King Konk

Elder Ritchie, Elder Fernando, and Elder Skousen. Elder Ritchie is from my MTC group.
I had to duck or my head would be cut off.

Mom - When you took a picture of the Português Book of Mormon did you take a look at it and try to read? Since you are pretty close to the temple maybe you could go and buy one, read a little and memorize some scriptures and when I get back I can help you speak and understand. That would be awesome. 

New Area : Estação (which means station or season) It is on the left side of the BR high way if you google map ARAUCÁRIA. It's an excellent area to serve in because everyone is super friendly and has a certain soft spot for the restored gospel. I don't know what it is but it has been pretty easy to talk to people on the street and mark future appointments. And when I say future appointments that means the next day or two. They are really open to converse about spiritual topics and really open to accept our invitations to read and pray about the Book of Mormon. 

To sum it all up, it's a lot of fun to be back in a ward that knows how to work. We have "name tagged" receptionists that help out timid church visitors find primary or elder's quorum or gospel principles. It rocks. It is really organized and efficient here. 

It was a little tough on Monday because we came home to an Area book that wasn't updated and a lot of colored post-it notes with a bunch of names....these names didn't have addresses nor teaching records. We are starting from scratch and I really hope that I don't get transferred because I already have developed a great love for the people here. I feel like I came back home, because Araucária is a Curitiba suburb. Its a lot like the Fazenda Rio Grande (my second area). If you go back to the pictures that I took there, it is very similar. The type of people and everything. The only thing that is different is that I like it a lot better and the ward is very supportive of us (the fresh new missionaries). I felt really lost for the first couple of days, running around the city with Elder Skousen and city map the size of a chalk board. Two white American guys in ties with a giant map in the middle of the Brasilian round-abouts trying to find strange road names. 

Elder Skousen is progressing so much with the language and is getting the hang of the new area with me. We went to the bus terminal to catch a bus line to the tippy top of our area. It was a really smooth and long ride with the constant thumping motor. It was so easy to crash....on the glass window next to my head. We passed out and passed our planned destination in "Jardim Industrial", almost leaving our area limits. 

I have a growing bus-sleeping problem. Even if it is just a 10 minute ride I almost konk-out. King Konk.

Tudo tranquilo aqui. (He just sent the following in Portuguese.  I will do my best to translate one paragraph at a time. If you are fluent you can tell me if I got close at all.)

All quiet here.

Um abraço por todo mundo li em casa. super longe. Eu oficialmente tenho um ano na missão e o tempo está passando bem rápido. Não dá para perceber e parar para pensar. só trabalho.  Tenho notado que sou muito diferente e tenho um perspectivo bem diferente a respeito do mundo, desde o último vez que vocês me viram. Estou bem animado a não conseguir falar inglês quando eu voltar para casa. Que Deus os abençoe com seus empreendimentos e sonhos. Fiquem tranquilho com suas dificuldades e confiem no senhor quando tudo parece impossível a superar.  Nunca vai padecer em suas problema si voce tiver bom ânimo confiança que o senhor proverá...por que ele venceu o mundo. Eu estou muito grato pelo sacrifício expiatório do senhor e poder que eu possa receber, ao me arrepender e entrar no rebanho a cada dia. 

A hug throughout world - at home and super far away. I officially have a year in the mission and the time is passing very quickly. Not to notice and stop to think. Only work. I have noticed that I am very different and I have a different perspective and view of the world, since the last time you saw me. I am very excited that I cannot speak English when I return home. May God bless you with your ventures and dreams.

Estou super bem aqui no brasil. são se preocupe. Só felicidade e trabalho. 

I am super well here in Brazil. No worries. Only happiness and work.

Muitas vezes, pensamos que temos que ser perfeitos em tudo que façamos num mundo tão imperfeito com os padrões perdidos.  O sehnor não pague pelo resto de nosso esforço, que não conseguíssemos conseguir. ele pagou por tudo. apenas guarde os mandamentos com todo energia do coração e seja fiel ate o fim. O senhor não abençoará um filho que não procura a cumprir. Eu sei que nosso senhor vive, está, e vai estar conosco quando nos cairmos por que ele é nosso pastor que vai correr atrás nos; Eu sei que ele deve ser nosso amigo. Eu sei que não podemos servir dois mestres. Eu sei que minha mãe me ama e eu a ama e tudo mundo. Paz. Amor e Felicidade acontecem quando guardarmos os mandamentos. Se ja tem caida, volte e junte-se à nos.

Many times, we believe that we have to be perfect in everything that we do in a world so imperfect with the standards lost. The Lord does pay for the rest of our effort that we could not achieve. He paid for everything. Just keep the commandments with all energy of your heart and be faithful to the end. 

Em nome de Jesus Cristo, Amém 

 

Skousen doing laundry

One Year

ONE year on the mission. I'll be honest -- the first year on my mission has flown by. I'm sure that the second year will be 2x as fast because I'll remember my prior areas. Like, ..."wow, a year ago I went to the MTC," "in June I arrived in Brasil" "CHRISTMAS WAS JUST A YEAR AGO?!?!....nooooo." "I'm home now? what?" I'm sure it'll be a lot like that. Remembering past dates and working really hard. 

These past few months I think I put my work ethic into third or fourth gear. I had started to drift away a little bit. With almost everything. I lost a little bit of my greeny fire. I talked to President about it and and we have made some awesome goals so that I can get back on my Elder Forsyth groove, helping the maximum number of people possible. 

The mission helps you understand where you are mentally, spiritually, where you are with your work ethic, where you were, and where you want to be. This is only one of the reasons I love the mission. There isn't any other job that requires 12-15 km of walking per day. There isn't any other job that makes you feel stretched to your absolute limits emotionally . There isn't any other job that requires 18-21-year-old guys to make personal and team goals every single day and plan out how they will reach those goals. There isn't any other job that helps you understand so well that work needs to be placed before play. These are just a few of the things that I am going through. Waterfalls and Brasilian hiking included. 

These parts of my life are helping me become a better man (in general), leader, future husband, employee, team player, planner, counselor, adviser, cook, shoe shiner, hair cutter (the hair cuts that I have given are not that great. but they are so much better than before...when I never gave haircuts), a better walker, persevere-er, conversationalist, Christian doctrinal student and enthusiast, salesman, creator, and son. My work helps me value 8 hours of sleep. My work helps me value Christ´s last sacrifice and helps me understand how nothing is impossible (spiritually and physically....just put your mind to it.) My job helps me be a better listener as I can only teach as I learn the needs of others.

I place son as the last point on my list because as I am preparing to be a man in the world, I am also preparing to be a better son of my Heavenly Father. He loves me and blesses me as I bless others as I proclaim His son´s word. I know that the message that I carry is special, simple, firm, lovable, gives me more conviction, and gives life-repairing help. I know that through the Bible and the Book of Mormon we can understand and get to know God´s and Jesus Christ´s characteristics much, much better. I know that through these two books we can understand the fullness of Christ's gospel.  I don't carry just one branch of the tree of knowledge but I carry with me the seed that needs to be planted so that one can understand the entire organism of God´s plan. 

I know that the Book of Mormon is true, through study, deep thought, and through conversing with my Father in Heaven. He showed me that it is true to my heart and feelings, through miracles, and life's changes.

I know that The Church of Jesus Christ contains the restored gospel and the divine authority of God. I know this because I have seen how the priesthood has blessed the life of my friends and my family.

I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet because God would not waste time giving a sacred record testifying of His only begotten son to a false prophet to translate and publish to the world (the Book of Mormon). And Christ wouldn't re-establish His true church through any man, if he were not called of God.

I know that I am blessed for my decisions and I also know that I am on the path to eternal life with an eternal family. I know these things without a doubt in my heart and with full conviction because I have studied, thought about it deeply and prayed about them. Read the Book of Mormon to find out for yourself what road to take. Then take that road! It is a wise man that takes advantage of God´s opportunities when they are given. 

Year 2 here we come!  I will see you all on the other side of the world next March or Feb. I am not exactly sure. 

Love, Elder Forsyth

p.s. www.lds.org

 mormon.org

p.p.s. I got transferred to Estação. It's a small town that is in the middle of Araucária (a city). Today has been super busy with bus rides from Prudentopolis to Curitiba. but the four hours of extra sleep was a life saver because I have been super tired. Now I'm in the mission office waiting for a brother from the ward to give me a ride to our house. 

Adventures in the Brasilian Forest

These past weeks have been wild. We've been going out on the edge having some pretty awesome adventures, hitchhiking (don't worry, with 4 missionaries it's tranquil), meeting people who travel all over South America. 

The man with the backpack with the missionaries in our district is on a life long trip to get to know God's wonders. He has two sets of clothes, some money, a Bible, lots of maps, and a face that tells of many experiences. 

Today we hitched a ride to get out of the Brasilian forest with some construction workers and a bulldozer. I had an encounter with a hundred ants on my legs going at my flesh.  It was a lot of Indiana Jones fun.  Some bites, some scratches and a lot of experiences that will never be forgotten. 

Today was our second attempt to try and reach the hidden waterfall. The last time was a failure, because we ran out of time and had to catch the bus back. This time we made it a little bit further, descending down the mountain but the ants made a very large barrier so that we could not enter any further into the green Brasilian forest. I felt like Cusco from Emperor´s New Groove because I saw several little flies stuck on spiderwebs being eaten by spiders the size of my face. I'll send some videos through a member's email (our missionary email does not permit us to send large files). Some awesome Brasilian wilderness footage awaits everyone at home.

p-day fashion

bus ride home

We also headed up to Guamiranga to make some hard cement floors with Brother Elias and his wife. They have some pretty land where they raise puppies and chickens.   I learned how to make an area with a wood perimeter, fill it with dirt and then pour and place the cement. It took a whole day to make the cement flooring but it was surely worth it. Making cement floors and chasing after really fast chickens. 

Editor's observations: 

1) There must be a different definition for "tranquil" than the one I know.

2) It appears that the elders have no more white athletic socks.  Only dark dress socks.

3) It also appears to be nearly impossible to pose for a picture without the ubiquitous Brazilian hand gestures.

Mountains, my inner Rock Star, and a great video

more on this later...

Our p-day was switched over to Tuesday, only for this week, because of Carnival (last day before Lent) tomorrow. So, I'll be writing this letter and then hitting the street in the pouring rain, woo! Nothing happens here in Prudentopolis during Carnival. Just a little bit more beer and more people sleeping on the streets.

Tomorrow we are going to go hike some mountains and explore some waterfalls in Guarapuava. I am so excited to get on top of something extremely elevated. I miss the feel of clouds in my face and the fresh clean air. Tomorrow we'll catch a bus that will take us to a stop where we will get off and start our hike. We planned it all our on our last zone conference with President. I hope we don't get lost. It should be super tranquil there. This part of Parana is really known for its waterfalls and mountain trails. I don't know if I have written on the blog about how much I miss the mountains. I'm sure Sienna knows. I think I draw her a picture of a mountain each time. If I talk too much about the mountains please forgive me. I don't know what it is about them that brings me home. The scriptures say much about revelation and foundations in relation to mountains.  Nephi, a young ancient American prophet 600 years before the birth of Christ, climbed to the highest mountain to search out and speak with the Lord. 

I have a question for everyone at home. What can we do every day to bring ourselves closer to heaven and gain some insight from God? As Nephi searched diligently for the Lord´s insight, he prayed and prayed and prayed. Prayer is something that can be practiced.  I find that a lot of people here in Brasil don't know how to pray. When they learn, they tell me that they are so much happier. So much changes in one's routine when they add prayer, but even more changes in that person as they pray. We become more efficient with our everyday choices because we are asking the one who knows everything. We become more reverent because we choose to start and end our days with the spirit of peace. We know ourselves better as we discover our relationship with God because he knows us the best. These are only a few of the various blessings of prayer. As we pray we can resist our hardest temptations and we can become spiritual strongholds. 

Couldn't resist the temptation of this wig, though

Before teaching some recent converts I just had to grab the wig that was hanging on their wall. The goofball side of Elder Forsyth came out and I found my inner Guns 'n Roses . I then had to get myself together to teach an extremely special message about reverence. I used my photo shoot as an example of irreverance. It showed how we can have fun and still be reverent people.

Before I sign off, here is a great video.  Watch it!

https://www.lds.org/bible-videos/videos/go-and-sin-no-more?lang=eng 

stay sweet everyone,

Elder Forsyth

p.s.  I FINALLY GOT THE 49ers T-SHIRT and old candy! the package you sent me on November 20th finally got to me last week while I was in Guarapuava at zone conference. I also got all the letters and the package from the Sheffield family and the Young Women of the ward. Thank you!  I can't read them until p-day (tomorrow), but thanks for all the love everyone!

State of the Mish

Elder Skousen speaks Portuguese super well for only 7 weeks in Brasil....and wow I think my soul is starting to shine brighter. I am slowly getting darker.

Reckless banter.  With some guitars, piano, an old Brasilian organ, and some worn out ties we made some soulful music. This is Elder Rocha our district leader. Let's rephrase that. This is Elder Rocha the man. I decided to send the awkward face picture. And here it is. Elder Rocha is from Salvador, Bahia and majored in music back at home. He plays piano, speaks fluent English (like an American) and wants to be more like his Savior, Jesus Christ (and Alex Boye).

Dear family and friends. 

Its really hard to concentrate on this letter because the lan house is playing Karate Kid (the original) right next to my face. The tv screen is literally right next to my face. Mr. Miagi now speaks Portuguese with a Chinese accent. I cant stop laughing. Anyways let's give a report on the week.

As I said in the previous letter, I am training the greenie Elder Skousen and he is the man. I had a companion that had the same music taste (Elder Cesar) and now it's a companion with the same movie taste. A lot of quoting Monty Python and the Holy Grail and Hot Rod with the occasional "boy scout Russel" line from Disney´s "Up". It is all good here in Prudentopolis. I found a restaurant that makes a huge delicious brownie with ice cream on top. I've already eaten three this week. But it doesn't seem to do anything. I still feel skinny because of the walking, which we do a lot. I bought some new styling dress shoes that look pretty cool and are extremely comfortable and durable. It took a little while to find the right fit and style but the search was worth it. 

Daniel San is painting the fence.

I bought a notebook the other day that is starting to be filled with random thoughts, drawings, Brasilian music lyrics, revelations, and notes from members and recent converts. It should be super cool by the end of the mission. One year on the the big mish is coming up and it is really hard to believe. Elder Forsyth is already at 11 months and is still learning a bunch about the gospel.  I feel like I only know .001 percent of what I should know. Every day is a diligent search to find more gospel truths that will make my future life easier and I think my future wife's life, too. I've gotten a lot calmer on the mission and I listen a lot more to ideas of others. I am a lot more attentive and motivated to study. I am much more kind and loving. I know how to set achievable but challenging goals. I know how to make better pasta. I know how to manage my money a little bit better. I know how to converse with my Father in heaven. I don't mean to write these differences as points of arrogance but more as an "I feel good about my progress" type of thing.  It's good to to think about where I came from and where I am and where I am going with my life. This all happened because I am just starting to understand the word diligence. Diligence for me now means "with love". We have to grow our talents and grow a love for them too.

love,

Elder Forsyth

Q & A Time

Luis, aka NEGINHO. We think he looks like 50 cent. He was the most recent one to be baptized in his family. We just have to work with the mom now. He is 11-years-old and is a trooper. I asked him the other day why he really wanted to be baptized and he responded that he "couldn't wait any longer to answer the answer of the Lord." What a kid.  

This week we feature answers to questions I asked Elder Forsyth last week.  He needed a little reminding, but here we go.  

Question:  What do you feel are your biggest challenges right now?

Biggest challenge:  Satan likes to hurt investigators on the day before baptism. 

Question:  What have been the most important lessons you have learned from your first year? 

The lesson of patience has been a big one. I arrived in Brasil without speaking very much Portuguese to now, when I feel I can teach and communicate well. But things sometimes just don't turn out the way I plan them. You get one step from your final goal and you can't put enough force to get the job done because you have a huge weight on your foot. I see these hard final steps as challenges given from God to his little son Elder Forsyth and I am learning patience.

Question:  Has your perspective on service changed since you got there?

Completely. I see Christ's example and the work that He put into the first three years of ministry and the last three days of ministry. He knew that He would die as he left the garden of Gethsemane but fulfilled His purpose so that the real growth of mankind could be accomplished with justice and mercy. As He died he forgave those that crucified Him. How? I don't know. Just think about it for a little bit. If you knew you were going to die, would you help yourself or others? The first thing that would come to my mind is to do all the things that I was never able to do before. Like drive a Ferrari or give Stevie Wonder a hug, I would find a way to accomplish my own will. But would I put the same amount of effort into serving those that had never heard of my name, those who didn't know my character, who persecuted me, who didn't understand me, or who had already died? I don't think so. As I wake up each morning, I try to start my day off with the spirit so that the type of people that might seem like my enemies become my best friends and feel my love.

The Guarapuava Zone, without Elder Cesar.  BTW Elder Cesar was transferred and I am with my first American companion, Elder Skousen from North Carolina. 

Not Just Getting By

As I am here on the mission I hope to please the Lord, reviewing my day in my nightly prayers and asking, "What did I do wrong? Was this day a good one? What can I do to reach my potential? What can I do to help your children reach their potential?" As various prophets have described,  faith is hoping in the truth that is not seen or is maybe hidden from our eyes. But why is it hidden sometimes? Why can't I have a perfect knowledge as Alma describes? Maybe because I'm not widening up my spiritual vision. At times we are content with blurry vision because we can make everything out. We can recognize the faces of those we are familiar with and we can "get by". "Get by" is dangerous talk, my friends. "Get by" is like studying half the material so that you can get a C+ on the test of your life, just so that you can pass. I did that in high school sometimes. And everything leads to a consequence. I am learning now, on the mission, that the amount of work that I put into what I desire will affect the outcome. This outcome will reflect my internal desire. Getting by is not good enough for the Lord. That's why we need to take some vision tests and self- assess ourselves daily. Study, pray and ponder daily. It doesn't always have to be about spiritual things, even. Think about a choice you are about to make and then think, what will my 40-year-old self think of this? Option one, "wow I was such a goofball when I was younger. Why did I even think that way?" OR, option 2 says the following, "Yes, I was a rockstar in being wise." Our hope needs to widen and our disposition to do well in all that we do needs to grow. Study, ponder and pray, but with a desire to do well. Have faith and be strong. Don't let the little challenges drag you down. They add up really fast! Work hard and the blessings will follow.

love,

Elder Forsyth

Branch activities with the youth.  Recent convert Didi going for the goal.

Field of Dreams and a Bum Ankle

This week was a good one for sure. A baptism and lots of fun in inner-Prudentopolis. They speak a different language here sometimes. It is a mixture of Portuguese and Ukrainian. Jonathan would get the hang of it a little faster than I am. Prudentoplis is a Ukrainian colony that was settled many years ago. I think in the mid 1950's...can someone google search it for me? Obrigado. I am learning a little Ukrainian here and there. The majority of the heritage in this town is European and more people look like me. Here people think I am Brasilian because sometimes I put on their goofy accent. I don't know if I wrote how the accent sounds in the previous emails buts it is like a farmer from West Virginia. The Portuguese is super different. 

This week we grabbed a bus to eat lunch with Prudy´s first branch president. Here are some pictures of the bean fields. 

When I saw the bean field I thought of every bean as someone that has not yet had the chance of hearing the gospel. It was sad to think of at first but then I remembered that I was called to make a little difference with some of the beans. Elder Cesar was called to make the difference with some other beans and other elders and sisters all around the world were called to help other beans sprout. I then got really happy and started to run in the bean fields. 

Field of dreams

The field IS ripe and ready to harvest.  I am so grateful for the authority that I have to preach the true gospel of Jesus Christ. At times I forget the huge responsibility that God has placed on my shoulders. Here are some difficulties that I would ask everyone's prayers for:

1. More focus on the work every minute.

2. To walk and not be weary. (it's not that I don't have energy, but we walk a ton)

3. Unconditional love for all.

4. No more judging of others.

5. Willingness to be corrected.

I would appreciate prayers for me to overcome these weak points so I can become a better missionary and a better servant of the Lord.

Ademir

Ademir was baptized this past week. Elder Cesar was working with this family before I got here and we only have to baptize one more to help all of the brothers and cousins. Please pray for the family Alves de Oliveira. 

Newest Prudentopolis members

Prudentopolis youth

We went for a jog this morning and the American twisted his ankle. But it is all good. I already placed the ice, anti-inflamitory spray, advil, and ankle brace to keep it in place. It does not hurt as bad as it did this morning. I was out for the count and asked for a blessing.

Stay sweet, everyone.  Thank you for all your prayers.

love,

Elder Forsyth