#28 - THE FIRST PRIMARY PROGRAM OF PALMEIRA!🎵🎹 (11/27/23)

Smolder anyone?

Boa tarde tudo mundo! Como vocês estão? Espero que vocês estejam bem e que vocês tinham uma semana bem especial e um feriado ótimo!

Whats up guys!!? Elder "pescador" here again to give an update on the life as a "Fisher of men" in Brazil. It was honestly a pretty good week (a little bit chilling ngl) but it was awesome! I also completed my first week as a Trainer and man oh man was it tiring. Here is a review from this past week:

Golden hour (with new comp, Elder Da Silva)

Monday - I honestly don't remember how much I spoke about Monday last week but it was pretty busy for me. I left with Elder Hogge to visit Ponta Grossa and get my trainee, Elder Da Silva. We then took the bus back and arrived in Palmeira around 3:30 in the afternoon. I then did some cleaning, shopping with Elder Da Silva (Got another guitar because Elder Hogge took the other, don't worry he paid me back for it😆), went to "The Secret of Chicken", and then had our district counsel... and may have sent out my weekly email past hours.... oops😅 But now I have a new companion, Elder Da Silva, from Natal, Rio Grande do Norte!

P-day acai

Tuesday - Today was REALLY HOT! It also  felt like a lot of people were missing. We were walking around the neighborhoods here and it felt like a desert town so a lot of our lessons didn't happen but we still kept on going and found some awesome people that showed interest and are related to other members of the branch here!

Wednesday - MISSION DEVOTIONAL!!! This week we talked about the ordinance and covenant of baptism. Some of my take aways include:

1. Baptism = accessing power of Christ to be sanctified 

2. Baptism is essencial to progress in this life and the next life

3. Baptism is the door to open up to the kingdom of glory and as missionaries we dont just teach baptism, we UNDERSTAND it

4. We are here to learn so God fulfills his purpose of bringing to pass the immortality and eternal life of man (Moses 1:39) and baptism is apart of that purpose

We also had a little thunderstorm today that took some of the power away for a bit so that was fun during our study time. After a day of teaching we went to visit Rosa and her nephew, Ana, to help prepare her for baptism and when we arrived there, Rosa had a whole FEAST prepared for us! Let's just say, walking home, I was walking a little slower than usual (I will count that as a "Thanksgiving Dinner" without even knowing it!)

Inviting José to be baptized

Thursday - This day started with a weird analogy from Elder Loertscher that the book of mormon is like John Wick. With John Wick, you seeing what he is doing before you learn about him and with the book of mormon, we live the doctrine of Christ daily in our character and expressions before we begin a lesson and use the book of mormon. I thought it was pretty cool! While we were cooking lunch here, we only have 1 can opener that just punctures the can so Elder Loertscher grabbed a knife and started cutting the can. Turns out, knifes work pretty well! I ended up doing a division with Elder Cardoso in my area today as well and we met this one lady named Sandra. We gave a lesson about the Book of Mormon and importance of Church and something that stood out to me is when Sandra said she likes to speak with people with whom she sees the light of Christ and she said she could see it from me and hear it in my voice. It totally caught me off guard but was really sweet! Later that evening, CRIS ARRIVED and we visited some people with him. Those visits consisted of Christ singing for us and a kid biting me! Don't worry, im okay😆 We then finished the day with some food that Cris cooked and it turns out, I got 30 minutes to talk with my fam for Thanksgiving. WOOHOO!

Family call

Friday - Elder Da Silva and I were trying to find a reference today whose address was a store that sold glasess. We didn't end up finding him but we still found other people to teach so I just references are just references for other people! (I also enjoyed walking a little around the town listening to english mash up Christmas music! Although I wish they played some Michael Bubble, shoutout to my friends that say Michael bubble!) We actually ended up inviting 2 people we met for the first time to be baptized! They didn't entirely accept but I think we definitely planted a seed for another day. I also think that now as a Trainer, my fear of inviting people to be baptized has diminished. If anything, inviting someone to be baptized is something to celebrate! Also, shoutout to the Holy Ghost this week helping me know what to say and teach while Elder Da Silva is still learning how to teach the lessons.   

Elder Fisher on his MISSION

Saturday - Found some really powerful scriptures today while reading the Book of Mormon: Helaman 3:28-30. I recommend giving it a read. Today was confirming a lot of people to church and one of the people we needed to confirm works at The Secret of Chicken so we went there and I felt like I had to get something so I got this "popcorn chicken" with pineapple sauce. When we got back to the house and Elder Da Silva took a bite, he froze. I asked what's up and he was still for like 30 seconds before saying, "This is REALLY GOOD"!🤣 I guess food like orange chicken isn't common in Brazil but man his expression was hilarious and he ended up finishing the chicken pretty quickly!

Pineapple sauce chicken

Sunday - PRIMARY PROGRAM! Elder Loertscher and I were asked to help by singing and playing piano and guitar. It was awesome and we had the highest frequency yet! 68 people! Something I loved is when a sister in the ward who has a mission cal, Gabrielle, talked about how we need to be representatives of Christ always and teaching the gospel because we could be the person to help bring salvation to someone next to us if we just speak and bear our testimony! My favorite part of all was singing "Army of Helaman" (FSY theme) in portuguese... I admit... I teared up a little...  If anyone wants to join me as a FSY councelor in 2025, hit me up!

DOG

But this about wraps up this week of miracles. I hope that you all are well and had an amazing Thanksgiving! I love you all and I am praying for you all!

Ate mais,

Elder Fisher (🐟er)

CHRISTMAS IS COMING!!

#27 - "Carrying the Banner" (Newsies = Missionaries) (11/20/23)

Bom dia todo mundo! Como vocês estão? Espero que vocês estejam bem e que esta semana passado era ótimo! [Good morning everybody! How are you? I hope you guys are doing well and this past week was great!]

Whats up guys! Hows it going? Today is a little bit different than other p-days. We had transfers today and Elder Hogge transferred to go be a Zone Leader and I just recieved my new trainee, Elder Da Silva! Thats right, im training now so good luck to me!

In other news, here is an update on this last week:

churrasco again

Monday - We did another churrasco because.... why not!? Elder Loertscher and I were jamming out on the guitar also (have to practice!) 

Tuesday - We had Elder Jenkins and Elder Araújo for a division today and Elder Hogge and I worked with Elder Araújo again! While we were doing personal study, it was so windy that it sounded like howling in our house and all of our doors kept opening and closing. I couldnt help but think the spirits from the cemetary across the street were possessing the house!🤣 something cool i learned today is that "wow" in english is spelled as "uau" in portuguese. No idea why but it is. While teaching a family today, the kids asked if we had any nicknames and I explained the nickname that my mom gave me: Pooka. While explaining that my mom took the first letter of each of our names and then added "oo", Elder Araújo started laughing realizing that with my name, my nickname is "doo doo". I then explained what "doo doo" ment in english to the family and lets just say, im glad my nickname is pooka and not "doo doo". [Mom note: Choo Choo, Shoo Shoo, Moo Moo & Boo Boo all sounded ok for the other kids...Doo Doo did not LOL!]

Division with Elder Jenkins

Wednesday - Elder Araújo and Elder Jenkins stayed one more day so I got to do a division once again with just Elder Jenkins! (As always, we were running like all day) We also had our mission devocional about dress and personal higiene so I will sum it up to: take care of yourself and wear deodorant! We actual marked a baptism date with the Mother in law of the member, Dalva and when we went to speak with Dalva, she couldnt help but tear up! Dalva knows how much the gospel has blessed her and is happy to hear her family is following it to so please, keep Antonia in your prayers! Later that night, after Elder Araújo and Jenkins left for Ponta Grossa, Elder Hogge and I went to invite a family to be baptized. It started out well but then it got noisy and people began to leave so we didnt do the invite, BUT, the Mother, Rosa, was walking us out and told us she wants her family to be baptized. MIRACLE!!!! What we thought was a fail invite was the best invite because we didnt have to ask!

With Rosa

Thursday - Big update today: I DONT RECIEVE ALL THE REFERENCES OF THE MISSION ANYMORE!!!🤩 Before the change, we receieved all the referências in our mission that didnt have missionaries but now, its just referências in our area so now its only like 3 a week, a lot easier to manage! Not gonna lie, today was full of a lot of laughs and exciting moments. We first saw an ATV! I didnt know they existed in Brazil! Second, while teaching Eva, her nephew Benjamin, 2 or 3 years old, ran out of the house and into the road without clothes on! Eva and her husband immediately ran after him and Elder Hogge and I just sat there thinking, "what just happen?😅". We also taught someone who was a reference and they gave us this book called "The great conflict". I really dont know exactly what it is but I think they were trying to convert us... At least they have a Book of Mormon now! Fair trade I guess!

Friday - Here is where the title of the email comes in. As we were about to leave, Elder Hogge started singing music from Newsies and I immediately freaked out! We then were singing Newsies music around the entire town well walking to lessons.

Horsing around

Saturday - Ngl i woke up this morning feeling really down and out of it but then out of the Blue, president Ribeiro sent 8 messages to me and Elder Hogge and it really brightened my day. Just goes to show how God truly does know his children and is always looking out for them. I then got to listen to some knock of trap beat remixes of pop english music. It was lit to hear Bruno mars again!

                

Sunday - we had the baptism of Eva today! It was such a marvelous experience to see the fruits of our labor and how the miracle of a simple hello Led to someone coming closer to christ. Also had to say goodbye to many people today since Elder Hogge was leaving and it was both bitter sweet to see how the work of an individual thanks to the power of God blesses others but that we need to say "see you later" at times. I like to think that this pain we feel for other that we call missing somone (saudades in portuguese) is really a memory keeper. God could take the pain away but then you would forget the amazing moments you had with someone. Pain and missing someone is a sign of a truly grand relationship and a learning tool to remember such as remembering what God and Christ have done for us.

Baptism of Eva

  

Ngl, i am writing the rest of this after p-day hours here in Brazil (i will repent!😅) but truly, my heart is full for the love that God has for all of you! I wont lie and say that every day is perfect cause part of life is to have challenges. But, like Nephi 3:7, the Lords doesnt ask anything of us we cant do. Trust in the Lord.

Love you all! Até mais!

- Elder Fisher

#26 - Password 1 "2", 3 "4's", 5 "6's" (11/13/23)

Boa tarde todos! E aí? Como foi a semana passada para vocês? Foi bem? Foi Ótimo?!

[Good afternoon everyone! And there? How was last week for you? It went well? It was amazing?!] [mom note: his English is getting worse week by week!]

How's it going everyone? Every week that I write these emails I can't help but think how fast time flies! Literally it was last week I was doing this same thing of writing emails and thinking about what happen during the week.🤣

But either way, here is the update for this last week:

Guitar

Monday - After I sent my last email, Elder Loertscher and I had a little run in with a moth. I was looking through my email when Elder Loertscher said, "Elder Fisher! There's a moth!". I walked into the room to find a giant moth the size of my hand on the light! I ended up using a "palavra da sabedoria" (word of wisdom) pamphlet to get rid of it. Also, Elder Hogge and I bought a guitar so... I am offically practicing and will TOTALLY be perfect at guitar when I get back to the states!🤞😅

Traveling with the boys

Tuesday - Had a little discussion with the other Elders and we talked about the role of missionaries as knights and God as our king since we are trying to build up the kingdom of Heaven. It was a good analogy! Elder Hogge and I also traveled to Ponta Grossa today to do a division with Elder Jenkins and Araújo. It was my first time in the city of Ponta Grossa and our friend Cris picked us up and gave us this street taco like food that was DELICIOUS! Thanks Cris!

Member lesson with Jenkins

Wednesday - I was with Elder Jenkins today in Uvaranus. We started the day with a mission devotional and talked about the power of fasting. We read from Isaiah 58:5-14 and Alma 17:3. Some things that stuck out to me during a fast is having purpose in the fast and that Crist never asks things of us without promising blessings. There are always blessings promised. And within the fast, exists 3 parts: 1. Start with a prayer 2. Have a purpose and 3. Have joy. I think at times we forget about the 3rd part but truly a fast is a wonderful experience to bless the life of others. Don't focus on the thought of "I AM STARVING", focus on the people you are helping! After the devocional, I got to work with Elder Jenkins and everything people say about Jenkins literally "running" is true. I was sweating like crazy and speed walking the entire day! Man he can walk! I was also introduced to Miguel who lived in Chicago for some time and I was cool to just talk with him about life! Shout out to Miguel!

Elder Jenkins

Thursday - We traveled back to Palmeira to then work for like 8 hours until we traveled to Curitiba to visit the Temple the next day!🤣 This week was a lot of travel! On the bus, I was talking with this girl named Beatriz and because the ac wasn't working on the bus, I gave her a church pamphlet and she asked what was my religion and I explained that I was a missionary serving in Curitiba for 2 years for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We then had a good discussion about religion and life. It felt very natural. I think at times, missionaries focus a lot on just the teaching but we need to remember we are talking to children of God. I like what Elder Jenkins taught me about being a missionary. He likes to try to be like Christ from "The Chosen" and think what Christ would do. For those who haven't seen the Chosen, Christ has a greater sense of humor in the show and thinking like that has really helped me relate more to people and then teach and find their needs better! (A tip for all the missionaries out there!)

Water cup on the bus

Temple with the boys

Friday - TEMPLE DAY! WOOHOO! Got to see some fellow friends on the mission like Elder Mortenson and I even found a friend from the CTM who is serving in Curitiba South, Elder Schultz! It was awesome to see him and see how our portuguese has improved that we can speak to each other in portuguese. It reminds me of the Sons of Mosiah in The Book of Mormon Alma 17:2-3 which talks of how we will rejoice all together in our successes and how we have all grown in the gospel. To all my missionary friends, I am looking forward to this day with all of you! I'll make a trifle for it! Funny moment: We bought home 3 boxes of book of mormons and while traveling, 1 box broke and because I had the biggest suitcase, we piled them into my bag. So I had like 25 books of mormon in my suitcase!

I guess all you need to pack as a missionary is Books of Mormon

Saturday - Now I will address the title of this email. Elder Hogge and I went around with some family history people to help other people understand and begin making a "family tree". There were 2 dads and 3 sons and one of the days needed to connect to the sons hot spot and he said the password was "123456" which was interpreted as 123456 but actually the password was "244466666". We couldn't help but laugh at both how smart and funny his password was! We also had a ward activity. I was asked to participate in one of the activities with some of the young men and kids where you are in a circle and have 2 ties. You need to tie the tie and pass it on before the other one reaches you. And as a missionary who ties a tie everyday, of course..... I  lost.... yep. Apparently I still need practice and kids are better than me at tying a tie. So I had to do push-ups since I lost😅 ALSO, if anyone knows the apple soda Mazanita sol, APPARENTLY IT EXISTS HERE IN BRAZIL!! WOOOOOOOOHOOOOOO!

                                                                        ...yeah, i lost

Sunday - Worked the van with Elder Loertscher today! It was really cool and I think we are now comfortable to lead the area if Elder Cardoso and Hogge leave this next transfer (next week). Elder Loertscher and I have also been sitting in Primary to sing with the kids while playing the guitar Elder Loertscher has and its awesome! I like hearing the primary songs in portuguese. (and apparently, the elders are going to sing a few solos for a primary program soon!) Another thing I may have forgotten to mention is that as missionaries, we recieve "references" of people who have interest in the church. Since Palmeira is new, we recieve all the references of the mission that don't have missionaries serving in certain areas so I don't know how many references people usually get, but for Elder Hogge and I, it's about 20 each day compared to about "5 a week" as Elder Loertscher says. So.. we keep busy🤣 1 other thoughts that Elder Hogge said, "apparently every person needs 8 seconds of hugging per day" and I agree! So.... GO HUG SOMEONE!!😆

That's about it for this last week. Next week will be transfers but it is likely I will stay in Palmeira but in case I don't send anything next week, here is why. I love you all and hope your doing well. If there is ever anything I can do for you guys, just let me know! Ate mais!

-Elder Fisher (D🐟)

#25 - "Fisher! Aqui é Sophia! Vai passar nossa casa?" (11/6/23)

 [Mom note: title for this week is "Fisher! This is Sophia! Are you coming to our house?"]

Bom dia todos! Como que tá? Pessoas que estão no Estados Unidos, vocês têm neve já ou ainda não? [Good morning everyone! How are you? People who are in the United States, do you have snow already or not yet?]

I hope everyone is doing well and has seen many miracles this past week. On the topic of miracles, we had one this week which ill get to. But, for now, heres the weekly update of "A Fisher of Men in Palmeira Brazil":

Milkshake

Monday - Elder Hogge hit 1 year on the mission! To celebrate, we did a huge churrasco with garlic bread, steak, sausage, and peach cobbler! It was raining while we were cooking and at one point I ran from our deck patio to the house when all of the sudden the sky went cyan!🤯 immediately afterwards was a huge crack of thunder and all the lights went out. It was both terrifying and AWESOME!

Yeah idk...

Tuesday - We met this man named Douglas today who is friends with Tyrone, a member who was away from the church for a bit. Tyrone had us have lunch with them and guess what!? DOUGLAS SPEAKS ENGLISH! Douglas was recently employed to work for Tyrone's language learning academy so... we got to teach Douglas about the Church in English! He honestly has a lot of interest and is an awesome dude. He actually just told me he got his wisdom teeth removed. (brought back memories when I got mine removed, thanks roomies and Sister Doss for the help during that time!😆)

Wednesday - Mission Devocional! We discussed a lot about the following scriptures: D&C 82:3,7-10 , D&C 121:33-46 , and Moroni 7:5. D&C 82 spoke about how The Lord is bound to the promises we make with Him if we do our part, showing the importance of showing our faith. D&C 121 was really powerful to think about "many called, but few are chosen" when it comes to power of the priesthood and our work as missionaries. We must be long-suffering, gentle, and kind to have the "constant companion" of the Holy Ghost. That's really what we strive for. To have the Holy Ghost with us. Later in the day we found someone who had a Barbie shirt and I almost freaked out! (shoutout to the barbie movie that came out!). Also, for those who know my only pickup line (Kiss me if im wrong, but dinosaurs don't exist), I told Elder Hogge it and he swapped it to "Dinosaur me if I'm wrong, but kisses don't exist!". So I guess thats my pickup line now!

Thursday - Found out today that my comp, Elder Hogge, was comps with the new comp my former MTC companion, Elder Mortenson, had. (I hope that makes sense) It was really cool to think how that works! Honestly had some random thoughts today like why people paint fake bricks on brick walls... food for thought. We also had a lesson with a music artist and barber, Tony! He was really cool and turns out, he already had a Book of Mormon! We had a good discussion about The Book of Mormon and the Church and he said he would visit one day. I also hope he has a spotify because I want to hear him sing!

Friday - DIVISION WITH MY BOI ELDER LOERTSCHER! We finally understand the area more so as "Senior comp" for the day, it was good! Met a lot of people, taught a lot, and sorta invited the entire family of our recent convert, Renan, to be baptized and you know what.... REGINA ACCEPTED! WOOHOO! She mentioned that she didn't feel prepared but I know that she will be. Please keep her in your prayers!

Facebook post with Elder Loertscher

Saturday - Woke up this morning to howling wind from the cemetary across the street. Ngl, thought a ghost was about to posses me during personal study. We also got to see the MAN, MYTH, AND LEGEND: CHRIS! He also helped me get a physical printed copy of my Patriarchal blessing and as always, we sang a little bit together (He has an awesome voice!) Also spoke with a family while they were sitting outside talking and invited them to Church, including a young girl named Sophia, 6 years old. They all said they couldn't go but something awesome happened.. 

Sunday - Now for the Subject of this email. Here in Palmeira, we rent a van to bring people to church and the night before we make a list of people to get. So while Elder Cardoso and I were arriving early to the church at 7:30AM, I received an audio message that was addressed from Anelaine, one of the people we talked to yesterday but it turns out, IT WAS SOPHIA! She sent this audio asking when I would pass by. I was stunned to hear that she took the initiative to come to Church! I immediately reworked our route and her and her mom made it to Church and loved it! Her mom, Anelaine, told me that she didn't plan on going but Sophia made her go. Later in the day we saw them while working and Sophia thanked me. It touched my heart to see the light of Christ shine off this 6 year old and take the initative. Thanks Sophia! What also brightened my day was when we visited our recent convert, Renan, and taught him how to tie a tie! It was an awesome Sunday!

Division with Elder Cardoso

I know that my fellow missionaries will understand when I say that being a missionary is hard, but it is so rewarding. Something I love about the new preach my gospel is the importance of following the spirit and knowing that "No effort is wasted". I originally thought that talking to that familly yesterday wasn't going to lead to anything but, I was wrong. Something about talking to that family and Sophia helped inspire Sophia and her mom to come to church. Alma 37:6 - the small and simple things confound the wise. To everyone out there, remember that we don't need to be perfect and be the person we will be at the end of life, we just need to be who we need to at the end of the day. Little by little, we improve. 

I know that each of us is loved by our Heavenly Father. That He prepared a path for each and everyone one of us. He sent His beloved son, Jesus Christ, to do what I can't and set the example before me. I know that families are for Eternity and our Father in heaven has more blessings and miracles that are waiting for us. I love you all and can't wait to hear from ya next week!

Ate Mais!

-Elder Fisher (🐟er)