Elder Tylor Houghtaling: 2017

Brazil, São Paulo West Mission

São Paulo, Brazil

--
Elder Houghtaling's Email
Monday, November 6, 2017

Please respond urgently.

Is President Witt still our Stake President?

On the day when I get home, will you and Dad take the day off? What time would you like me home. Morning, Afternoon, Evening, or Night?

The mission is preparing my going home card, and my ticket.

Can you ask for just one more name tag? It’s for Elder Sigognini.

There are a lot of missionaries going home that I know. One Sister that I was in the CTM with, a USA sister who arrived after me.

On November 28th, the Ward will be having an activity at a farm in São Lourenço da Serra, about 35 KM from here. The bishop is working with us so we can have permission to go. We’re encouraged to bring our investigators there, and if they’re prepared enough they can have a choice to be baptized in a pool or river there. There is just one problem. Those who are most prepared for baptism are lacking two major things, going to church and getting married.

Yeah, so I just started to write in Portuguese to you. I realized what I was doing, and then corrected it. Yesterday at church, I never had this happen before, but I asked the bishop about our situation of going to the ward activity. He said, "Follow me into my office." I had the same anxious felling as always, like before interviews for jobs or with President.

The end of the trail near Loy Norrix. Unfortunately, I'm not remembering this place. Is it new? Now that I looked at the map, I remembered it. #Muitotempofora

I don’t know if I remember if I told you about Netflix here in São Paulo. It is really popular here. Actually, as I talk with people to learn about them, I learned that shows like Criminal Minds and NCIS are popular here.

Last week Saturday, during the Stake Genealogy activity, I was punched in the stomach by a crazy lady. Here is how the story goes. Elder Cruz, my example ZL, offers a lot to help this lady with her groceries, and she accepts until a certain point on the road. He gives her groceries back and they part ways. After dropping her stuff off at her house, I guess she felt annoyed by the extreme amount of missionaries, so she starts walking again. As I was talking with a man, out of nowhere she walks in between this man and me and she punches me, leaving me angry, and with a slight stomach ache. But, I was feeling better at the end of the day.

I don't know if you were able to contact AGPtek about my broken screen on my MP3. I believe that you can call and order a new screen for me.

I guess the thing that I have a problem with in the mission is the forced obedience, and no focus on training missionaries to help their investigators. I have an interview with President Thomas tomorrow, and I will talk with him about this tomorrow.

I LOVE YOU!!!!!

A split with Elder Basilio after the district meeting

First pizza in a long time...

Practice in district meeting

Brazil, São Paulo West Mission

São Paulo, Brazil

--
Elder Houghtaling's Email
Monday, November 13, 2017

I’m still amped because of that “trunkie” email. I’ve started again to count the days. I know I shouldn't be doing that, but I couldn't help it. 142 days until April 3rd. Shhhh... Act like I didn't say that. The advice that returned missionaries give me is to keep working, so that time doesn't slow down.

In my interview with President Thomas on Tuesday, we discussed the "cobrança" and the importance of exact obedience. I'll just fill you in on what I was doing wrong. I wanted to listen to music in the LAN House as I write people, and also watch videos on YouTube, and use the computer for more than the limited time we have. I've come to the conclusion that I just need to persevere to the end of the mission and not do the things I want to do.

Don't get angry because of one lady's mistakes. She punched a servant of the Lord, and there will be consequences for her actions.

Sandra asked me today where I'm serving, because I'm unable to visit them right now. The opportunity that I will have to visit areas will fall on conference weekend, so I will have an opportunity to visit four wards. I'm still deciding which of the wards I will visit.

Yeah, so, we weren't cleaning the house, but we were drying it out after Elder Ramos had accidentally clogged the drain of the kitchen sink and left the water running during study time. We heard no sound of running water, as the water leaked onto the floor.

Thank you so much for ordering those name tags. And yes, I can back up my MP3 on to the memory card, and send it home. I don't know how the screen broke. I think it broke after repeated presses of the menu button. So, I believe it was a problem from the factory. It seems that the device is pressuring the screen still, so the black spots on my screen are still spreading.

Is it true that there are five Sisters, and two Elders designated to our Ward? According to the Ward directory, yes.

Sister Thomas will need these traditions soon. Remember that you don't need to send every single one. Just the principle traditions.

I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!