A letter to my Dad and Mom in Nampa, Idaho, written on Monday, September 14, 1970, from Maceió.
Dear Dad and Mom,
If at any point my handwriting gets rough in this letter, don’t worry: I’m writing this letter lying on my back in a hammock. In some places here in northeastern Brazil (although not in Maceió) hammocks are every bit as common as beds. They certainly have a lot more class and are very practical during the sweltering months. Here in Maceió we are just entering into summer again. The winter which has just passed was roughly comparable to a southern Idaho summer, except that it was wetter here.
This morning we played volleyball for two hours and now are just lying around taking it kind of easy for a while. I thought today I would take time to write a nice long letter. If it appears disorganized, it is because I’ll just be rambling around for a while.
The past two weeks—and particularly the last one—have been the best of my mission. Words cannot express some of the feelings I’ve had and the experiences I’ve shared. Life is beautiful. Every new day is a miracle itself. My companion (Elder Dane Blackham of Seattle) and I have grown really close to each other, bound with a deep friendship, during the time we’ve been together, which has been about four months, but most particularly these past two weeks. I really appreciate his loyalty and support in the responsibilities I hold. I love him for his humility, his sense of humor, his ability to love others, his talents.
As I briefly mentioned last week, we spent Monday visiting the falls and power complex at Paulo Afonso. Leaving at 4:30 A.M., we rode with Irmão Aldo and his wife Virginia to their farm in the country (her parents’ farm really). From there we left at 6:00 for the four-and-a-half hour trip to Paulo Afonso, most of the way over dirt roads. Paulo Afonso is located on the São Francisco River, which is the border between Alagoas and Bahia. The city of Paulo Afonso itself is in Bahia. It is desert area and at a distance looks just like parts of southern Idaho, although at a close up the vegetation is dif¬ferent. We had a free guide during the entire afternoon for just the six of us (four elders, Aldo, and Virginia), and we visited all over the entire place. It was really quite amazing. I took a bunch of pictures. We were all pretty tired by evening before we started the long trip back. We were home by 11:00 P.M.
Tuesday dawned early with all of us done in but with much to do. We have an elderly couple here who have been waiting about fourteen months to be baptized because of a desquite problem. In Brazil there is no divorce, but a sort of legal separation called desquite. However, it prevents remarriage legally. Since by the law people who have desquite are living in adultery if they remarry, they cannot be baptized without express permission of the General Authorities. This couple was plagued by this problem even though they’ve lived together for seventeen years. We finally received by letter just last Sunday the OK for baptism. But there was still one problem. Because of stroke, heart, and kidney trouble, he has been off-and-on sick during the last year. Probably the only thing keeping him going was his determination to be baptized before he died. Here in Maceió we baptize in the ocean. That would never have worked for him. So on Tuesday morning we announced to him that he could be baptized finally and that we wanted him to go to Recife for the special district conference two days later and be baptized in the font there. He agreed.
Wednesday we had a special fast because one of the members of the branch (who has a VW bus that we needed to take everybody to the conference in Recife) could not go. At the end of the fast the member came to our house to give us the answer. He said that he could not go but that he had prayed about it and the Lord said he should go, so he decided to go. I was so happy. Obviously it was an immediate and direct answer to our fasting and prayers. Because of his decision we had a representation of nineteen members who could go to the conference.
Thursday was the big day of conference. We left early by bus to make the four-hour trip to Recife. At noon we held a missionary conference. I gave the opening address, speaking on “Priesthood Stewardships and the Blessing Powers of the Priesthood.” Sister Johnson and Sister Hinckley spoke next. President Johnson spoke after them. During his talk I had my interview with Brother Hinckley. Finally, we had a two-hour question-answer period with the visiting Apostle, after which he spoke for a while to us. That was truly a great experience. In the evening was held the district conference with a packed chapel. President and Sister Johnson and Brother and Sister Hinckley all spoke, the latter two using interpreters. Elder Hinckley’s talk was so inspired, at least the things the Maceió members needed to hear.
After a full day of all that, we still held a baptism service following the conference. My companion and I both baptized and confirmed.
The next morning, following a night spent beating off mosquitoes in our hotel room, we had the first of a series of six leadership training conferences. At noon we left by bus to return to Maceió, arriving back in time for Primary.
Well, you see that it was a full, inspiring, exciting week. Tiring too.
Recently I received an application for readmission to BYU. The spring semester begins February 4. That leaves about a month of free time before school starts. You might keep an eye out for any jobs that might be available during January. According to what Brother Hinckley told us about the draft, I should have no trouble. My number is 227.
São Paulo now has its third stake. Zion is growing down here in Brazil on every point. Brother Hinckley effected its organization just last Sunday. Prospects for Rio are looking better all the time.
Please express my regards to everybody in the ward, particularly to Brother and Sister Garner, Sister Hurren, and Sister Leavitt. I’ll have to be closing this letter or it will cost a fortune to mail it. May the Lord’s choice blessings be ever yours. Have a happy week. Write sometime.
P.S. I was going to mention how well we’ve been eating here in Maceió. We have a full-time maid (Dona Crueza) who shops and cooks for us. We have taught her how to fix all sorts of good stuff to eat. We are among the few elders in the mission who regularly eat apple pie, oatmeal cookies, pancakes, French toast, beef stew, baked potatoes (Brazilians eat potatoes, but not baked), plus tomatoes and cucumbers and carrots, etc.
Showing posts with label To my parents. Show all posts
Showing posts with label To my parents. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
43. To My Parents
A letter started to my Dad and Mom on Monday, August 17, and finished on Tuesday, August 18, 1970, in Maceió.
This week’s letter is going to be pretty short. Today we had visiting with us from Recife twelve more elders to meet in a zone conference. That took most of the day, and so there is no time left to write a letter.
[Next day] Here it is Tuesday already, meaning that it is illegal to write letters. I just wanted to mention briefly a special youth home evening we held Sunday. It is held weekly for twelve young people who are from part-member families where it is impossible to hold home evening in the home. Every person had to list five specific reasons why he liked another given person. You cannot imagine how positive and how love-filled such a session was, with the Spirit being poured out in rich profusion before we had completed. It was truly fantastic, something every family in the Church might profitably use. Tears filled many eyes: tears of gratitude, tears of pure love, tears of happiness.
Sunday evening our branch choir sang for the third consecutive sacrament meeting, a special arrangement of “We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet.” I spoke on the life and teachings of Joseph Fielding Smith, including the visit Jerry and I had with him and Sister Smith four years ago in their Salt Lake apartment.
I subscribe my full love and gratitude. I pray this finds everybody healthy, happy, and smiling.
This week’s letter is going to be pretty short. Today we had visiting with us from Recife twelve more elders to meet in a zone conference. That took most of the day, and so there is no time left to write a letter.
[Next day] Here it is Tuesday already, meaning that it is illegal to write letters. I just wanted to mention briefly a special youth home evening we held Sunday. It is held weekly for twelve young people who are from part-member families where it is impossible to hold home evening in the home. Every person had to list five specific reasons why he liked another given person. You cannot imagine how positive and how love-filled such a session was, with the Spirit being poured out in rich profusion before we had completed. It was truly fantastic, something every family in the Church might profitably use. Tears filled many eyes: tears of gratitude, tears of pure love, tears of happiness.
Sunday evening our branch choir sang for the third consecutive sacrament meeting, a special arrangement of “We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet.” I spoke on the life and teachings of Joseph Fielding Smith, including the visit Jerry and I had with him and Sister Smith four years ago in their Salt Lake apartment.
I subscribe my full love and gratitude. I pray this finds everybody healthy, happy, and smiling.
41. To My Parents
A letter to my Dad and Mom, written on Monday, August 3, 1970, in Maceió.
Dear Dad and Mom,
Today is my birthday. Thirteen years ago today I was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ. It is strange how memory works at times, because even now I can still remember with somewhat clarity that day in my life.
I hear by the grapevine that Lyle and Barbara had a baby girl [after seven boys]. I didn’t even know they were expecting, and I thought they specialized only in boys. They won’t know what to do with a girl.
What ever happened to Sister Yorgason? About seven or eight months ago you wrote saying she had cancer bad and would live only a few months longer.
Also I have never heard anything about what I need to do to vote by absentee ballot. It must be getting rather close to the necessary deadlines. It has been several months since I wrote asking about it.
Did anybody ever get my priesthood line of authority from President Hurren? It has been well over a year since I asked for that. Now that I am a branch president I need it badly. Please!
I do hope the postcards are on their way by now or they’ll never make it on time and that would wreck our carnival plans for the branch.
Everybody is wholly silent on what is wrong with Jerry. Is he better now? He never has mentioned a thing in his last two letters.
When does Dale go to school? It must be beginning soon.
May heaven bless. Smile.
Dear Dad and Mom,
Today is my birthday. Thirteen years ago today I was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ. It is strange how memory works at times, because even now I can still remember with somewhat clarity that day in my life.
I hear by the grapevine that Lyle and Barbara had a baby girl [after seven boys]. I didn’t even know they were expecting, and I thought they specialized only in boys. They won’t know what to do with a girl.
What ever happened to Sister Yorgason? About seven or eight months ago you wrote saying she had cancer bad and would live only a few months longer.
Also I have never heard anything about what I need to do to vote by absentee ballot. It must be getting rather close to the necessary deadlines. It has been several months since I wrote asking about it.
Did anybody ever get my priesthood line of authority from President Hurren? It has been well over a year since I asked for that. Now that I am a branch president I need it badly. Please!
I do hope the postcards are on their way by now or they’ll never make it on time and that would wreck our carnival plans for the branch.
Everybody is wholly silent on what is wrong with Jerry. Is he better now? He never has mentioned a thing in his last two letters.
When does Dale go to school? It must be beginning soon.
May heaven bless. Smile.
39. To My Parents
A letter to my Dad and Mom in Nampa, Idaho, written in Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil, on Monday, July 6. 1970.
Dear Dad and Mom,
How quickly time slips away. Here it is already past the Fourth of July once again. We passed the day in relative quiet. Brazil doesn’t go out much for July Fourth celebrations. MIA met that night. We showed once again the film The Three Witnesses, which has really been a marvelous testimony builder for our members. Last night, being that there was no evening meeting because of fast day, we showed the film a third time. One investigator girl, after the film, came to me and in eager excitement announced that she was going to be baptized.
Yesterday in testimony meeting we had more than fifty percent of the branch in attendance. It was a spiritual and love-filled meeting. At times I feel so very happy for the little flock here. One of our goals now is to let them feel the happiness and joy associated with membership in the Church. Being a Latter-day Saint is fun, and some of them don’t yet know that.
Our major lines of attack are (1) regular family and private prayers, (2) active participation in the auxiliary organizations, (3) every member of every family reading the Book of Mormon according to a daily schedule, (4) every family holding weekly home evenings, and (5) bimonthly (meaning every other week) member firesides. In just over two months since I’ve been in Maceió, the branch has a completely new spirit about it.
This morning early we saw a practice session of the current girls volleyball champions of all of South America, the team from the state of Alagoas. They are in preparation for the national tournament of Brazil, which begins here in three days.
Please note this: it is most important! I would like to ask the following favor. Could you please send as soon as possible about fifty to seventy-five picture postcards? They need to be of a wide variety, depictive of either the United States or Idaho, and of general interest to an average curious Brazilian. Send them together, airmail, with the greatest haste. In mid-August we are having a “county fair” type carnival to raise money to buy an organ for the branch. The postcards are to sell in the United States booth. You there can see the need to hurry. Chalk it up as a birthday gift if you want. Thanks!
As ever, time runs short. May heaven’s blessings be yours. I pray this letter finds everyone healthy and happy. Thank you for all you are and mean to me, especially for your loving support and faithful prayers and occasional letters.
Dear Dad and Mom,
How quickly time slips away. Here it is already past the Fourth of July once again. We passed the day in relative quiet. Brazil doesn’t go out much for July Fourth celebrations. MIA met that night. We showed once again the film The Three Witnesses, which has really been a marvelous testimony builder for our members. Last night, being that there was no evening meeting because of fast day, we showed the film a third time. One investigator girl, after the film, came to me and in eager excitement announced that she was going to be baptized.
Yesterday in testimony meeting we had more than fifty percent of the branch in attendance. It was a spiritual and love-filled meeting. At times I feel so very happy for the little flock here. One of our goals now is to let them feel the happiness and joy associated with membership in the Church. Being a Latter-day Saint is fun, and some of them don’t yet know that.
Our major lines of attack are (1) regular family and private prayers, (2) active participation in the auxiliary organizations, (3) every member of every family reading the Book of Mormon according to a daily schedule, (4) every family holding weekly home evenings, and (5) bimonthly (meaning every other week) member firesides. In just over two months since I’ve been in Maceió, the branch has a completely new spirit about it.
This morning early we saw a practice session of the current girls volleyball champions of all of South America, the team from the state of Alagoas. They are in preparation for the national tournament of Brazil, which begins here in three days.
Please note this: it is most important! I would like to ask the following favor. Could you please send as soon as possible about fifty to seventy-five picture postcards? They need to be of a wide variety, depictive of either the United States or Idaho, and of general interest to an average curious Brazilian. Send them together, airmail, with the greatest haste. In mid-August we are having a “county fair” type carnival to raise money to buy an organ for the branch. The postcards are to sell in the United States booth. You there can see the need to hurry. Chalk it up as a birthday gift if you want. Thanks!
As ever, time runs short. May heaven’s blessings be yours. I pray this letter finds everyone healthy and happy. Thank you for all you are and mean to me, especially for your loving support and faithful prayers and occasional letters.
31. To My Parents
A letter to my Dad and Mom in Nampa, Idaho, written in the Ramos area of Rio de Janeiro on Monday, April 6, 1970. The letter began with a birthday greeting to my father, who on April 7 turned fifty-five years old.
First I wish to send my wishes to Dad for a most happy birthday, number fifty-five this year, if I am counting correctly. I had planned to send a tape, as last year, but I have no access to a recorder. Therefore, my expression of gratitude and love come transmitted on the written page. Before another year can wear away I will personally deliver the message, accompanied by a big abraço, a Brazilian embrace.
Last evening we had the marvelous opportunity to receive via satellite a broadcast of the first session of general conference. It was translated into Portuguese. Thus we were able to hear President Smith’s first conference address as President of the Church. He sounded vigorous and healthy. The choir and organ sounded marvelous.
Friday we met again in zone conference. President Johnson’s counsel and talk were, as ever, inspiring and challenging. In the testimony session the Spirit was poured out upon us all in a remarkable manner. I think few moments in my life have I been so happy. In the opening session I had the chance to present a talk on the assigned subject “What Is an Effective Prayer?”
May this letter find everybody happy and healthy. God bless you one and all.
First I wish to send my wishes to Dad for a most happy birthday, number fifty-five this year, if I am counting correctly. I had planned to send a tape, as last year, but I have no access to a recorder. Therefore, my expression of gratitude and love come transmitted on the written page. Before another year can wear away I will personally deliver the message, accompanied by a big abraço, a Brazilian embrace.
Last evening we had the marvelous opportunity to receive via satellite a broadcast of the first session of general conference. It was translated into Portuguese. Thus we were able to hear President Smith’s first conference address as President of the Church. He sounded vigorous and healthy. The choir and organ sounded marvelous.
Friday we met again in zone conference. President Johnson’s counsel and talk were, as ever, inspiring and challenging. In the testimony session the Spirit was poured out upon us all in a remarkable manner. I think few moments in my life have I been so happy. In the opening session I had the chance to present a talk on the assigned subject “What Is an Effective Prayer?”
May this letter find everybody happy and healthy. God bless you one and all.
30. To My Parents
A letter to my Dad and Mom in Nampa, Idaho, written from the Ramos area of Rio de Janeiro on Monday, March 23, 1970.
Dear Mom and Dad,
Please excuse me for not writing last Monday, but there was absolutely no time available. I hope this letter finds everyone in health and happiness. Time is running away with itself; I think it must run faster here in Brazil than there in the States.
A week ago Sunday the branch we were in was divided and we are now in the new branch. A completely new branch presidency was called because the old presidency lives in the other branch. It is really great to see Zion growing here in Rio. Yesterday afternoon in our first sacrament meeting there was a larger attendance than the entire old branch was ever having when I was first transferred into it last September.
The branch president is a member of only a year and four months, a really sharp young man with a wonderful family supporting him. There are now three branches using the chapel where we meet. There are five branches now within the city of Rio itself and ten within the Rio District. Our big goal is still working toward a stake in October. When that happens there would be between five and seven wards and five branches in the new stake.
My companion and I are working with a wonderful family right now that plan to be baptized a week from Saturday. The children are: a boy aged fifteen, a girl thirteen, a boy nine, and a boy seven. They are fairly excited about it all. Saturday we took the younger kids with some of their cousins to Primary, which they completely and thoroughly enjoyed.
Last Monday I donated (for the first time in my life) a pint of blood in behalf of a member’s wife who is dying because she cannot get any blood to mix with hers. She even rejects blood of her own type. The doctors are trying all they can do, but only a miracle could save her.
Well, once again. May heaven ever bless you. I love you and pray for your welfare. Proverbs 25:25.
On the backside of the letter I hand printed this poem by Carol Lynn Pearson entitled “Point of View.”
Sun and mountain meet.
“Look,” I say.
“Sunset!”
But I forget
That far away
An islander
Wipes morning
From his eyes
And watches
The same sun
Rise.
What’s birth?
And death?
What’s near
Or far?
It all depends
On where you are.
Dear Mom and Dad,
Please excuse me for not writing last Monday, but there was absolutely no time available. I hope this letter finds everyone in health and happiness. Time is running away with itself; I think it must run faster here in Brazil than there in the States.
A week ago Sunday the branch we were in was divided and we are now in the new branch. A completely new branch presidency was called because the old presidency lives in the other branch. It is really great to see Zion growing here in Rio. Yesterday afternoon in our first sacrament meeting there was a larger attendance than the entire old branch was ever having when I was first transferred into it last September.
The branch president is a member of only a year and four months, a really sharp young man with a wonderful family supporting him. There are now three branches using the chapel where we meet. There are five branches now within the city of Rio itself and ten within the Rio District. Our big goal is still working toward a stake in October. When that happens there would be between five and seven wards and five branches in the new stake.
My companion and I are working with a wonderful family right now that plan to be baptized a week from Saturday. The children are: a boy aged fifteen, a girl thirteen, a boy nine, and a boy seven. They are fairly excited about it all. Saturday we took the younger kids with some of their cousins to Primary, which they completely and thoroughly enjoyed.
Last Monday I donated (for the first time in my life) a pint of blood in behalf of a member’s wife who is dying because she cannot get any blood to mix with hers. She even rejects blood of her own type. The doctors are trying all they can do, but only a miracle could save her.
Well, once again. May heaven ever bless you. I love you and pray for your welfare. Proverbs 25:25.
On the backside of the letter I hand printed this poem by Carol Lynn Pearson entitled “Point of View.”
Sun and mountain meet.
“Look,” I say.
“Sunset!”
But I forget
That far away
An islander
Wipes morning
From his eyes
And watches
The same sun
Rise.
What’s birth?
And death?
What’s near
Or far?
It all depends
On where you are.
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