Another great week!

Boa tarde!
 

What a week this has been. There is a lot of exciting news in the world of missionary work, and I am so grateful and ecstatic to be a part of this growth.

The Worldwide Leadership Training Broadcast was an incredible experience. It was so cool to be in the Marriott Center with the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. When they walked into the building, an incredible spirit came with them. It was awesome to hear talks from some of my biggest idols. I had the opportunity to sing in the choir for the event along with +1500 other missionaries! I loved every minute of the meeting and have learned some things that I know will help me when I get out into the field. If you go onto lds.org and search "Hastening the Work of Salvation", you can find a recording of the Broadcast. I highly recommend watching it if you haven't yet or are looking for some inspiration.
 

 Hope everyone is enjoying Summer Christmas today! (June 25). The district has been celebrating this holiday with a gift exchange and singing Christmas songs in Portuguese. It's been a great way to spend P-Day with the best district!It's been an interesting week for our district. There have been flu and cold viruses flowing through the campus, and we've gotten pretty much all of it. It's been a lot of hard work trying to keep up with class and teaching more progressive investigators.


Luckily, everyone is feeling better now, & I have learned so much!

 

Yesterday, Elder Dickson had a doctor's appointment off-campus, so we got to spend some time in the real world (well as real as Provo gets). It was like the Elders and I were famous people. People would wave and shout and go out of their way to talk to us. It was pretty cool I do say so :)  It was the first time that I officially felt like a missionary. It was an awesome feeling! I am a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! I am so happy to be a missionary and for the opportunity to soon be walking the streets of Rio and bringing Brasilians unto Christ. This is a great work, and it is God's work. I love what I am doing, and I can't wait for July 8th!

Godspeed!!

MTC Week 3

 

Oi tudo mundo!

 

I'm halfway through my stay here at the MTC! Feels weird to say; the time is just flying by. The MTC is awesome, and I am learning so much everyday.
 

I forgot whether or not I mentioned this already, but I have the greatest teachers in the CTM. (Centro de Treino Missionario; I wish these computers could use Portuguese letters so I could use accents...))

Irmao (Brother) Nothum is my first teacher. He served in Campines, Brasil. He is the nicest guy and is very inspiring. Irmao Buttars served in Victoria, Brasil. He has a great love for missionary work and is so devoted to his districts. They are both great story tellers and I am getting so excited to be in Brasil!
 

Irmao Buttars extended the challenge "So Portugues" to our district. Starting yesterday we are only allowed to speak Portuguese everyday from 6:30am to 10:30pm (which pretty much covers the whole day). It started off rough when yesterday I ran into Christian working at the walk-in cafe during breakfast. It was an awkwardly heart-wrenching charade, but it was nice to see him and hear how he was doing.
 

Irmao Nothum shared an awesome mission story the other day that deepened my testimony for the Book of Mormon. He was teaching English at the local LDS church and there was a man who asked him and his companion many questions about the church. They set up an appointment with the man for later in the week to answer more of his questions and give him the first lesson. Brother Nothum described him as "a golden investigator", so accepting and excited about their teachings. In one of the later lessons, Brother Nothum was teaching the man about King Benjamin's sermon. As he told the story, the man would finish Brother Nothum's sentences and obviously already knew the story. Surprised by what was happening, Brother Nothum asked how he knew about King Benjamin. Come to find out, this investigator found a Book of Mormon at a pawn shop. He didn't have any religion, but he had a strong impression to buy it. He had read been reading this Book of Mormon for 10 years before meeting the missionaries, and he loved the Book of Mormon for the great stories and the feelings he had when reading it.
 

Lately, I have realized how the Book of Mormon is for everyone. There are people like the Brasilian in this story who instantly gain a love for it, and there are others who struggle to find a desire to read it. But no matter who we are and how hard we must try, everyone can come to realize that it is the word of God. I love the Book of Mormon so much! Its lessons apply to my life and there is always something new to learn from this great book of scripture. I love studying the scriptures and when I do, Heavenly Father teaches and reveals great things. I can't wait to share the Book of Mormon with the people of Rio because I know how much it will bless their lives and help them come unto Christ!!

Week 2 - MTC

Bom dia!

It's crazy to think that I've hit the double digits in days I've spent here at the MTC! They don't kid when they say your time as a missionary flies by. While I still have a lot ahead of me, I'm already fearing the day that my mission will come to an end.

I went to my first Tuesday Devotional last week, and it was awesome! Tad Callister, member of the Seventy, spoke on the foundation of Christ's church and showed how the structure of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is found throughout the New Testament. It was inspiring. Tonight's Tuesday devotional will be held, for the first time, in the Marriott Center. I'm excited for the big devotional and have high expectations (I'm putting money on Monson for tonight's speaker). My district and I have joined the MTC Choir. It is fun and sounds great. The choir director is hilarious and he always shares awesome stories about restoration prophets. We will be singing for a big event on June 23. The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve will be there and it will be on TV!! I always get a lot of camera time during practices (it's become a running joke) so look for me on the 23rd!

A district from our branch just headed out into the field. NONE of the 9 from that district got their visas. The reassignments they received include Omaha Nebraska, Nashville Tennessee, Jacksonville Florida, and New Jersey. Hopefully I will get my Visa before I leave, but if not, I am praying for Nashville!

The MTC has certainly been a lot of work. We are now teaching two new progressive investigators (still all in Portuguese). One of the Sisters in our district has been struggling with extreme anxiety which has caused her to have a couple of days sick at her apartment. Between administering to her and keeping the rest of my district positive, I have thought a lot about why I am here and if I am qualified for this great work. Yesterday, I had a great experience during my individual scripture study. I offered probably the most honest and sincere prayer I have ever given in my life. I was overcome with the sense of Heavenly Father's knowledge of who I am a missionary and as a child of God. It makes me so excited to get immersed in the work. I am so grateful for the Holy Ghost and modern revelation, I have received so much insight and inspiration since I've been at the MTC. It is such a great place and I'm loving every minute here!

I heard that someone recently referred to me as a "rock".  I feel like I'm far from one.  I'd say I'm more like silly putty.  I have character and am fun, but I have no shape yet.  I am flexible, and eventually the good Lord will build me into a Portugese superhero :)

I hope everyone is doing well! Thank ya'll for everything! I'll keep you guys in my prayers!

Love,
Elder Alexander James Hamilton

Contact Information:
Elder Alexander James Hamilton
JUL09 BRA-RIO
2013 N 900 E Unit 301
Provo UT 84602
or
dearelder.com

The Missionary Training Center, Provo

Oi familia e amigos! I can't believe I've been at the MTC for a week already! Time is flying by down here and I've had so many great experiences.

The MTC is such an awesome place! Everybody here is so happy and excited, and the spirit consistently flows through this campus. My experience with my first companion was... well, nonexistent. He never showed up. I wonder who he was and why he didn't make it. Best of luck to Elder Call. I am now in a three man companionship with Elder Sam Dickson and Elder Darron Lund. Elder Dickson is a funny guy. He is from St. George, Utah. When I first met him at the MTC, he seemed extremely familiar. After thinking it over, I realized he tutored me once for my Book of Mormon class during Fall semester at BYU. It's almost embarrasing, but we are on the same level here at the MTC. So it's all good. He "prefers light from computer screens over sunlight". He is a great story teller, and he hardworking and helpful companion. Elder Lund is from Eureka, California! He is also a BYU student. He is one of the nicest people I've probably ever met. A little quiet, but he has a strong testimony and is always lifting up those around him. He loves basketball, and we have a great time during gym hour. My companions have already taught me so much, and I look forward to getting to know them better in the next few weeks.

I LOVE the classes. The teachers are great, and I've cried through pretty much every devotional. I've already learned so much in just these few first days. I can definately see how much Heavenly Father has aided me in my learning. I am looking forward to tonight's devotional; these are the devotionals where general authorities usually speak.

Portuguese is... Coming. As beautiful as it is, it's such a hard language! We have already given three TRC lessons in Portuguese, the first one being on only my second full day at the MTC. The first two lessons were full of silence and akwardness. Despite the difficulty, I am amazed with how fast I am picking it up! Our progressive investigator lesson yesterday went really well! We got Augostino to pray for us and commit to praying to find out if the Book of Mormon is true. We have two lessons left with Augostino, and we know we can get him to commit him to baptism.

I've called as the district leader! I am so excited to serve this calling. I have a great district. WE have 3 elders and 8 sisters. Pretty crazy! The sisters are awesome and are such a good example to me.

Thank you for everyone that have sent me letters and packages! I am astounded and grateful for all the support I've received since I've been here. I hope everything is going great out in the real world! Remember that you can send letters through dearelder.com or mail to the following address:

Elder Alexander James Hamilton
JUL09  BRA-RIO
2013 N 900 E Unit 301

Provo UT 84602

If you write, please leave a return address so that I can get back to you!

There are so many things I would love to share, but unfortunately I am running out of time...

But I'd like to finish this email with my testimony of the Atonement. If I have learned anything this week, I've learned that the Atonement is the greatest gift from our Heavenly Father. I am so grateful for Jesus Christ and all that he went through for me and you to be happy an return to Him again. I love my Savior, and when I come unto him, I find the greatest joy in life. I can't wait to share this with the people of Brazil.

Eu sei estas coisas em nome de Jesus Christ, Amem.

Love ya'll!!

Elder Alexander James Hamilton

Farewell Family & Friends

Thank you to all my friends and family that have blessed my life and have helped make my last days so memorable!

I would love some letters from you guys! Here is my MTC mailing address:

Elder Alexander James Hamilton
JUL09 BRA-RIO
2013 N 900 E Unit 301
Provo UT 84602
or
dearelder.com

My mission president recommends that I communicate with people through letters because I will have more time to read and write. I only get one hour a week to email, but if you'd like to have my email, contact my mom.

This blog will be managed by family while I am gone. They will post my mailing address as it changes and other important things during my mission.
Finally, I want you to know that God lives. He loves you, me, and all his children. He has restored his church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, through the prophet Joseph Smith. He speaks to us today through the scriptures, prayer, and modern revelation. He sent His only begotten son, Jesus Christ, to atone for our sins. It is through Christ that we may return to Him someday. I love my Savior, and I can't wait to share the light that this Gospel brings in my life to the people of Rio de Janeiro!!!