July 4th

Happy 4th of July! I remembered it today as I was walking to catch a bus with my companion and I broke out in song and sang the entire National Anthem. I remember last year and feeling so much pride, but so much hurt in my heart as well being away from all of you. Honestly, I don't feel pain today. I know that sounds rough, but I can truthfully say I don't want to be anywhere else.

I love Santana and I love doing this work. I love my companion Elder Galvão. We are both equal in our responsibilities. There is no senior or junior zone leader. He is definitely teaching me what to do. Today we had a zone activity where we played volleyball, ate hot dogs, and ate açaí. Açaí is one of the greatest creations ever. My bowl of açaí was huge, and with the hot dogs, it felt 4th of Julyish. Some of the other Sister missionaries in the interior came to our activity as well as another set of elders, so it was a blast with a lot of people. I was able to strengthen and create some new friendships, and that makes me so happy. I think what I love about missionary life is the simplicity. I was talking to Elder Galvão about what is it that makes us the happiest, and it's such little things. We bought TONS of fruit and vegetables, and have been making smoothies everyday for breakfast and it just makes me so happy eating natural foods. Friendships and smiles are a reason to be happy, but in our normal daily routine, sometimes these producers of joy pass us by without us realizing it.

This last week of work was great. I love my companion so much. Our conversations are so rich. We talk about things that are so important, we have religious subjects and questions in our hearts that we discuss and trade ideas. It's so great. The area is coming along, and we will have a baptism this next Sunday. The other Elders that were working here had some people progressing so we are trying to keep this work going. The work is a little bit more exhausting right now, so I really need prayers that I can receive physical strength from the Lord. Saturday I fell asleep and slept for 3 hours on my knees. I believe it was Thursday and my companion and I were walking in the street, and I felt a little tired. I didn't want to open my mouth, and I wasn't being super effective. I reflecting on this emotion the following days, and I thought a lot. I pray I can express this thought to those who read this, because it means a lot to me. Many times in my life, I don't live life to the fullest. I am doing one thing, but thinking about another. I am doing exercises, but thinking about scriptures. I am reading my scriptures, but thinking about leaving the house. I am walking in the street, and thinking about how excited I am to lay on my bed and talk to Elder Galvão and rest. But during my day, and all of our days, we have our daily routine. I have time to do my exercises, study my scriptures, work, and do all of these things, and every night I will return and talk to Elder Galvão resting at night time. All of these things will happen. Independent of where my mind is, I will do exercises, study my scriptures, work, and do all of these things. I have had days where my body was doing these things, but my mind was off thinking about a million other things. I studied scriptures without have anything really enter my heart. Taught a lesson without truly loving the person. I believe that the men who made a great difference in the world, were men who were very involved. They were very involved in all they did, including those ideas and desires they sacrificed to bring about.

In church yesterday, I listened to a talk yesterday of a man named Daurt. I could feel what he said. He was saying all of the right things, but I know he could feel them as well. I felt it in the words he said. He was without guile and the scriptures might describe him. His testimony was powerful, and the Holy Ghost touched my heart as I saw tears in his sincere eyes. I left with a great desire to be better. After lunch, I read in The Book of Mormon for a few minutes and I felt such a desire to share the gospel. I felt the desire to smile at all I saw, for I was happy. My heart killed me when people didn't understand. I wanted to correct them and make them understand, but I swallowed that passion, and tried to make a friend for the church.

We met with President and Sister Martins on Friday and I love them. He jokes around a lot, and has an incredible knowledge of the scriptures. I was so amazing by his knowledge. Sister Martins is a powerful woman, who is great in front of people, and used a private conversation with me to teach my true principles. They are very sharp people. Their daughter, Christina, is here in Brasil as well and is going to start her Junior year of high school online. My President taught us some awesome things about the devotion and faith he learned from his father when they were members of the Catholic church. He told us that we can't make a convert out of everyone we talk to, but you can at least make a friend for the church. He said the church needs more friends. He put to words things that I believe but haven't known exactly how to say. He and his wife communicated a lot of love to us. Sister Martins is like a sweet grandmother. I will see them at mission counsel on Wednesday.

Well I hope you all have a wonderful week. I have been praying for all of you in the struggles I am aware of. I hope that the surgery with Grandpa goes well, and I will be praying for him. I love you all. I'm grateful for our wonderful country. I'm proud to be an American. God bless the USA.

June 27, 2011- Elder Galvao

I don't have tons of time. My email to the President was a little bit longer because President Cooley leaves tomorrow and President Martins will take over. I am very sad to see President and Sister Cooley leave, but I am very very excited about President Martins. I feel very lucky to serve at this time in São Paulo North.

My new companion is named Elder Galvão! He is from the capital of Brasil, Brasilia and I absolutely love him. Before his mission, he worked for the government making sure that school computer labs are up to date and everything is functioning correctly. The same time he was studying at one of the best known universities in Brasil. We have already opened up and connecting very much and we have a very similar point of view about how to do the work. He loves reading and is very smart. He is extremely professional as well, and very, very obedient. He has a powerful testimony about the gospel, and he makes me want to be such a great missionary. I received a testimony in our first few hours together that we are serving together because the Lord wants us to serve together.

I am in a different zone, but in Sorocaba again. My area is awesome and so peaceful. We live on the second floor of this really big house, in this really quiet neighborhood. Studying in the morning we have the window open, sliding doors open to our deck, and I can hear birds chirping and a comfortable wind. It's paradise. We cleaned our whole house today, so I took a shower barefoot without sandals and it felt so, so good. There are a few people that are ready to be baptized here in the next week weeks, but the other areas here need some work. Tonight we are going to bake brownies for the Elders and Sisters tomorrow.

At church on Sunday, as we were walking out of the Sacrament Meeting (first hour) the Elder’s Quorum President came up to us and began talking about divisions he was already planning for us each night this week. Bishop Cruz called us in to talk to us and then we went to Principles of the Gospel class, it was a really organized class. This ward is awesome and really REALLY strong. The attendance is almost 200 on average!

Well we need to go work! On Friday we have a conference to get to know President Martins and it might be at our chapel here in Santana. I love you so much!

Love, Elder Calvert

June 20, 2011

That mountain is so awesome. I really, really like it a ton. I don't have a ton of time to write mom, so I will apologize from the beginning. Transfers are coming up as you know, and I am really anxious to hear what is going to happen. Today we went over to President José's house and lifted weights with the Elders of Pirituba as well. After we ate salmon (Irmã Sarah knows I love Salmon and made it for us). It was a really nice day. With the baptisms that we had planned, unfortunately none of them went right. But they will be baptized in the near future.

Well I will try to have member here send a little update about what's going on with the transfers so you can know before next week. Mom I'm sorry I can't write more, but the internet was down for a little bit and we need to leave really quick. I love you I love you I love you so much! This next week I will type like lightening and let you know a lot okay?

Love, Spencer

We got an email from a member that told us that Spencer is getting transferred to Sorocoba and getting a new leadership position. I am sure that he will tell us more next week.

June 13, 2011

We climbed that mountain again! Pico de Jaragua

Looking out over the city.

Tomorrow is zone conference. This past week was really great. Aline was baptized Saturday night and I will send pictures if it will work to send them. I am sending this email from our zone leaders area, and I don't know if I can send pictures yet.

We had a miracle happen this week with Glaucia. We went to teach her with Irmã Sarah, and we invited her to be baptized. She said she would think about it. We went back on Thursday and she expressed her fears and a little about her past and the difficulties with having parents that attend different churches. She said that she wasn't ready to be baptized right now because she didn't know how it would affect her children. Irmã Sarah began speaking about all of the blessings that the church will bring and how it will unify her family. She basically invited her to be baptized again and Glaucia said she would decide and let us know this weekend.

We arrived at the baptism on Saturday, and Glaucia was there waiting with her triple combination and the Bible. We went in and everyone thought she was a member. I baptized Aline, and after Glaucia leaned forward and said, "I want the water warm for me next week." It was very special because it was a quick answer to fasting and prayers by us and Irmã Sarah. We continued fasting in gratitude.

Tomorrow our Zone is going to sing at our last conference with President Cooley. (That huge picture was just our mission. Isn't that sweet?) I am very sad to see President Cooley leave. I will miss Sister Cooley so much. She has a great way to make me feel like she has all of the time for me, and can accomplish lots at the same time. They really have supported me so much, and I will miss the relationship I have formed with them, but I have faith I can create a treasured relationship with President and Sister Martins.

I love you all so very much. Next week is transfers already, and I am quite sure my time here is coming to an end. I have so many friends in this ward. I will miss it a lot but there are more friendships that I will be able to have in the next area.

Love, Elder Calvert

June 6, 2011 Letter and Mission Photo

Goodness gracious 1 year! Can you believe it? I truly feel a lot different, I don't know why. It is so fun to think next year from right now I will be home!! I have also never felt so happy here in Brazil. I love this ward. I love the friends we have that we are teaching. I love the members. I love the scriptures. I love my President.

We had an amazing experience last Monday night with a friend of Erick (the member who left on his mission). We marked to teach his friend Monday, and when we got to Erick's parents house Cida (Erick's mom) called him and he said he woudn't come. She said wait a second, talk to Elder Calvert. We talked about our days and about his car and then he said, “Alright I'm coming over”. We talked about his church, and just listened and talked and talked. Then he began asking questions about the church. He had questions from his heart, and we answered the questions. Without planning or trying to teach about the Restoration, we did. We showed him a picture of Joseph Smith receiving the Priesthood from Peter James and John. He began weeping. The Spirit was so strong. He offered a closing kneeling prayer and thanked the Lord deeply, even for the ability to smell (he suffered from drug addiction and is very thankful to be alive), and for the Lord to show him the correct path in his life. I know he will be baptized.

We taught this woman named Aline and she will be baptized this next weekend. We are teaching her in a member's house and she loves the gospel. Also we are teaching this woman named Mary and her two sons Igor and Hudson. Testifying last night, I felt so much love for them as we testified about eternal families.

Yesterday was stake conference and President Cooley came and talked. I really will miss him. I felt the Spirit so strong during the last hymn, "I Know that My Redeemer Lives." The key changes and harmonies and moving parts were beautiful. I felt a profound piece during the talk of Elder Almeida, a Seventy in the church. I realized that happiness is not a destination, but is much more in the small and simple things. After all, it is in by small and simple things that the great things are brought to pass. I am feeling the culmination of many small and simple things, small and simple moments of happiness, small and simple miracles and answers to prayers, and it is filling me with joy. I am beginning to feel with my heart things I have known with my mind for a long time. It makes this work wonderful. I feel the Spirit so strong as I write these words, and the fruit of the Holy Ghost that is most powerfully being felt in my heart, is that of Joy.

Experiment upon the words of the Prophets and Apostles. I promise you, with absolute certainty, that there is peace and joy in righteous doing. Those things that are asked of us are not a list of sacrifices or self- denial. Rather, it is a pattern of living that yields peace in this life, and Eternal Life in the next. I love the Savior Jesus Christ. I testify He lives. I have much hope in Him. I have hope in a rich, beautiful future for all of the true followers of Jesus Christ. The first fruits, are repentance and baptism by someone who holds the Holy Priesthood of the Lord. This authority was restored to the earth to Joseph Smith. No combination of good intention and knowledge can make valid a baptism outside of the true church of God. I know these things. I love all of those who are reading, for you are taking the time to read of my life. For this, I invite all of you to speak to missionaries about the restored gospel. Go to mormon.org. Ask for them to come teach you. I know it seems strange, and will require courage. But I promise you, there exists a purpose, and essential purpose to this life, we can be taught this by missionaries. They are representatives of the Lord Jesus Christ. He really lives.

Love, Elder Calvert

One Year Mark- This Week

I can't believe how fast time has gone. One year and one day ago I went to the gym and lifted with Daniel for the last time. It seems like I blinked and I'm here in Freguesia do Ó. This last week was really great and really busy. Monday night we went to Erick's house to teach everything to his dad. His dad is such a humble man and told me some of the stories from his child hood, like being the main baker in his city at 9 years old. Also when he was leaving to continue on in life, he slept outside on the roof of a building curled up in a ball. He loves talking about his life, and I love listening.

Tuesday was preparation for the baptism and organizing some things for the interview. That night other Elders came to do the interview and everything went smoothly. Wednesday I woke up feeling super raunchy. I got really sick and have been sick since that day. I have a nasty cold and headache and earache so I slept a lot that day. My companion left with Erick to prepare some things for the baptism and I stayed at Kleber's house (where I called you guys) and he let me sleep in his bed.

We went to the baptism and it was wonderful. There were 72 people there! We have some new investigators that attended and it was awesome. It was a very spiritual experience for all as he was set apart before, baptized his dad, and then confirmed him after. Erick will be a wonderful missionary. Right as it was coming to an end, Erick's girlfriend's mom motioned for me to go and sing. I felt pretty sick but the Lord helped me a lot and I sang "How Great Thou Art". Thursday there was a training about this new program for the trainers on the mission. It is a 12 week program where the companionship will study for 4 hours everyday. The idea is to prepare the missionary so that after 12 weeks, he or she could train another missionary. President Cooley gave a wonderful training about D&C 50 and I really felt the Spirit strongly. It was fun to talk with my friends and make new ones.

Friday I did a division with the Elder Eyre in Mangalot and did a baptismal interview. Elder Eyre is from Utah and loves lifting weights so it was fun to talk in the streets about our similar interests. Fernanda, who was baptized Sunday, was so very prepared to be baptized. I was very touched by her faith.

Saturday was a fairly normal day and good. We taught this reference from members in their home and she will be baptized on the 11th of June. She attended this class at the stake center and won a scholarship to do a course about computers. She is very excited about all of these changes in her life right now.

Sunday morning was great. I learned a lot from my companion. It was freezing cold but he called and we planned to walk to this recent converts house to walk with them to church. I really didn't want to walk there because it is really far but we went. We were quiet walking there, but my companion walked with energy in his step. We got there, and the little girl said they weren't going to go. I got a little upset, but I remembered a few months ago going there one day and they said they would go but changed their mind when we got there. I took a more "guilt them/be upset" route that accomplished nothing. Yesterday, I saw all of them asleep, I rubbed Samir's hair and quietly woke him up. I asked if he would go to church and he said yes. I did the same with his brother and his cousin. They all went. This alone was a miracle. Then my companion went to invite these other people that are their neighbors and never come. My companion walked right up and invited them, as I kind of stood back not expecting them to come. Well they came! And they were very excited. I was so grateful for his diligence. Then a member came with a car! We hadn't coordinated with him but it all worked out great.

Over all it was a wonderful week. I am happy. I am loving Brazil, particularly here in Freguesia do Ó. I love you all. Thank you for everything this past year. See you in one year.

Love, Elder Calvert

May 23, 2011

I am still here in Freguesia do Ó with Elder Henrique! It was a little bit of a surprise, and I had said many goodbyes already, but it was nice to say hello again. I remember when I found out I was going to stay in Salto de Pirapora a 4th transfer, it took me a while to be okay with the idea because I was anxious to get to know other areas. But I adjusted very fast to the idea, and the work here is going on so well. It was as if the Lord gave to us more power in our teaching, for all of our lessons on Tuesday seemed to be much more important. It was the same principles as always, but it meant more to me. I am so grateful for the wonderful opportunity to serve a mission. It is the most personal, molding experience that I know. It is very difficult. I thought about 1 year ago, getting on a plane and flying to another country, not knowing the language, and knowing I would stay there for 2 years. I don't know how I had the courage to do it, but I am loving my experience here.

I was so excited to talk to Eduardo this last week, because I had told him that I would probably be leaving, and given him a big hug. We exchanged compliments, and I said bye to a friend I had made. I feel love for him in my heart. He sent a text message that said, "Elder Calvert!! You will stay in Freguesia do Ó?" He wasn't able to return to São Paulo this weekend because of work but he will be baptized this next Saturday. We had a family night on Tuesday with this wonderful family, Presidente José and Irmã Sarah. I already mentioned them in several emails but I absolutely love them. They invited two families over for a family night, and we had a great time learning about eternal families and creating friendships.

This last week I was pondering a lot about the things we do in our life. How much time and stress do we spend on things that are of no real worth? I was pondering about my love for fitness and health. Sometimes, I feel very sad that I can't do all of the weightlifting I would like to do. I think of how much I could bench, the triathalons I have done, and the physical state I had achieved before my mission. I look at myself in the mirror now and it's different. It's easy to judge oneself on a reflection. I was feeling a little sad, but I thought about the experiences and knowledge I am gaining. For every pound of muscle I have lost, I know I have gained pearls of great worth. Pearls that are of greater worth then any amount of time spent on a hobby. I am far from where I one day will be, but I am content with where I am. I am achieving many of my dreams. I am feeling fulfillment. How much time do we stress about things of little importance, and set aside those things which matter most?

Yesterday at church, there was a man walking with his daughter in the church in normal winter clothes. (it's really cold here, it's been great) I began talking to Jorran (Johann) and his daughter Rafael. He and his wife are medical doctors, and they met eachother in Bolivia. Their daughters name is Rafaela. They are going to move into the area. Just speaking with him and feeling of their goodness makes my heart swell. Their little daughter was showing me her scarf and asking questions and I showed her pictures of my wonderful family and she asked about my neices and nephews. She is 8 years old and was wearing a cute little colorful beenie, a blue scarf and and jacket shoes socks and shoes of all different colors. She has green eyes and cute little freckles on her nose. Talking to her and seeing her lean against her dad was my favorite moment of the week.

Last night, we were at Erick's house, who will leave on his mission this Thursday, and he was talking to his dad. He baptized his mom 3 weeks ago and asked his dad to be baptized Wednesday. He laughed and said I don't know. Erick asked me to give him a blessing and then we went home. He called us really late last night and said his dad is going to be baptized on Wednesday! It was awesome!!

So many miracles are happening. I really feel so much love in my heart for the people in this area. Presidente José continues to be an incredible example to me. He greets everyone with a high five and a fist pound, and then him and I always give eachother huge hugs and feel eachothers arms and talk about weight lifting. He is a great man.

Caitlin looked so beautiful. I can't wait to meet her husband, he looks like a great man. I want to see pictures of Natasha's wedding aswell. I still haven't gotten the package but I will get it Thursday. We have a training and I'll pick it up!

I love you all.

Love,

Elder Calvert