#11 - The Side Effects of The Field (7/31/23)

 Boa tarde meu amigos! Como voces estao? 

Another week has gone by here in Curitiba full of ups and downs (literally because of the hills!)

The biggest things that happen this week:

The bite

1. I am finally my brother... a dog bit me! That's right folks! 2 weeks in the mission and I already got bit! Elder Hall and I were walking up a hill at night and this dog was just chilling. As soon as my back was to it, it jumped and bit me right on the left calf. Note to self: never turn your back to a dog and wear sunscreen and bug spray! (I am currently trying to sew my pants back)

Time to fix the pants

2. There were some issues with our water system the last few days so we had water leaking from our bathroom ceiling. We had to go without water for a bit today and called the plumbers. Luckly it is back up and running but when you don't have water, you kinda forget how important it is!😅

my "Favorite" hill (the dog bit me here)

3. We went to a members house the other day and ate these weird seeds or something that are very well known in Curitiba. Its called Pinao and it's pretty good! I may try to bring some home with me.

"Rocky", an AWESOME guy

4. WE HAD ZONE CONFERENCE! The first of many to come! I also got to see Elder Child this week from Chicago. He is doing really good. Zone conference was very insightful and I got to use my semester of physics 121 to teach everyone the equation for kinetic energy: KE = 1/2 mv^2.

Thanks Physics!

Bishops restaurant cooking

5. I did my first call in Portuguese! I called this individual to pray for his family and after the prayer, I tried to invite the person to church but said it really weirdly that Elder Hall busted out laughing. Yeah, my portuguese still needs work.🤣

Shoe shining

A quick spiritual experience:

One night when Elder Hall and I arrived at home, we tried to close the gate to our house but the key wasn't working. Elder Hall tried multiples times but it wouldn't work. We then decided to say a prayer to ask for assistance in closing the door so we could be safe. Immediately afterwards, the gate closed. Guys... THE CHURCH IS TRUE!

It's awesome how miracles like this can happen and how amazing it is that God is always watchin over and listening to us.

A scripture for this week is Mosiah 7:33. I love this scripture as it explains trusting in the Lord and serving diligently will deliver you from bondage. Trusting in the Lord is what having Faith in Christ is. You trust that Jesus Christ is our Savior and has set the example and road for us and that we know we will be Resurrected. Trust in him and that you will always recieve answers to prayers on Gods time.

That's all the time I have for this week. Ate Mais!!

-Elder Fisher

#10 - Curitiba = Utah, HILLS! (7/24/23)

Boa tarde meus amigos!

I have officially survived my first week in the field and holy cow what a ride it was!

Majority of our days consist of walking about 12-15 miles with the occasional chance of getting an uber (when we do get an uber it's like a dream come true cause I get a break from walking!😆)

Early morning sunrise was beautiful

This last week we had the chance to attend the Curitiba Temple and it was beautiful! The design of the Curitiba Temple is similar to that of the Provo City Center temple. We went with our zone and mission president and his wife. It was a remarkable experience.

Somethings I learned this week:

1. HILLS ARE TIRING TO CLIMB! A lot of the area here is hills or slopes so I have been getting used to walking on not flat land and not loosing my breath everytime we walk up a hill like how I would in Utah. (Love you Utah!)

Us being us

2. Dogs are scary! Some advice my instructor Irma Torres told me during my time at the CTM was to never turn my back to a dog and I can now say, she is right. Elder Hall and I went down a dead end and had to walk back up a hill. The entire time, these tiny dogs were barking and trying to bite me. I would go between walking forwards and backwards and one time when I turned my back, a dog bite my shoe! Luckly it was only my shoe but I have now begun to wonder if I want a dog when I am older.😅

3. The best Acai in the world is at the restuarant: "The Best Acai"... yep that's it's name and it is DELICIOUS!! I think Elder Hall and I may try to go again today.

BEST ACAI

4. Conference Talks are amazing! While cleaning the Church building (because we do that every Saturday Morning), Elder Hall and I listened to some talks. Some of my favorites include:

- Steady in the Storms

- Legacy of Encouragment

- The Answer is Jesus

- That they might know thee

If you get a chance I would give these a listen.

Cleaning the Church

Other than that, I have been doing a lot of study in the scriptures and "Pregar meu evangelho" (Preach my gospel). Portuguese is still hard at times but it's coming in strides. 

A scripture I would like to share comes from my brother and has been a big source of strength for me as a missionary and I would like all missionaries to read it:

Alma 42:30-31.

That's about all the time I have. I am glad to hear everyone is doing well and I can't wait to see what else my mission brings and what I will learn!

Falou,

-Elder Fisher

#9 - DOGS > PEOPLE (7/17/23)

Boa tarde meu amigos!

I have officially been in Curitiba for 4 days now and it is both weird and awesome!                        [Mom note: Devin's great Aunt Dirce is from Curitiba!]

The first day I arrived, I went to the mission office with the other new missionaries. We got to meet our mission president and his wife, The Bikmins! They are both really sweet and remarkable individuals! 

New missionaries w/ Pres. & Sis. Bikman (from Houston, TX)

During our time at the mission office, we got a chance to speak with other missionaries and learn more about our training for the next 12 weeks. (That's right! More training!) They explained how things would work for the next 12 weeks and I now have a packet full of things I need to accomplish moving forward. WOOHOO MORE HOMEWORK!

We also got luch from a restaurant nearby and it tasted pretty good! It was like your typical burger place back in The USA but with some different food as well. All I know is that it was delicious!

While at the office, I also ran into an Elder who is the brother of one of my friends at BYU. Hi Celeste! Your Brother is doing well and is an awesome guy!

During our time at the office we all got to meet with President Bikmin one-on-one and but of course... I was the last one to go. So while everyone else had already left, I finally had my meeting with President Bikmin and afterwards, I put all my stuff in an uber, followed my trainer (His name is Elder Hall and he is awesome and TALL), and arrived at a house somewhere in Curitiba. 

Me & my trainer, Elder Hall!

I then drop of my stuff and immediately... WE GET TO WORK! Yep! I literally changed into better walking clothes, packed a bag with a Boom of Mormon (in portugues) and whatever else I thought might be handy and off we went! The work has begun!

I have been doing this for about 3 days now and you know what... 1. THERE ARE A LOT OF DOGS EVERYWHERE!!!! [Mom note: his older brother said the exact same thing while serving in Curitiba!] And 2. I don't know what people are saying half the time😅 

I will use whatever context clues or words I know to try and form a story but to be honest, it's hard. 

Even though this is the case, I still do whatever work and communication I can through the best communication method ever: Love. Even though I don't know a whole lot, I am still glad I am here and I can feel the love of the people I serve.

First baptism

Something I have been able to do is perform my first baptism! Literally the day of, Elder Hall tells me I am baptizing a girl named Vanessa and so I did. 5 minutes before the baptism I learned what I needed to do and I pulled it off! It was a remarkable experience.

To all my fellow new missionaries out there who are going through hard times or any individual, know that you aren't alone. A scripture that my sister actually just shared with me is Alma 37:37. I highly recommend you read this scripture as it tells how God will direct us and lift us up in our life and that he is watching over us.

My p-day is almost over but I hope that you are all doing well and remember how much God loves you. This Church is true and God's love is for everyone. Until next time!

-Elder Fisher

#8 - The End of One Story, The Beginning of Another (7/11/23)

The Elders

 E ei beleza todas pessoas!

Sometimes life feels like a prison...and Mortenson still smiles

I'm here with another email, the final email that I will write while at the CTM! It's insane to think how my time at the CTM is already coming to an end! I still haven't gotten my travel arrangements but I should be leaving this Friday with Elder Mortenson and Sister Anderson from my district to Curitiba. I finally feel prepared and ready to go even though it means leaving the CTM and saying goodbye to a district that I call "family".

Our district pic at the Sao Paulo Temple

This last week has been a very eventful one (considering most of the days follow the same agenda). First things first, we had a sister from our district pass out because of an allergic reaction or something. No need to worry though because she is totally fine! In fact, from the story she told us, I think it was needed because an individual here in Sao Paulo needed her message. She got an uber to the hospital with her company and Elder Beck (one of the Elders in the CTM Presidency). Elder Beck was talking to the driver about the gospel and couldn't seem to find a way to direct the driver towards the gospel. Sister Hiller (the sister that passed out) felt prompted to share her book of mormon with the driver and bear her testimony in portuguese and it was exactly what he needed. Something about Sister Hillers testimony touched the heart of that man and he is going to try and go to church with his daughter who has been attending for a while now.

Elder and Sister Beck plus the Elders

Something I think we can all learn from this experience is how miracles and blessings can be in everything but we may not see them until after they have happened. Remember that, sometimes our biggest challenges and difficulties are our GREATEST blessings.

This last week was also a very challenging week for our district as we all began to feel the pressures of the mission with the language, the teachings, and the workload, but I am proud with how our district kept together and supported one another (although ngl, the portuguese test we took this last week to see where we were at was very humblying and difficult🤣) we must look at the fruits of our labor.

Elder Mortenson and I during our test

Today was our final p-day at the CTM and with it, our going away devotionals. And these

devotionals were POWERFUL. What I learned included:

- The Lord doesn't make mistakes and you are called to where you need to be and where you can best serve

- If you love the people, they will love you

- "Eu ti amo" and 3 kisses on the cheek means "I love you forever" in Portugues

- Talk less, DO MORE

- If you love Christ, He will love you

- If you ever feel discouraged in your work (especially missionaries) read Alma 26:27-31 and I know you will find the comfort and reassurance that you are doing a great work

I wish I had the time to truly explain all that I learned and felt but sadly I don't.

Our district

I know that this Church is true. Joseph Smith was a prophet of God that translated the Book of Mormon which contains truth and testifies of Christs work of this earth. I know that when we have faith and strive to be like Christ, we can receive blessings. I also know that families can be together forever and for eternity.

American flag we made on our window

Ate mais and so long Sao Paulo!

-Elder Fisher

#7 - 4th of July (7/4/23)

 Ola meu amigos!

What a powerful last week I have had! Life here at the CTM, while it may feel the same everyday and feel like each day is a year long, is going by so fast and full of great opportunities to learn. 

Some updates from this last week:

- I am no longer a district leader... I am now a zone leader with my companion Elder Mortenson! For those who don't know, a zone leader is in charge of a couple of districts within an area. In Elder Mortenson and I's case, we are over a few of the english districts here and our job is to make sure all are well and that assignments are given before Church on Sunday. 

"Ive given you 3 hugs" -Elder Mortenson 2023

- One of my new favorite quotes comes from a conference talk I listened to titled "Just Keep Going—with Faith" by Elder Carl B. Cook. He refenced a quote from Joseph Smith which said "Stand fast, ye Saints of God, hold on a little while longer, and the storm of life will be past, and you will be rewarded by that God whose servants you are, and who will duly appreciate all your toils and afflictions for Christ’s sake and the Gospel’s. Your names will be handed down to posterity as Saints of God". I love how this relates to missionary work. I will admit, missionary work isn't easy and some days are harder than others but when we "hold on a little while longer", the blessings are that much more enriching!

 Idk how Sister Winder puts up with me

- We had a few substitues this last week because our teacher, Irma Torres, broke her key in her door to her house and had to go to the doctor one day for a health check. The substitutes we had were awesome and very funny (they also gave us a break from our ALL portuguese classes since they didn't realize what week we were on at the CTM XD) 

Meu amigo novo

- I met someone this week who knows my BYU roommates sister! When I mentioned I knew the person we were practically family right then and there! (He also speaks some english which is really handy for communication)

Our sleeping prank we did during portuguese class

- On the idea of learning Portuguese.... I'm improving!! I am now at the point that I can pick out small words here and there and communicate with other missionaries but to improve, I am challenging myself tomorrow:

NO ENGLISH FOR 24 HOURS!

Ngl, I'm kinda scared but excited at the same time!

- With today being the 4th of July, we got to sing The Star-Spangled Banner for class and they also decorated the cafeteria in red, white, and blue (amarelo, branco, e azul em portugues). It really made my day to see it like that.

Cafeteria decorations

- I don't know if I ever mentioned this, but the CTM has these vending machines with various candy in them. We are given 12 dollars each day to spend on treats and I have been stocking up so I have some sweets once I get to the field. THANK YOU GRANDCOFFEE VENDING MACHINES!

I forgot to flip the camera

- I still have a cold 🤧🤣

That about sums up my week. A final thought I would like to leave with you is something found in the
newest edition of "Preach My Gospel" (A book the church and missionaries use to teach lessons and guidance in our work). Within Preach My Gospel, there is a section dedicated to the attributes of Christ and the newest edition adds an attribute that I feel is vital for our present day: INTEGRITY.

Having integrity is what keeps us true to ourselves and helps us hold true to what we believe. Remember that!

I hope everyone is doing well and that you have an awesome 4th of July!

Sonic Batteries from Dad

Falou!

-Elder Fisher

#6 - Good Bye English (6/28/23)

 Boa Noite todos!

For this weeks email I am trying to send it myself (thanks to my dad sending me a list of contacts) so hopefully this works! If you ever want to communicate with me or know of someone that would like to be on my email list, let me know! Id love to add them and talk with you guys!

This past week was defintely full of ups and downs. Every day is full of learning more about the gospel and how to speak portuguese. Starting tomorrow though, I will be saying goodbye to having religion classes in english and will now be speaking ONLY Portuguese in class. Best of luck (boa sorte in português) to me!

My district during our p-day walk

Some of the downs this past week was saying goodbye to fellow Elders who are leaving for the mission field. For most Brazilians at the CTM, they only need to be here for 3 weeks to learn what they need to then go and serve. As someone who doesn't know portuguese, my district and I need to stay here for 3 more weeks to learn portuguese só majority of the Brazilian friends I made when I arrived have left and I know they are going to do a great work!

My favorite portuguese class substitue and the coolest guy at the CTM

We also had to say goodbye to a remarkable individual who we've only known for about 3 weeks but has touched my heart tremendously. Thank you Elder Rinehart for your great example and teachings these last two weeks! I look forward to seeing you after the mission and speaking to you in Portuguese!

 Last pic with Elder Rinehart (the sisters photobombed )

Something cool I have discovered this past week is how good the youth music is that the Church creates! Ive really enjoyed listening to "Faith" from the 2023 youth álbum if any of you want to give it a listen.

Today during our P-day, we went to a restraunt called "Rota 79". It had the BEST burgers and it was a really cool joint, 10/10. Elder Condie from our district also shared with us all cookies from this cookie place that works with the church to send letters and cookies to missionaries at the CTM. (Shout out to Elders Condie parents for the cookies!)

Rota 79 burgers

One of my favorite parts of this past week was discovering that Brazil has one of the best sports ever.... PICKLEBALL!!! Elder Mortenson and I were challenged to a game, best of 3, against some sisters who  were on a tennis team before the mission. Elder Mortenson played tennis before as well and I had a good amount of experience playing pickleball so it was a good match. The sisters won the first game and then meu companheiro and I made a come back. The sisters then asked us to do a best of 5.... we won again😅

Elder Mortenson and I with the candy the sisters gave us for winning pickleball

Positive affirmation activity:

A fun activity we did this week that I recommend everyone do is to get with your family or friends and have someone sit in the middle. Everyone then shares something they like about that individual. When our district did this I could see us all bonding and see the love of Christ in everyone.

My district

I would love to write more but I sadly dont have the time. Starting tomorrow I will officially have completed the first month of my mission. Im looking forward to see what the next 23 have in store for me.

Até mais!

Missionary Geese (Elder Mortenson and I laughed when we saw these

-Élder Fisher

#5 - My Brothers in Mosiah (6/20/23)

 Hey everyone! E aí Beleza!

Another week of CTM has gone by in a flash! Something that our gospel teacher, Irmã Torres, told us is to "not count down the days, but make the days count" and thats what ive been trying to do here!

Within the last week, I have been able to have some awesome experiences! We had a few opportunities in our language class to speak with others in portuguese and it is such a unique experience to be learning a new language and be a "beginner" all over again. My companion, Elder Mortenson, and I have begun to sit with a group of Brazilians during lunch and let me tell you, we sometimes have no idea what they are saying!🤣 They have taught us a whole lot and when we can communicate it feels like we've climbed Mt. everest.

*to anyone learning a language, I highly recommend you make some friends who speak the language and whenever you can, speak! Even if you dont know how to say something, try!*

This past Sunday, Elder Mortenson and I gave a lesson during Elders quorum. Our topic was Christ-like attributes and we had this entire lesson planned out but only ended up doing 2 parts of it. Our bishopric had a lot of meaningful experiences to share and shared a scripture that I hold very dear. In Alma 17:2 it reads....

2 Now these sons of Mosiah were with Alma at the time the angel first appeared unto him; therefore Alma did rejoice exceedingly to see his brethren; and what added more to his joy, they were still his brethren in the Lord; yea, and they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God.

I love this scripture so much as it talks about the relationships we form with others. I have come to love my companions and the people of brazil and this scripture helps me know that I will see them all again, at a time when we will be even stronger in the gospel.

Last Sunday night, we had a zone meeting with all the districts in our zone. We got to know one another and find out who everyones favorite Disney Princess is. We also played a game called "Bunny Bunny". Now for those here who havent attend an Efy or Fsy and havent played this game, this game is a intense rhythm game where you have to perform different actions depending on who has the "bunny". Its hard to explain but so far my record with the zone is 2 wins for Dfish, and 0 loses. The first time i won my companion practically picked me 2 feet off the ground!

Another favorite part of mine at the ctm is choir! We have choir before devotionals on Wednesday and Sunday night. With multiple languages here, we sing songs we all know and change the language each verse such as portuguese first, then spanish, english, and sometimes Japanese! 

Its also hard sometimes to distinguish between spanish and portuguese here and so I might have learned some spanish words instead of portuguese. Whoops, wrong language😅)

Today for P-day we had the opportunity to go walk around and try some açaí! I thought it was pretty good and the Lady helping us was super sweet! My companion didnt like the açaí so much but, he pulled through and finished his. We also visited this clothing store where this Lady sells ties to missionaries at a very legal (nice in portuguese) price and throws in a tie clip for free. Brazilians are so cool!!

One final fun thing that happened during the week, the sisters started singing a song and asked me to beatbox for them. We ended up performing it for our teachers. If i can find a way to send the video, I will

That sums up a majority of my week! Until next week!

Tchau,

-Élder Fisher