09-07-2009
Zone: Chapecó
Area: Pato Branco
Well I found out last night that Elder Neves will be transferred tomorrow and that my new companion will be Elder Fochetto, another Brazilian. I hear he is quite the regrão or if you will, STRICT. I think that President is wanting me to teach him how to calm down as he is apparently a mirror image of who I was when I got here.
At any rate, Karina was baptized this Sunday and that was a really great experience. She is a girl of seventeen years, who is now living independant. A rarity here in Brazil. Her family threatened to disown her, but she did not desist and was baptized anyway. It was good.
Matteus and Allyson have stopped progressing, sadly, they were so close to getting baptized too. Each of them had been marked for baptism and they disappeared a few hours before the baptisms. They were too nervous I suppose.
I will miss Elder Neves we have grown to become good friends. It will be sad to trade companions so quickly.
We are still working hard, and hoping that you all are as well back home.
Chase your dreams, never give up, be good. Don´t ever lose hope.
With Love,
-Elder Jacob L. Holdaway
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Monday August 31, 2009
08-31-2009
We are teaching several young men between the ages of thirteen and eighteen and we play soccer with them every week. They are all progressing and playing soccer to tract seems to be working far better than knocking doors. We are doing everything in our power to work with our heads and not with our legs!
We also are teaching a few couples who are only lacking a civil marriage in order to be baptized. They all have testimonies and it is a very good thing. I have a great deal of hope for them.
I gave two discourses the yesterday, one about missionary work using a discourse by Elder L. Tom Perry "Bing Souls unto Me" (I think it was called; It is in the ensign of the last conference) The discourse was actually in English which left me with the interesting task of translating the parts I wanted while I was in the middle of my talk. It went well and was only proof that the gift of tongues is amazing and makes things that should be hard and slow become easy and fast.
At any rate, I am quite happy and though it has taken nearly a year to learn how to forget myself I am trying every day to do so more and more. I am thankful for the support of everyone and would love to hear from anyone back home.. (Hint hint..) The more letters the better, I promise to write everyone back.
I hope you are all taking advantage of the Temple and doing your best to "lift where you stand."
All my love,
-Elder Jacob L. Holdaway
Zone:Chapecó
Area: Pato Branco
Tiago was baptized this week! It was an amazing experience and though he was baptized very quickly I feel like he is a very good person and will be a very good member. He is actually going to marry a member soon. He is twenty-two years old and miraculously drinks neither coffee nor alcohol and better still does not smoke. An elect.Area: Pato Branco
We are teaching several young men between the ages of thirteen and eighteen and we play soccer with them every week. They are all progressing and playing soccer to tract seems to be working far better than knocking doors. We are doing everything in our power to work with our heads and not with our legs!
We also are teaching a few couples who are only lacking a civil marriage in order to be baptized. They all have testimonies and it is a very good thing. I have a great deal of hope for them.
I gave two discourses the yesterday, one about missionary work using a discourse by Elder L. Tom Perry "Bing Souls unto Me" (I think it was called; It is in the ensign of the last conference) The discourse was actually in English which left me with the interesting task of translating the parts I wanted while I was in the middle of my talk. It went well and was only proof that the gift of tongues is amazing and makes things that should be hard and slow become easy and fast.
At any rate, I am quite happy and though it has taken nearly a year to learn how to forget myself I am trying every day to do so more and more. I am thankful for the support of everyone and would love to hear from anyone back home.. (Hint hint..) The more letters the better, I promise to write everyone back.
I hope you are all taking advantage of the Temple and doing your best to "lift where you stand."
All my love,
-Elder Jacob L. Holdaway
Monday, August 24, 2009
Letter 19
08-24-2009
Zone: Chapecó
Area: Pato Branco
Well, another week gone by and today I have eleven months on the mission. Seems like time has gone by so fast, and yet so slow. I had some good experiences this week, but unfortunately no more baptisms.
It is extremely interesting to me that people can feel the spirit so strongly and still have absolutely no desire to follow the Savior. I do not really comprehend the reasons, for which, they do not act. I never understood how truly spiritually starved and blind the people of this world are. I suppose that when I was one of them and I had been inactive in the church it was because I was past feeling or that I simply did not care, but I also had never felt the spirit like these people feel it as we teach. It seems to fill everything and yet they deny the necessity to follow.
I have been thinking a lot this week about how truly blessed members of the church are that they were raised in the church, and learn as youths to follow the spirit. It truly is a blessing.
I have been trying to be exactly obediant in everything so that we can start to have more success and I hope to see positive results soon. I miss all of you back at home and would like to thank everyone for the support and letters. They are greatly appreciated.
I would like for everyone who would like a letter to get their addresses in to my Mom this week so I can send a letter next week.
Her email is kylelaralee@yahoo.com
Sincerely,
-Elder Jacob L. Holdaway
Zone: Chapecó
Area: Pato Branco
Well, another week gone by and today I have eleven months on the mission. Seems like time has gone by so fast, and yet so slow. I had some good experiences this week, but unfortunately no more baptisms.
It is extremely interesting to me that people can feel the spirit so strongly and still have absolutely no desire to follow the Savior. I do not really comprehend the reasons, for which, they do not act. I never understood how truly spiritually starved and blind the people of this world are. I suppose that when I was one of them and I had been inactive in the church it was because I was past feeling or that I simply did not care, but I also had never felt the spirit like these people feel it as we teach. It seems to fill everything and yet they deny the necessity to follow.
I have been thinking a lot this week about how truly blessed members of the church are that they were raised in the church, and learn as youths to follow the spirit. It truly is a blessing.
I have been trying to be exactly obediant in everything so that we can start to have more success and I hope to see positive results soon. I miss all of you back at home and would like to thank everyone for the support and letters. They are greatly appreciated.
I would like for everyone who would like a letter to get their addresses in to my Mom this week so I can send a letter next week.
Her email is kylelaralee@yahoo.com
Sincerely,
-Elder Jacob L. Holdaway
Monday, August 10, 2009
Letter 18
08/10/10
Zone: Chapecó
Area: Pato Branco
Pato Branco is enormous and also includes a few other cities here in the state of Paraná, but I doubt I will ever be able to teach anyone in those cities as just teaching here in this one will be difficult. So many people!Pato Branco is a Branch but actually has about the same frequency as the last ward I served in. The last ward was struggling whereas this Branch is really strong. They are about to get a chapel, we are just faulting a few more baptisms and active members.I am as always still learning a lot. It seems at every new turn God has something else in store for me to learn what and how to do things.My new companion, Elder Neves, is a funny guy. We play chess quite a bit but he has only won twice. It is quite entertaining to see him get all worked up. He is a Brazilian from a city called Natal in the northern region of the country. Where it is extremely hot, he always makes racist jokes about his own skin color. Talks about how he turned black because it was too hot where he grew up that it tanned him perminantly while he was in the womb. All sorts of funny stuff. When we play chess he is always the black pieces and talks about how their day has arrived to relieve the oppression of the dirty rotten whites.At any rate, still working hard here. We are seeing some sucess and trying to do all the things asked of us by President. It is hard to believe that I have been gone for almost a year.As I said before, write me a letter and I will write back!! Hope all is well with everyone.
Elder Jacob L Holdaway
Zone: Chapecó
Area: Pato Branco
Pato Branco is enormous and also includes a few other cities here in the state of Paraná, but I doubt I will ever be able to teach anyone in those cities as just teaching here in this one will be difficult. So many people!Pato Branco is a Branch but actually has about the same frequency as the last ward I served in. The last ward was struggling whereas this Branch is really strong. They are about to get a chapel, we are just faulting a few more baptisms and active members.I am as always still learning a lot. It seems at every new turn God has something else in store for me to learn what and how to do things.My new companion, Elder Neves, is a funny guy. We play chess quite a bit but he has only won twice. It is quite entertaining to see him get all worked up. He is a Brazilian from a city called Natal in the northern region of the country. Where it is extremely hot, he always makes racist jokes about his own skin color. Talks about how he turned black because it was too hot where he grew up that it tanned him perminantly while he was in the womb. All sorts of funny stuff. When we play chess he is always the black pieces and talks about how their day has arrived to relieve the oppression of the dirty rotten whites.At any rate, still working hard here. We are seeing some sucess and trying to do all the things asked of us by President. It is hard to believe that I have been gone for almost a year.As I said before, write me a letter and I will write back!! Hope all is well with everyone.
Elder Jacob L Holdaway
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Letter 17
07-27-2009
I will be receiving my second Brazilian companion, so that is good. Elder Neves.
We have seen a lot of miracles this last week and I finally learned how to get answers to my prayers more quickly. Such a hard thing to actually learn how to do...
I have to pack today so this entry will be quite short, but I hope everyone gets to see it soon.
Also, we have a new rule and I am only allowed to receive emails from immediate family, not from Uncles, Aunts, Cousins, Grandparents, nor Friends. Sorry guys but you are all restricted to conventional mail.
my address is
Elder Jacob L. Holdaway
Missão Brasil Florianópolis
R. Feliciano Nunes Pires, 42
Centro, Florianópolis SC
Brasil
88015-220
I will do my best to write everyone back.
This keyboard is giving me extreme issues... grr..
Até
-Elder Jacob L. Holdaway
Zone: Tubarão
Area: Criciúma 2
Well turns out I am finally leaving Criciúma 2 and going to a new area. I am also now Senior, so that is something good. I will be stationed in Pato Branco in the state of Paraná. Very close to Argentina.Area: Criciúma 2
I will be receiving my second Brazilian companion, so that is good. Elder Neves.
We have seen a lot of miracles this last week and I finally learned how to get answers to my prayers more quickly. Such a hard thing to actually learn how to do...
I have to pack today so this entry will be quite short, but I hope everyone gets to see it soon.
Also, we have a new rule and I am only allowed to receive emails from immediate family, not from Uncles, Aunts, Cousins, Grandparents, nor Friends. Sorry guys but you are all restricted to conventional mail.
my address is
Elder Jacob L. Holdaway
Missão Brasil Florianópolis
R. Feliciano Nunes Pires, 42
Centro, Florianópolis SC
Brasil
88015-220
I will do my best to write everyone back.
This keyboard is giving me extreme issues... grr..
Até
-Elder Jacob L. Holdaway
Letter 16
07-20-2009
Área: Criciúma 2
Zona: Tubarão
This last week was a week that was fairly busy. Our numbers were H-O-R-R-I-B-L-E but we were actually working alot. We are going to have one baptism this Saturday and probably another one as well this Saturday. Pretty exciting. One of them is named Adrade, he used to be a BIG violent guy, who beat up police and yeah, was bad news. Then cancer robbed him of the use of the left side of his body and he turned to Christ. Now he is humble, very thoughtful of others and ready for the gospel. We taught him the first three lessons and spent a couple hours at his house every day this week. He is really excited to be baptized and wants to be an Elder. Unfortunately, however, this will be very difficult as he is 28 and no longer has the capacity to travel by foot very much. We actually didn´t find him, he found us. He showed up the the Chapel on fast Sunday and bore testimony. Basically he is a blessing from the Father.
The other is a woman named Fatíma, she is another golden elect. She chased down the Élderes in Centro and was asking to be taught. She then walked up the hill, in the rain, in order to attend an activity in the chapel. They weren´t happy when they found out she lived in our area. We are actually going to teach her whole family today, during P Day. However, a baptism is worth it.
We have seen a great many miracles this week.
First was when we needed to visit Kadi (Adrade). He lives in another city called Forquilhinha ("fork-kill-yin-ya"). About 30 minutes by bus, and 1and 1/2 to 2 hours walk. We needed to get a bus or a ride from a member as time was pressing for the appointment.
Every member with a car was not home, so we decided to just hurry and try to catch a bus. This bus is very rare, it only passes like ten times a day. But the Lord helped us. We walked to the nearest stop along its route, and happened to meet the ONLY member family that lives in Forquilhinha. The bus was arriving at that moment as well.
So we got on the bus and they helped us to get off at the right location; a barro(neighbourhood) by the name of Ouro Negro (black gold).
The Lord has helped us out a lot this week, and has helped teach me that I cannot just rely on my talents alone. It is futile to try and work without His guidance.
We are trying to do our best to work "smart" rather than knock doors. President wants us to use whatever tool is necessary. English Classes, Guitar Lessons, Marriage Counseling (using doctrines of the church), anything and everything.
Unfortunately, this ward is slacking big time and are not helping with the new tracting system so President is just having us do other things now. I hear that Family Home Evening tracting is working wonders in the other areas though.
I love you all and I miss you. SEND LETTERS!!!
Sincerely,
-Elder Jacob L. Holdaway
Área: Criciúma 2
Zona: Tubarão
This last week was a week that was fairly busy. Our numbers were H-O-R-R-I-B-L-E but we were actually working alot. We are going to have one baptism this Saturday and probably another one as well this Saturday. Pretty exciting. One of them is named Adrade, he used to be a BIG violent guy, who beat up police and yeah, was bad news. Then cancer robbed him of the use of the left side of his body and he turned to Christ. Now he is humble, very thoughtful of others and ready for the gospel. We taught him the first three lessons and spent a couple hours at his house every day this week. He is really excited to be baptized and wants to be an Elder. Unfortunately, however, this will be very difficult as he is 28 and no longer has the capacity to travel by foot very much. We actually didn´t find him, he found us. He showed up the the Chapel on fast Sunday and bore testimony. Basically he is a blessing from the Father.
The other is a woman named Fatíma, she is another golden elect. She chased down the Élderes in Centro and was asking to be taught. She then walked up the hill, in the rain, in order to attend an activity in the chapel. They weren´t happy when they found out she lived in our area. We are actually going to teach her whole family today, during P Day. However, a baptism is worth it.
We have seen a great many miracles this week.
First was when we needed to visit Kadi (Adrade). He lives in another city called Forquilhinha ("fork-kill-yin-ya"). About 30 minutes by bus, and 1and 1/2 to 2 hours walk. We needed to get a bus or a ride from a member as time was pressing for the appointment.
Every member with a car was not home, so we decided to just hurry and try to catch a bus. This bus is very rare, it only passes like ten times a day. But the Lord helped us. We walked to the nearest stop along its route, and happened to meet the ONLY member family that lives in Forquilhinha. The bus was arriving at that moment as well.
So we got on the bus and they helped us to get off at the right location; a barro(neighbourhood) by the name of Ouro Negro (black gold).
The Lord has helped us out a lot this week, and has helped teach me that I cannot just rely on my talents alone. It is futile to try and work without His guidance.
We are trying to do our best to work "smart" rather than knock doors. President wants us to use whatever tool is necessary. English Classes, Guitar Lessons, Marriage Counseling (using doctrines of the church), anything and everything.
Unfortunately, this ward is slacking big time and are not helping with the new tracting system so President is just having us do other things now. I hear that Family Home Evening tracting is working wonders in the other areas though.
I love you all and I miss you. SEND LETTERS!!!
Sincerely,
-Elder Jacob L. Holdaway
Letter 15
07-13-2009
Zone: Tubarão
Area: Criciúma 2
Well people, hope you have strong stomaches for the story you are about to get.. It is a little gross. So we have a mouse problem... yep, and though we have killed about five mice, there are still more. I went to cook an egg sandwhich for breakfast, and turns out the mouse had left some presents concealed in the pan. Unfortunately I didn´t realize this until I had eaten about half the sandwhich.
Needless to say I got sick... Now despite having already washed everything like normal, I literally wash everything four times before I use it. Even if it was put away in a safe place... I was also priveleged to eat chicken foot. Oh wow...
Anyway, the work here continues on. We had five investigatores in church last week, three of which got up and bore testimony! We are in the process of teaching these people and hope to baptize them soon. Here in the next two weeks I will hit my ten month mark. Time seems to be accelerating at an incredible rate.
However, I hope to make the best of the time I still have. I miss all of you back home. I never realized how important my family is to me and also my friends.
I am still learning a lot, and changing a lot. I doubt my personality will even be recognizable.
Until today I still have only had one Brazilian companion, so for linguistic purposes this is not cool, but maintaining english is far more easy.
I expect to be turning Senior this next transfer, so that will be cool. Apparently Presidente has been wanting to switch me for some time, but as de Jong and I had asked to remain together he has left me junior.
Thanks for all the letters and the support. I would share some of the other cool spiritual experiences I am having, but then I wouldn´t have anything cool to share when I get home!!!!
Haha, valeio gente!
Elder Jacob L. Holdaway
Zone: Tubarão
Area: Criciúma 2
Well people, hope you have strong stomaches for the story you are about to get.. It is a little gross. So we have a mouse problem... yep, and though we have killed about five mice, there are still more. I went to cook an egg sandwhich for breakfast, and turns out the mouse had left some presents concealed in the pan. Unfortunately I didn´t realize this until I had eaten about half the sandwhich.
Needless to say I got sick... Now despite having already washed everything like normal, I literally wash everything four times before I use it. Even if it was put away in a safe place... I was also priveleged to eat chicken foot. Oh wow...
Anyway, the work here continues on. We had five investigatores in church last week, three of which got up and bore testimony! We are in the process of teaching these people and hope to baptize them soon. Here in the next two weeks I will hit my ten month mark. Time seems to be accelerating at an incredible rate.
However, I hope to make the best of the time I still have. I miss all of you back home. I never realized how important my family is to me and also my friends.
I am still learning a lot, and changing a lot. I doubt my personality will even be recognizable.
Until today I still have only had one Brazilian companion, so for linguistic purposes this is not cool, but maintaining english is far more easy.
I expect to be turning Senior this next transfer, so that will be cool. Apparently Presidente has been wanting to switch me for some time, but as de Jong and I had asked to remain together he has left me junior.
Thanks for all the letters and the support. I would share some of the other cool spiritual experiences I am having, but then I wouldn´t have anything cool to share when I get home!!!!
Haha, valeio gente!
Elder Jacob L. Holdaway
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Letter 14
06/29/2009
Well I hope all of you were able to get to see all the pictures I uploaded, there are still a lot more but those should suffice for the moment.This week was very slow, we have been trying to get these members excited about missionary work and to work with us. The new tracting system uses family nights that invite people but if the families are not inviting any one we lose a lot of time...We will be trying to use a smaller model with only eight families to show an example for the ward and hopefully get some decent progress.This new system of tracting is far superior as it was spoken by President Monson himself that 1 in 3 of such activities gives a strong convert baptism. Rather than 1 in 1000 doors being knocked on and finding a convert.At any rate talk to Jesse about pictures he has a ton.Let´s see, what else. I never truly understood how universal the gospel is. There really is not anything in this life that has nada ver or nothing to do with the gospel. It seems to be the thread that runs through everything and the more I learn the more clear everything seems to become. I am so thankful to have been given this chance to finally see how things really are and to have a testimony. If any one reading this does not believe, try your hardest to gain one because it is one of the most valuable things that exists in this world. An eternal perspective and a testimony of the Lord.
Até Mais Gente,
Cí vediamo!
Elder Jacob L. Holdaway
Well I hope all of you were able to get to see all the pictures I uploaded, there are still a lot more but those should suffice for the moment.This week was very slow, we have been trying to get these members excited about missionary work and to work with us. The new tracting system uses family nights that invite people but if the families are not inviting any one we lose a lot of time...We will be trying to use a smaller model with only eight families to show an example for the ward and hopefully get some decent progress.This new system of tracting is far superior as it was spoken by President Monson himself that 1 in 3 of such activities gives a strong convert baptism. Rather than 1 in 1000 doors being knocked on and finding a convert.At any rate talk to Jesse about pictures he has a ton.Let´s see, what else. I never truly understood how universal the gospel is. There really is not anything in this life that has nada ver or nothing to do with the gospel. It seems to be the thread that runs through everything and the more I learn the more clear everything seems to become. I am so thankful to have been given this chance to finally see how things really are and to have a testimony. If any one reading this does not believe, try your hardest to gain one because it is one of the most valuable things that exists in this world. An eternal perspective and a testimony of the Lord.
Até Mais Gente,
Cí vediamo!
Elder Jacob L. Holdaway
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Letter 13
06/15/2009
Zone: Tubarão
Area: Criciúma 2
Turns out that I will be staying in Criciúma for at least another transfer. My new companion will be Elder West, another american.I think it is rather strange that President keeps putting me with americans, I would like to develop my linguistic abilities in portuguese. This is far more simple with someone you have to speak the language with.Oh well, I ate pig head again. Four words people; chew swallow and don´t gag.We had a miracle baptism yesterday, a young boy we have been teaching for weeks finally received permision to be baptized. Also we taught Sergio (the husband of a recent convert) and he offered a prayer again. He is participating with a much lesser restraint. I have really high hopes that we can help him to get baptized during my time here.Other than that, not much new is going on, other than the new tracting system which we need to get up and running. This ward is really improving, it only had around fifty people there frequently when we got here and now the sacrament meeting is always full. Activities are now being held and this ward is finally improving.Elder de Jong will be back in the States on Friday morning, wow what a trunky thought!
Tudo de bom prá todos de vocês!
Elder Jacob L. Holdaway
Zone: Tubarão
Area: Criciúma 2
Turns out that I will be staying in Criciúma for at least another transfer. My new companion will be Elder West, another american.I think it is rather strange that President keeps putting me with americans, I would like to develop my linguistic abilities in portuguese. This is far more simple with someone you have to speak the language with.Oh well, I ate pig head again. Four words people; chew swallow and don´t gag.We had a miracle baptism yesterday, a young boy we have been teaching for weeks finally received permision to be baptized. Also we taught Sergio (the husband of a recent convert) and he offered a prayer again. He is participating with a much lesser restraint. I have really high hopes that we can help him to get baptized during my time here.Other than that, not much new is going on, other than the new tracting system which we need to get up and running. This ward is really improving, it only had around fifty people there frequently when we got here and now the sacrament meeting is always full. Activities are now being held and this ward is finally improving.Elder de Jong will be back in the States on Friday morning, wow what a trunky thought!
Tudo de bom prá todos de vocês!
Elder Jacob L. Holdaway
Monday, June 8, 2009
Letter 12
06/08/2009
Elder de Jong goes home in somewhere in the range of ten days and he is very excited. So that is a little difficult. Every companion I have had so far has been either "dying" (ending his mission) or such a big slacker that he might as well be at home. This is a little unhelpful.
However, I think the Lord finally took pity on me, because all of a sudden it doesn´t leave me feeling overwhelmed by the time which I am still faulting.
I also wrote something I think is quite interesting the yesterday in church. I had been listening to testemony meeting, then suddenly I started thinking along a different subject line about life and its difficulties.
Here it is.
"When our problems seem overwhelming we need only remember that this merely signifies we have not yet reached the stature of our true potential. The greater the problem the better it shows us our potential for greatness." -Elder Jacob L. Holdaway
Do you like it? I thought it was rather poetic.
I hope that helps, just don´t let these little tribulations get in the way of the real objective. Life eternal.
Thank you for always being there for me. Don´t give up, pray to receive the strength sufficient to cope with this trial you have. Maybe it seems unfair, or overwhelming, but in the end it will be for your good.
D&C 121 verse more or less 5 I think, says "My son( or daughter) peace be unto thee, thy tribulations be but for a moment. And if you endure it well, the Lord thy God will exalt thee on high." something similar to this. Don´t ever give up.
Remember Christ passed through more than we can even imagine. "Art thou greather than he?" Sometimes we don´t understand the reasons why, or why the Lord delays his promised blessings, but rest assured that one day you will understand and thank him.
Go to the Temple!
Elder Jacob L. Holdaway
Zone: Tubarão
Area: Criciúma 2
This week was alright, they seem to be flying by but at the same time every day seems to drag on forever. Our investigators are all being big time fubeccas who don´t want to complete their commitments.. We are trying some new things with them, a family home evening based tracting. Having the members invite friends to their houses to host a family home evening and then inviting them to hear our messages. We think it will work out a lot better than tracting.Area: Criciúma 2
Elder de Jong goes home in somewhere in the range of ten days and he is very excited. So that is a little difficult. Every companion I have had so far has been either "dying" (ending his mission) or such a big slacker that he might as well be at home. This is a little unhelpful.
However, I think the Lord finally took pity on me, because all of a sudden it doesn´t leave me feeling overwhelmed by the time which I am still faulting.
I also wrote something I think is quite interesting the yesterday in church. I had been listening to testemony meeting, then suddenly I started thinking along a different subject line about life and its difficulties.
Here it is.
"When our problems seem overwhelming we need only remember that this merely signifies we have not yet reached the stature of our true potential. The greater the problem the better it shows us our potential for greatness." -Elder Jacob L. Holdaway
Do you like it? I thought it was rather poetic.
I hope that helps, just don´t let these little tribulations get in the way of the real objective. Life eternal.
Thank you for always being there for me. Don´t give up, pray to receive the strength sufficient to cope with this trial you have. Maybe it seems unfair, or overwhelming, but in the end it will be for your good.
D&C 121 verse more or less 5 I think, says "My son( or daughter) peace be unto thee, thy tribulations be but for a moment. And if you endure it well, the Lord thy God will exalt thee on high." something similar to this. Don´t ever give up.
Remember Christ passed through more than we can even imagine. "Art thou greather than he?" Sometimes we don´t understand the reasons why, or why the Lord delays his promised blessings, but rest assured that one day you will understand and thank him.
Go to the Temple!
Elder Jacob L. Holdaway
p.s. We taught a recent convert´s family the other night in a family home evening. Her husband and her daughter are the only non members in their immediate family now. Her husband never listened to messages when we got here in Criciúma but now he sits down and even prays with us. He is the type of person you can´t force but once he makes up his mind is completely dedicated. I have high hopes that he will one day join the church. He is a really awesome guy, one of those people that it talks about in the scripture "if ye should labor all your days and bring but one soul unto me.." I think it could take a little time and effort but once he is converted it will be a complete conversion.
Letter 11
06/01/2009
Due to the vast size of our mission, the conference was divided into three days. The first was in Zone Joinville where a third of the zones gathered. The second was in the city of Florianópolis where zones Florianópolis, Tubarão, and São José gathered. The third I haven´t the slightest clue about.
During our conference, he called on Elder De Jong and myself to teach him, in front of seventy or so other missionaries, all three zones. We did so, but Elder De Jong was BRIGHT red and very nervous. He was trying to test our techniques to see if we indeed merit the credit everyone has been giving us.
He was trying to be a very difficult investigator, and asked a lot of far fetched questions that usually a person never encounters all in a row.
However, we defended ourselves and Presidente Queiroz was very proud of us.
Turns out in the end he talked to Presidente Queiroz and told him we have one the best teaching missions in the world. Also that he is going to give his report to President Thomas S. Monson. So soon we will have a visit from an Apostle and then hopefully, if we continue strong, the Prophet himself.
So far during my mission I met three General Authorities;
Elder Richard G. Scott in the CTM, Elder Ellis (second councilor to President Dedier) in the mission, and now President Dedier who is over Brazil.
Hopefully I will meet another Apostle soon, and then the Prophet.
This week was very hectic, as we traveled to and from Florianópolis one day and then the stress from needed to be worthy to pass this Judgement. We are still teaching Tomas but we are trying to find more people to baptize.
Hope everything is well with everyone back home.
WRITE ME!!!
Elder Jacob L. Holdaway
p.s. the mission address for those who do not have it is as follows:
Elder Jacob L. Holdaway
Missão Brasil Florianópolis
R. Feliciano Nunes Pires, 42
Centro, Florianópolis -SC
88015-220
Brasilomas S. Monson. So soon we will have a visit from an Apostle and then hopefully, if we continue strong, the Prophet himself.
So far during my mission I met three General Authorities;
Elder Richard G. Scott in the CTM, Elder Ellis (second councilor to President Dedier) in the mission, and now President Dedier who is over Brazil.
Hopefully I will meet another Apostle soon, and then the Prophet.
This week was very hectic, as we traveled to and from Florianópolis one day and then the stress from needed to be worthy to pass this Judgement. We are still teaching Tomas but we are trying to find more people to baptize.
Hope everything is well with everyone back home.
WRITE ME!!!
Elder Jacob L. Holdaway
Zone: Tubarão
Area: Criciúma 2
Our mission had a conference with President Dedier of the First Quorum of the Seventy. He is the official representative of the Quorum of the Twelve, and he was coming here to see about our mission because of all the things that are being heard by the leaders of the Church. Presidente Queiroz said that he was coming to pass a judgment on the mission and to see if things really are as good as people are saying.Area: Criciúma 2
Due to the vast size of our mission, the conference was divided into three days. The first was in Zone Joinville where a third of the zones gathered. The second was in the city of Florianópolis where zones Florianópolis, Tubarão, and São José gathered. The third I haven´t the slightest clue about.
During our conference, he called on Elder De Jong and myself to teach him, in front of seventy or so other missionaries, all three zones. We did so, but Elder De Jong was BRIGHT red and very nervous. He was trying to test our techniques to see if we indeed merit the credit everyone has been giving us.
He was trying to be a very difficult investigator, and asked a lot of far fetched questions that usually a person never encounters all in a row.
However, we defended ourselves and Presidente Queiroz was very proud of us.
Turns out in the end he talked to Presidente Queiroz and told him we have one the best teaching missions in the world. Also that he is going to give his report to President Thomas S. Monson. So soon we will have a visit from an Apostle and then hopefully, if we continue strong, the Prophet himself.
So far during my mission I met three General Authorities;
Elder Richard G. Scott in the CTM, Elder Ellis (second councilor to President Dedier) in the mission, and now President Dedier who is over Brazil.
Hopefully I will meet another Apostle soon, and then the Prophet.
This week was very hectic, as we traveled to and from Florianópolis one day and then the stress from needed to be worthy to pass this Judgement. We are still teaching Tomas but we are trying to find more people to baptize.
Hope everything is well with everyone back home.
WRITE ME!!!
Elder Jacob L. Holdaway
p.s. the mission address for those who do not have it is as follows:
Elder Jacob L. Holdaway
Missão Brasil Florianópolis
R. Feliciano Nunes Pires, 42
Centro, Florianópolis -SC
88015-220
Brasilomas S. Monson. So soon we will have a visit from an Apostle and then hopefully, if we continue strong, the Prophet himself.
So far during my mission I met three General Authorities;
Elder Richard G. Scott in the CTM, Elder Ellis (second councilor to President Dedier) in the mission, and now President Dedier who is over Brazil.
Hopefully I will meet another Apostle soon, and then the Prophet.
This week was very hectic, as we traveled to and from Florianópolis one day and then the stress from needed to be worthy to pass this Judgement. We are still teaching Tomas but we are trying to find more people to baptize.
Hope everything is well with everyone back home.
WRITE ME!!!
Elder Jacob L. Holdaway
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Letter 10
05/25/2009
Zone: Tubarão
Area: Criciúma 2
Tomas was baptized and confirmed this week and it was really cool. The night before his baptism, however, he was assaulted by a member of the church. A kid named Marcos who lives in the same apartment as Tomas.
Tomas had been sitting at the table in his kitched eating a little bread, and Marcos came in and took some.
As they had already established, apparently, an individualist system in the house Tomas refused him. He told him he wanted to save it so he could eat something the next two days.
Marcos in a rage threw the whole loaf of bread on the ground and stormed off to the refridgerator. Tomas demanded that Marcos pick the bread up. Then when Marcos ignored him, Tomas kicked the fridge shut, and repeated his demand.
Marcos shouted something along the lines of, 'You will not speak to me in this manner.' Then punched Tomas in the face. Tomas didn´t retaliate and remained on the floor.
Then despite this Tomas was baptized and confirmed the next two days.
I don´t think that Marcos will be allowed to serve a mission if he can´t even control himself, so he not only lost all respect but probably the opportunity to serve a mission as well.
We also lost the investigator Marcus who has a testimony. For reasons unbeknown to us, he has forbidden our return to his house. He had agreed to baptism and everything, but when one exorcises one´s free agency, we can do nothing more for them.
Hoping to report more good things soon.
Thanks for everything!
Ce vidiamo!
Até mais pessoal!
Elder Jacob L. Holdaway
Zone: Tubarão
Area: Criciúma 2
Tomas was baptized and confirmed this week and it was really cool. The night before his baptism, however, he was assaulted by a member of the church. A kid named Marcos who lives in the same apartment as Tomas.
Tomas had been sitting at the table in his kitched eating a little bread, and Marcos came in and took some.
As they had already established, apparently, an individualist system in the house Tomas refused him. He told him he wanted to save it so he could eat something the next two days.
Marcos in a rage threw the whole loaf of bread on the ground and stormed off to the refridgerator. Tomas demanded that Marcos pick the bread up. Then when Marcos ignored him, Tomas kicked the fridge shut, and repeated his demand.
Marcos shouted something along the lines of, 'You will not speak to me in this manner.' Then punched Tomas in the face. Tomas didn´t retaliate and remained on the floor.
Then despite this Tomas was baptized and confirmed the next two days.
I don´t think that Marcos will be allowed to serve a mission if he can´t even control himself, so he not only lost all respect but probably the opportunity to serve a mission as well.
We also lost the investigator Marcus who has a testimony. For reasons unbeknown to us, he has forbidden our return to his house. He had agreed to baptism and everything, but when one exorcises one´s free agency, we can do nothing more for them.
Hoping to report more good things soon.
Thanks for everything!
Ce vidiamo!
Até mais pessoal!
Elder Jacob L. Holdaway
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Letter 9
05-18-2009
Tomas moved his baptism two weeks into the future so as to make sure he can overcome his problems.
Also we met a man named Marcos who had a dream about Joseph Smith a year ago when he received the Book of Mormon and for some reason was never taught by the missionaries. He read the Book of Mormon cover to cover and believes it to be the word of God.
His mother was the one that was healed by a priesthood blessing.
Also one of our previous investigators who also has a testimony of the Book of Mormon will be able to separate from her "husband" whom she has been living with and being cheated on by for ten years. They are not married and he is finally leaving her. This will make it possible to baptize her as well.
Elizabeth and her family of 7 (6 of which are over 8 years old including, obviously, her and her husband) are interested in hearing the lessons. This signifying another six possible baptisms in the near future.
Apparently these two months without baptisms were a trial to prove whether we would be worthy of these baptisms we are going to have now.
For now, I need to end.
Elder Jacob L. Holdaway
Zone: Tubarão
Area: Criciúma 2
Well another couple of interesting experiences this week. I ate pig´s head, which is horrible, and we found more people to baptize. One of whom was healed by one of our blessings.Area: Criciúma 2
Tomas moved his baptism two weeks into the future so as to make sure he can overcome his problems.
Also we met a man named Marcos who had a dream about Joseph Smith a year ago when he received the Book of Mormon and for some reason was never taught by the missionaries. He read the Book of Mormon cover to cover and believes it to be the word of God.
His mother was the one that was healed by a priesthood blessing.
Also one of our previous investigators who also has a testimony of the Book of Mormon will be able to separate from her "husband" whom she has been living with and being cheated on by for ten years. They are not married and he is finally leaving her. This will make it possible to baptize her as well.
Elizabeth and her family of 7 (6 of which are over 8 years old including, obviously, her and her husband) are interested in hearing the lessons. This signifying another six possible baptisms in the near future.
Apparently these two months without baptisms were a trial to prove whether we would be worthy of these baptisms we are going to have now.
For now, I need to end.
Elder Jacob L. Holdaway
Monday, May 18, 2009
Letter 8
05-11-2009
"Ironically" I had just finished a month long study on the Plan of Salvation and had my journal with me that day (a rarity) completely ready with scripture references and everything.
So I responded to his questions and we were able to pass a huge barrier. He had already recognized that the Catholic Church (his) is apostate and he even quoted the scriptures in the bible talking about the great prostitute over many waters (which he explained, correctly, as people of the world) then correlating it to the Catholic Church. He also was already aware of the "head" of this great prostitutes is situated in the "city of seven hills" we know as Rome. In which one finds the VATICAN.
A very intelligent person, but he was slightly more difficult to convince of the truthfulness of the Church of Jesus Christ. However, he recognizes and comprehends how it possesses all the elements of the primitive church.
At any rate, I will report more on his baptism this next week.
I also had the great opportunity to talk with my family this weekend on Mother´s Day. I enjoyed doing so a great deal. I also got the opportunity to talk to Sheree, for which I am greatful as well.
Hopefully we will be able to report a lot more success in the near future, I am going to "kill" Elder de Jong with a bang. He wants to leave the Mission Field with a bang, so we are going to attempt to do so.
Again a thousand thanks to everyone for supporting me!
Fice Firme, Seja Forte, e PERSEVERE ATÉ o FIM!!
Vos Amo!
Elder Jacob L. Holdaway
Zone: Tubarão
Area: Criciúma 2
Well this week was another great week in the missionfield. Yesterday Tomas commited to be baptized this weekend. He is a very intelligent kid, he asked questions about the war in heaven, who in reality is Lucifer and several other questions quite profound for an investigator.Area: Criciúma 2
"Ironically" I had just finished a month long study on the Plan of Salvation and had my journal with me that day (a rarity) completely ready with scripture references and everything.
So I responded to his questions and we were able to pass a huge barrier. He had already recognized that the Catholic Church (his) is apostate and he even quoted the scriptures in the bible talking about the great prostitute over many waters (which he explained, correctly, as people of the world) then correlating it to the Catholic Church. He also was already aware of the "head" of this great prostitutes is situated in the "city of seven hills" we know as Rome. In which one finds the VATICAN.
A very intelligent person, but he was slightly more difficult to convince of the truthfulness of the Church of Jesus Christ. However, he recognizes and comprehends how it possesses all the elements of the primitive church.
At any rate, I will report more on his baptism this next week.
I also had the great opportunity to talk with my family this weekend on Mother´s Day. I enjoyed doing so a great deal. I also got the opportunity to talk to Sheree, for which I am greatful as well.
Hopefully we will be able to report a lot more success in the near future, I am going to "kill" Elder de Jong with a bang. He wants to leave the Mission Field with a bang, so we are going to attempt to do so.
Again a thousand thanks to everyone for supporting me!
Fice Firme, Seja Forte, e PERSEVERE ATÉ o FIM!!
Vos Amo!
Elder Jacob L. Holdaway
Monday, May 4, 2009
Letter 7
05/04/2009
Zone: Tubarão
Area: Criciúma 2
We just passed through transfers and yet again I am staying here in Criciúma with Elder de Jong. Now it is official, I will "kill him" on the mission, for those unaccustomed to mission slang this means be his companion when he "dies" and goes home.We are teaching a few new people, very promising! One of them is named Tomas ( pronounced exactly like Thomas) and he is a very intelligent person. He is seventeen years old but he is very interested. Tomas is a student at a University here. He is from Rio Grande do Sul (the only state further South than Santa Catarina)He is planning to be baptized this next week, because we moved his baptism this saturday. This being because he felt guilty for drinking the day before church.However, I have high hopes for him as he is a very cool kid and sincerely cares about doing what is right.We have a few others but they are still being a little hesitant or lazy.We are teaching a great many lessons, and having success. I am still learning a lot and developing into a better person. Unfortunately I have been HORRID at writing everyone back. So I need to apologize, and I will try to get better.Looking forward to more news from home.. Also everyone that is getting this letter now, I am going to stop sending it around. They have been posted on this website by Jesse, along with awesome music about the Savior. So the link is www.elderholdaway.blogspot.com this will be my last entry I will copy and send to everyone, thereafter all the entries will be sent only to Jesse who will then post them.
Tá ligado? Entendesse?Eu estou muito feliz comvoso e todos que estão apoiando mim aqui na missão.
Amo vocês.
Bom semana.
Elder Jacob L. Holdaway
Zone: Tubarão
Area: Criciúma 2
We just passed through transfers and yet again I am staying here in Criciúma with Elder de Jong. Now it is official, I will "kill him" on the mission, for those unaccustomed to mission slang this means be his companion when he "dies" and goes home.We are teaching a few new people, very promising! One of them is named Tomas ( pronounced exactly like Thomas) and he is a very intelligent person. He is seventeen years old but he is very interested. Tomas is a student at a University here. He is from Rio Grande do Sul (the only state further South than Santa Catarina)He is planning to be baptized this next week, because we moved his baptism this saturday. This being because he felt guilty for drinking the day before church.However, I have high hopes for him as he is a very cool kid and sincerely cares about doing what is right.We have a few others but they are still being a little hesitant or lazy.We are teaching a great many lessons, and having success. I am still learning a lot and developing into a better person. Unfortunately I have been HORRID at writing everyone back. So I need to apologize, and I will try to get better.Looking forward to more news from home.. Also everyone that is getting this letter now, I am going to stop sending it around. They have been posted on this website by Jesse, along with awesome music about the Savior. So the link is www.elderholdaway.blogspot.com this will be my last entry I will copy and send to everyone, thereafter all the entries will be sent only to Jesse who will then post them.
Tá ligado? Entendesse?Eu estou muito feliz comvoso e todos que estão apoiando mim aqui na missão.
Amo vocês.
Bom semana.
Elder Jacob L. Holdaway
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Letter 7
04/27/2009
Zone:Tubarão
Area: Criciuma 2
Things here are alright. I didn´t get very many emails today. Kinda sad, but that is just how it goes I guess.I now have 7 months on the mission as of the 24th of this month. It is incredible how fast time seems to fly once a person gets into the actual field.I took my study time the other day and read the Gospel Principles book and it was amazing. I am learning so many new things, how universal the gospel is!! I now know what it means by the phrase "feast on the words of Christ" once one gets a thirst for gospel knowledge it becomes addictive.I am so excited to take my religion classes when I get home. So many things that are to be learned! Hopefully I will be able to never "get off" my mission as it has been said.I feel bad for trying to "get" my brothers "off" their missions when they got home. I just didn´t understand.Hopefully you two will be able to forgive me.Lately I have been very apprehensive about something. However, exactly what said item is I am unsure. Hopefully I will be able to discover soon.We are still teaching those families but, they have all stopped progressing and I am a little discouraged and sad about/for them. They are so prepared! If only they had the ability to take a step of faith!I never truly understood this world the way I should have though I guess and hopefully one day they will be able to understand.My perspective has greatly changed, and my perception of certain things. I am hoping this is the gift of discernment and that I will be able to retain it after my mission if possible.
Anyway, see you all later.
Elder Jacob L. Holdaway
Zone:Tubarão
Area: Criciuma 2
Things here are alright. I didn´t get very many emails today. Kinda sad, but that is just how it goes I guess.I now have 7 months on the mission as of the 24th of this month. It is incredible how fast time seems to fly once a person gets into the actual field.I took my study time the other day and read the Gospel Principles book and it was amazing. I am learning so many new things, how universal the gospel is!! I now know what it means by the phrase "feast on the words of Christ" once one gets a thirst for gospel knowledge it becomes addictive.I am so excited to take my religion classes when I get home. So many things that are to be learned! Hopefully I will be able to never "get off" my mission as it has been said.I feel bad for trying to "get" my brothers "off" their missions when they got home. I just didn´t understand.Hopefully you two will be able to forgive me.Lately I have been very apprehensive about something. However, exactly what said item is I am unsure. Hopefully I will be able to discover soon.We are still teaching those families but, they have all stopped progressing and I am a little discouraged and sad about/for them. They are so prepared! If only they had the ability to take a step of faith!I never truly understood this world the way I should have though I guess and hopefully one day they will be able to understand.My perspective has greatly changed, and my perception of certain things. I am hoping this is the gift of discernment and that I will be able to retain it after my mission if possible.
Anyway, see you all later.
Elder Jacob L. Holdaway
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Letter 6
4/20/2009
Zone: Tubarão
Area: Criciúma 2
Well another week has gone by and they seem to be accelerating at an incredible rate.We traveled a great deal this week;Thursday- Tubarão was an hour and a half by bus there and the same back. We had zone conference. We got up at four a.m. and got back at nine thirty p.m.Friday- Impetuba was a three hour bus ride there and another three hours back. We had to do a baptismal interview. We got up at four a.m. and got back at ten thirty p.m.Saturday- Centro, helping with an activity.For this reason our number of lessons fell, but still we are above the standard of excellency.This mission is really turning around, this zone here was always one of the least baptising zones with an average of four a month. This last month our zone baptised fourteen people!We are having members of the 70 coming to visit our mission as well. As this mission always had low baptism numbers. Averaging 40 baptisms a month, and now we are baptising over 150 a month.Apparently a lot of the prophesies about our Mission President are finally coming to fufillment. Not only is everything increasing but it is doing so exponentially and seems to be gaining momentum.I gave a talk this last sunday, and I had decided to address some problems in the ward at the end. Especially gossip, because it was hindering the Lord´s work here. I don´t know why but I was nervous to address the problem until I got up there. Then all of a sudden I just felt perfectly calm and determined.I spoke out against the problem and read scriptures to them about how we will be judged according to our judgments and forgiven according to our forgiveness. Then I shared the story of Christ and the woman taken in adultery. I explained that Christ did not condem her, despite the fact that she had committed one of the gravest of sins. He defended her, then when they were alone forgave her. Is it not so that we too need to defend those who are ill spoken of, as Christ did, and then forgive them for whatever they may or may not have done. For authority is not given any of us to judge or condem anyone. Nor damage their reputation by speaking behind their backs.Then as I finished I apologized for if I had offended anyone, but according to 1 nephi 16:2 the words of the truth are hard only against those who have offended the laws of God and the righteous had I justified. I also told them that if anyone wanted to be angry with us they could be angry with me and leave Elder de Jong out of it.The spirit was good, and actually I gained us a lot of respect. In addition another sister to give lunches!! Haha, she had stopped because of slacker elders but she decided after my talk that it was time for her to serve again.Anyway, so that is my burning story. I don´t really want to burn and I am afraid I like it too much so I avoid it. However, this was the first and hopefully the last time I had to do it. Because the spirit was with me it turned out exponentially for the good even though I took a risk at cutting our influence within the ward.So avoid gossip!!!! ITS BAD!!! Don´t even listen to it. It is contentious and of the Enemy.
Elder Jacob L. Holdaway
Zone: Tubarão
Area: Criciúma 2
Well another week has gone by and they seem to be accelerating at an incredible rate.We traveled a great deal this week;Thursday- Tubarão was an hour and a half by bus there and the same back. We had zone conference. We got up at four a.m. and got back at nine thirty p.m.Friday- Impetuba was a three hour bus ride there and another three hours back. We had to do a baptismal interview. We got up at four a.m. and got back at ten thirty p.m.Saturday- Centro, helping with an activity.For this reason our number of lessons fell, but still we are above the standard of excellency.This mission is really turning around, this zone here was always one of the least baptising zones with an average of four a month. This last month our zone baptised fourteen people!We are having members of the 70 coming to visit our mission as well. As this mission always had low baptism numbers. Averaging 40 baptisms a month, and now we are baptising over 150 a month.Apparently a lot of the prophesies about our Mission President are finally coming to fufillment. Not only is everything increasing but it is doing so exponentially and seems to be gaining momentum.I gave a talk this last sunday, and I had decided to address some problems in the ward at the end. Especially gossip, because it was hindering the Lord´s work here. I don´t know why but I was nervous to address the problem until I got up there. Then all of a sudden I just felt perfectly calm and determined.I spoke out against the problem and read scriptures to them about how we will be judged according to our judgments and forgiven according to our forgiveness. Then I shared the story of Christ and the woman taken in adultery. I explained that Christ did not condem her, despite the fact that she had committed one of the gravest of sins. He defended her, then when they were alone forgave her. Is it not so that we too need to defend those who are ill spoken of, as Christ did, and then forgive them for whatever they may or may not have done. For authority is not given any of us to judge or condem anyone. Nor damage their reputation by speaking behind their backs.Then as I finished I apologized for if I had offended anyone, but according to 1 nephi 16:2 the words of the truth are hard only against those who have offended the laws of God and the righteous had I justified. I also told them that if anyone wanted to be angry with us they could be angry with me and leave Elder de Jong out of it.The spirit was good, and actually I gained us a lot of respect. In addition another sister to give lunches!! Haha, she had stopped because of slacker elders but she decided after my talk that it was time for her to serve again.Anyway, so that is my burning story. I don´t really want to burn and I am afraid I like it too much so I avoid it. However, this was the first and hopefully the last time I had to do it. Because the spirit was with me it turned out exponentially for the good even though I took a risk at cutting our influence within the ward.So avoid gossip!!!! ITS BAD!!! Don´t even listen to it. It is contentious and of the Enemy.
Elder Jacob L. Holdaway
Letter 5
04/13/2009
Zone: Tubarão
Area: Criciúma 2
So far everything is still going great. I learn something new every day and I can´t wait to see how all the things I learn and am doing now will affect my life when I get home. I think everything will be a lot easier.I sadly am not anywhere near a Temple and as we do not have any Temples in my mission, I do not get the privelege of attending.I hope every one of you back home who have the opportunities to attend take advantage of them. It is through Temple service that we are able to keep our eyes focused on the things of the Lord and avoid falling in this ever retrogressing world. The storm is thickening and we all know that it is only going to worsen. Don´t ever lose hope, go to the Temple once or twice a week, and remember that it is only after we take the first step of faith that the Lord will guide our steps and help us to stay strong in our attempts to follow Him.FICE FIRME!!!!!!!! Stand FAST!!Sadly we have not had these four families we are teaching baptised yet, also the other three baptisms that are guarentied to happen also have been delayed. Sadly these people are being advanced upon from all sides by tribulations and challenges. Every time they take a step forward the Enemy seems to throw something else in their paths to make them take three steps back.I have hope that sometime soon they will be able to overcome these difficulties and be baptismed but we will have to see.Elder de Jong and I are still working hard, sometimes it is not easy to remain focused but we do pretty well. Hoping all is well with everyone.
All my love,
Elder Jacob L. Holdaway
p.s."Work to make yourself worth what you want!" -Elder Jacob L. Holdaway
Zone: Tubarão
Area: Criciúma 2
So far everything is still going great. I learn something new every day and I can´t wait to see how all the things I learn and am doing now will affect my life when I get home. I think everything will be a lot easier.I sadly am not anywhere near a Temple and as we do not have any Temples in my mission, I do not get the privelege of attending.I hope every one of you back home who have the opportunities to attend take advantage of them. It is through Temple service that we are able to keep our eyes focused on the things of the Lord and avoid falling in this ever retrogressing world. The storm is thickening and we all know that it is only going to worsen. Don´t ever lose hope, go to the Temple once or twice a week, and remember that it is only after we take the first step of faith that the Lord will guide our steps and help us to stay strong in our attempts to follow Him.FICE FIRME!!!!!!!! Stand FAST!!Sadly we have not had these four families we are teaching baptised yet, also the other three baptisms that are guarentied to happen also have been delayed. Sadly these people are being advanced upon from all sides by tribulations and challenges. Every time they take a step forward the Enemy seems to throw something else in their paths to make them take three steps back.I have hope that sometime soon they will be able to overcome these difficulties and be baptismed but we will have to see.Elder de Jong and I are still working hard, sometimes it is not easy to remain focused but we do pretty well. Hoping all is well with everyone.
All my love,
Elder Jacob L. Holdaway
p.s."Work to make yourself worth what you want!" -Elder Jacob L. Holdaway
Letter 4
03/23/2009
Zone:Tubarâo
Area:Criciúma 2
Tomorrow I hit the 6 month mark, crazy how fast it goes huh? Ainda estou sem carta-azul também! lol I am still without a dear john. For now.....We had 47 LESSONS this week! Everything is going great and we have met two new families that are in all probability going to be baptised. Two complete families; a rarity that any ex-missionary will recognize. Everything is going great and I hope to report the baptisms of these new families in one of these next entries.I am still with Elder de Jong, and we are still working hard, I hope to be able to stay with him until June and bring a great many more souls unto Christ.It is a great pleasure to be serving the Lord and taking part in the marvelous work that is His.I have begun a very in depth study of the Plan of Salvation, and am currently searching out all the deep doctrines that I can. All of this being recorded in my journal. Hopefully I will be able to one day connect all the dots for certain things hidden there within.I would like to thank Kodi for Jesus the Christ as that is now one of my favorite books of all time. I learned so much from having studied it. I encourage everyone to try and give it a try sometime.Well I need to try and get an account up on another website in order to upload pictures for this blog. So for now I am going to close.
Até mais gente!
Elder Jacob L. Holdaway
Zone:Tubarâo
Area:Criciúma 2
Tomorrow I hit the 6 month mark, crazy how fast it goes huh? Ainda estou sem carta-azul também! lol I am still without a dear john. For now.....We had 47 LESSONS this week! Everything is going great and we have met two new families that are in all probability going to be baptised. Two complete families; a rarity that any ex-missionary will recognize. Everything is going great and I hope to report the baptisms of these new families in one of these next entries.I am still with Elder de Jong, and we are still working hard, I hope to be able to stay with him until June and bring a great many more souls unto Christ.It is a great pleasure to be serving the Lord and taking part in the marvelous work that is His.I have begun a very in depth study of the Plan of Salvation, and am currently searching out all the deep doctrines that I can. All of this being recorded in my journal. Hopefully I will be able to one day connect all the dots for certain things hidden there within.I would like to thank Kodi for Jesus the Christ as that is now one of my favorite books of all time. I learned so much from having studied it. I encourage everyone to try and give it a try sometime.Well I need to try and get an account up on another website in order to upload pictures for this blog. So for now I am going to close.
Até mais gente!
Elder Jacob L. Holdaway
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Letter 3
03/16/2009
Zone: Tubarão
Area: Criciúma 2
Oi Gente! Como todos de vocês estão!! We had 37 lessons this week!!! Sadly no more baptisms as of yet, but mark my words we will get them! This week we are hoping to get four more people ready to be baptised. Criciúma is a VERY hot area, but I believe that I am becoming accustomed to the heat of Brazil.Something funny is everyone here wants to talk about snowboarding and snow. When I tell them how tall the snow was this year there, they are all dumbstruck in awe. Almost appearing like a little kid on christmas when his/her eyes get all big and lit up in surprise.Everything is still going well with Elder de Jong, and I am learning quite a bit. I am going to start writing an entry about the start of the mission and whom I had so this entry will be short.
Até mais pessoal!
Elder Jacob L. Holdaway
Monday, March 9, 2009
Letter # 2
3/9/2009
Zone: Tubarão
Area: Criciúma 2
This week we had two baptisms; Sônia Jacinta de Oliveira and Indinara Pereira Dias. They were really cool, but the water was cold!! Also I messed up on the words because I forgot to say and being "e" so I had to baptise her twice. Also on the second time around her elbow did not submerge so on the way up I pushed her all the way back down to the bottom. It was quite comical.At any rate, we had several investigators there and we are hoping to baptise one of them this coming Saturday.Elder de Jong and I are working well together and I found out from President that in all probability we will remain together until he "dies" in June and returns home.So I believe that I will be quite stationary for a while. I still get my letters through the mission home around every three weeks so keep writing!!!We are teaching about thirty lessons a week, which is ten above the standard of excellency and I hope to be able to report a great many more baptisms in following entries.Again thanks to Jesse for maintaining a website, which I still have not had the opportunity to see. Hopefully I will get the chance to send pictures soon.For those who have a desire to ship me something amazing, here is a list :)-Crest toothpaste (whitening)-Old Spice Deodorant (preferably red zone)-Maple Syrup recipe with the Maple (extract ?? my english is suffering)-Black socksAgain, all is going well, but I will definitely love being back in the States next year.Fice Firme!!!!
Até Mais Gente!
-Elder Jacob L. Holdaway
Zone: Tubarão
Area: Criciúma 2
This week we had two baptisms; Sônia Jacinta de Oliveira and Indinara Pereira Dias. They were really cool, but the water was cold!! Also I messed up on the words because I forgot to say and being "e" so I had to baptise her twice. Also on the second time around her elbow did not submerge so on the way up I pushed her all the way back down to the bottom. It was quite comical.At any rate, we had several investigators there and we are hoping to baptise one of them this coming Saturday.Elder de Jong and I are working well together and I found out from President that in all probability we will remain together until he "dies" in June and returns home.So I believe that I will be quite stationary for a while. I still get my letters through the mission home around every three weeks so keep writing!!!We are teaching about thirty lessons a week, which is ten above the standard of excellency and I hope to be able to report a great many more baptisms in following entries.Again thanks to Jesse for maintaining a website, which I still have not had the opportunity to see. Hopefully I will get the chance to send pictures soon.For those who have a desire to ship me something amazing, here is a list :)-Crest toothpaste (whitening)-Old Spice Deodorant (preferably red zone)-Maple Syrup recipe with the Maple (extract ?? my english is suffering)-Black socksAgain, all is going well, but I will definitely love being back in the States next year.Fice Firme!!!!
Até Mais Gente!
-Elder Jacob L. Holdaway
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Letter #1 Criciuma Brazil 2/23/2009
2/23/2009
Zone: Tubarão
Area: Criciúma 2
Zone: Tubarão
Area: Criciúma 2
Well, these amazing computers here in Brazil just deleted this message once already so I am going to try my best to retype it before anything more happens.I am on my third transfer and just received my third companion, Elder De Jong from Sandy, Utah.We are coming to reopen an area that had to be shut down because of some incidences with the previous Elders here. I am very excited to be working with him as he is a good worker but still knows how to have fun.So far my mission has not had a great deal of success, and my second companion in the field was a great trial for me and the patience I had been praying to develop. However, I finally have received this amazing gift and I love having it.I will at a later date add some entries in order to let everyone know what happened during the first two transfers but due to lack of time this will have to wait.I have a great deal of hope for this area and though this zone does not have a very good reputation for baptisms we will try to help the other new Elders transferred here to change that.Until time permits another entry.
Até Mais.
Elder Jacob L. Holdaway
Friday, February 20, 2009
Makeup post from mtc
09/25/2008 - 11/2008
CTM- Centro de Treinamento Missionário
As this is a makeup entry it is bound to be lacking in detail, however, I will bring my journal with me and have Jesse put an addition to this CTM section. The majority of my CTM experience was spent studying até o pó! I studied a great deal in order to fully realize the promise that someone could leave the CTM almost completely fluent in Portuguese if they studied diligently. I spent free time studying, and memorized every word I encountered.True to His word, the Lord blessed me with the gift of tongues and I left the CTM fluent, my President was surprised when we conducted our first interview in Portuguese rather than English.Sadly, everything has two sides, and though it was a great blessing it had a downfall as well. Everyone was always complimenting me on how well I spoke and surprised at how little time I had on the mission.Anyone who knows me, has a firm knowledge that I am a very prideful person who struggles with arrogancy. Haha, this was very hard to keep in check when I kept getting compliments!At any rate, being locked up in the CTM for two months was an amazing experience but one which I do not have desires to repeat. On top of the normal two months, due to a freak flood in Santa Catarina that destroyed two cities entirely, my district remained an additional week.Addition to follow with more details: --
CTM- Centro de Treinamento Missionário
As this is a makeup entry it is bound to be lacking in detail, however, I will bring my journal with me and have Jesse put an addition to this CTM section. The majority of my CTM experience was spent studying até o pó! I studied a great deal in order to fully realize the promise that someone could leave the CTM almost completely fluent in Portuguese if they studied diligently. I spent free time studying, and memorized every word I encountered.True to His word, the Lord blessed me with the gift of tongues and I left the CTM fluent, my President was surprised when we conducted our first interview in Portuguese rather than English.Sadly, everything has two sides, and though it was a great blessing it had a downfall as well. Everyone was always complimenting me on how well I spoke and surprised at how little time I had on the mission.Anyone who knows me, has a firm knowledge that I am a very prideful person who struggles with arrogancy. Haha, this was very hard to keep in check when I kept getting compliments!At any rate, being locked up in the CTM for two months was an amazing experience but one which I do not have desires to repeat. On top of the normal two months, due to a freak flood in Santa Catarina that destroyed two cities entirely, my district remained an additional week.Addition to follow with more details: --
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