January 25, 2016- week 73- Lost, conferences, and piano playing in Capivari, Brazil!

Hello family!

Well, this week was a super busy week for me. I was in Piracicaba for 3 days of the week! Monday we had P-Day as usual, then on Tuesday, we were originally going to Piracicaba for our District meeting, but it was moved to Wednesday- 2 hours before the Missionary World Broadcast. The Broadcast was awesome. The main theme was "Teach repentance and baptize converts". We decided to stay that night at our District Leader' house- Elder Schmitz. Of course we did what we always do when missionaries stay the night at other missionaries' houses- We bought Pizza! Haha That was real fun.

The next morning we woke up pretty early to catch the bus to the chapel where we would have the Mulitzona. There were 4 Zones there- Piracicaba (my zone), Novo Piracicaba, Botucatu, and Rio Claro. We arrived right after the first prayer because our bus ran a little late, so when we briskly walked into the chapel I could see President burn me with his eyes. I apologized afterwards. haha

I don't know how other Multizonas are done, but here, it usually starts out with us saying our purpose, then a scripture from D&C that we always recite, then after all of that, we had the "Novinhos" or the Greenies from the first or second transfer go up and bear their testimonies. I still remember after only a week out in the field going up and bearing my testimony in Portuguese watching my trainer- Elder Holder- to see if I was saying everything correctly. Ah, how the time has passed so quickly. Then, our Zone leaders gave us a small training. When we returned, we had the Assistants give their training and then lunch.

I was so happy to see Elder Arnson there once again. Also Elder Stone. That dude is too much haha. When we came back from lunch, the old missionaries going home within the next two transfers got up and bore their testimonies. I always liked this part, but now it only gets me even more trunky because these are actually missionaries that I know and am good friends with who arrived on the mission only a little bit before me. It's still a strange concept for me to know that I only have 4 more transfers.

Anyways, after that Sister Canuto, Presidente Carvalho, and Presidente Canuto gave their trainings. Presidente Canuto talked a lot about effective planning and teaching.

After the multizona, we also found out that interviews were going to be the next day, so instead of wasting another 25 Reais, we were gonna stay the night at the secretaries' house and then go to the office the next day (which was really close) and then do the interviews.

My companion, Elder Harbison, and I were the first people to be interviewed in the mission on Friday. I told him about the ecclesiastical endorsement thing for BYU and so I need to get that done as soon as possible and then call him. We got home back to Capivari around 13h then had to go to lunch appointment right away, but then we got lost, and it was just so frustrating and exhausting cause we were out for so long away from our home.

Eventually, we found the house, ate lunch, then went back to our house to get ourselves properly ready. On Saturday, we went to go visit that one woman and her family and she's doing a lot better. She got accepted to go to college, so that's awesome! Also she went to church on Sunday with her daughters.

Yes, I do have a calling as the Branch pianist. I can honestly say I have gotten a lot better at sight reading. Cause that's pretty much what I do every Sunday. I don't really have time to practice playing the piano, so I just use the Lord's help and everything works out. This past Sunday I did have a toddler come and try to play piano with me during one of the hymns. haha

Also, these past few days have been SUPER hot. So yeah, the river has gone down a whole lot and it is no longer covering the streets and flooding the houses.

Dang it. Well I had been thinking that you had already sent a box to me and that it contained a journal. I guess I'll have to look for one here, but I really don't have the money to buy it right now. This past week, I didn't write anything.

Have a wonderful week everyone! Talk next week.

Love,
Elder Collins

Fotos

The only Sister from my group (Sister Vazquez) is going home... :(

Harbison, Me, and Elder Stone (we've all been each other's comps)

Multizona em Piracicaba

January 18, 2016- week 72- Flood, wasps, and a new companion in Capivari, Brazil!

Hey Family and friends!

This past week for me was a little slower than the rest. It included transfers for me. On Monday I found out that my companion Elder Lloyd would be transferred to Piracicaba and I would stay here in Capivari and get another companion. An American named Elder Harbison. I was happy that it was going to be an American, but a little sad because I loved Elder Lloyd. He's one of my favorite companions on the mission. I think my top favorites are Elder Stone, Elder Maxwell, and Elder Lloyd. On Tuesday, we woke up early to get over to the rodoviaria (bus station) at Piracicaba. Elder Harbison, my new comp, was already there, but the bus didn't leave until like 4 hours later, so I hung out at the rodoviaria talking with all the Elders and Sisters missionaries I knew. There were a fair amount this time- like 50.

Anyways, we got back to Capivari, and during the week I showed Elder Harbison around the area. We went and taught some families, but we also had quite the stressful situation to deal with. A woman that we've been teaching (it was her daughter that we baptized) has depression and so she tried to kill herself this past week. We went to her house and tried to help her. Then she tried to OD and had to go to the hospital. We're probably gonna go back there today or tomorrow. I feel kinda bad for her, because her life really is filled with bad things, but instead of her trying to move forward, she's dwelling on the past and doesn't want to do anything. I'll be praying real hard for her.

Also, it's been raining so darn much here in Capivari! I can't remember if I told you or not, but we live really close to a river, and because of the many days of rain, the river has flooded over and is creeping up our street. It's already flooded the first 3 houses and is about to get the next two on our street. The families of these houses have already evacuated and the river keeps getting closer and closer to our house. I don't think it'll reach our house because we've still got like 15 feet before it reaches us. It hasn't been raining these past two days, but the problem is that the water is coming from a different city where it IS raining, and it just fills up our river here. Oh well.

This week we will be in Piracicaba a lot. We have District meeting, Multizona, and also a world wide transmission for all of the missionaries. This week should be fun for us.

Well, thanks for all the emails!

Love,
Elder Collins

P.S. Something funny happened this week...Well, we have a wasp's nest in our backyard, and it's super huge, so we tried to get rid of it. We made lots of smoke to smoke them out and then my companion took a big stick and knocked the nest to the ground. When it hit the ground, lots of wasps started to swarm so we ran back as fast as we could to inside our house then closed all the windows and locked the doors. So basically we were stuck inside of our houses for a while waiting for the wasps to go away.

Pictures

My new comp Elder Harbison.

That's the river.

January 11, 2016- week 71- No transfer, but new companion in Capivari, Brazil!

What is up y'all?

This past week was a hot and wet week. We've been getting lots of rain these past days, but that's okay cause I like rain. I got burned pretty bad from two days that we went knocking doors. The sun is relentless in trying to burn our faces. We've been trying to find new people to teach and bring to church. Unfortunately, the baptism we had marked for this past Saturday fell through. He had to work, so we've rescheduled for his baptism to be in about 2 weeks. In the mean while, we'll use this time to find new investigators. 

Also, today we found out about the transfers. I will be staying here in Capivari, but Elder Lloyd will be going to Piracicaba. Another American named Elder Harbison will be coming here to be my companion. I'm sad about Elder Lloyd leaving, but I'm happy that another American will be coming here. This transfer, which is my 13th on the mission, should be a fun one. I've heard rumor that it may be a transfer of 7 weeks, but I've also heard that it'll be 5 weeks. We'll see what happens. 

Well, this past week we have helped some people with problems that they're having. The most spiritual part of my week was when we had a lesson with a woman that was thinking about killing herself. We talked about a lot of things and pretty much all of us were crying. 

To answer your question, yes I see every photo that you send. I think it would be a little bit better if you attached the picture instead of just pasting it to the text. It makes it a little hard to see that way. Also, you could always try a video. I don't know if it'll work. I tried sending a video to you guys, but the file was too big. I thought about google drive, but my ldsmail account doesn't have the option of google drive. 

Unfortunately, there is no temple in our mission, so we can't visit the temple. I'll have to go to the temple after my mission. 

Sounds like there's a lot of people leaving and moving to Naples. Do you think I would recognize our ward anymore? haha 

Thanks for the emails! I wish all of you a wonderful week!

Love,
Elder Collins

Fotos

13th transfer

New planner

Cheese cake that we made at our recent converts house (she has an allergy to cameras I think).

January 4, 2016- week 70- Happy New Year from Brazil!

Hey Family!

Well, HAPPY NEW YEARS 2016 EVERYONE!!! 

I cannot even begin to believe that it's already 2016. It still feels like it's 2014 to me. And then like I left everyone and put everything on pause. I can't believe that things are changing! I guess it won't actually hit me until I get back home. 

Well, I hope you guys enjoyed the New Years party in Florida. I had my own little party here in Capivari, Brazil. We invited two other missionaries to hang out with us. Elder Pina and Elder Schmitz. Unfortunately, it was Elder Pina who took pictures and he forgot to bring his converter so he can't send his pictures to me. I'll have to send them to you guys next week. I knew I should've taken pictures with my camera. I've only got a few pictures for today. Anyways, they came over around 19h and we had our own churrasco! It was pretty good. We also played UNO, talked, laughed, watched the fireworks, and enjoyed the night together. It's too bad we can't do that all the time haha.

Now that everyone is getting back home from the Christmas and New Years time, we'll be able to continue our work. We are teaching a man that is preparing to be baptized this week on Saturday. He is really good. After him, we'll have to return to looking for new investigators so that should be fun. Also, this week is the last week of the transfer. 

Well, that's pretty much it for this week. It wasn't too productive because of the lack of people, but this week should be better. Also, it's been raining a whole lot here. We live really close to the river, so when it overflooded it started getting closer to our house. It's gotten better though. 

Anyways, hope you all have a great week of school! Woo! haha Good luck everyone.

Love you all,

Elder Collins


P.S. The LAN house isn't letting me download any of my photos so I'll have to wait till next week when we'll use the library again. Sorry :(

Photo (from Elder Arnson)

 (from left to right) Elder Collins, Elder Arnson, Elder Driggs, President Canuto, Elder Maxwell, Elder Bush, and Elder King

December 28, 2015- week 69- Christmas Skype call from Brazil!

Hello everyone!

Well, this email won't be too long, as I just talked to you guys via Skype like 3 days ago. It was great being able to see all you again and can't wait for the next time in 4 months! I must say, John's voice doesn't ever stop getting deeper. Melissa and Sarah look much older. Mom and Dad, you look and sound the same, so that's good, right? Like you aren't getting older? haha

Noo! Your beloved iPad! Well, it was getting a little old right? Haha, way to spoil yourself- an iPhone 6plus, hahaha. SO JEALOUS. I'm gonna get one of those when I get back from the mission, right? haha 

Yes, Elder Lloyd had plenty of time to talk to his family. I got to see his family and house in Idaho with all the snow. That was definitely a sight to see.

This Friday is New Years, so I'm also pretty excited about that! It's about time that 2016 got here. 

So, to answer Mom's question from last Friday, the Brasilians here don't really have a super different Christmas culture. They like to spend time with family. Christmas Eve is the time to gather everyone around, party, eat, and have a good time. They all stay up super late. Christmas day is like the hangover day. That can be interpreted in both the literal sense as well as the metaphorical. It's like a big build up and then- Christmas!! It's pretty relaxed. No one stays on the streets. Terrible for work if you don't already have a family to visit that likes you. So yeah, not too much tradition, but the Brasilians do like spend time with family.

Well, I hope you all have a wonderful New Years! Enjoy the time with family and the fireworks and that big ball from New York.

Love you all!

Elder Collins


P.S. Wait, were those Sister missionaries from Apopka ward talking about a YSA activity from the Leesburg stake that happened, or will happen, or like after the mission with them kind of thing? haha

Fotos

(Unfortunately, I forgot to take pictures...sorry)

My wonderful family.

Close up. (our photo)

Awesome Skype call! (our photo)

December 22, 2015- week 68- Christmas week in Brazil!

Hello all!

Yes, the last week before Christmas. I can't believe its already been a year since the last Christmas. This mission roller-coaster is starting to give me those powerful butterflies at the steepest drop. Well, this past week was pretty cool. Now I've only got one more week of 2015.

Anyways, on Tuesday we had a District meeting where we rehearsed an original play that we performed at the Mission Christmas Conference on Thursday.

Wednesday was a stressful day because the girl we were going to baptize decided she didn't want to be baptized because of some family problems she was having. We went over there and talked to her about baptism. Definitely one of the most spiritual lessons I've had on the mission. We asked her and her family to all pray and talk with God about what they should do.

On Thursday, I had my last "Conferência de Natal da Missão" WOOO!!! It was awesome! It didn't last as long as I thought it might, but nonetheless. Yes, that is definitely me that you saw in the video. For the first time ever on the mission since our first day in the field when we got our first companions, all of the guys from my group and I were at the same conference! It was awesome sauce cool! In the video, we all sat together and got super excited when he got his call to go to Utah. We've decided that we're gonna go and visit him when we all get back, since we'll all be in Utah haha. President Canuto talked about what we were going to give Christ as our present and what we could do to be better missionaries. I liked that conference a lot.

After the conference, I went and did a division with the DL's comp at Piracicaba. We were both feeling pretty sick, so we rested afterwards. On Friday, I had to go to the hospital and they told me I had an ear infection. Man, Brasil is slowly killing me. I think when I get back from the mish, the doctors are gonna diagnose me with skin cancer. Anyways, I'm better now, but my ears were hurting pretty bad. Friday night, I found out that the division with my comp in Capivari had been a success and that we would still be having a baptism like we scheduled.

On Saturday, I got back home and we set everything up. So, our baptismal font isn't like an actual font. It's a portable swimming pool. I mean it's large enough to baptize someone, so that's cool. We were happy to see Thuanny be baptized. She was pretty happy too haha.

On Sunday, she was confirmed a member and received the gift of the Holy Ghost. After church, we went and visited some members who didn't make it to church today.

Well, that was my week. I'm super excited for this Friday when I will be able to see you all again. Remember the questions! I will be preparing some for you guys, so I will be expecting some too! Ah, I was thinking that it was a two hour difference, but we are 3 hours ahead of Florida . Okay, so I'll be on around 15h for me, so like noon for you guys. Sound good? Hopefully the internet at the member's house will be good haha.

Thank you all for the emails. Hope you all have an awesome week of Christmas. MERRY CHRISTMAS YOU PEOPLE.

Love you lots,

Elder Matthew Collins

Pictures!

MTC Group 36-A

Zona Piracicaba

The river that goes right through Piracicaba.

Thuanny's baptism.

After baptism party.

December 14, 2015- week 67- P-day in Capivari, Brazil!

Hey guys!

Well, this past week went by pretty fast. I still can't believe that Christmas is next week! It's so different here. There aren't as many decorations, if any, so it's just a little bit harder to sing "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas." haha So, this Sunday was the Branch's Primary Program! My second to last Sunday in the ward at Piracicaba was also the Primary Program there. And now our ward in Italy just had the Primary Program too! Sweet! Unfortunately, I have not been able to watch the Christmas Devotional yet. I'll have to check it out.

So, this week we will be having the baptism of an 11 year old girl who has been going to church for quite some time. She's pretty excited for this Saturday. We had planned the baptism for a different person, but we postponed it so that his girlfriend could go to it too. Both of the investigators are super receptive and really looking for a better life. It's always so cool to see people like them.

Also, we have a Mission Christmas Conference that will be going on this Thursday for this part of the mission.

Well, as Brasil now enters Summer, the sun's burning flames just get hotter and hotter. There's not much we can do about that, so I wouldn't be so surprised if I came home with skin cancer haha. jk
I have not yet gotten all of the information on where and when I will be calling you guys on Skype. Just know that it'll be on Christmas Day and after lunch. This week, we'll settle all the details and stuff.

I hope you guys are all having a great time and preparing to ride first class to Florida for Christmas. Man...I remember how awesome it was to go to the States in luxury.
Well, talk soon.

Love,
Elder CollinsP.S. There is this one supermarket in our area called Covabra that has a section with imported foods. I found pancake mix and maple syrup, but it's SUPER expensive haha. I think my companion is thinking about buying the maple syrup for Christmas. haha

Photos

Almost back in Florida-only 7 months!

Capivari, Brazil

Pancake mix here is almost $16 a box!

Maple syrup here is almost $16 a bottle!