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
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
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
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