Hello Everyone,

      I'm guessing everybody had a Merry Christmas. The Holiday was great here. L. Tom Perry, Neil Anderson, and Greg Olsen (artist who paints many pictures for the church) came to speak to us. Also, the director of missionary services came and showed us a ton of the "Homefront Commercials", it was a lot of fun and some of the commercials were really funny. On Christmas Day, there was a Talent Show. It was very entertaining, as it was meant to be I'm sure. One Elder played a song on the piano about the Brazil missionaries and about how they are waiting for their visas. The music was from the Sublime Song "Santeria", he dubbed over the words and added his own. All of the Brazil Elders were laughing so hard when he said "Believe me when I say that I got somethinf for your family!" I guess you had to know the song in order to get that one. In the song he mentioned Elder Mender who had been in the MTC for thirteen and a half weeks waiting on his visa, poor Elder. The MTC President played his harmonica for his talent, He looks like such a stern guy but the more I learn about him the nicer he seems.
    Sister Clarissa Thomas has the same p-day/gym time/ meal time as me and I see her all the time.
    Elder Tim Frost arrived last week. Elder Frost is my best friend from BYU. His classroom is two away from mine and I see him every day, it is crazy.
     Saturday night I had the oppurtunity to use the Call Center again. I spoke to a man named Kenny Dougharty from Fort Worth,TX. Kenny said that he didn't believe in celebrating Christmas, he only celebrated Jesus's Birthday. When I asked about the Bible we sent him he said that he had given it to a sixteen year old girl who was going through a rough time. He continued to say that he was speanding Christmas alone because his family was buying gifts and worshipping money. Later he told me that he was a narcotics and alcohol counseler and that it was hard for him to see the good side of the world because he mostly saw the bad, he told me that he has had drug issues himself. Kenny focused all his mind on the book of Revelations and helped all his clients by having them fear the end and having them believe in Jesus. This was a very sad and confused man. I told him that the book of Revelations was a small part of a giant Bible whose main message was one of hope and love. I went on to tell the of the Restoration and of modern day prophets and how we are given to us because God wants to save us, not condemn us. He seems shaken by these words and he agreed to let the missionaries come to teach him. I'm going to call him back next Saturday to see how he is doing. I got a taste of the work and I want more.
     Fifty visas came in yesterday and they have flight plans for only forty of them, which means I could get mine today... and if I do expect a call.
  Brazil is waiting and I'm ready to fly. I love you all so much. I love you Natalie.

   Com Amor,
         Elder Nothum

Dear Everyone,

     It is the week of Christmas and I have never ever been away from home at this time of the year. I feel great. I love everyone here and I love the work I am doing. I have never had five weeks as productive as these last five ever in my life. I have learned so much about myself and about the gospel. I used to think that missionary work wasn't that effective, but now I see. Being a missionary is only effective when you work, when you decide to give it all and not want anything back but knowing that you brought a soul closer to Christ and hopefully paved the way that will lead them and their family to the Celestial Kingdom.
   At the MTC we get to call people, real people, who ordered Bibles, Books of Mormon, or other church publications. On the surface it seems like we are just calling to see if they got what they ordered, and you can do that if that is all you want to do. But we were taught to go to the call center with a prayer in our heart wanting to share the message of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ with the people we call. They usually don't answer and when they answer, they usaually just say " yeah I got it, bye". One night while calling a man named RJ answered his phone. The more I talked to Rj and he told me about what he was going through I devoloped a love for him. He told me that there was a lot of stuff he wants to fix and he ordered this Bilbe to help him fix these things. After talking for a while and finding out more about him I testified about the power of Baptism and I told him that all his sins could be forgive. I told him that God loved loved him and that he wanted to help him make his life better. He wanted to talk to some missionaries so some were sent to visit him. I don't know what happened or what will happen with RJ but I know I did my best and that is the feeling I want to have for the rest of my life.
     My Portuguese is coming along. I have taught lesson one in Portuguese five time now and through hard work I am being blessed with an understanding of this language that would have never dreamed of having in five weeks. I love this work and I love all of you. Thank you for everything. Natalie, I think about you every day and I miss you. Sing a Christmas song for me and remember what this season is all about, Love.

Com Amor,
     Elder Nothum

Dear Everyone,

   I am in the Provo Utah Missionary Training Center. I will be here until my visa comes through which they say will probably be a really long time.
   Everything is going great. My companion's name is Elder Christensen. He is a big (strong) guy who gave up playing football at USC to come on his mission. He will still get to play there when he comes back but wow, what an inspiring Elder.
      So, I am learning the Portuguese language and it is tough. When ever we have speak your language days it is rough. I love talking to the Elders and cheering them up but I can't do it in Portuguese so I just sit. I know I will eventually get a grasp on it I just need to remain faithful and work my hardest and I know the Lord will make up the difference. "Seek first the kingdom of God" I try to keep that in mind.
    I love it here. It is so great. I have so much time to study my scriptures and nurture my testimony. We have had several chances to teach people already and I love it. When you prepare your lesson and study as much as you can, the Spirit is so strong and everything you need to say is brought to memory. I am learning so much about the Gospel and myself.
       Eu tetifico Jesus Cristo vive e Ele ama voce.
        Eu amo este trabalho
   Com Amor,
           Elder Nothum