Letter #43

7/2/12

Dear Family,

Happy late birhtday Trey, hopefully it was awesome. I really miss Bispo Wold and a few other members in the ward they really made a difference in my life. Well things are going well with Carlaile, and not so well with Elder Anderson. In fact we got into a fight and he did a weird poke thingy with his hand into my stomach and I hit him in the shoulder afterwards. He has been really negative this entire transfer and I think I finally got fed up with it. I am now only speaking portugues with everyone and I guess it is helping. I am in alma 48. So I am getting closer to being done with the BOM. Carlaile and De Freittas have really helped me say words correctly.

We had to cut a lot of people this week and thus we didn´t get a baptism but we are going to try and mark dates with the new people we have found. Hopefully they fulfill their comitments and they well be ready to be baptized for sure. The hardest part is allowing people to make these comittments on their own. Sometimes I want to do it for them but in order for them to recieve an answer they have to do it and I can only show and teach it is important. It is their choice to plant that seed ;).

I haven´t meet my president but we will have a conference with him next week so I will defenitly meet him. Well it still hasn´t gotten cold here and I and dying of the heat. It is suppose to get colder but that doesn´t look like it will happen. I am glad spencer is excited and is look spiffy lol. I kinda would like a suit but is is way to hot for one. I would also love a car and Dr. Pepper too but they don´t have that either. lol. I miss a lot of food from america but it is all good I will be back someday, maybe... lol. I am so happy to be able to work and not think about home. The more time I try to do stuff the less time I have to think about home. 

Thank you for the update. The m oney didn´t come in becasue of the whole new Prez and stuff, but I will not use my account. I need to be a little bit better on how I save my money from now on. I will do my best claro and I love you all.

Pai muito obrigado por sua ajuda. Eu estou bem e estou trablhando muito com meu companheiro Elder Carlaile. Ele é legal, mas ele também é de boa. Mas com ele Eu estou feliz é super animado para trabalhar. eu te amo e tenho saudade da família. Eu oro por vocês cada dia. Fique firme, feliz, e melhor.

Se amo

Elder Searle 

Letter #42

6/25/12

Dear Family,

Thanks mom nd dad for your guy´s letter. They really do help lift me up for another week. We got another baptism this week, so that is awesome. I am working hard with Carlaile and he really helps me understand what I can do better everyday. I am tired everyday ( feels good unlike with the dead) and I am excited to finish this tranfere strong. Elder Anderson has grown a lot, I think thebrasilians understand I like a clean house. ( how can someone be 22 and not clean up after himself ). I am in Alma 40, almost done and catching up. The girls in the ward are snakes but I do keep my distance, I don´t have anymore strikes to give and I rather not try and push the line. However the members blamed the past missionaries that the young women that were baptized, didn´t stay firm becasue of the missionaries. And we basically got chewed out for what they did. So that is more of my problem with the members. They point the finger and not even at the right people. ( And they didn´t call the PRez because they like the missionaries so... I just don´tknow what to do but just ignore it and work). So that what I have been doing working and walking a lot and it is nice to sleep really hard.

Ya Hannah can keep the bed board thingy. And I am glad to hear about Max. I miss him. lol Glad to hear everyone is busy and going smoothly, Trey stop teasing Hannah, and Spencer you are o cara (the face, really it means the man in this context but normally face).  I played basketball and volleyball today and bought a few futebol shirts. So I had a good P-day. There is a new sister here and she has been having a rough start but is pulling through it. We all have learned to just try to make it until tomorrow and when you finally start understanding, and talking, enjoy working with the people you forget how much time you have like me I forget I have 9 months lol. Spencer just keep doing oyur best and the Lord will bless you more than you know.

Love you all

se amo

Elder Searle (Your son)

Letter #41

6/18/12

Hey Family,

So 1st thing is the address to my mission has changed to Av. Hist. Ruben De Mendonça 1731, Bairro Consil, sala 10, Cuiaba - MT Brasil 78050-975. The other adress was to a postal box and they will don´t be using it becasue it costs money and it is slower. So yup I also got another baptism this Sunday and reach alma chapter 24 in Portuguese. I am really workin hard to sound more Brasilian and not be like Elder Wilson who had a super American accent. Our goal is to baptise a man this week but I don´t know how thta is going to work out. it seems loike all the men we meet can´t quite drinking our can´t get married legally. So We got some work on our hands. Elder Caraile has taught me a lot and is really fun. However Elder de freittas doens´t like the fact that me and Anderson speak English in the house because he doesn´t understand and Elder Caraile and understand a little bit. To most brasilians it is like a sin or something to speak even a little english. I don´t know, but it is funny/annoying how they kinda freak out about it.  The ward is seems to be more against us than I thought. They want us to baptize but they want us to tell them and lead them to the people we are baptizing before the baptism so they can tell them the ``real deal`` about being a member. And so far we have lost baptism becasue of it. So... I think I will follow Preach My Gospel on this one and hand them over aftert the baptism so they can teach lesson 5, like it should be. I am all for working with members but there are some here who feel like how the missionaires teach is wrong and they have to fix everything and they are the only ones trying to get a chapel and all we do is flirt with the girls oin the ward. Well, only the girls in the ward help us and give us names and want us to actually meet their friends and baptize them. I understand we as missionaries should  keep our distance but for me it really pisses me off when the members just sit on their buts and eternal investigators are a whole lot cooler to work with and talk to than them. And so Pedra 90 will probablly be closed and have to travel to another wrd to meet. I believe almost none of the mwill do that.

But we are trying and trying to reactivate at the same time but without the members doing the work themselves it will never work.

 

Anyways, cool to hear everyone is having fun and have lots planned. The mission is starting feel like it is moving, finally! I am super excited for this week to baptize a lot of people. A lot of firm people too. I also like the fact I feel super tired by the end of the day like I worked out for an entire day. It is also nice to find that we basically teach more than 10 lessons a week. Oh my goodness, when you teach the day just flies by, especially when you understand too. Spencer I promise you if you read the book of mormon, in Japanse you will be the man in oyu mission. Also memorize as much as you in the MTC, like the 1st vision, the purpose and a few key scriptures (ex D&C 4, James 1:5, ect.). They will really help. And here is a tip, when you start a lesson tell people you are a missionary and your purpose is tp help people follow Christ through baptism and then invite the to be baptized if they feel it is true. You will shock your companions and teacher in the MTC, but it is how you invite people. Introduce, purpose, invite. If they say no, understand why not, then do suppose this problem was sovled then would you be baptized, if yes BAM you got it , if no cut. (this info helps treyson too.) lol so ya I am doing great, hope you dont get sick anymore mom, plus the cold phase here is pretty much gone. It is basically still super hot.  Anderson is doing better, really has grown up a lot, he says I am a lot like Dad. I have also learned why dad is the way he is. Brasilians... they really help you learn to listen, be patient, loving (all the time), and even more patient lol. Love you guys, Fique firme, sempre cresça.

 

se amo,

Elder Searle

Letter #40

6/11/12

Dear Family,

That is really cool that you guys got to go to LA and have lots of fun.  Thank you for keeping me updated and it has been a rough time for Anderson, because he really wants to be senior. THe problem is that the prez trusts brasilians more than americans sometimes even if the brasialin is not obeying the rules. I know no one is perfect but the prez also forgets a lot of missionaries. I know Grandpa tried everyday to learn everyone´s names and even Anderson´s prez in Salt Lake knew him and he was there only for 2 weeks. The Prez forgot me one time and told it to my face and I was in the office and saw him everyday. I don´t know I think he is ``dying`` and this whole dying thingreally pisses me off sometimes. We teach to continue until the end but even as missionaries for two years we can not do this. That is what I call wrong and the PRez hasn´t been a very good example.

So that is me complaning for the day. We got to watch the Manaso Temple get dedicated and it was really cool. Elder Uthdorf dedicated the temple. And we almost had a baptism but it fell through but we have a few oportunites next week so I am still working :). Carlaile is really cool he has a year and is kinda like Elder MUniz and Farely put together but at the sametime his own person. I think the blessins are finally coming and Carlaile and I will baptize a ton of people here.The other Elder, de freitas, is 22 years old same time as us and doesn´t know how to take care of himself. It makes me face palm sometimes. Last night we stayed somewhere else because for P-day we hiked a montain and then came home to a destroyed house. They are no where to be found, probably at the center or office exploring. THey also used a lot of our food and now we are short on food and I have been using my card becasue of this. But money will come in a couple of days so I should hold out. I finally feel exhauseted not just tired and it´s good. I sleep hard at night. Most of my dreams now are only about Brasil and not home so I guess thats good.

That would be intresting to work with spencer because tons of people from japan live here and I actually thought about it a little bit when he recieved his call. Well at least I could go on a trip to Japan and he can translate. lol. this week got ba little cold but is is hot again just like AZ. So ya not missing too much. Love you all, enjoy the summer.

se amo

Elder Searle.

Letter #39

6/4/12

Dear Family,

I am doing great, have a new companion, a brasilian, Elder Caralie ( I think), who only has a year so at least I won´t be killing him. I hear he is kinda de boa, meaning really relaxed and somewhat lazy. So I guess I just need to take over and get these baptisms myself. So We have a few possiblities next week but really depends on the investigators fulfilling their commitments.But I may baptize 3 men this transfer, which is huge. Anderson is not happy becasue he isn´t senior and he is companions with a brasilain who has the same time as us. He really hates the Prez. At least I got him to stay and not leave the mission. but I don´t know how this transfer will go. I explianed that this mission is the weakest in brasil and it will probably have to be our group to change that. HE said he was just one person, but I said fine but I am going to do it with you or without, but it will be a lot easier with you. He still not happy but staying until the new prez. I just got to the part were Almuque smashed on everybady and zeerom. ( don´t know how to spell their names in English) but it was pretty good. Too many people here in Brasil want to agrue and I realised I have to be firm and 100% certain I am doing the right thing, not being in the right, but doing it.

that is so cool you talk to Sister Gittings, and it would be awesome to know and maybe visit her if she come. Also to have the missionaries visit her brother. And if she would bring me stuff she would be an angel and a great blessing. Sometimes the members here in pedra 90 are to selfish and don´t even open their doors to use. I mean their hearts really but ya even to other members. THere is a lot of finger pointing and not enough people helping. So Anderson and I are going to try abd change it. I don´t know how but lately, evn going outside and walking, we find people, so hopefully it will be kinda like that. I think Anderson´s real problem is it is not like salt lake were they baptize a ton and work super hard and here not even the leaders are worthy. Its sad but they need a kid like him who knows how the system should be.

Anyways, excited to work again. The lady didn´t go to church but wilson never wanted to visit her again and I was with Anderson trying to get a roll going for this wek so ya. I will let you know when she gets in the water. ;). love you guys, keep working hard, Spencer, você é o cara ( you are the man). Treyson don´t get lazy, and Hannah keep being pretty but keep the boys away, they are evil. Tell Sister Gittings, her story was amazing and a true testimony of the power of God. Tell Everyone in the ward I miss them, wish them the best, and I love them.

se Amo

Elder Searle (son)

Letter #38

5/28/12

Dear Family,

 

Well 1st off happy belated birthday and Happy Memorial weekend to all of you guys too. Let Grandma and Grandpa Mangum I got their letter and I really enjoyed it. Glad to have your guys support too, it has been a hard transfer but only one more week and I have made it through. So glad to hear everyone will basically be busy during the Summer, espescially Spencer lol. And dad keep practicing the Portugues you will remember it all again. Actually this kid that is sitting next to me stareted speaking to me and I understood it and spoke back and he didn´t laugh at mine and he understood mine too. So it was really weird but yet so natural. English still has its bumps and Anderson keeps that in mind lol. Anyways he is doing better, had a rough time with Melo but I think we all learned to love him in some way. We also made gaggys like ever week ,so i AM OUT OF PEANUT BUTTER BUT IT WAS WOrth it just to get through the transfer. Anderson is having a lot of 1st on the mission, 1st break up, 1st dying and really fubecka missionary, and he is still here. He wants to go home but at the same time he doesn´t. I am at the point where I don´t think I am ever going home so just accept the fact I could be killing missionaries for my entire mission. Get ready for some fun Spencer lol, but always remember you can pray and read the scriptures, they help pass the time and reall strengthen you.

So Elder Wilson and I have an investigator who has already recieved an answer, a dream even, and still doesn´t feel ready to be baptized. We don´t know how to help understand that she needs to be because she wants to just wants to wait. And we explained to her already the importance of baptism, she has friends in the church, and even church talked about doing things based off the spirit now not later. So... I guess this week is to really push a date and hopefully this satureday and be confirmed sunday. So ya wish me luck and lots of prayes too.

I am really grateful for your guys emails and letters. They are very important too me and love it when you guys put humor and stories and it really brightens my week. Thank you dad for the little updates on sports, gives me a smile, and Mom your stories of the family are the best. I am currently in Alma chapter 9 and should be and chapter 11 or 12 tonight. I am a little behind becasue I had the cold or flu or something, but I am gettting better I don´t know why I keep getting sick. I try to drink lots of water and those vitamin pills and more fruits and vegitables but ya... maybe teaching me humlity and ask more blessing in my life and rely on others. I don´t do tha a lot. I really try to only rely on myself but Anderson has really taught me to rely on my leaders whenever possible because if I don´t want to keep killing missionaries they will help me ´´move up´´ in the mission. So hopefully I will be doing something else than killing on the mission.

Oh so I bought a coupe of nice futebol shirst and a hammock. So I am finally starting on my collection of stuff lol. So ya I guess I need a bigger suit case I won´t be able to bring 3 pillows whereever I go. You have to sacrifice so much on the mission like a pillow or two just to have some really cool stuff lol. Well I will let you guys know next week where I will be and who will be my new companion. Almost 9 months ( Elder Anderson does a good job counting lol he is kinda trunky cause of all the dying missionaries in the zone 7 or 8 missionaries will be dying... it is so exciting.)

Se amo

Elder Searle

Letter #37

5/21/12

Dear Family,

So I am doing great amd I will be working a lot more with Elder Anderson. Basically Elder Wilson has thrown in the towel and doesn´t want to work anymore because we got one baptism. So ya Elder Anderson and I will be getting a few more before the transfer ends.

I will try to download a ton of pictures too in the next couple weeks but the internet here is too slow ( won´t even allow me to see picture that I have already downloaded). So maybe if I go to central or somewhere else with better internet.

Ya dengue can be pretty serious. basically if you get it once the chance of you getting it again is higher and you could get the more serious one too. Even some American mission presidents send you home if you get it twice. And I try to use insect repelent before I sleep and duringthe harder days but is is really hard to avoid being bitten when you use to live next to a tire shop and the just let the old tires stack up next to our stair way. But I am trying to be better. Fans really help too.

Awesome that school is almost done and you guys are ready to sleep in lol. I can´t wait in a year and 4 months lol.

I really love that you have a testimony of prayer, in fact it is becasue of pray I have had very special experinces in my life before the mission as well as during. I really wish I have these experinces after the mission too. And Dad thank you about D&C 84. It basically explains why there are missionaries, members, leaders and the need of only one trye church. Funny thing is I taught a class on the people of the convant of the Lord. ( not sure if I translated it correctly but it is basically about the new and everlasting covenant.) It was really hard to teach cause I am not very fulent in the language yet and scared to death too, but many members helo the lesson go pretty smoothly. I explained that we needed these convenants in oder to continue in this life and return to HIm in the next. And with the priesthood we could make these covenants with the Lord in order to be saved and recieve help and guidance. It was really cool to teach (vey hard) but rewarding at the same time.

The reason I gave Spencer that comitment is becasue a profeta of the Lord has given that promise to everyone and I believe and know that if we follow the counsel of the profeta we can recieve those promissed blessings. Sometimes we sit back and want to see what happens to others but we usually end up thinking ``oh that was nice`` instead of really understanding the power of following the profeta. I know a lot of times I think oh that would be cool or awesome but I don´t do anything about it until it is almost too late and then I am trying to catch up rather than move forward and even lead. Too many of us like to sit back and watch and then if it works out follow the group. So Spencer do it now and you will be some what ahead. I mean it is very hard to be prepared for the field but you can always have a good start and somethime that can make the biggest difference in a race. So Good luck and go strong from the begging.

I love you all. Hope finals go well, hope everyone is getting along. Hope you guys don´t sleep in too much. Treyson hope camps go well, don´t get lazy lol. Hannah miss ya. Love you MOM and DAD.

Se amo

Elder Searle

Letter #36

5/14/12

Dear FAmily,

 

So it was awesome talking toall of you. I have a question what happened to al l the pictures I downloaded to the website last time. I don´t want to download moe if some how they all disapeared. Um... well the thing with ELder Wilson is he is n´t really good at speaking portugues, I mean he can let other know what he is trying to say but he has a very heavey american accent and sometimes other people understand me a whole lot better than him. I think he knows that but I don´t know, lately he stated throwing out stences and words at me ], you know inorder to bring me down and he does weird random stuff and if I don´t follow him then it is my fault. so ya I don´t know I just stayed queit for a long time and then one day he started to do it in front of an investigator, and I actually really got pissed at him and one day I just yellded at him and he yelled back but he pushed me and I was ready to throw a jaab at his throat but I didn´t ( I was super pissed too and I don´t know how I stopped myself but I did) basically elder wilson is a lot like me before the mission aand ya I think he really has a hard time talking to people in general. DBut now we are good. not tight but good, I think he is just ready to die. Anyways I think I will go on more splits with Anderson anyways just to make sure there is a buffer on somedays with wilson because HE doesn´t really look happy to be with me lol.

They have tons of apples here and pharmacies that is also basically on every corner too. So I should be good. I am not too bad besides the fact we walked in the rain back home for almost two hours lol so much for dit being hot and getting better. But I will be alright, drugged my self up today.

Well I am glad tom has taken my place at home aand still acting like a boy ( sorry mom). and I hope mothers day was amazing. Spencer don´t forget to raad the BOM in JApanesse. Uhm.. I don´t know what else to write ,I might go buy a hamock today or some futebol shirts or something.

Se amo

Elder Searle

Letter #35

5/7/12

Dear Family,

 

I will be able to talk to you on skype. I will call you guys after you guys get home from church. So be ready.

Sounds like everyone is slowing down for the summers and is going good. Wow lots of people getting married this year, that is pretty crazy. Wish them luck from me.

Thank you for the scriptures mom and yes I did get my package, well kinda. it is sitting at the zone leaders house so I haven´t gotten to open yet but I will.

So elder Wilson and I are doing alright. I think he thinks he speasks good portugues, but sometimes it is worse than mine. Like I am no pro at it yet but he doesn´t really do what he claims he has done in the past. So I think he is trying to go off what feels natural rather than practice grammer more often. I still have tons to learn as well as how to speak to people here how they speak. It is really complicaded. Anyways it is coming, I am starting to be able to read faster and know more words in one day ( I hope that sentence made sense). I am almost into alma, the biggest book than after that it should be a breeze to finish it.

Elder Anderson and Melo are having issues and part of it is Elder melo and the other par t is Elder Anderson learning how to work with it but he is not really use to a dying companion ( his 1st one). I am trying to help him stay psitive but some days I feel their companionship affecting me and ELder Wilson. It is one 4 more weeks so not a lot of time.

Hope you guys are doing great, nothing really new to tell here. Still trying to get 6 baptism for Elder Wilson (his goal) and they keep on falling. Looks like we just need to start over againg and find brand new people. I am sure it will work out. I have learned a lot on the mission and Spencer I really do encouarge you to read the BOM in your mission language before you go because there is a promise that comes by reading it in whatever language, you will become fluent in that language. I know it would be somewhat of a pain but read it out loud and if you can´t read all of it try and read it untill you get to the feild. I have seen many elders simple just read the BOM and they speak better afterwards. It is helping me alot. Love you all. ( Dad you should read it in portugues to remeber how to speak portugues again) and hope life goes well.

se amo

Elder Searle

Letter #34

4/30/12

Dear Family,

I am doing good. Elder Wilson loves to run in the morning so I do a lot of that. He also works but he admits if I didn´t keep a good tab on it he would enjoy sleepying in a chair and drink tereré. But he does want to end it well he just needs the motivation to keep going. We have a few possiblilties this coming week and then the next one but that is if they go to church, so we´ll see. I am learning a lot of words and grammer again, forgot some or didn´t practice them very well with Elder Farley but I am back up to speed for the most part. I am also in Mosiahs and been reading the BOM in portugues. What else... played futebol today that was fun and ya been working a lot.

So I hear there is a lot of juggling at home. Well i have learned one thing here on the mission is reading scriptures at night and in the morning really helps with that, don´t really know why but I am able to do a lot more in the day when I study. But keep the good work and good things will come out of it. And don´t stress out about the little things enjoy the little things instead. They are a lot harder to enjoy sometimes but they can really make the difference in the day. For example numbers. Numbers here on the mission suck and number of baptism is different but number of peole you teach and how many you teach and really can make a difference. You could teach 20 lessons a week but that doesn´t matter if you are not teaching like 10 people becasuse a lot of people will deline but they more you teach the more people you can find ready to be baptized. So they do count but they can be annoying and really hard to juggle.

Well I do hope finals come out alright and they will if you guys are trying your best . Hope mom you are doing well and not stressing out and juggling too much yourself. THat is cool to hear about the new class dad will be taking, might learn a few things when I get back. Brasilians don´t know how to budget money so it is always funny to hear them say where did you get that money? Oh Dad what is your team from brazil and have you ever tried tereré?

Se amo

Elder Searle

Letter #33

04/23/12

Dear Family,

So we got one more baptism and it was an 8 year old girl how wanted to be baptized very badly. Her brother was baptized but stop going to church and the mom is going to be dificult cause she lives alone and works on the weekends. But it was nice to end Elder Farley´s misson on a bang. I got to baptise the little girl so that was cool.

My new companion will be ... an american also lol. And he too will be dying. His name is ELder Wilson and I kinda know him. I know he is super trunky so it maybe harder to get him to work but you never know. I will be the only one staying in the house. I was living with 3 other missionaries. Elder oliveria got his call to São Paulo, he was doing a little traing thing here in Pedra 90. Elder lira, his companion, will be following him back home to rondonoplis. So ya I will probably have to show we everything is, yay... Anyways I am doing well, I was super sick but doing a lot better. Sad to see elder Farely leave. HE was the best companion I ever had andI learned tons from him. HE also helped me get a ton of very most likely baptism nthis week too, as well as , Elder LIra and Oliveira.

Hope you all are doing well. Should get my package today if it came and I am super excited for it. Oh ELder Anderson and I will be living in the same house, he was my 1st companion in the MTC. So that is awesome. He too will be killing someone. So ya I stil have the most kills like HAlo. lol THat last part was for Spencer And Treyson. Let me know when Spencer willl be going to the MTC so I can send him some letters and pics.

Love you all.

Elder Searle.

Letter #32

04/16/12

Dear Family,

 

Awesome to hear that the play went awesome, wish I was there to see it. And it will be fun to see the family in a year and 5 months. It sounds pretty cool to live so close together. Glad to hear also you are going to a lot of different temples too. I really want to do that when I get back especially since there isn´t a temple here. but one day.  I am rocking it here well at least enjoying it with Elder Farely. He dies this Sunday and it will be very sad to see him go. We have lived in the same house for 5 months and it will be a little weird without him. But he taught me a lot of stuff on the mission. He has been one of the best companions I have ever had on the mission and I hope that it stays like that with the rest. I had liver yesterday too so that was new and I love tereré ( the grass drink thingy). We almost had another baptism but André is scared that his gRANDMA will stop talking to him and he wants to wait until he is 18 so he doesn´t have to ask permission. We tried to help him understand that one way aor another she will find out but who know maybe I will get to come back and baptize him when he turns 18 lol. We meet a lot of good poeple but the problem is they are not given a 100 percent on searching for an answer for themselves. We did meet a little girl (8 years olod) aaand she wants to be baptized but the mom was nit sure she understood the importance. we aare going to help0 the mom aunderstand why, and baptize her too.

 

Elder Farley is going to do a lot of shopping today. I going to tag along. the a button on the key board is super sensitive. English gets really hard to spell every day. Plus I feel more tired every day too. Feels like sometimes like ther is too much to do and not enough time to do it all. But spmehow we go where we are needed. It is really weird lol. Miss you all. hope all is going well.

 

Se amo

Elder Searle

Letter #31

04/09/12

Dear Family,

 

I am doing good. Pedra 90 is rual ( there isn´t even a bank) and lots of dirt roads but is is quite and the people are nice. We baptized a 8 year old boy on wensday and was comfirmed on sunday. Normally I would be agaimst it but i think it will greatly encourge the parents to get married legally. Seen toms of crazy looking spiders and a pit bull weiner dog but that is about it. I have eaten this stuff that is basically fried flour and bananas and it is reaally good. Had chiken hearts too, they weren´t too bad. that is really about it. oh and the grass drink thingy is good too ( you drink it in a gumpa).

 

Gald to hear everyonme is doing well and they are having a good time. That isa really cool to hear about casey and zach. Miss those guys but glad they are all going on a mission. Hannah you keep on running and getting back up and you will run faster than everybody, that is a promise. Spencer is going to be a good companion.

 

ThaNK you for sending the box, I will tell you when I get it.

 

Elder Farely has done a good job working hard, sometimes we are a lottle lazy in the morning but we are going to change that this week. He has been teaching me a lot on how to sound more brasilian and a lot of people say I sound really good. Some people think elder farley is from são paulo.

 

Love you all HAppy easter

Elder Searle

PS  ya I saw holy week and it is more like during the jewish days where people try to show off more, like buy more fish or have a bigger palm leaf. I am starting to read the BOM from the start so lets see of I can catch up.

Letter #30

04/02/12

Happy Birthday para Pai

Letter #29

04/02/12

Dear Family,

Ya well now I am in perda 90 it still in Cuiabá but in a different area and I guess an lot of missionaries spend alot of time there ( batizes a lot). I am with Elder Farely and we had the same dad which I killed and he will be my fourth victim, but he is cool just like Elder Muniz. We already had marked a batism and there are some cool members here, however I am learing the church in general here on my mission is very weak. part of the problem is missionaries in the past just baptizing childeren and the ward in general doesn´t get enough families but at the same time there are tons or menos activos and I have seen the home teaching results and there basically isn´t any. But some members do try which is good to see the that the church will at least not fall away in those areas.

Conference was interesting. They had an English room but it didn´t work so I listened to it in Portugues and taht was a lot harder than I thought. So I didn´t quite get a whole lot out of it but that is ok I got what I needed.. I think lol.

I just finished playing some basketball and a game with a soccer ball but is not futebol lol. We are not allowed to play soccer so we made up a game. Glad to hear trey is doing awesome and Hannah being amazing as always ( spiritually at least). And that is so cool to know that there are always something in the temple for us. I remember the 2nd in the temple and some old man came toward me and asked where I went on a mission and of course I hadn´t yet but I was going to Brasil and he talked about how he was the First of the 2nd group to go. So that is really exciting for Spencer. I wish I was there.

I am not too worried about the winter unless I go to the south and if I get could I will just buy something here. Can´t really think of anything to get me. but the pictures will mean a lot.

Well Elder Farely and I are getting along and I am learing a lot about the little things to help me speak better. He is a little trunky and dying but he wants to go all out, just like Muniz. I am almost 7 months in the mission too so I should be able to help even more than in the past. Miss you all ang hope school ends amazing and all is well.

se amo

Elder Searle

Letter #28

03/26/12

Dear Family

Well I am not inthe office anymre and I am not companions with Elder Britto. ( FYI I actually did nt recieve the call to bethe secatary, only went there because my companion died half way through thetransfer and theprezadmitted he forgot to change me. Explains why he was always so shockedto see me in the office. ) I am with Elder Farely my ``older brother`` (we had the same dad) and we lived inthe same house for 4 months. He will be dying in 4 weeks too. LOL I guess I will kill about everyoneon themission field. He will be my 4th victim so ya I expecting it to befun, yet hard causewell he is trunky. I hope this helps me speak better in Portugues rather than hurt it but knowing Elder Farley he will keep that in check. I did enjoying learning about the office but it was hard not having a workable companion ( he worked jsut didn´t work with me) and not havinga regular scheduel. But I learned a few things, do what you think andfeel is right, don´t let the seniortell you differently, especially if he isn´t obeying the rules, just keep working anf the same time try to love your companion and those you teach. I dont know how somethings worked but they did.

So ya hope trey is having fun in volleyball and kicking butt. Hannah just needs to enjoy life, lol she is better suited that way, plus she can focuson getting an edge in high school if she really loves doing it. Spencer I would learn as much as you can about Japanesses and find a book that is called japanesses for dummies. It will really help you. Also I would study andmemorizescriptures you like. Iknow we should memorize the masteries but it is always easier to start with the ones we like and they oftenmean more when weshare them withother people. ( also I would worry less excatly what it says and more where it is.) Hope you redoing great mom and youare staying strong, I will be back in a yearand 6 months. Dad don´t stress out too much you will get sick,cause that is how I have felt in the office sick, I need to go domore contactsI guys  helps me feel like I am doing work which Elder BRitto has 9 new investiagtors so he has plenty to do there. LOve you all

Elder Searle

Letter #27

03/19/12

Dear Family,
Well it looks like I will be staying in the office for another 5 weeks...ya. My companion, Elder Britto... well lets just say in some ways he is better than Elder Lima was and some ways he is worst and a lot of ways they are the same. I actually really not happy about being with him because, well he is really lazy and he is the senior and yet wants to be babied and at the same time feel higher I guess I don´t know how to explain it but basically he sends me on a lot of splits so ya I haven´t really had a chance to get to know the area. But I guess I have to work through it. The mission itself is a lot bigger mess than I thought. Most of the Brazilians do not follow the rules at all and yet their allowed to do what they want. There are a few that do follow the rules but everyone hates them, it is very said.
Anyways besides that it is a lot of fun to be in the office when I get to work. Most of the time Elder Britto does it all so I do nothing. I do a lot of studying. I also don´t get to speak, basically any English so the language I guess will be come more natural. So that's good. That is awesome Spencer is going to Japan. I recommended to try to find a book called Japaneses for dummies. I have one for portugues and it has helped a lot just with understanding, especially the slang here. Uhmm... I can´t think of what else. Maybe anything that he can buy there he probably should by there and the garments... I really like dri lux. Suit pants are holding up ( I don´t wear them that much here). I would try buy a back pack that isn´t huge but has plenty of pockets but at the same time can be used to pack stuff in it. Also bring pictures of the family.
I really want peanut butter and starburts jelly beans (Bashas Market), Resses, Pictures, granola ( or oatmeal), I think thats it.
Hope all you are having a fun time in the states ans enjoying life.

Thank you guys for your support, love you all.
Elder Searle

Letter #26

03/12/12

Dear my family,
Well I did get transfered to the main office of the mission. . . yay. . . Well it is kinda of fun but ya I get to makes lots of phone calls, so if I haven´t been speaking enough now I am. I am still in Cuiaba and I am with Elder Britto who lived in my first area when I arrived to the field. He is a true Brasilian (likes to sleep in) but we do work. I don´t know excatly what is going on, like besides the office area i don´t know which investigators are more important or what lesson some have been taught. It looks like he has a lot of moles (softies, people who are really not going to follow their commitments) but hey at least we are teaching and I could make a difference. I do however speak a little bit more than I did in my first area, but still hard to conversate with people when the subject really my cup of tea. I try to at least follow the subject but i don´t know I was the same in america too. I just don´t talk a whole lot, probably should change that a little. I do understand basically the entire conversation and could easily add in my two cents, like I normally do anyways but ya I am doing good is basically what I am saying.

Thats cool treyson got his patriarchal blessing. He should definitely read it a lot, it will be great worth to him. I do have my blessing, even got a lamented one while at provo and it is small enough to put in my scriptures. Don´t know where the other one is at home. Spencer I am super excited for you and I can´t wait to hear the news myself. Hope all the kids do a ``sparkling`` job cleaning their rooms.

Awesome to hear someone is going back to church, sometimes it is a lot harder to do than most people think. Especially when people know you left in the first place. Speaking of packages, I really miss peanut butter but I am hoping to go to the south and buy the stuff their. candy is always accepted, I pictures of the family would be good. Everyone asks to see pictures of my family and I kinda look like a lost puppy sometimes cause I don´t have any and they go like don´t you love your family lol.

well yesterday was testimoning meeting so I guess I will share mine:
Eu sei que Deus é nosso Pai eterno e Ele nos ama. Eu sei que Jesus Cristo é salvador e morreu por nos. Essa irgreja é a Igreja de Jesus Cristo e restraurado atraves Joseph Smith, quem foi um profeta de Deus. Eu sei que Thomas S. monson é um profeta de Deus e comincar com Ele. Em o nome de Jesus Cristo, Amen

Love you guys
se amo
Elder Searle

Letter #25

03/05/12

Dear Family,

Well this week kinda sucked. Elder Lima was a total fubeca this week and did practically nothing. But we almost baptized someone again this week, they didn´t show up to their baptism. I will be transfered because Elder Lima dies today, but there is still two more weeks to the transfer so I could go some where else. I will be going to Cuiaba, basically centro and I have almosted stayed in Cristo rei, Vazae grande for 4 months. That is a long time. But it was a going living start and I did learn a lot even with Elder Lima who didn´t really want to do anything. I will be wiht ELder Britto who was in the same area as me last transfer but he was with Elder Farely. Elder Farely will die next transfer so it will be sad to see him go. I am half way done with Jesus the Cristo which is an awesome book. I am learning a lot about the parables used in the bible and what they actually mean and hoe to apply them. I am also in chapter 31 of 2nd Né and it has really helped me teach investigators importance of baptism fe e small simple steps, a lot of the time we look a baptism as a gaint step, but in reality it is a simple opening of a door and slighty point our foot forward towards God. The hard part for investigators is the fact is they are facing in a whole new direction and they cannot see the end like we can. To them it is the drak mist in Lehi´s dream and we are trying to guide toward that bright tree of life. The hard part is making sure they take small steps toward that tree and always lifting them back up becasue it is vey difficult to see when it is dark and our eyes are blind. For the gospel does make us blind and unsure so that we may prove our faith and show God we really do want to follow him nad then when we have faith not just believe and do but truely realiy on him he heals us and opens our minds ears and hearts to greater things and we see the end we see the change and we want to continue to move forward. I learned a lot how Jesus taught and taught men that they may follow blindly and unsure so they can experience for themselves the trurth not just follow and then abondon when the work becomes dificult.

Well if you guys can´t tell my english is pretty bad and I guess, acording to Elder Farely, it will get worse but that is ok. Glad to hear trey is still being a beast, keep it up dawg. Spencer you are going to be an awesome missionary and make sure you tell you senior/dad how to really do work, that is if he is dying becsuae when missionaries die sometimes they don´t want to do anything but go home casue they are trunky. hannah you will get better just got to keep practicing and you will be amazing in my eyes just like your bros. You can do anything if you really have the desire and put forth the work, and if you don´t have a desire but would like one develope a desire through hard work and at least you will be proud of your best cause that is all that matters to God. Even in sports God will bless you if you put the effort into it. Mom I hope you are doing very well, physically, mentally, and spiritually. Don´t stress about life to much and always set a time for yourself even 5 min helps. Dad Thanks for your great wisdom. I do take all of it and I think I understand what it was like on your mission where fubecas did nothing but be trunky. I probably would have done what you did and have them work but 1st I needed to learn how to be a senior and work, plan, and lead; It is hard and stressful but I feel different then I did at the beginning. It´s less follow and more do and feel. Feeling is the tricky part but I learn how to more really and just act on whatever comes to my mind and feelings. Sometimes I have no idea what I am saying but they do and it helps. So thank you all for your support and I pray for your safety and health. 

SE AMO

Elder Searle

Letter #24

2/27/12

Dear Family,

The weather isn´t too bad, just super humid and rains a lot which sometimes makes it more humid and feels hotter.  I have seen tons of crazy looking bugs and snakes but haven´t seen anything outside of the zoo. I went to a zoo with elder Muniz and saw some cool stuff. (took lots of pics). I have eaten a lot of fruit here and I just don´t every remember their names but their not too bad. I have a lot of drunk people come up to me and ask me for money and I should help them because I am a man of God and I tell them so are you, everyone is a child of God and he will helps us if you listen to our message. Some of them get excited and hug you others just look at you confused.  It seems a lot of Brasilains here wake up drunk, drink in the moring, afternoon, and night, and they always smell like they are wasted. It doesn´t feel all that great getting a hug from a drunk person. Girls like to hiss at us especially when thay are drunk. I dunked on a brasilian that was 6´8`` last week, it was awesome. I am drawing still on P-day. I am also studing a lot of Jesus the Christ and revelations. Which are pretty sweet. Elder Lima dies next week so I will either get a new companion here or move and get a new comapnion or have a trio here, Don´t know what will happen. My new president will be an American but by that time I should be able to speak português pretty well. Oh and We were going to have 3 baptisms this week but they all fell through. 2 of them want more time, the other guy didn´t show up tho church and ya Elder Lima hasn´t quite done the best job, he has done good bu not the best.

Well I pray for all of you and I hope dada has some students. Hope Spencer can some how not do homework on Sunday and Treyson will be a beast. Glad to hear Hannah is doing great and being herself, I love her letters.

Love you all

Elder Searle