The Brazilian Adventure: Week 17 September 23-- September 29

 My Dearest beloved Family and Friends

       Wow, I guess I´m just going to have to start getting use to these fast weeks. My mission is flying by. I got a letter last week from my stake president, President Nattjes, back home from Minnesota. And I also got a e-mail from Brother Evans back from my home ward, Burnsville Minnesota, telling me about the missionary work back in Minnesota and how it is picking up big time. They also told me about how a lot of my friends back in our youth days are getting ready to go on their missions. We have about 60 missionary back in the Lakeville stake either on their missions serving right now or are under call, that is SO many! it is so awesome. It is so exciting to see the names of my friends back in Minnesota getting ready to join this great work. The army of helamen is getting some more stripling warriors help in the lords work. I started crying when I saw that. I´m so proud of all of you who are getting ready to come out here or who are already in the field. President Nattjes said that we are becoming the largest missionary force that the lord has ever seen. I´m especially excited for you all because I know what a great blessing your mission is going to be for you. There are so many sisters coming out on missions now, it is so awesome. If you are 19 and not married, I would seriously advice you to just go on a mission. In this weekly letter I would like to tell you all some words of encouragement or advice or something like that. 

        When I first came out on my mission, I was first thinking that I´m going to come out here and serve and that I´m going to give so much to the people of the world and to the Lord. But the more I´ve been out here, I´ve realized how opposite that really is. My mission is giving me so much more then i could have ever imagined. The purpose of YOU in your mission is to change lives, but the purpose of YOUR mission is to change your life. So let it. I´m SO thankful for the Lord guiding my life to go on this mission. I will be honest with you, your mission is going to be the most hardest thing you have ever done in your life. But it is the greatest thing that will happen to you. These trials will make you so much stronger in your life. With great trials and great hardships can come great things if you let it. The perfect example of this is the Atonement. Christ suffered and went through the hardest thing that anyone on earth has ever been through, but what outcome it was. Let your mission do the same for you. And I promise you that your mission will make you into something that is way greater than you can ever imagine. 

        I will tell you also, on your mission, you are going to be dealing with a lot of numbers. Don´t you ever forget that those numbers are real people. Some missionaries come out here and forget that, and they start wanting all these numbers and lose them selves. I want you to also remember this, you are coming out here on your mission to become the missionary that the LORD wants you to become, not the missionary that YOU want. You are out here to do that lords work his way, so don´t be upset when things don´t go your way. On that subject, I would also want to tell you guys to never forget that you missionaries are never alone. We can´t do this great work on our own. It is impossible. If you try to do it on your own, you´ll only last about three months before you go crazy. Don´t ever forget that the Lord is always by your side. I´ve have never been so mentally and spiritually exhausted in my life, I would say physically too, but I have some awesome brothers at home who take that title, haha. I can´t tell you how many times I have been so weak and things become so tough and seem impossible to do. But then I just say a little prayer for help, and I promise you I can literally feel this light come over me and I am filled with energy to continue. The promise in D&C 84:88 is so true. The Lord wants to help you and he will, all you need to do is ask. 

            Don´t ever forget your purpose as a missionary on your mission. Your purpose is to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel by faith in Jesus Christ and His atonement, Repentance, Baptism, receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost and Enduring to the End. My mission is at its peak when I Understand, Live, and Love my purpose. And it is so simple. A lot of missionaries panic at the beginning of their missions because they feel like they don´t know enough of the gospel. They feel like they need to know everything and be like all the older folks back home who are flippen smart. I´m going tell right now, don´t worry about it so much. I´m the perfect example of this. I came on my mission close to knowing about nothing about the gospel. But all those things come as you go. I swear if you just know a little bit, all you need is the spirit. The phrase "I know this church is Christ church today" can be so powerful and can change a life when the spirit is helping you. And let me tell you, if you truly know your purpose, if you truly know the Gospel of Jesus Christ and its five basic principles. You will do wonders. For example, and these are all just examples, if you truly knew what faith was, you will trust the lord and you will work so hard. If you truly knew what Repentance was, you and your companion will become best friends, you will be able to change and become something incredible. If you truly knew what baptism was, you have the greatest desire to help and find people to baptise. If you truly knew about the Holy Ghost, you understand it´s promptings and would become a pro at following it´s promptings. If you truly knew what Enduring to the End was, you would learn how to have great diligence and give your mission your all every single moment. So study the basics first and truly understand what they mean before you move on the bigger things. Create a firm foundation.
        Don´t ever forget who you are representing on your mission, don´t ever forget who´s names are on that name tag. You first have the name of Jesus Christ who you are representing and then you have his church. You also have your families last name. wear this name tag with honor and give it the best reputation you can. Just do your best on your mission and the lord will do the rest. And please just be you, but be the best you you can be. 

     I want to thank my Burnsville ward back in Minnesota for changing my life and helping me walk on this path that the Lord has prepared for me. I want to thank the Lakeville Stake, especially the Burnsville ward,  for taking me, my brothers and my sisters and parents into your "familly" and changing our lives. I can´t express how thankful I am for you all helping me get here today. I want to also thank my amazing family and friends back home for the love and support. I would write more, but I´m out of time again. I´m so pumped up for general conference! I love you all, I hope you are doing amazing. Good luck and kick some butt. 

love your Elder, The Elder Jones