Well this is my last P-day in the MTC. Thank goodness. I’ve had a good time here, but I just want to get out from behind these walls and out of the big, smelly, polluted city that is Sao Paulo.
It is kind of cool being the oldest missionaries here in the MTC. The newbies ask us a lot of questions, and it’s nice being able to answer them. But at the same time, in less than a week, I will be the greenest of green beans. Oh well, that’s where the Lord comes in, I guess.
Elder Chidester and I went proselyting on Monday. They just threw us out into the streets of Brazil, gave us four copies of the Book of Mormon and said, “Good luck. See you in three hours.” My companion and I fasted and prayed for the assistance we would need to communicate with the locals. For the first hour we didn’t get anywhere; most of the people would say something about a Bible and then dismiss us. But then at the beginning of our second hour, we were able to place two in a row. And the second guy actually seemed interested in our church. After that, for the next hour or so, we tried, uneventfully to place the other two.
When we were down to 30 minutes left until we had to return to the MTC, we walked by a bus stop. We hadn’t had any success at the three bus stops we had already been too, so we decided to just walk by. But as we stepped past a woman sitting on the ground, I felt an impression to turn and talk to her. I’ve been trying my best to follow all promptings, so I immediately stopped walking and then introduced myself and my companion to her. We talked for a few minutes, and I told her that we had a book about Jesus (that usually works better than saying, “Hi, we are Mormons”). I explained to her what the Book of Mormon was and asked her if she would like to read it. She said sure and then accepted the Book of Mormon. We bid farewell to her and went on our way. I don’t know what will happen with that contact, but I do know that because I was fasting, I was more receptive to the Spirit and, if anything, we were able to plant a seed in the woman’s heart.
Overall, between the two of us, Elder Chidester and I were able to understand enough Portuguese to have meaningful conversations with people, some which would last for 10 or 15 minutes. I don’t know how we did it; it must have been the Lord helping us out. It was an awesome experience, though, and makes me look forward to getting into the field.
It sounds like things are moving right along at home. I’m happy to see Sam is learning about my favorite classical thinker. John Locke heavily influenced the writing of the Constitution, and his writings on the state of nature are unparalleled. I’m hoping Sam gets into government, as I have.
Tell the kids I miss all of them and it’s going to be weird not being home for Christmas for the first time in 20 years. But I will be able to call you Christmas Day. If I can plan it, I will try to call around 10 o’clock your time (we are five hours ahead here). Email me Michelle’s, Mom’s and Emily’s phone numbers just in case there is a problem with the landline.
Thanks for all of the treats; they have been nice. And I know that if we do end up sending letters, it will be much much, much faster doing it through Missionties.
The picture that Mom sent me isn’t bad. Of course, I look amazing. Ha ha.
In the past, as both of you know (Mom and Dad), I have often failed to fully enjoy a holiday because I dread its ending. But one thing I’ve noticed about being on a mission is that the holidays don’t really mean what they used to, especially here in the MTC. The day of my birthday and Thanksgiving Day, I didn’t even remember what day it was because for us it is just another day of missionary work. Christmas will be different because I will be in the field, but I hope that I am able to have a spirit that allows me to enjoy the day but to remember that I am here to serve the One whose day we are celebrating.
Well, I’m just about out of time. I love you all and I look forward to emailing and talking to you when I’m in the field.
Also, I will be sending a letter to Mom and Dad for you two to read together tonight.
Tell the others that I frankly didn’t have time to email them this week; the teacher is stingy again. I’ll have more time to do so in the field next week.
Love,
Elder Morris
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