Week 5 - TO BRAZIL!

Mom,

I love you so much and i'll get to call you in the airport so keep your phone on, but i'm basically out of time so i have to start on the main letter. But you and randy and the whole family are the best and i honestly don't know what the heck i'd do without all of you.

 

Love,

Elder LeFoll

 

 

The Big Fish,

     So it seems like just as Elder Hodgman and I hit a real teaching stride and totally found a groove, i get my visa. I'm leaving tomorrow morning at 5 a.m. It's been an amazing week though. I feel like Elder Hodgman and I were made Zone leaders because the Lord knew what he was doing. There are a couple unique and spiritual experiences which i don't have time to share, but essentially because of who we are, and because we were fulfilling our calling to the maximum capacity, the Lord was able to use us as his instruments and we helped a few people who really needed it. I was truly grateful to have the calling of Zone Leader, and I think our branch president was happy to have us too... he made it abundantly clear to us that the Lord was very pleased with our work. I have personally felt this assurance, and i feel like i'm leaving about 40 friends that i've counseled with and helped. They are an amazing group, i truly believe that, and i care about each one of them. In many instances i've felt the powerful love that the Lord has for each of them and it is truly amazing.

     Just quickly, as i'm saying goodbye; the mtc is not easy. In fact it's meant to be hard. But i love it, and i'll love it in Brazil. I'm here because i was called of the Lord, as far as i'm concerned, i'm just the messenger. I love you all and the next time i write will be in Brazil. Ate logo!

 

Love,

Elder LeFoll

Week 4 Letter

 Main letter,

     The MTC is a great place; it's not an easy place, but it's a good place. No one ever grew by staying in their comfort zone right? Being a zone leader has been more busy than i expected. We have to visit with all of our missionaries at night (about 40) and chat with them, let them know we're here for them. We also have to give orientations for the new elders coming in, attend meetings, and then all the regular intense studying.

     Having Elder Hodgman as my companion has been great. He's a good guy and he works hard at the language. We've had a few truly inexplicably amazing spiritual experiences while we've been here that have strengthened my resolve to be a better servant of the Lord. We work hard, every day. At night, we evaluate and ask each other what we can do better the next day; how we can work harder.

     The Lord will call whom He will call. I know that if i do my best, the Lord will do the rest. Love you all a ton :)

 

Love,

Elder LeFoll 

Week 3 Letter Home

Group Email, 
    It's been a crazy week with lot's of intense study. There isn't a minute that goes by where we aren't thinking about the language or the Gospel. I enjoy the intensity though, it gives me an opportunity to prove my love for my Heavenly Father. I'm not going to lie, at times it is exceptionally difficult, especially at night when you're physically and mentally exhausted but you still have a couple hours of pressing study to go. It's at those times when you really prove how dedicated you are. I never forget why i'm here; to train to fulfill my purpose as a missionary to invite others to come unto Christ and find happiness in his love.

    This week i've had a new companion, Elder Hodgman. He's a good man and a good companion. It's been an adventure serving with him to say the least. We work hard together, always pressing each other to be better. I couldn't have asked for a better companion. On a lighter note, I have a funny story. Our teacher, Irmao Przybyla, was a fresh greenie in Brazil when a woman who was known to be a little strange came up to him. She stroked his face and said something he didn't understand in Portuguese. He, fearing the worst, said, "Nao pode!" which translates to, "You can't!"  Turns out all she was telling him was that his face was sweaty haha!

     Recently we've had the opportunity to read as a district from the Book of Mormon. One particular class period we only read 5 verses in like a half hour or so, but everyone in my district agreed that from our discussion and dissection of the material, we had gained so much more than 5 verses worth.

     Sunday we had the pleasure of hearing a talk from a member of the branch presidency. He's awesome, just the nicest guy and when he speaks, you feel of his individual love for you. I was moved by his relation of a particular story in the bible about the way Jesus taught; humbly, meekly, with wisdom, and always with love. It definitely inspired me. Also this past sunday, Elder Hodgman and I were called to be Zone Leaders. I think when the branch presidency member first told me he thought i was in shock, but i was just thinking about how many more capable people than i there were to fill the position. The Lord will call who he will call though and Elder Hodgman and I will try our best to live up to the example of the savior.

     I know that Christ lives. I know that his atonement for our sins is far reaching and infinite. We have but to reach out and He will compensate for our weaknesses. In Him, weak things become strong. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

 

Love you all!

Elder LeFoll