Elder Chase Herrmann: 10/3/16 - Operation Swim (Operação Nado)

Wow what a week, I learned so much! I love Portugal and the people so much! On Wednesday we had splits with the zone leaders! They are really cool and nice! Elder Rosenkilde was my comp for the day and he is sweet--from Norway but lived 2 years in Alpine Utah. I was nervous because I had to plan out all of the appointments before he got there! It was stressful for a new greenie to call a bunch of Portuguese people on a really bad quality phone and try to set up appointments! Our area is huge with 3 or 4 cities but we usually spend most of our time near the church because that’s where people are willing to the visit our church. But I wanted to go out to the other cities for our split! I looked on the member list and there were a bunch with the address "Rua C" (Road C) so I thought we’d go there and get referrals! I was so excited for my plan and thought it would be successful! While we where journeying over to the city of Santa Marta I realized that I did not recognize any of the names as being families or members of the church! I thought that was weird but keep on going. We were asking people directions to Rua C and people looked at us with the weirdest face and with hesitation they gave us the directions! We got there and realized why people had that face and why I didn’t recognize any of the families names.... because we where in the ghetto in the middle of the jungle! We got pretty freaked out because the people saw two white guys and started following us. We felt inspired to get out of there quick but it was hard because we were lost on little paths! We finally found our way out and didn’t look back--so that was exciting! I learned a lot from Elder Rosenkilde, for example how to properly set goals and how to use time wisely and effectively on the mission!! I am really grateful for him and the things he taught me!!

Man, I love my companion Elder Souza! In addition to the spiritual stuff he is such a fun guy. Apparently back in Brazil he was a graffiti artist! He gets so excited when he sees a cool graffiti!! He talks about how much the mission has changed him. I truly do love and respect him! I learn a lot from him!

Something that was fun this week was we got to go play basketball with an inactive member! It was so fun just getting out and shooting some hoops! Something about this nametag makes me ball out in basketball--I think I am going to have to wear it whenever I play in the future!

Our number one and only investigator, Eder, is doing great!! We taught him every lesson and he is getting baptized this Sunday! I am so excited for him to make that covenant with God and start his path to happiness!! At first he didn’t seem all that interested but now he is really conversing with us and asking questions. I think his testimony is growing!!

WOW, GENERAL CONFERENCE WAS INCREDIBLE!! We watched it this weekend and I really do regret not paying as much attention as I should have before my mission! I loved how there are so many messages that can make your life so much better!! I loved Elder Nelsons talk about Joy! What he said was so true!! We are on this earth to have joy and joy is all an attitude! "Saints can be happy under any circumstance!" NO MATTER WHAT IS HAPPENING IN YOUR LIFE YOU CAN LOOK AT THE BRIGHT SIDE OF THINGS! It reminded me of my mom because that is who she is, and it makes me want to strive to be like her! God and Christ bring us constant joy so when we are sad we need to look to them! I know this has already helped me on my mission! I also loved Elder Uceda’s talk about how he was saved while on his mission in Peru! It was a great reminder that we need to do God’s will, not our own! Once we submit to His will it will improve our life! One phrase I loved that he said was, "God always pays attention to our voice, But we don’t always pay attention to his." That hit me hard, how are we suppose to have a good relationship with God if we are not listing to what he has to say to us! So again conference was awesome! It got me kind of "trunky" (homesick) because I remembered all the stuff I would do with my family on General Conference weekend—like Priesthood session with my Dad and brothers and dinner at Chuck-A-Rama while all the girls got together, everyone (including all my nephews) sleeping over Saturday night and then sourdough pancake breakfast before the Sunday morning session. I realize how much I took it for granted!

I love that here in Portugal here is that we are known as the "Elderes”, not missionaries but Elderes (pronounced El-Day-Rez). It is so cute when the little kids in the street yell "hey elderes!!" I love the little kids, they are amazing and full of light! Also, my comp and I came up with a theme for our transfers together. It is called "Operação Nado" which means “operation swim”, after we teach them they will come swimming in the water to get baptized, haha!

Today for p-day we went to Lappaand Belem in Lisbon. The buildings are so cool and food is so good and the castles are beautiful!! I want everyone to see what I can see here! It’s amazing!

I love you all and hope you guys had an amazing week. I would love for you to share your favorite parts about conference with me!! Tell me how you guys are doing!! Have a great week! FICA BEM!!!

Elder Herrmann