His countenance has completely reversed . . .

Making a phone call from Apacurana (the "Hat" capitol of Brazil)

Somewhere, over the rainbow, way up high . . .ok, maybe not.

Highlights of the past week:

I did a division with Elder Shaddick in his area in the city of Apucarana (“Hat Capital of Brazil,” hence the hat pay phone), and it rained all day and we got soaked. During the day we taught some random elderly lady who refused to understand baptism*. I told her baptism means a remission of sins, and asked her if she thought children have sins, to which she said “No, no.” But then she said, “Wait, yes they do! Just by breastfeeding they are sinning!” And I was like, “What?? How?” And she said, “Yeah, a child sins by breastfeeding.” She couldn’t be dissuaded, nor could she explain why she felt that way. It was so frustrating. Then Elder Shaddick said, “Wait! Did Jesus have sins? Didn’t Jesus breastfeed?” She kind of just stopped talking. Then we prayed with her, and left. That was such a random lesson.

Later that night on the way home, we were in the middle of nowhere, stopped because of a slow moving train in our way. That’s when I decided to fulfill a lifelong dream. I ran next to the train and grabbed onto the ladder and rode it for like 50 yards, then jumped off. I did that like 5 times. It was soooo fun, even at 5 mph!!!! (Good thing my mom´s 6000 miles away, right? No pictures though, sorry.)

Elder Siqueira is doing good, but his feet are horrible, covered in blisters. He´s a real trooper though, usually only complains 2 or 3 times a day. Unfortunately, that’s kind of what he gets for bringing 2 pairs of new shoes to start off his mission, especially in an area where we walk a lot. Been there, done that.

That guy who got baptized last week has changed a lot. His countenance has completely reversed from being weighed down to now being bright and smiling. That’s what the gospel has the power to do in people’s lives.

Well, gotta run!

Elder Titus

*Our belief in baptism, as explained in the "4th Article of Faith": "We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost."

Baptism by immersion is a symbol of the death, burial, and resurrection of the Savior. In a similar way, it represents the end of our old life of sin and a commitment to live a new life as a disciple of Christ. The Savior taught that baptism is a rebirth. When we are baptized we begin the process of being born again and become spiritual sons and daughters of Christ.

Little children do not need to be baptized and are redeemed through the mercy of Jesus Christ. They are not baptized until they reach the age of accountability, which is eight years of age.

I could feel the Spirit guiding me . . .

A porcelain resting spot perfectly placed for the weary traveller.

We stumbled onto this photogenic little stream.

Elder Siqueira next to the stream -- notice the left bank, and how high the water has been after a storm.

This week was rather normal as far as a week in the life of a missionary goes; not super interesting, but always a little different than the previous weeks.

Elder Jackson got a package from his family. They sent him some “curry” mix. So on Monday, he made up the sauce and put it with rice. It smelled pretty good, so I ate it – and I actually enjoyed it. However, it was a bit spicy for me. Here´s something I think most people don’t realize; Brazilian food is NOT spicy. Hence, I have not eaten anything spicy for a long time. In conclusion, it made my throat really dry, making it hard to sleep. This condition lasted for 2 nights, with little sleep – which makes for rough days of work. Also, it caused my body to increase in mucus activity, making me kind of congested, and to this day my body is still making excess mucus, all from one plate of curry. Maybe I’m allergic to the stuff?

Friday night I had an intense baptismal interview with one of Elder J. Lima's and Elder Jackson’s investigators. We learn in D&C 20:37* of the requirements of baptism, mainly a broken heart and a contrite spirit, or in other words, humility. Someone during a stake leadership conference asked President Tavares how we will know if a person is truly humble and ready for baptism, and he had an elder stand up and then he had an elderly member stand up and said to us, “Now imagine this full grown man confessing his sins to this boy -- can you get any more humble than that?” Anyway, my interview was an interesting experience, that tried me in an area to which I have little experience, but I could feel the Spirit guiding me during the whole process and it went well, and the investigator was baptized.

Saturday morning we had an appointment with a family that just wanted to teach US, and it was really frustrating. To every question and doubt they expressed, we had an answer in the scriptures. However, they refused to accept anything we said. At one point, he was talking about how the devil can transform himself into an angel of light, and talked about Joseph Smith’s first vision and how that could have happened in that instant. I quickly responded with my testimony about how I know that was not the case, and humbly invited him to do what everyone must do to know, and that is to ask of God. However, he then continued to argue, and for the first time in my mission, I stood up, shook his hand, said “Tchau,” and walked out of his house without saying a prayer. The spirit of contention is of the devil.

Peace,
Elder Titus

*D&C 20:37 "And again, by way of commandment to the church concerning the manner of baptism — All those who humble themselves before God, and desire to be baptized, and come forth with broken hearts and contrite spirits, and witness before the church that they have truly repented of all their sins, and are willing to take upon them the name of Jesus Christ, having a determination to serve him to the end, and truly manifest by their works that they have received of the Spirit of Christ unto the remission of their sins, shall be received by baptism into his church."

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.”

My buddy, Jefferson. He's going to be a missionary soon!

Me and my new companion, Elder Siqueira (the camera angle makes him look short, but he's really not)

Elder Siqueira attacked by killer dog during his very first week

Faithful Titus followers:

Sorry for the lackage of valuable information for this past week, but time is like cold weather here in Brazil, there’s not much of it.

New companion information: his name is Elder Siqueira (see-care-uh), from Fortaleza, Ceará, (same state as my trainer Elder Da Silva). He is 19 years old, tall, gangly, shy-ish (for now). Dark skin, dark hair, brown eyes. He´s been a member of the church for 6 years. He is willing and obedient, just the way I like ´em.

Elder de Jesus, my previous companion, is now comps with Elder Yuma (I was in the MTC with him) and they share an apartment with Elder Galdino and his greenie companion, Elder Caetano. Elder Galdino is the zone leader in Marilia. I met up with Elder Galdino in Londrina, two weeks ago, to pick up our new companions. We ended up taking the wrong bus, and getting lost. But that’s a story for another day.

Last week I mentioned that we had a little conference with an Area Seventy,in Londrina, and besides seeing Jefferson, another awesome thing happened that day. I got another letter from Miria, who is from Assis. She informed me that her mom finally got baptized, and also if you go back to some of my June blog accounts, we were teaching Meryellen, (the daughter of Irma Rosi, a recent convert)and she ALSO got baptized!!!! And after having me tell her nearly every day for 6 months not to marry the dude she wanted to marry, it finally sunk into her head, and she followed my counsel and dumped him (he was hesitant towards the church because of things his inactive neighbor had told him). Now she is happy, baptized, sin free, and wanting to serve a mission next year!!! I have come to better understand that scripture in Ecclesiastes where it says “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

I heard about Japan. Crazy. It’s all over the news here. Glad I’m in Brazil and nothing awful like that happens here (just drug dealers......)

Well gotta go!

- Elder Titus

18 Month Anniversary Letter to the Ward

P-day activity: bowling!

The district with new elders. Just don't ask who is who, since Elder Titus did not label the photo. I don't even know which one is his new companion! (sorry!)

Dear Ward,

It’s weird to think that it is already time to write my semi-annual letter again and that the next time I will be preparing something to share with you guys it will be in person over the pulpit. Time has flown by. But, that’s what everyone said would happen. However I´ve learned from personal experience that the slower you want your mission to go, the faster it goes and the faster you want it to go, the slower it goes. Young men, I prohibit you from crossing off days on the calendar, too many missionaries do that here.

Anyway, so I’m in a city called Arapongas, the furniture capital of Brazil. It’s only my fourth area. When I left my last area of Assis, I stopped in Londrina to pick up my greenie, Elder de Jesus, and we re-opened Arapongas. It was weird arriving in a city completely blind, but we got along. Arapongas is a branch of 80 to 90 active members, established 13 years ago after being closed for 33 years after some people from another religion tried to stone the missionaries in front of the cathedral. Needless to say, things have improved since then.

I stayed with Elder de Jesus for 3 transfers and then last week I picked up another greenie named Elder Siqueira. They are both worthy and willing missionaries, excited to do the work of the Lord. Brazil has really answered the call to send more missionaries; doubling the amount of Brazilians in the MTC in Sao Paulo since I was there 18 months ago.

In other news, we were in Londrina last week for a conference with an Area Seventy, which was really cool. However, the best part was afterwards when I was told that a guy named Jefferson was waiting to talk to me outside. Jefferson is a young man I baptized over a year ago, along with his family in my first area, Ibiporã. In fact, he was my first baptism. He is currently the Young Men’s president, and the rest of his family is strong too, but the best part was when he told me that he has been preparing to serve a mission and next week he will be turning in his mission papers. We embraced and I almost got emotional, but didn’t cause I’m a man. Unfortunately we both had to quickly leave. I had a smile on my face for the rest of the day. I testify that there is no better feeling in the world than seeing your converts firm and immovable in the gospel.

Well, I don’t want to take up too much time, but I will leave you with my testimony that there is no other work more important than missionary work. I have grown to love being a missionary and I take great pride in representing the one and only true church on the earth. There is no reason to be embarrassed, and I echo the words of Paul when he said, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth.” I have had countless spiritual experiences that when cemented together form the foundation for the rest of my life that I will be able to securely build upon. And if there is just one thing I learned from cycling, it is how important the end of the race is. Full speed ahead, see ya in a few months.

With love,
Elder Titus

Yo, Transfer Day AND a Mission Birthday!!!

Another beautiful sunset in Arapongas

The awesome family of Otavio and Nilva, who pretty much make up half the branch.

Marcos Paulo and my cool self.

Last week I hit my 18th month mark! Whoa I’m old!

So, on p-days (Mondays) if you’re going to be transferred, they call you and let you know. Then the transfer takes place on Tuesday. However, missionaries who will be training newbies know about their new calling on Sunday because they have to leave on Monday to go to Londrina. It’s always one of the “Assistants to the President” who calls on Sunday to let you know. Anyway, yesterday I got a phone call from one of the assistants (usually a bad thing), but it wasn’t bad. He called to tell me that I will be TRAINING!!! Yeah baby, 2 times in a row! There are some ups and downs to this. I was hoping that President Tavares was going to call me to be zone leader (hehehe), but he has a bad habit of calling young missionaries to be zone leaders, and instead of rotating them, keeps them in for long periods of time. So my chances are pretty much shot. BUT, in the words of President Tavares, he says that a trainer is more important than a zone leader. So while I’m disappointed that I wasn’t called to be zone leader, I’m honored to be training again. Today at 5:30 PM, I will be going to Londrina with Elder Fonseca (from my district) to pick up our greenies tomorrow. Only 3 elders and 1 sister will be arriving. Oh, and that also means I will be staying here for at least one more transfer which makes it at least 6 months in Arapongas.

In other transfer news: Elder de Jesus will be going to Marilia, and Elder Schirmer will be going to Assis, my previous area. Elder J. Lima will take Elder Schirmer’s place, and ELDER MCCOMBS will be with Elder Shaddick in Apucarana, which is MY DISTRICT!!!! (I’m still the District Leader.)

Other news: unfortunately Olivia, our sweet elderly lady, did not get baptized. On the day of her interview, her children called to tell her not to get baptized, and 2 of her sons who actually live with her told her that if she got baptized, they would abandon her, because she would be cheating on their father (passed away) because he died Catholic. I once again got super frustrated, to the point of ALMOST losing my cool. But I held it in and didn’t commit murder. Speaking of murder, we were almost witnesses to a murder, but I can’t go into details because my mom is reading this too.

On Thursday I did a division with Elder Shaddick in Apucarana. Wow, there are hills there! (As a cyclist, I loved hills -- and feared there were no really good ones to be found while on my mission. However, now that I've found them, I guess it's rather pointless since I have no bike . . .) Oh, and they're cobbled, too!

So I finally read “The Doctrine and Covenants” this past month, in Portuguese and the “The Pearl of Great Price.” I know for myself that they are true books of scripture because I could feel clearly and undeniably the Spirit while I was reading them. I had never read them cover-to-cover before and it was cool to read them quickly and get the story line. I found them to be very interesting, too. Next, I will be reading the “New Testament” and “The Book of Mormon” together (in Portuguese, of course).

Well, tchau!!!

- Elder Titus

...our week improved a lot...

Elder de Jesus and me after a hard day's work

Jackpot! Blueberry jam in Brazil!

Hey!

So after an incredibly difficult week last week, we decided it was time to switch our area of strength from Flamingos to Sampaio, which is located closer to the church. This last week, we worked really hard to find new investigators, knocking doors, doing street contacts, and talking to some members. We marked 10 people for baptism, taught 33 lessons, received 40 addresses, and had 4 people at Sacrament Meeting. Needless to say, our week improved a lot. We got one false street contact address and when we found the house, the person that lived there doesn’t exist, but the number exists. To our surprise it was a rich house with an interphone as a doorbell. We buzzed, and an older, wealthy man, Mendes, answered. He told us that Roberto didn’t live there. So, we took advantage of the opportunity and asked if he would like to hear our message, and to our surprise he let us in. We taught his family, wife and 10 year old daughter, and they all paid attention -- and my favorite part about these people is that they understood the message, and accepted baptism for the 6th of March. HOWEVER, they didn’t go to church because Mendes has his own business, and sometimes has to work on Sunday mornings. Boo! But, we´re not going to give up.

We also found a sweet elderly lady that came to church, who accepted baptism for this Sunday if everything goes well. Her name is Olivia

In other news, we stopped by an “all natural market,” and they had blueberry jam!!!!! Ohh, heaven in a bottle! For R$ 11.00, I splurged and bought it. Blueberries don’t grow in Brazil, and they are expensive to import, so I have never seen them in Brazil before.

Today we´re going to give up our P-day and go to Londrina to participate in a conference with an Area Seventy, named Elder Tobias. There´s a rumor going around that in April, Elder Neil L. Anderson will be coming to Londrina to talk to us missionaries (it’s been 6 years since an Apostle has set foot in Londrina).

Tchau!!
Elder Titus

It’s been an interesting week to say the least.

The Arapongas District

Wooo hooo Baptism!!!!

Friday night the Zone Leaders came in from Apucarana, and Adriano passed the baptismal interview, and was all set to be baptized on Saturday by his neighbor Fapricio. Saturday morning in anticipation of the big event, we went to the chapel and cleaned the baptismal font and filled it so it would be all ready by 5:00. When 5:00 rolled around, no Adriano. I called Fapricio, and he said that Adriano wasn’t at home. Time passed, no Adriano. Evidently, he got cold feet and flaked on us. We talked to him the next day and he acted like everything was normal. To try again, it would require the Zone Leaders hopping on the bus to come all the way out here to do another interview, and for us to fill up the font again, and the other people involved to show up also. Consequently, I’m not going to go through that experience a second time.

Adriano is missing.

Well the weather is definitely summer now. It has rained a little bit every day for the last 2 months -- usually around 4:00 pm, for 20 minutes. Then it gets humid when it all evaporates. Consequently, since Brazilians don’t like rain (or chuva, in Portuguese) everyone hides at home. This was the case when we were going to distribute pass along cards in the Centro on Saturday, but no one went to the Centro because it sprinkled. Also we didn’t have any investigators at church, because it also rained a little bit on Sunday. Wait, that's not totally true -- Elder Schirmer invited a homeless man to church, and he came, but he came asking for 10 reais.

It’s been an interesting week to say the least.

Welp, tchau!
Elder Titus