Time Flies When You're Working Hard

                                                      Our district here in Santo Ângelo 
8/3/2015

This transfer has been going by really quickly... but that is normal I guess. All of the older missionaries say that after 1 year and 6 months time just flies by. I am now another testimony to that. Elder Santos Araujo and I are working a lot down here and expect good results daqui a pouco (in just a bit). In our district meeting last week our district leader Elder Belleville, um grande amigo (a great friend), gave the treinamento about D&C 4:2  "Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day." He invited each of us to chose one of the four (heart, might, mind, or strength) this week and study how we could be better in that specific area. I really enjoyed my studies about strength. I feel that strength in this scripture closely relates to diligence so I focused my studies on the scriptures listed in PMG Ch 6 about the attributes of Christ on diligence. They are really great scriptures and there are many blessings to obtain through our diligent service to the Lord, and I hope y'all will like them too. Preach My Gospel- Chapter 6: How Do I Develop Christlike Attributes? 

Wednesday I was off to Santiago for another exchange. There wasn't a bus straight from Santo Ângelo to Santiago so I had to catch a bus first to São Luiz Gonzaga and wait there until then next bus came around to my destination. But it was alright to wait at the bus station for an hour or so because it gave time to do personal study. It was fun to talk with Elder Capistrano because he and Elder Alencar had met before the mission and so we talked a lot about that. And when I got the the apartment there it was funny because they said that they had the most bagual (wild, untamed, manly) bathroom in the mission. When I walked in it was all pink, hahaha (I forgot to take a picture). 

As always it's a bit exhausting to travel and such but I think this week I get to stay put here in Santo Ângelo. On Sunday we were invited into the combined youth class to help them answer questions that people ask about marriage etc. It was a great way for them to learn about the doctrine behind the little things that people always say like "I'm only going to have kids after I have my doctorate and house and everything" (just one example). But even we learned a little something in the class with the youth because the teacher was talking about her own experience about finding a husband. She said that when she saw the eyes of her future husband light up as he talked about his mission and how she could tell that he loved his experience and served the Lord well she knew that he was the one! Note taken. haha

Well family I am super excited to be able to skype with y'all this weekend! I'm sure grateful for Brazilian Fathers Day haha. But before I go I might have some more great news to share when we talk! Here's a scrambled up tip, let's see if you can figure it out:

I TONIGHT EVEN DO OF IM USUALLY LOVE I PLACE MORE DREAMING THAN A.

LONG I I ITS ALTHOUGH BACK PROMISE A ROAD AND YOU KNOW...

(all caps to not give away first words, each sentence is scrambled separately)

Love you all and until very soon!

Elder Pierce