Elder Tyler Lunt's Mission Site
Thank you for your prayers
Date: September 15, 2008Area: Ananindeua
Companion: Elder Merrill, Sandy UT
Hi Mom and Dad and David and Leah!!!
How are you?? Guess what? It´s Monday! I LOVE this time! Have I ever told you that? Ok, once again I don´t know where to begin!
First of all, Mom I was SO glad to hear that Sister Hoggan called you! That is so cool! I´ve been getting to talk with her a lot lately, and I love it so much. Isn´t she just awesome? She is the sweetest lady ever. She said to me too that she was NOT going to let me go home! It was so comforting. I can´t believe she said those other things though, I love her so much! I wish you could just come here and meet her for just a little bit! That makes me feel so close to you too!
And Leah! I loved your story! That was so funny! It really was a movie moment!! Haha, I could just picture it all too! When is Homecoming??
David! I got your “Dizer Palavra” letter! Haha, oh man I died when I read that, it was just so funny to me! Dizer is the infinitive form, so that means “To say ´word´” Haha. So if you ever wanna say it for real say “Diga palavra!” Woah that sounds sweet! I´m gonna say that now haha! Ah, haha that letter was so funny! Thanks man!
Mom, your class sounds so good! I´m so glad you love them so much! Are all of them a little lower? Just academically or what? Did I even spell that right? Maybe I´m getting a little low myself haha. And mom this year is the BEST year ever to be a BYU fan! So you and Mason need to watch! I want to see pictures of them too! And also, thank you for sharing those scriptures with me Mom. I´m going to write those down and read them when I get home tonight. Man I love you guys! Mom to answer your questions, I think I´m ok on things as far as packages go! And yes, I think at this place I´m able to print off emails, but I´m in Belém and usually I´m not in the city every P-Day.
Well actually I can´t say that yet, because every single P-Day I´ve had to come into Belém because of some kind of problem haha! But I LOVE it here! It is my new favorite city in the world! David, you would love it here so much! We have to come hang out here some day.
Anyway, to give an update, I´m doing great!! My stomach however, is the same. I had to make 4 trips into Belém last week for different tests and things! I had an ultra-sound on... I can´t remember what day, but the results showed up normal, just like the last time I had one. The good news is that I´m not pregnant! Haha, is that bad?? A guy came in and did the rest and the results are normal, as well as my blood and.... other samples! So the plan is to just keep doing more and more tests. I have an appointment here in Belém tonight to talk with the doctor and see where to go next. The pain was more severe than ever this week. There was one day where I couldn´t stand up straight or walk very much, and when I sit down can´t move my head. So needless to say, I can´t wait to get it taken care of, and I hope and pray that we can find out what the heck it is! It´s just more annoying than anything! AH! But the last two days have been normal, and I haven´t had any problems!
Thank you so much for praying so much for me! I truly can feel it! I think you have as many coming back your way from me, and I hope that everyone can feel those too!
One of the worst things about this is not being able to teach. I don´t think I can express how much I love teaching, and how extremely happy I am when I am teaching! I have been able to teach a little bit, just not nearly as much as I want to be able to. BUT, I still had some great experiences!:)
Just to give you some updates, here´s what is happening! One lady that we are teaching- Elaine, wants to be baptized!!! I was on a division with elder Wasden one night, and we decided to go visit with her. She has the cutest little girl in the entire world- Sophia, and Elaine is raising her by herself. They are so cute together. Anyway, we were teaching her about baptism that night, and I just felt so... I don´t know, just so happy the whole time! Her little girl is around 1 and a half, and she just runs around the room gathering things to give to me haha, and I just love being there! Anyway, we asked her about her testimony, and she told us that she had a dream that she was at church with a big group of missionaries, and that when she was there, she just knew it was the truth, and since then she has known that Joseph Smith was a prophet, and that she needed to do what we asked. Elder Wasden asked her if she would be baptized, and she said yes!!! Leah- I kind of have my own movie moment- When she said yes, I like clapped my hands and I was like “Ah YES!!” And I don´t think I´ve ever smiled so big in my life! Elder Wasden was still talking with her, and there I was sitting next to him just beaming and saying “Ah muito bom!!” and looking probably a little... special haha! I think it was a little like Elder Calhoon in the Best Two Years, haha! Ah it was just funny!
Anyway, we also have another lady, Anita who will be baptized this week if we can teach her enough!! Also Christiane who wants to be baptized, but she lives with her boyfriend, and also, this is an experience of its own, but I kind of found this family. They are Catholic, but they really love talking to us, and I really want you to pray that maybe they can find it somewhere within themselves to change! Someday I will tell you about them! We are still working with a lot of other people, but I think those are the ones with the most potential!
However, THIS week, with all that went on, the highlight came yesterday.:) Have I ever told you how much I love church? Well, I LOVE it so much. Now that I am understanding and being able to participate, I am finding that it I am loving my classes and all the talks just as much as I loved them in our ward hearing it all in English. That is one thing I have continued to see, and another blessing that has come from being in such a big ward and in a big and beautiful building- is that church, and Sundays, are just like I´ve known them my whole life. And when I get transferred, and work in a smaller area, with a branch, I know easily by now that the spirit is exactly the same in any environment, in any place, anywhere. Yesterday was just so special! I have priesthood first, and then principles of the gospel, and if our investigators come to church, we have these classes with them, and THAT is so cool, seeing them in class... just... ah... Anyway, they were SO good! But, the best was still yet to come! We have Sacrament last, and this week was the Primary program. This ward is so organized and awesome, I just love watching it... work! It´s so cool!
Anyway, the primary has about 11 or 12 kids, and they and their teachers put on a program called “Sou um filho de Deus” which means, I am a child of God. All of the kids were wearing matching colored clothes, and their beautiful smiles were so big, and the spirit instantly filled the room as soon as they started. The first part was this beautiful little girl, who came and said her part, and when she sat down, they sang I am a child of God. They sang so loud and with such happiness and just, perfect innocence. Tears filled my eyes as I watched them sing that song, and as I think about them and their sweet innocent little Brazilian spirits. It was just... beautiful! Maybe it was the Portuguese too, but it was just amazing. The second verse, about 5 or so of the kids sang solo lines. Ah, gosh, it was just so good. Remember the little boy I told about, when I gave the lunch message, and he was getting baptized? He is the cutest little boy ever. He is so sweet and innocent, and not to sound... I don´t know, but he looks exactly exactly like i did when I was little! He sang his part so loud and happily, and I just sat there just... basking in their spirit and happiness. My other favorite part came when they sang, “ I love to see the temple”. I thought about how much I want all of these people to “See the Temple” and go there and be sealed with their beautiful families forever. Those children just had such a pure innocent faith and love for their families that they wanted to take with themselves to the temple, and as I watched that tears filled my eyes once again. I just can´t describe how beautiful and good that meeting was.
People always talk about how returned missionaries always shine with the spirit right after they come home- having just left the most spiritual time of their lives, they just shine with the spirit. I believe it is the same concept with children. They are so new on the earth, innocent, and having just left the presence of our Father in Heaven, they just bring that spirit with them, and it is hard not to feel it as you watch them. Ah, it was a perfect moment!!! I was so grateful and amazed the whole time during that experience.
Anyway, that was my week! I am about out of time now, so I have to go. PLEASE don´t worry about me! I have faith that things will somehow work themselves out! I love you all so so so so so much!! It´s ridiculous how much love I can fit inside of me for all of you! Thank you so much for praying and just everything. I LOVE YOU! Have the best week ever!!!!
Love, Elder Lunt
How are you?? Guess what? It´s Monday! I LOVE this time! Have I ever told you that? Ok, once again I don´t know where to begin!
First of all, Mom I was SO glad to hear that Sister Hoggan called you! That is so cool! I´ve been getting to talk with her a lot lately, and I love it so much. Isn´t she just awesome? She is the sweetest lady ever. She said to me too that she was NOT going to let me go home! It was so comforting. I can´t believe she said those other things though, I love her so much! I wish you could just come here and meet her for just a little bit! That makes me feel so close to you too!
And Leah! I loved your story! That was so funny! It really was a movie moment!! Haha, I could just picture it all too! When is Homecoming??
David! I got your “Dizer Palavra” letter! Haha, oh man I died when I read that, it was just so funny to me! Dizer is the infinitive form, so that means “To say ´word´” Haha. So if you ever wanna say it for real say “Diga palavra!” Woah that sounds sweet! I´m gonna say that now haha! Ah, haha that letter was so funny! Thanks man!
Mom, your class sounds so good! I´m so glad you love them so much! Are all of them a little lower? Just academically or what? Did I even spell that right? Maybe I´m getting a little low myself haha. And mom this year is the BEST year ever to be a BYU fan! So you and Mason need to watch! I want to see pictures of them too! And also, thank you for sharing those scriptures with me Mom. I´m going to write those down and read them when I get home tonight. Man I love you guys! Mom to answer your questions, I think I´m ok on things as far as packages go! And yes, I think at this place I´m able to print off emails, but I´m in Belém and usually I´m not in the city every P-Day.
Well actually I can´t say that yet, because every single P-Day I´ve had to come into Belém because of some kind of problem haha! But I LOVE it here! It is my new favorite city in the world! David, you would love it here so much! We have to come hang out here some day.
Anyway, to give an update, I´m doing great!! My stomach however, is the same. I had to make 4 trips into Belém last week for different tests and things! I had an ultra-sound on... I can´t remember what day, but the results showed up normal, just like the last time I had one. The good news is that I´m not pregnant! Haha, is that bad?? A guy came in and did the rest and the results are normal, as well as my blood and.... other samples! So the plan is to just keep doing more and more tests. I have an appointment here in Belém tonight to talk with the doctor and see where to go next. The pain was more severe than ever this week. There was one day where I couldn´t stand up straight or walk very much, and when I sit down can´t move my head. So needless to say, I can´t wait to get it taken care of, and I hope and pray that we can find out what the heck it is! It´s just more annoying than anything! AH! But the last two days have been normal, and I haven´t had any problems!
Thank you so much for praying so much for me! I truly can feel it! I think you have as many coming back your way from me, and I hope that everyone can feel those too!
One of the worst things about this is not being able to teach. I don´t think I can express how much I love teaching, and how extremely happy I am when I am teaching! I have been able to teach a little bit, just not nearly as much as I want to be able to. BUT, I still had some great experiences!:)
Just to give you some updates, here´s what is happening! One lady that we are teaching- Elaine, wants to be baptized!!! I was on a division with elder Wasden one night, and we decided to go visit with her. She has the cutest little girl in the entire world- Sophia, and Elaine is raising her by herself. They are so cute together. Anyway, we were teaching her about baptism that night, and I just felt so... I don´t know, just so happy the whole time! Her little girl is around 1 and a half, and she just runs around the room gathering things to give to me haha, and I just love being there! Anyway, we asked her about her testimony, and she told us that she had a dream that she was at church with a big group of missionaries, and that when she was there, she just knew it was the truth, and since then she has known that Joseph Smith was a prophet, and that she needed to do what we asked. Elder Wasden asked her if she would be baptized, and she said yes!!! Leah- I kind of have my own movie moment- When she said yes, I like clapped my hands and I was like “Ah YES!!” And I don´t think I´ve ever smiled so big in my life! Elder Wasden was still talking with her, and there I was sitting next to him just beaming and saying “Ah muito bom!!” and looking probably a little... special haha! I think it was a little like Elder Calhoon in the Best Two Years, haha! Ah it was just funny!
Anyway, we also have another lady, Anita who will be baptized this week if we can teach her enough!! Also Christiane who wants to be baptized, but she lives with her boyfriend, and also, this is an experience of its own, but I kind of found this family. They are Catholic, but they really love talking to us, and I really want you to pray that maybe they can find it somewhere within themselves to change! Someday I will tell you about them! We are still working with a lot of other people, but I think those are the ones with the most potential!
However, THIS week, with all that went on, the highlight came yesterday.:) Have I ever told you how much I love church? Well, I LOVE it so much. Now that I am understanding and being able to participate, I am finding that it I am loving my classes and all the talks just as much as I loved them in our ward hearing it all in English. That is one thing I have continued to see, and another blessing that has come from being in such a big ward and in a big and beautiful building- is that church, and Sundays, are just like I´ve known them my whole life. And when I get transferred, and work in a smaller area, with a branch, I know easily by now that the spirit is exactly the same in any environment, in any place, anywhere. Yesterday was just so special! I have priesthood first, and then principles of the gospel, and if our investigators come to church, we have these classes with them, and THAT is so cool, seeing them in class... just... ah... Anyway, they were SO good! But, the best was still yet to come! We have Sacrament last, and this week was the Primary program. This ward is so organized and awesome, I just love watching it... work! It´s so cool!
Anyway, the primary has about 11 or 12 kids, and they and their teachers put on a program called “Sou um filho de Deus” which means, I am a child of God. All of the kids were wearing matching colored clothes, and their beautiful smiles were so big, and the spirit instantly filled the room as soon as they started. The first part was this beautiful little girl, who came and said her part, and when she sat down, they sang I am a child of God. They sang so loud and with such happiness and just, perfect innocence. Tears filled my eyes as I watched them sing that song, and as I think about them and their sweet innocent little Brazilian spirits. It was just... beautiful! Maybe it was the Portuguese too, but it was just amazing. The second verse, about 5 or so of the kids sang solo lines. Ah, gosh, it was just so good. Remember the little boy I told about, when I gave the lunch message, and he was getting baptized? He is the cutest little boy ever. He is so sweet and innocent, and not to sound... I don´t know, but he looks exactly exactly like i did when I was little! He sang his part so loud and happily, and I just sat there just... basking in their spirit and happiness. My other favorite part came when they sang, “ I love to see the temple”. I thought about how much I want all of these people to “See the Temple” and go there and be sealed with their beautiful families forever. Those children just had such a pure innocent faith and love for their families that they wanted to take with themselves to the temple, and as I watched that tears filled my eyes once again. I just can´t describe how beautiful and good that meeting was.
People always talk about how returned missionaries always shine with the spirit right after they come home- having just left the most spiritual time of their lives, they just shine with the spirit. I believe it is the same concept with children. They are so new on the earth, innocent, and having just left the presence of our Father in Heaven, they just bring that spirit with them, and it is hard not to feel it as you watch them. Ah, it was a perfect moment!!! I was so grateful and amazed the whole time during that experience.
Anyway, that was my week! I am about out of time now, so I have to go. PLEASE don´t worry about me! I have faith that things will somehow work themselves out! I love you all so so so so so much!! It´s ridiculous how much love I can fit inside of me for all of you! Thank you so much for praying and just everything. I LOVE YOU! Have the best week ever!!!!
Love, Elder Lunt
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