder Maxwell and I have started, things have gotten a whole lot harder. I don't even know why. The only thing that's changed is that we fasted and began the Project Purification. I guess Satan knows that this Project really works. 

Anyways, this Sunday, I gave my first talk for Sacrament meeting! Dang it! I thought I would be able to escape that, but after 6 months, I have finally been found! Eh, it was good. I talked about how we can serve the Lord better. I didn't have any problems with my Portuguese, so that's good. I was worried I would mess up. 

Also, we had two girls come to church with us and they really seemed to like it. We've already been to their house 4 times to teach them. We invited them to be baptized, and they accepted. We'll see how that goes within the next couple weeks. 

So, on Tuesday, I officially passed the 6 month mark! As part of a missionary tradition, we burned one of our ties. I attached some pictures of that! We had a lot of compromisos this week, teaching 22 lessons. We still do a lot of contacts. It also rained a lot this week. Okay, now for the question thing.

1. What has been your biggest challenge this week?

Definitely being 100% obedient. We're still working on that.

2. What has been your biggest concern?

I think it was that I was kind of worried I would mess up my Portuguese on Sunday for my talk.

3. What has been your biggest success?

Two of our best investigators going to church!

4. Who has been your favorite person this week? Why?

I'd say it wasn't just one person, but those two girls who came to church. They're super cool and really receptive.

5. What has been your most significant tender mercy?

Probably the people letting them talk to us in their houses. Almost everyone we talked to said we could go to their house and share our message, so that was really nice, especially after teaching almost no one last week.

6. What are you looking forward to this coming week?

I look forward to the interviews we'll be having with President Canuto on Thursday.

7. Do you have a goal set for this coming week? Tell me about it.

To continue with the Project Purification. We're going to continue getting better.

8. Which scripture has had the biggest impact on you this week?

This week was probably Acts 4:12.

Well that's it for this week! Thanks for all the emails! Love you guys! Till the next week.

Elder Collins

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IT'S ON FIRE

The gang:  Maxwell, Arnson, and I

Train tracks in our area

Our zone! Our part of it at least...

March 2, 2015- week 26- Been 6 months on the mission in Brazil!

Heya!

Tudo bem? This week was a little slower than usual, not that it didn't go by fast, because it sure did. Hmm, okay let me rewrite that: We worked more this week than the other week with more success. We taught A LOT of first lessons and invited everyone we could to be baptized. 6 of them accepted!! We'll see how that goes. 

Also!! We taught a lesson in English for the first time!! We met this guy last week and he said he went to Australia for a year and studied English and then married his wife, who is from South Korea!! We went there on Saturday and then taught them about the Restoration, but man it was kind of hard not to speak in Portuguese at some times haha. It was also a completely new experience for us not only because of the language, but also because his wife grew up in a non Christian culture. She didn't know anything about God or Jesus or even baptism. It was really cool; I kind of felt like Ammon or Aaron from the Book of Mormon. Just take out the swords I guess. We invited them to read the Book of Mormon, to ponder and think about it, then to pray. We also invited them to be baptized. They both accepted, but not for a specific date.

So I think for the questions I'll just answer them in this format to make it easier for me.

1. What has been your biggest challenge this week?

The biggest challenge was probably teaching in English haha. There would be times where I would be like "Yes, Jesus is our Salvador...wait, I mean Savior." haha

2. What has been your biggest concern?

Probably having the Spirit in our lessons. Sometimes we don't actively search out and invite the Spirit into our lessons, and so it's not as Spiritual as we'd like the lessons to be.

3. What has been your biggest success?

The baptismal invites along with the number of new investigators.

4. Who has been your favorite person this week? Why?

Oh, most definitely the couple who we taught English to. There were really cool, and wanted us to keep coming. Really receptive, and just a rewarding experience to be able to help someone who has no knowledge of God to learn about Him.

5. What has been your most significant tender mercy?

Probably the people letting them talk to us in their houses. Almost everyone we talked to said we could go to their house and share our message, so that was really nice, especially after teaching almost no one last week.

6. What are you looking forward to this coming week?

We have an investigator that we lost contact with, and we're going to visit him tonight and then mark another day this week. We went to his house once, taught half of the first lesson, and invited him to come to church. The next day, Sunday, he came and loved it! He asked us if he could come every Sunday and also if he could be baptized. The problem was that he had some problems with his wife, and he moved. We lost contact with him for almost 2 months until the other day I saw him walking and literally ran up to him to talk to him. He looked pretty excited to see me, and we marked for today to go to his house. :)

7. Do you have a goal set for this coming week? Tell me about it.

Yes, Elder Maxwell and I are starting something called "Project Purification.'' For 40 days, following our fast yesterday, we are going to ''purify'' ourselves of all the bad habits we have and become 100% obedient. This will increase our spirituality and allow us to truly use the Holy Spirit and our Priesthood powers.

8. Which scripture has had the biggest impact on you this week?

This week was probably 1 John 4:1-3. 

Well, I hope this week goes splendidly for all of you who read this letter. For those who don't...yeah you guys too. Love you all, and until the next week! (Sorry for the lack of photos, you forget about pictures when you work your buns off in the Lord's work)

Elder Collins

PS  Usually I don't have breakfast, but for lunch I love churrascas and for dinner there's this delicious ''lanchenete'' or snack place right next to our house. They sell really good hamburgers.

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Elder Maxwell...we can't see u :(