e-mail
March 26, 2012
Hello!
So this week was pretty good. But to start off, yeah last week sucked on p day. President Tavares made the rule of no soccer because it is a "contact sport" so yeah that's the rule, NO SOCCER! And I think all the senior companions knew, but just told us we could... And yeah, p days are sort of boring! I would like to go out and do stuff...The rule is that you wake up, get ready, study until 11 or so, clean, then go out and do whatever you want including e mail, so yeah it is the same as dad´s rules and stuff... but we don´t go do anything fun! We go to the market after e mailing, buy boring food that is cheap ha ha, go back, heat up the food, eat, write letters, then just sleep. Its super boring! So yeah, I would love to go out and do stuff but Elder Moreira doesn't like to, and complains that something is wrong with him, especially on p day. IT SUCKS!!! oh well though.
Things were a little bit better this week though. We had better numbers, not our best, but OK numbers. We might have 2 baptisms this weekend. Rawane and another Lucas (brother of a member) who we´re working with along with their mom. So yeah, I hope they come through and realize this is the next step in their lives! Its a little tricky though because we´re not sticking to all the rules, which I know if we follow the rules, that also will help us bring about miracles! For example we got home around 9:45 three nights in a row! And the first night I told elder Moreira we need to be better, then he just talked alot, which he is ALWAYS talking, kind of annoying... but whatever, and then what do you know the next night we were late again... So yeah, I tell him every night we need to do better.
I sent my memory card home on Tuesday and they said it should take about 15 days. Hopefully you guys get it soon... and also I don't know about the situation on Mother's Day yet, but I´ll let you know as soon as possible what the plan is.
I´m glad you guys had a good week, other than the cold mom has. That's really exciting about Seth. Now we all at least have our calls!!! Can you get me the mission addresses of all the boys please?... Ha ha, and yeah, I switch between glasses and contacts every once in a while... I cant wait to get back and watch the Hunger Games. It looks so cool. The other day at lunch, a preview came on in Portuguese in the restaurant we were at. So cool. And yeah, that place downtown sounds cool (City Creek Mall)... I guess ha ha. And it sounds like Shane is starting to do good too, so that's cool! Tell everybody HI for me OK! I have no idea what we will do for conference down here, I guess I´ll see on Saturday and Sunday.
It is super great to hear Alec is starting to prepare too! I cant wait to find out where he goes!!! Oh, ask Wes Boyack if he knew a Sister Oliveira, I think she said that she knew him in the CTM. That would be cool if he knew her.
Well so yeah, this last week was better, and every day I pray that the next day we can do better and at least have a little more fun. I love you guys and thank you for all that you do. I´m still waiting for the package, but am super excited for it! Please tell everybody HI for me and that I love them. Especially tell Alec, Jackson and Pep I love them every day. Have a great week!!!
Love,
Elder Halpin
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Week 16~A visit from President Tavares
e-mail
March 19, 2012
Oi!
Well this week was very interesting. After e mail last week we went and bought food, ate, and after went to play some soccer. It was fun! The zone leader called and said that Elder Bohne was getting transferred up to a part in São Paulo. But me, Elder Moreira, and Elder Prado were staying, so no I wasn´t transferred. We also received 2 new missionaries in our home and the new companion of Elder Prado. They are Elder Juelch (Americano) Elder Wellings (Americano) and Elder Magalhães (Brasilhero). Both Elders Welling and Magalhães were in the CTM with me at the same time, and Elder Juelch was one of the trainers I met when I first arrived in Londrina. It was awesome to see them again. They split our area with the 2 new elders, so that's good so we don´t need to do so much walking!!! We walked more this week though because we were helping the new elders in our area. We wandered around trying to find a papelaria to make a copy of a map to make the divisions, place houses of members, and investigators too. So that's good, because we are more organized now! Two of the days, our lunch was like 1 1-2 hours away, so tons of walking and most of the lunches aren´t in our area anymore so its a lot of walking to get back, but I´m super grateful to have 2 others to help us now. So our numbers this week weren´t that great but I think its going to get better now that we´re organized! And no, Rawain hasn´t changed her mind yet, but we´ve gone to her church a couple times to support her. Last night, all 6 of us went, I don´t understand much that goes on because they stand up, pray, and play alot of music with drums and guitars and stuff... so it's a different experience for sure, and after her mom told us to come over to eat rice and stroganoff.
So that was the week, but today was super interesting. So the other elders planned to go play soccer for exercise this morning and then return, study and do all the regular p day stuff. I asked if we were able to do that and play soccer and they said yes. It got to be like 9 and we hadn´t gone back to study, and then the zone leaders called... they were at our house... CRAP! So we went back and they were mad that first we were playing soccer (which we are NOT allowed to play soccer unless authorized by the president) and not studying, and also that our numbers were crappy. I didn´t say anything while they were there, but some of the Brazilians were really mad and said they weren´t allowed to this and tons of stuff. Then Elder Prado went crazy! He destroyed a cabinet. Then President Tavares called us and Elder Prado said some things and President Tavares said for all of us to pack and that he´d be at our house in a couple hours. So that is what I did, packed super fast and cleaned a little too, because our house was a mess. President Tavares arrived and talked with all of us for a bit. Then he did individual interviews with each of us, and he was only mad that I played soccer, which I didn´t know we couldn´t play. So everything is good now. Elder Prado and Elder Welling left with President Tavares to go live in another house, because President said that its not good to have 6 elders in a house. So now I´m here e-mailing and everything is good.
So yeah, this week was very interesting. I´m glad we have the 2 elders still in our area to help us. They are super fun and great to have. I am now starting to have more fun, but now we still need to work hard and change a few things. Thank your for all that you do! It sounds like you guys had a good week. Thank Jackson and Alec for the mail and thanks for the sports updates. I love you guys tons! Keep telling everyone HI for me... and tell Al, Jack, and Peppy I love them and miss them. I hope this week is more successful but know that I am OK. A little rattled but OK... ha ha. Thanks again, and I´ll talk to you next week!
Love,
Elder Halpin
March 19, 2012
Oi!
Well this week was very interesting. After e mail last week we went and bought food, ate, and after went to play some soccer. It was fun! The zone leader called and said that Elder Bohne was getting transferred up to a part in São Paulo. But me, Elder Moreira, and Elder Prado were staying, so no I wasn´t transferred. We also received 2 new missionaries in our home and the new companion of Elder Prado. They are Elder Juelch (Americano) Elder Wellings (Americano) and Elder Magalhães (Brasilhero). Both Elders Welling and Magalhães were in the CTM with me at the same time, and Elder Juelch was one of the trainers I met when I first arrived in Londrina. It was awesome to see them again. They split our area with the 2 new elders, so that's good so we don´t need to do so much walking!!! We walked more this week though because we were helping the new elders in our area. We wandered around trying to find a papelaria to make a copy of a map to make the divisions, place houses of members, and investigators too. So that's good, because we are more organized now! Two of the days, our lunch was like 1 1-2 hours away, so tons of walking and most of the lunches aren´t in our area anymore so its a lot of walking to get back, but I´m super grateful to have 2 others to help us now. So our numbers this week weren´t that great but I think its going to get better now that we´re organized! And no, Rawain hasn´t changed her mind yet, but we´ve gone to her church a couple times to support her. Last night, all 6 of us went, I don´t understand much that goes on because they stand up, pray, and play alot of music with drums and guitars and stuff... so it's a different experience for sure, and after her mom told us to come over to eat rice and stroganoff.
So that was the week, but today was super interesting. So the other elders planned to go play soccer for exercise this morning and then return, study and do all the regular p day stuff. I asked if we were able to do that and play soccer and they said yes. It got to be like 9 and we hadn´t gone back to study, and then the zone leaders called... they were at our house... CRAP! So we went back and they were mad that first we were playing soccer (which we are NOT allowed to play soccer unless authorized by the president) and not studying, and also that our numbers were crappy. I didn´t say anything while they were there, but some of the Brazilians were really mad and said they weren´t allowed to this and tons of stuff. Then Elder Prado went crazy! He destroyed a cabinet. Then President Tavares called us and Elder Prado said some things and President Tavares said for all of us to pack and that he´d be at our house in a couple hours. So that is what I did, packed super fast and cleaned a little too, because our house was a mess. President Tavares arrived and talked with all of us for a bit. Then he did individual interviews with each of us, and he was only mad that I played soccer, which I didn´t know we couldn´t play. So everything is good now. Elder Prado and Elder Welling left with President Tavares to go live in another house, because President said that its not good to have 6 elders in a house. So now I´m here e-mailing and everything is good.
So yeah, this week was very interesting. I´m glad we have the 2 elders still in our area to help us. They are super fun and great to have. I am now starting to have more fun, but now we still need to work hard and change a few things. Thank your for all that you do! It sounds like you guys had a good week. Thank Jackson and Alec for the mail and thanks for the sports updates. I love you guys tons! Keep telling everyone HI for me... and tell Al, Jack, and Peppy I love them and miss them. I hope this week is more successful but know that I am OK. A little rattled but OK... ha ha. Thanks again, and I´ll talk to you next week!
Love,
Elder Halpin
Monday, March 12, 2012
Week 15~Lucas gets baptized!
e-mail
March 12, 2012
Hello Mom and Dad!
It sounds like you guys had a pretty good week. Sorry that you were sick on your birthday dad, that's no fun, but I hope you had a great day! But yeah it sounds like you guys had fun!
My week here was good. We taught alot, and had two baptisms planned this weekend... Rawane for Saturday morning, and Lucas for Sunday after church. All throughout the the week we made sure to contact them and teach them. On Friday we went over to Rawane´s house to confirm Saturday and have her mom sign the papers, but she wasn't sure she was ready!!! She knows that the Book of Mormon is true and that the church is true, but she´s afraid to change, so we taught her more about following Christ´s example and said we´d stop by later. We went back before going home and she said that she wasn´t ready!!! So no baptism for her this past week. But yesterday was great! We went to church and our district leader gave Lucas his baptismal interview. Then after church, we went to the Stake Center in the city center and had his baptism. It was great! Alot of the members from our ward came and it was really nice. My companion did the baptism and I got to be one of the witnesses. I´ll try to get a picture on but the computer is being dumb right now.
So yeah, everything in Maringá is going great. Tonight is transfers though, and I thought that I would have the same trainer in the same area for the first 12 weeks, but I guess not. Elder Moreira said that usually the person being trained gets transferred I guess... so don´t send anything else to the house because I guess there is a possibility of me being transferred tomorrow.
I think I´ll get the package and stuff at the beginning of April because we get our mail every month after the leader´s meeting in Londrina. So hopefully I get it then. Last week though, I got mail from Amy Tingey and Mariah Kearsley (sem. council) and the valentines card that mom sent. They just asked how things are going and all that so I´m going to write them back today. I hope that next month I get more cards and all that ha ha, possibly in a different area... ha ha.
Usually on P-days we wake up, study until 11, head up to e-mail, go to the market to get food, go home, write letters, and sleep ha ha. We haven´t ever gone to do any thing else. Elder Moreira is interesting and gets set in one way and won't change, so we never adventure to find short cuts or go do anything fun really. I´m looking forward for changes , maybe if I´m transferred it´ll be a little more fun and interesting, but I don't know...I guess we´ll see.
This last week was great and the baptism was fun! Now I can't wait to be the one in the water with the investigator doing the baptism!!!
Thank you for everything you do! I love you guys! Tell Alec, Jackson and the pep hi for me and tell everybody else I say hi! I love you tons and hope you guys have a great and safe week!
Love,
Elder Halpin
March 12, 2012
Hello Mom and Dad!
It sounds like you guys had a pretty good week. Sorry that you were sick on your birthday dad, that's no fun, but I hope you had a great day! But yeah it sounds like you guys had fun!
My week here was good. We taught alot, and had two baptisms planned this weekend... Rawane for Saturday morning, and Lucas for Sunday after church. All throughout the the week we made sure to contact them and teach them. On Friday we went over to Rawane´s house to confirm Saturday and have her mom sign the papers, but she wasn't sure she was ready!!! She knows that the Book of Mormon is true and that the church is true, but she´s afraid to change, so we taught her more about following Christ´s example and said we´d stop by later. We went back before going home and she said that she wasn´t ready!!! So no baptism for her this past week. But yesterday was great! We went to church and our district leader gave Lucas his baptismal interview. Then after church, we went to the Stake Center in the city center and had his baptism. It was great! Alot of the members from our ward came and it was really nice. My companion did the baptism and I got to be one of the witnesses. I´ll try to get a picture on but the computer is being dumb right now.
So yeah, everything in Maringá is going great. Tonight is transfers though, and I thought that I would have the same trainer in the same area for the first 12 weeks, but I guess not. Elder Moreira said that usually the person being trained gets transferred I guess... so don´t send anything else to the house because I guess there is a possibility of me being transferred tomorrow.
I think I´ll get the package and stuff at the beginning of April because we get our mail every month after the leader´s meeting in Londrina. So hopefully I get it then. Last week though, I got mail from Amy Tingey and Mariah Kearsley (sem. council) and the valentines card that mom sent. They just asked how things are going and all that so I´m going to write them back today. I hope that next month I get more cards and all that ha ha, possibly in a different area... ha ha.
Usually on P-days we wake up, study until 11, head up to e-mail, go to the market to get food, go home, write letters, and sleep ha ha. We haven´t ever gone to do any thing else. Elder Moreira is interesting and gets set in one way and won't change, so we never adventure to find short cuts or go do anything fun really. I´m looking forward for changes , maybe if I´m transferred it´ll be a little more fun and interesting, but I don't know...I guess we´ll see.
This last week was great and the baptism was fun! Now I can't wait to be the one in the water with the investigator doing the baptism!!!
Thank you for everything you do! I love you guys! Tell Alec, Jackson and the pep hi for me and tell everybody else I say hi! I love you tons and hope you guys have a great and safe week!
Love,
Elder Halpin
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Week 14~Happy Birthday Dad
e-mail
March 5, 2012
Hello!!!
March 5, 2012
Hello!!!
First off that's good to hear that Elder Petersen isn't back home! I thought that they had sent him home...
So yeah, this week was good. Some of the days we have gotten stuck in some downpours, but sometimes it´s fun... ha ha. I think I will be with my first companion for 12 weeks because he´s my trainer, then after that nobody but the president knows who is being transferred after every 6 weeks.
It sounds like you had a great time in NYC dad. That is way fun that you were able to go see Van Halen, how was Madison Square Garden??? I hope you have a great birthday this week!
Sam´s going to England?! that's way sweet! I´ll write him this week, ha ha and yeah, now just Seth! Has Alec thought about starting his papers yet???
Thanks for sending the package! I hope I get it soon... ha ha. I got that post card from Hawaii on Saturday at the house so it worked!
Tell Emerie congratulations for me and that I love her! Also let her know that this is the beginning of the road of happiness for her, and that Heavenly Father is very happy with her right now!
This past week we met a lot of people and a lot said they´d come to church, but only like 5 came, which is still a lot! Lucas, a 14 year old accepted to be baptized this Sunday! We only have like 20 minutes with him everyday this week though because he works and then goes to school... Rawane is really good too, she wants to be baptized and go to the temple some day, but her pastor talks bad about us, so that's tough. I pray for her and all of our investigators every day!!! We met a very receptive family with 2 kids, we taught a members mom and brother, then had a family night with Valeria´s (less active) family, 2 kids (members) and dad (non-member, investigator), and we had waffles, sorvete (ice-cream), and brigadeiro (chocolate sauce). it was really fun. All together, we have about 40 people in our teaching group, and every day it grows! so yeah, I hope and pray every day that we are able to convert them all, but if not now, I know that we are planting seeds...
Tell Dave and Jill that I hope Elder Holt is OK. Can you get me his mission home address and I´ll write him in the future, along with Marlowe´s and Dillon´s addresses as well? Thanks.
That is awesome the Jazz are finally doing good! How´s Gordon Hayward playing? Oh, and send me a March Madness bracket when they come out and then tell me who wins every game..ha, ha Thanks! Also sometime soon, in the next package send tons of peanut butter, that's my favorite thing to eat at night, a pb and j ha ha.
Thank you for all that you do. I love you guys so much. Tell Alec, Jackson, and Peppy hi for me, and spread my love to everybody. Have a great week and again Feliz Anaversario Dad!!!
Love,
Élder Halpin
Week 13 ~ Zone Conference
e-mail
February 27, 2012
Hello!
This past week has been interesting... Just the usual stuff from last Monday through Wednesday, then 4 other elders stayed in our house Wednesday night because we had zone conference on Thursday. It was AWESOME! We ate good food and President and Sister Tavares spoke to us and trained us with the AP´s all day. I still had no idea what was going on though...ha ha. And it was cool because I got to see another elder that was in my district in the CTM, and Elder Kaelin as well so that was sweet! I´ll send a picture, oh did you get my pictures last week?
Friday was interesting because I told my companion that I need more help and all that, but he got mad and it was just kind of a crappy day! Oh well though. Things are good now, but it is really hard sometimes with him because its always his way or the highway... But yeah, it's confusing sometimes because I know this is the time to learn, but I don't feel like I´m learning much... oh well though I've just gotta make it work.
We still don't have any baptisms, but I think we have one lined up this week...? Yesterday we had investigators with great potential in church so that's good. Rawane´s family is really funny and fun to be with. Her mom calls me `her boy´...ha ha, so they are really sweet and we´re helping them progress. Do you know a Megan Falling or something like that back home, because she said that she has a friend in Holladay!
Walking is going good, but still just a ton every day. I don't know what I weigh now, but my clothes are good. We only have a washing machine and air dry everything. I do my laundry... ha ha.
Yep we´re really close to that cemetery, but the pool you see on google earth isn't in our yard, but another house behind us... its a really big house for missionaries too I guess... ha ha.
Are you serious that Elder Petersen was released??? that sucks! I loved having him in my district!!! That is super scary though. (Elder Petersen was in Chandler's MTC district, and contracted Dengue Fever...He was in the hospital for a few days, and then released to be on bedrest at home. I told Chandler this and Chandler assumed he was sent home...to the United States. I should have been more specific...he was sent home to his apartment, and has since returned to his everyday work schedule!)
No I haven't gotten the reebs yet, but sometimes my stomach hurts from hunger so that's no fun. Last week I was having a hard time going to the bathroom but its better now.
Yeah, I can't wait to get back and see Hunger Games ha ha. I bet it´ll be sick. Yeah, I think it is probably best just to send stuff to the mission home and not my house because you never know how long it´ll take to get here and I could be somewhere totally different by the time it arrives... but I don't know ha ha. Yeah time flies! It's gone really fast, but I just cant wait to know the language. That's good my friends are keeping in touch, I´m still waiting for letters though! ha ha. Did Sam get his call yet??? Who won the dunk contest during the all star weekend?
Well yeah, it's tricky sometimes, but this is the work of the Lord and everything is possible through Him. I pray so hard when the times get tough and make it through them with a smile most of the time. I cant wait to baptize somebody too!!! Thank you for all that you do! Have a great week! Have fun in New York Dad, and tell the boys and pep HI for me!
Love,
Elder Halpin
P.S. If there is room in the package could you send my Brazil jerseys??
February 27, 2012
Hello!
This past week has been interesting... Just the usual stuff from last Monday through Wednesday, then 4 other elders stayed in our house Wednesday night because we had zone conference on Thursday. It was AWESOME! We ate good food and President and Sister Tavares spoke to us and trained us with the AP´s all day. I still had no idea what was going on though...ha ha. And it was cool because I got to see another elder that was in my district in the CTM, and Elder Kaelin as well so that was sweet! I´ll send a picture, oh did you get my pictures last week?
Friday was interesting because I told my companion that I need more help and all that, but he got mad and it was just kind of a crappy day! Oh well though. Things are good now, but it is really hard sometimes with him because its always his way or the highway... But yeah, it's confusing sometimes because I know this is the time to learn, but I don't feel like I´m learning much... oh well though I've just gotta make it work.
We still don't have any baptisms, but I think we have one lined up this week...? Yesterday we had investigators with great potential in church so that's good. Rawane´s family is really funny and fun to be with. Her mom calls me `her boy´...ha ha, so they are really sweet and we´re helping them progress. Do you know a Megan Falling or something like that back home, because she said that she has a friend in Holladay!
Walking is going good, but still just a ton every day. I don't know what I weigh now, but my clothes are good. We only have a washing machine and air dry everything. I do my laundry... ha ha.
Yep we´re really close to that cemetery, but the pool you see on google earth isn't in our yard, but another house behind us... its a really big house for missionaries too I guess... ha ha.
Are you serious that Elder Petersen was released??? that sucks! I loved having him in my district!!! That is super scary though. (Elder Petersen was in Chandler's MTC district, and contracted Dengue Fever...He was in the hospital for a few days, and then released to be on bedrest at home. I told Chandler this and Chandler assumed he was sent home...to the United States. I should have been more specific...he was sent home to his apartment, and has since returned to his everyday work schedule!)
No I haven't gotten the reebs yet, but sometimes my stomach hurts from hunger so that's no fun. Last week I was having a hard time going to the bathroom but its better now.
Yeah, I can't wait to get back and see Hunger Games ha ha. I bet it´ll be sick. Yeah, I think it is probably best just to send stuff to the mission home and not my house because you never know how long it´ll take to get here and I could be somewhere totally different by the time it arrives... but I don't know ha ha. Yeah time flies! It's gone really fast, but I just cant wait to know the language. That's good my friends are keeping in touch, I´m still waiting for letters though! ha ha. Did Sam get his call yet??? Who won the dunk contest during the all star weekend?
Well yeah, it's tricky sometimes, but this is the work of the Lord and everything is possible through Him. I pray so hard when the times get tough and make it through them with a smile most of the time. I cant wait to baptize somebody too!!! Thank you for all that you do! Have a great week! Have fun in New York Dad, and tell the boys and pep HI for me!
Love,
Elder Halpin
P.S. If there is room in the package could you send my Brazil jerseys??
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