Let it RAIN, Let it RAIN, Let it RAIN!!!

Hey everyone!! So this week went by so fast. It was awesome!! So it started out with making a good old Thanksgiving dinner on Monday. It was awesome! I made turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, 100% homemade pumpkin pie, green beans, corn and rolls. Too bad the computer isn't allowing me to get my pics off my camera. But anyway, this week was really good. We met so many amazing people and had some amazing blessings. So we found and taught Layzla, Kessia, and Eliana again and this time we taught about the Plan of Salvation with these 3 ladies. It was a really

good lesson and Eliana even read more than 20 chapters in the Book of Mormon. It was crazy!!! She knows all about the story of Lehi and Nephi and all of their trials and blessings in the wilderness. We were able to mark baptismal dates with all of them which was really cool. Please pray that the 3 of them can receive an answer to their prayers that this is the true church before the 12th of December. They have so much faith. I am sure they will receive these blessings. After that we went and talked to a referral named Lucas. Lucas is an awesome investigator! He went to church last week and cried during the sacrament meeting and begged us to go to his house to make a visit with him and his family. We were able to go and visit with him and his family and we taught the 1st lesson about the Restoration. We asked him if he would pray and ask God if these things were true. The next day we went and talked to him and he said that he knew that this is the Church of Jesus Christ. It was amazing to hear about his experience! We are going to mark a date with him tomorrow for hopefully this next week he will be baptized too. Then we went and talked to a young man named Gabriel and taught him about the Book of Mormon and about the need of being baptized. He is 15 and we are excited to teach him and his family, to get them all baptized and to get them to the temple to be sealed in a year. We also have been teaching Gisele who has a lot of questions but is finding answers. So Eliana, Eliana's daughter, Lucas, Gabriel, and Gisele went to a conference yesterday that was held in Colatina. It was an amazing conference with President and Sister Young. The talks really helped all of our investigators about the amazing blessings that they can receive being members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was a great experience and they want us to come and teach them more about the Gospel.

Last night around 5:00 the skies closed and the clouds opened up and it rained for about 4 hours. Yep we all got soaked!! It was probably the funnest day we had. We all were playing in the rain because it was such a drag to be walking in the rain but we all seemed to make the best of it!!!! Haha it was super cold and we were all DRENTCHED!!! The only happiness that it brings me is that this is my last rainy season sooooo... LET IT RAIN, LET IT RAIN, LET IT RAIN!!! The good things is that it doesn't flood too bad here in Linhares! Well it was an amazing week. I know that through diligence, obedience and finding the Lords hand in our lives this life can be the best thing in the world. I love my mission and I love the people with whom I serve! I love the Lord and I am serving him the very best that I can. I love you all and pray for you all!

LOVE YOU, HAVE A GREAT WEEK!!!

Elder Stilson

 

A week of Thanksgiving

 

Hey everyone! So I had another amazing week here in Missão Brasil Vitória! This week started out a little funny. So spent a lot of time running around, going to meetings, appointments but we didn't have a lot of time for our Language, companionship, or planning session study. And with all of our running we didn't have anyone who wanted to hear our message.  We walked across our entire area and the area next to ours where the sister missionaries work. It is so much walking!! People would schedule appointments and then not be there. It felt like we were just running in circles. It was so stressful and by

Friday I was frustrated. We walked for about 3 hours and nothing was happening, appointments kept falling through and my knees were killing me. Feeling a bit defeated, I stopped and prayed. I thanked the Lord for all of the blessings but told him of my needs. I was so grateful to just be able to stop and talk to him on the street, and I was grateful for my companion being patient with me. After a few tears I asked God what we needed to do at that moment. I got the impression to call a contact that we met last week. I called and she didn't answer. When she didn't answer I thought we

should have gone to another bairro to look for someone else. But Elder Gonçalves said that we should pass by just to see if she was at home. We went there and a different young lady answered the door and allowed us in to teach her parents and her. What a huge blessing. It was such and an amazing lesson! Then Saturday morning we got to teach 4 references in one lesson. They were all very attentive and really wanted to learn. They loved the Book of Mormon and when we made the baptismal invite I will never forget the response of one of the ladies. We asked when God answers your

prayers and you know that these things are true, will you follow the example of Jesus Christ by being baptized by someone who holds the authority of the Priesthood. She said " I wouldn't think twice!" What if all of our responses were this way? What if we were as obedient as Christ? We would all live in a peace that is needed for all. I love you all and know that when we are obedient we will be blessed. I love you and hope you know that you are all in my prayers. Huge Shout out to Elder Stilson, thanks for  being such great example of obedience and dedicated, diligent service to the Lord. Your service is blessing me. Thanks for your faith and the love you have for me!! Love you Cuz!!! Congrats to Hermana Stilson on her first baptism!! LOVE YOU SISTA!!!!
Love you all,

Elder Stilson

Holy cow! What a week!!

Hey everyone! So, I feel like it has been FOREVER since I have emailed. I had so many things that happened this week but a lot of it was just traveling. Tuesday I was transferred. We had to catch a bus in Campos to go to Vitória then another to go to the chapel. We got there and I found out that I was transferred to Linhares!! Ever since my first area I really wanted to serve in Linhares. It is a really nice city. The only thing that would make it better is if they would have the streets organized. They haven't figured this out yet in Espírito Santo. It is a beast to work with. There are many houses without numbers and then the rest are all out of wack! It will take some time figuring it out and getting used to but that's ok. So Tuesday night we traveled to Linhares which is a 3:30 hour drive from Vitória but the traffic was so bad that we didn't get out of VITÓRIA until a hour later. There was also a big accident so we didn't get to our house until about midnight. By the time we got there we were all exhausted!! We woke up and went to work at 6:30 on Wednesday. 

Thursday morning we had to get back on a bus to go to Colatina, a city another 3:30 hours west of Linhares to have a "Mission Conference" with half of the mission. We were able to hear Elder Mazzagardi from the 1st quorum of the 70 and the 1st counselor in the Area presidency. Elder Mazzagardi is so funny and he is awesome!!! I learned many many things from him. One thing that he talked about was a "Neutral Zone". He told all of the missionaries that there is no such thing as a "Neutral Zone" after baptism and conformation. And even more after you enter the Temple. He said that a neutral zone is where we can stay safe from any type of gun fire but once we leave and make that decision to follow Christ, the bullets start flying and if we take time to rest, look back, or anything else than focusing on the real prize and what we are fighting for, we will get hit! And it is SO hard to get back up and back on the right side. He quickly stated that this doesn't mean that you can't come back, this is why Christ died for us, but it is hard. It is so much better and so much easier if we don't fall. We can get through this in many other ways than taking a bullet! He talked VERY direct with us. As humans we will be sealed. EACH OF US!! Either we will be sealed to Jesus Christ, or to Satan. Everything depends on what we do here on this earth. This is why the angels are noting everything that we do. It is to try to help us return to our Savior. It was an amazing conference and I am so glad I was able to hear him speak. He went way over because of the things that he taught us. He is such an amazing man of God!!

After that it POURED in Colatina! It was SO BAD!! So I am trying to herd cats to try to get our district out of the Chapel and get everyone back to the Rodoviário. We left and it started to rain a little while we are walking super fast. Then we get a call from the LZ saying that the bus is at the station and is ready to leave and to run. We sprint and it starts to POUR!!!!!! Everything is flooding and there are 4 missionaries sprinting in the middle of the city asking how to get to the station. They all tell us wrong so we have to run back where we came from and at this time I thought we lost and that were too late. We get there and the bus is just leaving!! WE MADE IT!!!!!! Soaking wet but we made it! Then we had a bus transfer and waited in another station for SO LONG! Because of the rain many buses were stopped and didn't get there so everyone is cold and wet but again right around midnight we got home. But everything is good! I love the mission! I love where I am serving and who I am serving with! What a good week!!!!! Can't wait to tell you more about this week here on Monday! I love you all!!!

 Love

Elder Stilson

This is Elder Stilson & his companions beds

 Elder Stilson calls this his Narnia Door, Narnia Hallway and the Garbage shoot that leads to Narnia!

 

 It's not often Xavier sends home pictures of his apartment.

18 weeks... No I am NOT Trunky!



 

Hey everyone!!! So my amazing companion said to me this morning, "You only have 18 weeks left on your mission!".  Oh great, ITS GOING BY SO FAST!!!! Well this week was a little slow. We made lots of contacts and lessons but few people want us to come back. They tell us they already have their religion or we should use our time wisely and teach those who don't know about the message of Christ. I get very frustrated at that response but I love serving and helping those who are willing to allow Christ to change their lives. This week we finally had LeideSônia go to church!

It was an amazing blessing to us and a testimony of Diligence. We were also finally able to teach Luis. On Tuesday we were able to take a member with us to make these visits and we saw that Luis changed. He was actually really interested when a member was with us. He wasn't able to go to church this week because of an ACT test that he was taking but he said that WITHOUT FAIL he will go this next week. Other than that nothing has really happened. That was the highlight of our the week. Last night were transfer calls. Elder Alarcon and I being transferred. So tomorrow I will find out where I am going and possibly what I will be doing the last 18 weeks of my mission. 



I don't think Elder Stilson's shoes can handle any more flooding!

We were received a letter from the area Presidency of Brasil. Here in Brasil there is a HUGE drought. Everything is drying up and the country is needing help. The area presidency has asked that we all do a fast on the 15th to the 16th of November asking God for rain. BUT just enough that the earth needs that way we don't have the flooding and other problems that typically happens around Christmas time here in Brasil. We are asking anyone who would like to join in this fast to help the Saints in Brasil as well as all who are affected.  Everyone would appreciate it.

There has been one major theme that Elder Freire and I have been using to teach this week. With Luis we taught about the Plan of Salvation and how important it is that we listen to what Christ has given to us. In the 34th chapter of Alma we learn a lot about this special plan and what we need to do while here on this earth. What an amazing blessing it is that God has prolonged our days so that we can repent of our sins and come back and live with Him again. BUT today is the day that we must prepare to meet him. We need to remember that no unclean thing can enter into the kingdom of Heaven and that God cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance. He sent his beloved son Jesus Christ to save the world from an everlasting destruction where we would never have an opportunity to have a body again or an opportunity to live with our families. We need to be prepared for the coming of Christ.  Each of us needs to be personally prepared and also help those we love and even don't love as much as Enos taught. Christ is our great example of Obedience and we need to follow that. If God responds to our prayers saying that these things are true, "Not my will but Thy will be done". These are things that we all need to learn and then share it with those who don't know it. I love being a representative of Christ!!!  I love you all!!!

 

Elder Stilson

Good Things to Come

Good morning everyone! Makiah, congrats on your decision to be baptized. What an amazing blessing this is in our lives. You will grow up and become such an amazing young lady. You are awesome and such a beautiful daughter of God!!:) LOVE YOU!!!

This morning my scripture study was amazing. Then I got to the computer and watched 2 Mormon Messages called "Good Things to Come" and "Flecks of Gold". Both of these messages are awesome and I encourage you all to watch them. We have worked very, very hard this week and have helped other missionaries in our district in preparing people for baptism and doing interviews but have not had the success we wanted with our investigators.  But it was a good week! We went to Quissamã again to interview a man who has so much potential. He had a rough week and is trying to work through some things so we will keep working with him. We are all really excited for one young man named Cawan. He is 10 years old and is so smart. He loves everything about the Gospel of the church. Elder Bean and Elder Alarcon went to take him to church but he was still asleep. The district all prayed a lot to see if we could get a miracle and right before the second hour started, Cawan walked into the building.  I interviewed him and he wants to be baptized but his mom is a little hesitant but she said she would allow him if he went to church. So now we get to go back and talk to his mom and see if she will allow Cawan to be baptized.  Elder Freire and I we are working very hard but people aren't going to chruch. We have found that we are planting lots of seeds and that we are continuing to find many flecks of gold. I love all of the little miracles that my Father in Heaven gives me every day! Elder Bean and I were on divisions we were walking to an area but had no clue how to get there. We asked a 19ish year old kid and gave us directions but as we walked away I had the impression we should go back and talk more with him. We tried to talk to him but it turned out he wasn't interested in what we were saying. I am glad I followed that spirit! As we were walking to where he told us to go a man walked out of his house. We decided to check our directions with him and it turned out that he was interested and is an amazing investigator. I am so grateful that I followed that prompting to turn back. We will go back to his house this week and hopefully he will go to church with us this week.

I would like to share some of the things I learned today. I have been studying in the book of Mosiah in the Book of Mormon. In Chapter 16 Abinadi talking about what is to come with Jesus Christ. He tells the people in the City of Lehi-Nephi that they must repent of their sins and have a change of heart or they will NOT live with God again!

Mosiah 16:1 And now, it came to pass that after Abinadi had spoken these words he stretched forth his hand and said: The time shall come when all shall see the salvation of the Lord; when every nation, kindred, tongue, and people shall see eye to eye and shall confessbefore God that his judgments are just.

 2 And then shall the wicked be cast out, and they shall have cause to howl, and weep, and wail, and gnash their teeth; and this because they would not hearken unto the voice of the Lord; therefore the Lord redeemeth them not.

 3 For they are carnal and devilish, and the devil has power over them; yea, even that old serpent that did beguile our first parents, which was the cause of their fall; which was the cause of allmankind becoming carnal, sensual, devilish, knowing evil from good, subjecting themselves to the devil.

 4 Thus all mankind were lost; and behold, they would have been endlessly lost were it not that God redeemed his people from their lost and fallen state.

 5 But remember that he that persists in his own carnal nature, and goes on in the ways of sin and rebellion against God, remaineth in his fallen state and the devil hath all power over him. Therefore he is as though there was no redemption made, being an enemy to God; and also is the devil an enemy to God.

 6 And now if Christ had not come into the world, speaking of things to come as though they had already come, there could have been no redemption.

 7 And if Christ had not risen from the dead, or have broken the bands of death that the grave should have no victory, and that death should have no sting, there could have been no resurrection.

 8 But there is a resurrection, therefore the grave hath no victory, and the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ.

 9 He is the light and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened; yea, and also a life which is endless, that there can be no more death.

 10 Even this mortal shall put on immortality, and this corruptionshall put on incorruption, and shall be brought to stand before the bar of God, to be judged of him according to their works whether they be good or whether they be evil—

 11 If they be good, to the resurrection of endless life andhappiness; and if they be evil, to the resurrection of endlessdamnation, being delivered up to the devil, who hath subjected them, which is damnation—

 12 Having gone according to their own carnal wills and desires; having never called upon the Lord while the arms of mercy were extended towards them; for the arms of mercy were extended towards them, and they would not; they being warned of their iniquities and yet they would not depart from them; and they were commanded to repent and yet they would not repent.

 13 And now, ought ye not to tremble and repent of your sins, and remember that only in and through Christ ye can be saved?

 14 Therefore, if ye teach the law of Moses, also teach that it is ashadow of those things which are to come—

 15 Teach them that redemption cometh through Christ the Lord, who is the very Eternal Father. Amen.

As we study this chapter we come to know exactly what we need to do to come back into the fold of God. That there truly are Good Things to Come. That if we repent of our sins and do good continually we will be saved and God will bless us. I love what I am doing! I know as Abinadi knew that Jesus is the Christ that he will come. And that we need to be prepared. We as members and missionaries have a huge responsibility to share this with everyone that we meet. At times many of us will fall off the path but we can come back into the fold of Christ! He has suffered so that we don't have to. If you have gone away for any reason please come back. The Lord loves and knows each of his sheep. He loves us and we need to love him. I testify that God lives! That the Book of Mormon is the word of God and proof that God still talks to men. That the Bible is the word of God and that we can understand the Bible through studying the Book of Mormon and vise versa. I love my family and know that we can live together forever. I hope that each of us can become better saints and followers of Christ. I know what I know and it will never be taken away from me. Just as Abinadi said

 9 Now Abinadi said unto him: I say unto you, I will not recall the words which I have spoken unto you concerning this people, for they are true; and that ye may know of their surety I have suffered myself that I have fallen into your hands.

 10 Yea, and I will suffer even until death, and I will not recall my words, and they shall stand as a testimony against you...

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Love Elder Stilson

Learning about the Atonement

Hey everyone, I hope that everyone has had an amazing week. First off I have to tell Big old JACK JACK HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are awesome little dude, I hope that you have a good Thursday and a Happy Birthday.  Love you buddy!!!

This week was amazing  but I don't know where to start!! We had to go to back to Quissamã to help the Sisters with a baptism. I had to interview Felipe and then Felipe and Gabriela asked me if I could baptize them. It was an awesome experience. It was way legit!!! But everything here was amazing! I don't have much time but Elder Freire and I are working hard and well together. There are lots of blessings. Few people are allowing us to come back and teach them again but we aren't getting unexcited and we are just continuing to work hard. Leide Sônia is running from us but we will get in contact with him. This week we had 7 people who were supposed to go to church but they all slept in or just didn't want to go.... It was hard but we know that we are doing all we can.

I have been studying a lot about the Atonement and how important it is. If we truly understand the Atonement and want to be grateful for such an amazing blessings, we must share this with other people. The Atonement was given to all freely and when we know the blessings of this we have to share it with others. I love the savior and I love what I am learning on the mission. Please study the Preach my Gospel and learn how to give more referrals to the missionaries. If we love our Savior we must love and serve others. We need to help those who don't understand the blessings of the restored gospel. I love this gospel and I am getting closer and closer to my Savior every day. I thank all of you who email me and help me every week with your experiences. I love my Baby Sister, Hermana Stilson and for her example of being a disciple of Jesus Christ. Keep up the good work sista!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love you all and can't wait to email with you next week.

Love, Elder Stilson

Birthday Shout Outs!

 

Hey friends and family, I hope you all are doing good. I am doing great! I am learning so many things while helping others come unto our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To start out I have a lot of BIRTHDAY SHOUT OUTS that I need to give.

 

Happy Birthday Makhai and Happy Birthday Josie!!!! You are both so cute and such special girls!!! I LOVE YOU BOTH SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday Uncle Davin! Thanks for the love and support that you have given to me and for being like a second dad to me!

Happy Birthday Uncle D!!! Thanks for all the things that you have taught me as a coach along side with my dad and as my friend! 

Happy Birthday Conner! Hey man, it's been awhile but thanks for all the support. Thanks for being such a great friend and even a better brother. Thanks for taking care of my family while I am gone. My siblings and parents love you and you are a great example to them. Thanks man!

Well this week has been really good. There have been lots of flecks of gold. As a missionary we are here help others come unto Christ. Elder Freire and I are working hard to find those who want to change. This week we only found people to teach out of the MANY people we talked to. The power of the Atonement of our Savior is here and given to everyone freely but a lot of these people aren't ready to accept it yet. I pray every night for these people that they will have another chance to accept this amazing Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

We did find an amazing family that we have been able to teach. Their names are Leide Sônia and Camila. These 2 amazing sisters have a great spirit and really want to learn more about the Gospel and to do what the Lord wants them to do. They are very open and have a TRUE desire to learn. This week  we taught them about the blessings of the Atonement in the Plan of Salvation. There was such an amazing spirit in the room that testified to their hearts that these things are true. They truly believe and want these blessings. This week we get to go back and teach about the commandments and how we can all repent. How commandments are given because of the great love that the Lord has for us. They are not restrictions to anything but a way to use our free agency to its best ability. We know that alcohol, drugs, pre marital sex and other things take away our great ability to think straight. Once we are caught into one of these things it is VERY hard to get out of. Satan knows what is pleasing to the carnal mind and knows how destructive these things are. Each and every one of us can be free from these things as long as we have a desire to change. 

Other than this family there really aren't many other investigators that are willing to continue to hear the teachings we have. We teach many lessons during the day and testify to many people about the divinity of our loving Heavenly Father but many reject because they don't want to listen to the sound doctrine because many times it is hard to follow. We are working hard and are striving to be exactly obedient to receive the blessings that our Heavenly Father has for us.

This week President Young asked us all to take a questionnaire about Preach My Gospel. As I took this, I realize that there are many things that I need to work on. Things that I wish I would have learned at the beginning of my mission are coming to the light. For those of you who are planning or not planning on serving a mission, obtain a Preach My Gospel and start studying it now. Those of you who are just members should study it too. It has so many things that can help in your lives as well. We need to know these blessings and promises if we live worthily. Study it cover to cover that way you don't get to your year and a half mark and wish you would have! The best time to plant a tree is yesterday! Go! Plant your tree!!! Members find out how you can help your missionaries serving in your ward or branch. I know the power of preach my gospel. We need these teaching established in EVERY HOME. I am learning more and more every time I read the passages. I am so grateful for the opportunity to Serve the Lord. I love being a missionary. Thank you all for the love and support you give to me.

Love you!!!

Elder Stilson