Elder Tylor Houghtaling: Raposo Tavares Ward - Raposo Tavares Stake

Brazil, São Paulo West Mission

São Paulo, Brazil

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Elder Houghtaling's Email
Monday, February 6, 2017

I'm on.

55 minutes remaining. GO! Hahaha...

I'm doing good. The reason for the delay is because the LAN House is busy today, and we had to wait until the operators here kicked some people off. In reality, this LAN House has seven computers including one that is connected to a TV. One is broken, and I'm using the TV, because the ones that still work are being used.

You said you saw me in a video? Was it at the mission office? I think my companion had something to do with us being in that video.

Friends from our last area, Vivian, Leonardo, David, and Vivian's friend, visited us after church yesterday, like at around 4:00pm. It was a nice surprise to see them! It is a 10 minute drive, or 15-20 minutes by bus ride from my last area.

It was also a surprise when our mission president, President Thomas, showed up without warning to our sacrament meeting. When we turned the corner to enter the parking lot, I saw a Chevrolet Trailblazer LTZ, green paint, and matching plates. I said in my mind, there is a 90% chance that the president is here, or Sister Thomas is using his truck. I don't know why the president showed up.

I have not yet taken pictures of the inside of my house, but I will today. I spent the last P-Day cleaning the kitchen and the front window of our house.

So, about the visa. I was not approved because the paper I was given by Elder BomTempo said I was born here in Brazil, and I live here too. Well, I think that it isn't Elder BomTempo's fault. I think it was someone in Salt Lake, when they are creating the paperwork. I will be going to the Policia Federal again tomorrow with Elder Siglin. It takes just a few hours, depending on waiting. Did I tell you that he had the same problem as me? My visa expires on 4-27-2017. I hope my visa is renewed because I don't wan't to go home yet or to another mission. Being able to ride a bike, or drive a mission car would be nice...

Well, my shoes are surviving, but I used up all of the glue today.

I will call Sister Thomas to ask if her dermatologist has responded yet about the rash on my hands. "He responds quickly", she said on Friday.

The investigators are well, but we had four of them move out of the area. All of them being the elects of our Father in Heaven. The one that was to be baptized (Maria Solange), got a job in the CareFour area, which is really close to her house, but chose to move to the other side of the city to be close to her daughter.

I was not able to send my letter to you guys yet because of a lack of post offices in the immediate region. It's already sealed and ready to go. I still need to write Brenda from work.

Did you get the forwarded email from the mission that I sent you? It has our new schedule.

Tell Dad that I LOVE HIM, and to BE CAREFUL!!!

I also LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!!

Visit by friends from the Jardin Bonfiglioli Ward. 2-05-2017 Photo Courtesy of Vivian Queiroz.

1-10-2017 Photo Courtesy of Vivian Queiroz.

Visit by friends from the Jardin Bonfiglioli Ward. 2-05-2017 Photo Courtesy of Vivian Queiroz.

Elder Houghtaling welcoming new missionaries to the mission office. He can be seen at about the 2 minute mark in the original video. See short clip.

Brazil, São Paulo West Mission

São Paulo, Brazil

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Elder Houghtaling's Email
Monday, February 13, 2017

I'm on. I'm looking at the photos you have sent.

I'm being transferred to Nova Granada in the Stake of Osasco.

My new companion is Elder Freiti. I don't think I spelled his name right but his companion before me is currently Elder Johnson from Ann Arbor.

I know that you are sad that I am being transferred, but I'm sure you realize the president has the keys to receive revelation to guide the missionaries. No one said the mission is easy. The mission is great, not easy but great. At least I can say that I've tried. I've learned a lot this transfer, and my faith has grown. There is doctrine in the church, endure to the end. I heard another phrase this week, "Everything is just more preparation for later."

Just calm down, Mom. Fica tranquillo. Nova Granada is one of the richer areas in Osasco. And I heard the ward is very much alive.

I think I need to tell you about more good experiences. I'm writing more in my journal and I will take more pictures and share them with you.

We had the baptism of David this week. I also sent you photos of one more baptism that happened in Novo Osasco. Now all Sister Bollar and her companion needs to do is work on the family of Graci, or Grazi.

I hope you liked the house. I'm sorry but it was a little messy, but it's one of the best houses in the mission. I've already packed the things that were on my desk, but I can still take a picture.

Oh yeah. So the photo of the cat was in the house of Bishop Nagata, after lunch. They lived in Utah for two years but then moved back to Brazil.

About my shoes, I believe it is easy to find size 44 here. I can buy them.

Say "Hello" to everyone in Lamb of God for me! Please also say "Hi" to Vern Tarleton for me. I will miss singing with him, also.

How is Dad doing?

The rashes on my hands are getting better. President called me with the results. The problem was I was using a hand cream with alcohol, so it was doing more harm than good. I bought something different without alcohol, and its helping a lot now.

I LOVE YOU!!!! HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!