Elder Tylor Houghtaling: Cotia 1st Ward - Cotia Stake - March 12, 2018 and March 19, 2018

Brazil, São Paulo West Mission

São Paulo, Brazil

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Elder Houghtaling's Email
Tuesday, March 12, 2018

This week was a lot calmer than last week. But when one thing is fixed, another bad thing happens.

On Thursday, we had a Zone Conference, and I had to prepare a training on "Contacts with the Book of Mormon." Contacts in this meaning, is stopping people on the streets and talking with them about the Book of Mormon, the pre-stressful task. The execution of the training weren't well. I was able to get good participation out of the zone, and I had them practice for about 15 minutes. Overall, the training ran about 30 minutes which was good because the interviews with President Thomas were running late.

Here is the biggest problem of the week. A certain dupla in my district is being dishonest with me. When I called them on Friday they said "We've found 6 new investigators and taught 6 lessons". When I called them on Sunday to get their results for the week, one of Elder A said a few different things, so I asked for Elder B. Elder B said something else completely different, but I felt like I was finally hearing the truth. 5 new investigators and 3 lessons taught. I had the zone leaders call them.

In this next district meeting I asked Elder Brown to prepare a training for "Prestando Contas". I’m not sure how to say that in English, but it's like answering for what is done, or what could've been done better. Because, my district, or some missionaries, are needing to repent.

About Giselly... Yes, the same Giselly that studied with me in seminary.

The White Chevrolet Cruze one our phone is Dad's car. I had saved the photo to a memory card, and then cropped it with this powerful Nokia phone we have. And I made that photo as a wallpaper.

One of our investigators, Valdivino, almost cut us last night, after the pastor from The Church of Restoration dropped by Valdivino's house and said bad things about us Mormons. We read a little bit of the Book of Mormon (Alma 32) with him and then had him pray about what he read. He received an answer, and didn't cut us. This was one of the most spiritual experiences we had on the mission.

I'm surprised you didn't tell me how many days I have left. you normally do that. But Thanks for not doing that.

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

Cat from the lan house.

The screen of our phone. Do you recognize this car?

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Elder Houghtaling's Email
Tuesday, March 19, 2018

I would like to know something. About clothes, what clothes I should take home with me? Should I wait to by new garments until I'm back in the states? Next week, I'll be near the temple’s store so, I can by new garments there. I do need new garments though. It’s just a matter of where to by them.

I’m soo happy that the missionaries are working with dad now! It is an answer to my prayers. I really want him to use garments and to stop drinking coffee. It all has to start somewhere, and daily studying of The Book of Mormon is a great place to start. I believe that that The Book of Mormon can help us solve all of our problems. You just need to study it.

One thing we’re doing with our less-actives and investigators is reading the Book of Mormon with them. If they don't understand, we start reading with them phrase by phrase until they're able to explain what is there. And just like that they start progressing. Will you and dad read the Book of Mormon together until spiritual progress starts happening, daily?

I'm on Alma 29 now, where are you?

I'm glad Reese is being treated for that condition. I think the Xanax might be making him loopy like that.

You don't need to reimburse me.

I’m soo excited to be coming home! I really want to go out with the Elders again and drive them around.

Congratulations for Jacob and Gisselle Ford! I almost didn't recognize the Siebers’.

That is sad about Mr. Short. One a band geek, always a band geek.

Yesterday, we had 6 investigators at church. 5 of them left before sacrament meeting, making our Sacrament meeting results like last week. 1. In our ward we start with the classes first, then end with Sacrament meeting.

Yes, I can give a talk on April 15th. 5, 10, or 15 minutes?

I love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!