Hey Family!
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> So this week was great! Thanks for all the emails and pics, love seeing you guys doing so well!  So 1st off, I received the package you sent me mom and dad! THANK YOU so much!! It was awesome!

 I’m lovin´ the p-nut butter, candy, beefjerkey, spices, vitamins, and all! the Brazilians love them too. :) also enjoyed a lot the awesome surprise of hair clippers and pedometer! I will be cutting my hair for the first time by myself today with the clippers! I’m pumped! haha lets hope it goes well ;) can’t be much worse than previous haircut I’ve had! hahahaha. oh and the pedometer works great and precise! in just one day I walked 18,323 steps, 7.8 miles! hahaha holy smokes! and haven’t walked TONS in one day yet with pedometer so its way cool to keep track of all info. very cool, thanks!

 the nerf football was a hit as well! haha thanks! 

**so only thing about the box: I had to pay $150 reais to take it out of post office bc of tax fines! (80 dollars more or less) ouch! haha had to take $200 reais out of personal bank account to pay for box. was talking with the bank man about it and he said almost no way to avoid it. basically they charge tax fines if the box has more than $50 U.S dollar value or anything unopened from store in united states. but I don’t think they can open the box legally. but to be safe, to avoid tax fine have to open everything and make everything look used already. what’s most important is what write on outside of box bc they don’t open box unless suspicion I believe. so write on outside used stuff and basically just write candy and stuff and value that you write of stuff inside needs to say less than $50 dollars. but almost impossible to avoid tax fines he said.** just a heads up! haha, but THANK YOU tons for the box! so worth it it! haha.

 let’s see, this week also had splits with elder Barros in his area, our district leader. went well! it was birthday of nephew of recent convert of theirs that night so helped blow up balloons for him real fast and caught a bit of the party. delicious food and cake 'torta de bolacha'! yumm. 

we also spoke on the RADIO this week! was AWESOME! we spoke to the whole world! ;) haha well everybody in Cruz Alta at least. station 107.9!  haha very cool. talked about missionary work and the theme was how to carry our burdens with easiness through the atone of Jesus Christ. we used elder bednars gen conf talk from April. was awesome! I think we will do it again next Saturday from 9;00-10;00. normally the zone leaders do it bc we have Cruz Alta Mormon station on radio every Saturday but they already had plans and won’t be able to do it again this Saturday. so will probably be us again. 

also this week was day of the dead holiday where everyone goes to cemetery to visit their passed away family and friends. we stayed their 2 hours just making lots of contacts and sharing the plan of salvation will people. was very neat experience. we got a lot of addresses and was nice to share the joy of Gods perfect plan. also had spiritual experience that same day! as returning to apartment. we passed by family sitting on corner of street. felt prompted to talked to them but we passed by. every step I took farther away from them I hurt more and the spirit prompted stronger and stronger to talk to that family. alright ill do it! haha. made us stop and return back to that family. Well sure enough! they were needing it. turns out, she’s an inactive member from our area and ward!! she wants us to visit and has friend that recently talked about joining our church that is her neighbor! how cool! also we received a call from a sister jurema last week wanting a visit but we don’t have her address so couldn’t visit her. turns out this sister jurema is also the neighbor of this family we made a contact with!! wow! no wonder the spirit was prompting so strong to talk to them! 3 families that are needing our help now will have the chance! I’m so glad I listened to the the holy ghost prompting. we must strive to always act and do what the spirit prompts. we must always be ready and listening. I love and am so grateful for the role of the holy ghost. was a great week family! lots of family nights, and the ward is growing closer together. I love this true gospel and marvelous work! I love you all and thank you so much for everything guys! keep up the great work! lets endure to the end well. Have an excelente semana! Fielmente,
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> Love,
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> Elder Sargent

E aí minha família,

Essa semana vou fazer algo um pouco diferente. Vou escrever em português! espero que vocês poderão entender! haha. tenho bem pouco tempo, então só quis prestar meu testemunho e amor. Eu sei que famílias podem ser eternas. Eu sei que o evangelho de Jesus Cristo é verdadeiro e por cada um de nós. Eu sei que Jesus é O Cristo. Que Ele vive. Eu sei que O Livro de Mórmon é verdadeiro e que a igreja de Cristo realmente foi restaurado hoje em dia. Sei que A Igreja de Jesus Cristo dos Santos dos Últimos dias é verdadeira e a mesmo igreja que Cristo estabeleceu. Isso é meu pequeno testemunho que é simples. Amo todos vocês e sinto falta de vocês sempre. Tenha uma ótima semana minha família! Com amor,

Te amo!

Élder Sargentó 

Translation (courtesy of google translator):

           And then my family ,

This week I am going to do something a little different . I will write in Portuguese! I hope you can understand! haha . I have very little time , so I just wanted to add my testimony and love . I know that families can be together forever. I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true, and for each of us. I know that Jesus is the Christ. He lives. I know that the Book of Mormon is true and that the church of Christ really was restored today. I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true and the same church that Christ established. This is my little testimony that is simple. Love you all and miss you always. Have a great week my family! With love,

Love you !

I’m trying to write in journal the things I study.  The mission president suggested it to all missionaries to start. It helps remember the things we study and learn with the spirit! I'm not sure how long I will be in this area, probably at least one more transfer after this one.  I believe there are a lot more Brazilian missionaries in our mission than Americans! very cool. I’m loving the language and culture! good stuff. It was a great busy week! 

Elder Sargent

October 20, 2014

Família,

Thanks for all of the emails and updates family! Means a lot and always makes me smile, laugh, and happy. :) So this week was another great week here in Cruz Alta, Brazil! Almost rained everyday this week but it was still great! 

Rained so much and hard Sunday with strong wind, plus new time change for summer, that only had 20 people at church yesterday. yup, smaller than a branch! man made me pretty sad. but didn’t let it get to me, bc I’m enjoying this once in a life experience! The counselor of bishop, Enrique, is really cool. He drove us in his truck to pick up our investigators. (Henrique reminds me of Ryan! same personality and smile! haha) Cristina and Maurício were able to make it despite the rain storm. Cristina is investigator for while now that always has lots of doubts about Joseph smith and prophets and Book of Mormon, but we've been working with her and she’s progressing! less doubts now and testimony building, however, she has extreme depression so sometimes it’s really hard to help her and teach. Gave her a blessing and she’s doing better! She has boyfriend but they don’t live together (rarity here haha) so she will have to live law of chastity or get married. Looks like they have desire to get married after family night we did with them other night about eternal families and temples! Maurício is a drunk who came up to us in the street the other day haha! He told us he wants a change and new life but doesn’t know how. we have the solution! invited him to church Sunday and he said he´d be waiting for us sober he promised! sure enough he was there Sunday morning! made me happy to see him in church. very poor wearing sandals and old clothes but would be very cool to see this change in his life! just that he´s committed about every crime and sin you can think of haha. and members told us he’s dangerous. yikes! but don’t worry, we will be super careful and safe! this week ate lunch at eliandro´s house. (young couple with a young boy that are fairly wealthy, teach English, and less active.) hope to reactivate them! we need them in the church! they are a great family. let’s see, I have lots more investigators and stories to talk about but out of time so will continue sharing experiences with investigators next week! I love being a missionary and sharing the gospel! life is great! have a great week my family, I love you all!

With much faith and love,

Elder Sargent

p.s- played uno and chess last p-day with elders and thought of family nights and games! awesome

today there is sun so with probably play basketball and American football! ah yeahhh :)

love ya!

It makes me so happy to know Dad served a mission, Jake served a mission, and now it is my turn.  It is such a privilege to wear our Sargent name along with Christ´s. I love being a missionary!

October 13, 2014

Minha Família,

It makes me happy to know my family is doing so well! My family is absolutely my greatest blessing. I love and miss you guys so much! So this week was great for us as well. This week was quite challenging, but we learned so much! Really, our challenges and difficulties we pass and learn to overcome make us grow so much. I love how the apostles say sometimes we have to pass hardships and trials so that we can feel and better understand the atonement of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As His representative, have to do what He does, go through some of what He suffered for us, and enjoy the blessings that He enjoys, joy, bringing souls unto salvation. This week on Friday we had zone conference in Santo Ângelo! It was great and spiritually strengthening! Really opened my vision about the Lord´s missionary work and its purpose. Not just numbers and baptisms. But how really, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has all the ordinances and covenants necessary to receive salvation and return to live with our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and our families for all eternity. This is the joy that comes from living the gospel. What a privilege I have to offer this joy to my brothers and sisters here in Brazil! I love it! Sometimes it’s hard, but then I remember why I’m here, and who I represent. of course it’s not easy. salvation isn’t easy. bc the atonement of Jesus Christ never was easy. (paraphrased talk by Elder Jeffery R. Holland.) Family, know I miss you guys greatly and pray for each one of you every day. I love my family! we are so grateful for the atonement of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and the miracle of forgiveness. Have a great week you guys! stay strong and true! 

Um Abraço,

Elder Sargent

October 6, 2014

Thanks for the email and update! lots of great news it sounds like! this is an exciting time for all of us. :) glad the family will be able to get together for thanksgiving again! family makes me happy. general conference was AMAZING wasn’t it!

 loved all of the wonderful talks! it was especially very cool to hear the talk in Portuguese! I hope in the future they just use English subtitles bc I would like hearing the different languages too. all translated in Portuguese here in brazil but at least I was able to understand this time around! :) it was a great conference! unfortunately we weren’t able to see priesthood session general conf bc from 9-11pm here in brazil and we have to be back at apartment by 9. in the past we were able to stay out to watch but new mission rule. ( oh and you asked how the mission pres and wife are- they are great! love them. but yes, VERY strict in all things and little rules. and sister Parrela only likes to talk about food and health haha to the point it’s pretty funny. but they are great mission presidents!) so we will download priesthood session and probably watch it today or later this week. I’m excited! :) This week was pretty normal and amazing as always for us. we are trying to work and help our ward out. our ward is going through a difficult time where everyone has been offended by everyone and lots of forgiveness needs to happen.  With The Lord´s help, it is possible! conference was great and am sure helped tons too!

So to answer some or your questions: - my favorite part of day would have to be personal study time (8-9 in the morning) bc it is a sacred time where I can receive personal revelation, feel the spirit so strong, and be guided by my study. I love it! 

fav day of week is Sunday bc it is the day of the Lord! and I love the spiritual strength that comes from partaking of the sacrament. oh and of course Saturdays when we have baptism! best meeting to attend is a baptismal meeting! :)

 my comp is great. he works hard and is obedient! he keeps me in line when I get down, and I keep him in line when he gets down. he has twin brother. just like my other comp Eduardo Souza has twin brother too. what we have in common is that we are both calm. which is awesome! bc never get annoyed with each other. 

Biggest difference between USA and brazil is probably the culture! lots of differences- beans and rice every meal. people more comfortable to converse with one another here. ex- they kiss one another to greet, etc) (so glad I’m an élder missionary so don’t have to worry about that! haha ;) oh and my picture of brazil is much different too bc I imagine rio grande de sul which is much different from são paulo and the rest of brazil. everyone says brazil is actually quite updated with everything, restaurants, cell phones, etc. just here in rio grande do sul where its farmland, interior, no restaurants, no tech, etc. homes very humble here as well. but I’ve learned to get used to differences and love them too! always have pros and cons. 

and what is the same between brazil and USA - we are all sons and daughters of the same loving Heavenly Father with the same purpose here on earth. We are family, lets help one another return to our Heavenly Father. :) I love it! this church is of God throughout the whole world and it is so true! hope you enjoy some of the responses to you questions! I love you all so much and miss you tons! have a wonderful week and stay strong my family!

Com muito Fé e Amor,

Élder Sargent

September 29, 2014

My Family,

Well I’ve been transferred to Cruz Alta, ward #3! Hard to say goodbye to salgado filho but I will love it here too! I trust in the Lord and the work and church is always true and so great! in our apartment is 6 missionaries! and its small too! haha my comp and I sleep in main room when open front door lol. but its great! we have the zone leaders and district leader in our apartment too. but its great! everyone does their part and serves obediently! great group of missionaries. 

so our ward is super small! smaller than the branch in Itaqui haha! only had 36 members at church Sunday. I gave talk, and we had to pass the sacrament, plus give gospel class. haha but it’s no problem. I’m excited to work in the ward and help us members grow! my comp is great. him name is elder soares da Silva. he has 1 year and 3 months on the mission already. love him! great guy who is obedient and works hard too. I’m getting the hand of being senior too, it’s pretty easy bc my comp is great too! so we just work together and follow the real senior comp: the Holy Ghost. I love this true and perfect gospel! Cruz Alta is bigger than Itaqui, but smaller than salgado filho Santa Maria. lots of walking again, but don’t mind! I’m excited to work with our investigators here.

 so mom I finally tried white chocolate pizza (last day at bishops house before transfers) white chocolate pizza is absolutely amazing!!! SOOO GOOOD. with strawberries on top too. yup, good stuff. oh and everyone LOVED the rubber CTR bands and rings you sent me. don’t have those here. great gifts! so yes I’m enjoying it here in Cruz Alta! still getting to know the area, members, and all that but so far so good! this week will be great! I love you all and miss you tons! have a wonderful week! I love you all again and stay strong my family!

Love,

Élder Sargent 

September 22, 2014

Hey guys!

So this week passed by super fast! Lots to do and so little time it always feels like, life of a missionary! haha. But I love every second of it! so I was pretty sad this week to get the info that I will be transferred this week! man, I was hoping to stay here in Salgado Filho with my comp. The members are so great here…like a family to me, and its gonna be hard to say more goodbyes. But I know for sure I will stay in contact again and see them again! 

I was also super excited for the work that has been hastening here. We’ve found some elite investigators that for sure will get baptized… gonna miss them too as well as the recent converts here… really growing. I will miss them all. I’m so grateful for the Lord and opportunity He gave me to serve here. I hope I fulfilled all that He desired of me here in Salgado Filho. I really feel like I gave it my all and I’m so happy. there were definitely some experiences and purposes why I was sent here at this time that I will never forget. but now it’s time to depart and continue the Lords work in another place. I trust in The Lord. I know I will meet and serve with new families and once again it will be hard to leave when the time comes. but that’s the life of a missionary! haha I can’t even imagine how hard it will be when I leave for home. but for now, won’t even think about that! haha. lots of time and great experiences to serve here in brazil!

 So tomorrow is transfers. I will be going to Cruz Alta. I’m excited to continue this great and marvelous work! I will be senior comp with an elder Soares da Silva… little nervous bc don’t feel like ready to be senior comp just yet! haha but I trust in the Lord and will give it my best. I am weak, but He can make me strong. I hope I can be an instrument in His hands and fulfill all that he has in store for me. I will go and do wherever he asks me to go! I love how this true church is absolutely the same in the whole world and all places! only the language changes, but the standards, and gospel doctrine is always the same! remembering this I remain at peace during such changes. oh and yes when I dream it is often in Portuguese mom! haha Portuguese is much easier for me now, but I still have lots to learn and improve! so quickly I’ll let you guys know how went this week. 

so first of off, my comp and I needed a haircut asap. so of course we went to shack that said haircut $5! what a deal right!? well if you saw the photos he was cutting our hair blind. hahaha man it was so funny to watch him cut our hair bc I think it was first time for him! before mission I would be upset for bad haircut, but as missionary we only laughed and enjoyed the experience. being sad won’t make the situation any better. just have to laugh and enjoy it! haha. not to mention I’ve never been so grateful for a bad haircut. guess what?! He’s an elite investigator! practically begging for us to teach him the gospel. experience I will never forget. He especially loved that an American was in his "barber shop"! and he was cutting my hair. hahah he is such a character and already prayed about restoration and knows it’s true. I know he will be baptized and thankful for opportunity to plant seed. he thanked us by reading a poem he wrote for us at church party Friday night (20 de setembro- day of gaúcho! you will see lots of pics of this! :) to the whole ward!

 these experiences are why the mission is so worth it. my spirit is so full with joy. my mission is one of my greatest blessings! I love you all so much and have a wonderful week! keep up the great work. in all of my prayers!

thanks again!

Love,

Elder Sargent

September 15, 2014

Time flies so fast haha. gotta make the best out of these two, quick, limited years I have to serve the Lord fulltime! I love this true and perfect work and gospel. this week was good. Can’t believe another transfer has already gone by. we find out about transfers this Fridays and if will be transferred will move next Tuesday. I trust in the Lord and I will go and do what He wants me to do wherever He needs me to go. I hope I stay here with my comp though! I’m loving this area and the members here. they’re so great. and we’ve got some good work to do here together! my comp is great too! just have to have faith and trust in The Lord always.

 this week I mounted on top of a giant horse!! haha everybody stopped in the city to watch us missionaries try and mount a horse. it was hilarious! bc my comp is Brazilian and he fell 3 times before successfully getting on top. so they all expected me, an American, to never even manage to get on top of this monster by myself. I was a little nervous (bc of getting kicked in the back by a horse if you remember from scouts) but I mounted up 1st try!! haha everybody laughed so hard afterwards it was great. 

overall a great week! I love you all and have an awesome week!

Love,

Elder Sargent