Hello Everyone,

        So, I have been here for two months now. That is 1/12th of my mission. That seems crazy. Sometimes it gets rough not knowing when your visa will come and just waiting. It feels, at times, that the field is a fantasy world that is out of reach. We have to wait until we are here for 14 weeks before we get a temporary stateside assignment, was it like that for you Dad?
    I was feeling great about the language this week until we had a large group meeting were we talked about what all the Brazil Elders are going to do while they are waiting for visas. We listened to native Brazilians speak the language and they were cookin'. I caught about half of it. But I went from confident to "wow, I really don't know anything."
      My gospel vocab and speaking is great. I can understand when people teach and I can teach well, but outside of that I struggle. I know if I do everything I can, work my hardest, and I am obedient the Lord will give me blessings and it will all be ok.
      Elder Christensen and I have become close friends. I have been with the man all day every day for two months now. It is going to be strange when we get to the field and he is no longer my companion.
      I always say "today is the day I get my visa, I'm feelin' it"
      Elder Christensen will quickly say "Nope. We have five more weeks here." He is a great Elder and I know that I am his companion for a special purpose. I'm going to miss him when we get to the field.
      Everyone who has been to Brazil says that the fruit is amazing, so looks like I will be getting out my comfort zone and trying some new stuff. They also have said that the people are extremely accepting and nice. There is an Elder who as been there for five weeks now. He sent an email that said "this week was a slow week, we only have eight baptisms". That's a slow week! People in the church have developed a ridiculous idea that it is not about baptisms. Well, nobody can get into the Celestial Kingdom without baptism. Also, there is no other way which they can be forgiven of all there sins. Jesus Christ himself said to all the Nephites in 3rd Nephi "come unto me all ye ends of the earth and be baptized in my name." We need to everything we can to help people receive this wonderful covenant. This will open the doors of the Celesial Kingdom. It isn't enough to do "good" things. We must do the "best" things, or the right thing. The right thing is baptism. We should not be afraid to talk about the authority of God that has been restored. The same authority that Christ's Apostles used to baptize. We should  help others understand that the proper authority from God has been restored through a prophet, and we have prophets today. So fellowship new members in your wards. Be the rock and friend they need. We learn in Mosiah 4 that you must not "stay your hand", you must be charitable in all things, especially with our knowledge of Christ. Everthing I will teach comes down to the first principle in the first lesson "God is Our Loving Heavenly Father". That is why we had the Atonement and that is why we had the Restoration. It is the reason we have the Book of Mormon. Help others. Do everything you can for others. "Bless those that curse you". We are all beggers trying to get through this life. We all call on the same God. Pray for Charity.

I love you all. Family if you want to, send me stamps.

Com Amor,
     Elder Nothum