Jacob-bugath 9-11-14

Hey Mom,

               I had a so-so week, but I know that this one will get better according to my work. I have to be diligent because there are a lot of opportunities to let up and slack off. The Branch is doing great. There have been a few bapisms here, but the ative members have been lacking a lot in church. There are a few youth and children, but there would be a lot more if not for a couple less active members. We are working hard to help them, but we all have to choose for ourselves to do the right. 

   I´m completly comfortable with the language, even though my companion thinks it´s the funniest thing when I mess up. I think in Portuguese and English. I would like to continues with Portuguese, but I want to learn Spanish and maybe Italian. French and German would be next. I have thought about going to Harper for a semester or more and then going out to BYU. I really need to dig through the scholarships on top of the what I´m going to do. 

   My President is from Santa Catarina. He is of german descent and has a funny accent. His wife is irst or second japanese. They both speak english pretty well. My president is strict about the rules but he has a lot to deal with here on the mission because not everyone wants to keep the rules. He knows which battles he has to fight, since here in Brazil, a lot of people are learning how to live the gospel by the letter and spirit of the law. He has helped me a lot during the mission. He doesn´t write a lot of letters, but he is always very personal in the interviews and his trainings are inspiring. He has 3 kids that have all served missions and have married. 3 sons from what I remember.

   Thank you for everything and for always keeping me upto date on the family. I pray for you all everyday and I´ll see you soon.

Love

       Jacob.

PS

Do you think that after I save up some money going straight to BYU would be better? 

Also what did you and Dad do after you returned from your missions? How did you prepare for life?

 

Dear Dad 9-11-14

Dear Dad,

               It´s going good. I´m going to stay another transfer with Elder Amado. I´ve learned that the way I´m going to survive, work hard and help my companion get better, is to forgive him, look for the best in him and always remind him of what´s right without commanding him. We do study together, but I really have to mak the study as spiritual as possible or he loses interest. He works hard in the field but forgets that he´s a missionary at home and in the houses of members. I´m now a District Leader, so some of the trainiings I´ll give will maybe help.

   The minimum wage is between 1 to 2 dollars. The average brazilian wage might be 5,000 dollars per year. This being the average some what lower class worker. The majority of Brasil would be around this. The rich, or mid class people live in the big cities and seem really richer then the people we teach here. But the States seem to be really rich too. I´ll be culture shocked again when I go home and have carpet and air conditioning. 

   The interesting thing here on the mission is that nothing that we gain is worth much, unless we work hard for it. Even the miracles that come, without our direct intervention, is a blessing because of our diligence. the Secret to misionary work is Work! as President Benson said. This video that I have found here on the mission has helped me keep going through this refining fire called the mission.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wo0mOZ4S7GE

 

I love you. The your the best Dad.

Jacob