Notes & Letters!

We just received this e-mail from the mission office:

Irmãos Hamilton´s,

  

Informamos que o Elder Hamilton chegou na Missão em 01 de outubro. Seu testemunho e desejo de servir são contagiantes. 

 

Agradecemos por seu apoio e por suas orações. Estamos certos de que será uma época de muitas bênçãos para ele e para toda a sua família.

 

Com amor e fé,

 

Pres. Lima e Sister Lima

  

"O trabalho missionário é a seiva vital para o crescimento do reino."  Pres. Thomas S. Monson

 

Here is the translation (thanks google!):

 

Hamilton Family,

Please be advised that Elder Hamilton arrived at the Mission on 01 October. His testimony and desire to serve are contagious.  Thanks for your support and for your prayers. We are sure it will be a time of many blessings for him and his entire family.

With love and faith,
President and Sister Lima

"Missionary work is the lifeblood for the growth of the kingdom." Pres. Thomas S. Monson

 

 

The office also sent a picture of a letter Alex wrote while at the mission home:

 

I've made it to Rio!  It is beautiful here.  It reminds me of San Francisco, just more tropical.  I'm writing this from the stake center in the city (Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro).  I've already caught a glimpse of the Christ the Redeemer statue and Sugarloaf Mountain.  I think I'm going to love it here.  President and Sister Lima are awesome!  They are so loving and welcoming.  They don't speak much english, so I will have to learn portugese quickly.  I am going to love having President Lima as my mission president.

 

Here is my address:

Elder Alexander James Hamilton

Missao Brasil Rio de Janeiro

Rua Dois de Dezembro 78

Salas 703/704 - Flamengo

Rio de Janeiro - RJ

22220-040/Brazil

 

 

 

Quick update

Alex was able to send us a quick message that he has arrived in Rio!

Rio is awesome! So pretty and cool. It´s raining today. My companion knows no english and I have no clue what people are saying, but I know I´m going to love it here.  I'm in a community just outside the main city called Barro Vermelho.  Here are some pictures from my apartment balcony:

 
My companion is Elder Mereidos.  He is from Sao Paulo and has been out for 3 months.  He is a great missionary and I am excited to work with him.  Presidente Lima is awesome!  He is kind and loving and very inspirational.

Please pray that I will pick up the language quickly.  It's rough trying to communicate and I feel bad for my companion or anyone who needs to talk to me.  I want to be able to do my part in sharing this gospel.

 

Élder Hamilton

Missionário para A Igreja De Jesus Cristo Dos Santos Dos Últimos Dias

Barro Vermelho - Rio De Janeiro

 

 

Traveling

Alex is traveling to Rio today!  Next update 10/7.

Bittersweet Week

Oi tudos!

 

I'm sorry that this post will be so brief. I have a very busy day and want to get everything done this P-Day that I can to prepare for Brazil!!

 

I think I've worn my yellow Mormon Helping Hands shirt this last week more than I have white shirts and ties. We have been assigned to help with flood relief. We spent all weekend helping clean one home in Berthoud. When the missionaries first got there, the basement was flooded with up to 9 feet of water and mud. After emptying that out bucket by bucket, we disposed of everything. Drywall, carpet, valuables. You could tell it was a really nice home by the layout. It is such a tragedy to see all the people who have been affected and how so many people have lost everything. It's certainly humbling to be here right now and helps me realize how important it is to serve God and His children. I hope that this helps the people of Colorado to turn to what's truly important here on this Earth and to know that Heavenly Father is right there to bring happiness in this life.

 

Next time you'll hear from me, I'll be in Rio de Janiero! I can't believe the time is coming, and so fast. I almost don't want to leave... I am going to miss Colorado and the people here so much. But regardless, I am happy to serve the Lord where, how, and when He wants me.

 

How great is my calling!

Elder Hamilton

Missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

Centennial Ward - Greeley, Colorado

 

 

 

Have you heard the news?!

Oi!

Have you heard the news? Northern Colorado is flooding! It's crazy here right now. Last I heard, there were reported 5 deaths and over 400 missing. Houses, bridges, buildings, etc are being overtaken by water, and people are being evacuated from Boulder, Eden, Estice Park and East Greeley. We are currently safe from the flooding but are prepared to evacuate to Wyoming if necessary. We will be spreading happiness by helping with flood relief the rest of the week.

 

The next transfer is coming up so fast, and the past couple weeks, I have been really anxious about my visa. Friday morning, I finally got to the point that I accepted and am ready to spend another transfer in the Fort Collins Mission. I got a phone call later that afternoon from President Brown. I thought it was weird that he was calling and my heart sank when he said he had some sad news... but relieved when he clarified it was sad for him, he told me that my Visa had been approved!!! I fly out of Denver on September 30th and start the next transfer in Rio on October 1st (a happy birthday present for mom.) How quickly things change!

 

 

I am so grateful for God's timing and great plan for me. I have had so many experiences and met people that have helped prepare me for Brazil. It's surprising how many people here have served in Brazil, lived in Brazil, or even are from Brazil. But most importantly, my mission in Colorado has so greatly prepared me spiritually for the rest of my mission and the rest of my life. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is crucial to our happiness and salvation. That is something I might have not realized, or at least quickly enough, had I gone straight to Rio. I love the people here and what I've been a part of in Greeley.  It will be a bitter-sweet departure.

Elder Hamilton

Missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

Centennial Ward - Greeley, Colorado

Count Your Blessings

Bom dia!

Sorry folks, but this week's email is going to be quite short. It's honestly been a rough week - full of dropped appointments, struggling to hold onto investigators, and just being the last person most people want to see at their front door. While is been a hard and disappointing week, I have been blessed with experiences that have taught me so much and helped me be a more humble person.

Last night made the week's challenges worthwhile and helped me realize how blessed I am right now. We received a referral from the Severence Ward missionaries for a woman named Deb Artle. She goes to a family history class every Wednesday at the stake center and lost contact with the missionaries in early April. After failing to get ahold of her on the phone, we thought we would drop by. She came to the door and was so happy to see "her boys". It was awesome to hear her family history stories - she is related to Joseph Smith! She talked about her family and the rough life she has had. But the greatest thing about talking to her was seeing how grateful of a person she is. Despite the trials and challenges she's had, she has always been able to find reasons to be grateful and to thank the Lord. I am so grateful to know Deb Artle and work with her and help her come even closer to Christ. As I look back, I see so many tender mercies God has granted me. And he does so because he loves and wants the best for me. As I take the time to show gratitude to Him, he pours blessings and helps me realize how much he loves all of his children. There is SO MUCH to be grateful for, and it is through gratitude that we will receive the blessings our Heavenly Father has in store for us.


Eu sou grato por minha familia e meus amigos e todas coisas!!

Pic: Check out who Elder Miller is related to!

Elder Hamilton

Crazy Week

This has been quite a crazy week! Even though it was slower than I hoped, I wouldn't take it back. It's amazing all the people I get to meet and learn from on my mission.

 

Audrey's baptism was this Saturday!! (we had to push it back a week in order to teach her the necessary lessons and have a baptismal interview, but it certainly all worked out for her for the best.) She was baptized by one of our recent converts, Daniel Gomez. It's awesome to see how quickly he has embraced the Gospel and follow the Savior. However, he pulled Audrey under the water with so much confidence and force, she came out saying "Ouch!" It was a funny moment, but her baptism experience was as incredible as she could've asked for.

 

I've been so blessed on my mission to see so many people be baptized and embrace the Gospel. However, I've really come to realize that not all miracles end in this pattern. We had an interesting experience the other night while contacting refferals. We knocked on a door that was answered by a man in his mid 20's. He wanted to talk to us and had many of questions. His wife is a member, but she doesn't go to church anymore and hates the missionaries. He had us step into his garage and talk with him so his wife wouldn't know we were there. His in-laws are members and have treated him poorly and given him some bad impressions of the church. It was great to bear testimony and help him realize the purpose for the Gospel. While he feels unable to accept the Gospel or learn more in his family situation, I know that we were able to help him come closer to Christ through what we had to offer. It is such a blessing to share my testimony on a daily basis, and while not everyone is ready or willing to accept the Gospel, I know I've made a positive impact with what I have to offer.
 

Elder Alexander James Hamilton

Missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Centennial Ward - Greeley, Colorado