Raposo Tavares Ward - Raposo Tavares Stake - January 23, 2017 and January 30, 2017

Brazil, São Paulo West Mission

São Paulo, Brazil

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Elder Houghtaling's Email
Monday, January 23, 2017

I'm on.

We have no baptisms yet, but we have 5 investigators progressing towards baptism on 2-04-2017.

Last P-day, Elder Guimarães and I did not go to the office, but Elder Sigognini and Elder Do Carmo did go. We all wen't shopping at CareFour, a giant grocery store in our area. I find lower prices at CareFour than the smaller grocery stores closer to home.

This P-day we are going to get our hair cut and maybe more shopping. I have a new goal, eat breakfast and dinner everyday, because I weighed myself at Carefour last week, and I'm down to 72kg. 

Tomorrow we have interviews with President Thomas. And on Wednesday, 1-25 2017, there is a Worldwide Training from the Missionary Department.

This week has been very rainy, like clothes aren't drying, so I have to use the iron to dry them. It has rained every day this week, and I've gotten soaked more than a few times.

The photo with all of us wearing hats was taken at a district meeting last Tuesday, 1-17-2017.

I'm writing a letter to you and Dad, but I'll send it next week.

I LOVE YOU SOOO MUCH!

District Meeting 1-17-2017

District Meeting 1-17-2017

Dad! Look what I found!

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Elder Houghtaling's Email
Monday, January 30, 2017

I'm on.

I'm sorry I don't have much time, again; 29 minutes. I had a bunch of things to do during this Lan House time. But it doesn't help that it took 5 minutes just to log in with success.

I'm doing well.

The sister who opened her mission call is from the other ward (Educandario) that shares the same chapel. I forget when she is reporting to the CTM but she's going to the Brazil Fortazela East Mission.

I'm glad to hear that Lamb of God is now in Holland because of the space of the venue.

I'm not using the cream for the rash on my hands from when I had the rash before, as much as I should now. My hands itch only occasionally. The health secretary has told me to use the cream for two weeks, and then tell him if it doesn't let up. Then they will take me to a dermatologist.

On Wednesday I will begin the yearly visa renewal process. I will be going to the federal police with Elder BomTempo. You asked if this means I will get to come home a few weeks early because my mission began at the Brazil CTM, and sometimes the church does not want to go through a second visa renewal because the missionary will only need the visa for a few more weeks after completing this process. My answer to that is... when I come home depends on when my final transfer ends, which might mean April 10, 2018, on Grandpa Berger's birthday. This is the last transfer date before my April 27, 2018, two year mission anniversary and mission completion date.

Tell Molly that I am sorry about Jasper.

I will take photos of the house today, as you requested.

I've never heard of the missionary glass lesson that your missionaries (Elder Johnson and Elder Hase) gave you. But one thing I did learn is only one church leads to heaven, just like not all busses go to the same place. 

I LOVE YOU SO MUCH AS WELL!

Tylor would love to hear from you: tylor.houghtaling@myldsmail.net

Raposo Tavares Ward - Raposo Tavares Stake - January 9, 2017 and January 16, 2017

Brazil, São Paulo West Mission

São Paulo, Brazil

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Elder Houghtaling's Email
Monday, January 9, 2017

I'm on. Let's talk.

The new Elders in the Raposo Tavares Ward are Elder Do Carmo (11 months, Bahia, Brazil, DL), Elder Sigognini (2 months, Campinas, SP, Brazil), Elder Elder Guimarães (1 year, Recife, Brazil), and Elder Houghtaling (almost 9 months!, Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA). And yes, we all live together.

I'm doing good, but this week has left me feeling down. It's because I'm not learning as fast as my companion is pushing me. Training can't go slower because we live with a district leader, and we have to do everything perfect. All this new area, with a different companion, is leaving me tired physically and emotionally with the work. A few days ago I was having thoughts that my work is insufficient, and would be better if I return home, but I am feeling better now.

Obedience is the I and you. And the mission rules are only an hour and thirty minutes of computer time... We were paying for two hours before coming here. We have to report our numbers electronically to the church, write the president, and read the weekly mission letter. And then we can talk with our family. 

I LOVE YOU SOOOO MUCH TOO!

Brazil, São Paulo West Mission

São Paulo, Brazil

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Elder Houghtaling's Email
Monday, January 16, 2017

I'm on. 56 minutes to talk. I'm looking up the address of our new house.

Rua Gabriel de Amorim 92
Jardim Boa Vista, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
It is a yellow house.

I'm doing better. Going to the temple for the sealing of the Dantes family is one of the better experiences of my life, and the best one on my mission.

The elder that went with me to the temple was Elder Do Carmo, our district leader. And the reason why he came instead of my companion is because my companion scheduled a lot of appointments for that day, so I almost didn't go, but Elder Do Carmo talked with the zone leaders about this situation, and they approved the splits. We were only able to go to the sealing. I didn't know when the endowment session started. So, we arrived there at 11:30am, about an hour before the sealing session started. The Dantes family asked me to be one of the witnesses, and I accepted! I was one of the witnesses! In Portuguese, Witness and testimony mean Testemunha.

Every minute we spend outside of the area for unnecessary purposes is deducted from P-day. One thing the zone leaders didn't tell us is that on P-day we can't do divisions, so to be obedient we all have to work today. But after conversing with the assistants and realizing the mess that was created, the time we spent outside of the area was forgiven. But we four have to go to the mission office to meet with the zone leaders, and also because Elder Do Carmo needs to talk to President Thomas.

I had a division with Elder Srur was last Tuesday, January 10.

Ok. Let me tell you about the neighborhoods that us four are working in. Jardim Boa Vista, Jardim D' Abril, and COHAB. We have six baptisms coming sometime soon.

Yes, I have tried the glue that I purchased. It works fine, but I still have to be careful after the curing time to not undo the work.

I've been under a lot of stress lately. My days are running late, which makes me late to going to be on time, by 10:30pm. The reality of planning is running way late, which causes me to be late, as I still need to take care of my teeth. They have dentists here, and the plan covers internationally, right?

It's been a struggle to catch up in my journal, but I was able to catch up last night. This is the experience daily journal, the one I brought with me. 

And also members complaining that I look "dead". Well, members aren't saying it to my face. All of this information is coming from my companion. I know opening an area is hard, and stressful. 

The updating of the area book runs me late. This has nothing to do with training. Sometimes we don't even plan because of the area book. The mission president said he would like to speak to me soon, because I'm spread thin.  I don't know if I will talk with President Thomas when we go today.

I LOVE YOU SOOOO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wish we had more time, but obedience is the first law of the heavens.

Tylor would love to hear from you: tylor.houghtaling@myldsmail.net