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

Happy Thanksgiving!

This Thanksgiving week was really fun for me and I had alot of cool experiences! On Tuesday, we had interviews with the president of the mission. It seemed to go really well. We had some good discussions about the area and I really loved the opportunity to talk to him.

On Wednesday, we had to go back to Porto Alegre for yet another exam for my companion. He has a problem with his knee and will need to do physical therapy. Its almost ten real (dollars) to go to Porto Alegre and back, thats alot of money for a missionary! My companion is starting to make me broke! The president has already told us that on transfer day in two weeks, Elder Kargel will be transferred to a new area. Im excited to see who my new companion will be.

Well the Holidays are fast approaching. Thursday was Thanksgiving and although it was a regular day of work for me and the rest of Brazil, I was able to celebrate a bit at night before bed! We ordered a pizza and had lots of fun. Better yet, I was able to receive a package from my mom! It was great to feel close to home on the day that im so grateful to have my family! Lights are starting to come up on the houses and the city is starting to look real pretty!

Friday was a good day of work, we had some good success finding new people but we still havent had anyone come to church yet. Its kinda frustrating, but it will get better! As you all know, it was black Friday. Another US holiday that they dont know about in Brazil. I loved explaining it to the members and people I talked to cause they thought it was so weird. Why would everyone in the Country go shopping on the exact same day... at midnight.. and fight for a lame x-box?? haha.

The weekend was good, but really hot too! A member told me that I need to start using more sunblock cause my face was getting red. My first response was that I always have a red face (compared to Brazilians) and my second response was that its super weird to be putting on sunblock when your singing Christmas songs.. haha ill never get used to that.

Anyways, sorry for the short message today but this week has just been a good, normal week! Im grateful for all the blessings that I have received on the mission and Im definitely grateful for a family that supports and thinks about me every day! Only a few more weeks til my phone call!!

Taking Your Steps of Faith

Ahh the holidays are arriving! I can almost smell the rice, beans, and occasionally spaghetti that ill be eating this Thursday. The stores are packed with Christmas decorations and toys that are found right next to the sunscreen and bathing suits. What a great time of year this is! I just really wished I had a Mormon tab Christmas CD with me! This past week was so busy with so many meetings but it was a great week, full of blessings.

Well Wednesday was really cool! My companion and I went to Porto Alegre to hear from the mission president and an Elder from the 70. I am always excited to go to Porto Alegre because it means a few things. It means we will receive letters! It means we will get to see our old friends in the mission too! To make Tuesday better, it was combined with some missionaries from the Mission Porto Alegre North. I caught up with some old friends from the CTM there. First the presidents of the missions spoke. It was funny because my president only has 6 months in the mission and the other president only has 3! He is from Draper, Utah and his name is President Wright. It was funny to see them both together because President Wright is really loving and calm and shared his testimony the whole time. President Castro drilled us on keeping the rules better then promised us love and blessings in the end. haha. President Castro is full of justice and obedience, but is good at showing his love too. I really love him as my president.

Unfortunately, there was another emergency in the mission that called the president away and our interview was pushed back until tomorrow afternoon. I really am excited for the opportunity to talk to him. Cant wait!

Oh, back to the meeting with the Elder from the 70. He shared alot of things that I really liked and really wanted to apply. The thing that hit me most was something he said about being in a Godly state of mind. Ive passed the 6 month mark in my mission and Im completely settled in. I feel really relaxed and I take the mission day by day. In the past two or three weeks Ive noticed that ive been learning TONS about life and the gospel. Its really cool. My favorite part of the day is study time. Right now im studying the Book of Mormon institute manual while reading the BOM again. Its fantastic! Anyways, the Elder taught us that we need to try to spend the whole day thinking about God and spiritual things. If we do this than we will be really close to the spirit and get alot more out of our mission. I really want to try to apply this in my life right now. We will see how it goes.

their apartment

Wednesday was pretty much are only full day of work in the entire week. We decided to do something really different. Our area includes a really tiny neighborhood that is really really far away from everything. We have never been there and decided to make the trip´. It was a dirt road the whole way and a 45 min. walk but way fun and way cool! There was nothing but a random house every 5 minutes. It was even more cool with my Brazilian companion because he showed me plants and animals that I wouldnt have noticed before. Did you know that pineapples are red before they are ready? Also, I saw my first tarantula spider! Ugh! It was as huge as my fist, but way cool to see. We picked up a cool family there so I guess we will making the long trip more often:)

Ill wrap this letter up with Sunday. 5 minutes before sacrament started the Branch President asked me to give a short talk because the member that was supposed to do it didnt show up! Ahh! It was my first time talking in front of people in Portuguese and I did so good! I talked about Faith and how we need to demonstrate more faith in our lives and it ended up being 10 minutes long. Pretty good for my first time huh? I wasnt nervous and I didnt really mess up with any of the language. It was a test of my faith but Im positive that I had the spirit there to help me. It was a great experience to remember. Later, Vania (a recent convert of mine) told me that I am starting to use alot of slang words in Portuguese (Which means im getting good!) hhaa.

I hope this Thanksgiving week will be great for you guys! Be sure to think of me when you cut into that deep fried turkey!! 

Love,

Elder Horst

Why does it only rain on p-days and transfer days?

Its been another great week with another really busy week coming up! Tomorrow, my companion gets the results from his knee exam. That means we have to take another bus ride to Porto Alegre which will probably end up taking the whole day. On Wednesday, our day is filled with appointments for new investigators. Hopefully it will be a great day and everything will go well. Also on Wednesday, I will return to the school and talk to the kids in their English class. Last time was great and they really loved it. On Thursday, we have a special meeting in Porto Alegre and we will get to hear from an Elder from the quorum of the 70. Im especially excited because it will include the Northern half of our mission (Porto Alegre SUl) and the southern half of the mission Porto Alegre North! Im excited to see other missionaries from a different area. I think that will be a great experience. On Friday, we have district meeting and an opportunity to have our interviews with the President of the Mission! Im excited for the time to talk to him one on one because it doesnt happen too often. That also will probably take up the whole day! This is going to be such a crazy and fun week! (also a really expensive week for bus tickets)

Today was a really cool P-Day. All the missionaries from our zone went to a members house in the middle of nowhere. There we had lots of fun playing games and eating churrasco (BBQ). All the missionaries here in the mission love to play the game Monopoly Deal. Its a really cool game, basically a transformed version of monopoly with just cards. Ive started to get really good at it too.. so that helps alot haha. We played a game called war, its a really fast version of Risk. Not to brag... but I won that game too:) It felt good to finally win! Whenever I played RISK with my family I never was able to win. Whenever I was close to winning, everyone would decide that its time to go home or my dad would make me go to bed... Its hard being the youngest of the family:) The mission president went to a meeting in Saô Paulo with all the presidents in Brazil. They made a new rule that we arent allowed to play physical sports on P-Day. That includes basketball and soccer!! AHH I almost died when I heard this rule. I cant play soccer in Brazil?? There are the some things on the mission that are tough to deal with, but its all worth it in the end!

On Thursday, my companion and I went to the local school to talk to kids in their English class. It went really really well. I talked in two classes. The first was really good because the kids were nice, interested, and asked good questions. The second wasnt as good because the kids were a bit immature... But it was definitely instructive! First I introduced myself and asked them to introduce themselves in English. They thought it was hilarious to try to speak English. After, I shared with them some things that are different in the United States. Then I shared with them a language plan that really helped me learn the language and encouraged them to work hard and set goals to accomplish the things they want. Lastly, they had some time to ask questions. I really had such a fun time talking to them. I cant wait to go back this week. Doing activities like this really helps the missionary work. It shows that missionaries are normal people.. not weird Americans that always walk around in white shirts. Throughout the week, I saw many of the kids from school in the road and they all were excited to come up and say hi!

This Sunday was the first Sunday in a long time where we had NO investigators at church. It was really annoying. I felt really bad because the success seemed to completely drop off a cliff in the last two weeks. Im not sure that we will even be able to have a baptism this transfer! The mission is alot slower when there is no success, but im sure it will improve soon. Just like all trials in life, if you keep your head up and keep working really hard, good times and miracles will show up alot faster.

When you leave for the mission, you pack alot of things that you never end up using! For example, i brought sunglasses and a travel iron that I have never ever touched! Luckily, I have a Brazilian companion that wants anything that looks cool, sounds cool, or even pretends to be cool. I traded him these two things and got 8 really really old pieces of Brazilian money. They are really cool and I thought that it turned out to be a great exchange. In the next few days I will have finished my first mission Journal! I was able to go back and read a few pages and its full of alot of great memories and stories! Its funny to think that 6 months ago I didnt understand a word of Portuguese and I was always wondering if I would ever be able to learn the language... now im doing great and speaking really good!

I dont know when thanksgiving is... but I know its soon. SO happy Thanksgiving! Im planning on introducing Egg Nog to Brazil this Christmas season. Ill let you know how it goes.... Just yesterday I was talking to my companion about how I cant believe its already November. I told him that its TOO HOT to be November!! Haha. I have already seen my first house with Christmas lights, have you?

Thanks for all your support and love. I cant wait to talk to you next week!

Love,

Elder Horst

Happy Hallowe'en

Well this week was definitely a great week for me. Just like every week, it has good parts and bad parts, but overall I really enjoyed it. First ill start with the bad news and than cheer you up with some good stories! On Tuesday, we taught a lesson to Cesah. I thought the lesson was going good and it had a good spirit. At the end we tried to get him a baptism goal. One thing led to another and he told us that he would get baptised in our church but he would never stop going to his other church. He said that he would be worshiping two different churches. Than the member that was there (his best friend) started fighting with him and it all went down hill from there... Im kinda sad because he is no longer our investigator.. To make the story a bit better, he is still going to church every week and maybe someday he will feel the promptings of the spirit!

Okay, now to talk about a more happy subject! Halloween! Well im almost positive that Halloween was a bit different here for me than it was for you. I think its weird because here in brazil they recognise Halloween and everyone loves the holiday but they do nothing to celebrate! Thats right, I didnt eat one piece of candy on Halloween!! This is what happened for me. I woke up and was talking to my companion about Halloween and some experiences ive had. Then I told him that I really wanted to do something to celebrate! We called the sister missionaries for some advice and they told us to dress up as men in black! We thought it was a great idea. We got in our suits and grabbed some cool looking sunglasses. To most, we looked like normal missionaries... but I felt good that I was keeping the Halloween tradition alive!

One good thing I like about transfer days is that we are able to start fresh and make some good goals. My companion and I have set some high standards for this transfer and were really excited to work! This week we want to have alot of baptism dates set for our investigators. Setting goals is a really good way to get things done. Another goal that we have is to start working alot more with the members.We came up with a cool family home evening program. Tonight we will have family home evening with the president of the branch and another family that he invited (family 2). Next week we will have a family home evening with family 2 and they will invite someone else... Then on Sunday we will put a photo up in the church of the night which will make more people want to participate.. haha im excited!!

Anyways, I hope you are all doing good and staying happy! Until next week,

Elder Horst

A creepy creature that Elder Horst saw when he was walking........eeeeewwwww!!!!