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