My faith increased: 11 de agosto 2014

Family and Friends,

     This week, we received a member referral from the Relief Society president, Irmã Alba, and her son, Luis Henrique. Yesterday, Luis Henrique brought 14 year old Felipe to church, and the ward did a great job at helping him feel welcome and comfortable. In visiting his home later that evening, we met his mom who told us that she does Irmã Alba's nails and watched Luis Henrique grow up, leave on a mission, and saw the change in his life when he came back. She said she really likes the attention and care we take in our youth and has been impressed in meeting several LDS missionaries on the street in the day to day. She also told us that in the end, the decision is Felipe's, but if she could choose for him, she'd choose to put him in The LDS Church because of the young men's programs. Felipe told us he loved church yesterday, and that he's excited to go again next week. 

     As we taught the Restoration, Felipe's mom, named Ana, told us about her story in searching for the truth in the many churches, and it was a story similar to Joseph Smith's. As we told her about young Joseph's experience and the First Vision, she sat quietly and listened close. When we said the final words of the First Vision, she whispered, ``That's God. It's true.´´ Both Ana and Felipe accepted baptismal invitations and promised to read and pray about the Book of Mormon. I know they have been so prepared by the Lord, and we are so grateful for the faithful members who are helping us find and teach those who are ready to receive. They'll attend a family night close to their home tonight and meet several members there. Wish us luck!

     The talent show was a giant success. We were a little worried about the turnout because we found out that several other activities in the city and at institute had been planned at the same day and time. However, several people came prepared with talents and even more came to watch. My companion and a member of the ward helped me choose Michael Bublé's version of ``That's Life´´, and it was huge hit. The panel of judges (the bishopric) awarded me by unanimous vote 1st place in the show, and now videos of the song are posted all over facebook for those who missed it to see. It was a lot of fun to get up and play with my voice again, and the audience was super gracious in giving me back even more energy than I was giving them.

     That's about all the news I have for this week. I hope you all are well! Love you, and see you soon!

Elder Crapo

4 de Agosto 2014

Ei, Galera!

     It was really good to see little Miguel´s baptism on Saturday. He was so excited and ready, and his parents seemed to be really pleased. He´s already looking to the future. While he was changing into his baptismal clothes, he said, ``I didn´t know it was so easy to be baptized! Now in just a little bit, I´ll be a missionary!!´´´

     Other than that, this week went by normally. Jonas didn´t make it to church yesterday because he went to sleep over at a friend´s house on Saturday. We also found 3 more inactives who want to come back to church: Two sisters Carol and Daniela, and their Dad. They also have another sister and their mom who haven´t joined the church yet, so we´ll get going on that.

     We found out that Pedro and Sheila have some problems to sort out before they can get married, and we´ve set an appointment for them to meet with the bishop so he can help them sort things out. They´ve been giving us some referrals, though, so we´ll be taking them on some visits this week!

     We´ve planned a ward Talent Show for Saturday this week, and we´re running crazy recruiting members to do something and preparing our own talents as well. I still don´t know what I´m going to sing yet, and all the missionaries are going to get the audience to participate in some improv games (Like ``Who´s Line Is It Anyway´´).

     I think that about wraps up what´s going on over here. I hope you´re all doing well, and that you have a fantastic week! Love you all, and see you soon!

Elder Crapo

Vamos que vamos! 28 de Julho 2014

Family and Friends,

     Things are starting to calm down and we're getting to work a lot more normally now. We had a really good productive week, and we've been weeding out less actives and contacting the people from the addresses we have. Last week, we held a family night at a member's home and invited our recent convert family to join in. The parents weren't able to attend, but the kids went and they loved it! We're so blessed with amazing members who help us out so much. We gave a message about the armor of God complete with a little paper soldier that the kids could color in, and then we ate some home made Brazilian hot pockets (that's the only way I can describe them. They were soooo good!) and cake. 

     Right now we're helping Miguel prepare for his baptism on Saturday. He's the 7 year old son of Luis and Gisiela who are preparing for a their wedding and are waiting for their documents to arrive. Miguel will turn 8 on Friday, and asked the bishop at church the other week ´´I turn 8 on August 1, what do I have to do to be baptized on August 2?´´ He's a really smart kid, and soaks in everything we teach him, and loves to read the Book of Mormon with us. His mom was a little nervous about him being baptized so young at first, but luckily now she's on board, too.

     We also visited with 11 year old Brunella this week. One of our members brought her to church last week, and she loved it. She also has started reading the Book of Mormon that our member gave her already, and loves learning about anything that has to do with church. Her mom seemed pretty receptive when we showed up, so hopefully we won't have to fight too hard to help Brunella get baptized. 

     We came in contact with Jonas, who got baptized a while ago, but hasn't come to church for a while, and I'd never met him until his sister sent us over to their house yesterday. He seems like a really great kid who got into the wrong group of friends and starting making some wrong decisions. He told us that he's been trying to come back to church, but he's having a hard time. We'll be getting a firm hold on visiting him frequently to help him make it back. I think with just a little push he'll be great.

     I'm just loving being here on the mission. The only time I speak English is when I write to you guys, so I hope my letters still make sense. For now, we're just making the best of every day and having a fantastic experience. Thank you all so much for your love, support, and prayers! I'll see you soon!

``Eu! Sou Brasileiro! 

Com muito orgulho!

Com muito amor!´´

Elder Crapo

21 de Julho 2014

Family and Friends!

     This week went really well. We've been focusing more on reactivation this week because the general authorities left a training with the mission presidents of Brazil, and said the baptisms are high, but the retention is ridiculously low. We had the clerk print off a ward list, and we've been trying to contact people by neighborhood. We've already had one reactivation, contacted another inactive, and learned the whereabouts of two others this week. It's a start. We also were inviting people to church like crazy this week, and nobody was able to make it, but the Lord saw our efforts, and we had some super members bring their friends to church! We'll be contacting them this week.

     The birthday was really good. After studies, we went upstairs to visit with the Bishop and his wife, and they had a surprise gathering there waiting for me with a cake in the form of a German flag (oh, yes they did). They gave me a really beautiful blue tie as a present, and it was a really nice morning. After that, it was a pretty normal day, work work work, but it was good. Thanks so much to all who sent me a birthday e-mail, it really made my day! Love you all so much, and I'll see you soon!

Elder Crapo

ALEMÃO!!! 14 de Julho 2014

Dear Family and Friends,

     I have never been called a German so many times in my life. Ever since the German team creamed Brazil 7 to 1, everyone has started to think that I'm a German even more every day. It's gotten so bad that I don't think we went an hour of work without someone asking if I'm German or whispering to their friend, ``The German!´´ or shouting at me, ``GERMANY!´´ this week. I decided to just start having fun with it, and brush up the German I learned a million years ago by responding in German to a select few that I knew wouldn't kill me. The reactions are usually pretty priceless. The shock of , `holy cow, he really is a german´ passes the faces of the kids, and we get a good kick out of it. However because of the World Cup, this week was the hardest yet. We had p-day on Monday, as usual, a Game on Tuesday, work days Wednesday to Friday, another game on Saturday, and the World Cup finals yesterday (Congrats to Germany. Now the situation is even worse. Even the lady who runs the computer lab today asked me if I'm German). SO...not much progress was made. Now that the Cup is over and done, we'll be able to really get some work done, and I'm pretty excited for that.

     I really don't think I have more news than that. I'll have much more to tell you guys next week. I love you all, and I'll see you soon!

Elder Crapo

July 4 in Brasil!

Dear Family and friends,

     We're staying one more transfer!!!! :D

      We're all pretty excited, nobody is going anywhere. This week went pretty well. The three kids were confirmed at church yesterday, and the members are keeping us busy with referrals and we have plenty of work to do even though it's the World Cup. Speaking of...How about that Brasil??? This last game was a new team, and they've improved their game. However, everyone here is really mad at that one Colombian who broke Neymar's back and took out our star player.

     The conference with President was really really good! He and his wife (wow, I really just accidentally spelled wife as ´´Waif´´ which is how you would help a Brazilian pronounce it right) anyway, they're really sweet and spiritual, and this mission is in really good hands.

     Anyway...for Independence day, we decided to do something American that nobody here does...Make chocolate chip cookies! I was pretty proud of the way they turned out, and we took plenty of pictures. Other than that, I don't really have tons of news for you guys. We're all healthy and happy, and I hope the same for you, too. Love you all so much! See you soon!

Elder Crapo

Batismo! 30 de Junho, 2014

Dear family and friends,

     It happened! Yesterday, Elder Lima and I woke up sick, but that was not going to stop us! We showed up at Sheila´s house, and everyone was all ready to go to church! What a miracle, two weeks in a row! We had really good church meetings, and then we held the baptismal service after the sacrament meeting. It was a really wonderful experience for the whole family, and we had tons of support from the ward, they´re really awesome here. Now we´re focusing on the marriage and baptism of the dad, Pedro.

     In other new, Brasil classified for the next round (sorry, Dad) and the madness of the world cup will continue! On Saturday, we had Dobradinha, which is a sauce made up of sausage, tomato, beef, potato, beans, and most importantly: Cow intestines! Que Delicia! No, but really I liked it, it was good. :)

     The new mission president arrived this past week, and we´ll have a zone conference tomorrow to get to know him and his wife! I´m pretty excited to hear from them and to see what he has in store for the mission.

     As this is the last week of the transfer, I´m really hoping I get to stay here at least one more. It passed by so fast! It seems like each transfer passes faster than the last. I love you all, and I´ll see you soon!

Elder Crapo