Jammed Doors And New Faces (Week 19)

Hey Everyone,

This week I got put in a new area. Gladly, I know the area pretty well already so I'm glad I won't have to be spending time trying to figure that out. We also got two new elders! One is from Brasil (picture #3) and his name is Elder Nugeda, and the other Elder is from Idaho (picture #2). His name is Elder Wisanback and he is very new. He knows very little Portuguese but I'm sure it'll improve!    

Attendance at church has grown so much! We went from 40 to 75 and our 10 new investigators are amazing! We also have 11 people with dates. I know for a fact that the Book of Mormon is what sets us apart from any other religion! It contains everything we ever need to know for our lives and to know what the Lord wants us to do. The Book of Mormon was set apart by God away from the people so others could not mess with it, unlike the Bible. The Book of Mormon explains the Gospel clearly and can teach us all how to come to Christ. It's so great! 

On another note...my Companion Elder Luz (picture #1) got trapped in a bathroom haha. Oh and I accidentally broke a cup at an investigators house...I felt really bad and apologized about 7 times. Anyone who knows me very well knows that I occasionally am clumsy Haha. Anyway, I hope everyone has a great week! Keep being amazing people and always find ways to help people around you everyday like Christ did. 

Here are some pictures! 

-Love,

Elder Arevalo 

Transfer Week (Week 18)

Hey Everyone!

Elder Numbers (left) and Elder Arevalo (right)

So this week is transfer week! Meaning, that any missionary can be placed in a new area in our Mission, if the Mission president feels it be necessary. So the questions my companion and I have had for the longest time is...who is leaving and who is staying?

Drum Roll Please...

Elder Arevalo (Me): Will be staying in the same current area, Altamira Para!
Elder Numbers : Will be leaving me, and is getting sent to zone Cidade Novo and Area Bae.
Elder Santos: Will also be leaving and going to the cost of Salinas.
Elder Luiz: Will now be my companion! Woo!

Elder Arevalo, Elder Numbers, Warley Mariano, and Elder Santos
[left to right]

We will be receiving two new Elders! I do not know their names, but I DO know that one is from Brazil, and the other is a Greene. I will update you all next week. I'm sure these two Elders joining us here are going to be awesome!

P.S- I am somehow still growing...I am 99.99% positive I was as tall as Elder Numbers, and now I have passed him...hmm...I like that I am getting taller and I'm happy about that but if I don't stop soon my pants aren't going to fit! haha.

Fun picture as a last goodbye! From Right to Left
Elder Luiz, Elder Santos, Elder Arevalo, Bro. Warley Mariano, Primary Kid, Elder Numbers.

A Miracle (Week 17)

Hey Everyone!

The Dilemma:

This week has been real tough for me...but the only reason that it's been a bit tough is because my companion Elder Numbers and I have been working our butts off. We have never worked harder, and our District Leader (DL) still doesn't think we are working hard enough. We had 29 lessons this week and we accompanied our investigators a lot and made a lot of news! We even went to go get some of our investigators and accompany them to church, and its just a bit sad to hear from the DL that we are not doing good enough, but honestly...I do not mean to be rude in any way when I say this, but we've taught more lessons then our own DL and his companion, they didn't have anyone to bring to Church and our DL wants us to repent and do better. 

Altamira, Para (Brasil)

What I have learned from this experience:

My thoughts turn me to my savior. Not a lot of people agreed with what Jesus did, heck...the farisis hated him, and all Jesus ever did on this earth was be good to others, serve others, and give his life for us. I just have to make sure I am pleasing God (as Jesus did) and do what is right. I CANT force people to grow, but on the Lords timing and will...everything will work out. Did I learn the right lesson or do I just need to work harder? I asked my Father and he said that work is always important, and there is always room for improvement, but if you know you are giving 100% then there is nothing to worry about for God is mightier than any man on earth. 

The Miracle: 

This past week Elder Numbers and came across a woman who had been fighting a nasty infection in her eye. She has been taking medication for it for several months, but nothing was really working. She asked if Elder Numbers and I could give her a blessing for health. My companion and I gladly wanted to help her, and through the power of our almighty father in heaven, and by the powers and keys we hold as priesthood holders...we gave her a blessing by laying our hands on her head and spoke the words that the spirit confirmed to us would heal her eye. 

The next day, she was perfectly fine! I have a firm testimony when you work with faith Miracles happen. I hope you all continue to live your lives filled with faith, for FAITH without WORKS is dead. I love you all so very much, and am so glad to be able to share these experiences with you all. 

-Love, 
Elder Arevalo 

Happy New Year! (Week 16)

Hi Everyone, 

I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy New Year! It's pretty exciting to think that I will be spending this ENTIRE YEAR in BRASIL!

Overall, things are great. I stayed home with Elder Numbers for New Years since it was really dangerous outside. People where drinking for two days straight and there were a lot of deaths during the time; so that happened, but life is good. Our investigators are progressing. We have this one man, and he is so great. We are going to help him with everything so that he can marry legally tomorrow so that he can get baptized, and his sister in law will get baptized too. She is not getting baptized this week but the next week she will. We also have these 4 AMAZING investigators. We went last Sunday to pick them up for church, but they were ALREADY at church! They are truly amazing and seem very ready. I ask whoever is reading this to pray for our investigators to truly recognized the work of the lord and to help them feel the spirit to know that what they are learning is true. They are truly great people who I want the best for. 

Lately, my companion and I have been really looking for people nonstop to share a message, and opening a new area is way awesome. I love it! It's like untouched ground that we get to be a part of and help grow! Elder Numbers and I have been studying to recognize the spirit and receiving revelation parts of Preach my Gospel a lot!!! It helps so much! 

I gained 3 kilos!! This holiday food is killing me!! Well...it is delicious BUT I can't gain weight haha. 

Love,
-Elder Arevalo