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