The Race!

Well hello there my absolute most favorite people in the whole entire world!!

I. AM. EXHAUSTED.! I don't know if it is a normal thing but I am just completely exhausted in all ways. Physically, mentally, and spiritually haha. I have never felt the way that I do right now. I am getting better though. I am slowly getting more and more used to this craziness here in Bosque.  My companion is Elder Mendes. He is from Fortaleza Brasil and is 25 years old. He is a pretty cool kid.  He is struggling here on the mission in a few ways and if you could just keep him in your prayers that would be much appreciated. Also, if you could keep me in your prayers to be a better example to him and help him become what he wants to be... that would be much appreciated as well. I am so grateful for you guys. I tell you this because I know how much you care, how much you can help, and how real the power of prayer really is. I am so grateful for the opportunity that we have to pray and to talk to our Heavenly Father... He is real and He is listening and helping. Soo amazing!!

So how about that new area? Well.. we are living more in the city now. There are literally apartments EVERYWHERE!!! It is so hard to make contacts because people will either lie about their address... or give an address to an apartment and not give us their room number. It is so annoying. We walk and walk and walk with hopes to teach and then we get there and look up to a 20 floor apartment building without a floor number. It's the worst!! 

The house is another crappy part about our area. It is a two story house with a billion problems haha. Fun fact: My companion was taking a shower and decided to go to the bathroom. `Don't flush the toilet when you are taking a shower...?` Well it is REAL!!! He flushed the toilet and it went down and came out of the drain in the shower... EVERYTHING and EVERYWHERE!!! I just hear him scream and it was the funniest (yet grossest) thing that has ever happened in Brasil. Hahahaha!!  But besides that and the other million things that are wrong with it.. we do have AC in our room and a bed to sleep on...which is nice. At the end of the day.. that is all I really need. Ü

I was on splits this past week and we were climbing a mount everest of a hill. (Actually... we were at the bottom of it and I was about to cry haha.) Like this is the type of hill that is a 90 degree angle of your tie and the rest of your body as you walk up it. Well.. then some Brazilians were all like... `Look an American.` They started talking to me and telling me how they could beat me in Soccer. I went on to say how I can't play soccer but I will race them. They told me that they would demolish me and they were all dressed in their soccer clothes. They started laughing at me and they asked me when and where. I told them to pick their fastest kid and I will race him. They picked the kid and he was pretty athletic.. I was pretty scared but I had faith haha. I told the kid (Marcos) that he could pick where and he told me up the hill. I thought to myself... ´Elder Abel... you are so stupid. You are dressed in church clothes and church shoes and you are not gonna win this battle.` But High School Track Sky was totally down. I tightened up my shoes and as I was tying my other shoe they shouted `GO!` and the small, quick, Brazilian went off. It was epic as I took off... I don't think I have ever ran so fast in my life. All of my pride and the pride of the Church was on me. haha! This was like life or death for me and for these Brazilians to hear the Gospel. Well to shorten things up a bit.. I won. I beat this soccer kid.. up the hill... and it was a highlight of the week. I don't know how I did it.. but you wouldn't imagine the amount of Brazilians that witnessed it and were in such shame haha. It was a proud moment of mine. But the best part of this was not that I only won.. but that these kids want to hear more about the Gospel and that they are very interested in what the Gospel and the Church is all about. Sometimes it takes being a little bit more normal and relatable to get to the hearts of the people here. It was so cool and it strengthened my testimony... as weird as it sounds.

This past week we had a conference with Elder Toledo (of the Seventy) and his wife. They are both Brazilian, and have such amazing testimonies. They are truly amazing!! They taught me so much and the spirit they brought to the meeting was incredible!! But after the meeting he said that he would like to interview 5 missionaries. One of those missionaries was me!  I was scared out of my mind. I had nothing to hide, but I was so scared. It wasn't the type of `worthiness interviews´ that you may be thinking... but was more about the mission and about my personal life. He asked me a bunch of questions that really hit me hard and made me think quite a bit. But then at the end... he said... `Elder Abel... I have something that I need to tell you that your Savior would like to say.` My heart just dropped, got instant chills, and I just started to cry.. the spirit was so strong and it was incredible. He went on to tell me how much Heavenly Father loves me.. how I have a purpose here on the Earth and how I have a purpose here on my mission. He also went on to tell me how much my parents love me.. in great detail of EXACTLY what my parents are doing in that very moment and exactly how they feel as I am here on the mission. It was such an amazing experience and made me just feel so overwhelmed with the love of my Savior and the love of my Heavenly Father and earthly parents. It was such a powerful experience and it was exactly what I needed to hear. I am so grateful for the spirit... I am grateful for the leaders of this church who receive revelation and know what we need. I have no doubt in my mind that we have a loving, living, Heavenly Father. Everything on this earth is a sign of His existence, love, and is care towards us. I know that we have loving Heavenly Parents who watch over and protect us.. just like our parents here on this earth. I am so grateful for my mom and dad. I am grateful for the love that they show me and the love that they show to our family and to others around them. They are my greatest examples in all things and there is no other mom or dad that fit me more perfectly than those two do. I am so grateful for each and everyone of you and the examples that you are in my life. Sometimes it blows my mind that we were placed soo perfectly together and that we strengthen each other so perfectly. I am grateful for all of you and the eternal family that we are. I am also so grateful to have the knowledge of a loving Heavenly Father and Mother who live, who love, who care, and who bless us. There is not a doubt in my mind that they weep when we weep, smile when we smile, rejoice when we rejoice, suffer when we suffer, and bless us when we are in need just like our earthly parents do. I am so grateful for all of you and I love you all individually so very much!!

Love, your happy and feeling very blessed Sky... Elder Abel! (;

District Leader, Trainer and New Area

Well hello there peeps...what's up?! Oh how grateful I am to have you all in my life!

Sooo... not a whole lot of crazy went on this past week, but I did have splits with my American friend again. That was pretty solid! We chatted a lot about sports and just related a lot more. It is like a breath of fresh air to speak English and to just feel comfortable around your companion. Something that I haven't really had my whole mission besides the MTC.  We spent 72 reais on 2 pizzas...Ü  It is like tradition in the mission to buy pizza on splits.. so we went nuts this splits. But don't be deceived my friends... it was only about 25 American dollars. 

Sooo.... The wildest thing that happened this week was probably an experience I had with some MASSIVE overgrown drunk man. The dude was seriously GINORMOUS. He probably was about 6 foot 5 and weighed in at probs 308 pounds!! Story time: Elder Abel was just minding his own business walking home late one night and this massive drunk dude came sprinting around the corner (I think he robbed someone... I don't know) and just barrells through me. I don't know how to explain this... but I was literally like a wall. I felt like Superman. The dude ran into me and just about fell over. It was crazy!! And to be honest it was a miracle because I was on a pretty small sidewalk and if he would have barreled through me (like he should have) I would have been thrown into traffic and been hit by a car. (I know.. sounds SUPER dramatic. But I am serious. It was nuts!!) I kinda felt like Superman because I saved my life and also his.. as it changed his direction from going to the middle of the traffic... to running the opposite way. haha! The dude didn't even apologize or thank me or nothing. It was crazy!! I have decided that I need to wear a GoPro as a missionary. I see some pretty crazy things here and I am sure they sound super unrealistic, but these things are actually happening. Pretty crazy!! Elder Abel is blessed. Ü

Sooo... the investigators are solid. Unfortunately... we didn't have a baptism this week. We were teaching them and at the end of the lesson Kamilly said, "So... Do I get to choose who baptizes me?" We told her yes... and she said, "Well... I Choooooooosssseeeeeeee YOOUUU  Elder Abel!!!" It was so cute!! I was so happy and really just so excited for her. She is so excited to be baptized. The great grandmother went on to say how she may need a little more time and then they made her decide to wait a little longer. I was a little bit butt-hurt with the way this all went about. Whatevs... I don't need to baptize her, but you can't crush a 9 year old's dreams and happiness like that. She is probs going to be baptized in about 2 weeks. I am still so excited for her to take that next step.. even though I won't be here for it. (Another hint for transfers)

Alright....I will be leaving Ubirajara. I will be heading to `Bosque da Saude`. This area is super close to the Mission Office, the airport, and is in the area (but not ward) of where President and Sister Acosta live. I will be training a new missionary that will arrive tomorrow, and I will be the District Leader there as well. I will be opening this area and I am pretty dang excited. What a humbling experience this really will be and a new adventure. I will be completely honest with you guys.. I am so nervous! I am so scared and I really am worried with all the things that are to come here in the next few weeks. I am not a perfect Portuguese speaking missionary... I am not that great of a leader or teacher.. and I just feel so inadequate. But I am SO GRATEFUL (I literally can't say it enough) for the trust that the Lord has in me and the trust that President Acosta has in me. I have faith that all will work out as I just put my trust in the Lord. I think that this will help boost my confidence with the language and as well strengthen my testimony as I lean on the Lord even more than I ever have.  I know that I am here in Brazil for a reason. There is no doubt in my mind that there is someone waiting for me in my new area and I know that there are also a few missionaries that may need me as well. I also know that I need the people there and that the missionaries that I will work with and the people I will be with... will strengthen me and make me more into that person that I really want to become. I truly am so grateful for the love, peace, and comfort that I feel as I am serving here in Brazil. There is no doubt in my mind that the Lord is blessing me. I know He is blessing me and I just hope and pray that you are all able to see the blessing that He is pouring out to your lives.. because I also know that He is blessing you. I know that we are a part of the only true living church on the Earth today that is lead by real revelation and by a real Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ. What a blessing that is and what a blessing it is to know that our leadership is truly called of God. From the Prophet all the way down to the conductor in sacrament meeting.. this church is ran by God. We all have a purpose here and it is amazing to know that there truly is a loving God who is watching over and protecting us. He is loving us, He is blessing us, and He is supporting us. I know that this church is true and I know that you guys know that too. I am grateful to have your examples in my life and to see your love for the Savior and our Heavenly Father. I love you so much!!

Love, your favorite, random, and crazy Sky... Elder Abel! Ü

Brazil is keeping things interesting!

Alright.. I got two weeks of crazy to catch up on... so here goes nothing!! First things first... Chicken feet..?! That is just not okay! Her we were at a members house about to enjoy a yummy lunch when she uncovers the food and the first thing that I see is chicken feet! What did I think to myself you may ask..? First, "What in the chicken feet?! " Then I made a plan in my head as to how I am going to avoid this one! Ü As I made the `sneeze plan` in my head I was about to dish up.. the member took the spoon from me and told me that she wants all of the chicken feet because she LOVES chicken feet. (Prayers really are answered my friends) As hard as it was to not put the chicken feet on my plate.. I gave the spoon to the member with a big smile on my face and let her take the chicken feet. Now you may be wondering... what was the "sneeze plan?" Well, I won't leave you hanging there... the "sneeze plan" consists of going for the other parts of the chicken, but if the spoon decides to hate me and accidentally picks up one of the chicken feet.... I would pull a fake sneeze and drop the spoon and try again. Haha! I am such a noob.. but I thought it was brilliant and I will be using it next time with the pig snout, liver, hairy chicken, chicken feet, or other wild things that us humans SHOULDN'T eat!! Anywho... I am still alive.. God is great. (: REALLY, the people here are so kind and generous, and I truly am thankful for their food.

Okay... Now that you are all probs wondering if I work here... let me give a quick spill about out investigators. We haven't been having too much success here. People are receiving answer, but nobody is wanting to act on them. We have had some neat experiences with some people who are really interested, but they need to get married before anything. The work is a struggle here in Ubirajara.

I would like to end with one of my favorite quotes from someone we contacted as they asked about the Church. The lady said... "Wow!! You guys follow Jesus Christ more than we do or any other religion." Something that came to my mind was a conference talk from last week... Bishop Gérald Caussé saying, "This is not the closest church to the Church of Jesus Christ... this IS The Church of Jesus Christ.. The key is to follow the Savior in ALL things!" What a blessing it is to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ. What joy it brings me to share this happy message and to help others feel of that same love that I have felt through our merciful, loving, caring, and perfect Savior.

It is definitely not the easiest time in my life, but I know that it is worth it. I am learning and growing on the daily. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Thank you for your love and examples. And more than anything... thank you for choosing to be a part of and live as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ.

Love your favorite missionary... who is learning tons... Elder Abel! Sky! Ü

Weird Stuff...TMI

Long....but SWEET Testimony

Well hello there my absolutely amazing family!! How in the world are you all doing? I miss you like crazy!! Thank you so much for all of your emails and the love and support that you give me. I really am more blessed than I even know and definitely more blessed than I deserve. THANK YOU!!!

So ya know that type of "Game Time" feeling before the opening kickoff to your favorite team in a football game and you know that it is about to get lit..? Well if you don't... I am sorry! But if you do.. I totes had that as I sat and waited the countdown to General Conference. Yep... Elder Abel is super duper nerdy... but I am PROUD of it!!  I would also like to say that I knew that a Brazilian was going to be called as an Apostle as I told quite a few members. They didn't believe me... but now they are mind blown and shocked that I could tell the future haha. (Side note: Can't tell the future... just a good guess..) I also knew that President Nelson had big news, and I knew that he had something else for us after toasting and roasting the Men in Priesthood session. Because it just isn't fair to burn one gender and not the other as well.. Our church is just and equal... you all know that.   But it was just so powerful wasn't it?! I LOVED General Conference... especially because we watched it in ENGLISH!!! We watched the first session in English and I told my Brazilian friend, "We have English, a TV, and almost everything... all we need is AC and my life is set." He said... "Elder Abel.. Wait here... I can arrange that." You best be believing it... we watched Gen Conference in English with a TV AND had AC. It was like I was in the U.S again!! I love ´Merica!!   It really was such a powerful few days!! I learned so much and the Spirit was so strong and just testified of the truthfulness!! As far as the news goes... it totally makes sense to me!! After Priesthood Session... I went back to the house and studied to see the answers they got from the scriptures and it makes total sense!! I stayed up until 2:00 in the morning studying my notes and the scriptures... haha! Like I said before... NERD ALERT!!  But, the other news was amazing too!  I don't know if you remember me talking about ONE (Oaks, Nelson, and Eyring).. but I really thought about that as they announced these things. Our church is really beginning a new thing that will reunite us more as ONE as we are preparing for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. A scripture that a lot of people used was Doctrine and Covenants 38:27.. that says... "I say unto you, be one; and if ye are not one ye are not mine." It is so neat to see that in action. I know that these changes will help us all more work together and make us strive to do and be the people that the Lord wants us to be. President Nelson said... "Our Unity helps us discern the Lord's will in helping his children" (talking about the unity of the 12 Apostles and first presidency). Could not be more perfectly said. Our Prophet knows that unity in the church is what we need and without unity we are slowly moving away from the will of the Lord, and His plan for us. I also noticed a lot about the Second Coming of the Savior. I liked what Elder Cook said... "This conference has been perfecting the Saints and preparing us for the Second Coming of the Savior, and to live in the presence of God." Everyone seemed to tie that in to their talks in one way or another. I don't know if it is just because I am on my mission in Brazil... way far away from my comfort zone and my cute family.. and the Second Coming is one of my biggest fears (haha).... Or if it really is just that close and we are really being more prepared and warned of His coming. But in my opinion... I really do feel like it is closer than we all may think, want, or hope. And that is how I would like to end this email.. with a question that I asked myself during General Conference.. "Am I ready for the Second Coming of our Savior and how can I become more ready?" My answer came as the Prophet stood and spoke to us about Personal Revelation. He said.. "How can we become the Christ-like Servants that the Lord needs us to be?"  

I just want to bear my testimony to you all that I know that we have a true Prophet of God here on the Earth today. He loves us, he prays for us, he sustains us, he cares about us, and he is here to help us. There is not a doubt in my mind that he is a mouthpiece of the Lord as he guides, leads, and directs the church on the Earth today through proper revelation and priesthood keys. I know that personal revelation is something that we really need here on the earth today and in our lives. We really are a part of a world that is corrupt and we are at times found lost... not knowing where to go, what to do, or who to seek for help. But through our own person prayer, we can receive our own Personal Revelation.. and we can have our own witness and testimonies of the truthfulness of the Gospel strengthened. I can't express it enough of how grateful I am for the opportunity that I have to be here on a mission.. not only helping others with their own personal answers and revelation... but as well with mine. As the Prophet stood and talked about Revelation and the importance of it in our lives.. it just gave me the chills. Everyone has a question, everyone has a doubt, everyone needs guidance, peace, love, comfort and help. How can we obtain that help you may ask..? Doing exactly what our Prophet asked of us... through Personal Revelation. We have the opportunity (and privilege really) to talk to our loving Heavenly Father. How cool is that?! We get to talk to God. We get to humble ourselves to Him and let Him strengthen our weaknesses, clear our doubt, and give His love and comfort.  I know that God really is our loving Heavenly Father. I know that He lives and I know that He has a perfect plan for us. I also know that He gave His Son Jesus Christ, our Savior.. and is THE most selfless act of all time. I know that we have a Savior, we have a redeemer, and that He is perfect and established His perfect Church on the earth many many years ago. I also know that almost 200 years ago a 14 year old boy.. with doubts and a desire to receive his own personal revelation.. restored the Church of Christ again to its complete fullness here on the earth. I know that this is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We truly are in the `latter days` and need to be aware of that as we live as examples of Christ in all ways and as we help others come unto Him. I know that President Nelson is a living prophet here on the earth today.. who guides the Church of Jesus Christ through revelation and the perfection of God. I know that person revelation is crucial and important as we are preparing for the Second Coming. Of course we don't know when He will come.. but the thing is... we know that He will come. We have faith that He will come and the only way that we can prepare for His coming is by listening to the Prophet and other leadership of the Church.. and living in the ways that are taught to us in the Book of Mormon. And as we do that, and take on the challenges that the Prophet gives to us, and have faith in God and His perfect Plan... all will work out. I am so grateful for this knowledge and I am so grateful for you all. You all strengthen me and make me better each day. Thank you for your love and support in all things and the pure joy you bring into my life. I hope you all had a Happy Easter, enjoyed Conference, and enjoyed time together. I miss you all so much and can't wait to chat with you next week!! I miss you all more than I miss the fun Easter egg hunts with the family and the hanging out at conference... and that is A LOT of miss!!! You guys are the best!! Keep on being you and let me know if there is anything that I can do for you guys... I love you so much!! Have a happy and successful week.

Love, your happy and healthy but quite nerdy Sky... Elder Abel Ü

General Conference with the English Crew

Member Friends:  Amanda and Atila

No Monkeying Around