#34 - "Fishers of Salmon" - The unstoppable duo (1/8/24)

Yeah, i cant move the rock

Boa tarde tudo mundo! E aí beleza? Como vocês estão? Como está o ano novo? Vocês viram bastante fogos (Fireworks) porque Brazil tinha bastante! [Good afternoon everyone! Hey, what's up? How are you? How's the new year? You saw a lot of fireworks because Brazil had a lot!]

Elders of the Branch

What's up guys!? How are you all? It's still really weird to think that it is 2024 already but what's cool to think is that I will be able to say I spent an entire year in Brazil this year! WOO! But, in other words, as the title suggests, here are the adventures of a "Fisher" and his "Salmon".

[Mom note: They sure love pizza in Brazil!]

Monday - We got invited to have lunch with Rosa (one of our investigators and part member families). They had their extended family over so we had the opportunity to teach some more of her family about The Church of Jesus Christ and gave them A Book of Mormon, it was awesome! We then later spent our p-day playing FRISBEE! So frisbee doesn't exist in Brazil but thanks to my parents, they sent me a frisbee so we played with the other Elders and I got to teach them how to play! 

Apron boys

 

                                     Checking out Brazilian fashion with my 'greenie', Elder Salmon

Tuesday - Sadly my first son, Elder Da Silva, got transfered to Curitiba. He was having  a hard time on the mission and we believe it will be best for him to work there closer to the temple and in a stronger ward. (Please keep him in your prayers!) I got a new son today who I am pretty sure was chosen by divine design: ELDER SALMON!!!! He just got here in Brazil a week ago and was at the Provo MTC so he is still learning portuguese but he has such a strong desire to serve (and his name is literally the name of a fish which is perfect for a fisher). After he arrived with another Elder, Elder Zamarron (who is from Mexico and worked in Almirante Tamandare after I left), we went to get lunch and while eating, a waitress keep on glancing towards us. Elder Cardoso told me to talk to her and so I did. Her name is Juliana and she wondered who we were. I introduced us as missionaries and we got her number to then share a message with her (Ch. 14 to all the missionaries that know!😆)

 
                          Sunglasses inside!                                                             Best acai                                                                    

Wednesday - MISSION DEVOCIONAL! We talked about families and the Law of Chastity. One of my biggest take aways was the idea of the man of the house "presiding" over the family. This doesn't mean they are to command the family but rather follow Christs example to fulfill the Lord's purpose with gentleness and pure love and putting more value on others. Another cool moment today, we met with my friend Frederico who I found after talking to his mother-in-law on a bus ride. When we visited them this week, I was surprised when his mother in law asked me: "Who is Nephi?"! LITERALLY FREAKED OUT.... then explained😅. She read the Book of Mormon we left with them and made us some scone like food with peach tea. It was really good! We ended up teaching them about the church, baptism, and invited them to church and... THEY WENT TO CHURCH!! WHOOO!

 Boys in the rua!

Thursday - Today I realized how every American missionary tends to be the same when they first start out. Elder Salmon has started to do the same things I did with asking me a lot of questions in portuguese, trying to speak portuguese with me in the road, and starting to journal in portuguese. It really feels like he is my own son. (PROUD DAD MOMENT) Funny moment today was when we found this man named Marcelo who from the first minute let us into his house. We then asked if we could share a message with him and I began our lesson. I first started to ask Marcelo some questions to get to know him but the problem was.... HE COULD'NT HEAR! I kept on repeating myself and raising my voice hoping he would understand but I don't think he did😅 I have faith though that the Spirit will speak to him though

Daily studying

Friday - I will admit that today, I had a fubeca moment. While we were cooking at the house during lunch, we were talking about music and I thought about some country songs that Elder Salmon might know. While we were trying to figure out the name of songs, Elder Cardoso began to play country music and played "every little thing about her love", "Fake ID", and "Meant to be". Lets just say... I danced a little... and then repented... later in the day🤣 But ngl, I miss those songs, everyone should give them a listen for me! Fun quote that Elder Salmon said after this experience is that "You have to sin to experience the Atonement of Christ". So you could say, I was just making sure the Atonement is working in my life! [Mom note: We love to dance, just not as a missionary] Another cool moment is when we met this older man who first asked us: "do you play guitar?" and I told him I played a little and he brought his guitar out! I got to play this very old guitar that clearly was deeply loved and this man ended up playing some music for us. In turn, I gave him a book of mormon and we made plans to pass by again to talk more about the book of mormon and get a guitar lesson from him! I love Brazil

Old guitar

Saturday - I had a flashback to my house today when we talked with our friend Alexsander outside his house today in this forest area. My house is very similar to this forest and it was cool to feel at home again. Alexsander is trying to find the right path just like Joseph Smith and we are trying to help him so please, pray for him! Another cool realization I made today is that Dora the Explorer here in Brazil speaks portuguese and teaches english! (Thanks Elder Cardoso for this vital information🤣)

Early morning with Elder cardoso

Beef tongue

Sunday - Started off the morning with the van and one of the first houses we visited had a lot of dogs that started to jump on me and got my pants all dirty (thanks dogs!😅) What was cool today was that we had fast and testimony meeting so I went to bore my testimony about the Book of Mormon which we are studying this year for "Come Follow Me". I truly know that the Book of Mormon is another testament of Christ that contains the fullness of the Gospel. The Book of Mormon provides us with answers for anything and brings us peace in this world by learning of christs life and the perfect plan our Heavenly Father has for us. I know that Joseph Smith translated this book and that it is the keystone of Christ's church that has been restored. Not only did I share my testimony, but my son did! Elder Salmon went and bore his testimony even though he doesn't know portuguese. Honestly I think to myself that I am learning more from him than he is from me. I also found out that I have 2 different names: Elder Salmon and the son of President Bikman (bc I look like him, also see the picture below to understand the first part). The other cool part from today is when we made a contact with someone outside their house, and while we did the contact, a ladybug fell on me. I then turned to Elder Zamarron afterwards and said, "A ladybug fell on me. He will be baptized". Elder Zamarron and Elder Cardoso ended up visiting that man later that day and invited him to be baptized and you know what... he accepted. Truly the Lord works in mysterious ways but he is always showing his hand in our lives and his work.

Só apparently im Elder Salmon

Truly this week has been one of miracles and blessings. Everyday we have on earth is a gift from God and that is why it is called the "Present". For this reason, we need to start each day with a heartfelt prayer to God for the day we have. 

Is his new comp asleep while studying?

 

I love you all and I hope you all know that I am praying for you and that your Heavenly Father has always been with you. "The worth of souls is great in the sight of God".

Ate mais!

Baby Noah

-Elder Fisher