On Sunday we baptized Brenda. She is Rosângela's daughter. Sunday was one of the most stressful days of my mission. Everyone from Rosângela's family was interviewed on Saturday, and they were all supposed to be baptized together on Sunday, but were not because of the following reasons:

Vitor - His friends went to his house late Saturday night after his interview and made him go to this party with them, at which he drank his face off and then went home and puked his guts out all over the house.

Vera - Spent all Saturday night/Sunday morning taking care of Vitor, and Sunday morning decided that she didn't know if she wanted to be baptized or not.

Rosângela - Had a problem with the 4th question of the baptismal interview and therefore had to be interviewed by President Parrella before she could be baptized. She was interviewed by him on Monday morning, and he said that she was prepared and so she will be baptized on Sunday.

We are working with the other two still, to help them a) repent and b) get excited again about their baptism.

The Bishop questioned our baptizing just Brenda, since she's only 10 years old and kept asking us "where's her mom? you need to be baptizing families, not children, why aren't her parents here to support her?" So that was nice, to add to my stress. Then after that, the Bishopric had a counsel among themselves to treat the subject: "why are we baptizing children in this ward?" It's as if they didn't understand when I said, "her mom couldn't come today, but she is preparing to be baptized next Sunday."
Apparently some people starting badmouthing the missionaries for baptizing just the little girl.
I told President Parrella about this, and he said, "Elder, I'm not concerned about any meeting that any bishopric had, or any gossip that members might be spreading, I'm concerned about salvation of God's children," or something along those lines. Anyway, it made me feel better.
So that's basically all that happened this week. I can't really think of anything else.
Oh, Sister Clement was transfered to a different city yesterday out of the blue. Apparently there was another sister there who needed medical attention, but there they didn't have a doctor that could treat her, so she had to come her, and so she switched with Sister Clement. That was sad. Oh, Sister Clement was this sister from Utah that was in my District. Now it's Sister Santos from Fortaleza and Sister Reis from São Paulo.
Love,
Elder Sisco

We returned to teach the Baptists last night. It did not go as well as planned. The owner of the house who hosts them said that we would be able to leave a 15-20 minute message at the end of their bible study, but the study took over an hour and a half. We weren't even able to stay til the end because we had to be home by 9:30. That was unfortunate. Their message was about "why bad things happen to good people." I testified of Jesus Christ and his Atonement, but that was pretty much all we were able to get out during our time there. While I was talking, the Pastor was on the edge of his seat. My companion said that he looked like he was just waiting for me to say something that he could jump all over.
We have a family of four people that we are preparing to be baptized on Sunday. Rosangela is a single mom, and she has four kids, but only three of them will be able to be baptized on Sunday. They are elects, and are very excited about Sunday. It will be Elder Eve's first baptism. Their baptismal interviews are on Saturday. Please pray for them. Rosangela, Vera, Vitor and Brenda. Thanks.
Just four more weeks!
Love,
Elder Sisco

Here's some news from two weeks ago that I forgot to put in last weeks email. If I repeat anything, I apologize.
While Elder Vasquez and I were studying, two Jehova's Witnesses knocked on the door and asked if they could share a message from the Bible with us. We said that was fine. When we answered the door, the ladies eyes doubled in size; I guess she didn't know that the Mormons lived there. She shared some scripture in Psalms with us, and told us about how we could get more out of our Bible study, and then invited us to their church. We thanked them, invited them to the Church of Jesus Christ and they left. I learned quite a bit.
Two Sundays ago, Luiz received the priesthood (the guy that we baptized a couple weeks ago whose son is on his mission), and I was able to participate. That was a lot of fun.
This weekend was General Conference. We were able to watch all of the sessions except for the saturday morning. The best talk was Jeffery R. Holland's about the Book of Mormon. Before he even stood up, when they announced that he was going to speak all the missionaries got excited, his talks are always amazing. That was among my favorite of all conference talks of all time.
We finally managed to get into our apartment. Because of the missionary that brought our key with him to his new area, we had to sleep at the Zone Leaders house for two nights. But on Friday night we finally got into our apartment, it's quite nice, I like it. We live on the fourth and final floor of the apartment building.
Last night Elder Eve and I went to visit one of our investigators and when we got to the door we saw her and some other ladies bringing plastic chairs from the bar accross the street into her house. We asked what was going on and she said that they were going to have a prayer meeting, and invited us to stay and participate. We were reluctant at first, but when she said that there were 15 people inside waiting for it to start we went in. When we walked into the living room there were a bunch of people standing in a circle holding hands while the pastor of the church yelled/prayed and everyone in the circle kept repeating things that he said or just saying "amen", "hallelujah" "glory to God" and other things along those same lines.
Apparently what was going on was that our investigator is an ex-Baptist, and so some of the members of the Baptist church are doing a seven week program in her house to reactivate her. Last night was the third of seven weekly meetings.
After the prayer, we all sat down and the pastor started to talk about Psalms 42, which I've never read in my life, so it was interesting. Basically he talked for 45 minutes about how when we're down or feeling sad, or in a rough spot in our life, we need to believe in the Lord, have faith and always seek his help. When he was finished, he asked if anyone would like to comment, and he looked at us. So I asked him, "after I have faith, and am seeking the Lord, what else can I do to improve my life?" He said some things about continuing in the faith and whatnot, and briefly mentioned baptism. So I took it and ran with it, and taught the third lesson to everyone that was there. I talked about how faith is the base of everything that we do, but that we also need to constantly repent, and that our repentance isn't complete until we are baptized by someone who has authority from God and then receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost. I think everyone understood, the Pastor didn't seem very pleased that I was teaching his people, but I think it was good.
Then when I was done, he said that they were going to finish with a closing prayer, so everyone stood up and grabbed hands, and they put our investigator and her family in the middle of the circle to "bless" them. Before he started the prayer I was like, "so you're going to finish with a prayer?" and he said, "yes, we are." And I asked, "after your prayer, could I offer one as well as a thank you for letting us watch your meeting?" He said that was fine, said his prayer, and then at the end, put his hand on everyone's head... apparently to bless them even more. I'm not really sure what that was all about.
Then there was silence, and one girl looked at me and asked, "didn't you want to say a prayer too?" and I said to everyone, "that's right, but my voice isn't very strong, so I'm not going to yell, ok? If you could all just pay attention, I'm going to pray for us." And then I prayed. A few people threw in some "amens" and "hallelujahs" here and there, but it was nice.
Afterward, the pastor came and hugged us and called us "brothers." Then there was cake and everyone was talking to us and asking us about our work.
As we were leaving, the owner of the house (our investigator) asked us if we were going to come back to preach next tuesday. I told her that if they would give us some time to leave a message that we would come bacf. She said that it was open for whoever wanted to talk, so we marked to go back there next tuesday. We'll have to visit her during this week to strengthen her and help her recognize the difference between the truth and... not the truth. Hopefully that goes well.
Welp, that's everything.
Love you guys!
Elder Sisco

We just got to Contagem, our new area. When I say "we" I mean Elder Eve and I. I was transfered to Contagem today from Sete Lagoas and will finish my mission here training Elder Eve who got here from the MTC yesterday. He's from Kentucky. This transfer is sure to pass quickly, I think it'll be fun. Neither of us know the area because both of the missionaries who were here before us were transfered.
When I got to the bus station in Belo Horizonte this morning I found out that one of them forgot to leave the key here and went to Montes Claros with the house key in his pocket. Montes Claros is ten hours away from here. He's going to overnight it to us. Until then, we're going to have to sleep at the Zone Leaders house.
It was a very eventful final week in Sete Lagoas. On Sunday we were supposed to baptize two kids, Henrique and Kesley, but they both had to go work with their parents and were unable to attend church. Then on Monday when we found out that I was going to be transfered, they both insisted that they be baptized on Tuesday before I left, and so we talked to the Bishop and organized a baptismal service for tuesday night. It was really hurried and poorly organized, but also really fun to be able to baptized those two before I left the area. Elder Vasquez and his new companion will continue working with both of their families.
After the baptism, we went to Kesley's house and his family had made a going away dinner/party for me, which was delicious. I was sad to leave them, and leave the area, but at the same time kind of relieved. Six months is a long time to stay in one place. But overall, this last area that I was in - Sete Lagoas Ala 1 was my favorite of all the other areas I've passed in. It really is a great place. When I come back I will visit there for sure.
It was also sad to say goodbye to Rosa and Luiz, who we baptized a little while ago. They're the family who have a son on his mission in São Paulo and will be sealed in the São Paulo temple in July. Their son's mission president said that they could go there to be sealed while he is still in his mission. I'm hoping that I'll be able to come back to watch that happen next July.
On Sunday, Elder Vasquez went with Irmão Branco to Paraopeba to confirm Marcia who was baptized last week and to return her purse which she forgot in the bathroom of the church, unfortunately they didn't make it to Paraopeba because a semi-truck hit them from the front. Luckily, Elder Vasquez was in the back so it didn't flip, and the Lord probably gave them extra protection because there was a missionary in the car. So that was wild... luckily I wasn't with them.
Love you guys, and see you in six weeks!
Elder Sisco

On Sunday we had three people lined up to be baptized. Only one of them went. Marcia, from Paraopeba, the lady who had a fear of water and backed out of her baptism while she was changing clothes came by herself on Sunday on a bus and was baptized.
Sunday was the Sete Lagoas Stake Conference from 9-11 and then from 5-7. Henrique's family all went (five in total), and Henrique was supposed to be baptized after the first session, but he backed out at the last minute. He had even brought a towel and underwear and everything, and was all excited. I think he was sad that he wasn't going to be baptized together with his dad. But on Sunday we are preparing for the whole family to go together.
President Parrella was there on Sunday for the conference and he stayed to watch Marcia's baptism, which was a blessing because I think that if he hadn't been there with Sister Parrella she may not have gone, they gave her so much support. After she came out of the bathroom she didn't smile anymore, she was scared to death. President and Sister Parrella talked to her quite a bit and calmed her down. President Parrella suggested that when she was baptized, everyone stay in the cultural hall and wait, and not to fill up the room, so just he and I and the Bishop and Sister Parrella went to watch the baptism.
The first time didn't give, her head popped out of the water. The second time the same thing happened. Because of her fear, when Elder Vasquez tried to immerse her in the water, she stiffened her whole body and didn't bend her knees or do anything to facilitate the baptism. After President talked to her again while she was standing there in the water, and explained to her a little bit better, the third time she was baptized. It was very exciting.
Elder Vasquez underwent a mini-surgery for his ingrown toenail this morning. The doctor told him that he has to stay 2-3 days at home resting, so we have to find members that can divide with us so that we don't have to abandon our area in this critical moment.
The other night I did a contact with two ladies and one of them kept asking these stupid questions about the church, and making ridiculous, false comments, but after she left and we were talking to her friend, her friend said, "I think that she's of the Devil, but I want you guys to go to my house." And then she told us about how she use to be from the Universal church, but she didn't like how the pastor talked so much about money, so she prayed and asked Heavenly Father to enlighten her. She opened the Bible, and read that scripture in 1 Peter 5 that says that people who take care of the church shouldn't be paid, but should do the work voluntarily and for love, and so she stopped going to the Universal church and said she was looking for the truth.
We went there yesterday and taught the restauration to her. The Spirit was very strong. At the end of the lesson I asked her, "how are you feeling right now?" and she said, "I feel like an emptiness that was inside of me has been filled." We invited her to be baptized on the fourth of October and she accepted willingingly.
"Os eleitos ouvirão a minha voz e não endurecerão o coração."
"The elects will hear my voice, and will not harden their hearts." (I think that's what it is in english)
I love and miss you all,
Elder Sisco

On Thursday morning Elder Leme my Zone Leader called me and told me he needed me to go to Curvelo with him to do baptismal interviews. Curvelo is a 3 hour bus ride from Sete Lagoas. We left at 2:00 and got there at 5:00. The Elders showed up way late and we didn't start the interviews until 7:00. Luckily, because there were two of us, it was fast and we were able to catch the last bus at 8:00 back to Sete Lagoas. We ended up getting to his apartment at 11:00 at night. Traveling is tiring.
On the bus ride there there were two girls sitting behind us who kept asking us questions. First they wanted to know about the church, so I explained to them about the Book of Mormon and bunch of other stuff, and then I guess they got tired of that so they started asking things like, "do you have a girlfriend?" "can you date people that aren't from your religion?" "can you have sex outside of marriage?"
They promised they would go to church on Sunday to see us, but they didn't go. That's probably a good thing.
On Sunday, though, we did have nine investigators at church. Everyone from the Family we're teaching, plus three cousins went. We also had a woman named Carla that we're teaching there. It was very fun to enter into the sacrament meeting with that huge group of people. I think the members were impressed.
That night, we marked a Family Home Evening at the Bishop's house with the family. Everyone except the oldest daughter went. They loved it. It was a success.
The bus company that we use to go to Paraopeba called us and told us that they found our cell phone. I was so relieved. Now I don't have to pay for it.
Marcia, the woman from Paraopeba who was supposed to be baptized but ended up not, went to church on Sunday and told the members there to tell us that she wanted us to go to her house. We went there on monday and she said that she wants to be baptized, and that she overcame the fears that she had. We marked her baptism for Saturday. I'm skeptical, but we'll see what happens. I called the Bishop and told him, and he was also skeptical, but I think she'll go through with it this time.
Today Elder Vasquez and I slept for 3 1/2 hours after our study. From 10am to 1:30pm. It was one of the best naps ever. I think I probably wont sleep again until tomorrow night.
Well, that's all the news for this week.
Love you guys,
Elder Sisco

This week, on Thursday, we went and did some visits with Paul, the guy from London that's in our ward. He said he has 30 references of people that he wants us to contact, so he drove us around and we started contacting them. We got 7, I think, it was good. The problem is that he doesn't really speak Portuguese, but we were able to help him out. He's very outgoing and talks to everyone about the gospel. He does more missionary work than anyone else in the ward.
Our ward has an attendance rate of about 160 on average. It's close to being split.
On Sunday Irmão Branco, the high counselor who is in charge of Paraopeba went there to see how things are going and he said that Marcia was there and she told him to tell us to go back to her house because she wants to be baptized. He also said there was a married couple who talked to him and also said they wanted to be baptized. We thought, "fantastic! three baptisms this Sunday!" So we went there yesterday to teach this couple and see how marcia is doing. I personally don't really have much faith in her anymore, but we went to see.
Marcia wasn't home, so we went and invited the couple to the house where we have the meetings so we could teach them. They're from the Assembleia de Deus (Assembly of God? Does that exist?) They were very nice. Deli, the husband, has already worked for a church-owned business, so he knows much about the church already.
We taught them the first lesson, and the Spirit was very strong. Then we arrived at the end, and I said, "knowing from God that all of these things that we have said right now are true, would you follow Christ's example and be baptized in the church on the 20th of September?" But really, I didn't get to the part about the date, because before I finished Maria Lucia, the wife, said "No! no, no, no. I have already been baptized in the Assembleia church. Absolutely not." I was a little taken aback. I looked at Deli, and asked him and he said the same thing. We spent another 20 minutes talking about authority and Joseph Smith again, but it really didn't help. We ended up leaving the Book of Mormon with them and inviting them to church. So that was disappointing. I have no idea how Irmão Branco understood that they wanted to be baptized.
On the way to Paraopeba, Elder Vasquez called Sister Parrella, but she didn't answer so he waited for her to call back. He handed me the phone, but I said "no, you can keep it. After she calls give it back to me." He put it on his lap and fell asleep. She never called. Then our stop came and we got off. And the cell phone? It's still on the bus.
That means that I'm going to have to pay R$100,00 (like, $60) out of my missionary allowance to cover the lost cell phone. Really, it's not my fault, but since I'm the senior companion, the phone is my responsibility. The situation is under control, though.
So, now we have no cell phone and no communication with anyone. I talked to Elder Rospirski today and he said that by next Tuesday we'll be able to get our new phone.
Love you guys,
Elder Sisco

here are some pictures, finally !

The first is Luiz's baptism, from two weeks ago. From the left to right is João, his son, Ednaldo, family friend, the Bishop (herton) who baptised him, Luiz, his wife who was baptized last month, Elder Vasquez and Me. I think I got that right, I didn't see the picture.

Next is me and Elder Vasquez with our district t-shirts: Missão Brasil Belo Horizonte - Missão de Metas e Milagres (Brazil Belo Horizonte Mission - The Mission of Goals and Miracles. Sounds cooler in Portuguese)

And then me with a parrot in Paraopeba.