tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16039186337518710532024-02-21T02:13:27.419-08:00Elder Samuel Clark's Mission BlogSamuel's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292420955784961244noreply@blogger.comBlogger109125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603918633751871053.post-55602222608663372562015-07-27T22:30:00.001-07:002015-07-27T22:30:12.269-07:00Every New Beginning Comes From Another Beginning's End.<div class="MsoNormal">
July 27, 2015 <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joy</td></tr>
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Wow. I don’t even know what to say. My time in Padre
Bernardo is over and my mission just has a few short days left. I will be
leaving for Brasilia tomorrow and I will stay there, close to the mission home
until Friday when I board on the plane. I am beyond grateful for my time here
and the way I was able to finish my mission. Padre Bernardo will always have a
spot in my heart. Saying goodbye is the worst part. I finished my last week of
my mission running. We were able to accomplish much this week and the week ended
with 3 Baptisms and a wedding for the Padre Bernardo Group!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Mazinho and Divina got married and were baptized this week.
The other companionship taught most of the lessons to them but we were able to
see the progress and help them get married and baptized! It was a great experience.
They are so great. They will be great leaders here in the church. Elder Kesler
was able to finish his mission baptizing the family he has been working with
since we got here. We also had the baptism of Maria Paula, She is another daughter
of Carina and it was very special witnessing her baptism too. Carinas family is
changing so much and I am so grateful for the time that I had to work with them
and watch their liveschange! I just hope that they continue on the path that
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Nativa, who was our very first baptism here, gave a talk on Sunday,
Imagine someone who is very shy, open up and give a powerful talk. She spoke
about endure to the end! It was a perfect talk. Nativa has so much faith and
has had nothing but struggles in her life. She spoke about how she was almost
ready to quit when two missionaries meet her and started to teach her. It’s
these small moments of happiness that make all of our struggles and heartbreaks
worth it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Elder Nascimento and I have been working hard, with just a
little bit of help from the Lord, Padre Bernardo will turn into a Branch in the
next month or so. This week we had more than 40 people participating at church.
The school that we meet in is starting to become a church building with members
talking to each other, little children running around and many hymns and
laughter. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I am so grateful for my mission. Words cannot describe my
feelings and what I would like to express. I hope in the last few days I will
be able to find the right words. But, I know that God knows of my journey and
what I have learned and experienced. My prayer is that I will be able to take
everything that I have learned and continue to serve my King, long after my
service here is done. I love Brazil, I love Arizona too, I don’t think a day
goes by that I don’t think and pray for the Scottsdale Mission too. I love my
Savior. I love this Gospel. I love being Mormon. Thank you for all the love and
support that everyone has sent my way. And in just a few short days I will be
with you once again! <o:p></o:p></div>
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With all my love, for the very last time,<o:p></o:p></div>
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ELDER Clark<o:p></o:p></div>
Samuel's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292420955784961244noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603918633751871053.post-78511072637142910522015-07-27T22:05:00.000-07:002015-07-27T22:05:27.051-07:00A Birthday to Remember!<div class="MsoNormal">
July 20, 2015<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A "do it yourself" kind of lunch!</td></tr>
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This week was a wonderful week compared to last week. Man oh
man... It was a lot of fun and we were also able to accomplish a whole lot! We
found some beautiful families that accepted our visits and we were able to help
some other investigators make one more step towards baptism! The biggest
blessing is that we were able to find men who wanted to hear us too! I think
one thing that I have learned one my mission is that women have more faith... I
hate to say it being a man but it has been the hardest thing to find men who
want to hear us, but this week the Lord blessed us with that success. Which
left us very excited because in the weeks to come the church will grow a whole
lot in little Padre Bernardo.<o:p></o:p></div>
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One family that sticks out is that of Roni and Flavia...
They are the perfect couple. I have never seen a couple more simple but more
happy than they are. And they just understand everything we say and leave with
them. I am so sad that I won’t see them be baptized because they have to get
married first. But man, they are going to be such a blessing for the church
here. I have never seen anyone that works as hard as Roni, from 7 in the
morning until 8:30 at night, every day, with only one day off every 2 weeks. He
is so happy. One thing that amazes me is that when we visit them 8:30 at night,
he has just arrived from working all day and he takes their new born baby in
his arms to give his wife a rest because she had been holding him the entire
day.....Roni is the man. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baptism!</td></tr>
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We had a baptism on my birthday! Jaqueline was baptized! It
was a very special baptism. Jaqueline is the daughter of one of oldest investigators,
Carina. Their family has become a second family to us here. Carina loves the church
and is one that just understands everything too. She will be baptized soon. But her 17 year
old daughter decided that she didn’t want to wait for her mom and so she went
ahead and was baptized! This family has had miraculous changes in their lives.
After Jaqueline’s baptism, we were able to teach her step dad, who didn’t want
anything to do with us before. One more man that God gave us to teach! Carina
has 4 other children that have been going to church and one more child of hers
will be baptized next week! Once again, I am sad that I won’t see the baptism
of Carina. But, I am super happy that I was able to participate in the first
baptism of her family. The best part of it all was when we had a BBQ after the
baptism and her whole family was around the yard talking and goofing around, and
she said out loud, (I don’t know if she knows that I heard) looking around at
her children “Everything is going to change” in a very satisfied voice… I love
the mission. <o:p></o:p></div>
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My birthday was great! I had a surprise party that Silo and
his family did for me with almost everyone that is going to church with us! His
house was FULL of people and it was so much fun to see everyone together,
laughing and talking. I got some super cool presents and then the day was full
of lessons! Who could have asked for a better birthday on the mission! <o:p></o:p></div>
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This will be my last full week of work. It’s time to go all
out... I am not going to leave anything on the table! I love this work and I am
going to miss it so, so, so much! I love you all! Until next week, with the
LAST EMAIL!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Elder Clark<o:p></o:p></div>
Samuel's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292420955784961244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603918633751871053.post-61627600996963745962015-07-16T12:41:00.002-07:002015-07-16T12:41:25.014-07:00Unexpected<div class="MsoNormal">
July 13, 2015<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elder Clark</td></tr>
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This week was a little difficult for us here in Padre
Bernardo.... Last week we fast and prayed a lot to have a great week and we
felt like this week was one of our worst here. We worked and worked but each
day it seemed like one more disappointment after another. We have been talking
and we are getting about 30 ALMOST 40 people to church each Sunday, but the
problem is there are few people that are able to be baptized right now... We
have a goal to become a Branch next transfer. That will make it a branch in
less than 6 months! But, we need a few more members especially more men. That
was our goal this week; to find the men and families that have been waiting for
us. And it seems like we didn’t complete our goal. We had other people that we
were helping prepare for baptism and because of one thing or another, they
ended up not wanting more visits... well they wanted visits but just didn’t
want to continue with preparing for baptism. It got so frustrating and by the
end of the week we were pooped and we felt a little helpless. ITS SO CLOSE to
being a branch here... it just needs a little bit more. We are trying to help
this group get there! For sure the results of our week were not what we were
expecting, and we are praying that this week will be much more successful.<o:p></o:p></div>
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But, it’s not all sad! The Lord always has a tender Mercy to
give to his children when they need his help. Sunday was a very special day and
by far the best day of the week. Shirley who was baptized a few weeks ago was
asked to give a talk yesterday and during the whole week, we would go to her
house, asking if she wanted help with the talk and she just said no, I think I
got it all covered. Well Sunday came and without any help she gave a wonderful
talk about the light of Christ! Everyone was blown away. It seemed like she was
a member for a long time. The spirit was so strong and I just couldn’t stop
smiling and thinking about what a strength she will be. The other talks given at
church were great too! She really set the tone for the whole meeting block.
After church, everyone stayed a little later at the school just chatting and
visiting... it really felt like a church of Jesus Christ. We left the school
uplifted and ready to work again, and we actually were able to find a few
people that were actually wanting to listen to what we had to say. The Lord
provides a way to uplift his children... always! What an unexpected end to a
tough week.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Life is sweet and I can’t believe my life as a missionary is
ending. Just 2 more emails and I am home!! I love my Savior and I love you all!
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Elder Clark<o:p></o:p></div>
Samuel's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292420955784961244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603918633751871053.post-4768805098507169232015-07-13T21:37:00.000-07:002015-07-13T21:37:08.202-07:00Family Matters<div class="MsoNormal">
July 6, 2015 <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebrating July 4!</td></tr>
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This week was a week full of work but it was also a really
fun week! First off, Happy Fourth!! Man I miss celebrating Independence Day. But
we had our own little party here in our back yard... We made a little fire and
we found marshmallows!! So what did we do? Roasted marshmallows and made s’mores!
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As for the work, we had a real special baptism.
Palloma was baptized, Palloma is Shirleys oldest daughter. What a sweet story it’s
been for this family... While we were teaching Shirley, Palloma didn’t want
anything to do with the church... but after she watched her mom’s and her sister’s
baptism, she started to think about it a whole lot and decided that she wanted
to make the same change in her life too, so we helped her learn and Saturday
was her baptism!! When Shirley started meeting with us, she showed a lot of
concern for her family and that she wanted to start something new and right
with her family. She was hoping that through her example, others in her family
would follow in the future, she had no idea that her prayers would be answered
so fast! Her husband wants to be baptized too. I think next month he will be
baptized as well! In about 3 weeks, her cousin’s family will be baptized too!!
This church is all about the family and it’s amazing to see the miracles the
gospel does for those who embrace it and apply it. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv6wXv1ftSXRN4DD09obf1KKUwtW0UwiQlAt9WzMrdVGVqOVDOztT6hSDFaySy-0MhWioimJJMJiapfFUSyMJNvzaLDFRwgkXGPlUp5_zptUctH4jRKrFzYy0wzTbyxmZFcx_jGscFwJs/s1600/715+baptism1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv6wXv1ftSXRN4DD09obf1KKUwtW0UwiQlAt9WzMrdVGVqOVDOztT6hSDFaySy-0MhWioimJJMJiapfFUSyMJNvzaLDFRwgkXGPlUp5_zptUctH4jRKrFzYy0wzTbyxmZFcx_jGscFwJs/s320/715+baptism1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
There was a tragedy on our street where we live this week, a
toddler was struck by a car and died... our street is usually full of kids and
families laughing and visiting one with another, but this week was very different,
very solemn. The family is very active in another church and it was great to
see that although they aren’t of our faith, the Lord comforts and helps his
children with the difficulties of life. This family has received a lot of
support and comfort. We have talked a little with them. They had a lot of faith
in God and are not angry with Him, but trust Him, knowing that everything will
be alright in the end.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week I was able to learn a little more about the plan
that God has for me. I hope that I am living my life in a way that pleases Him.
I know he will help me become better each and every day. One thing that I love
here is that I am teaching the youth class on Sundays. I learn so much when I
teach and I love hearing the answers from the youth about God and His
teachings. I just love this gospel!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Clark<o:p></o:p></div>
Samuel's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292420955784961244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603918633751871053.post-35808991006764350272015-07-09T11:42:00.000-07:002015-07-09T11:42:08.139-07:00A Light to the World<div class="MsoNormal">
June 29, 2015<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3lPh_atyNInF0RfIwxNFcyehsBsyR7Zb5rLVT8uU3RWai38tGC5xauUJJ5ckXaNxTAZjEGsH0KenQWxDFdm495YIp3WmJ2wvrah88c5jSa9gtQ49-SRTuDy9rGpT7XzT5KOWD7OSwNPU/s1600/615+Lunch1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3lPh_atyNInF0RfIwxNFcyehsBsyR7Zb5rLVT8uU3RWai38tGC5xauUJJ5ckXaNxTAZjEGsH0KenQWxDFdm495YIp3WmJ2wvrah88c5jSa9gtQ49-SRTuDy9rGpT7XzT5KOWD7OSwNPU/s320/615+Lunch1.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks for the food!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I hope these last weeks of my mission will be the same as
this week was; Full of work, miracles and laughter. I love the mission so much
and I am starting to arrive in panic mode, because I want to go home real bad,
but at the same time I want to stay here and continue the work that I am able
to do. But I know that all great things must come to an end and that life has
more plans and adventures to send my way. We were able to find a lot of people
this week that are super willing to listen to our message. We have seen
miracles working here in Padre Bernardo!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We are teaching a whole lot of women, and not that that is a
bad thing but we want to have a balance of women and men at church with us. So
this week we did a fast so that the Lord would help us find the men here that
are ready and willing to follow the Savior. And boy, were our prayers answered!
We are teaching a young man that is really smart. He loves to read and stopped
us on the street and told us that a couple years ago he lived in another city
and the missionaries went to his house a couple times but he didn’t really
remember what they taught him. We went to go visit him and he showed us a book
that he had read when he was 15. It was the “Teachings of President Brigham
Young”.... yupp, when he was 15 he read the whole book. He even remembered a lot
of what was written! He had a lot of questions which we answered teaching him
about the restoration. We told him to pray and read about what we told him. A
few days later we returned to his house, and He told us that he had been
waiting to talk to us for the whole day.... he even wanted to go to the gym 6 AM because he knew that we would be there exercising. He told us that when he woke
up he had a clear answer and that he believed that what we told him is true and
that he would like to continue to learn more! We have also been helping another
man who went to church for almost a year in another state but when he moved
here there was no church and he wasn’t baptized. He loves the church and its teachings and we
are helping him prepare to be baptized too! God is the true missionary and I
know we are just here to find the people that he is preparing and has already
prepared.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This last weekend we had to teach in the dark a whole lot
because the city had two power outages... It was fun to work so in the moonlight
but it was also a little harder because nobody is on the roads when there is no
power... because its dark... haha but some of our best lessons and visits were
in the dark with a single light to help us see. How could a missionary not
think of Christ and how He is the light of the world. Without Him, there is no
light in our lives, there is no happiness and boy, a city without light is a
sad sight... and where does everyone go? To the houses or places that have a
lot of people and a lot of light. Because we are comforted by the light, we are
attracted to it. Like Christ. I am so grateful for the light that I have and
the time I have had to share it with others!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIdGHGi7oOZjJSXch57YoQoKP6-76Pnh-ppSuzZWsxeIfzbcDlRdjDGuvXjLgHDDlb_AYrPQAS2E9IPW4hkxO63hDTU6JnJw7PrTfc8A_2hyphenhyphenrl-cMoSeHl4y4bmhy095gmVSFqoCe-mu4/s1600/615+Lunch.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIdGHGi7oOZjJSXch57YoQoKP6-76Pnh-ppSuzZWsxeIfzbcDlRdjDGuvXjLgHDDlb_AYrPQAS2E9IPW4hkxO63hDTU6JnJw7PrTfc8A_2hyphenhyphenrl-cMoSeHl4y4bmhy095gmVSFqoCe-mu4/s320/615+Lunch.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Missionary Meals</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Padre Bernardo is becoming another home for me. We have made
such great relationships here and I truly love the people here. We have gotten
to be great friends with our only member family that when we eat with them, it
is just laughs and laughs and laughs. Our recent converts are starting to feed
us too and it is always so much fun! The work is progressing really well here
and we are finding people that will be the rocks of the church here in the
future. Please continue to pray for us and the people we are teaching. There
are a lot that are ready to be baptized but just have a little problem or two
to resolve before they can enter the water! I love this work and this church.
Thank you so much for the love and support!!<br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
-Elder Clark<o:p></o:p></div>
Samuel's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292420955784961244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603918633751871053.post-48114286637844980442015-07-06T12:35:00.000-07:002015-07-06T12:35:06.520-07:00The Beginning of the End<div class="MsoNormal">
June 22, 2015<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1jW76QPl52lNltCi90a_OWbvEYJQ7juKcaXJ1MyEVuStdJ3NuZvnPjAKraq5hka-NJ2v7oQXg5YudWwpo7lnj8ckg04XQWSNYAL91vZUZq_Hi-aW7Fbn96dK2nDLj34EF26pbogDQLZQ/s1600/615+Padre+Bernardo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1jW76QPl52lNltCi90a_OWbvEYJQ7juKcaXJ1MyEVuStdJ3NuZvnPjAKraq5hka-NJ2v7oQXg5YudWwpo7lnj8ckg04XQWSNYAL91vZUZq_Hi-aW7Fbn96dK2nDLj34EF26pbogDQLZQ/s320/615+Padre+Bernardo.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still Companions!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today is official the first day of my last transfer of my
mission. Can you believe that? Because I sure cannot!! This transfer will be
the best of my mission I know it. We went to transfer meeting today and Elder
Nascimento and I stayed together for our 3rd transfer together! I think he is
getting a little sick of me but at least he will be able to kill me (It’s a
missionary thing - to call a missionary who is returning to his home as
``Dying`` and his companion who is with him is the companion who ``Killed`` the
missionary who died, haha) He is excited for that. But I don’t think it’s
helping him very much because he only has 5 months on the mission! But after 2
transfers together we know how to work together and we are going to work until
our shoes fall off… because my shoes are literally dying too...<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
This week was a normal week of working. We have a family
that we have been working with for a long time now that has grown really close
to us. We are trying to help them stop bad habits and the parents to get married
so that everyone can get baptized. They love the church and participate in
every activity that we do. They will make such great members when they are
baptized and will contribute a whole lot to the growth of the church. The dad isn’t
very interested but the mom and her 5 kids are preparing to be baptized! I sure
hope I will be able to witness their baptisms before I head home.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUzyM7U8jmaZR6CIkuQ9KKdWU8z2soRQADm5RFM_cK53OK7tf0ChhSpUidFrNOWlRzlrY-X2vVzWCjFWo6bzhgFfKz7O-i0eiQHbtTWvZsgNpYBoVW6YuxVm4o5ceax8dtt_W0fsoTXo/s1600/615+Brasilia.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUzyM7U8jmaZR6CIkuQ9KKdWU8z2soRQADm5RFM_cK53OK7tf0ChhSpUidFrNOWlRzlrY-X2vVzWCjFWo6bzhgFfKz7O-i0eiQHbtTWvZsgNpYBoVW6YuxVm4o5ceax8dtt_W0fsoTXo/s320/615+Brasilia.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brasilia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
We found some people this week that are amazing! They have
amazing stories and amazing personalities! We started teaching a lot of people
this week that seem like they have a lot of potential! I hope that this week we
can follow up with them and have a lot of success with them. The work here is
so much... work! But I am loving every minute of it! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSaYytczkXNkIXwqstKD3TX2vxaNIA9Pp-5Ie8FO-oBI1efhpyKMNihahyepvZ9JWDAA6fOpmTZucsHwXo40iNzz-3jzSNTiqfOmco63MKNJUrv4H6LLvkFvCWFQa2DGga00kbUzxgHJ8/s1600/615+One+more.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSaYytczkXNkIXwqstKD3TX2vxaNIA9Pp-5Ie8FO-oBI1efhpyKMNihahyepvZ9JWDAA6fOpmTZucsHwXo40iNzz-3jzSNTiqfOmco63MKNJUrv4H6LLvkFvCWFQa2DGga00kbUzxgHJ8/s320/615+One+more.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baptism</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week we had the baptism of a man named Raimundo
(Hi-moon-doh) and boy, this is man is probably the most simple man I have ever
met. But also one of the best men I have ever met too. He has so much faith and
just wants to do what is right. Talk about a man who is in tuned with the
spirit. He is the perfect example of broken heart and a contrite spirit. His
life will be changed forever because of the gospel. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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We also found a woman who was baptized over 20 years ago,
really it was her that found us, we were walking on the street and she yelled
to us “Are you two Elder??” Of course we said yes and went to talk to her! She
was baptized more than 20 years ago but shortly after her baptism she moved
here and lost contact with the church! She is now married and has a family! She
didn’t remember a whole lot about the teachings of the church but she told us
that she never started going to another church. This week will visit her to
meet her husband and her children. We are super excited for her because it
looks like we will have one more family coming to church with us. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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God is great and loves each of his children! I love being
his servant! I love all of you! Thanks for everything!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Clark<o:p></o:p></div>
Samuel's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292420955784961244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603918633751871053.post-65732898820558737832015-07-06T12:10:00.000-07:002015-07-06T12:10:16.968-07:00Lives Changing<div class="MsoNormal">
June 15, 2015<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I love this gospel and the blessings that it brings to
anybody that embraces it. We have had seen miracles in the lives of the people
we are working with. Shirley who was baptized last week with her daughter is
amazing! After her baptism she has become a different woman! Her biggest worry
about the church was that she would have to do everything alone because her
husband and her other children were not very interested in our messages or the
church. but she had faith and went ahead with what she believed was right and
now the rest of her family is seeing the happiness and the difference in her
life in just two weeks, and now her oldest daughter and husband have a
baptismal date too! Every time we visit this family, we can see the difference
the gospel in making in their lives, and all the sweat, tears, and lack of
sleep become worth it just to see these blessings in the lives of others.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nativa, who was baptized 3 weeks ago is having a lot of
difficulties in her life right now, but she always tells us that it is
different this time; That she is facing these problems with more faith, less
fear and that she has been more patient, because before she acted irrationally
to some things but now, she is calmer and able to handle the things that are
thrown at her. I have no doubt that this is an effect of the gospel! I love
being able to hear these stories and feel the happiness that others are gaining!
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We have been working and working and it seems that we have
the base of the church here settled. We have 5 families that are going to
church regularly now, each family started with just one member of the family
coming to church but now each family has most of not all of the members coming
to church! We are very excited because the people that we have are very
special, and have just been waiting for the gospel in their lives, and now they
have found it!! We hope that threw these families, we will be able to find more
and more and that the church will just continue to grow! Everyone that is going
to church is preparing to be baptized but the thing is that almost each one has
something that we need to work out before they will be able to make this
passage in their lives. <o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRCnI1PDaSw-rNzgZ5cld282LIJ-x0qmXy3MQuL-jPtX97pl7wL1frEqzXBYkPaxeDT82pPxlJv83PSminZFzCMwWmMmgNUrr_RESQIBuPEAbOr7eNvL-RQ0QY2QCcNnev9zNpIH20I1M/s1600/615+Elders.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRCnI1PDaSw-rNzgZ5cld282LIJ-x0qmXy3MQuL-jPtX97pl7wL1frEqzXBYkPaxeDT82pPxlJv83PSminZFzCMwWmMmgNUrr_RESQIBuPEAbOr7eNvL-RQ0QY2QCcNnev9zNpIH20I1M/s320/615+Elders.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elders</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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We went fishing again this morning... it wasn’t for piranha
but it was still super neat! I was able to catch 3 fish on my bamboo fishing
rod!<o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOfpofC_cT82IoCiuEPNUUpxUmB2EEHciP_sYFxhkuPrV4C6j2-FiHgcf-1TDJpR43GC0ThsunPYOpdVLxKPhzFxc_0NsIoWHYN6hLM669gr1PwP0n5e4Grsw0w0jVSPO3oFBYtUzBDK8/s1600/615+Companions.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOfpofC_cT82IoCiuEPNUUpxUmB2EEHciP_sYFxhkuPrV4C6j2-FiHgcf-1TDJpR43GC0ThsunPYOpdVLxKPhzFxc_0NsIoWHYN6hLM669gr1PwP0n5e4Grsw0w0jVSPO3oFBYtUzBDK8/s320/615+Companions.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Companions</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I love this Gospel. It is so simple but yet so eloquent. I don’t
ever want to stop learning and progressing in it. I love everything about it, I
am so grateful for my mission and everything that I have learned. There is no
place I would rather be then where my Savior wants me to be. Next week is the start
of my last transfer. I can’t believe it has finally come. This last transfer
will be the best transfer of my mission! And then it is all over. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thank you for
everything, I love each and every one of you!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Clark<o:p></o:p></div>
Samuel's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292420955784961244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603918633751871053.post-88067422805654939222015-06-30T10:47:00.003-07:002015-06-30T10:47:39.647-07:00Meet The Mormons!<div class="MsoNormal">
June 8, 2015<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Showing "Meet the Mormons"</td></tr>
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This week was a successful week! We worked hard and had a
lot of fun too! We had a special activity that happened this week. We did a
movie theater/drive in on the main square of the city. The movie “Meet The
Mormons” just came out in Portuguese and we came up with the idea to show the
city this movie so that people could.. well.. meet the Mormons! We set up a
projector and screen in the middle of the main park. We invited the members in
Brazlandia (Our closest ward) and about 30 members and 6 more missionaries came
a few hours early. Then we stormed the streets, invited everyone to come and
watch. We the sun went down we played a few Mormon messages before the movie
started. The activity was a big success, few people stayed and watched the
whole movie, but during the movie a ton of people passed by watching a little
and we were able to make contacts with them and explain to them that the church
that we represent isn’t just a church in this small town but worldwide! It was
a great way to show the city who we are and it was so cool to have so many
members helping us! ("Meet the Mormons" is available on Netflix)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Padre Bernardo Pioneers</td></tr>
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We had 2 more baptisms this week! Shirley and Bruna, mom and
daughter! We have been working with them since our second week here and Shirley
has read almost all of the Book of Mormon! Bruna is 11 and super smart. Shirley
is real special, she would have been baptized sooner but she wanted to be absolutely
sure that she would baptize and stay in the church and not just quit when it
got hard! She is married but her husband has some things to take care of but he
told us after the baptism, “I’m going to be the next one to be baptized!” Which
is funny because we found her older daughter on the street after the baptism
and she told us too, that she´ll be the next one baptized! So, we are going to
have a race in this family! Her cousin is being taught by the other Elders and
she and her husband will be baptized next month after their wedding! We have finally
found our pioneer family! They are a huge family that is going to bring lots of
family members to the church too! <o:p></o:p></div>
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The church is growing slowly but it’s growing! We are
working hard but it’s been pretty difficult! But, I love it. I just hope it can
start picking up here soon! We are teaching a huge group of people, but the
amount that are understanding and wanting to learn more is pretty small. This
week in my studies I had a lot of answers come to questions I had because of
this area, I am so grateful for the scriptures that we have and the time we
have to study them too! I had a real neat experience that an investigator asked
one of the same questions I had and I was able to speak clearly the answer, and
while I was explaining, I understood the answer better too, and that was the
Holy Ghost teaching me, while I was teaching someone else. The gospel is
amazing and full of miracles. This was a successful in in all aspects! I love
the work and I love the mission. I hope that I can finish these last few weeks
running and seeing even more success. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soccer Feet</td></tr>
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Thanks for all the love and support, I love you all and can’t
wait to see everyone!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Elder Clark<o:p></o:p></div>
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Samuel's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292420955784961244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603918633751871053.post-64963766131326440862015-06-29T14:13:00.004-07:002015-06-29T14:13:44.472-07:00Transformation<div class="MsoNormal">
Jun 1, 2015<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baptism!</td></tr>
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This week was a very special week. This week was a week that
I could see and feel the change that is happening in the lives of so many here
in Padre Bernardo. I love being able to see the gospel working miracles and
changing lives. The first of this week was our 1st baptism here! Her name is
Nativa and</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baptism in a River</td></tr>
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literally we met her our first day here. We have been working with
her and her family for all his time and she finally had the desire to be baptized!
She is super special and has a very sweet spirit. She is very simple but a
strong will. She has 4 kids who we are still working on to be baptized but they
will soon follow for sure! She made history here in Padre Bernardo and it is
amazing to watch her life change right before my eyes! We had a baptism service
at a farm and I was able to baptize her in a river! Now, that was a neat experience!
She is already taking us to her friends to teach them too. She is the first of
many to come unto Christ here in Padre Bernardo! Remember her in your prayers.<br />
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We have another family here that has become dear friends of
ours. They are learning and progressing a lot! Here in a small city, there is a
lot of gossip and everyone talks about everyone... and so a lot of people talk
about us, and they tell this family lots of things that I just not true. We had
a super sweet lesson with them where they expressed their concerns and
questions and we were able to respond so bearing our testimony. Carina (the
mom) got real emotional and told us that she has already gone to many churches
and always had doubts about the things they teach and say, but she said to us
that “I know it’s true, I don’t have doubts here. I don’t know why, but there
is no “if” about it, I don’t even know a lot about the church but I don’t have
doubts.” Man, she is wonderful and has a wonderful family, the only problem is
that we have to get her and her husband married. Here in Brazil, that takes at least
a month to do all the paper work. But, we are very excited for them too! <o:p></o:p></div>
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This week Silo, our ``Dad`` here.... took us hiking... it
was awful! There wasn’t a trail and we just starting climbing a mountain to
look at vultures... he is a big nature guy and thinks they are beautiful… but I
don’t think they are beautiful birds no.... aaannnddd I got stung by a bee,
right on the lip... but it didn’t swell or anything so that was a good thing! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elders and Friends</td></tr>
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The other companionship is teaching a couple that just needs
to be married and then they will be baptized! They are great and love to give us
food. Yesterday we had a BBQ feast and I almost died because of all the food I
ate and then I went to walk in the hot sun working... Think about something
that is hard to do... but I am glad that today I have time to rest and
recuperate. <o:p></o:p></div>
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This week we are starting Bible study and let’s see how that
goes! We hope it will attract more people to just get to know who we are! We
are trying anything and everything here to teach and help the church grow here.
We are working hard, worn out but we are happy.</div>
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The work is moving here in Padre Bernardo! We are so happy
here and love the work! We have met so many people and have made great
friendships. The gospel is transforming the lives of our investigators, the one
family of members here and the missionaries serving here. We are having the experience
of a lifetime here.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Love,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Elder Clark<o:p></o:p></div>
Samuel's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292420955784961244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603918633751871053.post-1734968726265969392015-06-29T13:44:00.002-07:002015-06-29T13:44:42.728-07:00Living the Good Life<div class="MsoNormal">
May 25, 2015<o:p></o:p></div>
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Padre Bernardo is just a dream! Life is so good and the work
is going really well. I am tired beyond reason but I have so much energy at the
same time. Elder Nascimento and I are working really hard <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Elders of Padre Bernardo</td></tr>
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to help all the
people we have progress and make decisions in what they need to with their
lives. We have so many people we are working with that there isn’t enough time
in the day to do all that we want and need to. I am so grateful for the time I
have to work here and the miracles I am seeing every day. The church is truly a
church of miracles and love. I have loved being here and helping people get to
know a church unlike any other church that exists here, I am proud to be a representative
of the Church of Jesus Christ! <br />
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We met a couple this week that are really intelligent and
have lots of questions for us! One thing that they said really made me happy
and confirmed to me that we are doing the right kind of work here. A couple of
weeks ago I said that we decided to change our way of working from just teaching
and searching for the people who are ready to hear to searching for opportunities
to serve and help and be friends with everyone. This couple told us that
everyone speaks super well about us. She works in the government building
helping families and she said that LOTS of people pass by there and mention us.
Everyone says that they are really liking our visits and that we are so
different, dignified but cool. There is another religion here that does the
same type of missionary work here that NOBODY likes and at first everyone
thought we were from that church but now people know the difference. That was
the goal, to put a good name out there for the church! <o:p></o:p></div>
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We helped a family move from one house to another and we
were able to ride in the back of the truck on top of all the stuff and we felt
like celebrities because in 6 weeks we have gotten to know A WHOLE LOT of
people and as we were driving through the little city on top of a giant truck,
we were waving and talking to a ton of people on the street. Another great
thing about knowing lots of people in the city is that we get rides a whole
lot. Even people who don’t want anything to do with the church but who we have
visited give us rides. That’s a huge blessing because this city has a whole
bunch of hills that kill us when we have to climb them during the afternoon in
the hot sun. Each night we come home with some kind of fruit or food that
people give us and we are starting to eat meals and have BBQ´s with people here
in the city! But it’s not all just fun and games; we are working a ton but
having even more fun doing it! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Attendance at church is growing, very slowly but its
growing! We are excited because there are a lot of people that are attending
every week. They just need to resolve some problems before they can be baptized
but we are so excited because when the first baptism happens here, they will
just come and come and come! Padre Bernardo is on the edge of the cliff, just
needing a little nudge and this city will start to fly! Thanks for all the prayers
and Love! The Lords hand is in this work and I am grateful I have the chance to
participate! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Lots of Love,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Elder Clark<o:p></o:p></div>
Samuel's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292420955784961244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603918633751871053.post-29790128785149675622015-06-29T13:27:00.000-07:002015-06-29T13:27:11.518-07:00“Stay in the Boat” Matthew 8:23-27<div class="MsoNormal">
May 18, 2015<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baking Sweet Rolls and Cheese Bread</td></tr>
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Wow, what a week. This week passed by SO fast but when I
think about last Monday, it seems like almost a month ago. Time is literally
playing with my head. We started the week with a little trip. We had to head
into the city for a Zone Meeting and we spent almost the whole day Tuesday
traveling. Our meeting was productive but it about killed us with the
traveling. I don’t know why but it seems like the days that we have to travel
and I don’t work very much are the days that I become most tired on my mission.
There something about traveling on the bus that just drains your energy.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Speaking of draining energy. Man oh man. We started English
classes this week for anyone who <o:p></o:p><br />
wants to learn. Elder Kesler and I are the Americans
who give the class. I don’t know how but I got stuck with the children 8 years
old to 12 years old. (Think of the funniest class ever.) We have been doing
the classes for two weeks and we only do them two times a week. Each Wed. and
Sat. and we already have a ton of people coming. One day I think I had about 30
children in my classroom. It was pretty hard to keep control. But, the cool thing
is they are actually learning! We play lots games and they are learning pretty
fast. It is super funny too because we walk in the streets the children yell “Hey
teacher! Hey guys, that is my English teacher!” “TEACHER!” There is one kid who
wanted to teach everyone the word teacher so that they could call me teacher,
but the thing is all the kids remembered the word as TIO (TCHEE-O) which is the
word for Uncle in Portuguese. So during class, when the young ones have a
question they yell “Tio! Tio!” (Uncle, Uncle) I can’t help but to laugh. Oh
what an adventure it is! There was a little miracle that happened. A kid
brought his deaf brother to class Saturday and we started to play a game where
I yell out a color in English and the kids have to find the color on the board.
Not wanting to be left out the small deaf boy stood in line, but also not
wanting to play because he can’t hear when I yell the words, he always let the
next kid go in front of him. (I don’t know if I have already told you but we
are teaching a deaf young woman and she is teaching us sign language.) I got
his attention and started to sign the colors that I would choose. He became
super excited and started to participate and even won many times! I was very happy
I was able to help him have a good experience and I am so grateful for the opportunities
God gives us to help other people, even in the most simple ways!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-5VLSYpkxyIsrTq0Ep4haneKGGr0AKRw4-maDm3HLDQ129gzhMt-tAbavjVrOfkUcYW7D7QPB6ccopE7C0MirEdvkhyjvLIdbFlZbT_jTMgM7AB1SMcAhOnU7o6n7sNUnjuP4UmZFTDg/s1600/515+Stake+Center.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-5VLSYpkxyIsrTq0Ep4haneKGGr0AKRw4-maDm3HLDQ129gzhMt-tAbavjVrOfkUcYW7D7QPB6ccopE7C0MirEdvkhyjvLIdbFlZbT_jTMgM7AB1SMcAhOnU7o6n7sNUnjuP4UmZFTDg/s320/515+Stake+Center.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stake Center</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We spent this whole week preparing for our stake conference
that happened this weekend. We were super stressed because it was to happen far
away, like everything is from us. It was a huge challenge and we were all super
stressed because it seemed like we were going to have a wasted Sunday without
church here. But, that was the miracle. It was one of the best Sundays of my
mission! We were able to get a Bus to take people to the conference, organized
with the stake to have food after the conference before our trip home and
confirmed investigators to take the journey with us. The stake center for our
stake is one of the biggest and most beautiful church buildings I have ever
seen. We wanted a whole lot of people to go with us to see a church building
and how the church really is a worldwide, super organized church. We took about
30 people with us and had one of the best, most spiritual conferences I have
been too. The giant church was FULL of people. Everyone is excited to see Padre
Bernardo grow and so when we arrived, many people came to greet us, and to help
direct everyone. Our investigators from a small town without one big building
were all eyes as we entered the beautiful church building, full of happy,
shining people in shirts, ties and skirts. The talks and messages of the
conference were amazing, each person was very, very inspired! The theme of the
conference was “Stay in the Boat.” Everyone talked about how we need to have
courage to follow Christ! Just to wrap it up, everything went perfect. Nobody
wanted to leave to come back home. I can’t even describe all the miracles and
tender mercies the Lord helped us with! I don’t think I will ever forget this
stake conference. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZMucPAeI5DRYVx8WCSpJcKvenkjfa3LUQfPP4OUZZ6L97Ph0MDDlrU9eTcTXDFNdYkhcfpQxKUiozLnrQaSMZa_b9PfQp6e27VItZs1Pzkb-p4FZ_uYrZCCgBYKw0BPDMcLtwN2CBozI/s1600/515+a+cow.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZMucPAeI5DRYVx8WCSpJcKvenkjfa3LUQfPP4OUZZ6L97Ph0MDDlrU9eTcTXDFNdYkhcfpQxKUiozLnrQaSMZa_b9PfQp6e27VItZs1Pzkb-p4FZ_uYrZCCgBYKw0BPDMcLtwN2CBozI/s320/515+a+cow.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elders and a cow</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am so grateful for my mission and everyone that I have
met. I am so excited for Padre Bernardo the upcoming weeks! I think the
conference lit a fire in us, the stake and our investigators! Thank you so much
for your prayers and support! I love you all! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Samuel Clark<o:p></o:p></div>
Samuel's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292420955784961244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603918633751871053.post-71705471967553564832015-05-19T18:41:00.001-07:002015-05-19T18:41:02.976-07:00They Like to Party<div class="MsoNormal">
May 11, 2015<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Happy Birthday Padre Bernardo! May 9th was the city´s
Birthday and oh man, the people here know how to party. Thursday until Sunday
was one big party here. With concerts every night and big parties at main
square and music and Calvary of Horses and Gustavo Lima (a VERY famous singer)
and everything! The parties made it a little hard to work at the end of the
week because everyone was just partying, visiting with family and pretty much
doing everything except stay at home. Our church attendance suffered too because
of mother’s day and the parties. Almost nobody went to church. It was a little disappointing
but understandable. This week we have stake conference about 2 hours away from
here and we are hoping to take lots of people there with a bus! Pray that we
can get a bus to take everyone! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR6TUU4-e8s6aurlfxKo-wSUCzR8CZCZD8q9olrT9xvOblqX1VLw6C0PPXrN-SdWrgrEhzMTl2UMnf0nXk4a-vhSVkFNYZKbULOoEIXSgEs8uj4UFJph-cVtZEoHRJoZYLh2Ezh7wA1Ak/s1600/5+15+Padre+Bernardo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR6TUU4-e8s6aurlfxKo-wSUCzR8CZCZD8q9olrT9xvOblqX1VLw6C0PPXrN-SdWrgrEhzMTl2UMnf0nXk4a-vhSVkFNYZKbULOoEIXSgEs8uj4UFJph-cVtZEoHRJoZYLh2Ezh7wA1Ak/s320/5+15+Padre+Bernardo.JPG" width="320" /></a>We have ran into a problem here, It seems like the small
local churches are feeling threatened with our presence here and are starting
to preach against the Mormons and spreading anti-Mormon fliers around to some
of the homes that we are visiting. But we are seeing that it isn’t affecting
the work here because the families that we are working with are just becoming
more curious as to what the big deal is! Lots of people are defending us too!
One man was talking to one of our investigators and was talking bad about us
and she told him he had the wrong information and that we are super cool and
good people. She even invited him to receive our visits. He didn’t accept but
it goes to show that the Lords work will always go forward and that nobody can
stop it! It is amazing what excitement 4 young men in white shirts can do in a
small city. I am loving every minute of it!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We met a super great family this week; Mom, Dad and 5
children. One of the children is Deaf and she just signs to her sister who
translates everything for us. She is also teaching us sign language and we are
getting pretty good at it! We are already making sentences with her! haha This
family is really receptive and wants to learn more about the church! They are from
the north east of Brazil and every word that ends with s, they say it as if it
has sh, which is awesome too! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We are very excited because our first transfer here is over
and now we are ready for the baptims! We have a bunch of people that are SO
CLOSE they just need a little push! It has been hard because this little town
has a LOT of faith and when something new comes to town, talking about God, it
is hard to change what you already believe. But the Lord has prepared a ton of
people here. We just need to find them all! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yesterday was so great to talk with my Mom! I love my family
a whole lot and can’t wait to see everyone in less than 3 months! But no time
to think about that now! I still have a ton of work to do before my turn is
through!<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgypbUZN2UA0q844syXIrLdiqYiAmwTkhUd_I5E9PDjNYDXhmCcSrgeVOic19UAl9KqQWTg4AeDbJczb7U-URc1d01craN3_r_OY_eKVpNm9A0nKxqkKr3CxLOLmhak_NKuBDTTwqPICP4/s1600/5+15+mothers+day.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgypbUZN2UA0q844syXIrLdiqYiAmwTkhUd_I5E9PDjNYDXhmCcSrgeVOic19UAl9KqQWTg4AeDbJczb7U-URc1d01craN3_r_OY_eKVpNm9A0nKxqkKr3CxLOLmhak_NKuBDTTwqPICP4/s320/5+15+mothers+day.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mothers Day!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I Love you all and
thanks for all the support and love!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Clark<o:p></o:p></div>
Samuel's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292420955784961244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603918633751871053.post-59534386751037428002015-05-19T08:10:00.000-07:002015-05-19T08:10:14.931-07:00The Church is True <div class="MsoNormal">
May 4, 2015<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week was a week of just work. We visited a ton of people, met even more
people and are trying everything that we can think of to help the church grow
here. I think the hardest thing to do is express everything about the church to
help people understand that our message isn’t just another good message about
Jesus Christ but it’s THE message. We are seeing miracles with the church and
our investigators here! We have tons of people interested and some of them are
progressing really well! Our days are full of lessons and, of course, some days
are a lot better than others but we are trying to have quality visits every
visit we make! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGbq3IxTSHmbzldPhu66S1-D83NpU9OCcY7kOuDHC8G7Hm5aMAkMZFMyGNEVuC019KMg5VVi3bofsh3hElJ-U64_I-Aes-HHFUn6WluSomrXrVycYXVNvp7ZLvtRl0u-zDWKTFh5RcowM/s1600/DSCN6697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGbq3IxTSHmbzldPhu66S1-D83NpU9OCcY7kOuDHC8G7Hm5aMAkMZFMyGNEVuC019KMg5VVi3bofsh3hElJ-U64_I-Aes-HHFUn6WluSomrXrVycYXVNvp7ZLvtRl0u-zDWKTFh5RcowM/s320/DSCN6697.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Missionaries on the radio</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week we went to the radio and did a little local
broadcast or announcement about the church! That was a neat opportunity and I
hope there will be some results from it! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We have one investigator that she went to church with us and
wasn’t that impressed because we are doing our meetings in a elementary school
and there are not many people. I think she was hoping for a little bit more. But
what a miracle technology is! She started looking at the church’s site on the
internet and she was very impressed with the size and organization of the
church! She became very excited again and is reading the Book of Mormon like a
champ! We need to have success here soon so that they will build a chapel here.
Because if the church builds a chapel here, it will be the most beautiful
building in the city and everyone will realize the magnitude of the church! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHVheG0pp9AcPZxj7hZajVI_phehow_MsNizzqFEkooZE8B4J3VDvus0i7v4VtlC37vlw2yQKMZfNih9vgIdu-VipFWuJE6hj6ApTpw2dkTwMJs5BXPVBggCNg61-c1ab3wJ9URK9odq4/s1600/DSCN6684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHVheG0pp9AcPZxj7hZajVI_phehow_MsNizzqFEkooZE8B4J3VDvus0i7v4VtlC37vlw2yQKMZfNih9vgIdu-VipFWuJE6hj6ApTpw2dkTwMJs5BXPVBggCNg61-c1ab3wJ9URK9odq4/s320/DSCN6684.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking a break!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Like I said, this week was a lot of work. We visited a ton
of people and are filtering the people that really want to know more and the
people who won’t progress. We tried to find more people and had success with
that! We just need more prayers and faith! I love this work and every challenge
that we face! <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thanks for everything!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Clark<o:p></o:p></div>
Samuel's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292420955784961244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603918633751871053.post-64417980455417077742015-04-30T08:22:00.001-07:002015-04-30T08:22:15.238-07:00Progress and Opposition<div class="MsoNormal">
April 27, 2015 <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week absolutely flew by... I don’t even know what is
happening with the days. The work is going really well here and the days pass
by so fast. There is so much to do and so little time! This week we had a lot
of success but we have had some setbacks too...<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We have met a lot of incredible people here and they will be
a grand force in the church here very soon! We are very excited because it
turns out that some of our strongest investigators are a family the other elders
are working with. This family seems like
they will be the pioneers here. They are so great. They are reading and
defending the church against people that are starting to talk bad about the
church. This is the same woman that told us that she wants to be able to say
the same things that we say about our testimony. If she doesn’t get baptized
this week, I think next week, for sure! We are excited for these upcoming weeks
because we are hoping for a lot of success and the beginning of the growth of
the church here in Padre Bernardo! We have a lot of people and families that
are progressing really well! But with all this progress, there is opposition
too. Almost all our families are facing problems or friends and families are
discouraging them to participate with the church. Even so, they are going
strong!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1gqHvgHrRDYCWfJfxXW5aQxW_Tf4lC6r1Ai_-a6_7xvXpCEslkYRM1mrw61nDt8I1QX_LcWl04UB0nrE_DoFsIV-8adjqZBmhstD_3NwsKvRltqbsVTBbdHbPq43bSuxS0UupcKAf6Gw/s1600/4+15+coconuts.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1gqHvgHrRDYCWfJfxXW5aQxW_Tf4lC6r1Ai_-a6_7xvXpCEslkYRM1mrw61nDt8I1QX_LcWl04UB0nrE_DoFsIV-8adjqZBmhstD_3NwsKvRltqbsVTBbdHbPq43bSuxS0UupcKAf6Gw/s1600/4+15+coconuts.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; text-align: start;">Coconuts!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We are trying to just get the name of the church out in the
open with a good reputation... and one way we have been doing that is we visit
other churches... and boy it has been super cool. We have visited some already
and the people love it. They appreciate that we are willing to visit churches
with other people. It has gotten to the point that when we are walking on the
street people yell for us to visit them in their church. We have learned that
some churches here are better than others. We visited one that I will not name,
but they just screamed and then when we had to leave, the pastor came up to me
and started talking in a language that wasn’t Portuguese... nor English.... and
then she took my hand and told me that she took away the band of death...
because I would have died that night is she had not blessed me... man... I left
feeling a bit strange. But mom, your son
is still alive thanks to revelation! I love the gospel music here. There are a
lot of churches with bands that play really good music! haha for sure, has been a really neat experience to learn
about other churches first hand! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We have one more missionary here from Arizona. He was
waiting for his visa for 3 month and got here this week. He is in a trio with
the other elders. His name is Elder Adams and he has the best area to start out
his mission here in Brazil. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am super tired and working hard. I am so grateful for all
that I have and the opportunity to serve my mission here. I am loving every
minute of every day! I love you all and thanks for all the prayers! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Clark<o:p></o:p></div>
Samuel's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292420955784961244noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603918633751871053.post-83096449467127683632015-04-22T17:29:00.003-07:002015-04-22T17:29:51.937-07:00Good People<div class="MsoNormal">
April 20, 2015 <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHqdozE-xJpOnXieocpnrhaNPwj3Be6KyfTIut0MQObZcpuPhe_Qt8prHzpo-ee1Mo4_K_vXag0bpBm_GsoPqOZgYoaZ5LeBcyxMzgNwv12sArmX3b56I8s57SrzJHzTEUMK9GVBkxUFU/s1600/415+fishing.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHqdozE-xJpOnXieocpnrhaNPwj3Be6KyfTIut0MQObZcpuPhe_Qt8prHzpo-ee1Mo4_K_vXag0bpBm_GsoPqOZgYoaZ5LeBcyxMzgNwv12sArmX3b56I8s57SrzJHzTEUMK9GVBkxUFU/s1600/415+fishing.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I caught a Piranha!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Padre Bernardo is a small town that has people with the
biggest hearts. I love the people here. This week was full of difficulties but
also full of blessings and miracles. Padre Bernardo is growing to be one of my
favorite areas on my mission! It has been so fun to open this area, being a
small town, people noticed and started to talk about us real fast. It is not every
day that 2 young men, 2 being from the USA walk around in the blazing heat with
shirts and ties. This week was so great that I don’t even know where to start.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So at the beginning of the week we started to think about
the way we are doing the work here. We had been working super hard, teaching,
teaching and teaching. We got a little frustrated because the majority of the people
we are teaching love our visits but are not trying to learn more. They are not
keeping their commitments. We decided we were doing the work all wrong. We got
here and we were hungry for baptism’s and the church to grow super-fast but
then we realized that just knocking on every door and teaching was not the best
way to do the work. We are here and we are the first contact that most of the
people here have ever had with the church. So it is even more important to
leave a good image and impression of the church and of the missionaries here.
We put ourselves in the place of the people here and what they think about us. So,
we decided to change the work a lot. We started to attend meetings of other
churches with our investigators and man is it cool to see how other churches
work. Everyone there treats us super well and they get very happy that we are
visiting them! Even some people said that they want to visit where we
congregate too! We are going to go on the radio, do more service and be happy
and friends with everyone. After we made that decision, the work here exploded!
We aren’t the missionaries who will try to force our religion on people
anymore, We are those Mormon boys who are here to help the city in any way we
can! <o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW52_7bsVmXFlFn_5f0T030swWzK0nbzbaO_4K4AUQbGzaQCPoQUEjLQYhlkhyphenhyphenSYteIG6uQ6MIgShljsQ3vbOBxkob4UmITAnwQQrgUrj5dZZmkQkcJpph9LnpGoIVUvQKUZxgWVkENy0/s1600/415+Elders.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW52_7bsVmXFlFn_5f0T030swWzK0nbzbaO_4K4AUQbGzaQCPoQUEjLQYhlkhyphenhyphenSYteIG6uQ6MIgShljsQ3vbOBxkob4UmITAnwQQrgUrj5dZZmkQkcJpph9LnpGoIVUvQKUZxgWVkENy0/s1600/415+Elders.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elders</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our first week we had only 14 people, 10 not counting us, 4
not including the 2 families that are members already, and this week, with our
new philosophy and excitement...... WE HAD 31 PEOPLE GO TO CHURCH WITH US! The
best part was that they were families! We got super, super excited! Everyone
that came to church liked the meetings a whole lot! Only about half of the
people that promised to come to church did. The missionaries (us) gave the
talks for sacrament meeting and I think that will be the first of many talks
that we will give (haha). We have many other people who are reading the Book of
Mormon and who want to know if the church is true that didn’t go to church. We
love it here and the work exploding! We have one family who told us that they
want to be able to say the same things that we say about the church and about
our Savior, and almost all the families want to feed us lunch! We eat with Silo
and his family (only members who live here) everyday, haha so it will be good
to take a load off them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This upcoming week we have much to do! We are going to the
radio to let people know about the church, we are going to have lunch with a
family of pastors that are very interested in the Book of Mormon. Who have
about 100 people who go their church too, Can you imagine? We need your
prayers! The heat is trying to beat us. But we are going to work through it,
pray that we have cloudy days! I love this work and I love every single
blessing that the Lord sends my way. This would be impossible without Him. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
OH! Today we went to a lake and went fishing for piranhas!
We had to use the heart of a cow to catch them! Then we had a BBQ, one of the
best p-days of my mission! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All my love! <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Clark<o:p></o:p></div>
Samuel's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292420955784961244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603918633751871053.post-67607936958629076852015-04-22T16:55:00.000-07:002015-04-22T16:55:15.271-07:00This is Country<br /><div class="MsoNormal">
April 13, 2015<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhex_hRVQpfaNEBWDQvP8w-v8XsTJC3unqw58sc2nST4sih_AP9SuBR0yfOBFPXzbqT4nJbosKganPX2lGpUPrMmUBXd1LqKLJLcGaapcFr5ofCGpPniRKyueGPXHpbb-9oyCyhSsAAiz4/s1600/415+piranha+for+dinner+.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhex_hRVQpfaNEBWDQvP8w-v8XsTJC3unqw58sc2nST4sih_AP9SuBR0yfOBFPXzbqT4nJbosKganPX2lGpUPrMmUBXd1LqKLJLcGaapcFr5ofCGpPniRKyueGPXHpbb-9oyCyhSsAAiz4/s1600/415+piranha+for+dinner+.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; text-align: start;">Piranha for dinner, yes P</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; text-align: start;">iranha!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Man, I love Padre Bernardo! This city is so cool! It is a
farming city. Almost everyone that lives here works on the farms. There are a
ton of trucks here and lots of people that walk around in cowboy boots, jeans
and cowboy hats. There are a ton of wild life and strange food! I love it! But it is also hard because how
the farms work here is that the men go and stay there during the week and so
come home on the weekends. So basically the town full of woman during the week.
Still, we have found some amazing families!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I never thought I would be in an area that we have to
introduce the church to people who have never<o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHaXLGbb_59FSxGu901uzw9Unsd1dsd6YlS5wIMoH-vKTz0bHLbxrBLPkXAMqRHYTEo_Hc-JIh33aNX2dDO_e2q6164KCMJfO5PLKrpPyvtgJaOSk-2s8U-0iHo61X5qtuwkEzZIBw6-E/s1600/415+Meet+the+mormons.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHaXLGbb_59FSxGu901uzw9Unsd1dsd6YlS5wIMoH-vKTz0bHLbxrBLPkXAMqRHYTEo_Hc-JIh33aNX2dDO_e2q6164KCMJfO5PLKrpPyvtgJaOSk-2s8U-0iHo61X5qtuwkEzZIBw6-E/s1600/415+Meet+the+mormons.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meet the Mormons</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
even heard of missionaries. It is
so cool to be able to explain who we are, and why I, an American, am in the
middle of nowhere Brazil. The people here are super receptive too. There were
many times this week that we showed up at someone’s house, and before we could
explain who were, they already invited us in and just started talking to us. It
is amazing! I love this small town. We have been teaching like mad men this
week and the only problem that we are seeing is that everyone accepts us super
well here, but few have a desire to learn more. They are all amazing people but
already are strong in the religion that they have. There are some churches here
that have been here since the dinosaurs. The Catholic Church is the strongest
here. I think about half the population is Catholic here. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1cDGet2myzZGrv9Mtu1wNPjiUo7k6sAK7INknOxE69wzLqMTzYJ9vuRMlEiwefvtvIuCbksriF_T1Z80gOKsI5ioUlCZ4D_2wWFIGU0rbuYoDxTe_SGZQoLXwyYePl-3JlvkdrBwVgF4/s1600/415+church.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1cDGet2myzZGrv9Mtu1wNPjiUo7k6sAK7INknOxE69wzLqMTzYJ9vuRMlEiwefvtvIuCbksriF_T1Z80gOKsI5ioUlCZ4D_2wWFIGU0rbuYoDxTe_SGZQoLXwyYePl-3JlvkdrBwVgF4/s1600/415+church.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everyone at Church</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Church was neat; we had a whopping 14 people there! haha Man,
I hope that number grows fast. We are working so hard to find the people who
have just been waiting for the gospel! My companion is great. He only has 3
months on the mission but he teaches well and knows how to work! I love this
gospel and I am so grateful that I have the opportunity to start the church
here in Padre Bernardo. Pray for me and the city here. We need all the help we
can get!<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Love, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Clark<o:p></o:p></div>
Samuel's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292420955784961244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603918633751871053.post-61133986830740789192015-04-07T07:30:00.000-07:002015-04-07T07:30:33.146-07:00The Beginning<div class="MsoNormal">
April 6, 2015<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So we had transfers this week and you know that little town that
I have already talked about called Padre Bernardo? Well I was transferred here
today. I am more than excited! This city has 8 people that are members and they
meet in a school building for church. Missionaries have never, ever worked
here! I came here with a new companion, Elder Nacimento from Sao Paulo and
another companionship. The city is basically in the middle of nowhere and super
far away from Brasilia. We arrived here
10 minutes ago and our day is almost over.
I am in the state of Goias. I am
so grateful for this opportunity and it looks like I will spend my last 3
transfers here. President spoke with us today and told us that he wants a
branch here soon! I am so excited to work and start church history here in
Padre Bernardo. I know it won’t be easy. But, I am ready for the
challenge! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My last week with Elder Dobner was the best week that we had
together too. We worked super hard and found some incredible people! One young
couple that is super interested and another family! I hope and pray he will help
bring them into the gospel! I loved Brazlandia and the people there. I am sad
that I only had one transfer there and I didn’t see much success. But, oh the
things that I learned! I know that I left my heart and soul there. I worked
hard and I know the Lord is pleased with the work that I did.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
General Conference was the best. I had to watch it in
Portuguese and I have to say it’s a whole lot more meaningful and spiritual for
me in English. But it was a cool experience to watch in Portuguese. I loved the
talks and messages that were given! (https://www.lds.org/general-conference/sessions/2015/04?cid=HP_SU_4-5-2015_dPTH_fGC_xLIDyL1-B_&lang=eng)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sorry this is so short and not very detailed but I don’t
have much time and there is a whole lot to do, I love you all and thank you so
much for all the prayers!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Clark<o:p></o:p></div>
Samuel's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292420955784961244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603918633751871053.post-19203273536185031962015-04-07T06:48:00.002-07:002015-04-07T06:48:56.175-07:00Desperation<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mar 30, 2015<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8gpKDXhfgBo_Pq6TgmPMlEXgjRURjHh_teCvcAsfG-jzUDNLMRYMIbXUUrcsxZkIx_y_5ZetHok6T2Dun5Ud7Ax5c0lz-xQ-ZQGQLr70m3EP8HxnCM-6te3gNeWavaXtUq_ancq7Ntd0/s1600/315+More+Elders.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8gpKDXhfgBo_Pq6TgmPMlEXgjRURjHh_teCvcAsfG-jzUDNLMRYMIbXUUrcsxZkIx_y_5ZetHok6T2Dun5Ud7Ax5c0lz-xQ-ZQGQLr70m3EP8HxnCM-6te3gNeWavaXtUq_ancq7Ntd0/s1600/315+More+Elders.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elders</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Man, this week was very... interesting. We met a whole lot
of people and taught a whole lot. We are working as hard as we know how but the
thing is that no one is really listening, story of my life right now. We found
some really good people this week though. I am super excited to teach some of
them this week. We found one young man (that is 19) when we were knocking
doors. It started to rain while we were talking and he told us that we shouldn’t
enter his house because of problems that they have there. So, we invited him to
come to the church with us because he lives pretty close, and he says “why not?”
Saturday we taught him at the church with another young man that was already
there. We are real excited about him! We have found a lot of new people to work
with! I just hope that next week, I am not transferred! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One day we walked passed the church and the young men were
playing a game called ``Bate Bola`` in the middle of the street. It’s a game
that for sure I’ll bring to the states to play. You have 2 teams of two players
and it’s basically baseball but with only 2 bases and 2 players. I don’t know
how to explain it but we played with them for a little bit and it was so much
fun! My companion and I lost the first game, because we were still learning. But
after that no one could beat us! I should’ve have taken a picture but I didn’t
even think to do so!<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3sh1DYZSlMQEmbciaKiBGjp2qQRi0fYoknb8G5TRRhRIHriDdFQtMw2-xP8Rixx9mTbCsSC800t5AhVnluc_2xisToa0K7jy0IIaRfKP6J8NoZmvGshY8QqSmAlH9MfTTDujPZMUrgyE/s1600/315+finishing+the+tile.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3sh1DYZSlMQEmbciaKiBGjp2qQRi0fYoknb8G5TRRhRIHriDdFQtMw2-xP8Rixx9mTbCsSC800t5AhVnluc_2xisToa0K7jy0IIaRfKP6J8NoZmvGshY8QqSmAlH9MfTTDujPZMUrgyE/s1600/315+finishing+the+tile.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More Tile Work</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The biggest challenge we have is getting people to church!
We were so sick of almost nobody coming to church that we spent the first hour
and a half of church running around the city, trying to get everyone we know to
church... but the thing is EVERYONE that we passed have some sort of excuse or wasn’t
even home. We got so desperate that we started inviting people on the street to
come to church and knocking on doors inviting them to wake up and go to church
with us! We actually got 3 people to come visit with us that way! We had not
met them before but we are going to their home today to teach their families! Yesterday
was a tiring Sunday. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is the last week of one more transfer. I can’t believe
how fast it is going. Sometimes I get a little down because I feel like I don’t
have anything to show for all the work I have been doing. But I know the Lord
has his plans and his way of doing things. I am so grateful for all the experiences
I have had that have changed and shaped me. I love this gospel and I love this
work. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
With much love,<o:p></o:p><br />
Elder Clark</div>
Samuel's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292420955784961244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603918633751871053.post-91564737850369313452015-03-26T12:29:00.003-07:002015-03-26T12:32:27.206-07:00Time Flies<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
March 23, 2015<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPBy6Bb9kVAWmXoO7phn1pz4dF2X9xO27AkjlrqPhzhsGKrYjjK3iJTToHRthBonHmYWTnyidttOUZeSpWy3Jqx3y9rPlZAVOXgfO9aD-gr0Y6K_YnZqbzEYSg9OCwsZ8tp40BI0p1YsA/s1600/32315+car.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPBy6Bb9kVAWmXoO7phn1pz4dF2X9xO27AkjlrqPhzhsGKrYjjK3iJTToHRthBonHmYWTnyidttOUZeSpWy3Jqx3y9rPlZAVOXgfO9aD-gr0Y6K_YnZqbzEYSg9OCwsZ8tp40BI0p1YsA/s1600/32315+car.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Car Selfie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week was crazy. First of all it was super hard because
we had to stop visiting a lot of people because they just were not wanting to
progress. They liked our visits but just were not willing to do more than visit
with us. It did help that it just continued to rain ALL week and this time it
was cold rain, nothing compared to what is happening back home, but it was cold
for me. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week passed by so fast and I just can’t help but feel
that I don’t have much more time. The time is flying so fast past me and I just
can’t get ahold of it! We are working so hard but I think we just have to work
a little bit harder to get the results that we are hoping for. But as always,
the Lord is changing and shaping me. I just hope I can take in everything that
he is trying to teach me. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We found a super special family this week that I am hoping
and praying will progress. The mom has had questions for a long time about what
church is the true church. She loved our message and said that she really needs
to search for herself! She has 5 kids and a husband that all seem super promising!
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
We spent all day in Padre Bernardo yesterday, a city that is
about an hour by car from Braslandia. That place is super special and
missionaries should arrive there this week. They will be the first missionaries
ever there. The Lord has prepared so many people there. Yesterday made me super
excited to see how it turns out there.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFPLEgkzN1pc6pyHvRD-ntCA4ma84k_7Q66OYU7QsKqacFv06kffriVBaAq8sg0oGfUq71lsAL6py5Y3L-4DYX3lcC4PkEAWQP-KBqZwQXdbauaONSCltMbiE0R6FwYCIsQTmSR0BpXc4/s1600/32315+elders.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFPLEgkzN1pc6pyHvRD-ntCA4ma84k_7Q66OYU7QsKqacFv06kffriVBaAq8sg0oGfUq71lsAL6py5Y3L-4DYX3lcC4PkEAWQP-KBqZwQXdbauaONSCltMbiE0R6FwYCIsQTmSR0BpXc4/s1600/32315+elders.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elders!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So today went by very fast, we had our actividade da zona (zone
activity) today and we don’t have much time to write our emails. Sorry to
anyone that I did not respond to this week too! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But, I love you all and thanks for everything!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Clark<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEintRryf6z1J8RleVwoDMK1iKJiheJFOIQGSYD6iwJs3MC8asOWCsKVW_wYhMD3H4YOOmYQOH0dg3gPCfPjzINsigK7cDaSr2yztMBsro4Uvh1XgwkNJyPrGXmekLm3ZpPQH7jkBClTEgQ/s1600/315+Christmas+in+March!.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEintRryf6z1J8RleVwoDMK1iKJiheJFOIQGSYD6iwJs3MC8asOWCsKVW_wYhMD3H4YOOmYQOH0dg3gPCfPjzINsigK7cDaSr2yztMBsro4Uvh1XgwkNJyPrGXmekLm3ZpPQH7jkBClTEgQ/s1600/315+Christmas+in+March!.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas in March<br />(The package just arrived.)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
Samuel's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292420955784961244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603918633751871053.post-72495679849570180322015-03-26T11:24:00.001-07:002015-03-26T11:24:47.785-07:00Rain, Mud, and Missionary Work<div class="MsoNormal">
March 16, 2015 <o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDpXRXAbyyEFz1MnCWlamd-3aFY_FGR7-xnWNPtpA3dsO1nBcRspH574O5U3P1WN1XLzIL-7CoKk3HD81gz0Szjic8Xq7wOCYtpu_IViDiKqpUC3NkL444r6nfnoIfk1FOxkRqMFq6cLw/s1600/31615+current+companion.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDpXRXAbyyEFz1MnCWlamd-3aFY_FGR7-xnWNPtpA3dsO1nBcRspH574O5U3P1WN1XLzIL-7CoKk3HD81gz0Szjic8Xq7wOCYtpu_IViDiKqpUC3NkL444r6nfnoIfk1FOxkRqMFq6cLw/s1600/31615+current+companion.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Current Companion</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week we saw rain like
Brasilia has never seen rain before. For 4 days straight, it just rained and
rained and rained. It got to the point that our house started to leak! We got
used to walking with wet feet and trudging through the roads that had turned
into rivers. The rain made the work a little harder but we were still able to
teach and find people. Brazlandia is super good. The members here are great too;
they are willing and ready to help. The best part is we are starting to do more
service projects! That is something that I was missing a lot in the other
areas. But, the members here aren’t afraid to put us to work!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
We are teaching and teaching lots
of people here but the thing is that they are not progressing very well. It’s
so crazy how much you practice and plan for people and then you get there and
they barely pay attention! haha Our biggest problem here is that while we are
finding lots of families to teach, no one is married! The process to get
married here is 30 to 90 days! We are working with some couples to get married!
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
We have one couple that is really
special. We found them Saturday night and the next day they were in church!!
When we sat down to teach them, the first thing she asked is ``if there is only
one god, why are there so many churches? How can we know which one is the true
church?" HOLY COW! Our message is the exact answer for that, the Lord truly
prepares people.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This
week we had our Mission Leadership Counsel. It was great! It is always great to
hear from President! It took almost 4 hours to get home because the buses were
on strike and we had to wait at the bus station for almost 2 hours. What would
the life of a missionary with a car be like? Haha!</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPE_EPwClpxYOtu9ucY7VgjS6PfjR5TNkvT2FUXjP0_7OQ1SF6TTSenndQn0FUG2-VtbzB0BOdSwAG7UiXVEJJ_WaHNfCGLc1Y5Bj8xn8VnzW3qI3HP9NyPlm32M-r0DNrRLFZ-9fWw3M/s1600/31615+Companions.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPE_EPwClpxYOtu9ucY7VgjS6PfjR5TNkvT2FUXjP0_7OQ1SF6TTSenndQn0FUG2-VtbzB0BOdSwAG7UiXVEJJ_WaHNfCGLc1Y5Bj8xn8VnzW3qI3HP9NyPlm32M-r0DNrRLFZ-9fWw3M/s1600/31615+Companions.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Former Companions - All Zone Leaders </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Life is
good and we are just working. We have to work harder and harder because the
enemy is working harder and harder against us. We had one family that was progressing
ALOT and this week they dropped us out of nowhere. It was a heart breaker but
we will continue to try and help them. The enemy is strong but will never win. I
love the mission for everything that happens that helps ME, shapes ME, and
betters ME. I know that when I am better, I can better help those around me.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Love you all!<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Clark<o:p></o:p></div>
Samuel's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292420955784961244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603918633751871053.post-85949176016658138272015-03-26T11:03:00.002-07:002015-03-26T11:29:39.295-07:00In a Blink of an Eye...<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
March 9, 2015<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpDHjK_bDdXEIohP__dHUUV6mNx2R4L31JK2K6eL74Yuw96ODBp5oCdM9pm4Ktd6QBujnxZdoEBH3NidqbKsfN5a7dMpvicenoPleahh9tIKea7YkZSmpX3dra45M99-TtroeedefZ31Y/s1600/3915+tile.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpDHjK_bDdXEIohP__dHUUV6mNx2R4L31JK2K6eL74Yuw96ODBp5oCdM9pm4Ktd6QBujnxZdoEBH3NidqbKsfN5a7dMpvicenoPleahh9tIKea7YkZSmpX3dra45M99-TtroeedefZ31Y/s1600/3915+tile.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; text-align: start;">My companion and I put all of this tile here!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week flew by unbelievable fast. The work here is super-fast
too. The thing about this area that we are learning is that people accept our
message and let us come into their homes, but they pretty much only will do
that. They are willing to listen to our message but they aren’t willing to do
the things they need to do. They just like to hear the good word of God and do
not really understand the importance of our message. I am not complaining
because we are teaching and the days are full of appointments but it makes the
work hard to keep up because in one week we will find lots and lots of people
to teach, and in that same week we stop teaching them too because they have no
desire! But, it’s always a process and we are having a lot of spiritual
lessons. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Dobner and I teach really well together. We are able
to knock on doors, walk into a home and teach the first lesson in about 10
minutes if we need to. It’s been really great to teach with him. Our normal
message is about 30 min on the dot from the time we walk in to when we leave. The
best part is that we don’t seem like robots, because that’s one of the things
that I worry about a whole lot. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTboZbQXUgpAJARM4EahaZrqb1RI09ax24j7vlvQl5DExJwz5lObblOFbJOyKMyOtNDVcjtR_oL-GqWRQKVMnCeoXwhyphenhyphen6ADsmZ4e8FKG9wL2sHG5Hq1NnAIff0lnCrrYZASTS8E4ns8LA/s1600/3915+.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTboZbQXUgpAJARM4EahaZrqb1RI09ax24j7vlvQl5DExJwz5lObblOFbJOyKMyOtNDVcjtR_oL-GqWRQKVMnCeoXwhyphenhyphen6ADsmZ4e8FKG9wL2sHG5Hq1NnAIff0lnCrrYZASTS8E4ns8LA/s1600/3915+.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elders!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We travel a lot here too. This area is super far from all
the other areas in our zone. Our zone is basically the city of Ceilandia (which
is the biggest city in DF) and our city that’s about an hour away. So for all
our meetings and interviews, we travel for a long time.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I got super sick for the first time on my mission. I am
still recovering with a small cough. I don’t even know what I had, but its
passing and I am able to work normal again! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We found a super sweet couple that we are super excited
about. They are so ready for the gospel! The only thing is that they need to
get married and the process here in Brazil takes forever! Almost more than a
month! But, good thing comes to those who wait!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I love the work and I love my Savior! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Until next week,</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Clark<o:p></o:p></div>
Samuel's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292420955784961244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603918633751871053.post-46663616194574082702015-03-22T21:33:00.003-07:002015-03-22T21:33:25.922-07:00History Made.<br /><div class="MsoNormal">
March 2, 2015<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzkIGqBNkKF5JACcJ5WSg-OBbZ_HMTc3j1eR1oJsFaC669_wRwnp1geekPW3MdP9LMUt5WLPzQo_YxFCezoezLKV0BDSGlrRJLIMH6jJNvnYt03yvIHHsc6CJ8tcCq0yYj4Ium7nrZrxA/s1600/3215+Elder+Clark.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzkIGqBNkKF5JACcJ5WSg-OBbZ_HMTc3j1eR1oJsFaC669_wRwnp1geekPW3MdP9LMUt5WLPzQo_YxFCezoezLKV0BDSGlrRJLIMH6jJNvnYt03yvIHHsc6CJ8tcCq0yYj4Ium7nrZrxA/s1600/3215+Elder+Clark.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elder Clark</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Brazlandia is completely different from Planaltina.. We
taught almost 30 lessons this week and that was with knowing nothing about the
area, because my companions and I arrived here at the same time. But the people
here are very receptive and always open their doors for us.. They may not be
super interested in the church but at least we are giving them a chance and we
are teaching!!! It’s amazing and a complete 180 for me. haha The work is still
hard but it is so much better when people actually listen to you. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We have some investigators that are so good! I hope that we
will have a wedding and baptisms of families in the weeks to come. My companion
is a great teacher. He was baptized 3 years ago and has about a year on the
mission. He has a great testimony and we have already had great experiences in
our first week together. I hope that we can continue with what we have started!
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk5I4pbNtP3p1tBw7Q3u6repHgbyoSVuF09APneYsdE3nk-9bvrd019D6ja_Dl-oXFMZCIw_3BvKuRgjJICsD16XzFvnsPfSeXr1jc38kCt5RsyXnr5Gq60XLO0K0IDSyo25NANovhFe0/s1600/3215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk5I4pbNtP3p1tBw7Q3u6repHgbyoSVuF09APneYsdE3nk-9bvrd019D6ja_Dl-oXFMZCIw_3BvKuRgjJICsD16XzFvnsPfSeXr1jc38kCt5RsyXnr5Gq60XLO0K0IDSyo25NANovhFe0/s1600/3215.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">History</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had the great opportunity of witnessing history of the
church this week. There is a city that is about an hour from here that
literally is in the middle of nowhere called Sao Bernardo. This city has never
had missionaries but has 2 families that live there that are members. They started
a group there 2 weeks ago and this week we went there to help the group of
members and do a baptism. An elderly man there was baptized in a river close to
the city. Why is this cool? Well, first it’s a baptism (!) and second, it’s the
first baptism of that city in the history of the church! The church is growing
and history is being made!! It was such a tender thing to witness and after
talking with the members, they are SO excited and have said that they already
know families that are interested in the church. President is planning on
putting missionaries there in about 3 weeks. When they get there I know that
the work will explode!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Life is good and I am loving my new home, it’s a little city
but the people here have big hearts. Sorry but I don’t have much time to write!
I love you all and I’m sending my prayers your way!<o:p></o:p></div>
Samuel's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292420955784961244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603918633751871053.post-57061617071827845592015-03-22T21:17:00.003-07:002015-03-22T21:17:50.347-07:00Goodbye to a Good Friend. <div class="MsoNormal">
February 23, 2015<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI3oiwq4kXjY66AtUfPVhrCOocOwfDQvE1PfhiNNJ5CVNnI2EPlLoa0ra_1uaarz8wiCFFZHiaVaSn6VnKnDJve5LHzzXrF6lLuf4gHNvzjYLsdqcICARrqra24wvTkmQ0hfbeCUa9NRU/s1600/22315+Elders.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI3oiwq4kXjY66AtUfPVhrCOocOwfDQvE1PfhiNNJ5CVNnI2EPlLoa0ra_1uaarz8wiCFFZHiaVaSn6VnKnDJve5LHzzXrF6lLuf4gHNvzjYLsdqcICARrqra24wvTkmQ0hfbeCUa9NRU/s1600/22315+Elders.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week was CRAZY! I traveled a whole lot and we had a
baptism!! Thursday we had a zone meeting that left everyone really excited. The
Sunday before we had a meeting with the District president who is new and ready
to work! We had a meeting with our zone on how we can help this district grow
into a stake! To get to that point the missionaries have to work, and I mean
work. But our meeting with the missionaries went really well and everyone was
ready and eager to get started! We hope that in 2 years, we will hear of the
Formosa Stake! We had the meeting in another city that is in Goias, another
state, because there is the center of everything! The only Problem is that is
more than an hour away and the buses there aren’t very reliable! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnlnEH9UCrFpqoHVQLOHHMh-gyzPur2gJm1qMuPKJgFSnKRjaGexf4rxHF25mveco7XLZNZFdrmFFq36ma6q2vHx8bETX4FNY8Wwqq23g7fPMmCD05exfgsNTsymKHqrpldHxKUyiqRHY/s1600/223+Travel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnlnEH9UCrFpqoHVQLOHHMh-gyzPur2gJm1qMuPKJgFSnKRjaGexf4rxHF25mveco7XLZNZFdrmFFq36ma6q2vHx8bETX4FNY8Wwqq23g7fPMmCD05exfgsNTsymKHqrpldHxKUyiqRHY/s1600/223+Travel.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Remember a city called Cabeceiras? The next day, Friday we
had to head over there to do some interviews and boy was that a long day. We
spent about 10 hours traveling and 2 hours in the city, but it is amazing
there. All the members are super excited. Because before it was just a “Group”
of members, but 2 weeks ago they turned into a Branch, an actual organization! (A
Branch is a small congregation) Everyone there is super excited and they are
working really hard and growing! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As for our area, we worked and worked and this week it
really paid off! We have been working with a family that was less active but
now they are getting ready to go seal in the temple for forever! I met them my
first week in Planaltina and they have become great friends. We had a visit
with them the other day and it was very spiritual. They told us of how they
felt lost and alone, but now they are participating in all the activities of
the church and that hole they had in their life is being filled again. I love
this gospel and the opportunities we have to help people every day, missionaries
or members! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJTFIjqXU9_ChavrnzQkWNv3gTwZEkY_j32QyPPvI5T99W3iz40h5NVqIQaSZw4XKQ00icNvMI5Uj1BP3lerm0LW3g597-WA4mbSgP4OJIMF-_Kkquenhk8ts4xQGESCTAfosSAMpinN0/s1600/223+Baptism.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJTFIjqXU9_ChavrnzQkWNv3gTwZEkY_j32QyPPvI5T99W3iz40h5NVqIQaSZw4XKQ00icNvMI5Uj1BP3lerm0LW3g597-WA4mbSgP4OJIMF-_Kkquenhk8ts4xQGESCTAfosSAMpinN0/s1600/223+Baptism.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baptism</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We had the baptism of Adrielly this Sunday and boy was it a
challenge! She lives with her Aunt and Uncle and we assumed that they have
legal custody of her... but we were wrong. Her dad, who lives far away from Planaltina
is her legal guardian. We didn't find this out until 7 o clock Saturday
night...... and of course lots of things happened to make it almost impossible
to have her baptism the next day. but long story short... we got a hold of him,
explained who we are and why we need his permission... with the help of a
member we traveled an hour to find him at his work... which he is a security
guard at the central bank. We couldn't find him when we got there so we started
wandering around this huge building. That didn't go well with the other guards.
Finally we found him, got his signature and the next day had a wonderful
baptismal service. Adrielly is so strong and has a real special spirit about
her. She is already planning on going to the temple and loves learning more
about the gospel. She is already friends with almost everyone at church and she
is going to help the missionaries help her family learn more about the
church. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Planaltina was a HARD area, one that beat me down, twisted
me around and kicked me a few times, but I loved it there. I loved working
there and the people there and even the wild dogs. I am super sad to say that I
have left Planaltina and I am now serving as the zone leader of the Ceilandia
zona. I am in a city called Brazlandia with a new companion, Elder Dobner. I am
very excited to be here and to continue my work, but I will miss Planaltina
dearly and will pray that the missionaries there continue to work and take care
of my good friend Planaltina.<o:p></o:p></div>
Samuel's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292420955784961244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603918633751871053.post-28478886303899081972015-03-02T09:55:00.000-08:002015-03-02T09:55:02.662-08:00This… is… Carnival?<div class="MsoNormal">
February 16, 2015<o:p></o:p><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdOi0LBJUyUTHjG3k5RxP9yVdh7VuD7kKkCsyLS-n7elBKk8tcvtvMF4nVCs-iLpbjuaGBH5iVbDLW8_yNcRoF8AexlrReBEf-DsOrN-8GBKYsKG1ravrWlQFZY81LjRqE1SlR6GG4Gp4/s1600/DSCN6455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdOi0LBJUyUTHjG3k5RxP9yVdh7VuD7kKkCsyLS-n7elBKk8tcvtvMF4nVCs-iLpbjuaGBH5iVbDLW8_yNcRoF8AexlrReBEf-DsOrN-8GBKYsKG1ravrWlQFZY81LjRqE1SlR6GG4Gp4/s1600/DSCN6455.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Carnival!</td></tr>
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So Carnival has begun here in Brazil.... but no need to
worry, here in Brasilia, nothing is happening. It seems like everyone travels
or just stays indoors.... haha the roads are completely empty and nobody is
home! We have seen a couple of reports this weekend about the parties that are
happening all over Brazil. But here everything is just closed so it is more of
a pain for us missionaries! But, today there will be a day long party at the
church so we are excited to pass our p-day partying with the members of the
branch!<o:p></o:p></div>
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This week was super hard, we didn't have a lot of success
and we worked way hard. We are excited for some of the families that we have
found but we are tired to death! Last week was probably one of the most tiring
weeks of my mission. Each morning 6:30 came way, way, way too fast. You know
you are tired when you are walking on the road, and closing your eyes because
they are just so heavy and thinking maybe if you walk with them closed, I can
get like 3 seconds more sleep..... This week was hard. BUT we are excited for
the work! We should have a baptism this week. Adrielly is progressing a lot and
it looks golden for her baptism. We also have many others that will be baptized
in the next couple of weeks. We should be having a lot of baptismal services!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicnesU2F5ptCls74m3RQfb1HBDQA93OzIHkWODJW2_kcnbugnRMSH2oiA9z22osXQDwtlCfYP9UlZ-1lQYfk9KLxV22c7xIFg8hdLE_rAvtYmIUkTnviw7WfXAfjM6xsc8Tpi_j8TZ0TY/s1600/DSCN6453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicnesU2F5ptCls74m3RQfb1HBDQA93OzIHkWODJW2_kcnbugnRMSH2oiA9z22osXQDwtlCfYP9UlZ-1lQYfk9KLxV22c7xIFg8hdLE_rAvtYmIUkTnviw7WfXAfjM6xsc8Tpi_j8TZ0TY/s1600/DSCN6453.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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I really do love it
here in Planaltina, Time is passing by so fast and there is so much I want to do
here still! I hope I get one more transfer here! Transfers are next week and we
have no clue what could happen! We are excited for not only Planaltina but our
whole zone! Yesterday an area that was just a “group” of members turned into a
Branch (small congregation) yesterday! The work is progressing and growing!! I
love the work and I love being a missionary!<o:p></o:p></div>
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We have one investigator that is amazing! He has a great
knowledge of the Bible and of Christ, he is very accepting to our message! It
has been a long time since we started working with him but It is incredible to
see the difference in him, this week we were pretty straight forward with him
and he is pressing a lot. He told us that Joseph (Smith) was a prophet, or he
was absolutely crazy. It has been really hard for him because he has spent his
life studying and believing one thing and now these 2 young men are telling him
that some of the things he believed with such conviction aren't really the way
that he imagined or believed. Working with him has helped me a whole lot to because
of his questions. They always leave us stumped, but we always study and return
to him with an answer and it is always great to see his face pondering and
accepting our answer! That is why I love missionary work and this gospel.
Everything has an answer and everything just makes sense. I know the gospel is
true because it makes sense. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I love my Savior and my Father in Heaven. Thanks for all
your love and prayers! I feel them every day!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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-Elder Samuel Clark<o:p></o:p></div>
Samuel's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292420955784961244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603918633751871053.post-8516936469740303062015-02-11T11:37:00.000-08:002015-02-11T11:37:11.112-08:00And The Rains Came Down<div class="MsoNormal">
Feb 9, 2015<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rain!</td></tr>
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I can’t believe I am already writing another email. Time is
passing unbelievably fast now and there is no way to stop it. I can’t believe
we only have 2 more weeks in this transfer and it’s already February! This week
the weather was completely opposite than it has been. Today people are walking
around in sweaters and umbrellas because the last couple of days it has been
raining like crazy and we just end up with soaked feet! haha They look like
little white raisins at the end of each day! <o:p></o:p></div>
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We haven't been having a lot of success here with people to
teach and so we decided to just go all out and knock doors until our hands fall
off. It was amazing how fast knocking doors got old. NOBODY wanted to talk to
us. It’s crazy, no one here likes to say no, so they always have another
excuse, or they give you their information but the next time you pass by the
hide! It was getting terribly frustrating, but the Lord is sweet. During my
nightly prayers, I ask God if he would lead us to at least 1 person that would
receive us and let us enter their home, just one! That's all I needed. The next
day we started knocking doors.... and it was even worse than before! People
were being rude and rejecting us left and right. We finally decided to pass by
our investigator Adrielle, who I talked about last week, AND who will be
baptized in 2 weeks! As we were going to
her house we passed by another house that I just decided to knock on, I don't
know why, I just went to this house without hesitating. A woman opened the door for us and was very
kind and talkative. She was very interested in whom we were and she invited us
to come in!! It was a direct answer to my prayer! The Lord led us to a
beautiful family of a husband and wife with their 3 children! They love the
idea of eternal families and are very receptive to us!<br />
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The Lord is so kind, and we have found many more people to
teach after that moment. We just have to have the faith and work under the
Lords time, not our own. We are having more and more success here in
Planaltina. Take a guess at how many people we had yesterday at church. <b>105!!</b>!
We were totally worried that no one would come because it was cold and rainy
and lots of people walk or take the bus. But they came! It was a great meeting
block and we heard many powerful testimonies about the temple, because, last
week they took a trip to São Paulo to the temple!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Oh, and for the last couple of weeks I have been playing the
piano every Sunday...I still get way nervous but once again the Lords hand is
in all things and I am able to play better and better each week! I love the Lord
and I love his work! I just need to find a way to slow down the time. I love
you all! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Elder Clark<o:p></o:p></div>
Samuel's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292420955784961244noreply@blogger.com0