November 22, 2010

Spencer hiding in the middle- scary!

Teaching at a waterfall. . .

He didn't tell me who these people are. . .

So this week was really good. We were able to find a lot of new investigators and people I'm really excited to teach. I am feeling a little bit more organized with the contacts that we are doing and I feel like I can be a little more effective in them now. It was the Bishop's wife's (Silvia) birthday this week and we baked her a cake on Tuesday night! We went over to their house Wednesday night to celebrate with them and it was really nice.

We are working with Daniella's sister Laura still to recognize the answers that she has received. She had a dream that the Book of Mormon is true and also had an experience where she opened the Book of Mormon and read a verse that was exactly what she had a question about. She says she knows with her mind but she doesn't know with her heart. We have talked about how we have to act in faith, and sometimes put our feet in the water before the Lord will prepare a way. In the visit by Elder Bednar, he said "The distance between the mind and the heart is not very far, but it's a long journey." We are praying and working with her to help her receive the answer she desires, and to recognize the answers she has already received.

We are teaching a 21 year old named Dione (Johnny) and he is a stud. He is really quick, and it is so nice to be able to teach to someone who understands everything. He accepted a date for the baptism the beginning of December. We are teaching him in a part member family's house and the situation there is so sad. The husband lives in the US and there are many difficulties with that but it would take quite a while to explain them all, but the mom hasn't been to church in years. She has a lot of hurt feelings that she holds inside and there was a little argument in our ward and I could literally see anger on her face as she talked about what happened. It was so so sad to see. It wasn't gentle or kind. The anger was a foreign, ugly thing. I sang a hymn and prayed that the Spirit could soften the hearts of the people in the room and I felt the Spirit but I don't know if it effected them.

I reached a little personal checkpoint this week. I feel very motivated during my morning and evening study time. To make a reference back to a past analogy that I made, those are my "times of dreaming of doing a 360 snowboarding and it's easy." In the night, I imagine the lessons and everyone accepts the teachings. Everyone accepts commitments. Everyone does what they will do. When I begin to work, there is an opposition and although I won't let myself physically stop, I don't feel the same fire. This week, while sitting in homes I began to feel the fire all day long. I wanted to teach teach teach! I have such an interest in the first principles of the gospel. They are so important to understand and to be understood. It is so easy for people to not understand them because we get into a routine of teaching. It has been the focus of my studies to really enlarge upon the doctrines. To really understand them. Hyrum Smith promised that as we preach them day after day, new ideas and additional light concerning them will be revealed unto us. Just some thoughts, study them!

I received my first Christmas present yesterday! A woman in our ward that teaches English bought me an English Portuguese Spanish picture dictionary. I had been looking at it in her house and it's so sweet so I asked her where she bought it and then all of a sudden I had a Christmas present in my arms. She bought one for my companion too and she said we could open them early, so I began studying with it this morning.

I am so grateful for all of you. Have a very happy Thanksgiving and know how grateful I am for you. Please continue to pray for me. I always pray for you.

Love, Elder Calvert

To start, I would like to let you all know how truly powerful prayers are. This week was so so wonderful. So to start, right after I got off the computer last week I heard that I wasn`t going to go to Pilar with Elder Otterstrom but when we got to our district meeting the next day, I was able to talk them in to doing it! Their area really did need one more day of work because it was going to be without elders for 4 days. We went to Pilar and it was wonderful. Elder Otterstrom is such a good buddy of mine. We marked a date for baptism in their area and really enjoyed working together. He is such a stud.

Friday night was really nice as well, we finished working for the night and the Elders from Pilar were passing through but they came after the last bus left for their city so they stayed with us that night. That night I received letters from Jenny and one Jimmy and my other buddies that are serving. I wrote in my journal that it was the happiest day on my mission! That night, I felt very close to those at home, very motivated to work, and so excited for the baptism of Daniella and William the next day.

The baptism went really well. I conducted the meeting wearing one of the white jump suits haha it was kind of funny. I baptized William and I`ll send some pictures from it. That night the Bishop invited us over to eat baked potatoes at his house. It was so, so good, especially because it was a little cold outside and man it was delicious.

Church was really good, we had 9 investigators in church and really hadn`t done much with inviting people because we had been so busy with the baptism. Samira, the girl that Elder Schoen and I baptized taught a lesson in young womens and gave a talk on Sunday. She is so strong! She spoke about reference and I learned a ton. She made the point about reference is more than just sitting quietly. We need to make sure our thoughts are reverent and in alignment with what we are learning at church.

One girl I did a contact with last Saturday (one week ago) went to church too! A woman in our ward invited her to a family night last night and we watched the Testaments. Goodness, I can`t tell you how wonderful things are. I just feel like blessings are being poured out upon our heads. I don`t feel like I deserve them truthfully, because my faults and weaknesses are very present before me. I thought of the promise about paying your tithing in the Old Testament and it talks of receiving a blessing without room enough to receive. There is also another quote by President Snow that I don`t know exactly in English but something "There is no person that is so interested in the success of a missionary when he is preaching the gospel than the Lord, whose children are hearing the message." The Lord is so anxious to help us. He is actively helping us. We just need to look for it and be more grateful.

The reason I say it was the happiest day on my mission is because I could have thought of things to be bummed about. I could have thought of those I love at home, or other frustrations, but amidst what once were crushing difficulties months ago, I felt so much joy. With each trial we have, our capacity expands to be filled with that much more joy. I think in Nephi 4, Nephi describes of his joy being so full. This is the man who is writing these beautiful verses about his beloved father passed away.

One more story, we passed by this woman Crystalvanha on Thursday. She was hit by a motorcylist a year ago and broke her tibia and fibula. She has to have a woman come and do chores for her because it hurts to walk. She only leaves the house to go to the doctor. Her husband is mentally sick. Her children never call and she says she has given up trying to call them. They have said they will come visit but they never do. If I were to describe her state, she is crippled, physically and emotionally, and hopeless. How many of us feel like this is our Spiritual state? How many of us think we are grounded because our weaknesses are too great? We`re hopeless because we are still suffering and haven`t found a relief? Just as the Lord can heal Crystalvanha physically, he can likewise heal you, and I in all aspects of our lives. Alma 7:23 asking for WHATSOEVER thing you stand in need, both spiritual and temporal. It doesn`t matter how miniscule or silly or simple it may seem, He is our Father. Anything that is a concern for us is a concern for Him. I love this work. I love you all.

Love, Elder Calvert

November 8, 2010





I am sitting at the computer literally dripping with sweat here in Brazil. It is nuts.

This last week was very strange and very difficult. We began to do a goal of 10 contacts everyday. This was an old rule in the mission here, and from what I hear it began to be just a check the box type of thing. I made a goal to never miss a day, and a few nights this week I was booking it around making contacts to get in 10 before we went to sleep. It was pretty rough adjusting to this new 10 contacts a day, because you can let yourself be governed by the contacts really easily. It is so easy to go through the motions of the contacts just to get them done so you don't have to think about it, but this week we had a ton of really good experiences. In Preach My Gospel it says that the Lord will place people in our paths that are prepared for the restored gospel. I believe that this is true. I acted and did the contacts. I now have proof that this is true.

Tuesday, I was talking to Elder Otterstrom on the bus back to Salta de Pirapora (the Elder's in Pilar do Sul eat with us on Tuesdays) and we were talking about faith. I believe that much of baptising is about our attitudes. I am not denying the hand of the Lord, but I think we limit our ability to be an instrument in the hands of the Lord because we don't work enough by faith. We let reality and fear govern our actions rather than faith. I have large goals and I was asking Elder Otterstrom if he thinks I am right to strive for more, expecting that the Lord will be able to use us more for His work. I felt confused, as many others weren't as supportive of the idea. As I was talking to Elder Otterstrom, a man came up to me, asked for a pamphlet, I asked him if the missionaries could pass by, and he accepted. In my moment of wondering if we can dare to do more, the Lord gave me this experience. It was a reminder of how this is entirely the Lord's work.

So we will have a baptism this weekend! I am so excited. Daniela is progressing amazingly in the gospel. She accepted to live the law of tithing and we actually went over there early today and she had her highlighter out and was highlighting pamphlets we had given her. So just a reminder she has 2 sisters with dates for this weekend and her son as well. Leticia her youngest sister didn't go to church so she can't be baptized this week but the others did!

Laura is still praying and waiting for an answer. She had a dream Saturday night and we talked about it and helped her recognize that it was an answer. I was kind of irritated walking over there on our p-day, but when we sat down and began talking about the gospel, these feelings left. We prayed that we could focus in the moment although we were looking forward to email and other things and the Lord answered our prayers. Scripture came into our minds, and the three of them will have an interview for baptism tomorrow! I will go to Pilar do Sul with Elder Otterstrom and I am so excited. You really develop friendships on the mission. I am looking forward to tomorrow so, so much. I really love Elder Otterstrom and it is kind of like a little vacation with family. We really believe in each other so it's such a blast to work together. I feel unstoppable with him.

As for the pictures, they are pretty self explanatory.

This one is the Catholic church in the center of the city. It is really pretty huh? I'd love to come back here some day.

This is from a family night we did with a family in our ward. I'm glad you can see these pictures! I love you all so much.

I say this week was hard because I feel like my weaknesses were made very plain. It was extremely humbling. I ask for your prayers and I'm sure I will find comfort in knowing my love ones are praying for me. I know the Lord hears our prayers. He is so very, very aware of us. I will continue to pray always. Thank you for all of the support!

Love,

Elder Calvert





November 1, 2010

Dear Family and Friends, November 1, 2010

I am still here in Salta de Pirapora! I am so glad that I get to stay another transfer here, we have so many people to teach, many people that are progressing, and I really love the people in this city. I will also be able to eat Thanksgiving at my Bishop's house! I can't believe about Jeff. He is such a good guy, you can tell how much of a stud he is by his attitude. He is so, so positive. I will be praying for him as he makes this adjustment in his life, but I know it won't slow him down at all. I love him.

Well Elder Bednar was awesome. It was so good to be able to see all of my buddies that day. I saw my companion from the CTM, Elder Bavender and my really good buddies from the CTM. I hugged Elder Knoblauch probably 20 times throughout the day, everytime we saw each other, I really love that guy. Also I saw Elder Schoen! It was so good to see him! We sat together during lunch and I got to talk to him about his last transfer and catch up about things. It was wonderful. I got tons of letters that day! Thank you so much for the support of everyone, it really boosts me so much.

Elder Bendar spoke to us for two and a half hours or so. It was so so different then I expected. His wife spoke before him for about 5 minutes and then he began. He started off by saying how we are agents. He will not call on us, but we will volunteer. The entire time, he just asked us what we learned from the talk. He was so gentle the entire time. He would ask questions to have certainty that he was understanding us, but before he would always say, "May I ask you a question?" Then the discussion switched to talking about what we're learning from this experience. What he vocalized and I realized that everyone was learning something very personal from the Holy Ghost. Everyone was learning personal things about how we can improve our service to the Lord. He vocalized how so often we play "guess what's in my head" to teach in the church. He just asked us how we felt about the talk. What really "hit" us. There was no right answer. It really was a wonderful experience. I think I have a lot more to learn from everything that he taught. He closed by saying I want you to personally decide what you will do different, and then discuss this with your companion. It was a wonderful day.

Daniela, Laura, Leticia and William are progressing really well. I have faith all will be well for them to be baptized on the 13 of November. Daniela, the mother of William stopped drinking coffee in 1 day. She works during the night time and this was a huge sacrifice but she is so strong in her commitments. She really has a testimony and wants to do everything. We have a recent convert, Samira that is so awesome with missionary work. Yesterday we went to her house and when we were leaving she said "Come over on Tuesday and I will bring a friend you can teach."

According to Preach My Gospel, this is the ideal form of missionary work, when members invite nonmembers to be taught in their homes. President Kimball said it is infinitely easier for someone to accept the gospel if they see the principles in action in the lives of others. He also said the key to the future growth of the church is member missionary work. I believe we have a misconception of our role with missionary work. We fail to recognize that we have a mouth, just like our missionaries. Prophets have said there are people placed in our group of friends who are Spiritually prepared for the gospel. I write this with a prayer in my heart that we can be awakened to the sense of our duty. With 2 missionaries, our Kirkland 1st Ward or _____Ward can only grow at the rate of those two men, according to their faith and the will of the Lord. But with a ward of 50, 100, 200 a stake of 1000, the work can grow dramatically. Bruce R. McConkie said that in his opinion, we are not baptizing as many as the Lord expects of us. So what can we do?

I hope that as you read these words, you feel a little incomfortable. The truth is, we can do a lot better to be missionaries. I know it is difficult. I know it is uncomfortable, but just because it is uncomfortable does that mean it is wrong? No. Many things in life are extremely uncomfortable. It is extremely uncomfortable to be away from those I love. I have a very tender heart, and it is uncomfortable for me. Does this mean that a mission is wrong? No, it is so very very right. The same is true with member missionary work. It doesn't matter how many times we have tried, succeeded or failed in the past. Faith with out works is dead. Our responsibility is the works. With member missionary work, we need to work! I think it is a very realistic goal to invite one person in this next week to be taught in your home by the missionaries. If you think it will be awkward it will be awkward. Exercise positive thinking and think about the Eternal Significance. How grateful I am that generations ago, someone opened their mouth to our ancestors, and I have this wonderful gospel in my life. I love you all so very very dearly. This gospel is so true. Let's listen carefully to those around us and the Holy Ghost. The Lord is so anxious to help us. Believe in other people. Really believe in them. Listen to the desires of their hearts.

I had an experience last night that really touched my heart. I was sitting on the ground talking to a less active member in front of her house while my companion stood in the street reporting numbers. Two teenage girls came up to us talking and said, is that your son? He just threw a sandal over the wall! She said oh no, were they big ones? I saw them earlier and replied yes. I saw her nervously look into her house for her ex-husband, and I could literally see fear in her eyes and she said "He'll hit him". I felt it as well, and said no, no, don't let him! She said "Well I can't lie to him!" The son walked back slowly and when he got close enough to see, see said so relieved "Oh it's my sandal! Okay sweetie, we'll got get it tomorrow" and that was that. I told her how much it meant to me and how wonderful of a mother she is. She said "My kids are my life."

I feel the same feeling in my heart right now that I felt last night. I am so grateful for my tender family. I love you all so much. I appreciate gentle words and gentle touch so much. 2 little quotes from Enzio F. Busche that I love, "Avoid rush and haste and an uncontrolled word. Divine light develops in places of peace and quiet." Thank you so very much for all of the gentle love I receive through emails and letters and prayers. We can always pray to our gentle Father. I testify Christ lives. I trust my Savior.

Love,

Elder Calvert