Ingá Gardens 🌳 the Promised Land--Mission week 17; Area--Jardim Ingá

 

Have Y'all ever just noticed how good life is at times? Cuz it is good. And gooooood wonderful new week to y'all as well. There's a lot that happened. 

News:📰

I'm currently loving it here in Jardim Ingá, it rocks here. 🤟😎

Batismoooo:🌊

We had a baptism this week! It was such a roller-coaster of a process. The elders here had been teaching her for a few weeks before I got here, and she had been loving the messages and the spirit. They hadn't marked a baptismal date with her or anything yet, so when I got here that's what we had to talk about with her. We went and visited her Wednesday and talked about the importance of baptism and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. She felt the spirit really strongly and was excited to get baptized Sunday. Beleza! Then Thursday night she sent us a text and said she wasn't ready yet. Okay, we'll see how this goes. We weren't able to visit her until Saturday, cutting it close on that one. We got to her sister's house because she was there her birthday, it was a happy day. We got there with our AP (See more in life Thought) and we taught about the Plan of Happiness, Salvation, etc. which is God's plan for us, His children. Again, the spirit was extremely strong, testifying about our message. It was truly a spiritual moment. And she wanted to get baptized Sunday, and she was. It was such a wonderful baptism, all of her family was there. And now her husband, Micaias, wants to get baptized, too. What a wonderful week it has been. 

People: 🫂

The ward, the church, here is absolutely awesome. All of the members love the missionaries here and love helping in whatever way possible (like lunches 😋). Unlike in Asa Sul, and lot of the people here are more interested in Jesus than not which is a good change for sure. Most people in the street accept a message about Jesus or a prayer or an invitation to church, whether they go or not is a different question, but oh well. In short, I'm Mb'Lovin it. (Mission Brasilia loving it).

The Work:

Okay so like I said above, talking with people here is a whole lot easier, whether they progress or accept another lesson is a whole other story. I was talking with my mom not long ago and I was telling her that I think I've worked the hardest this week than I ever have before in my mission, but the blessings and "success" I've had this week have come more abundance than in any other week in my mission. It really is that saying that "you get what you give". That's true in any aspect of life, but especially the work of the Lord. When you give your all, He will give it all back 100 fold. In short, God blesses the person who plants the seeds, waters them, weeds around the plants, puts fertilizer around them, and also prays for the plants to grow and prosper. 

Menu:

There's a rumor that the almoços (lunches) in Jardim Ingá are the best in the mission. It's true. Without a doubt. The irmãs (sisters in the church here) know how to cook, and boy do they love to cook. W fo shizzle. 

Life Thought:

So we had a division with our AP, assistant to the President. He's basically the second in command to the mission President and travels around to different areas visiting different missions and helping them as best he can. He was talking about how Jardim Ingá is truly the best area in the mission, and I agree. But not for the reason you may be thinking. Jardim Ingá is the best area in the mission for me because it's my area. It's where the Lord called me to be right now, which means there's a work for me to do here. There's no such thing as a great area, kind of. What makes an area great, is the missionary and the Lord. It's the same thing in life. It doesn't matter where you are in life, you just have to make the best of it. If you're not in a good place, work to get there. If you are, work to make it better. Your life truly is between yourself (and the Lord) and yourself. You got this!

Spiritual Thought:

Today I just want to talk about life. What's our purpose here in this life? Why are we here? We're here to gain experience, a physical body, and do the things we need to do in order to return to live in the presence of our Father in Heaven. That's it. Plan and simple, and the doctrine here is simple. The carrying out of this work, though, is not near as simple. That's why we have the Atonement of Jesus Christ: to be able to be cleaned from our sins, but also to be able to do the things we otherwise would be unable to do on our own. So yeah, we have to repent and make Covenants with God, and wants us to be happy while doing. "Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy" (2 Nephi 2:25). God sent us to Earth with the prospect that we might have joy in our lives. And with that thought in mind, and with the life thought up above, it really comes to the conclusion that how are lives end up, is up to us. We may not always realize that, but it is the fact of life. "Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself." (2 Nephi 2:27) Y'all, the choice is up to us. We are free to choose, that is one of the greatest gifts God has ever given to us. He wants us to choose the things that will bring us joy, eternal joy. Those things solely come through, and from, Jesus Christ. He is the great Mediator of all men. He has the power to free us from captivity and death, the very grasp of the devil, which means surely, He has the power to free us from the poor circumstances, difficult times, sins, grievances, and every other thing in our life that brings us down. He is there; we just have to choose Him. We're always only one choice away from a better life, and a better eternal life. In the words of the great Book of Mormon prophet Jacob: "Oh be wise; what can I say more?" (Jacob 6:12). 

Elder Hyatt

Translator and Transfers--Mission week 16; New Area--Jardim Ingá

 

Now this email is for this week, let's get into it, and there's a lot. 

Wonderful new week to y'all, I pray that all is going in your lives. It certainly mostly is here in Brasil. 

News:📰

 You may be thinking, "Elder Hyatt, how is it that you're having a transfer?" That, my friend, is a wonderful question. ✨️Emergency transfers✨️! Yay! Soooo basically I'm leaving Asa Sul for Jardim Ingá (eu vou ter saudades de Asa Sul) because some other companionship of missionaries had a problem and so our mission President always changes up a few so that no one knows who had a problem. (But it wasn't França and I) And I was chosen to leave, but that means that I'm meant to be there. (And I won't have to trade houses here in Asa Sul). And I'm going from one Elder França to the other Elder França. 

Baptism:🌊🤗

We had another baptism! Maria Eduarda got baptized, and it was kinda out of no where. So her mom is a member of the church but isn't very active (I only ever saw her at church once). The time she did go, someone talked to her about her kid and then she decided that she'd let her get baptized. It was the cutest thing ever because the Primary President made a whole little party for her and it was just adorable. Her uncle was able to come from São Sebastião (about an hour away) and baptize her. 

Translations:🤟📜

There was another American at church on Sunday! But he doesn't speak anything of Portuguese. Nothing at all. So I had the privilege of translating the talks during Sacrament meeting and Sunday School. 

Although I did have the opportunity to give a talk during sacrament meeting so the spirit just had to translate for him after that. 

People and the Work:

Soooo we'll see how the new area goes seeing as how I haven't met anyone yet. But I shall, and it shall be, in short, awesome. The work here in Jardim Ingá is going incredibly well and, of course, shall continue. 

Menu:

First day here in Jardim Ingá and we, the three other Elders in Jardim Ingá and the elders from Ocidental (wooohoooo), went to eat at a churrascaria, which is pretty much just a BBQ place. It was good y'all, it was good. (Although I may miss that sushi, but im not serving a mission for sushi so faz parte). 

Spiritual thought:

With the sudden transfer, it got me thinking of a certain hymn, hymn number 270: I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go. The whole point of the song is just as the title reads, I'll go where the Lord needs me, because He knows where I need to be. I particularly love all three verses, but just to pick one I'll go with thr first to share:

 "It may not be on the mountain height

Or over the stormy sea,

It may not be at the battle’s front

My Lord will have need of me.

But if, by a still, small voice he calls

To paths that I do not know,

I’ll answer, dear Lord, with my hand in thine:

I’ll go where you want me to go.

I’ll go where you want me to go, dear Lord,

Over mountain or plain or sea;

I’ll say what you want me to say, dear Lord;

I’ll be what you want me to be." Truly our Lord God knows best, and wants to best for us. Because of this, He will put us in situations so that we can become our best or do our best. Nephi, when commanded to travel three days back to Jerusalem he so responded saying: "I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." (1 Nephi 3:7) God will never give us trials, send us places, without preparing a way that we will be able to accomplish all that He has asked of us. Because He loves us! And I love y'all too! Y'all got this!

-Elder Hyatt

Something About the Temple-- Mission Week 15; Area--- Asa Sul

Okay so this is from last week, I had written it all up and then it promptly deleted itself, but that's just how it goes at times. 

Opa, another wonderful week has passed us by, and by golly has it passed. All thanks to Liahna for the title, just about as descriptive as Ellee's. (My sisters are awesome.)

Baptism! 🌊🤘🔥

We had another baptism! Francisca! She's 75 years young and just about the funniest old lady I've ever met. The first time we met her she told the story of how she fell off a trampoline 8 months ago and broke four ribs... she was still 75 then. We met her through the other lady we baptized recently, because their neighbors and she's like a grandma to Katharyna. Her life story is long, sad, and happy! She met the missionaries about 40 is years back and loved them. She would give them lunch and go to church and everything, unfortunately she couldn't get baptized then because she wasn't legally married to her husband. But now she doesn't have that problem. She just absolutely loves the church and the gospel of Jesus Christ, and, in her own words, "ME SINTO A VELINHA MAIS FELIZ DO MUNDO" (she always types in all caps because I don't think she knows how to turn it off). But, what she said means "I feel like the happiest little old lady in the whole world". And she really shows her joy to everyone. It is a wonderful wonderful thing. 

Family friends:😁🤗

The world is so small. While during a division on Thursday, I met my one of my Tia (aunt) Clarice's best friend here in Asa Sul. We were walking up to a bus stop and this lady looks up and me and just says "Elder Hyatt". And I was like," yeah, that's my name". But she had hardly looked at my name tag, how'd she know? She then explained how she was my Tia Clarice's best friend, Neusa, and that they go way way back from when my Tia first baptized in the church when she was 17, how cool! She also told me that I looked very similar to my Uncle Andrew who served the same mission as I and he married my Tia so Neusa knows him. What are the odds, haha

(Neusa and I featured in the last photo)

News:📰🏠

We're getting kicked out of our house, how fun! Sort of, at least. The house is just rented to the church and the contract is coming up to a close. The guy who owns the house just wants to sell it now, so we'll have to be finding a new house here soon. What a joy of life. 

The work:😎 & People:🫂

So God really loves to bless His Children. Whenever and wherever they are. He truly will use whatever means possible to bless His children, whether that be a gringo from Kansas or a carioca (from Rio de Janeiro). What an honor, privilege, and blessing it is to me to be that conduit that God uses to bless His beloved children here in Asa Sul. And truly beloved they are. He truly wants the best from them, and that just comes from following the gospel, which I get to help people learn about! I love having this opportunity to teach the fullness of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ to others. The only thing they have to do is act. (See more in spiritual thought.)

Menu:🍣🥩

More sushi (blessed be the name of Irmão Edson) and meatloaf at a member's house that reminds me of my grandma Hyatt's meatloaf, just not quiet as good. All in all, nothing to complain about here in Asa Sul! (Plus I bought maple syrup and peanut butter since I'm making pancakes for district Council tomorrow: I love being American 🤘😎🇺🇲). 

Spiritual thought:🙏

Today is the day to act. Not tomorrow. And certainly not "someday". At that time, Elder Henry B. Eyring related the following: "There is a danger in the word someday when what it means is “not this day.” “Someday I will repent.” “Someday I will forgive him.” “Someday I will speak to my friend about the Church.” “Someday I will start to pay tithing.” “Someday I will return to the temple.” “Someday …"

The scriptures make the danger of delay clear. It is that we may discover that we have run out of time. The God who gives us each day as a treasure will require an accounting. We will weep, and He will weep, if we have intended to repent and to serve Him in tomorrows which never came or have dreamt of yesterdays where the opportunity to act was past. This day is a precious gift of God. The thought 'Someday I will' can be a thief of the opportunities of time and the blessings of eternity." (April 2007 "This Day"). Today is truly the day to do what we need to do, whatever it may be. We have to forgive that family member. We have to go back to church. We have to do... anything in our power to strengthen our relationship with God. Alma 34:32 is as follows: "For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors." The enemy of our souls is the king of tomorrow. "Oh tomorrow I'll repent." "OH tomorrow I'll read my scriptures." What if tomorrow never comes? Tomorrow isn't guaranteed. What we have, that is guaranteed, is this day. The one we're in right now. It is a day to act. It is a day to find joy because truly, the things of the Lord bring us joy: everlasting joy. Because God loves you! You are His children! And He is a loving Father. And I love you guys too!

-Elder Hyatt

Ellee said she doesn't know 🤷‍♂️. Mission week 14; Area-- Asa Sul

 

Gooooooood Morning Americaaaaaaaa! What a week it has been. Like throwin a clock out the window to see a butterfly: it doesn't make any sense. But here we go anyways. (Shoutout to my little sis for the title)

News: 🌊💦

Another baptismmmmm. It was a miracle that he was baptized. Marques has been living with his uncle for 4 weeks know, and his uncle has been bringing him to church. After our baptism last week Marques said that he wanted to get baptized, so what'd we do? We taught him everything this week over the phone since he lives like almost an hour away and it all worked out! He was so 

Murica: 🇺🇲🏈🛻

It breaks people's brains that I would leave the United States to Come here to Brasil. Everyone here is like "why would you do that??" And I'm just like "for Jesus!" And then they let us talk to them, sometimes. It does make me realize how blessed I am to be an American and to have had all of the blessings of growing up in land of the free and the home of the brave. And to have grown up in the church and the gospel, it is such a huge blessing. 

The work: 🧈✔️

Smooth like butter. This past week was a bit different, but still just as good as anything. With my comp being the district leader here, he gets to do divisions with other missionaries in their areas to help them, and I get to stay here and work with the other Elders who come here. A little strange, but really insightful for sure. And then on Wednesday our zone leaders did a division with us and I stayed here in Asa Sul, it was a teaching moment for sure. I learned a lot during that division. Shoutout to Elder Jones. 

People: 🫂

Absolutely incredible, there's so many wonderful people here in wonderful Asa Sul. The fun never ends, that's for sure. The thing is, not everyone you teach or talk to progresses, it's just part of missionary life. People stop answering, or never answer in the first place. People who showed interest, don't have interest after a little bit. It's just how it goes. So we have to keep meeting new people. One, because the former, and two, because I'm here on the mission to bring the gospel to every single person possible, not just those I've already met so far. (See more in spiritual thought). 

Menu: 🫒😋🥑

It doesn't make sense. Most of y'all have heard of tapioca I'm sure, but here in Brasil they eat it as patty sort of things: like a tapioca tortilla. You just buy a bag of the tapioca "flour" and put it in a pan and that's it. No water no nothin. Just in the pan, flip, and put whatever you want on it. It's bland, but that just means you can put whatever you want on it. It's good. Also, found a hamburger place that has the most American like hamburger I've had in Brasil. Blessed be the name of Asa Sul. 

Spiritual thought: 

You never truly take a wrong turn. Okay, so to start off, my cousin who recently returned from his mission asked me what have been the little miracles and blessings I've seen. You know, the kind you just about brush past if you're not paying attention. I thought for a second, and one thing just came to my mind. Here in Asa Sul it's easy to get turned around, everything is just apartment buildings that look fairly similar. So you take a "wrong" turn here or there and end up on a different road than you thought you would be on, but it's never the wrong road. There's always someone that needed help on that road, or who accepts to talk to us, or already knew the missionaries. Something little. No matter where we go, as long as we're going with good intentions and the willingness to work, the Lord will bless us. I have no doubt of this. Not a single one. First off, He wants to bless us, and secondly, He wants to bless His other children through us. There is no end to His love, or His blessings. He declared that "I am a ; and I am a God of miracles; and I will show unto the world that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and I work not among the children of men save it be according to their faith." (2 Nephi 27:23) There is no end. Just as He blessed His children in the time of The Bible, and the Book of Mormon, and Doctrine and Covenants, He will bless His children now. The only caveat is He can only bless us according to our faith in Him and His Son. As far as the rest of the little miracles I've seen, there is no end as long as I keep thinking. His hand is in every little detail of His work, and of my life. As I rely wholly on my Savior, who is Christ, I know that He truly is the "...author and finisher of [my] faith" (Moroni 6:4). With Him, all is possible. There is no losing. And there truly is no end to the blessings that come from Him and His Father. Their love for us, as well, has no end. And I love you guys, too! Keep on rocking it out in your own life, yall! 

Até mais meus amigos,

-Elder Hyatt