History Made.

March 2, 2015

Elder Clark

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.

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!

History

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!

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!

Goodbye to a Good Friend.

 February 23, 2015

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!

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!

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!

Baptism

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. 

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.

Planaltina - Part 2

January 12, 2015

Elders

So today were transfers and I had to say goodbye to my good friend Elder Goodsell. He was transferred to a land far away. I loved this transfer and it was probably one of the fastest of my mission. The work was hard but it was so much fun too! Elder Goodsell is a GREAT missionary and will change lives here in Brazil! I am so grateful for the time I had with him but I am also grateful for a new adventure with Elder Semmler, my new companion. He is from Rio Grande do Sul. The same state of Brazil as Elder Xavier! He is a good missionary. This is his 4th transfer and we were in the same zone in Taguatinga when He arrived on the mission. I am excited to work with him and help Planaltina grow! Elder Laurintino stayed here with me but Elder Josephson left and Elder Shipley from New Mexico is his new companion.

Baptism!

This week was HOT! That made it hard to stay outside. So we tried hard to enter into houses but it was hard to get in. So, every night we were dead when we got home because the sun here just sucks out your energy. But, we had a great miracle happen this week. Andre was baptized! He is a great guy. He has been investigating the church for over a year but didn’t want to commit to baptism because he didn’t want to be baptized just for his girlfriend (who is member). We have been good friends with him but never pressured baptism on him because he doesn’t like when the missionaries do that. Last week we had a family night with him and his girlfriend’s family and we left a spiritual message with them. He told us after that he just felt good and that the church was the truth, and a few nights after he decided to say a prayer. He told us this time he REALLY wanted to know and that after his prayer he got his answer immediately! He is a great guy and he just understands the gospel and its principles and everything. During his baptism I just got the best feeling that this man will become great and that his life will never be the same. I think I have learned more from Andre than he learned from me!

This week was a little strange on the missionary sports side. We found out that there is a park where every Saturday a lot of people get together and play basketball, and they play so well! Many of them play for professional teams here in Brazil. The three Americans played a couple of games. We only won once! It was kind of embarrassing losing to Brazil in a sport that America dominates! But, here is the funny thing... We lost in basketball, 3 on 3. But, a couple of days later we played soccer, 3 on 3, and we won... yes, we won 10 to 9! How? I don’t know, but maybe we are turning more Brazilian than American now... lose in basketball but win in soccer..... Go figure!

The branch is going well, we didn’t reach are goal of 100 this transfer but we did get 82!  That’s not too bad! It will only continue to grow!

I love this work and I love the Lord. There is no place I would rather be!

Love you all!

Elder Clark

To Worlds Unknown

December 1, 2014

Baptism!

 This week was great! Ana Carolina was baptized! She is so strong and such an example to me! It was a really sweet baptismal service, with lots of support from the youth. We had a lot of help from the youth, helping her to activities and going to the lessons with us. It was a perfect way to finish the transfer. I had the privilege to confirm her a member on Sunday. She choose one of the young men who is preparing to go on a mission to baptize her, and I don’t know who got more excited, him or her. During the baptism service, she was all smiles, her mom was all tears and Moroni (the young man) was all nerves. It was great and he did a great job.

The pattern of weather this week was the same every single day. Super hot and humid in the morning and then the afternoon it would get real cloudy and cool off and in the evening it just rained and rained. We came home almost every night soaking wet. But, I would choose to work in the rain any day over the heat.

Santo Antonio with Elder Anderson

I went to Santo Antonio again! I spent the day with Elder Anderson! It was great. Elder Anderson is a great missionary, he only has 3 months on the mission but he isn't afraid to talk to anybody. He talks to anything! haha He is great and I learned so much from him. Its crazy because there everyone is catholic, and they attend this church that is across the street from their house.

So the exciting news.... I am no longer in the Zone Taguatinga! In case you didn’t know, I have about 8 months here in Brazil... and I have been in the same zone since I got here. I love Taguatinga, but I was ready to see more of Brazil! I was transferred today. I am now sending you an email from Planaltina, DF! I am still serving as a zone leader, and my new companion is Elder Goodsell from American Fork, Utah. He has 3 months on the mission and he is great. My other ``companion`` who is in another companionship but is the other zone leader, is called Elder Laurentino, and his companion is Elder Josephson from Lehi. Utah. We all live in an apartment together. I am so pumped because I love living with more missionaries! I am super excited to be here. There is a lot of work to do with less actives and I love to work with them! I am excited for this transfer, and not just because it will be Christmas soon!!!

I am sad to leave Recanto Das Emas. But, I am so grateful for my time there!! I love you all and I love the mission but most of all I love my Savior!

Elder Clark

Tan Lines and Blonde Hair

August 11, 2014

This week has been unbelievable hot and dry, the sun has been 10 times stronger this week. My hair is turning more blonde every single day and I now officially have the missionary tan lines. I have a line in the middle of the neck were my collar is and my arms are… we will just say farmer tanned! The hardest thing to do now is to work right after lunch. We finish lunch at about 1ish and with stomachs full we walk and try to talk to people in the blazing heat.

Baptism!

This week was good and we had some little miracles. Our mission president is really emphasizing talking to EVERYONE so we spent a lot of time talking with people on the street. It was crazy that as soon as we started talking to everyone, everyone started talking to us. Lots of people have stopped us, asking if I am American, and if I can help them with English, and others have yelled for us from across the street. It’s been fun too because you never know who you will meet. We met one lady who has quickly become one of my favorites. She is not mentally all there but she is so great and sweet. She is a member but the rest of her family isn’t. She is so smart and knows American history better than I do. Her name is Creoza and she has quickly become a good friend of ours!

Fernanda was baptized too! Her friends are investigating the church too and when she heard about that, she started to look around on LDS.org, she became curious and tagged along to church with her friends. She stayed for the baptism of Cristina after church and loved it. She gained a testimony of the church, and was baptized! It all happened super-fast but she was ready! She is 24 years but wants to serve a mission. She is already visiting people with the Sister missionaries.

Super Elder

The Lord is kind, and every day he opens my ears and loosens my tongue a little more with Portuguese. The mission is a lot more fun and passes by a lot faster when you understand and can have conversations with people! Now people don’t laugh at me they laugh with me! ahah for the most part. I know this church is true and the power within it is the greatest thing ever. I love you all and until next time!

Elder Clark!

Wet Weather, A Wedding, A Baptism and Transfers

July 28, 2014

Elder Xavier and Elder Clark

I think this last past 6 weeks was the fastest of my mission... with the World Cup and being companions with Elder Xavier.  Elder Xavier and I became very good friends and the days passed by unbelievable fast because the work was just fun, still had its good share of hard and sad times but was fun. I am sad to say that Elder Xavier already has been transferred, we got transfer news last night and boy it wasn’t happy news. We were both pretty bummed and stayed up pretty late packing up his suitcases. I am still here in Recanto, with my new companion Elder Kodama from São Paulo. He was in our district when I first got here so it’s nice we already know each other. The mission is crazy. Every time I am comfortable, it finds a way to throw me back out of my comfort zone. But it is good. I am learning and growing a whole lot!

Wedding!

This week was a bit crazy. The weather for one, the week started out super hot, dry, and without a cloud in the sky, probably the hottest it has been since I got here, but the weekend was and still is FREEZING, wet. I have not seen the sun in days. It has been strange indeed because this area of Brazil doesn’t see rain usually until September.... but the tradition here is when it rains, you receive wife points, so I am not complaining! (A joke about how cute your wife will be!)

Baptism!

The most excited thing this week was the wedding of Kesley and Cristina, and the baptism of Cristina. Cristina has been coming to church since I got here. She is great and has changed so much. I think she is amazing. I wasn’t able to work with her a whole lot because she lives in the area of the Sister missionaries. She and her now husband finally got married on Friday and she was baptized this Sunday! I don’t think I have seen anyone happier! We will continue to work with her husband who has some other problems but he has a desire. That is the best part of missionary work. Watching people’s lives change for the better right in front of your eyes.

This next week will be a lot of showing Elder Kodama around, introducing him to the members and our investigators. I hope the weather continues to be like it is now because working in the cold is a whole lot easier then working in the heat. As for me, I am healthy, tired, and always learning. The mission is the best and worst experience of my life. haha but I would change it for the world. Love you all,

Elder Samuel Clark

AHH, I almost forgot about my hump day. HOW CRAZY! Time passes so quickly and I still have so much to do and learn! It’s crazy to think that in one year on this day, I’ll be home. ahhhhh

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

Church Is Fun!

Beautiful Ft. Apache

January 27, 2013

This was a great week, as it always is in Ft. Apache. The weather was beautiful as well! 60's all week, they say its unusual weather and we should be trodding in a lot of snow but hey, perfect missionary work weather! We had another great showing at church again! 3 weeks in a row with over 170 people there! I love seeing the progress! It’s crazy to think my first Sunday here there were about 60 people in the congregation! I love being able to see the fruits of our labors so quickly! All that most people needed was an invitation to come back and here they are!

I love teaching the young men, I learn so much when I do too, Sunday we talked about the priesthood and its sacred responsibilities and it was so fun to see the young men really understand the power and the responsibility they hold. It gave me a reminder of my responsibilities as a missionary and how important my role is but more importantly how important my role is as a priesthood holder.

Flour War

This Saturday was a pretty good one! In the morning we had a baptism for a 15 year old girl who was brought into the church by her member friends about 2 months ago and decided this gospel is something she needs in her life, although no one in her family are members. Right after her sweet baptism, we all changed, met the youth outside and hosted a Flour War. That was a lot of fun and the youth really seemed to enjoy it! They invited a lot of their friends. This was such a great way to let people know that church IS fun! I love being able to be so involved with all the activities the church does but I am even more excited for the branch's potential.

This Sunday we sustained some newly returned members to different callings because the amount of people attending is getting too much for just the called members we have, the primary (class for children) class  has tripled and the youth classroom is about ready to burst when we get all of them in there! How exciting it is to have more people than the building can really handle. PROGRESS!

We actually have an investigator! We found him at "The restaurant" (yes, that's its name cause it’s the only one here). We have taught him two lessons and he is set for baptism! He is so solid and has been super prepared! He read one of our pamphlets a while ago in the hospital. It was about the plan of salvation, so he already knew all of that. I can’t wait to see him progress and become a member of the church!

More Beautiful Ft. Apache

All the missionaries sang a Tongan hymn this Sunday in sacrament meeting and it was so spiritual. The chapel is usual pretty noisy with kids who aren't used to church. As we were singing and when we finished, it was pretty silent. Even though no one understood the words (including myself), the spirit was so strong! I love feeling the spirit and I love this gospel!

Elder Clark

Another Glorious Week in Arizona!

It has been so great, a little frustrating at times though. There is so much to do here and so many people. It is starting to become so busy that there is not enough time in the day to do everything that needs/should have to be done! The work is unbelievably successful here and some days we go from one person’s house, to another, to another, to another... all day. The best part about that is I have not tracked once. We get so many referrals and people who just call us asking for help or to learn. It’s so awesome and keeps us super busy

Since Elder Andersen has to stay in the mission office each day too, sometimes we get “stuck” doing some work for Sister Sweeney (The Mission President’s wife) and are now dubbed "APW's" or Assistants to the President’s Wife. It is fun... most of the time. We just finished making a healthy cookbook for the mission. It is really hard to find recipes for missionaries that are 1. Healthy 2. At least look good and 3. We can pay for with our little missionary monthly allowance. BUT WE DID IT!

Elders From Our Zone

 This morning we moved into a 3 bedroom and 2 bathroom apartment! The Spanish speaking missionaries moved in with us but the apartment is WAY to big for 5 of us. It is going to be so so so much fun. The 5 of us all get along really well and I can already see the fun we are going to have. We put all 5 of our beds in one room. It is going to be epic. Quick example on how goofy the mission gets: On Sunday we got ready for church and headed off. When we got there, we were waiting for the Bishop outside his office and one of the members pointed down to Elder Andersen’s feet and asked "Is that a fashion statement?" We all proceed to look at his feet.. turns out he had 2 totally different shoes on... like on was a slip on loafer type, brown and the other was a black, laced up shoe. How he didn't notice is still a mystery. We had just enough time to go back home so he could switch them out before church started. It was too funny!

Sweet Fashion Statement

 Despite the goofiness, the work is going great. We had a baptism on Saturday, a 12 year old boy. It was way awesome. He is Apache and his grandma bore her testimony in Apache and it was so strong. She hasn't attended church in a looooong time before we started to teach her grandson but now she comes every week as well as his whole family, his single mom (who had him when she was 16) and his three little siblings. They are a great family.

Baptism of Max

Saturday was probably the most frustrating day of my mission so far, It started with Friday night when a big trip to the temple visitors center was cancelled 10 minutes before we were to leave. Then we had 6 lessons set up and only 1 actually happened and it was not a very good one at that. But it ended well with the baptism and the food after. I have fallen in love with fry bread. It is my favorite thing we have eaten here by far. Not very healthy... at all, but it is delicious.

So cool connection I learned this week. We were eating dinner at the Bishops home and I mentioned about what Dad does for a living and long story short, Adam McBride is his brother in law! How cool is that?? The bishop’s name is Bishop Young. I don't know if he has told Brother McBride yet but definitely tell him!

So everything is going great here, the weather has been crazy.. last Monday in got to 125 degrees. That was pretty killer but it is starting to cool off. Today is about 90 and this morning was SO beautiful. It was 70 and felt just like VA in the fall, it made me miss home a little bit. I really do miss the trees and the fall back east though. Fall in the desert is just not the same.... at all.

Big shout out to Mrs. Sheahan for the awesome package of delicious cookies! I need Wills contact info! I have seen ASU's stadium while driving on the highway all the time and think of him! 

A shout out to Maggie Mitchell for her awesome package of goodies, including a pair of sunglasses that saved me a trip to Walmart to by a pair because the sun that Arizona has is definitely a better, brighter sun than back home. 

Thank you everyone for the support and love! I love you all!

Love, 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