A World Of Yellow And Green!

June 9, 2014

Things are getting pretty exciting here for the World Cup. All over the cities people have been painting their houses, the streets, the curbs the colors of Brazil and Hanging flags and things around too! It’s been really cool to see and everyone is pumped! As missionaries, we have been given permission to watch all of the Brazil games, but just that. And we have to watch at a member’s house, and after we have to go straight back home and stay there for the day. It’s going to be one giant party! The first game will be this week and I will report how it goes!

As for missionary work! It’s going well. The highlight is Claudio. I wrote about him last time, but we had family night with him and his family Tuesday. My companion and I planned really hard for the message and everything so that it would be just right for him. We ended our message with singing a hymn to the family. Afterwards we invited him to be baptized. The spirit was so strong, Claudio said, ´´Let’s do it!´´ Ahhh, it was so great! After, he said the closing prayer, first time for him in public ever. It was so great and sincere and I am so pumped for him. He will be baptized this Sunday by his son! We stopped by his house the next day, and the first thing he asked was ´´When will we start preparing for my baptism´´.... Umm, today Claudio! He is awesome and I am so excited for him and his family.

Wet Elder

I sure do miss cars...  one day a huge rain storm from nowhere hit us as we were walking and we got real wet... We had to work in wet clothes for the rest of the day.  Next week is transfers and I will probably get a new companion because Elder Queiroz has been here forever.

I love you all and thank you for your prayers!

-Elder Clark

Elder Neil L. Anderson's Visit
(Elder Clark is standing on the left front)

Here is a link to an article about Elder Anderson's visit to Brazil: 

Temos um Apostolo aqui!

May 26, 2014

First off, today I ate the heart of a chicken! It actually was really good! A bit chewy, but tasted real good!

On Our Way to See Elder Anderson

Brazil is great, the highlight of this week was the visit of Elder Andersen! We had a meeting with him on Saturday as missionaries, and then on Sunday we got to hear from him again with our stake! That was a neat opportunity because only our zone, about 20 missionaries, got to hear him twice! He was great! He speaks Portuguese but whenever he got really serious or excited about something he would talk in English and have the translator translate. It was great, I came into the meeting with a ton of questions and ALL of them were answered! I also really prayed that he would share with the members during conference things they needed to know and he did! It feels like he was specifically here to answer my prayers. What an amazing experience, I tried to get a picture with him but he was way busy....BUT I have shaken his hand three times now!

For more information about Elder Neil L. Anderson follow this link:  

https://www.lds.org/prophets-and-apostles/what-are-prophets/bio/neil-l-andersen?lang=eng

Elder Anderson

One thing he talked about is something that I have seen my whole mission here and in America that is SO important. So many missionaries baptize people before they are ready to make that covenant. Not that the missionary did it on purpose but it is something we have to be so careful about as missionaries. This work is real; the people we are working with are real.  I am writing this to try and help other missionaries or future missionaries. Sometimes the covenant of baptism is sometimes taken ´´lightly´´ as missionaries. We are here to baptize so that’s what we will do, ready or not. But we really have to help people prepare for baptism. I have seen too much on my mission, people who are not keeping their covenants because they were not ready, or they are keeping some but don’t understand the WHOLE picture. As missionaries it’s our full time job to prepare them. As a missionary don’t be afraid to continue to work with them either. Members aren’t counted in your weekly numbers but they are so important, and you will have such great experiences with them because they have already had that light with them before and they will desire to have it again. President Monson said if you have any doubt that they are ready, wait. There is no rush, this gospel; especially the atonement needs to be understood to be able to live it! That’s something that I have grown to be really passionate about. Baptism will come, just don’t force them, please!

We Made Pastels!

The work in Recanto Das Emas moving, we are just trying to find new people to teach, this week was really busy with a lot of different things happening. But, it was good. We walked a lot this week trying to find houses of people. Elder Queiroz  and I have many funny moments together which always makes the work fun! Thank you for all your prayers and love! Love you all! Elder Morochi says hello to every one too!

Much Love!

Elder Clark

Brazil!

May 19, 2014

Really good news! An investigator I was working really hard with in Ft Apache was baptized last Saturday! Hurrah to Andrew!!

Anyways, here in Brazil, life is good. We spent a lot of time this week finding new people to teach and we found some success. We found a big family who live all over the city and they are neat. We hope to work more with them! We are also starting to work with Paloma’s family! They are awesome and all seem so prepared. They love the change they have seen in Paloma and are very interested! We also found this wonderful family. They are wonderful not just because they feed us the best food every time we go over but because they are unbelievably sweet and kind. The parents are not too interested in the church but their two teenage children have shown real interest. Marta and Mateus. Marta is 19 years and Mateus is 16. They are so smart, a lot smarter than me. Marta is almost done with her 3rd year of college and is planning on going to study in England. She learned English from Americans when she was 5, and still speaks well! They are awesome!

We have a baptism too, set up for this Saturday! His name is Manuel and he has been looking into the church for about 4 months. Sunday was really neat. He lives about 20 minutes (walking) from the church. He has really messed up legs, so walking is hard for him. This weekend he didn’t have his car so he walked the whole way, even though he was 30 minutes late to church!

The language is coming. I have had some real blessings, I was able to explain the Atonement to Manuel and he understood EVERYTHING! He told us he had never looked at it that way. Another blessing was that yesterday we had family home evening with a family and friends. I was super nervous cause we had the lesson and were not very prepared and there were a bunch of people that came. I had no clue what I would say... but, we taught about eternal families. When I spoke, I was able to say everything that I wanted (which was a lot) and to me it felt perfect! I sure I made a lot of mistakes, but again, everyone understood! One man said he thought I have been here for at least 6 months. What a blessing! The Lord gives us sweet tender mercies every day! Life can be frustrating but I know through the Lord, it is SO much easier and sweeter.

I had McDonalds today! That was very delicious! Sorry, I don’t have any pictures, I am in a different city today and I left my camera at home.

Every day, while walking the streets, I practice my soccer with rocks. I kick them around until I find a gutter hole in the street and I kick it, trying to make a goal. I do have to say my soccer skills are improving. We played this morning and I scored! That’s a big deal because the Brazilians and Latino missionaries are very, very good...

Life is hot and dry, but great down here in Brazil! I can’t wait for the world cup and for Elder Anderson’s visit! But, not in that order... of course, I am much more excited for Elder Anderson!!

Elder Neil L. Andersen:an Apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 

 https://www.lds.org/church/leader/neil-l-andersen

Miss and love you all!

Elder Clark!

Arizona is Great!

We were able to talk to Sam as he traveled to Scottsdale. He sounded good. He was excited to leave the MTC.  He found it odd to be with regular people again.  This is not surprising after he has spent 6+ weeks with only missionaries. 

Elder Clark, Safe and Sound in Arizona

September 9, 2013

Arizona is great! I finally got here!! I got assigned to two Elders so we are in a tripanionship in Scottsdale with Elder Anderson from  Utah and Elder Hawes from Kansas! Elder Anderson has terrible knees so he works in the mission office everyday so we are able to drop him off there and me and Elder Hawes are able to go proselyting! My area is the poorer area of Scottsdale but the people are amazing! They are all so humble, even the church building we meet in is super old and beat up. I love it here and I couldn't be happier! Man oh man there is so much to tell!

I will start with my flight! Holy Cow it was crazy. First off it was the emptiest flight I have ever been on, full size airplane, probably 25 people on it. The even crazier part was the Elder Neil L. Anderson was in the first class of the plane! Us missionaries figured we were pretty safe if an apostle was on the same flight. When we got off the plane in Phoenix, we were able to talk to him for about 5 minutes, which was super awesome. One thing that I never thought I would do is be distracted when an apostle is speaking to me face to face... but while we were talking to him, I see this HUGE woman walking behind him... who is the most famous and tallest woman you can think of? Ill give you a hint, she can dunk. Yes, I saw Brittany Griner in the airport and yes.. she is an absolute giant. I think her arms are taller than I am. That was so crazy...

Elder Neil L. Andersen:an Apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 

Anyways, I met my companions and we headed to our area, when we there got ready and prepared for a baptismal service. That’s right, I had a baptism my very first day in the field. That’s gotta be a record or something... no big deal. His name is Rick and he just an awesome, humble, old man. On our way out of our apartment on our way to the baptism, there was a very old, not so humble man outside who started to cuss us and Jesus out… we tried to talk to him but he was set on just hating on us. He said some pretty terrible things and was just grumpy. His name was Claus and I hope we don't see him again.

Rick's Baptism
Elder Haws, Elder Clark, Richard, Brother Super and Elder Anderson

We are teaching ALOT of people, but there is one man that really sticks out. It is kind of an odd situation because he was a member all his life, he turned away from the church in high school, joined the military. Then witnessed a ton of terrible things and actually forgot most of his childhood because of Post Traumatic Stress. He is covered in army tattoos but is a really good guy. He really is striving to learn more although he doesn't understand the scriptures very well. Oh yeah, he lives in a Psych ward and so we have to teach him in the visitors area of it. That is pretty interesting but he is doing really well and is hoping to be released this week.

                So far it has rained more then it has been sunny here, It hasn't been too hot yet either! What a blessing that was for Sunday when we have to wear our suits!

                That’s really the main points I wanted to share, I am beyond excited to work in the area! Teaching and talking to people in English is so wonderful. I hope I get to stay here for a bit. My Portuguese might take a hit but it is totally worth it. I love this gospel and I love the happiness it brings me. I have been so happy just to be out here! It is wonderful! I love you all and hope everything is going well back home! Keep me updating with everything!

                oh yeah,,, I guess this is important....address to send me letters and fun things!

Scottsdale Mission Home

6265 North 82nd Street

Scottsdale, Arizona 85250-5608

The Picture is of the baptism! From left to right, Elder Hawes, ME!, Richard(Baptizee), Brother Super(Baptizer) and Elder Anderson

Amo voces!

 Elder Clark

Final Week

Wow, what a week it has been. So I got my reassignment on Thursday night to Scottsdale, Arizona and I was supposed to leave the MTC yesterday morning. Some complications came up and I wasn't able to go yesterday and then the servers were down AS WELL as it being a holiday all day yesterday. So with all that lack of communication, I have been stuck in limbo, not knowing my fate. It was crazy watching everyone in my district leave to their various destinations. When I find out I will send an update ASAP, meanwhile, pray for me to be able to get out to the field!

Happy Elder Clark and his New Assignment

So the reassignment was definitely a highlight of this week, but just as great was our Tuesday night devotional with Elder Neil L. Anderson! He spoke to us about pushing through trials and how The Lord gives each of us specific trials so that we can grow and learn. It was so awesome. Once again it was broadcast to MTC's all around the world and it was the largest gathering of missionaries to meet and watch a devotional in church history. I love being a part of history, it is an amazing feeling knowing that The Lord is hastening his work and I am one of his soldiers! After the devotional, we had to stay for about 15 extra minutes because it was storming outside. Finally they told us the lighting had stopped and we could make our way back to the campus.... what they didn't tell us is that it was still pouring rain. As we ran back to campus, we became soaked from top to bottom. My suit smelled and was just drenched. It was so much fun though and it was just one of many experiences like that I expect to have in the next two years. 

 

Soaked Missionaries

For sacrament meeting on Sunday, my district sang "A Child's Prayer" in Portuguese for our departure musical number. I think I like the words in Portuguese better than the words in English. Sunday night was the last night my district was all together. We decided to give departure blessings Sunday night to everyone. The spirit was so strong as each missionary got a blessing, and it was amazing how different and personal each blessing was. The Lord truly puts words in the mouths of men giving blessings. I can only remember a few things I said in the blessings that I gave. Another Elder told me that a couple phrases are word for word exactly what he wanted to say if he was giving the blessing. After we finished the blessings, we all sang “The Spirit of God” together. It sounded so beautiful. The spirit was just overflowing from our room. What an incredible night. I love this gospel.

http://www.lds.org/music/library/childrens-songbook/a-childs-prayer?lang=eng

A Childs Prayer

Words and music by Janice Kapp Perry

1. Heavenly Father, are you really there?

And do you hear and answer ev'ry child's prayer?

Some say that heaven is far away,

But I feel it close around me as I pray.

Heavenly Father, I remember now

Something that Jesus told disciples long ago:

"Suffer the children to come to me."

Father, in prayer I'm coming now to thee.

2. Pray, he is there;

Speak, he is list'ning.

You are his child;

His love now surrounds you.

He hears your prayer;

He loves the children.

Of such is the kingdom, the kingdom of heav'n.

A Childs Prayer

Words and Music By Janice Kapp Perry

(In Portuguese)

1. Meu Pai Celeste, estás mesmo aí?

Ouves e atendes da criança a oração?

Alguém me disse que é longe o céu

Mas sinto-Te perto quando oro a Ti.

Meu Pai Celeste, relembrando estou

O que Jesus a Seus discípulos falou:

"Os pequeninos deixai vir a mim."

Pai, nesta prece eu me achego a Ti.

2. Sim, perto está.

Sim, Ele te ouve.

Pois é teu Pai e muito te ama.

Com terno amor, ama as crianças,

Pois delas é o reino, o reino do céu.

I saw Sister Moyes on Thursday too! During our 10 HOUR field orientation for departing missionaries! She is great and will make a great missionary! (She is Elder Clark's brother-in-law's sister)

Not much more has happened, just wrapped things up and now waiting to get out to the field to work! They did close the pillow room up and put up a sign saying "No Missionaries Pass This Point" which was a major bummer, but we did get our fun out of it so it was ok. 

Sorry it was so short this week mas Todo Bien! 

Amo Voces!  

Elder Clark