Baptized Leandro

 

August 27, 2012

Oi tudo Bem!
Ok, today I’ve got to be a bit fast, because I was messing around with my photos and the memory cards. I think I got it all figured out, in my next letter, I’ll send a memory card to you guys, so that you can see all my pictures!! huraay!! However, I still haven´t taken that many pictures of Guaraituba. I´ll do that soon.
Things are going really great. This week we had a zone conference, so you should be seeing a picture of us soon. It was a different kind of picture, we were all standing in this stairwell, and the picture was taken from above. It should be cool, keep a look out! The conference itself was really good, we talked a lot about following the spirit when we teach, and also about obedience.
We had a baptism this Saturday!! His name is Leandro, and he´s the son of an investigator named Pedro that´s going to be baptized soon, too. It was way cool, this family is so special, they´ve made a lot of changes in their lives to follow Christ. They´re a great example!
The ward is really great here, they help out a ton!!! almost every night, we go out with the members to go on visits. They also are really good at integrating our investigators. I´m really happy with the ward here.
Ok, sorry for the extra short letter, but pictures will be coming shortly, so that will make up for it!

LOVE
ELDER TWITCHELL

Elder ?, Elder Harper, Elder Woodruff, Elder Twitchell
Sister Patton, Sister ?

Zone Conference
Avram is on the left side back against the wall

Italian Resturant

August 20, 2012

Boa Tarde,
Hey everyone, I´m doing fine. Today we had a bit of an adventure, our Zone Leaders and the Sisters wanted to go to this Panoramic Tower where you can see all of Curitiba, so we all went together this morning.  But, wouldn´t you know it, after an hour of traveling there on the Bus, we got there and we found out that it was CLOSED!  It´s closed on Mondays! looks like I’m never going there :)  But, the Zone Leaders called the assistants real quick for permission to go to some nice Italian restaurant, so we went there instead. It was pretty nice, and not really expensive. The restaurant didn´t really make any sense, though. It had a lot of Italian stuff, like pictures of Italian chefs and Italy, and it also had spaghetti and Pizza. But they also had some American stuff, like pictures of Obama, Martin Luther King, and the Actor from ´Gone with the Wind` (You know, that guy that says ´Frankly my dear, I don´t give a darn´) and, of course, the classic Brazilian Rice and Beans. It was pretty fun.
Elder Woodruff is doing well.  His name is Andrew Woodruff. We´ve been working a ton hear. Wow, things have been way busy, I went to Colombo to go on splits with Elder Sandoval there, and then I had to run to Rio Verde to do a baptismal Interview. But it was really neat; they had a baptism yesterday, a young man with 25 years named Admilson. They found him just talking to people on the street. And, two weeks later, he got baptized! Woowowow the Lord definitely has his people prepared in every place.
Congrats to Autumn for getting into Choir! Every moment, we´re getting closer and closer to our dream of forming a folk band! That´s funny that Autumn hasn´t gotten over her fear of spiders. There´s a daddy-long-legs that stays pretty much above my head. I already killed one of them, but I think his friend came over to take his place, and I decided to let him live. But yeah, I don´t think Autumn would like having a spider hang out over her head.
Yeah, that´s crazy that Richard is already going on a mission. I´ve almost been out for a Year YIKES! It´s going way to fast. These past six weeks seemed like they didn´t even happen to me. I do write some of my mission friends, I’ve sent off letters to Ben, Andrew, and Spencer. Do you have Mitch´s address? I´d like to write him too.
On the mission, we do get cell phones. However, we can only call other missionaries, our leaders, and receive calls. We don´t have credit for anyone else. Which is fine for me. I imagine that there are a lot of missionaries addicted to video games and stuff like that. It´s kind of sad. However, i don´t think that missionaries who had real problems with this would even get out to the field; they would leave before MTC ended. How sad!? I don´t want to play that much video games after the mission, I’m going to focus more on school, and other, more constructive hobbies, such as guitar.
Well, I’ve gotta go! ]
LOVE YOU
Elder Twitchell

Letter 08/13/12 Guaraitaba, Colombo -- Orelhao

 

 

As you can see we have everything!  Two bathrooms, a room to sleep, a room to eat, a room to study, a laundry room, and a great and spacious hall to….I’m not quite sure WHAT it’s for, but it’s big.  When I got here it was lacking many things, namely food, but now it’s a comfortable abode for missionaries. 

This area is quite a bit different from Bairro Novo.  There are a lot of hills, and the houses are a bit more spread out.  The roads here are about ¼ paved, ¾ dirt, so that’s kind of cool.  I feel more like I’m in a foreign country.  I also feel like the people here are quite a bit richer.  At least all of their houses seem bigger and nicer.

The ward is a huge help here.  Just so you know, in like January, President Cordon closed this area, because the ward wasn’t helping.  So he took away the missionaries.  But when the missionaries left, the ward kind of woke up, and started working.  Members like Cezar, Jefferson, Josman, e Ozair went on visits, and taught friends and acquaintances about the Gospel.  They even had some people get baptized!  So, in June President Cordon put Elder Croskrey and Elder Woodruff there.  The ward kept helping, too, and since I’ve been here they’re been incredibly involved.  In particular is Ozair.  He and his wife have 21 kids!!!  (Most are adopted)  They currently have six kids on missions.  And the others go on visits with us a few times every week.  They really are an amazing family.  Ozair is also pretty well off financially and when we have a progressing investigator that needs to get married to be baptized, he pays the price legally for the marriage, which is pretty expensive here in Brasil.  It’s about $100 per person!  Wow, Ozair is my hero, that’s how I want to be when I’m older. 

The people here seem a bit more receptive here.  The problem with Bairro Novo was that there were so many dang churches!!  Every corner had a different one.  Here there are a lot of churches, but not as many as Bairro Novo.  Bairro Novo was just burnt over!! 

You guys were talking about the weird phone booth’s here in Brasil, so for my strange things in Brasil….

 

 

“orelhao” (pronounced o-rail-yaon) which basically means “Big Ear”.  They really aren’t phone booths at all.  If it’s noisy, or there’s traffic passing you can’t really hear.  And I included a dog attacking in the picture, because I know how much mom liked it when I talked about the dogs in Brazil.  The orelhao are unique and different and one could make the mistake in thinking they were made to serve the public, but they are, in fact, designed specifically to rob missionaries.  You have to buy these “oi cards” to use them, and an oi card costs 6 reais (about 3 dollars).  This card is good for 40 minutes to a fixed line, or 7 minutes – yes -  7 to a cell phone.  Elder Woodruff and I must go through three oi cards every week.  It’s a teal!  This money I could be spending on Brownies!!

I’ve been having some really special experiences here lately, and I think I’m starting to understand better how the spirit speaks to me and works through others.  I’ve also been seeing how important it is to absolutely love the people you’re serving.  I’ll be sure to tell you guys more about these experiences as they continue progressing, but just know that the Lord has been guiding us a ton here. 

I want to know how all of you are doing? 

How was Autumn’s birthday?  How was your senior sunrise?  Does Autumn already know some songs on the banjo?

Mom, how is your calling going?  How are you liking the ward, now that a year has passed?  How’s the neighbor lady?

Dad, how’s the Bishopric?  How’s the ward?  Are you liking your calling more?  How’s the genealogy coming?  PS, I wrote Grandpa Twitchell a letter….

Tell me all the news!!  I hope you all keep going strong, and keep reading the scriptures and praying.

Well I’ve got to run, but I love you all a ton, and think of you often!

 

Love Elder Twitchell

Letter to Ed 08/20/12

August 20, 2012

Dear Dad,

I really do enjoy your letters, thanks a bunch for sending them.  I like the themes to them and how you get straight to the point.  I shall attempt to do the same.

 

Outer Darkness/Great Apostasy

 

Brasil, about 30 or 40 years ago, was basically entirely Catholic, but in recent years, Evangelical and Pentecostal churches have been taking over.  I’m not sure, but I think since I’ve arrived here, the demographic for Catholics have sunk below 50% of the population.  The result is a huge number of different, unorganized churches.  They are completely apostate, teaching the philosophies of man, mingled with scriptures (principally scriptures referring to tithing)  2 Nephi 26 – 30 are accurate and descriptive of how things are here.  It’s a bit uncanny. I’m pretty sure when Nephi had this vision, he saw Brazil.  Especially accurate are 2 Nephi 26: 20 – 21; 28:1-15; 29: 3-10.  Even worse, next to our house three is an Evangelical church, and every other night they have worship service, where everyone gets together and starts shouting and screaming. 

 

Telestral Kingdom

Here in Brazil, I’m picking up some good skills.  I’m slowly, but steadily, learning how to cook.  I now am a master of pancakes, brownies, omelets, and Ham and Cheese sandwiches.  Also, I’m getting pretty good at Jimmy-riggin things.  Thus far, I have successfully (somewhat) repaired our washing machine and “water heater”  (It’s not even close to being the same thing in the US.  It’s connected directly to the shower heard). Along with these things, I’ve also gained a few skills offering service to ward members, including using a weed whacker, changing a doorknob and painting.  Yes, I’m becoming a more well-rounded person. 

 

Terrestrial Kingdom

 

Another thing that I’m doing better at is the language.  I’m starting to like Portuguese better then English.  A lot of things just make sense in Portuguese.  I’ve been working hard to expand my vocabulary, and to eliminate my accent.  As of now, the people think I’m Brazilian until I open my mouth and start speaking.  I want them to think I’m Brazilian even while I’m speaking. 

I’m starting to appreciate more all of the things you and mom taught me, and the patience you had with me.  I meet a lot of people, and a lot of families.  There are LOT of families with serious problems that I never had to deal with.  Firstly, this makes me extremely grateful for you.  Thanks!!  Secondly, it gives me ideas of how I can one day be a good parent.  It’s a fine thing….. (oops, I started writing in Portuguese)

 

Celestial Kingdom

I walk out of my house here every day, and I already see lots of people on the street.  They go to and from, trying to make their way through life.  Many of them are suffering, are hungry, are lost.  All of them are my brothers and sisters.  All of them need the gospel, so that they can return to the presence of our Heavenly Father.  Who are the people that our Heavenly Father has entrusted to bring them safely home?  ME and Elder Woodruff.  It’s a great responsibility  --  one of the greatest in the world. I’m so humbled to be a part of this work.  We talk to people, we preach, teach, invite, call to repentance, all in the name of Jesus Christ.  The Lord gives us power and Authority through the Spirit to do all these things. 

One of the most exhilarating parts of missionary work is to see how the Spirit works in myself and in others.  I feel the promise of the Lord in D&C 100: 5-8, all the time.

D&C  100:   5 Therefore, verily I say unto you, lift up your voices unto this people; ^aspeak the thoughts that I shall put into your hearts, and you shall not be ^bconfounded before men;

6 For it shall be ^agiven you in the very hour, yea, in the very moment, what ye shall say.

7 But a commandment I give unto you, that ye shall declare whatsoever thing ye ^adeclare in my name, in solemnity of heart, in the spirit of meekness, in all things.

8 And I give unto you this promise, that inasmuch as ye do this the ^aHoly Ghost shall be shed forth in bearing record unto all things whatsoever ye shall say.

A week ago Elder Woodruff and I visited a less active member and her two sons, Mateus and Lucas, who aren’t members.  It’s been a while since we’re been teaching them.  We’ve been working hard to get the mom to quit smoking, but she hasn’t.  We’ve been working to get Mateus and Lucas to read and pray.  We’ve been working hard to bring this broken family together through the Gospel, but it hadn’t work.  During this visit, the mom was still smoking, and complaining to us about how her sons were delinquents, and her sons were yelling and swearing at her.  I didn’t know what to do at all.  I was about ready to leave that place, and let future missionaries try to help them.  There came a silence in the fighting and swearing, and Elder Woodruff looked at me, waiting to see how I would proceed.  I had nothing… until a few moments passed and the thought came to me.  The Book of Mormon!  I quickly took control of the situation, and told everyone to get their Book of Mormons and open to 1 Nephi 1.  And we read together.  I helped Mateus and Lucas understand by putting their names in the place of Nephi and Lehi.  In the place of Jerusalem, I put Guaraituba.  We read the whole first chapter and when we finished, I saw and beheld the powerful effect of the Book of Mormon.  The spirit was there.  None of us had the desire to fight or swear, but to learn about Christ.  Elder Woodruff and I bore testimony and invited them to read together as a family from the Book of Mormon.  Then we left. 

The next time we passed by, they had all calmed down a bit and had already read to 1 Nephi 4.  Even better, yesterday Mateus and Lucas came to church.

I know that this is the work of the Lord.  I know through obedience and diligence, I will have the holy Ghost with me.  I know that with the Holy Ghost, we can work miracles in the name of Christ, in the lives of others.  I know the Lord has sent me here because he has a wise purpose in mind.

I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, the most correct book on the planet, and that man will get closer to God reading and following the precepts of the Book of Mormon than from those of any other book.

The Church is the true and only Church of Jesus Christ.  Jesus Christ is my master and Redeemer. 

 

Love Elder Twitchell

Baptized Eduard and Josi

August 13, 2012

Family,
Saturday we had two baptisms!  It was way spiritual, Eduard and Josi are such good people, they´ve made a lot of changes in their lives to live more like Christ wants. It´s always good to see these changes. Yesterday they got confirmed, too.  I didn´t get to pass by their house since the confirmation, but I bought them a picture of the Curitiba Temple and a Triple Combination to give them as a Baptism Present. It´ll be cool.
This week has been going great, we´ve had a lot of progress with our investigators here.  Elder Woodruff and I are working a ton here.  I don´t know why, but I have the feeling that I’m not going to stay that long here in Guaraituba, so I want to make sure that I enjoy it while I’m here!  But the Lord is certainly blessing us.  My testimony is growing so much. I know that when we really forget about ourselves, and focus on others, we´ll be blessed.  I´m trying to forget myself and my own needs more and more.
Glad to know that I’m a literal descendant of Heber C. Kimball. Well, now I’ve got quite a name to live up to.  And even better, I’m a descendant from his LAST wife.  I´m just assuming, but I think that means I’m from his favorite wife.
Tell Dr. Baer hi. He´s right, they have these phone booths here called orelhão, which basically means ´Big Ear`. They´re shaped kind of weird, and they rob you blind when you use them :/ which is too bad, because we have to use them a lot here.  Way expensive.
I know, I need to send you guys a letter, I don´t think I’ve sent one since I’ve arrived in Guaraituba.  I´ll try to get one off soon.  Things have been going WAAAY fast since I got here in Guaraituba, did you know it´s already been almost three weeks since I’ve gotten here!?  wowowow craziness.  But no, I still haven´t gotten the Birthday package, but it´s probably in the Mission office, I wouldn´t get too worried about it.
Elder Woodruff is well, like I said, we´ve been working hard.  But he already has got this missionary thing down.  He´s teaching me more than I’m teaching him.  Also, we have some really amazing missionaries here in the District.  I feel really privileged to work with so many good missionaries.
Well, I’ve got to run, but have a good week!
Tell Autumn HAPPY BIRTHDAY! And GOOD LUCK AT SCHOOL THIS YEAR!!! And STUDY HARD!!! and PRACTICE THAT BANJO!  I´ll be expecting her to be able to play Casimir Pulaski Day when I get back.
Love,
Elder Twitchell

Temple today!!!

August 8, 2012

Family!
First off, Congrats to Elder Little! Dang it, I can´t believe I missed the baptism by one week! haha, we didn´t baptize ANYONE together, Elder Little and I. oh well, I feel bad, but we really did work hard, and I’m glad that Elder Little got to baptize all of them. It´s good to know that they are baptized. I was wondering about them all week. I only found out today, when I was looking at the mission numbers. I checked Bairro Novo, and POW three baptisms. haha, that´s so good.
The temple today was great, it´s always good to go and remember my covenants. It gives me more focus. Today, while I was at the temple, I was just reflecting on all of the blessings that the Lord has given me. It was really humbling,. I can´t believe all of the help He has given me these past couple of years. He´s given me great parents, great friends, and leaders before the mission to guide and on the mission he’s given me great companions, leaders, and members to help me.  And, most of all, he´s guided me with the Spirit. It´s a good feeling.  And yeah, this is my fourth time to the temple already!  I´ve gone with every single one of my companions so far--Elder Brino, Elder Lopes, Elder LIttle, and Elder Woodruff.

I know Elder Armitage and Ham, they were from the same group of Elder Little.  I talked to them a bit today. Also, Sister Patton is in my Zone now!!! That was cool, this last week when we had a zone meeting I got to catch up a bit with her about her mission, it seems likes she´s been working a ton. Her mom should be proud. All of the missionary mom´s should be proud of their children, the missionaries here are working 24/7!
So tell me, am I Heber C. Kimball’s literal grandson? Or am I some sort of stray relation once removed? Oh, and while I’m thinking about it, I’ve heard several people here mention that there was a President Twitchell several years ago in Brazil.  I think that he was the mission presidente of the MTC in São Paulo. Do you know anything about that?
Elder Woodruff is doing really well, we´re working a ton here. The ward is suuuuper supportive, and they´re always going on visits with us, which is such a blessing. There are a lot of people that we´re teaching lately, and most of them have potential to be baptized in the near future. We have a couple that is going to be baptized this Saturday, Eduardo and Jósi.  It was cool, they got married last Friday so that they could get baptized. They’re really good people, with a strong desire to follow Christ.
Oh, and Elder Woodruff is from Good ole Provo. We´ll be seeing each other after the mission.
My area here in Guaraituba is pretty different from Bairro Novo. Now, I’m not completely sure, but I think that here in Guaraituba is richer.  At least the houses seem a lot bigger and nicer.  However, I heard that the Bairro Novo Housing was really expensive, so I don´t really know.
OK, well, I got to go!
LOVE YOU LOOOOOTS!
Elder Twitchell