Monday, September 27, 2010
Letter #22: Love Me Like The World Is Ending
Dear family. Oh how I love you so much! I am so grateful for everything that you do. The love you give and the support. You don´t know how much you mean to me. This past week has been GREAT! It´s been really spiritual and really physically demanding, but in all honesty, I wouldn´t have it any other way. As I said to dad in my email to him, This past week I have been thinking a lot about eternal things. I don´t really know why, but a lot about eternity and about our relationships. But it´s been great!
Last Saturday, we had a baptism! Alexandro! He is so awesome! We have been teaching him for a little over a month and have been waiting for his mother to give us permission. But the whole time he wanted us to know how much he wanted to be baptized! He is great and will be a wonderful missionary one day. We have really grown close to him and his family. He was really nervous the day of the baptism. But everything went perfectly. Afterward we were talking about how baptism isn't the end, he needs to be confirmed and receive the Holy Ghost. We told him that his father would be able to do it and how much of a sweet experience that will be. That is when he and his father informed me that they had been thinking and talking, and they both decided that they want me to confirm him this Sunday. Well, how could I say no? But I am scared out of my mind! I have never confirmed someone in English! Let alone in Portuguese! But he asked me and it is my job as a missionary. Elder Duarte is helping me.
This past Sunday, while Elder Duarte was taking a shower, I was listening to 'Classic Talks' on his ipod. I came across an older talk by an Elder Brown, I think is his name and it really stirred me to remembrance and made me cry. You know it doesn´t take much to move me to tears though.
When he left for his mission, he said the last words his mom said to him were, "Son, you are going away from me, the farthest you every have before. I´m a little nervous for you. When you were younger, you used to have nightmares and shout my name out in the middle of the night. My room was right next to yours so I would just call back and say I´m right here baby. But now you are going to be thousands of miles away and if you call out, I won´t be able to hear you. If you call out "Mother are you there," I won´t be able to call back. But you can always get on your knees and cry out "Father are you there?" and he will always answer.
How true that is. I know that whenever we pray, He hears us. He knows us and He loves us. More than we can imagine. Everything that has been done by Him and His Son, were out of love for us.
This past week I have been searching and searching for old Ensigns and old conference talks. I came across the old Conference address by Elder Worthlin that I love. You all know it. I talked about it all the time, "Sunday Will Come." Luckily, I was in the bathroom when I read it, because I cried like a little baby. That talk is some of the most sweetest, inspirational, and God-sent words that have ever touched my soul. I found it in Portuguese as well.
This past week, we stopped by a family´s house that I just love! She said she had a reference for us. When we stopped by she came out with a huge grin and said "Elder! Guess what!? I´m pregnant!" We shouted for joy with her. She had just found out. We were some of the first to know. How wonderful and lucky I feel to be a part of these amazing people´s lives. I joked with her and said, "If it´s a boy, you should name him Nathan!" hahaha and at Sunday I went up to her husband and told him congrats. He said with a grin on his face, yeah, if it´s a boy, we're thinking of naming him Nathan. Those Brazilians and their silly humor. I love it.
Finally, the last thought I think I would like to share, was this week I received my first letter from a Brazilian, a recent convert from Timbu. She was thanking me for the work and help that me and Elder Savage had helped with. How privileged I am to be here and serve these beautiful people. I know everyone says that their mission is the best. Well, they are all dirty liars and repent. Because my mission is the best. I am greatful for the chance I have to grow with them, love with them, and have these timeless experiences with them. In the closing of her letter she said, calling me by my nickname she gave me, I won´t forget you pequeno-grande homen, which means little-big man.
These experiences aren't just for full-time missionaries. Everyone can have these memories. Just be a missionary at home.
Oh how I love you all. My prayers go out for you. I think about you often. I love you so much. Hey, can you believe it, I´ve almost been out 6 months. I love you and I can´t wait until we can be together again. Until then, I love you.
com amor,
-Elder Nathan Askins
Last Saturday, we had a baptism! Alexandro! He is so awesome! We have been teaching him for a little over a month and have been waiting for his mother to give us permission. But the whole time he wanted us to know how much he wanted to be baptized! He is great and will be a wonderful missionary one day. We have really grown close to him and his family. He was really nervous the day of the baptism. But everything went perfectly. Afterward we were talking about how baptism isn't the end, he needs to be confirmed and receive the Holy Ghost. We told him that his father would be able to do it and how much of a sweet experience that will be. That is when he and his father informed me that they had been thinking and talking, and they both decided that they want me to confirm him this Sunday. Well, how could I say no? But I am scared out of my mind! I have never confirmed someone in English! Let alone in Portuguese! But he asked me and it is my job as a missionary. Elder Duarte is helping me.
This past Sunday, while Elder Duarte was taking a shower, I was listening to 'Classic Talks' on his ipod. I came across an older talk by an Elder Brown, I think is his name and it really stirred me to remembrance and made me cry. You know it doesn´t take much to move me to tears though.
When he left for his mission, he said the last words his mom said to him were, "Son, you are going away from me, the farthest you every have before. I´m a little nervous for you. When you were younger, you used to have nightmares and shout my name out in the middle of the night. My room was right next to yours so I would just call back and say I´m right here baby. But now you are going to be thousands of miles away and if you call out, I won´t be able to hear you. If you call out "Mother are you there," I won´t be able to call back. But you can always get on your knees and cry out "Father are you there?" and he will always answer.
How true that is. I know that whenever we pray, He hears us. He knows us and He loves us. More than we can imagine. Everything that has been done by Him and His Son, were out of love for us.
This past week I have been searching and searching for old Ensigns and old conference talks. I came across the old Conference address by Elder Worthlin that I love. You all know it. I talked about it all the time, "Sunday Will Come." Luckily, I was in the bathroom when I read it, because I cried like a little baby. That talk is some of the most sweetest, inspirational, and God-sent words that have ever touched my soul. I found it in Portuguese as well.
This past week, we stopped by a family´s house that I just love! She said she had a reference for us. When we stopped by she came out with a huge grin and said "Elder! Guess what!? I´m pregnant!" We shouted for joy with her. She had just found out. We were some of the first to know. How wonderful and lucky I feel to be a part of these amazing people´s lives. I joked with her and said, "If it´s a boy, you should name him Nathan!" hahaha and at Sunday I went up to her husband and told him congrats. He said with a grin on his face, yeah, if it´s a boy, we're thinking of naming him Nathan. Those Brazilians and their silly humor. I love it.
Finally, the last thought I think I would like to share, was this week I received my first letter from a Brazilian, a recent convert from Timbu. She was thanking me for the work and help that me and Elder Savage had helped with. How privileged I am to be here and serve these beautiful people. I know everyone says that their mission is the best. Well, they are all dirty liars and repent. Because my mission is the best. I am greatful for the chance I have to grow with them, love with them, and have these timeless experiences with them. In the closing of her letter she said, calling me by my nickname she gave me, I won´t forget you pequeno-grande homen, which means little-big man.
These experiences aren't just for full-time missionaries. Everyone can have these memories. Just be a missionary at home.
Oh how I love you all. My prayers go out for you. I think about you often. I love you so much. Hey, can you believe it, I´ve almost been out 6 months. I love you and I can´t wait until we can be together again. Until then, I love you.
com amor,
-Elder Nathan Askins
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Letter #21- You know that i could use somebody
Someone like you!!!!
Love that song! It's a good one!
So this past week has been interesting. I will start off about a week and a half ago to explain. So about a week and a half ago, I bought some yogurt and it was so good! But I noticed (in the most edited words possible) that it kept making me go to the bathroom a lot. I didn´t think anything of it. Well, about 3 days later, I was still going to the bathroom a lot. Elder Duarte said Elder you have to call sister now. So I called and she gave me permission to buy come pepto bismal and said to call her in 2 days if I still had problems. I got well for a day, but last Wednesday it started getting bad again. So on Thursday, Elder Duarte made me call sister again. She said you know try this medication it will plug you up and if you are still having problems call (not word for word, but that´s the jist of it) So that night, I felt super super crappy. I passed out at nine in my bed. So Elder Duarte and the Zone Leaders (I live with them) called sister, but she didn´t answer, so they called the assistants, got permission to call president, and then talked to her. So they woke me up and I chatted with her for a little bit. She helped lighten the mood. I was getting scared. She told me the next day to go to the hospital. So we went and this nice Brazilian lady doctor (who spoke English) helped me and I got some meds and now I am doing great!
The ward got really worried and prayed and helped me. They are so sweet. This past Saturday was our night of pizzas. It was wonderful. We made a pizza and it was a hit! They loved it so much! We had for our message, 2 brotheren share their conversion stories. It was really wonderful. Everyone loved it.
So Monday I did a division with some other elders and it was really really cool. We were teaching this lady and I got the opportunity to give the Joseph Smith story. I love the spirit that it brings into the room. After I shared it, I got the prompting to invite this lady to be baptized. In our mission, our president asks us to give the baptismal committment word perfect from PMG (Preach My Gospel). So I extended the invite to her, and I know it was not word perfect. I tried hard but it wasn´t good at all. And I know it didn´t make sense at all in Portuguese. I said it and everyone in the room was like HUUUUHHHH? What did you say? But the lady I was talking to remained looking at me and we felt the Spirit and she whispered "yes, I will." The lady sitting next to her said, "What you could understand him?" and she said yes, he said.... and said the baptismal commitment word perfect. And then she said, I will. We left the house and I knew that the Lord helped me and had that lady understand. It was an amazing experience.
I have had a very spiritual week. I wish I had more time. I will write more in a letter to you guys. I love you so much family. I miss you too. But I love it here and I don´t want to leave. I love these people and I love this work. I love serving the Lord. It is the best and I am excited when i think about where we will be as a family in 2 years. I love you all so much. I know this is true.
Com Amor!
Elder Askins
Love that song! It's a good one!
So this past week has been interesting. I will start off about a week and a half ago to explain. So about a week and a half ago, I bought some yogurt and it was so good! But I noticed (in the most edited words possible) that it kept making me go to the bathroom a lot. I didn´t think anything of it. Well, about 3 days later, I was still going to the bathroom a lot. Elder Duarte said Elder you have to call sister now. So I called and she gave me permission to buy come pepto bismal and said to call her in 2 days if I still had problems. I got well for a day, but last Wednesday it started getting bad again. So on Thursday, Elder Duarte made me call sister again. She said you know try this medication it will plug you up and if you are still having problems call (not word for word, but that´s the jist of it) So that night, I felt super super crappy. I passed out at nine in my bed. So Elder Duarte and the Zone Leaders (I live with them) called sister, but she didn´t answer, so they called the assistants, got permission to call president, and then talked to her. So they woke me up and I chatted with her for a little bit. She helped lighten the mood. I was getting scared. She told me the next day to go to the hospital. So we went and this nice Brazilian lady doctor (who spoke English) helped me and I got some meds and now I am doing great!
The ward got really worried and prayed and helped me. They are so sweet. This past Saturday was our night of pizzas. It was wonderful. We made a pizza and it was a hit! They loved it so much! We had for our message, 2 brotheren share their conversion stories. It was really wonderful. Everyone loved it.
So Monday I did a division with some other elders and it was really really cool. We were teaching this lady and I got the opportunity to give the Joseph Smith story. I love the spirit that it brings into the room. After I shared it, I got the prompting to invite this lady to be baptized. In our mission, our president asks us to give the baptismal committment word perfect from PMG (Preach My Gospel). So I extended the invite to her, and I know it was not word perfect. I tried hard but it wasn´t good at all. And I know it didn´t make sense at all in Portuguese. I said it and everyone in the room was like HUUUUHHHH? What did you say? But the lady I was talking to remained looking at me and we felt the Spirit and she whispered "yes, I will." The lady sitting next to her said, "What you could understand him?" and she said yes, he said.... and said the baptismal commitment word perfect. And then she said, I will. We left the house and I knew that the Lord helped me and had that lady understand. It was an amazing experience.
I have had a very spiritual week. I wish I had more time. I will write more in a letter to you guys. I love you so much family. I miss you too. But I love it here and I don´t want to leave. I love these people and I love this work. I love serving the Lord. It is the best and I am excited when i think about where we will be as a family in 2 years. I love you all so much. I know this is true.
Com Amor!
Elder Askins
Letter #20- Today, Is the Happiest Day of Her Life. I Should Be Happy For Her.
Well hello family! How is everything in North America! Wonderful Brazil is just great! A lot of things are happening! Just to start. I don´t know if I told Allie happy birthday last week. But Happy Birthday! I love you! And Aud, it´s your birthday next week! Happy early birthday! I love you!!!!
Many things have been happening here in good old Brazil. Yesterday was Brazil´s Nation Independance from Portugal. It is true, Brazil has a lot of national pride and it is just fantastic! Every year they have a huge old parade that walks down the main street of Curitiba and everyone is lined up waving a Brazilian flag shouting. Every year they ask the missionaries that are serving in the city to be in the parade. That means me! We got to go into the center of Curitiba (which is beautiful) and we marched! It was amazing! And as we marched down waving our Brazil flags the announcer guy shouted the missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (well in Portuguese) and I got huge goose bumps as the whole crowd of the people cheered for us. As we got to the center part, they had stadium seats for people and I looked up and we saw the mayor or governor there and I saw President Cordon with his wife there and he was smiling his huge smile and giving up the big old thumbs up. It was great. You could tell when we passed by members because they would start cheering for us and it was great! Later yesterday, we did a division with another companionship and I got to stay with my good friend Elder Groom. We visited this one family and the boy says "Elder Askins! I saw you and Elder Duarte on TV" So I am kind of famous.
This week I have been a little sick. But no need to worry. 2 days ago I called Sister Cordon and she told me what to do and so now I am on the recovery. This week has been a little hard because of the holiday EVERYONE is traveling. Everything is closed. It´s been good though. This weekend is our ward´s activity. We are having a Night of Pizzas! YEAH!!!
I had a cool experience yesterday at lunch. We were eating with this member family that I just love. We were just talking about life and everything and the dad says, "We´ve had some strange elders pass through the areas, but we love you elder!" Hahah to me. That made me feel good because things in the ward are progressing forward. I love this work. I have seen in my mission that when we put the Lord first, He will help us in anything. I know that the church is true. God lives and Christ is our Savior.
Don´t Stop Believing!
-Elder Askins!!!
Many things have been happening here in good old Brazil. Yesterday was Brazil´s Nation Independance from Portugal. It is true, Brazil has a lot of national pride and it is just fantastic! Every year they have a huge old parade that walks down the main street of Curitiba and everyone is lined up waving a Brazilian flag shouting. Every year they ask the missionaries that are serving in the city to be in the parade. That means me! We got to go into the center of Curitiba (which is beautiful) and we marched! It was amazing! And as we marched down waving our Brazil flags the announcer guy shouted the missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (well in Portuguese) and I got huge goose bumps as the whole crowd of the people cheered for us. As we got to the center part, they had stadium seats for people and I looked up and we saw the mayor or governor there and I saw President Cordon with his wife there and he was smiling his huge smile and giving up the big old thumbs up. It was great. You could tell when we passed by members because they would start cheering for us and it was great! Later yesterday, we did a division with another companionship and I got to stay with my good friend Elder Groom. We visited this one family and the boy says "Elder Askins! I saw you and Elder Duarte on TV" So I am kind of famous.
This week I have been a little sick. But no need to worry. 2 days ago I called Sister Cordon and she told me what to do and so now I am on the recovery. This week has been a little hard because of the holiday EVERYONE is traveling. Everything is closed. It´s been good though. This weekend is our ward´s activity. We are having a Night of Pizzas! YEAH!!!
I had a cool experience yesterday at lunch. We were eating with this member family that I just love. We were just talking about life and everything and the dad says, "We´ve had some strange elders pass through the areas, but we love you elder!" Hahah to me. That made me feel good because things in the ward are progressing forward. I love this work. I have seen in my mission that when we put the Lord first, He will help us in anything. I know that the church is true. God lives and Christ is our Savior.
Don´t Stop Believing!
-Elder Askins!!!
Monday, September 6, 2010
Letter #20 "tell all the boys you meet, about the American boy [down in brazil]
The American boy you used to date, who would do anything you say"
Dear family!
This week has been great! So we finished our first week of transfers! Boy is the work picking up great down here! I love it! Last week we knocked a lot of doors, met a lot of people, and man was it hard, but boy is this stuff great! We met a lot of great people who we are going to start to teach. I am excited. Saturday night we got a phone call about this lady being taught in another ward, but she wanted to be baptized in our ward because of her family. She got permission and we had a baptism on Sunday! It was so cool to watch her be baptized and be surrounded by her family.
We also finally got permission to baptize this 15 year-old kid we have been teaching. He is so excited to be baptized and we have been waiting and praying for his mom to give permission and finally on Sunday, his father came to us with a big smile and said "She told us that he can do whatever he thinks is right!" What blessings! We also visited on of the families we´ve been teaching for a long time. Many times when we extended an invite to be baptized they said "No, we have been baptized." but 2 weeks ago, they went to church, they attended a family night and when we asked them this week if, when they receive their answer about our message, if they would be baptized, they said yes! So we marked some verses for them in the Book of Mormon to read and to pray about. I know that we will baptize them! I am so excited! We are finding a lot more people. it is great! I am starting to understand the language and the people so much now and I really love it.
Now for a little humor. Go right now to the internet and look up Black Parade by My Chemical Romance and replace his words with these
"When I was a young boy, my father, taught me about the scriptures. of Matthew Luke and James. He said son when you grow up will you teach about the Savior to the broken and the damned. (blah blah blah until the chorus) We´re preaching on! We´re preaching on!" and more of that stuff. but it is a game that me and my room mates do. We take popular songs and change to words to church stuff. well. i´m gone like a freight train, gone like yesterday, gone like a soldier in the civil war Bang Bang.
i love you all so much and i pray for you frequently! Don´t stop believing!
com amor!
Elder Askins!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
