We Can Be Forgiven For Our Fish: Missionary Training Center: Mission Week 3; Provo Utah - enroute to Brasilia, Brasil!

We Can Be Forgiven For Our Fish 

Good wonderful Monday at whatever time of day you see this,

The adventure continues. All of my classes have been in full Portuguese for over a week now. It has most definitely been blessing, but not without it's challenges. I'm doing farely well to understand what is being said and what I've learned, but no where near where I'll be later, which is such an invigorating thought. I can truly testify of the magnifying powers of the Holy Ghost when it comes to language learning, seeing as how I went from not knowing anything just a month ago to being able to share my testimony, pray, teach a basic lesson, talk about the weather, get to know people, and so much more. 

On a sad, but glad, note, last Tuesday we  had the opportunity to watch President Russel M. Nelson's funeral, and gather together to mourn the passing of a prophet of God. What a wonderful life he lead. Every single person who spoke about President Nelson's life did so with so much joy and love for him. President Nelson was a true disciple of Jesus Christ, and reflected the love that Christ has for everyone. I know that he was a prophet of God and truly loved all of God's children. 

That same day my companion, Elder Milne (shoutout to my great companion right here), had our first Helping Others Appointment in Portuguese. I wouldn't say it was horrible, but it certainly can only go up from there. I understood most of what he was saying, and was able to respond to much less than what I understood. He took the first 10 minutes of our 15 minute meeting to talk about life. At some point asked us where we had gotten our ties since they were so cool. (His words, not mine, just trasnlated to English). I said I had gotten mine from minha irmã, my sister. And my companion, in full confidence, replied with "meu amo", which means love. He had meant to say "avó", grandma. The face on the guy we were meeting was of pure confusion. I then later said we can be forgiven for all of our "pescados" instead of "pecados" which means fish instead of sin. It was truly a learning experience. 

Later that night for the general authority devotional, we had the wonderful opportunity to hear from President Susan H. Porter, the Primary General President. She spoke about how great primary is for building gospel foundations while we are young. She emphasized that we have to Remeber, Seek, and Choose Christ in our lives, and that even though we aren't perfect, this is God's perfect work. We also have to have such a love for God and for His children: we just have to make sure to do the work for the right reasons. 

One thing I have greatly enjoyed doing these past few days, I think we started Thursday, was getting up and going for a run before getting ready for the day. It's just a wonderful start to the day and gets the blood flowing. The weather in the mornings has been wonderful as well for runs. Along with the six flights of stairs we climb three times a day to to get to our classroom, and playing basketball as a district after lunch most days, it's been nice to find ways to keep active. 

I have loved the weather out here recently. It has been perfect cool fall weather, which I definitely miss in Brasil, so I'm soaking it in as much as possible. After our class Saturday night, it was raining and the walk back to the residency hall was just wonderful, a nice cool rain was perfeito. And that view of the mountain doesn't get much prettier. 

Other news, I met this teacher here who served with my cousin Andrew in Curtiba, Brasil. Not only did he serve with my cousin, but he's also Henry B. Eyring's granson. How cool is that?

I've started reading the Book of Mormon in Portuguese, and it's been wonderful to see how much I'm understanding and how wonderful the book truly is as I begin reading it again. I read the Portuguese then turn to the English and go through to make sure I understood what I read and to learn the words I didn't. As a result of the time it takes to read, I get to spend so much more time truly understanding what is being said and testified of. I invite yall to go back and read the title page, introduction, and all of testimonies in thr beginning of the book. There is power in every page of the Book of Mormon. 

Today we went to the temple like normal for Mondays, and as always it was awesome. I always have such a spirit of peace when I go.

I know that this work is truly the work of our Heavenly Father, and that he truly does love each and every one of His children. I have felt such an increase in His love for me, but also for all of the people I will go and teach and help bring that love to them, even though I haven't met any of them yet. I love all of yall and love to hear back from yall about your lives and what's going on with yall as well. 

-Elder Hyatt