Well,
It was a good Christmas. I talked to a few of you but not all of you. I forgot my camera at the house, so I will send pictures next week.
On the 23rd we had a Mission Christmas Conference. After lunch we had a talent show. Elder Rowley, Elder Hansen, Elder Duarte, and I sang acapella ``Jesus num Presépio``, which is ´´Away in a Manger``. It turned out good. I sang melody, Elder Rowley laid down the bass line, Elder Hansen was Alto, and Elder Duarte sang tenor.
On Christmas Eve we went house to house singing carols and reading Luke 2. When it came to the part where it says ´´I bring tidings of great joy, for unto you....`` after we talked about Christ´s birth and mission we mixed it up by saying
´´We aren´t angels, but we were called of God and we do also bring tidings of great joy...``
Then we talked bore testimony of the Restoration of the Gospel. It went well.
We were filled with an amazing Spirit. It was the best Christmas ever. There were no presents or white elephant gift exchanges, just me, Elder Rowley and the Savior. We were spending our Christmas with Him, and it felt good. When we finally got home we had bought a bottle of apple cider. We popped it open and read some letters from home, wished everyone in the Zone a merry Christmas, told em´ how much we love them, and said good night. We played a cd of Christmas music that Elder Rowley´s brother sent us and then Josh Groban sang us Chrismas songs until we fell asleep.
Then I woke to Josh Groban yelling ´´NOEL, NOEL, NOEL!`` Elder Rowley had awaken earlier than me and made pancakes and eggs for us. He woke me up with obnoxiously loud music, much like my Dad on a Saturday morning of yard work.
We ate, studied, and then the member family of Acácio and Valqueria made us a huge Christmas lunch. We then went to brother Iran´s house, where my family called me. It was good.
The weekend passed and then Monday came.
During study we got a call from the Assistants and Elder Hansen told us that Elder Rowley was transferred. He went to Hortolândia where he is now companions with my good buddy Elder Long. My new companion is Elder Latham. He is a good guy. He is from California. I haven´t got to know him that well yet, but he is a hard worker and a happy guy. I like him. I am training him as a Zone Leader, I have been one for such a short time and I am still learning so it will be a fun experience.
Yep. the mission is the good life. I am living it up out here and loving it.
-Elder Stephen Mathias Nothum
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Hey Everyone!
Sorry that I didn´t write last week. It was a holiday here in Campinas and all of the Lan Houses were shut down. I got access to one and then it closed while I was in it, so I didn´t get to write everyone that I wanted to.
Nevertheless, here I am writing another letter to you all.
This week we had a training meeting were we talked about teaching to peoples needs and getting their confidence and trust. Elder Rowley and I started to think about how we are teaching and how we could get better. So we made some plans and after the meeting we were off to our area.
We arrived and went to an address that we were wanting to pass. As we arrived at the house a man answered the door. It was a poor part of down and the house was made of bricks and the only room that was complete was small kitchen. The rest of the house had no doors, no tile, just brick walls. The man looked like he could have been a rough character and I wasn´t to sure if he would accept our message. He looked at us and we told that we had a message about the gospel of Jesus Christ that his son had asked us to come share. He looked at us and then walked away and called someone else to come talk to us.
Soon after there arrived a short, thin, smiling Brazilian woman with braces and her hair pulled back in a unkempt pony tail. She gave us a big smile and told us to come in. Her name was Zeneide. She makes carry out food in her house and then delivers it to local business. Her and her husband Adilson have been together for about two years and they both have two children from their prior marriage. Zeneide has had serious problems with depression and she has had thoughts at times that maybe God forgot about her.
We entered the home and got to know them and found out all this info. They donp´t have any strong religious belief and they were happy to receive us in their home.
Elder Rowley and I then shared the scripture ´´Come unto me all ye that are heavy laden.....`` We shared a message about the Atonement of Jesus Christ and said that there is a way to have a family more happy and united through truths that have been restored by God. We felt a really strong peace in that home and I left that house knowing that we truly helped them.
The next day we arrived a little early and we had a chance to help Zeneide do the preparations for the carry lunches for the next day. We peeled garlic, cut onions, and cut a cucumber-like squash up. As we worked we got to talk a little more and get to know them. We look at them as friends who we care for and love, this helps us to teach with the true spirit of Christ; which brought multitudes to follow after Him.
As we seek to look at people like God and Christ do, or in other words, seek to look at them as people with emotions, desires, needs and emotions we will start to not only look at them as Christ does, but further more, to love them like Christ does. All who have a calling in this church need to love be for they serve, if there be another motive they will receive no gift in heaven and if there be no love the others who they serve and teach will not feel conviction in their words.
But all things are numbered unto me, for they are mine and I know them. (Moses 1:35)
Can we say the same about all those whom the lord has given us to care for? We should seek to know them, to love them truly, and then the Spirit will tell us exactly what we need to say to bring them closer to Christ.
The mission is filled with so many great experiences and I would not trade these two years for anything else in the world.
Elder Tyson Fillmore, a good buddy from the Y sent me a letter. He is still as hilarious as ever and his mission is going good. Tell Nelda Krueger thanks for the Thanksgiving and Christmas cards. Tim and Casey too.
Oh, and Casey, the Elder in the baptismal picture you sent me of Allie is from my BYU ward when I was a freshman, or he lived in my dorm building. But, I know him.
NATALIE HOPE NOTHUM IS THE GREATEST LITTLE SISTER!!!!! I LOVE YOU NOODLE AND I HOPE THAT EVERYTHING IS GOOD!!! I MISS YOU!!!!!!!
I and I kind of love the rest of you too, but Noodle gets the majority of my love.
Com Amor no Lar,
Elder Stephen Mathias Nothum
Sorry that I didn´t write last week. It was a holiday here in Campinas and all of the Lan Houses were shut down. I got access to one and then it closed while I was in it, so I didn´t get to write everyone that I wanted to.
Nevertheless, here I am writing another letter to you all.
This week we had a training meeting were we talked about teaching to peoples needs and getting their confidence and trust. Elder Rowley and I started to think about how we are teaching and how we could get better. So we made some plans and after the meeting we were off to our area.
We arrived and went to an address that we were wanting to pass. As we arrived at the house a man answered the door. It was a poor part of down and the house was made of bricks and the only room that was complete was small kitchen. The rest of the house had no doors, no tile, just brick walls. The man looked like he could have been a rough character and I wasn´t to sure if he would accept our message. He looked at us and we told that we had a message about the gospel of Jesus Christ that his son had asked us to come share. He looked at us and then walked away and called someone else to come talk to us.
Soon after there arrived a short, thin, smiling Brazilian woman with braces and her hair pulled back in a unkempt pony tail. She gave us a big smile and told us to come in. Her name was Zeneide. She makes carry out food in her house and then delivers it to local business. Her and her husband Adilson have been together for about two years and they both have two children from their prior marriage. Zeneide has had serious problems with depression and she has had thoughts at times that maybe God forgot about her.
We entered the home and got to know them and found out all this info. They donp´t have any strong religious belief and they were happy to receive us in their home.
Elder Rowley and I then shared the scripture ´´Come unto me all ye that are heavy laden.....`` We shared a message about the Atonement of Jesus Christ and said that there is a way to have a family more happy and united through truths that have been restored by God. We felt a really strong peace in that home and I left that house knowing that we truly helped them.
The next day we arrived a little early and we had a chance to help Zeneide do the preparations for the carry lunches for the next day. We peeled garlic, cut onions, and cut a cucumber-like squash up. As we worked we got to talk a little more and get to know them. We look at them as friends who we care for and love, this helps us to teach with the true spirit of Christ; which brought multitudes to follow after Him.
As we seek to look at people like God and Christ do, or in other words, seek to look at them as people with emotions, desires, needs and emotions we will start to not only look at them as Christ does, but further more, to love them like Christ does. All who have a calling in this church need to love be for they serve, if there be another motive they will receive no gift in heaven and if there be no love the others who they serve and teach will not feel conviction in their words.
But all things are numbered unto me, for they are mine and I know them. (Moses 1:35)
Can we say the same about all those whom the lord has given us to care for? We should seek to know them, to love them truly, and then the Spirit will tell us exactly what we need to say to bring them closer to Christ.
The mission is filled with so many great experiences and I would not trade these two years for anything else in the world.
Elder Tyson Fillmore, a good buddy from the Y sent me a letter. He is still as hilarious as ever and his mission is going good. Tell Nelda Krueger thanks for the Thanksgiving and Christmas cards. Tim and Casey too.
Oh, and Casey, the Elder in the baptismal picture you sent me of Allie is from my BYU ward when I was a freshman, or he lived in my dorm building. But, I know him.
NATALIE HOPE NOTHUM IS THE GREATEST LITTLE SISTER!!!!! I LOVE YOU NOODLE AND I HOPE THAT EVERYTHING IS GOOD!!! I MISS YOU!!!!!!!
I and I kind of love the rest of you too, but Noodle gets the majority of my love.
Com Amor no Lar,
Elder Stephen Mathias Nothum
Friday, December 10, 2010
Oi Tudo o Mundo,
Então, Brazil is great. I am catching on to the language more and more everyday. We started teaching some really special investigators this week; Jessica, Cida, and Clefferson. They read, prayed, and all received answers. It is amazing what the Lord can do for you when you put your life in His hands.
I have had some rough times when I didn't´t understand anything in lessons.One woman in particular talks really fast and very strangely and then she looks at me and asks me a question and all I can do is nod my head and smile. Well, this week her son went into the hospital.While we were teaching her she began to weep and sob over her son who has drug problems (I didn't´t find all of this out until after the lesson).On top of that her mom and her husband committed suicide in the past. While she was crying and crying I began to say a silent prayer, that the Lord would put words into my mouth that would give her peace. Nothing came. Now at first this seems like it would wound my faith, but it did the opposite.The Lord taught me a powerful lesson on how important it is that I learn this language and fast.I am here to help people, and I can´t do that if I can´t understand them.
We had exchanges this week also. I went to another area with my Zone Leader, Elder Mendes. We went to an extremely poor area. While there we taught two women. One was sick and she had a disability involving her legs. She could not even carry her own baby boy. Yet, when we taught her the power of prayer and of the perfect love God has in answering our prayers she began to smile and continually nod her head in approval of what we were teaching.
All the things we have. All of the things we will gain. All of the worldly possessions we can obtain in our lives have no worth if we don´t have a firm testimony of God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. What is a testimony? Is it simply just saying ``I Believe in Jesus Christ and in His Atonement´´ No. A testimony in always growing.Testimony is a labor. In 1 John it says that we are not to worship in word or in mouth, but in work and in truth. Our work is to follow the example of Christ in Keeping the commandments.Love one another we to often forget true charity, God like charity.If you want to understand why we should give,read Mosiah 4. Share frequently your testimony, for this one of the greatest acts of Charity you can perform. Do you think this Gospel is the most important thing? Do you think that following our Savior is the most important thing? Do you treasure up the words of God? If not, what do you treasure? You may discover that you have been treasuring an idol false God. An object that cannot give you eternal salvation and joy I would presume. Evaluate your priorities and remember Christ´s promise. Seek ye first the Kingdom of Heaven, and all things shall be added unto you. Any possession we can hope to obtain in this life is a meager allowance when compared to the Kingdoms God has prepared for His true disciples.
Have patience with all and with everyone, especially yourself, nevertheless,do not deprive yourself your divine inheritance.
I love it here, the work is hard, so it seems like Saturday yard work everyday, just more fulfilling ( I love the burm and all Dad, but this is better). I love the work and the people.
My Address is:
ELDER STEPHEN NOTHUM
Rua 10 de Setembro, 38 Cambui
Campinas- SP
13010-215
Brazil
I love you all. Some more than others. Just kidding, but seriously.
Com Amor,
Elder Nothum
Então, Brazil is great. I am catching on to the language more and more everyday. We started teaching some really special investigators this week; Jessica, Cida, and Clefferson. They read, prayed, and all received answers. It is amazing what the Lord can do for you when you put your life in His hands.
I have had some rough times when I didn't´t understand anything in lessons.One woman in particular talks really fast and very strangely and then she looks at me and asks me a question and all I can do is nod my head and smile. Well, this week her son went into the hospital.While we were teaching her she began to weep and sob over her son who has drug problems (I didn't´t find all of this out until after the lesson).On top of that her mom and her husband committed suicide in the past. While she was crying and crying I began to say a silent prayer, that the Lord would put words into my mouth that would give her peace. Nothing came. Now at first this seems like it would wound my faith, but it did the opposite.The Lord taught me a powerful lesson on how important it is that I learn this language and fast.I am here to help people, and I can´t do that if I can´t understand them.
We had exchanges this week also. I went to another area with my Zone Leader, Elder Mendes. We went to an extremely poor area. While there we taught two women. One was sick and she had a disability involving her legs. She could not even carry her own baby boy. Yet, when we taught her the power of prayer and of the perfect love God has in answering our prayers she began to smile and continually nod her head in approval of what we were teaching.
All the things we have. All of the things we will gain. All of the worldly possessions we can obtain in our lives have no worth if we don´t have a firm testimony of God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. What is a testimony? Is it simply just saying ``I Believe in Jesus Christ and in His Atonement´´ No. A testimony in always growing.Testimony is a labor. In 1 John it says that we are not to worship in word or in mouth, but in work and in truth. Our work is to follow the example of Christ in Keeping the commandments.Love one another we to often forget true charity, God like charity.If you want to understand why we should give,read Mosiah 4. Share frequently your testimony, for this one of the greatest acts of Charity you can perform. Do you think this Gospel is the most important thing? Do you think that following our Savior is the most important thing? Do you treasure up the words of God? If not, what do you treasure? You may discover that you have been treasuring an idol false God. An object that cannot give you eternal salvation and joy I would presume. Evaluate your priorities and remember Christ´s promise. Seek ye first the Kingdom of Heaven, and all things shall be added unto you. Any possession we can hope to obtain in this life is a meager allowance when compared to the Kingdoms God has prepared for His true disciples.
Have patience with all and with everyone, especially yourself, nevertheless,do not deprive yourself your divine inheritance.
I love it here, the work is hard, so it seems like Saturday yard work everyday, just more fulfilling ( I love the burm and all Dad, but this is better). I love the work and the people.
My Address is:
ELDER STEPHEN NOTHUM
Rua 10 de Setembro, 38 Cambui
Campinas- SP
13010-215
Brazil
I love you all. Some more than others. Just kidding, but seriously.
Com Amor,
Elder Nothum
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Hey everybody,
It was a great week here in the mission, as normal. But is had it´s ups and downs.
This past week we had the baptism of three members of a family. Diva, Evellin, and Emellin. Their father will be baptized this next Saturday. The baptism was an extremely spiritual and just all around great experience for me. First Diva was baptized, then Emellin, and last came Evellin. She was the most firm of them all. She is already in 2nd Nephi and she is cruising through the book of mormon. When it came for her to enter into the water they called her full name, but she didn´t come. Then a young women came to us and said that she didn´t want to be baptized. I was confused, Elder Rowley, the Bishop, and I all went to talk to her. When we got there she told us that she had a deathly fear of water and that she would not go in. Bishop Douglas gave the idea to say a prayer, so we did. Then Diva came to the rescue and told her 15 year old daughter that they could enter in together. We told her that she would not have to bend backwards like everyone else, but that she could instead just bend her knees until she went completely under. Diva was at her side and it was a very happy moment to see this young woman baptized. She showed a lot of courage and she was so so so scared, yet with her mom at her side and her desire to follow Christ, she overcame. But, I know for a fact that she would never be baptized again. haha.,
My companion and I are the best of friends. The other day we started talking about our parents and I told him all about how Dad puts on Dixie Chicks to wake everyone up on Saturdays to do yard work. I told him about the last bag of mulch that I ever spread on the berm and then the other bag we found in the garage. I told him about the countless times that my Dad called me during high school at random times just telling me to come home. We talked about how much we loved our parents and the great examples that they are and how much they helped us.
I am very happy right now.
Sunday, five minutes before sacrament meeting I was asked to give a talk. I had no idea what to say or where to start. I wanted everyone to listen and feel the spirit, so I wanted to start with a story, but I wasn´t sure which story or where it would take me. Then I remembered that it is winter in the states and I remembered snow. My talked started out with the story of how when it snowed a ton on Sundays how my Dad would take me out in his truck and we would drive together looking at the snow and he would ask me ``What do you think, should church be cancelled or can everyone in the ward make it through this?`` I talk about how my dad would think about each individual member and how it my be dangerous for the people that live really far out. I talked about love and thinking about others before thinking about ourselves. Everyone liked it because there is never ever snow here, so it was a good attention grabber, haha.
I love my mission and I am sad about the fact that it is already half way over, but I don´t think about it. We are seeing miracles here everyday. I know that the Holy Ghost can lead and guide us to bless and change the lives of others, because I have seen it.
Love,
Elder Nothum
It was a great week here in the mission, as normal. But is had it´s ups and downs.
This past week we had the baptism of three members of a family. Diva, Evellin, and Emellin. Their father will be baptized this next Saturday. The baptism was an extremely spiritual and just all around great experience for me. First Diva was baptized, then Emellin, and last came Evellin. She was the most firm of them all. She is already in 2nd Nephi and she is cruising through the book of mormon. When it came for her to enter into the water they called her full name, but she didn´t come. Then a young women came to us and said that she didn´t want to be baptized. I was confused, Elder Rowley, the Bishop, and I all went to talk to her. When we got there she told us that she had a deathly fear of water and that she would not go in. Bishop Douglas gave the idea to say a prayer, so we did. Then Diva came to the rescue and told her 15 year old daughter that they could enter in together. We told her that she would not have to bend backwards like everyone else, but that she could instead just bend her knees until she went completely under. Diva was at her side and it was a very happy moment to see this young woman baptized. She showed a lot of courage and she was so so so scared, yet with her mom at her side and her desire to follow Christ, she overcame. But, I know for a fact that she would never be baptized again. haha.,
My companion and I are the best of friends. The other day we started talking about our parents and I told him all about how Dad puts on Dixie Chicks to wake everyone up on Saturdays to do yard work. I told him about the last bag of mulch that I ever spread on the berm and then the other bag we found in the garage. I told him about the countless times that my Dad called me during high school at random times just telling me to come home. We talked about how much we loved our parents and the great examples that they are and how much they helped us.
I am very happy right now.
Sunday, five minutes before sacrament meeting I was asked to give a talk. I had no idea what to say or where to start. I wanted everyone to listen and feel the spirit, so I wanted to start with a story, but I wasn´t sure which story or where it would take me. Then I remembered that it is winter in the states and I remembered snow. My talked started out with the story of how when it snowed a ton on Sundays how my Dad would take me out in his truck and we would drive together looking at the snow and he would ask me ``What do you think, should church be cancelled or can everyone in the ward make it through this?`` I talk about how my dad would think about each individual member and how it my be dangerous for the people that live really far out. I talked about love and thinking about others before thinking about ourselves. Everyone liked it because there is never ever snow here, so it was a good attention grabber, haha.
I love my mission and I am sad about the fact that it is already half way over, but I don´t think about it. We are seeing miracles here everyday. I know that the Holy Ghost can lead and guide us to bless and change the lives of others, because I have seen it.
Love,
Elder Nothum
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