December 30, 2013

hello family! Whoo it was so great to see spencer kellie jon mom and dad ON Christmas!! I was so grateful to see my family face to face. I was happy to See spencers "jolly face" and that he is still training to become the next elf. I will pray for you kellie. haha Grateful to see that mom is looks great and that dad still has his great sense of humor! haha Todo bien? haha you know I am speaking Portuguese right? Also that Jon you are doing better! I will pray for you that you can quickly get over your cold! So You want to know about Elder Pereira? so he is awesome! He is 19 years old and has 2 years of membership in the church! He is the only member in his entire family and an only child! It has been very difficult for his parents and grandparents to allow him to serve a mission! He has much more courage and grit than I do! I am grateful for the opportunity to be his "father" on the mission. I have been very grateful for the example that he gives for me and that he has been humble, meek, and loving!

This week I  was definitely reminded about something incredibly important when sharing the gospel! study, Listen, identify, and teach! Study all the doctrines of the gospel and applying them in your life! This will allow you to gain a promise that in the "very moment" you need to teach you can. Listening shows that you care. it shows that you want to help and that you love whomever you are speaking with. The next would be to identify! Identifying what their soul is yearning for. President monteiro gave a perfect analogy. The gospel is like a huge platter of food and those who are your neighbors or the people in Walmart, anyone really, They are all hungry! But, they all have different tastes. if you find someone that wants pizza, you are not going to give him ice cream. he wants pizza. As you listen to those around you and the spirit, you can identify what doctrine they need. Then teach! As you show your trust in the Lord, he will guide your mouth! I know he Always helps those who are serving him! May we all Remember that as we continue to love and help others receive the Gospel, We will begin to have a taste of the Love and Joy that God has. The Work of Salvation is his work. I love and pray for you all!

Love
Elder Bell

December 16, 2013

Hello family! MOM HAPPY BIRTHDAY! You have now passed the mark of being 3/5 of 100! WHOOO haha That is so great! I am happy to hear as well that you are very hip with your new tech. haha I bet spencer, jon, and Blake are very proud! haha Also I am happy to hear that Baczuk is down the fort there in the ward and that You are continuing to work with Mike! I will pray for him! Monica thank you so much for the pictures! Ha what happened with gracie? she spouted really fast! haha Also Jon I am happy to here things are turning around for you! I will continue to pray that you and the leg can find the true happiness that we all need! Oh and I will wait anxiously for the package! PEOPLE TO PRAY FOR: Patrick and his son Raffael that Patrick can stop smoking. they have a Baptismal date for this Saturday! Marina, she was baptized this last week and her son paulo this week, pray that she can find a Job! And Sandra, pray that she can overcome her problems with the word of wisdom! TELEPHONE CALL WILL BE AT NOON more or less on CHRISTMAS DAY. Everyone just make sure you are at mom and dads house at about 11. Give the address of mom's ipad and we can face time! 

This week honestly was completely miraculous!!!! I know that this is the Lord's work! There is no way that all the things that have happened this week were coincidence! God is hasten his work! Just one example, we were talking with a man on the street and Sandra, now investigator, came up to us out of nowhere and said, " oh my son told me that he wants to talk to you." So, we wrote down there address and on Saturday went there. come to find out her sons are less active members and they both want to return to church! she Starting asking really specific questions and we responded with the Book of Mormon! I know that really the Power of the Book of Mormon is real! It answers all the questions of the soul because it holds the fullness of the Gospel of our Savior! Sandra went to church yesterday and said "It is now my Goal to be Baptized! If any of you are not reading the Book of Mormon, I plead with you to Start again today! Read every day! I promise you as a servant of the Lord and from the promises found in the scriptures that if you are reading alone and as a family and applying the principles taught every day in your life, You will easily distinguish right from wrong, Have the spirit as your companion, have an increased amount of Joy and Happiness, and feel a better sense of Determination and strength to put Eternal Life at priority number one! I Know that more miracles are yet on the horizon and we only need to use the word of God to see and receive them! Love you all, Elder Bell 

December 9, 2103

Haha Dad I am happy to report that heaven is very close and my only goal is to get a little Closer Everyday! WOW as well you just keep helping the missionaries and remember january 4 is alot of time! (more time you wait, the more time you give satan to work) they are being obedient to the guidelines of the "first 12 weeks" a program that you use for training new missionaries. (I am training a New Missionary "greeny") ha that is what training is. It states that you should mark a baptismal date in the first visit so they are doing great! support them and continually pray that the spirit may be upon them!  Oh spencer and Kellie I received your package 2 weeks ago! Thank thank thank you bundles! And my heath is great!

after this week I am dead. ha we worked worked worked worked!  I feel like I returned to new york, but this time I don't have a car! haha This week was just full of miracles! I cannot deny that this is the Lord's work! How grateful I am that we are a part of it! Yesterday we baptized Marina and Ia her daughter! It was very difficult with them but In our last lesson we had recent converts with us and I felt the spirit with great power in the lesson! It was amazing experience! We also had stake conference and we were able to go to the adult session because the first Presidency asked all missionaries to go! so we all went and was I in for a little suprize! So the stake president called all the missionaries up to and we all said our names and where we were from. I was the last to say my name but when I finished, the stake president said, "alright now you and I will give a talk" haha so he wanted me to relate the Story of elder Olmos, less active for four years and then returned and went right into the field. I will never forget this experience! As I began to speak, I almost felt like the hand of God was on my shoulder. Wow I knew that the lord Was using me as an instrument in his hands! I am grateful for this experience. It reiterates that I really am nothing without the spirit! But with these two experiences, I know that as we permit the spirit to use us as a channel, the Hand of God can be outstreched to all. May we be worthy of this sacred gift so that we can feel closer to heaven. May we remember and keep Our covenants!!!! If you are not doing so, abandon whatever it blocking the blessings and put the covenants you have made at priority number one! I found a verse in enos that I liked a lot! 17And I, Enos, aknew it would be according to the covenant which he (the Lord) had made; wherefore my soul did rest.  
If we are keeping our covenants regardless of anything else, our souls can be at peace. love you all FOREVER (this is possible through our covenants)

Elder Bell

December 3, 2013

So how was thanksgiving! sadly I didn't receive an email from any of you... haha but izzy thank you for your previous email from last week! Don't get discouraged and keep getting better with missionary work, and reading your scriptures! Also I think you all can start trying to read as a family! It will bring the blessing of peace in the home! Marion G. Romney, an apostle, gave this promise,
"I'm sure that in the homes of our people, parents will read the Book of Mormon prayerfully and regularly, both by themselves and with their children, the spirit of that great book will permeate our homes and all who dwell therein. The spirit of reverence will increase and grow mutual respect and consideration. The spirit of contention will disappear. Parents will counsel their children in greater love and wisdom. The children will be more attentive and obedient to the advice of parents. Righteousness will increase. Faith, hope and charity - the pure love of Christ - will abound in our homes and lives, bringing peace, joy and happiness. " Marion G. Romney, "The Book of Mormon," Ensign, May 1980, p. 67.

As for this week, Eliza was baptized! Whoo! I am also very thankful to receive my new new companion! Elder Pereira! He is from fortaleza, the north of brazil, and is the only member of his family! he is 19 years old and He has a great spirit about him! I am very excited to work with him! this week we had a member of the seventy come and visit! the conference with him was very powerful! He explained many things about the atonement and the gospel of Christ! May you all know this that when a servant of the Lord speaks with the Power of the Holy Ghost, regardless of language, and you are worthy of and in tune with spirit, you will receive what you need to hear! to have the Holy Ghost with you should be your quest! I want to always strive to have the spirit to me! He is the way that we can feel the love and presence of God daily! If there is something in your life that you know is prohibiting the spirit to dwell with you, abandon it. It is not worth it. I know God lIves and loves and cares and helps through the Holy Ghost! I am thankful for Him! Well hope to hear from you all next week! Love Elder Bell

November 25, 2013

Whoo I was on cloud nine when I heard of all the missionary work everyone is doing! I Know that all the nonmembers, all the less actives, and our own Father in Heaven will forever be greatful! Through all your actions and efforts, It is a reminder for me of how lucky I am to have a family that hearkens to the council of the savior! I am so grateful as well that because of your faithfulness,  your prayers are felt with great power and is sustains me! I thank you all for the prayers and examples! as far as investigators go IA is not progressing but Eliza has received permission from her mom so continue to pray for Eliza this week! Also Francisco still has potential! Continue to pray for his family!

So this week I found out that the Lord is Calling to repentence again... Haha I will Train again!!!! haha I am a little nervous but I know that the qualifies whom he calls! Elder Olmos will go to some area somewhere. Haha we don't know. I am very grateful I was able to serve with him! We have served well together and I hope he can continue to "thrash the Nations with the spirit!" I love the Savior! He really is everything to me! Never forget him and always remember that we are children of God! He really is our Father! This last Sunday the primary had their program! With their simple testimonies this was reconfirmed to me! I know he loves us! He is doing everything and giving everything he can to help us return! I humbly await the day when I can embrace in his arms and be with him and my Savior once more! then will my joy be even more great when I will see those I Helped enter into his kindom and do the same! I love you all! Be grateful this week that you have such a wonderful father.

Love Elder Bell

November 18, 2013

Well family it was great to hear from Mom and Dad this week! I am happy to Mom that there are some many youth going to the temple! WHOO! Also I am happy that the photos I send of those who have been Baptized bring you Joy! I know that I it brings my Joy that I have helped the Savior bring one more soul unto him! as far as cooking.. haha we never cook! We always make like a banana shake in the morning, and always have lunch with members. haha and on special occassions, like after a baptism, we buy pizza at night. Laundry we have a washing machine but as of right now it is a little broken so we are washing our white shirts by hand. haha But Life is Great here!! I would ask pray for francisco and his family! (the one more door man) Bless that they receive answers as they pray. Pray as well that IA (eeeaaa) and Eliza can be baptized this sunday! 

So I will not lie this week was extremly difficult. It has definitly been a week of the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. But We were able to see leticia baptized!!!! She has been the most Elect Person I have ever taught. When we invited her to be baptized she responded, "vou!" Or I will! "She then said "I prayed alot and I Just know this is right!" She is 21 and has a 5 year old daughter! That was the Highlight of my week! I know that through all the oppostion we faced this last week, it was all worth it! this morning I was reading in the Book of Mormon in Jacob and Jacob said,   7 Nevertheless, the Lord God showeth us our ^aweakness that we may know that it is by his ^bgrace, and his great condescensions unto the children of men, that we have power to do these things.

I know our trails show our weaknesses and that only through the Atonement of our Savior can we really do his work! I am thankful for this Opportunity to be his servant. I WOULD NOT trade this time that I have for anything. Our time is valuable. use your time to serve him! Forget yourself and put him First. I know that our Savior Lives! He Loves us. I know now more than ever that our Heavenly Father does "hear and answer every childs prayer." He is our father and LOVES us! Hope to hear from vocês na próxima semana! Elder Bell 

     

November 11, 2013

it was great to hear from Dad this week and to hear that the 19 ward is doing missionary work! Give Bishop Baczuk a Horrah For Isreal for me! ha Oh And  Dad  tell the Elder that was writing to his "sweetheart" that he needs to start reading the missionary handbook. only on P day should do that!! as far packages I have not received the spencer and kellie package yet but i think this thursday I will! No they have no idea what thankgiving is. haha the christmas package... hum red wing shoe shine, some new white shirts, new ties maybe and petrige farm piroettes. whatever else you would like to send be my guest. ha :) the best way, Dad, is to send it the same way as before! It made a record when you sent your package.

Wow this week was full Full Full of miracles! For example, about one month ago, we were walking home, it was 830 and raining! I felt like we just needed to knock one more Door. I saw a house with a light on, we knocked and a man came to the door. I said we have a message from God that we would like to share with him and that since it was late we would pass by another time. little did I know that at that moment he was praying for "a message from God." this week we knocked on his door again taught the restoration and he told us about the last time we knocked on his door, and He wept! He has a wife and 3 daughters. they all went to church this last Sunday! Also Val was Baptized!! Whoo! that is another miracle. She gave her testimony after and it was so powerful! I wept. ha I know elder Bell weeping. never happens right! haha But I know that there is no greater Joy than this! I am so greatful that the Lord has sent me to serve, lift others burdens, and engrave the covenants I have made upon my mind and my heart. I hope and pray that we can remain faithful to our covenants and to the Savior! I love you all and would love to hear from all of you.

November 4, 2013

Hey everybody! It was great to here from mom, dad, and Jon this week! I am excited for you all to go down and have thanksgiving with mindy and Scott! Hey yo mindy my sister I would love to hear from you! ha And congrats Izzy for your missionary experiences! remember that you don't need to have all the answers! You just need to have a "sound understanding" like ammon and the book of Mormon missionaries. when you have that and live it, you have the spirit! when you have the spirit, you can bear a powerful, simple testimony and teach exactly what you need to. AND THEN INVITE them to do something! so As far as the investigators go! Junior was not baptized but continue to pray for him! Val has a date for this saturday so Really focus on praying for her! kelly we dropped. Marco has a long road ahead of him. continue to pray for him! as well Pray for Olinda and her children that they can go to church! Olinda is part of a huge Family that we found! It would be a miracle if they were baptized! Oh and Pray for Marina and her children as well! She went to church and Loved it! Now we are Working towards Baptism!!! The apartment is alright here! haha I HATE the Bathroom! Next week I will Send pictures!   

This week was hard! It was full of opposition! I also know the reason. It means that this Month is going to be great!!!!!! There is always greater opposition right before the greatest blessings! Joseph Smith and the first vision is a perfect example! Right before he saw a pillar of light exactly over his head, He had opposition! I know in these moments we learn to cleave unto the eternally outstretched arms of the savior and not in the arm of flesh! And, as long as we keep the positive, humble attitude that shows our hope and faith we can see the blessings that the Lord Has for us!! I know my Savior lives. May we all continue on the path that He has already tread and Receive the Blessings he has for us! Use the Gospel! Yes the Gospel is True and so how much more of a necessity it is to apply it! Use the Gospel! I love you all! Thank for all your prayers! Keep it up!

Love 

Elder Bell 

October 28, 2013

So it was great to hear from all of you! whoo! spencer thank you for sharing what you are doing right now in your life and especially that you are putting up the christmas lights! haha word of advice don't go out that one tiny window and please don't rip your pants like I did on the roof! Mom dad I will Add grandpa and grandma to my prayers! I am happy to here that your injury is doing better! Also Heather thank you sharing your missionary experiences! Keep up the Good work!!! To answer some of your questions. ha we actually did sing "I Stand All Amazed" this sunday but it has to be the 2nd to last sunday of the transfer for that to work. Elder olmos and I are still together and should be for another 4 weeks! He is doing great! We are so very different but we just work so well together!! for the blog, that should be fine. my district leader approved it. the package is not here yet.  Investigators that I would love if you could pray for them: Val that she can be baptized this Sunday, Junior that he can be baptized this sunday as well. Pray that they may as they continue to read the Book of Mormon, they will receive a devine wittness of the spirit! Also pray that this wednesday mylie, and kelly can go to mutual! And that marco will stay on the straight and narrow!

this week has been a great week! We had 11 lessons with a member present! whoo It was a miracle! We Found many new and ready investigators! It has been great to witness their progress and their openness to the gospel. An amazing experience that I had is that I taught one lesson with Almost perfect portuguese! It was really an amazing experience! Something that I learned in New York finally returned! Listening to those you teach is the key to teach by the spirit! If you really listen with a heart that has been prepared with all your studying and pondering of doctrine, the spirit will highlight what they need to here! I know that through any opposition if you know the doctrine and apply it, You can weather through any storm. that why the Gospel of Jesus Christ is so amazing! I Love you all! May we BE a forever family. 

Love Elder Bell! 

October 21, 2013

So it was great to hear from dad this week and hear the story of mom finding her diamond! OHHHHH and Jeff and His GIRLFRIEND came to visit? really? WHoo how are they? I really would love to know what is going on with that life long buddy of mine, so mom maybe next week you can tell me all about the chat!! :) I asked about the blog thing to and I am waiting for a response. Sadly none of our investigators went but others that we had never seen before came. so, continue to pray that our investigators will go! but Marco was confirmed a member! Whoo! 

So this week has been full of difficulties and struggles! Ha one would be president came out with a new rule that we can't speak any English. so elder olmos and I are keeping the rule even though that has been difficult! however I can see a definitive improvement in the language. Also Through the other trails and afflictions we had I simply just remember that, "tomorrow we shall see what our God in Heaven has in store! One more day. One More Dawn. One Day more!" When we have struggles we need to remember as we lean on the atonement for strength, we will see the blessings. the blessings are only "but a Small Moment" away.  It is a promise from the Lord, and he never breaks his promises. I would also like to add my testimony to the testimony of President Hinckley that whenever I hear the tune of "Praise to the man who communed with Jehovah" I can not hold my tears. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet. He was the instrument that God used to restore the Power of God to the earth. I know that families can be together forever through that Power. How great it is that even though I am a continent away, I feel my family is close through the prayers and covenants that have been made. I have felt your prayers and I am grateful for them!  Love you all  

Elder Bell   

October 14, 2013

haha dad tell bishop baczuk that I want one of his apple pies when I return! as far as relaxing, there is a little tip that I have. there was a training in New York that a sister missionary gave. she said, "in my bag right next to my scriptures is a little rock. every time I pull out my scriptures I feel that rock in the bottom of my bag. the reason I put that rock right there is to remind of something. It is there to remind me that I need to "be a little Boulder" (Bolder). I know that I we are bold and loving in extending commitments, People will want to accept it." I have a little rock that I keep in my pocket now. Ha You don't need commit them to baptism or to go to church this sunday, but you can talk about and invite them to read the book of mormon, or invite them to watch a mormon message that you really like. Just a few suggestions. Monica thank you for you sincere testimony. I know that Trails truly bring us closer to the Savior and allow us to plant our roots deep in the faith. 2 nephi 2: 1-2. I know in the midst of afflictions is when fruits of our labour are the sweetest. thank you and Keep going! Kellie thank you for sending the package! I will wait with excitement! oh the area presidency said that we can't have blogs. :( so no more blog... oh yeah so people to pray for: marco was baptized!!! But, continue to pray that he will stay firm. pray that bony and tiago (james) can go to church, and heloir will accept a baptismal date! Pray with fervency that all our investigators will go to church! 

so this week I felt a lot like wilford woodruff in Mountain of the Lord! haha I will tell you why in a minute. first though, Marco was baptized! He has turned his life around and now he just has to keep moving forword! Now why do I feel like wilford woodruff? so yesterday we had a anthropologist follow us around all day! She started in gospel principles where we taught about eternal marriage! that was powerful! Then we had a powerful testimony meeting and she then went with us to lunch with a member where we explained how we work as missionaries, how the life of a missionary goes, why lunch is important with the members (so we can invite them to come unto Christ also), and we shared the restoration as the message with the member at lunch with the barbara (the anthropologist). then she came with us to a lesson where we taught a couple about family history with another member! It was a jam packed day of the spirit. After we finished with that lesson, we asked, "so what other questions do you have?" she wondered how we felt about the mission and being away from the family. to answer that question, we took her to a couple who both served missions. we all then responded to her question. Wow that was powerful. After all our answers we asked her, "so how do you feel about all that has happened today?" she thought for awhile and responded, "I feel comfort" I know that the comforter works on all of us everyday. It is through the feelings that the spirit puts into our hearts that we are purified. The fires and trails of life are turned into good through the comfort that the spirit brings. barbara experienced this comfort and we invited her to pray and read the book of Mormon. It was the biggest seed that I think I will ever plant. I know this gospel is true Love you all! 

Elder Bell 

October 7, 2013

Mom and Dad thank you for writing me! (exclamation point) haha yes conference was amazing! It was probably one of the most inspiring and Direct conferences I have ever seen! It is great to hear that you are working with tim and karen Reed! I will pray for you throughout the day just remember to be bold and loving in your invitation you extend during family home evening or whatever it might be! My personal card is a little funny! it does work and I can withdraw but I can't view what is in the account so yeah ha I would be grateful if you do put funds in let me know how much. update on the investigators: luciano and nicole we haven't heard from. mercedes we dropped because she wasn't progressing. Helior, he went to general conference on saturday! continue to pray for luciano and nicole, and Helior. Also Please pray for Bonny and tiago! pray that as they read the book of mormon, they will know that the restoration did happen and that they can be baptized this month! Oh and most especially pray that Marco will be ready for Baptism this Saturday!  

so this week we found a lot of new people and we have started to teach with more and more of the Members! (exclamation point) there were many miracles that happened this last week! We found Bonny and tiago and they are Married!! whoo hoo! ha they told us that we were an answer to their prayers and very important they are friends with one of the best members down here in Penhais! Also conference was so great! I got to listen to it in English so that was a blessing and it has been said by his servants that the Lord is Hasten his Work! I will add My Witness of these things! I know that storms are coming and that in order to weather through the tempest that will come we must share this gospel! We cannot leave our brothers and sisters by the way side! As charity fills our hearts we will be able to share and overcome our fear! I am not excluded from this! I need to overcome my fear and as Elder Ballard said, "missionaries you need to talk to more people!" As we share the gospel and show our faith in the Lord and Charity for others, the miracles will come to pass! I know the Blessings are ALWAYS there for those who labour in his vinyard! I love you all! May you share the truths that you hold dear, and bring souls that are waiting to come unto Christ!

Love Elder Bell

September 30 pictures

Luciane got baptized!  We gave her to the other missionaries in our district.  Para Bems to them

 I got wet, and this week it wasn't the rain!  

 The future missionary Eduardo!  

September 30, 2013

Hey everybody! It was great to hear from Izzy and Ella! I am happy that you like your school Ella and Izzy sim eu entendê todas as coisas voce escrivou mas eu não conhece espanol. ha the only reason I understood is because I had 2 years of spanish! ha suggestions for reading... always pray before you read. I am in the Isaiah chapters in portuguese as well. just plow through and know that there are answers that you need! I have loved reading them because I have to take phrase by phrase in portuguese and I understand a lot! Heather Spencer is 6? what? that is crazy! I still remember when he would come out of the bathroom with his pants down. And yes it is soo great to be a tool! An instrument in the Hand of the Lord! Dad eduardo is great! he is devouring the gospel like a buffet and wants to go and teach with us! He received the the gift of the Holy Ghost and the priesthood this Sunday! Mom thank you for your prayers and for continual encouragment! I am sure the Lord has another calling for you! I know it was difficult for me to leave New York, but I will do what the Lord would have me do! Monica and Ryan I am praying for you and Love you! Let me know how it is going!

This Week was a week of miracles! wow I really don't know where to begin. um Maria, and Eduardo were baptized this week! Also  Lucianne who we started teaching was baptized! the trio in our district in the other ward taught her and she was in a white jumpsuit this Sunday! Whoo HOO! Finally! The portuguese is coming along. ha but it is not all quite there! We had 2 exchanges this week and I was with the trainee of our district leader who can't speak any portuguese and so ha that was a little scary and very difficult, so I am still working on it! ha but wow MIracles! full of miracles! From the big to the little! from not having to wait for a bus, to Maria being baptized! I know this is the Lord Work! All that is Good in our lives has come from him! I Know that the Joy and Happiness of missionary work is real and with the spirit all pains in a solatary moment can be endured! With the spirit and the Atonement of the Savior, all the pains from remaining firm in the faith turn into Joy and Trust in the Savior. I know that the Joy of this Gospel is real, and that the Lord lives. May He continue to bless lives THROUGH you! I know that the Joy is real. May we obtain it and Share it!  11 Therefore, the ^aredeemed of the Lord shall ^breturn, and come with ^csinging unto Zion; and everlasting joy and holiness shall be upon their heads; and they shall obtain gladness and joy; sorrow and ^dmourning shall flee away.

oh some people to pray for this week is Luciano and Nicole that they can resolve their problems by reading the book of mormon together, mecedes that the desire to be baptized will fill her heart, and that heloir will go to Chuch this week! I love you all and know that your Prayers are blessing Lives! 

Elder Bell

September 23, 2013

It was so great to hear from you all! thank jon for the picture of
your NEW leg! It looks very high tech! ha and the nikes are a good
addition to it! thank you mom and dad keeping me updated! I will pray
for Ryan and Monica! I love you ryan keep the faith! Monica you are a
rock! I know this! I have seen this! even with the goofy canadian
characteristics you have, You are a rock! stay Firm in the arms of the
Savior! ALSO This Family Home Evening I WANT YOU BOTH TO WATCH
"MOUNTAINS TO CLIMB" the mormon message! I know this message will
bless you both and give you strength!! as well thank you heather for
updating me on what is going on there in the land of corn and
tractors! ha that is so great that you are working with the
missionaries with that family! I promise you that they will be forever
greatful for the missionaries that baptized them and the family that
helped them grow and become converted to this gospel! and of course
kellie! thank you sooooooooo Much for those addresses!!! I will write
them today! and I am happy to hear that the next "major project" only
took three weeks!

so this week was SOOO Great! Once again I worked and worked and worked
and exerted all my energy. What happened? Miracles! I have seen many
miracles this week!! for example we found this young man that is 20
years old! his family is less active and He has a powerful desire to
change! We have a baptismal date set with him this Saturday! Pray that
he will continue to receive strength as holds to the Barro de ferro!
(the iron rod) his name is Eduardo! I can't write all the miracles but
I thought that I might write that one! I know that The Spirit is real!
He is the barer of truth and the comforter in times of trial! the Gift
of having him as our companion can allow us to overcome any adversity!
I know that Jesus is the Christ. Through his atonement we experience
they Joy of our existence. We receive forgiveness and peace when we
apply. I have applied it. I know that it works! I feel a lot like alma
the younger when he said
 24 Yea, and from that time even until now, I have labored without
ceasing, that I might bring souls unto repentance; that I might bring
them to taste of the exceeding joy of which I did taste; that they
might also be born of God, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.  25
Yea, and now behold, O my son, the Lord doth give me exceedingly
great joy in the fruit of my labors;26 For because of the word which
he has imparted unto me, behold, many have been born of God, and have
tasted as I have tasted, and have seen eye to eye as I have seen;
therefore they do know of these things of which I have spoken, as I do
know; and the knowledge which I have is of God.27 And I have been
supported under trials and troubles of every kind, yea, and in all
manner of afflictions; yea, God has delivered me from prison, and from
bonds, and from death; yea, and I do put my trust in him, and he will
still deliver me.

Love you all forever! May the Lord Bless You,
Elder Bell

September 16, 2013

It was great to hear from you mom and dad! as far as living arrangements go, ha I like it! We have an apartment! ha It is not as super awesome as the apartments in new york but I don't complain! It is good! And food, haha It is soooo good down here. I actually like the rice and beans but the members always make so much more than just rice and beans. ha if didn't have to walk up the "mountain of sacrifice" every night to get to our apartment, I would be so fat! the only thing i miss is dinner food wise. Brazilians only have a huge lunch. ha but I love the Food! 

about this week and your prayers! they were answered! Mylena did walk by faith even with much opposition in her path! she was baptized yesterday! whoo! luciane will progress much faster as well because the bishop is helping her feel prepared! Mercedes has a baptismal date for this next week! and sonia sadly will be a long term effort! this week we grinded ourselves into the dust! guess what working works! we found 9 new investigators and It was so great! I will continue to sacrifice every once of time and energy into inviting others unto my savior! I know this gospel was restored through the prophet Joseph Smith! I know that the Book of Mormon is a testament of my Savior. I love this work! I felt your prayers this week! I am so grateful for the sustaining power of your prayers! I Love you all! AND I would love to hear from all of you! 

May the Lord bless you! 

Elder Bell

September 9, 2013

hello from here down south! I was happy to hear from izzy kellie and Dad! ha no sadly dad I have not been to the temple yet! It is in our area and is about a thirty minute bus ride away! I really want to go! we shall see. there is a couple who is getting sealed in our ward and they help us in the work! they want to go with them so we shall see! It is good to hear that my invitations are not falling on deaf ears! that is awesome that you went out with the missionaries dad! does anyone else have any cool experiences?   Spencer and kellie the basement flooded?? Is the love sac okay? ha just thought I might ask! And Izzy I am happy that you got your letter finally! 

well this week has been a little difficult. I have been very frustrated with the leadership down here. numbers numbers numbers. It has caused a tad bit of discouragement, but by they end of the week I have received peace and comfort and I simply just need to do the work! Work Work work. Complaining does nothing! I simply need to continue to love the people that we are visiting, have the spirit teach, and be bold in extending commitments!  I will just work. work with the charity and diligence that the Lord has Established through his example! I know this is his work! I know that  all may know him through the "spirit that bears witness with our spirit that we are child of God." this week I would ask you all to pray for lucianne to feel ready for baptism! pray that sonia may continue to apply the atonement in her life. bless mercedes to continue to progress toward baptism, and bless mylena that she will act by faith! I know that through praying by faith can work miracles! I love you all! I hope you all can have your own daily dose of the spirit! May the Lord Bless you! 

Elder Bell

September 2, 2013

Thank you MOM, Heather and Monica! I am always happy to hear the little details of what is going on! A flash flood in Idaho? weird. Heather I will watch out for a sister cropper! And mother thank you for your example on how I should love other people! we had a family home even and the lesson was on mothers and I was grateful that I "cannot because my mothers know it!" Love you! I want to give all of you a challenge! you can do one of the three things. 

one: this week pray and GO and Look for someone in your neighborhood that you don't know very well and invite them to a dinner and family home evening!

two: ask the missionaries if they have an appointment and Go with them!

three: give ONE person a copy of the Book of Mormon and invite them to meet with the missionaries! 

I promise that you will feel the spirit and be happy! I promise also that if you do these things by the spirit you will change the course of someones life and point them towards the Savior. Let me know how it goes!    

Guess what? elder Olmos and I get to stay together in penhais for another transfer! whooo hooo! haha and as well we had a mission conference and ha the mission president interviewed me for one hour! ha it was crazy! I told him about some things that were being done by the leaders that I don't agree with and offered some suggestions and some other ideas that I had Ha I didn't understand everthing he wanted me to learn partly because he doesn't speak any english but i prayed a lot and simply the Lord just wants me to be a little bolder. We also have 2 baptismal dates set for this next sunday! pray that Sonia, mylena, and lucianne will feel at peace and ready for baptism! they are ready! Sonia stopped smoking in one week!! I know the Lord lives. I know he loves us and that he died and lives for us! I hope that I can always follow in his example! 

Amor,

Elder Bell

August 26, 2013

This week was a Long short worthwhile tough something or other week! Ha i have no Idea how to explain this week! ha We had very few lessons and walked a lot, but We set a date with a couple to get married and WE HAD ANOTHER BAPTISM! His Name is Vercy. his sons and wife are members and it had been 8 years since the missionaries started teaching him. His son baptized him and it was a wonderful sight to see! I know people can and do change! I Love this gospel and try my very best to teasure it up in my heart! 

I love this scripture! especially "because of the power of HIS word which is in us." I know that when I try my very best to obtain his word and go and apply what I learn then the miracles come! 

  13 Behold, how many thousands of our brethren has he loosed from the pains of ^ahell; and they are brought to ^bsing redeeming love, and this because of the power of his word which is in us, therefore have we not great reason to rejoice?

May the Lord continually bless you! I love you all! Elder Bell

 

 

August 19, 2013

Okay first I have got to answer all of the questions that have been asked. the last address that i sent works!

 av iguaçu 1460

bairro água verde

cep:80250-190

Curitiba-pr

 I recieved a letter from the frei family this last week and yes I did recieve the package with everything that you said would be in it! thank you thank you thank you thank you! It is so great to have especially my slippers due to the fact that while in the apartment my feet had become used to being in a hypothermic state! so thank you! the zone leaders said that the package holds the record for being the fastest package sent! 10 days!! My debit card does work and I am very thankful that you put money in there! thank you so much! 

things in brazil are great! I am slowly but surely getting better at speaking and understanding the language!! whooo whoo! the we picked 12 new investigators this last week and all the investigators we are working with are very receptive! I can't tell you about ALL of them but I will tell you about some of them!! 

verci is a man that has had a troubled past and wants to have a change in his life. his whole family but him are members! his son ever served a mission and is awesome! he is what we call an "eternal investigator" missionaries have taught him on and off for 8 years! we have now a baptismal date with him for this next week! 

we have seen very many amazing and prepared people this last week! there is a girl named jessica! she has turned her life around through finding the lord in her life by reading in the bible! we were teaching someone else and she is a friend of this family. she started asking questions and then became our main focus. we had a powerful lesson and I know that the spirit was in attendence! but come to find out she lives in another area and so we can't baptize her, but here is the real miracle! this last sunday we went with a member to go pick that family and they said that Jessica had just moved into our area these last two days!! 

I know EVERYWHERE there are people ready to receive the gospel! I know it! I have been able to serve in 2 missions and i know they are there. my family I promise you that if you pray think outside of the box and invite, miracles will happen! for example instead of trying the same neighbors that are not ready or not progressing go try a family that you don't know in the neighborhood and invite them to dinner! if you see a new face in sacrament meeting, go say hi talk with them. see who they are and just be a friend with everyone!  also "ask the missionaries they can help you!" next sunday ask the missionaries if they have an appointment that you can go to with them! they WILL BE excited!! Members, except for the mission leader, never do that!  there is work to be done! It is simple efforts of members that will change missionary work forever!! 

my companion's name is elder olmos! he is from chile and is a great missionary! He has less time than I do on on the mission but is Awesome! ha he is really funny and humble! his family joined the church when he was very very young and he went inactive for a few years but he returned with a firm convction that the book of Mormon is true! He also is very very knowlegable of the scriptures! but most importantly he loves the lord and those he serves and teaches with the spirit! there are some in our mission from what I have just want to shove the gospel down people's throats. I am sad to see that they miss the point. If you do not have love for those you serve you have nothing. charity is the best charactisic we can obtain for it is the pure love of christ! through his love he atoned for all. I want to never forget the love he has shown for me and though I can't always express myself here through my words, I hope that people can see my love for the savior in all that I do! 

I love you all and would love to hear from all of you! Let me know the reactions of the missionaries when you ask them if you can go out with them!

love Elder Bel

August 12, 2013

dear family,

 

ole minha familia! tudo bem? I am so happy to hear from all of you from jonathan´s job to blake hacking for a living, mom telling me there is a New Film in the temple, and ryan trying to correct my portuguese. I am so gratful to hear that everyone is doing well and that the lord is with you!! and my favorite dish.... all of it. I have only had one thing that i didn´t like, and ha i can´t even remember what it was. 

 

thank you for all your prayers!! I can testify that they are helping a lot! It is actually very beautiful sometimes when I have no idea what people are saying but Through the spirit of what they say or testify of I understand in my heart and the spirit tells me what to say!! I may be frustrated at times but the work of a missionary is simple. testify, love, and invite. I am not the teacher. the spirit is! the best way to invite the spirit in their lives is to invite them to act. Act in faith on the truths of the gospel. so in order for others as well as ourselves to receive that witness of the spirit, we all need to act. that is why inviting others is so important. and I can´t explain all that i want to and say all that i might want to say or express, but I can bare my testimony and invite. eu sei ele vive. eu sei o livro de mórmon é a palvara de Deus. eu sei que por meio do principios do livro de mórmon, nos podemos voltar com nosso pai. I know that these things are true!

Now as far as the work goes! the lord has blessed us with 21 investigators. I am so gratful for the opportunity to help these people come closer to Christ! there is a man that has had a rough past and has been taught many many times! He has had 2 different baptismal dates that fell through. I really feel that the Lord has prepared him for this time! Pray that he can continue on the straight and narrow and that the spirit of forgiveness may be in his home! I love you all! continue to keep me in your prayers!   

 

com amor,

 

Elder Bell

Birthday and Baptism

August 5, 2013

hello my dear family! it is good to hear from all of you! I hope all those I didn´t hear from are doing well! I thank you much for your prayers on my behalf. they are helping! keep it up!!! ha and yes dad they actually had a pioneer celebration with a dance festival type deal. haha i felt like i was back in Idaho.

life is good hear in the city of pinhais! ha the members here are great! they feed us pretty much every meal and if we are not fed then the ward mission leader feeds us at his restaurant for free!! there is one family in particular that is awesome! the wife when were done with lunch and she said, do you have this? this? this? this? and then she said, "while you live here, you will not go without. you will be like one of my children" haha i am para phrasing from what i understood. haha but we call her mae or our mother.

there is also a young couple who are awesome and are always to go out and teach with us. last night during a family home evening, where they invited investigators, they surprised me with a birthday cake.

   we had our first baptism this last Saturday! his name is hebert! he is a wonderful 15 year old young man that had many friends in the church and was invited to mutual! It was great! with every lesson we had at least 2 members there. It was beautiful to see him be baptized receive the gift of the holy ghost and to receive the priesthood all in the space of 2 days! I love this work! I love the LORD and I know that every step of the way he is helping me. this language is difficult but it seems with every difficulty if we smile, maintain a positive attitude, and trust in the Lord, we persevere through all things! so smile! it will get a long ways! that's all I can do most of the time and it helps! I know the Lord lives and that he remains with those who trust in him and walk in faith! 

com amor

Elder Bell

July 29, 2013

thank you so much for all your love support and prayers! mom i don't need another suit,but thank you for thinking of me. I would love some oreos and a new towel. I love the one I have but it never drys and I don't want it to get moldy. so one of those microfiber ones? I also would love to get a scarf and gloves. not super thick ones  like for snow, just some nice ones. ohh and my slippers!! it is pretty cold in our apartment. it really isn't that cold here but they have zero insulation.  anything else any of you can think of for my birthday you are free to send!! 

Sorry I did not have the chance to email you last week! I left New York at 4 o clock and got to curitiba one day later! ha It was a long flight. But it was good! and now I am in my new area penhais. my companion's name is elder olmos. He has been out three months and he is from Chile. haha luckily he speaks some english. I will not lie, it is a little hard going all the way back to square one. I have to go through the 12 week program so including my first 12 weeks, the 6 weeks i went through the training with Elder Ross, and these next 12 weeks, I will have 30 weeks of 12 week training. haha looks like the Lord needs me to be a very well trained missionary. But the work here is amazing. though it is very very very very different from the work in New York, It is still the Lord's work. I am so excited because we have so many different people to teach!! We almost had a Baptism this last Sunday but it didn't work out. I know these people are humble and simple people. They are so accepting of the truth! One thing I really need help with is the Language!!!! It is very very difficult! I am so used to being able to express myself so easily and now not so much. ha so please pray that I can speak and understand this language. I know this gospel is true. I want so desperatly to invite these people to bask in the blessings that the Lord has prepared for them. I love my savior and know that through him all things are possible. This is his work! may we never leave him and may we always strive to follow in his footsteps. Love those around you as he would. I promise you as you do so that miracles will happen in your heart and those you bless. Love you all

Elder Bell  

ps here is the address my comp says this is it.

av iguaçu 1460

bairro água verde

cep:80250-190

Curitiba-pr

Indian Giver

Since the Bell's are Indian Givers, I thought this might be a good one to send! 

July 15, 2013

So this week was great! the Lord led us to more people to teach! And we have found some very promising people!! including and older couple that had been taught by the missionaries before and a single lady who has read through to 2 nephi already with notes and is just amazing! It is so beautiful to see other people come closer to the savior and apply the atonement in their lives! It is amazing and it is just as beautiful in Idaho as it is in New York! And I am sure it is great in Brazil as well! I will find our soon because last Friday President Wirthlin let me know after some special training for brand new missionaries and their Trainers. I Leave next monday and so hopefully I will be able to call you all on monday! I am excited to leave but it is very bitter sweet. I love the people here and will treasure the opportunity I had to serve here. I know that this Gospel is true and that Christ is my Savior. I know he will sustain us support us and uplift us in his work and follow him My the Lord Bless all of you back home is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ amen.

 

Love Elder Bell

 

ps haha I was right about the whole "I stand all amazed" deal!