April 25, 2016- week 86 of 100- Entire mission conference in Piracicaba, Brazil!

Hey Everyone!

WHATT!!! I'M SUPER EXCITED FOR JOHN!! Seriously, I came onto the email and then saw everyone's emails in all caps- READ JOHN'S EMAIL FIRST, and then I knew that John had gotten his mission call. That's so awesome that John will be going to Las Vegas. I never even imagined that John would be going there, but that means he will be going to the MTC in Provo. 

So how is that gonna work out? Is mom gonna fly with him to Utah too? Or will you guys say goodbye at the airport in Orlando? haha Dang it. July 27th is like one week before I get home!!! WHYY??? Well, I'm sure everything will work out for John. Just know that I'm super excited and also he won't have to stay in the MTC for a super long time like I did. Also, packages and letters will be a lot more cheaper to send off. Haha. Also, something that I didn't get to do that he will is preach the gospel in our native tongue. I've only ever gotten to do that twice on the mission and in emails. John is gonna learn so much! Well, only two more weeks till the last time I'll see John until 2018...

Anyways, this week went by super fast for me! On Tuesday, we had interviews with President Canuto for the last time. It was great! President said he was very happy with me and thankful for the work I've done in the mission. On Wednesday, we went to our DL's house to stay the night so that the next day (Thursday) we could get to the Stake Center in Hortolândia and catch a bus that took us to the Multizona of the ENTIRE MISSION. Yup the whole mission was there. This has never happened, and so it was a historic moment. 

There was a lot of people there, and sadly me being one of the oldest didn't recognize half of the missionaries there. All so new! In total, I think it was 53 people who bore their testimonies! There was a lot of people going home! The group going home with President is the biggest group that the mission has ever had. I will be bearing my testimony the next Multizona with the new President- President Bangerter (I believe is his name). He even sent us a video of him and his wife introducing themselves and singing a song. It was great. I'm very excited to meet them in person. 

At the very end of the multizona, President and Sister Canuto gave their last testimonies. It was a very emotional moment. I'm so grateful for the time I've spent here in Brasil with President and Sister Canuto. President Canuto is a wonderful man and has shown everyone a love so great and appreciation so deep for every Elder and Sister that has ever passed here. He has been an example in all things. I will miss him a lot.

Anyways, also on Friday I hit 100 days left. I took 100 post-it notes and put them on the wall so that every day that passes, I take one off. Just a little trunkiness. It still hasn't hit me completely and I still do have a little ways to go.

Unfortunately, the lady that I was talking about did not get baptized last week because of some things, but we're gonna try our best to help her be baptized pretty soon.

Well, I hope all of you have another great week, and thank you dad for the reminder on 14 WEEKS LEFT ON THE MISSION!

Love you all,

Elder Collins

Fotos

A bunch of goobers.

Me with President and Sister Canuto.

The American gang going home August 1st.

The Multizona

The Multizona

The Multizona

The Multizona

The Multizona

Some of the lovely folks here in Campinas.

The division between Sumaré and Hortolândia.

100 days left...

April 18, 2016- week 85 of 100- P-day in Sumaré, Hortolândia, and Campinas, Brazil!

Hey Guys!

One more week down on the mission! Only 15 more weeks on the mission until the day I get back! Let the trunkiness begin haha. So this week went by super fast, but we were able to accomplish quite a bit. This area is awesome, the members are cool, and there's lots of potential here. I sure hope this is my last area, because if I get transferred outta here, I'm gonna cry fo sho.

So, this past Saturday, we had the baptism of a 10 year old girl. It was a super sweet service, and she even cried afterwards saying that she swore she felt Jesus lifting her out of the font. Her mom was supposed to be there too, but didn't go. That was kinda sad, but there's nothing we can do now.

Anyways, it is very probable that we'll have another baptism this Saturday of a woman who has children and grandchildren in the church. This area has a lot of potential and so I'm super excited to be here. My comp and I are gonna work super hard these next few weeks.

Yeah, it's kinda weird that my area is mainly Campinas. My area actually gets some parts of Sumaré, Hortolandia, and Campinas.

Well, sorry this email is kinda short, we had to switch LAN houses today because the one we usually use is down on the internet and we're using a different one which is more expensive. Anyways, the photos are included!

Have a great week everyone!

Love y'all!
Elder Collins

Fotos

Almost done!

Saying good byes.

Saying good byes.

Saying good byes.

Elder Guerrero (A Mexican missionary from my group).

"Saint Raissa of Feasts, Patroness of the Elders" at a member's house. lol

You can see the center of Campinas in the back, oh yeah and my companion.

Someone's got maple!!!

Maria Eduarda's baptism.

April 11, 2016- week 84 of 100- Serving in the Brazil Campinas mission?!

Hey Family!

Wow, so one more week down on the mission. As I previously wrote to you, I have been transferred to the Anhanguera Ward, which is actually part of Campinas! This is a big thing for me because our mission is the Brazil Piracicaba Mission, but there's also another mission- The Brazil Campinas mission. haha And we're prohibited to travel to Campinas, yet here I am. 

I once went to the Campinas bus station when traveling from Poços de Caldas to Piracicaba on transfers day. They have the same transfers day as us so we saw a whole bunch of Campinas missionaries. It was crazy! Anyways, on Tuesday, Harbison and I left Capivari and went to Piracicaba where we waited for our companions. I got to see a whole bunch of other missionaries like we always get to on transfers day. One of them is a Mexican dude from my group, who I haven't seen for like almost a year. His name is Elder Guerrero.

My new companion is Elder Andrade. He's got 6 months on the mission, so that makes me feel old with just about 3 times that on the mission. haha We get along really well. He's from a place called Fortaleza up in northern Brasil and is 21 years old. Until now, I don't think I've ever gotten a companion that was younger than me. I'm starting to doubt that I ever will. haha 

Anyways, so far, I'm loving my new area. The members here are super chill and love us missionaries. We don't have too many investigators right now, but this area has a lot of potential! There are so many people that are wanting to join the church, and there are lot of part-member families. We'll be working super hard this transfer (which will only be 5 weeks) to baptize. We already have one baptism marked for this Saturday. This girl who has been going to church for a while and loves it there, but hasn't been baptized yet. More information to come in the next weeks on what's going on with our investigators. 

Also, this past Sunday was Fast and Testimony meeting. I have, honestly, never felt the Spirit so strong at a Testimony meeting like this before. It was awesome! I got up there as well and introduced myself to the Ward and also bore my testimony. Also, luckily, the Ward already has a pianist, so they won't be needing my assistance anymore. At least I can play all the hymns now. 

Well, that's all for right now. I'm super jealous that you guys are all going back to England and the theme parks that I loved so much. Also, I'm still waiting anxiously for John's call to get there. Tell me when you guys get it!

Have a great week everyone and I hope you enjoy Spring break!

Love you all!
Elder Collins


P.S. So I'm having some problems with my camera and I can't download any photos right now, so Imma try and send them off next week. AHHH Brasil can be frustrating sometimes.

April 4, 2016- week 83 of 100- Received transfer to Hortolândia, Brazil!

Hey Family!

Well, this week's letter is gonna be short because- I'VE BEEN TRANSFERRED!! 

I will be going to the area Anhanguera in Hortolândia. Back to Zona Hortolândia again. haha Also, my companion was transferred to another area in another zone. Two new Elders will be coming here, so there's a lot of work for us to do. We've gotta clean our house, make sure everything's organized, leave lots of notes about all our investigators and the members. Oh, and say goodbye to all the members. I was already sure that I was gonna leave, but I had no idea that Elder Harbison was also leaving with me. Today should be fun.

This past week, we knocked tons of doors in the heat of Brasil! It was crazy how many doors we knocked. Anyways, I'm not sure if that really paid off since we're both leaving. I'm pretty sad that I'm finally leaving Capivari. This was definitely my favorite area out of all of the areas that I passed. I had the best relationship with the members here in Capivari. I'm gonna miss this place a lot. 

Also, General Conference! Yes, I loved it! The branch was able to get a projector so we could watch conference at the chapel here instead of Piracicaba. We also had several investigators watching the conference with us! 

Well, sorry again for the short email, but I gotta get ready to leave!

Love you all,

Elder Collins

Foto

Two huge chocolate bars used to make chocolate eggs.