Elder Bean's Mission Scripture

Elder Bean's Mission Scripture:

Alma 26: 35

35 Now have we not reason to rejoice? Yea, I say unto you, there never were men that had so great reason to rejoice as we, since the world began; yea, and my joy is carried away, even unto boasting in my God; for he has all power, all wisdom, and all understanding; he comprehendeth all things, and he is a merciful Being, even unto salvation, to those who will repent and believe on his name.

Friday, October 5, 2012

Oct 2, 2012 MTC: Halfway Gone!

Oi Familia e Amigos!

This week has been so great.  So much better than last week.  The language is coming better, I’m understanding way more, and when we teach lessons, I don’t need to use any language-cheat sheets!  I just walk in with my scriptures and converse and teach.  So good.  At our TRC on Friday, the missionaries pretending to be investigators were focused, not goofing off, and so we were able to teach better, and thus got really good feedback.  Too often the missionaries treat TRC like a joke and don’t role-play well.  But this week was good, and we were able to learn so much about our teaching/language abilities. And, more good news, all of our other "investigators" are progressing really well!  Elder Barton and I are really teaching well together.  So guess what?  One of my favorite instructors here looks like (kind of) and is like a Brazilian Chris Phipps!  J  Legal.  Brazilians are so friendly here. 

Our roommates left today—that was rough.  I love them so much and wish them the best as they serve the people of Londrina.  So good.  It was really sad when we woke up at 3am to say goodbye, but also really happy.  Great men of God. 

Elder Bean and Elder Santos
And Elder Santos invited me to his wedding in two years!  J  It’s crazy ’cause many Brazilian missionaries are engaged!! 

Okay, some more random things:
1)  P-Day last week was the best!  We went to an all-you-can-eat restaurant, like Tucanos, way cheap, so delicious...J especially the chicken hearts!  Later, we picked up the handmade leather scripture cases we all ordered from this guy on the street.  He burns designs into the leather, and it looks crazy cool!  J  I’ll send a picture today.  And lastly, I bought a Passion Fruit Fanta!  Best thing ever.  That was such a good day.
2) Brazilians don’t have/know about the candy Pop-Rocks, and it is so funny to watch them try it!  They like it too! 
3) I have run into another friend/person I’ve known pre-mission here at the CTM:  Elder Fletcher Harrison!  We were in the same group at BYU’s FOL [Foundations of Leadership] last summer just before entering the Y!  J  Legal!
4) I love helping out/giving my little bit of advice to the new “blue dots” every week.  I remember how lost I felt my first week, so it’s easy for me to reach out.
5) One of the Elders in my district is a hardcore gymnast, and he’s helping me during gym to get “Bombardo!” J  I’ve gained almost 15 pounds, and it’s also all muscle.  Yeah, legit.  Haha.
6) The Elders and the Sisters here prepared and performed a musical number for the devotional on Sunday.  We elders sang “Rise Up O Men of God,” and I was asked to conduct!  J  So cool—good memories: Timpview Band, I love you!  The sisters then sang this really pretty song about helping the people around you.  It was very well done and very spiritual.  I couldn’t help thinking how cool it is that they are all serving.  Thank you, Mom, for your example in serving the Lord! J 
7) We are all progressing in the language; light bulbs are beginning to turn on!  One of our teachers, Irmao Viana, always brings “The Tie of Shame!” for those that speak English during class.  It’s this nasty, dirty, pink tie that’s falling apart.  SO funny.  We learned from Irmao Ricardo how to sing “Head Shoulders Knees and Toes” in Portuguese.  And it was Irmao Viana’s Birthday yesterday, so before he arrived, we spread candy around (including Pop-Rocks, so hilarious!), and wrote Birthday stuff on the white board. I logged onto the computer in our classroom, brought up the “Birthday Celebration” for President Monson, and cued it so that when Irmao Viana walked in, the MoTab Choir was blasting super loud, singing Happy Birthday!  So awesome.  We made his day.  J
8) Lastly, we had two fasts this week: regular Sunday fast, and an English fast.  Fast Sunday was so meaningful ’cause if anyone has stuff to fast for, it’s me, and our English fast helped all of us a lot.  It also taught me that even if I don’t (yet), the Holy Ghost speaks Portuguese!  J 
Life is great, I love you all.  Write me!  Thank you to all of you who have sent letters recently:  my familia, Maren Young, Rosemary Merrill, Rachel Peterson, and Miriam Blaser. Thanks for writing.

God be with you.
Love,
Elder David Bean

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