Happy New Year!

Its gone by so fast!!! I remember the last new year like it was yesterday. Now it will come again. What goals have you been making? What parties are you going to? Today, I will pass by a members  house but unfortunately wont stay up til midnight. Although, I think I will wake up for all the fireworks! Starting tomorrow, I will be able to say that I only have one more year on the mission haha. How cool is that? 

Okay, well last week was sure alot of fun. Obviously, the highlight of the week was being able to talk to my family. It was so nice to be able to converse with them and see their faces! I had to wait 8 months to see them! Luckily, mothers day is only 5 more months away. I am excited to call them again! Christmas was alot of fun. On Christmas Eve, we went to the Family Cruz. A family with over 150 member of the church... all because of one set of missionaries:) It was really fun and there was tonsss of food! yum yum. Than on Christmas we ate lunch with some members. It was great and I felt lots of peace and love. Than after lunch we went to a members house to skype our parents. It was a really great and peaceful conversation.

This week we almost had a baptism but a few things came up and we had to reschedule. Dont worry, it wasnt a big deal. We have two baptisms scheduled to happen before the end of the transfer and we are working really hard to get it done. I have a feeling that I will be transferred on the 22 of January so we have been working really hard to have some more success before I leave.

Ive been practicing the guitar and its been lots of fun. I think that by the end of my mission ill be pretty good at playing it. On Sunday we received new manuals for Priesthood. Teachings of Lorenzo Snow. Im really excited to study and read about this prophet and the experiences that he had. This is the first time I will be studying the Teachings of the Prophets.

Today we took a trip to central de Porto Alegre. I love coming here because its always so busy with people, sounds, and smells. I guess I have my mothers blood. She always loves visiting the big city. I am really excited for tonight because we will have chorrasco...

Yesterday, my companion and I visited V, our recent convert. We sat down and talked for a while when she told us, ``I have to repent, what do I need to do?`` haha. It was a really funny comment. She had been sick all week and decided to drink coffee to help her throat. We had a good message about true repentance and it was really nice. That night, I thought alot about our conversation. I really am grateful for our opportunity to be able to repent. Without repentance, we would be lost in this world and we wouldnt have a chance to return with our father in heaven. Its just good to know that he has a plan for us and is always watching us, ready to help.

``Work will cure most of your problems`` - Ezra Taft Benson

Love you all, Happy New Years


Elder Horst

Merry Christmas!

Elder Horst wanted everyone to see this webpage.

http://mormon.org/christmas?CID=51064

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve

Well, Its hard to believe but its finally arrived.. Christmas eve!! How exciting is that? Christmas here in Brazil is completely different. After P-Day today, we will go to a big party that some members are having and our present is that we get to stay outside until 11 at night! Wahoo! Of course, tomorrow is set aside for calling my parents. Im so excited for the opportunity and cant wait.

This past week was really busy. On Monday, we had a conference with Elder Godoy... An Elder of the 70 and area presidency. We had a full day of training with him and it was soo good! One of the best trainings that I have had on the mission. He promised us that if we use the Book of Mormon more in our teaching, our investigators will become converts, not just members. Also, he said that if we work more with less active members in our area, our baptisms will double! How cool of a promise is that??

Wednesday, we had our zone conference. IT was held at the local military base. Again, it was a spiritual experience filled with ltos of fun as well. The morning part of the conference was a training. The president and his wife spoke. SIster Castro presented a little family home evening lesson. The president spoke about the differences between a war and the spiritual war that we are fighting. It was such a cool talk. Than we had a guest speaker. He was one of the top leaders at the military base, a convert to the church. He shared his conversion story and a few scriptures. He said that the only difference between us and his soldures was that his people serve their country but us missionaries serve the Lord. After the training we had a really good lunch.. so good that we ran out of food haha. Than we had presentations of each zone. Some were funny, some were cool, some were spiritual, but they all were really good! I surprised the mission by dressing up like Santa Clause. I sat in the back and got dressed. One by one, all the missisonaries started to notice. Than the president announced that Santa Clause arrived and made me stand up to say hi haha. It was great.

This is Elder Horst with all the stockings that Sister Castro and her helpers made for the missionaries.

This is Elder Horst and his companion Elder Xavier.

This is Elder Horst with his mission president, President Castro.  Sister Castro and her 15 year old daughter are in the background.

Well more exciting news, this Saturday we are planning on having another baptism! 9 year old Inita. She is a really special girl. Her parents died when she was one year old and she has been living with her grandmother her whole life. Some of her family is baptised and she is ready for the blessings as well:) Im so excited to have a white Christmas... cause its so super hot over here.

Merry Christmas everyone! Please remember the real meaning of Christmas and why its important. Remember that the biggest gift we have ever received with the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Love you all,

Elder Horst

Where in the zone is Elder Horst?

A:  in the front row, on the extreme left

http://mormon.org/christmas?CID=51064

Merry Christmas

Hello World!! How is everyone? Im sorry but I hardly have any time to write this week. This week is so crazy! I get tired just trying to plan for the week. But first, before I speak about this upcoming week, I will share a few stories from this past week. First, ill start with the bad news!

Monday night around 2 am I woke up to a very fierce wind and rain! It was almost bright outside because it was thundering so bad! The weird part is that it lasted for only about a half hour. The next day when we went to Porto Alegre for transfer day, almost half the city was destroyed!! Buildings fell down, lamp posts were bent.. just so many things were destroyed from a half hour of rain. Worst of all, we didnt have power or water! Long story short... The power kept turning on and off all of Monday-Wednesday. And we didnt have water for five nights in a row. The water would be on in the morning but really week, then when we arrived in the house that night there was no water!! IT was really frustrating but it turned out ok!! 

Funny story. Last night we didnt have water and I REALLY needed to take a shower. Next thing you know, it started pouring rain outside! My companion gave me the idea to take a bath in the rain... and thats what I did! I went outside with my soap and took a shower in the rain! IT was so weird but extremely funny too... I wouldnt take it over a real nice hot shower, but it was a great experience.

This week was really fun! We focused on visiting members and getting new investigators and we had alot of success!! It was my first week being senior and I loved it! I just felt a better sense of responcibilidade. This transfer is going to be so much fun. My companions name is elder Xavier. He is from Sao Paulo. He is so happy and ready to work. The best part about him is he loves to talk to people and share the gospel. He literally talks to everyone that he sees! Its turned out to be a great advantage because we really need to get some new investigators!

Our relationship with the branch is already starting to get alot stronger. I have gotten 20 families to promise to do a family night with the missionaries and a friend. They have from now to the end of February to do it. Thats going to help us so much with the missionary work we are doing.

This week is full of fun and meetings. Today we had a meeting with Elder Godoy.. dont remember his name. He is the area president and a member of the 70. Wow! it was such a great experience! When he was here I really felt the spirit and he taught me sooo much about missionary work. He also gave us some really big promises that have to do with obedience and baptisms! He made me really excited for the work. We also brought back our mission hymn. Its kinda weird, but I love it because its from the best mission in the world!!

Tomorrow I get to go to the temple and Im real excited!! Then on Wednesday we have our Christmas conference. Im soooo excited and I have a surprise for you and the whole mission on that day. As you know, im full of surprises and love to keep things fun!

I have a friend here named Paulo. He is my next door neighbor and soo soo cool. He loves to speak English with me and hang out. Whenever I made American food I always give some to him and he loves it! My new companion is a really good guitar player and last week we were talking about playing guitar. Paulo used to play but stopped because his wife didnt like it (haha). I said that I would love to learn to play. Next thing you know Paulo gave me his guitar as a Christmas present! How cool is that??? I can already play a few songs:) By the time I come home, i will be an expert guitar player!!

How exciting is it that Christmas is arriving! I am so happy to be here and I am loving every minute of Brazil and this mission! Sorry I cant write more...

Id also like to talk a minute in respect to the tragedy that happened this past week. I can say that it shook the world because I knew about it within the hour that it happened. The wonderful part about the true Church of Jesus Christ is the fact that we believe in life after death and I know without a doubt that those little children are sitting at the feet of Jesus Christ living a celestial life. What a wonderful blessing.

Merry Christmas,

Elder Horst

Transfer Day!

So tomorrow is transfer day and I have big news! Im now the senior companion!!! Wahoo! How is exciting is that? My new companion is Elder Xavier, he is Brazilian. He has one transfer less than I do, but we were in the ctm together! I know him a little bit and he is a really cool guy that has alot of love! Im sooo excited for this upcoming transfer. Its a definite motivation booster. I have alot of work to do here in Saõ Tomé and im ready for it!

This last week was pretty simple. We visited alot of less active members and invited them all to church. The branch here is getting really weak and we are all working hard on getting a good amount of members to go to church. Branches are alot harder to run than wards. They are always lacking in leadership and organisation, but I have so much love for my area and Branch. I dream about the day that they will become a ward with 600 members!!

I love when transfer day comes around. Its just like the new year. You leave all the bad behind you and look forward for whats to come! You make goals. You work hard and hope for the best. Tomorrow I will go to Porto Alegre and pick up my new companion! I dont know how we will get home because I dont have much money and we cant take a city bus... but thats not a concern now:)

This week has been so hot!!! Think about the hottest day of your life... then think of it being that hot every day... Its really hot here in Brazil. I drip sweat when Im outside, when im inside, while im sleeping, and right after I towel dry myself from the shower... Its actually kinda fun:) but Its hard to think about Christmas and sunblock at the same time...

Sometimes the things you really want are alot closer than you think! Thursday night was the most hot on my mission. My companion and I could hardly sleep an hour! Around 3 am, we went outside to get some fresh air and a bit of wind. It was so funny because everyone was outside with the same problem. I could have counted over 100 people. Anyways, we got to talk to our next door neighbors (at three am) and we asked if we could teach them the missionary lessons!! How cool is that?? Its hard to find them home because they both work but its no problem because they live 3 steps from our door:)

Anyways thats all the news for this week. Im really excited for the upcoming weeks, and not just because its Christmas!

Happy Holidays!
Elder Horst

First Week in December!

Well well, this week has flown by so fast! Just when the mission was finally starting to slow down, Christmas decided to come around and speed it back up again! Ill break the week down to a few highlights, Lots of  food, over 200 bucks in medicine for my companion (after a 1000+ buck exam) and soccer. Now ill explain:)

I dont know what made this week different, but the food was really good:) I found myself dreaming about rice and beans... Oh! Speaking of dreams, I speak Port-Englais! That means I speak half English and half Portuguese when im dreaming. One night this week I dreamed that I was at a family get together. I was talking to my mom and all of a sudden got really mad! I  said to my mom, ``why are you speaking Portuguese??`` My whole family was speaking Portuguese and apparently that made me really mad.. haha.  But anyways, if you want some good food, come to Brazil.

On Wednesday, we went back to Porto Alegre to get my letters.... i mean to pick up medicine for my companion, Elder Kargel. He lost most of the cartilage in his left knee, and its painful. We cant walk long before we have to stop at a members house.. which makes it really hard to find new people. Anyways, he has to take medicine until April, when he ends the mission. It was really expensive medicine but luckily he got some help from the church.

This Sunday was the classic GRENAL. Dont know what that is? GREMIO vs. INTERNATIONAL soccer game! They are huge rivals and their stadiums are only 20 minutes away.The blue and red game.. Why is that important to a missionary? It shouldnt be...but it is. Why? Because we did not have one lesson on Sunday! Everyone was watching the game.. there was nothing we could do! I even had a member tell me not to go to his house on Sunday...haha. Thats alright though. I heard it was an interesting game. Tons of fights!! Two players and a coach were kicked off the field... a fan threw a bomb at an inter coach and he had to go to the hospital...Ya know.. normal stuff at a rival game:)

Now its P-Day! Im here at the landhouse using a different computer than normal. The space button doesnt work too well. ifidontpushitthreetimesreallyhard,mywholeemailwouldlooklikethis!! haha.        Transfer day is on Tuesday and im 99.9% sure my companion will go. This week we will focus on preparing the area for the next transfer with a clean plan, a clean house, and a lot of people to teach and baptise:)

Thanks for all your help and support,

Merry Christmas!

Elder Horst