Nov 23, 2012 Pictures and recent note to the family

    

Note from David's mom:
On Nov 19th  Elder Bean wrote that he has mailed 3 blog letters, but so far, we have not received them.  While we continue to wait on the sketchy mail service (remember there is a postal strike going on that slows the mail), I'll share some more photos of his last days in the MTC which we received earlier this week. 



Irmao Ricardo (CTM instructor) with Elder Bean 



Elder Bean with Irmao Zamignani--another CTM instructor

 


CTM instructor with Elder Bean



Elder Bean's study desk at the CTM (Sao Paulo MTC)




David in black & white shot

  


Elder Bean with MTC President and Sister Deign

 


Hmmm--don't know the story of this octopus on the CTM whiteboard, but it has a witch hat and tie-on nose, and is carrying a trick or treat bag. It looks like an illustration by David.  The speech bubble says "Hi! Can (it) pray for us?'  There's a story here...but don't know what it is!

Elder Bean



 


overlooking a 4 story LDS Chapel

 





Nov 12, 2012 "First week in 'o campo' - the field!"



Elder Petersen and Elder Bean



It has been a great last two weeks.  The week leading up to the field was so wonderful—having final experiences with my wonderful district and instructors.  So good, and oh, man-!!!-the field is just what I expected and better!  Português is hard, but it’s coming.  Elder Petersen is so legal.  God loves me a lot.  I was really worried whether or not I would receive a good trainer, but I’m in good hands J  Elder Petersen works really hard, helps me, and we only speak Português.  It’s really great.  It’s also amazing to be teaching real people—can’t tell you how great this work is.

The apartment is great, although right across the street is a lingerie store.  Life here is obviously very different.  My whole body hurts and I’m bright vermelho-!- but so happy. 

We never eat breakfast or dinner, but the members feed us well for almoço.  

All is well, the Português is coming, and I’m where I belong.  Love, Elder David

P.S.  Use the MISSION HOME ADDRESS for everything: 
Elder David Kirkwood Bean
Brasil São Paulo Norte Mission
Rua Dr. Rui Batista Pereira, 165
Jardim Caxingui
São Paulo - SP
05517-080
Brasil

Take care, I love you, have a great week!

Nov 6, 2012 Update from David’s mom

Our Elder Bean was transferred from the MTC to the Sao Paulo North mission home on Nov 6.

Before he left the MTC he sent a number of pictures he’d taken from his top floor window.  He has loved the view overlooking that part of Sao Paulo, and has taken pictures of the panorama in every condition possible:  sunrise, sunset, midday, cloudy, clear, stormy and at night. Many of the pictures were pixilated, so I’ll not post them.  He was not able to write a blog letter that day, but did send a short note to me which I’ll share:

Mom!  I’m at the mission home, life is wonderful!  Tomorrow I’ll meet my companion Elder Petersen, and we will go to the Osasco Brazil Stake, Novo Granada Ward.  My P-day is Monday, so I’ll write next week to catch up.  With all my love, Elder David

Distrito 36-B Sao Paulo MTC  early Nov 2012

Outubro 30, 2012 "Of Progress, Proselyting and Pandemonium"

Oi, all!  Tudo bem?  Muito bom.  Vida aqui esta otimo! J

[Hi, all!  Everything well?  Very good.  Life here is great!]

Elder Bean with instuctor Irmao Ricardo and District 36-B

One more week ’til “o campo”—the field!  There is so much to do in this last week, it’s crazy.  It is such an exciting time for all of us!  I’m also feeling sad out district is going to have to say goodbye and go our separate ways, but I know God will bless them, cause, oh man, has He blessed me.  He will always support His servants.

This week there has been a HUGE growth in our understanding of the language.  As of today, we’re the oldest group here.  It’s weird to think that just “yesterday” I was eating my first lunch here as a Blue-dot, talking to the 8-Weekers and thinking, “There’s no way I’m going to do that.”  J  Ta da!  It’s legit.

So the best thing that happened this week was when we went proselyting yesterday.  I was so nervous and worried I wouldn’t understand, or that the people would hate me or my message feel fake, etc, etc.  But again!  God supports and sustains His servants.  My mouth and ears were opened and the Português just happened.  Tender mercy.  The CTM gives each missionary two copies of The Book of Mormon to hand out.  Elder Barton and I brought some extra copies we had purchased at the Distribution Center, so we went out with ten books, and with the Lord’s help were able to hand out eight of them.  So good.  Each time we talked to someone, it was special, and the Spirit guided.  It was so refreshing to do the real thing and not just a role play.  One thing that our instructor said that helped me be bold was, “Remember, this could be the only opportunity that person has to join the church, so talk to everyone, and don’t be timid.”  That got me pumped! J

Also, on average, the people who accepted The Book of Mormon and genuinely wanted to learn more were guys about my age.  It was cool bearing testimony to them of what I know and how it’s blessed me.  Ah, man, so cool.  One lady looked like she was going to cry when Elder Barton told her God loves her.  And for the first time ever (in Português), I was able to bear testimony that there is a God.  I realize, now, how two months of struggling, feeling incompetent, hard work and stress is worth a few moments on a hot afternoon. J  I’m so happy.  And I can’t wait for the field!  Proselyting confirmed to me that this is truly possible.  I mean, oh my gosh, I was preaching the gospel in Português to Brazilians yesterday!!!  Wow.  Can’t even say how great I feel.

Shout out this weeks goes to my wonderful mother for the letters she writes!  Uncle Mark, too.  Thank you so much. J

And now for the random stuff:  1) There are a lot of cockroaches here, but I think “Wall-e” cured me of any possible fear of them 2) I have been so tired, as of late, that I will fall asleep during choir practice.  This is amazing ’cause I do it while standing and singing.  Suffice it to say, it is a very scary sensation to wake up as you’re legs are giving out and you’re falling down.  BaHa.  Thankfully, I’ve not yet had an encounter with the floor. J   3) Two elders in our district like to ride the elevator to our room on the 6^th floor at the end of the day.  Elder Barton and I have started racing them there, but using the stairs.  Oh my gosh, it is so funny as he and I scrabble up those seven flights of stairs as fast as we can!  And we usually win.  HaHa.  4) I did a few English fasts this week, and they were really helpful.  It makes the Portuguese more ingrained in my mind.  I don’t speak much, but I do speak.  And I speak enough for now.  5)  We only have one more week to try and help our “investigator” Evandro to be baptized.  Our date is set for this Saturday.  But we still have a few lessons we need to teach him.  Hopefully, it all works out.  We just need more time!

Hey, thank you for your prayers.  I definitely feel them.  The love is real!!!  Sure hope life is treating you well.  Life is hard, it’s supposed to be, but life is so good.  Continue in faith, continue to write, continue to love God and those around you.

’Til next letter (and I’ll be in the field!!!) J

Elder David Bean

More CTM photos




Companions: Elders Barton and Bean

 



Missionary Nametags



Missionarios in the CTM



David with 4 other missionarios

Sao Paulo: evening view as seen from David's 7th floor window

Sao Paulo:  daytime view

Photos Sept - Oct 2012





District 36- B

  


Having a little fun!



Uniquely personalized 

 

Leather scripture case




Brazilian candy

 

Elder Bean and missionary







Trio of elders

 

Newly arrived Elder Shawcraft with Elder Bean

 

Outubro 23, 2012 "Baby steps to the...Português?”



Missionarios leaving the CTM. Soon it will be Elder Bean's turn.



It’s happening peoples.  I’m learning Português.  I didn’t think it possible, but after sending our second batch of Brazilian roommates out into the field, I realize just how much I’m progressing.  Now, I’m sure in two weeks (Did you catch that?  Two weeks.) I’ll get a rude awakening to the reality of native fast-talking Português (just to make very clear, it’s two weeks.  That’s all.  Ahh!), but it’ll all be okay.  I’m doing well.  I’m understanding more and more every day as I force myself to constantly talk to Brazilian missionaries. J



Elder Bean with Elder J. Pereira



My district has really gotten even closer.  For one of our goals this week we had a compliment circle every night, and each companionship would get complimented by everyone else.  It was really nice, and also enlightening, because as I thought about the unique abilities each person had, I realized the traits I wanted to grow in and work on.  Another thing that was great was working with Irmao Ricardo this whole week.  He understands missionary work so well, and he constantly teaches us (all in Português) how to be better servants to the Lord and the people.  It’s gonna be hard to say goodbye to him.  Saying goodbye to my Brazilians this morning wasn’t too hard—I’m mostly excited for them.  And I want them to be able to succeed so much!  They’ll do great.  Especially Elder J. Pereira!  He was district leader for his district, so helpful to me, and was always just so happy about this gospel and the opportunity to serve!  He’s a great example.  He got sick a few days ago and asked for a priesthood blessing.  Another Brazilian gave it, but I stood in, and, oh my goodness, such a cool thing.  I learned that 1) God speaks and inspires men to speak in Português, and 2) whether it be English, Português or Finnish, the priesthood is the same and the eternal laws respect it the same in any tongue.  I also got to give a sister in my district a blessing of comfort.  Just simply put, God is good, and so trusting; He loves us and wants the best for us.

Last few tidbits of info for this week:  I got letters from Mom, Grandma, Miriam Blaser, Opie Arnold, Rosemary Merrill and Elder Matthew Woodruff.  Thank you so much!  I’m responding to y’all as fast as I can! J  Oh, I also was asked during our church meeting on Sunday to give a talk.  It was a great blessing to be able to give it in Português.  See? God is too good to all of us. J  Oh, it is wonderful to me.

Last thought—for my Band tribe:  Pay attention to the things you learned in Marching Band.  As you close your season, make it worth something, and be better.  I loved band because it provided me opportunities, in abundance, to change myself for the better.  And the lessons learned are applicable to every single part of your life. Here on the mission it is sadly obvious that there are “two bands on the field.”  Those that are digging in and progressing, and those that are doing less than their best.  The longer we go, the greater and more apparent the divide.  All y’all, prepare for life, prepare for missions, choose ye this day whom you will serve.  No regrets.  But...there will be regrets, so remember, “it’s never too late to be the way you wish you would’ve been.”  I love you all— I couldn’t ask for better family and friends.   J 

With my love and prayers, Elder David 


Elder Bean with missionary at the CTM!





Missionarios in front of the World Map.