WEEK 63: Quarantine and More Hard Work!

Sorry everyone! It has been a little while since I wrote a weekly update! 

The truth is, not a lot went on here in this area over the past couple of weeks. Two of the missionaries in our apartment came down with COVID, so we were all under a strict two-week quarantine. And while we were still able to work during quarantine, they were probably the two slowest weeks of my mission! We spent a good amount of time calling members, fishing, playing card games, and reading. There's not much else we could have done. There were a few organized (but virtual) activities that were planned for all the quarantined missionaries in the mission, so that gave us something to do as well. I ended up taking a COVID test last week that came back negative, which was comforting. But our quarantine is finally done, and we are ready to get back to the work at full speed. 

Another piece of huge news! Transfers are taking place right now! And...... I will be staying another transfer in the Clear Springs Portuguese Branch with Elder Stearman! We were actually both kind of surprised by the news. It is very rare (as far as I know) to spend four transfers with the same companion in the same area. But I am very excited to spend the next 6 weeks here with him. He has really become like a brother to me. I am sure there are more people we need to reach out to in order to touch their lives. In other transfer news, the other companionship is mostly staying the same - Elder Draper is headed home, and another reassigned missionary will be joining the other companionship. So stoked for the next transfer!

We have also had several successes with many of our investigators the past several weeks. Our main three friends, Mary, Maria, and Janio, were all able to attend church with us on Sunday. They all had very spiritual experiences, and I look forward to seeing the progress they will see further down the path. We are very blessed to have met them and are excited to help them prepare for baptism. 

Other than that, there's not much more to report! We are staying strong through the storms in our path. I have loved every minute of my missionary service thus far, and am eternally grateful for my experiences here. I love you all and I love the Lord. 

Love, 

Elder Perry

P.S. Thanks to the Gwilliams for the Crystal Growing Aspen and other fun surprises! They helped during quarantine!!

WEEK 60: Service and Sweatervests

Yes, the sweatervests are classy.

Hello everybody! I hope you all had a wonderful conference weekend, because we certainly did! We met up with some cool people, and had plenty of spiritual experiences this week! 

To start, we did more service as always. It has become a weekly event to go to Mama T's food pantry and volunteer. We go every Tuesday and help people in the community get their much-needed groceries. We also helped some people dig up plants, move sheds, and do some other things. Our work has never been better in the service department. Plus, we were about to translate a Kirtland tour again yesterday when the person bailed so we got another free tour. So cool. 

The work in the area is going really well too! We have found a ton of people between offering English classes and soccer night. With the teaching pool we have accrued, we should stay busy for a little while. Meanwhile, a few of our close friends have been progressing quite a bit! Our friend Mary is actually going to be renting a room at a members apartment starting next week! We are super happy that she is integrating herself with the branch family. She watched some conference with us too! She is so awesome. 

We also bought sweater vests at the thrift store just so we could take some fly pictures. Judge if you'd like, but they were like 4 dollars each. 

Conference was so amazing. I learned so many things and felt so uplifted spiritually. I would have to say, I found the theme of preparation during the Saturday sessions to be most interesting. We understand through the scriptures, that this life is a time to prepare to meet God. We are preparing for the second coming. And we are preparing for the storms ahead. Our lives seem to be full of preparations of some form. It is important that our preparation comes upon a foundation of truth and light. That foundation can be found in Christ and the words of His true and living prophets. As you go back and study the words that were spoken this last weekend, think of the things that you can apply to better prepare yourself for what lies ahead. 

I love you all so much! Have a fantastic week!! And a huge thank you to Grandma and Grandpa Bryan and Grandma and Grandpa Perry who have supported me with packages, emails, and donations! You are the best!

Love, Elder Perry

WEEK 59: Lessons, Interviews, and the Temple

Seven more days have flown past us here in the GANM. I have loved every day of my service here, and have grown a deep appreciation for the land and the people living here.

It was a relatively slow week this week. We didn't have anything too crazy going on. We were able to do a lot of service for people though! We helped with two moves, some yard work, and other cleaning in the homes of some members. I have felt so blessed to be able to offer so much service to people. This has been a rare opportunity that I never really had in Brazil. Although the sweat and sore muscles hurt at the time, the fulfillment and satisfaction of the service is what really matters. 

We also took some fire pictures by the temple! We met some members there before they gave us dinner at their house, so we took our time and got some photos!

We have been able to find quite a few people through English classes and soccer night lately. One other strategy that we have tried so far is going into local Brazilian markets and restaurants and trying to spark up conversations with people there. It is not always easy, but it has been a lot more productive and intimate than just teaching long and sometimes boring English classes. We have found some cool people, and already have several who are progressing as well. There really isn't any struggle in finding, but the real challenge is progressing the people we're teaching. 

We also had our interviews with President Harris this week! He is so awesome. He gave plenty of great advice as to how we should be going about work in the branch and the goals I should be setting for myself as a missionary. I loved the experience and am looking forward to our zone conference this week. 

I also was blessed with more inspiration in the form of another video! If any of you want to check it out, it is on my facebook page. 

Love you all. The church is true and God is out there rooting for you. 

Love
Elder Perry