Monday March 24th, 2014

Alrighty so happy Birthday COURTNEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hope my letter there makes it in time....I sent it last week. Sorry Tons of stuff going on. ANd I finally got an email for Elder Petersen!!! Yeah I'll reply to him after dad's email. I have I letter I wrote him that I still need to send....

That's awesome about talon's talk! I'm sure he did so great. It's alright if he doesnt pronounce it right, I still have a hard time pronouncing a lot of words without accent. so i'm in the same boat. Oh and before I forget if you could get me some socks and send them that would be nice. I have socks but they are holy and I will have enough none holy socks until probably june but just putting it out there because it always takes a while for them to get here... so they thickness of nike socks are the best because they are the ones that are still in really good shape, but knowing they are expensive just get some cheap brand ones that are just as thick. Obrigado.

That's awesome about the Ft. Lauderdale temple. It's more important to go then when you go. We were talking about temples the other day because I've been thinking alot about them and reading in the doctrine and convenants about being endowed from on high. I feel so blessed to have taken them out so early and had time to go often. A majority of people here only have one time and don't remember a thing. Like at all...which made me think about baptisms because there has been a lot of arguing between everyone when a person is ready and if they fully underdstand what they are doing. Just stuff I was thinking about.

Court's birthday sounds fun, and that whitening stuff sounds really good. I used some denture cleaning stuff one time with mine and it cleaned my retainer really well and yes I'm still wearing it. Don't worry, I'm eating too. But I will have to use more of the personal money because our money has ran out...yeah we used a ton last week to get the house in living order...and we travel a ton. When we are with the other districts we have to take the bus and all that fun stuff. So I've been eating the food I've saved from your package and I've used the card a couple times. Don't worry I have like 200 reals I just need to break the bills (money that I came to brazil with and is emergency money_) I just havent yet. So just so you know I'm using the card every once in a while, even though Ireally don't want to. I got my virus taken of the memory card for the camera today. So I will be sending you the pendrive that has a virus soon...both of them but the black one has all (ALLL) of my photos on it, so to get them put it in my computer (so yours don't pickl up the virus) and then get rid of the virus some how. ANd as for sending photos now I'm really not to keen on sending them and picking up another virus but we'll see.

Alright so as for this last week. It's been a little more tough. Actually it's probably one of the toughest I've had. We basically have no time to work in our area....we have been in linhares for maybe 3 days this week and one of those days we spent trying to get bus tickets for the rest of the Zone and working with the ward leaders about the baptisms we had last week. So as for our area....yeah it's alright, don't really know much about it BUT I went to São Mateus for 2 days this week (the other day this week we were in vitoria the whole day for meetings and then p-day don't count) I LOVE SÂO MATEUS! Elder Petersen passed through there so I always heard a little bit about it but it is so cool and perfect. It is like a rural town and has dirt roads! I hope that one day I can pass through there. I don't really like cities that much.... And it was awesome because I got to go teach and be a huge instrument in the hands of the Lord. I love teaching with the Spirit. You literally are told everything you should do. It's so important to have the Spirit with you and be worhty to recognize the promptings because then it's so easy and you know what to do and everything is simple. It's qwhen you have doubt that everything gets hard and difficult.

Anyways that was my week. I love you all and Miss you so much. I hope you all have a great week and Please send me more pictures Real pictures that I can put in my album!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I Love you all!

Elder SImonsen

Oh and I got grandma simonsens letter

March 17th, 2014

Soooooo yeah I got transfered..but idk who told you it was close to my old area. I got transfered 4 zones away. We took a bus 3 hours to get to our area. (not a ton but compared to a bus that normally takes only 1 and thats a normal bus, we took a charter bus.) But new area tons of new challenges. My companions name is Elder M. Silva and he's from fortaleza. He has about the same time in the mission as me. We both have 7 months but of course he's brazilian so things are a litle easier for him. This transfer will be a little more tough. The area is really good but I've got to work on my portuguese and getting used to a new companion is always fun. We are in a branch now and it's actually about the size of a ward but they only have a district here so they can't be a ward until they have a stake. We work in a neighborhood called Interlagos and suposedly is the biggest neighborhood in south america...i don't think so but who knows. We live in the centro of Linhares and the house is pretty good but was deystroyed when we got there. Literally spent 4 hours cleaning the house the next morning. It's a completely different house now. I'm super excited to be in a new area but me and my companion don't always have a ton of time to work...it's kinda frustrating but we are helping a ton of other missionaries but I'm definitely missing working and teaching a ton. But I'm hoping when things settle down a bit we will be able to teach like I used to. But other than that the area is good, work is good. The food is really good. Haha I'm always eating. but Everything is really good here. I just can't wait until I'm more fluent in portugese but I'll get there. 

So yeah not to much has really happened since last monday. In our area we have a couple missionaries that I know, and others that are pretty cool but all is well and going good. I got your package with the reeses and popcorn and with the pictures that emmy and talon drew. I also got a letter from grandma Simonsen. Also got all that stuff I bought from the lds store online. So thats all good. But other than this, we are working a ton and having a ton of fun. I'm reading jesus the christ in portugese and tons of stuff. BUT I sent courtney's letter off today and so it probably wont be there until after her birthday. Did Brook get my letter? Her birthday pictures look awesome. I hope she had an awesome birthday. I LOVE HER!!!!! and every one else too :)

Elder Simonsen

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March 10th, 2014

I don't know what your talking about for the w-2 forms....I would just have dad go on my byu account and look for the stuff. I don't remember the password stuff but it should have been saved on my computer. Also DON'T  delete any of the pictures of talon and emmy on my computer. My pendrive that had everything importnant on it doesn't work anymore. Like it's gone, so I lost all those pictures :( 

So I honsetly keep forgetting that you post my letters but I don't really censure them. I just don't write becuase I just don't. Idk. BUt I'll try to work on that a little more. You just sit down at the computer and everything in your mind goes blank. and it's like nearly impossible to remember. SO much stuff just passes right through.

Anyways that's cool about Em and Sad she lost the picture but I'm glad she loved it so much. So did brooks letter get there yet? I was going to write and send court's today but I am being transfered so I don't know if I will manage to get it off this week...sorry. But as for Brook HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yeah Feliz Aniversario!

Help the missionaries a ton. You don't have any idea how large an influence a friend is in the missionary work. The missionaries need the help of the members but it shouldnt always be the same member. But try to give references, do visits with them. Don't be afraid to help them out. References help so much and are such better investigators. So don't be shy.


Baptism.

Alright so yes we had a baptism last week or something like that I'm not too sure, I just know it was the first day of march. Her name is Maria and she was someone we found when the whole neighboorhood flooded. And then lost contact of her when she went back to her house. She is a really cool lady and she taught me and Elder Gerald an important lesson. Something that is really cool because I was studying about it after her baptism and it clicked in my head. That the people we teach need to recognize that we are represtatives of Christ and His church. And when they recognize this they are prepared to recieve the gospel because they accept everything we teach. It was a talk called the Challenging and Testifying Missionary.  But she still doesn't fully understand everything we teach her and she cannot read. But she knew that were are representatives of Jesus Christ and felt the Spirit and was baptized because she knows what we teach is true. She is someone that has a strong character and keeps her word. 

As for color tie...BLUE! or red that would work too. Tell talon that's awesome he got so many goals. I'm so proud of him. And that's tought about kiki's arm. How's school going for her? How's court? I'm STILL waiting for an email from her :p And I really appreciate your long email and sorry I don't do long emails. I just get here and I'm so tired, haha so tired because we are working so hard.But don't worry about us we are all good. I will get the letters tomorrow and I'll let you know next week whose I got. Alright Love you tons and miss you a bunch. 

Love,

Elder Simonsen

DEAREST MOMSIE AND POPSICLE

There's been some confusion over rooming here at Shiz....

haha anyways just wanted to write another letter because I have more time and I was really tired when I was writing the first one, and I don't want you to worry because I don't think I sounded to excited in that other letter. BUt It's just because I havent been sleeping as well. We live above a pet store and they have new puppies!....yeah so they bark all night and some people have been really loud at 4 in the morning and I never fall alseep after. BUt NAyways this week has been good. And the experience of the week was personal study. I have been studying the doctrine and covenants and the book of mormon. Trying to use the book of Mormon more when we teach and stressing or emphasizing the importance of reading it. So I'm at the point now where I can literally just sit down and read the Book Of Mormon and just enjoy the words the stories and the lessons they teach. During personal study I can read like 10 chapters of if they are long like 5 but I love reading the book of Mormon. SO usually when I have spare time I like to open it and read chapters that I like a lot or ones that I feel I need to understand better or will share later in the day.

It truly is amazing to just sit down and read and ponder about the things in the Book Of Mormon. I like reading a lot Mosiah 19 & 5 and Alma 5 and just a bunch of other place int 2nd nephi and just jumping around in the book of ALma. I love reading about Alma the Younger and sometimes about his Father and Abinadi.  It's so cool and has so much we can learn. But what's even cooler is when the Lord shows you what to study. Having a personal study, guided by the Spirit. Your knowledge and understanding is literally opened and enlarged. One thing that stood out to me this week wasthat through the Atonement of Christ ordinary men become Extraordinary. The Power of the Atonement is so immense and expanding to so much more than we can understand but is principled around a remmission of our Sins. IT's crazy, but it's true. They have a scripture in 2nd Nephi 9 that talks about the infinite atonement and it is so deep and yet so simple but filled with rich meaning.

The Book of Moromon opens up your understanding and your eyes and in reality reavels the mysteries of God, if and only if we dilligently seek the companionship of the Holy Ghost, as our teacher. IT's amazing to me that so much is opened up to me, so much I've missed and still I'm reading in a another language. Like I'm reading in portuguese and it's so clear, simple, and pure. Jumping out of the page, right at you. I love the Book of Mormon and I know it is the Word of our God, written for us in our days. Saved to help us in our times of need and to be as well a stumbling block for those who don't believe. Why because it testifies of Christ. Of whom I am a representative, and of whom I bear solem testimony that He lives and is our Savior. In His sacred name I share this testimony, yea Jesus Christ, Amen..

Love,

Elder Simonsen

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Monday March 3, 2014

Wow didn't see that one coming about the ward...I really thought for sure that we'd be in the new ward. Who's the Bishop there? That's really tough for court though, but the Lord knows best. He knows what we need and there is a reason she was sent there and eventually she'll know why. It just takes time. Yeah I got a couple letters this last week at the conference. I got heathers cards, I got grandma simonsens card and christmas package, I got grandma nelson's letter, and I got grandma Stakers letter. I should get more next week at the transfer next tuesday. 

I'm glad that Emerson is doing good. I can imagine that ROTC is super stressfull, especially preparing for Field training but I know if he keeps studying and working hard he'll come out as one of the top of the class for field training. He'll do great.

As for packages Idk what you should send. Don't send talks on pendrives. The music player I have only works for music and not talks :( but at least I have music :) Haha Brook and Savannah are going to destroy the rec league. And if she has another chance to go to the temple she should go. And as for her letter I went to go mail it today butttttttttt the post office is closed. IT's Carnival this week which in our state in Brazil means that no one works and no one is home or in the streets. As for the parties...yeahhhhh we don't have any in our area. Literally not a single one. We live in the conetticut of Brazil ;) 

Sounds like talon is going to be a forward :P just scoring goals like crazy. And that's awesome about Kiara. Keep playing soccer! I got to play soccer with the brazilians and president last thursday. We played 3 on 3 and we are all in terrible shape. I'm so slow now and I don't like playing on 3 v 3 fields...but volleyball was really good.

As for when you go to the distribution center I don't think I need anything and I don't really want any thing.I should be good. You could always take a picture and send me pictures of yall at the temple and of the temple. I'm good though. And yeah focus on the book of Mormon. It's really good. the key stone of our religion.

So this week we went through so much stress and it was just crazy. The whole lesson was to rely on the Lord and do what is right. I feel like it was a lot like abraham when he was commanded to offer up his son as a sacrifice. I can only hope what I did was right and keep praying to learn the lesson that was involved but i'm so happy it's over and I feel so much less stressed. It's not really important what happened but the thing that is is that we need to trust in the Lord and be willing to do His will always. Don't fear men fear God.

Love you all so much and I hope you all are doing really well and I'm sorry I didn't write more. But I love you all and miss you all so much.

Love Elder Simonsen

Monday February 24, 2014

WOW. Idk even know where to start anymore....this is a crazy email. Like getting hit by a truck. Didn't see any of this coming.

I'm sad about sister dansons mom. That's really sad and I feel her pain. But it's times like this that we can remember the Plan of Slavation and how amazing it truly is. (Its my favorite lesson to teach) Then about the temple...wow that's crazy awesome. I'm so happy for that and the people you met there. I think it's so awesome. I'm so happy for them. I can't even describe how happy I am for them. Then sister hazelgreens new husband....thats cool.So why did the sisters call to ask dad to give the prayer? Then the ward splitting........................................................................... wow well have fun. I'm sure it will be a whole new adventure. Just be prepared because its going to be a huge change. A HUGE change. But that's just how I feel ;) But I don't think we will be with julington creek anymore. And that means I'll come back to a ward where I literally don't know anyone....só vai.  That sounds like a super crazy week though and hearing from provo will be super cool. Does she have money saved up? 

Alright now for the main point:

Today is the one year aniversary of having the Priesthood for me and so I've been thinking a lot about that and the things I've done with the priesthood and the things the priesthood is used for and about Christ and the Prophets and Apostles. SO Today I will write about the priesthood and what it means for me and how much it has changed me in this one year.

So I am a completely different person than I was one year ago this date. So much has changed and so much of it was because of scripture study and prayer. BUt on the mission I've been realizing how much I've changed from entereing the mtc to entering the field. And how much my faith has grown and the personality traits I have adquired. (if I spell wrong its because I'm mixing portuguese with english and yeah just go with it, just spell check for me) anyways, I have literally become one of the people that just do it. You tell me what needs be done and I find a way to get it done. I work every hour I can and always stay occupied with something to do. I don't think I've ever been so focused and tired in my life. BUt a lot of this is because of the spiritual confirmations that have come to me while using the priesthood, praying and reading the scriptures. So thinking about things I've done with the priesthood and the things the priesthood is used for and about Christ and the Prophets and Apostles, I was thinking about their hands. And all the people they blessed and how the part principal is using your hands to use the priesthood. I thought of how it is all done by touch and thought of all the people Christ blessed and cured using the priesthood and I began to think about all the people I've given blessings to. It is truly amazing to use the priesthood and it truly is a gift and is insepreable (sp?) connected to our worthiness and our faith, as well as to the powers of heaven. I can testify that you feel the power of God flow through you if you are but worthy to be an insturment in the hands of the Lord. You literally feel the love of God envelope your body. You feel the Spirit warm your soul and you shine. 

The Priesthood is often called just that but we often forget that sometimes it is reffered to the Holy Priesthood of God. I have come to appreciate the power of language and understand better how it is used. Adding the word Holy literally changes how you think about the word Priesthood but that is literally what it is. The Holy Priesthood. It is something sacred given to man to bless the children of God here on earth. And an essential part of the Priesthood is the Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit. Because it is through him that we know what to say and what to do and when to use the Priesthood appropriately. He is literally our Guide and we are literally given in the very hour and the very moment what we need to say. And we truly speak the words of Christ (2 Nephi 32:1-5 I love this scripture) but they are fullfilled in accordance with our faith. Faith  is literally the first priciple of the Gospel because without that first step you do not have any other step.

I've been studying alot as well about teaching with Power and Authority of God and to do this we need the Spirit and it is something that I'm looking to study a little more about but I believe it relates to the Priesthood in the Fact that through our Preisthood covenant we are called to Preach the Gospel and we do so with the Power and Authority of God which is the Literal defintion of the Priesthood. Therefore the oath and the Covenant of the Priesthood should be something that we always remember and keep with us in our mind.

So to close, the Holy Priesthood is the power and authority of God given to man on this earth to work in the salvation of all mankind in the ordinances necessary and proper for our exsistence. This things are true and I testify in the name of our beloved Savior and Redeemer of Israel, Jesus Christ, Amen.

Love,

Elder Simonsen

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Monday February 17, 2014

Wow this week was really long but I finally got your package. I got the one that brook sent and I got the one with all the food. THANK YOU SO MUCH. IT WAS LIKE CHRISTMAS IN FEBRUARY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm going to get so fat and I just sat there and looked at the food for the longest time. I was so happy! And thank you for the pendive and for all the music and for the talks and your letters. I really appreciated them. They made me so happy. I cannot describe my joy about the food. I literally still don't know exactly what to do. I want to eat it all so bad but I want to save some of it too because it is so special, and AMERICAN. Literaly so Happy. It was amazing. Thank You so Much. I am so very grateful.

So update on the week. Basically that family we spent the last 6-7 weeks with dropped us. So that was really sad. We were realy dissapointed, at least I was. Then we decided we are going to start working in another neighborhood and so we have done a lot of walking this week. Because we haven't been able to switch completely yet so we spend a lot of time running back and forth between the two. But we have a couple of really good investigators and they are progressing. So I think I forgot to tell you but I finished the book of Mormon in portuguese like 2 weeks ago so I have been having a hard time figuring out what to read exactly...still dont have a definite answer but I started the doctrine and covenants and I started the Book of Mosiah. So yeah...don't know what I'm doing yet. Oh and every once in a while jesus the christ in portuguese. So I'm all over the place. I'll hopefully figure out what I'll study soon. It would help a ton.

So the lesson for this week was about humility and discerning from the Spirit. Yeah I'm still working on those two. I need to be more humble and so I'm trying to find all these scriptures about humility and studying it. I'm also trying to work on patience (yeah this week wasn't so good with patience) but those two go kind of hand in hand. Discerning from the Spirit is something Elder Gerald is really good at and something I'm trying to learn from  him. I keep trying to work faster and harder but in reality I need to slow down and think and enjoy the journey. Not stop think and start running again. So Hopefully I can figure some more of that out this week. It's cool though becuase the Spirit has been teaching me a ton and I have a ton I need to improve. I need to think of Jesus more and have a more christ centered life. It's funny we are doing missionary work but sometimes you still don't think about Him a lot during the day. You just go but I'm trying to work on that and I'm waiting for the Book of mormon in english to study more about the character of Christ. It's tough because I really want to study the Character of Christ but for me it needs to be in english and I'm always doing stuff in portuguese so...it's going a little slower.


Anyways It's all good. How's life there? How is school? Court freaking out about college yet? Brook's birthday's coming what's she going to do? Kiara! I'm going to write you letter today so be ready. I'll try to send it this week. Talon and Emmy...I saw part of FROZEN!!! It's amazing! It was in portuguese but still it's really good. Look up the song on youtube called "livre-estou" its the portuguese version of the song by demi levato. Anyways this family where we eat sometimes played it literally 50 times during lunch because all the little kids love it!! How's dad doing?

Anyways I love you and hope all is well!

Love Elder Simonsen <3

Monday February 10, 2014

Yeah, sorry the lan house was closed this morning and so we tried to go find other stuff and we just got here now. 

Yeah the churches are really far away from everyone and a lot of people like the quick easy churches down the street better. We have been having a lot of trouble gettingour investigators to go to church. Like that one girl that I was talking about, didn't go again and now her mom doesn't want to go any more. Things are pretty difficult in their house right now but I think last night It might have finally clicked for her how important these things are. She is so ready she just needs to go to church. SO important. So we will see what wecan do for her this week.

That's weird about byu-i, maybe you could call them and ask. Idk what they are doing. As for packages, no I haven't gotten any yet. I might get some this week but if not this week the next chance won't be till the 11th of march. That sounds really cool that you got to go camping. That's rough that the tent flooded. But I'm jealous, I really, really, really, really miss camping. Like really. It's tough, and fishing (mostly because, I can sleep when we are fishing) Shoes are good, still haven't found new ones yet. One day I will.The boots are doing really good though.Yeah bro. lowery is a really good teacher. And yeah I'm not sick any more, It was just that one day. I probably will get sick this week though....I bought smack ramen....I need more food so I'm going to start eating noodles. It'll be tough but I'll have to do it.

Alright so couple things I learned this week. First and most important: The Spirit. 

When he tells you to do something do it. Seriosuly just do it. A man who follows the Spirit, is never wrong. Ever. I had 3-4 experiences specifically this week with this and I know I could have had more but yes sometimes it's still not clear. But there. I was literally in the middle of doing something, and the Spirit is like, leave now and go to this place. Right, so Like in the middle of teaching one of these times...so we pray right then and there and I leave and go visit someone else and sit down in front of her and all the sudden know exactly what I need to tell her and teach about. Wow. Another time was,  to go visit a investigator that we normally don't visit (She has been an investigator for 8 years or something like that and we have tried a ton with her when Elder Petersen was here.) and it was cool because we get to her house and I tell Elder Gerald I think we are going to give her a blessing. And so we start talking to her mom and her mom was saying not to go down there (she lives down a hill) because now isn't a good time, come back later, she'll say something to offend you. But we go down there anyways and literally give her a blessing and then say nothing for 1 hour while she talks. But talking and the blessing helped her a ton. Then last night, middle of an fhe and leave to go visit that girl that hasn't been to church yet. She happened to be crying at that exact moment, idk what was going onshe just said it was really tense in the house (Literal translation but means it's really difficult and really really hard) and we shared some scriptures with her and she was comforted a ton.

Anyways the Spirit is super important and essencial and literally we should always follow the Spirit and it's because we will always be right. We need to have courage and be meek and exactly obedient. Those were the other things I have studied this week. Check them out, there is a lot more to them in the bible dictionary and other places. Anyways I've written an essay now and I'll just close with 2 Nephi 32:1-5 about the Holy Ghost (wow that was weird to say....Espírito Santo, better) and these 3 super powerful words

"But if not..."

Daniel 3:16-18

Look up john bytheway's book about words from the scriptures.

Love,

Elder Simonsen