September 13, 2011

Oi Família! Another pretty great week this last week. On last wednesday we went to Estrela and had to help Cleber, a member from our ward, move the Wizard. (The Wizard is a place where the teach English and it was created by a returned missionary here in Brasil, they supposedly are the best at teaching English). We moved it from a small office space to a big house that was a couple blocks of way. It was alot of work but fun. We had churrasco (BBQ) for lunch which is always great to have. Then on thursday we got invited to a local school to teach about the United States and our culture and also American views on Brasil. It went really well other than people kept asking weird questions. Then we also had English class at night. We had a couple more people there this time but it was still just all members so we told them they need to invite their friends soon or we might have to hold it off for awhile. We taught them about the alphabet and all the pronunciations, it is really fun to teach others how to speak English but they sound funny for the first few tries on one word. On Friday we had to go to Santa Cruz to have a special meeting with President Pavan and the assistants. It went well. We all recieved one portable DVD player to use for companionship study because we have Preach My Gospel DVD´s that teach about a bunch of missionary techniques like planning teaching with the Holy Ghost and a bunch of other things. It is kinda crazy that we have DVD players but they are just for studying not for having fun except on P-day we can watch church movies but only after we get everything done like cleaning, e-mail, etc. On friday i also got my package that had the new shoes and candy and shirts. It was great to finally get the package. The shoes fit great and they are really comfortable, way better than the other ones i had. Well on saturday we did a bunch of walking with plans falling left and right and having to come up with plans as we go along. Sunday went pretty well. Cleber and Thayla came to church. It was testimony meeting since last week was stake conference. Cleber got up and bore his testimony about how he knew the church was true. He sadly is still not baptized but it is because he doesn´t want to get baptized until his mom wants to get baptized as well. It is alot of work trying to get him baptized but he definately will someday. We also found out there would be a ward baptism today and so we are having to help out with a bunch of things. Yesterday we had to walk an hour to lunch and it was way hot like it has been for about a week now. We went and walked about another hour and taught the girl that is going to be baptized today since she is 8 and the bishop wanted us to go and explain about baptism and everything. Then we taught Francine at the church and it went well but she is still not 100% ready to accept baptism. Then at night we had dinner with Paloma and Evandro and it was really good. Well this week was long and crazy and we were running around alot but it went really well. Love you all very much! Love Elder Cefalo :)

Tuesday September 6, 2011

Oi Família!
This week was pretty good. It was a busy week but definately it went good. We were able to finally teach Thayla at her house and she asked alot of questions about our church and we just made sure she didn´t have anymore questions or even any doubts. She ended up asking how she could become a member and we talked about baptism. She seemed really interested so when we visit her again tomorrow we are going to try and mark a baptismal date. We finally got to teach english class this last week. It went pretty well but it was just 3 people and they all were members. We taught them how to pray in English. It went pretty well but was funny to hear them try to speak English. On friday we taught Marroni about Baptism and he told us he was reading the Book of Mormon and praying about it. We invited him to be baptized and he accepted to be baptized on the 17th. He is doing really well and progressing. On saturday we basically didn´t get anything done because there was a party and parade all weekend because tomorrow is Independence Day here in Brasil. We ended up getting home early and cleaning the house. As for sunday we had stake conference in Montenegro which is about 1 hour and a half away. We had to ride on a bus with all of the ward members. We had Thayla and Cleber come with us. It was really good and the temple president and President Pavan were there with their wives and they talked. It was really good. Well i know this is short but not too much more happened and also we don´t have much time today because we are in estrela at the Wizard and it only has two computers to share for 4 Elders. Just know i love you all and that all is going well.
Love Elder Cefalo
P.S. I will send some pictures next week since i don´t have time today. :)

Tuesday August 30, 2011

Oi Família,This week was a good week other than the rainy and cold weather towards the end of the week. Last P-day at night we had a family home evening type of thing with Paloma and Evandro. It was really fun and we played a couple games and had popcorn because Brazilians love to eat popcorn with seasoning for meat or with sugar or just a bunch of other things. Then on wednesday we had meetings at night and set up thursdays, starting this thursday, to do English class at night. The ward is really liking that idea since we have two american missionaries. Then we also set up a program called Book of Mormon program which is where every sunday we bring 2 copies of the Book of Mormon and two members from a specific group dedicate a Book of Mormon and give to us to take to that person. Then on thursday we took a bus for my first time inside the city of Lajeado. We went to an area that is an hour and a half away. We visited a lady that called us and wanted us to visit but it was kind of a waste of time because she didn´t want to read the Book of Mormon or even go to church. But we visited her because we promised we would. Then at night we went to the church and taught the young women how to make cookies. They wanted to see an american do it so that they didn´t do it wrong, because they don´t make cookies here in Brasil they just buy them from the store. Then we also visited Marroni and got him to start reading the Book of Mormon. Then on friday we did alot of finding and found a new lady to teach named Noeli, she seems pretty interested but it is going to be some work. Then we also visited Cleber and Vali, his mom, and taught about the gospel of Jesus Christ and the importance of baptism. We invited them to be baptized and Vali said she was not ready because she is not sure if her husband will be alright with it and etc. She said if Cleber wanted he could be baptized but for some reason he still doesn´t want to be baptized. We told him to write down his doubts or questions and next time we come by we can dicuss them all. On saturday we did alot of finding as well and we found a couple potential investigators, one of them was a referral that the Azevedos gave us and we are going to visit them tonight. On sunday only Cleber came to church but that is because Francine got in a small motorcycle accident so she couldn´t really come but she is planning on coming this week although it is stake conference in another city. It also was raining all day and night on sunday. At night we visited João and Camila and had dinner and talked, the Elders from Estrela were also there. We also met a man who speaks english and was talking to us mostly in English it was funny. Yesterday we got 3 referals from members and also visited 2 others that we had recieved from last week. It is going good in the ward and we are starting to get a few referrals and also finding other people through their help which is great. Well that is about all for my week except i don´t remember what day exactly but i hit my back while i was trying to get onto the bottom bunk bed and i scratched it up pretty good and it was hurting the whole next day while my backpack was rubbing up against it. Well that is it i believe. Love you all vey much. Até semana que vem.Love Elder Cefalo

August 23, 2011

Oi Família!

This week was really good. I got my new companion on Tuesday which was Elder Lomas from my MTC group in Provo. It is crazy to be in a companionship with someone from the MTC. I am also now senior companion on the mission which is another crazy thing. On tuesday before the transfer, Elder Dowden and i spent the day in Santa Cruz with Elder Jensen waiting for our companions. We went on a hike up to a cross on the mountain. It was really windy and my nametag ended up flying off and breaking after hitting th big cross. So now i am using another nametag until i get a new one. The next day after getting things settled in with Elder Lomas and Elder Steele, the new missionary for Estrela, we went out and did some visits which was really tiring because it was alot of walking. Then on thursday we tried to visit a bunch of former investigators and find new investigators since Elder Jacques was sick basically all of last transfer and we didn´t find many people to teach. We found a great family that has Vanderly, the dad, Viviane, the mom, and Kaun, their son, and Kauane, their daughter. They showed alot of interest and said that we could come back and also that the would come to church this next sunday. It is great to see the blessings of God from doing his work, it may be early to say but it will lead to something good. They really like to ask questions but they are good ones that help them to learn the truth. Viviane kept reading parts of the Book of Mormon while we were talking about it and she really liked it. That night the Elders from Santa Cruz came since they had a leadership meeting in Porto Alegre the next day. It was crazy because there was 6 Americans in one Brazilian apartment. The next day went pretty well although it was very tiring from all the walking. We ended up teaching a lesson in English because a member´s sister-in-law who is from Ireland was here, it was weird to talk about the gospel in english without wanting to use portuguese words. She really liked it but her husband who is from Brasil but lives in Ireland is a less active member so they didn´t come to church on sunday. That night we also taught a really good lesson at family home evening to a girl named Francine. She is a friend of Taina one of the young women in the ward. We talked a little bit about the Restoration and the watched the Jospeh Smith movie. Then afterwards she asked some questions about the Plan of Salvation so we also taught the plan of Salvation but quickly. She really like everything we said alot and dais she would go to church and she did. Saturday was more of a tiring that successful day but it wasn´t too bad, we found a couple potential investigators to teach. Then on Sunday Francine, Thayla (a friend of Daltrei) and Cleber were at church. We had lunch and Francine was there and told us she really liked church and was coming back next week and also that she was coming to an activity on friday. Later we visited Vanderly and Viviane and they became even more intrested in our message. I accidently left our cellphone at lunch and so we had to go back and get it. Yesterday was a good day because we got to visit Francine and her mom. Her mom loves that she is going to church but her mom isn´t too interested. Then we visited the Bishop and set up things that will help the ward but he wants to talk to us more at a meeting tomorrow. We also found a couple potential investigators in that area while we were trying to visit less active members. Then at night we visited Marroni and we set goals for him to read the Book of Mormon so he can find out the truth for himself. Well it was a pretty busy and long week and i am sure i have missed a couple thing that have happened. Just know that i love you all and that all is well. Keep buliding your testimonies and stay strong in the gospel.

Love Elder Cefalo

Oi Família!

First thing to tell you is about transfers. Nothing too big. . . I will saty in Lajeado for at least one more transfer. The crazy news is that i will be getting a different companion other than Elder Jacques. Elder Jacques is going to an area closer to Porto Alegre due to his eye and health. It is definately better for him. Well as for the week. . . Not too much happened because Elder Jacques stiil was not doing to great and this week he was throwing up because of one of the medicine tablets he has to take. We visited Cleber on wednesday and invited him to be baptized and he said he wouldn´t be baptized until his mom accepted baptism as well, so me and my companion will have to work on that. Also we decided to stop visiting Gisela because she is not progressing and always has other visits over when we try to visit. It is always sad to lose a investigator but it happens. We also visited Marroni a couple times this week and he seems to be progressing but didn´t come to church this week. We are starting to get quite a few referrals from members lately, mostly the young men and women and also Irmão Pércio. On thursday we had to go to Porto Alegre and get things checked up on Elder Jacques eye. We went to the office and i got a package from my family, that made me really happy because it had peanut butter and oreos. :) We also had a really good meeting with our ward mission leader and things are really starting to progress here in Lajeado with missionary work, which is really good. Then on friday we had a district meeting at a park here in Lajeado. It was really good since it was hot basically all this week. That night we got to meet a friend of one of the members here who is really interested in learning more, we marked a time to talk with her at the members house and have a little family night. Then at night we had a churrasco with a couple of the members since Elder Anderson was leaving to go home after the end of the transfer. It was really good like always. :) Then on saturday we had to help the Estrela Elders with preparing for a baptism and i ended up having lunch in Estrela with a family there that is really great and basically half of the branch. Then we helped set up for the baptism and the young men were playng soccer outside with a couple non members. The people being baptized asked that Elder Jacques and I stay so we did. Cleber was there and watched, i am hoping he starts to make a decision to be baptized with or without his mom wanting to at the same time. Afterwards we had ice cream and cake. It was realy good. Then yesterday Daltrie, the bishop´s son brought a friend named Thayla to church and she is really interested in learning more. I got the "oppurtunity" to bless the sacrament with Evandro. It went pretty well and i didn´t mess up but everyone said i had an American accent. One of the little kids said they like my prayer. It was funny and good. Later after lunchwe helped Elder Anderson get things ready to leave for Porto Alegre to meet his parents in the airport today. His parents came here to Brasil and are going to go arond with him visiting places for a week. For last night and today and part of tomorrow we are in a trio (Elder Dowden, Elder Jacques, and I). Well that is what happened this week, it was a long but good week. Love you all very much. Até mais.

Love Elder Cefalo

August 9, 2011

Oi Família!

This was a pretty good week. We had to go back to Porto Alegre again on thursday. We found out that Elder Jacques has something called traxoplasmosi (i am not sure on the spelling) but it is something you get from either a cat, eating bad meat, salad, and a bunch of other ways. He now has to take a bunch of different medicines and it keeps him up alot of the night and sometimes me because i hear the alarm go off for him to take his medicine. Well it is now getting better but we have to go back to Porto Alegre on thursday again. On thursday night we had a family home evening with the Cecconello/Langr Family and with Marroni and Irmâ Claides (Marroni´s mom). It was really good and we talked about families and the gospel being the greatest treasure we have in our lives. Then we had hot dog´s Brazilian style, which is hot dogs with mayo, ketchup, corn, peas, and basically other things you want to put on it.

Sorry I didn´t mean to send that so soon. But the family home evening was good and Marroni liked it alot and he is progressing, we are thinking about challenging him for baptism for this sunday. On friday Elder Jacques was not seeing very well and felt like throwing up so we stayed in the house and i read basically all of 2 Nephi in portuguese, I am now in Jacob. It is harder to understand the Isaish chapters in portuguese. Then for my birthday we first had Churrasco for lunch, my favorite thing to eat here in Brasil. It was at the house of a family that has a missionary serving in Recife Brasil. Kelson, who was serving in Recife, can over and had lunch with us. It was really good. Then we visited Marroni and just talked for him for awhile and he showed us a bunch of pictures, he is progressing alot because before he would barely even talk to us but now he talks alot. The later that night we had a family home evening with the young men and women. It was great because there were more non members than members there. We talked about faith and the importance of strengething our faith through works. Afterwards we had cake that one of the young women made, since they all knew it was my birthday there was a big 20 on the cake. It was chocolate cake with coconut, it was really good. Then at night one of the families that the Estrela Elders are teaching found out it was my birthday and invited us over for pizza. It was a really good pizza and a good way to end my birthday. On sunday we sadly had no investigators at church and barely anyone was there because it had rained a bunch in the morning. But during the day it was really hot. On saturday and sunday it was really hot but fot the last two days it has just rained the entire day and by rained i mean alot. They are thinking it might flood here again like it did a couple weeks ago. Yesterday we had to walk an hour to lunch and within 15 minutes we were soaked an stayed soaked the entire day. Yesterday we invited Gessy, an older lady to be baptized and she said she would pray and talk to her son and then make a decision. We are going to try to challenge Marroni and Cleber for baptism this sunday. I hope it goes well. Well that is basically it for my week. Next week is already transfers, which is crazy. That also means P-day on Monday. :) Well i love you all very much and hope all is well.

Love Elder Cefalo

Oi Família!

Well today i am having a memory problem. . . I cannot remember all that has happened since the last e-mail so i will have to look in my missionary planner to remember everything. We visted the Faustino´s, a family that lived where the big flood happened, and we asked them if they needed any help and they told us that alot of there things got ruined especially food and clothes. They said their washing machine had got ruined as well. So we talked to the bishop and he went and visted them and the ward is helping them out the best they can. We also visited Carla, who is doing really good and is way active in the church, it is great to see one of the people i baptized are doing great and living the gospel to it´s fullest. We also set up a family home evening withe the youth this saturday, to talk about missionary work and everything, that should be good. On thursday we had to go back to the eye hospital in Porto Alegre and we found out that everything is going well with Elder Jacques´ eye and that it should be good in no time. We also visted Gisela and she told us that she had received an answer that th church was true and that she was reading the Book of Mormon. The sad part is that she is not coming to church, if she would just come to church then we could get her baptized. On friday Elder Jacques had to go to Estrela to do a baptismal interview for the Elders there. We ended up spening most of our day there and visting a couple people. One of the families we visited kept saying i was really white and thati was a vampire and for about the 50th time i heard that i look a little bit like Edward. The people here in Brasil think alot of Americans look like superstars, I have heard Dean from SuperNatural, Edward, and Harry Potter. That same night we had a little party because Kelson a former missionary had gotten home from his mission. It was sad because while they were on the way to the church his dad crashed his motorcycle and broke his collar bone. We still had the party but we weren´t able to stay for too long because it was getting late. Marroni came to the party and really like it alot. The next day Elder Jacques and Elder Dowden were not feeling good so I went to Estrela with Elder Anderson and we spent the day visting a bunch of people there. Then on sunday we had 5 non memebers at church. There was Cleber, Marroni, a friend of Marroni, the girlfriend of one of the young men, and the cousin of one of the young men. It was all youth but that is alright because it is good for the future. It should be good to do the family home evening with the youth and talk about the importance of missionary work. We had to help the Estrela Elders get ready for their baptism since they had to stay there until the baptism. We filled up the font and got it all ready for their baptism and then they asked us to stay. Before the baptism we went with Irmão Pércio to visit a less active young woman who had gooten in a motorcycle accident. We gave her a blessing that all will go well in her surgery and that she will get better. It was good to see his baptism, he was baptized by the branch president. Then we went and visited João and Camila and talked to them about small and simple things. He is becoming more promising for coming back to church and also her getting baptized after they get married. Then yesterday Elder Dowden was still having problems with his eye and Elder Jacques decided he would stay home and Elder Anderson and I went to Estrela again. It is crazy because i feel like i have been in Estrela more than Lajeado lately but it is good to help people in both areas. At night on the bus back to Lajeado some lady bumped into me and said desculpe=sorry and i accidently said de nada=your welcome/it´s nothing. It was embarrasing but it happens. Also some young men there was made fun of and part of the way they made fun of him was saying that he had no future because he would become a missionary and all missionaries do is eat, the other boy said we were locos de fome = crazy of hunger. It was funny to hear that as one of the new anti-Mormon things. He is really strong and the church and he knows just as all other members that no matter what anyone says . . . This is the one and only true church! Well that is what happend this week. I am glad all is well back at home and i love all of you very much!

Love Elder Cefalo