003/101 090624 Sao Paulo is Huge

Picture: Generic picture of São Paulo

Hi! Things are going well down here. Its really been repetitive, but I like it. I am learning SO much. Its great.

I haven´t talked about this yet, so I´m going to. São Paulo is huge so everyone knows. And I mean HUGE. The MTC (which is a 7 story building) is in the suburbs. And in random little bit of the suburbs there are pockets of skyscrapers that are bigger than Salt Lake. We can see downtown from a window in our room, and its insane. Its plainly just a line of skyscrapers. It´s insane. I think I´ll like how Rio has a coast on one side.

Oh! And Rio North is being absorbed into Victoria or something. But basically, my mission now covers the entire city of Rio. YAY!

And, if anyone is worried about the safety at the CTM, so you know, we have an Isralei security company or something like that. But they are good. They would need to be. Its kinda scary though when you see some of the security guards though. But I am without a doubt safe. And of course there is the ultimate security system of our Father´s loving care!

It´s crazy stuff with what I´m hearing about Utah. I´ve heard that it has rained a lot (and it´s barely rained here in São Paulo), and that the swine flu is nasty there. I´m sorry for you all. Honestly, I´m glad I´m in a different country with what I´ve been hearing. That is insane!

Oh, quick side note, if people could keep any letters I send them, or mail them to my home address, or something, that would be awesome. I sometimes remember something while writing a letter to someone that I didn´t write in my journal, and I didn´t write to anyone else, so I kinda need some help! (Yes, I am still as absent minded as ever, but I am working on it.)

So, our Father in Heaven has blessed me in more ways then imaginable down here. Here is one of them. Every week you have to (get to have to) prepare a talk on one of the Christ like attributes, and last weeks topic was charity and love. At church on Sunday, they randomaly select a few missionaries to give their talk. Well, last week mine was on charity and love, and a lot of things hit me. And so, while studying, I prayed to Heavenly Father to let me give my talk on Sunday. Which I did. I didn´t give that good of a talk, but Heavenly Father really made my message strong and clear. The Spirit was there, and I think everyone was edified. And I feel so much more confident (for lack of a better word) with a lot of stuff. It really was an awesome experience. Oh, and the best scripture on it is 1 Corinthians 13, and one I liked is in Moroni 8, and I think verse 42 or something. What it says though is perfect love casteth out all fear. I like it. Well, time is passing fast. Till next week!

Bom Dia,
Elder Eyring

002/102 090617 Can´t talk Brazilian

Picture: MTC District at São Paulo Temple

Hello everyone!

Not much to report on, the schedule is repetitive. I still can´t talk to any Brazilian without them talking really slow and using hand signals, and them not needing a response. Its been good here.

Oh, I felt bad about what I wrote with letters last week. I never sent missionaries letters, so don´t think I will kill anyone if they don´t send me a letter.

But yes, I would love to hear from people, and then I could actually give you something about what´s going on my life because I have some kind of idea of what to write you!

Well, Bom Dia (I spelled that wrong last week, embarissing),
Elder Eyring

001/103 090610 Brazil is incredible!

Picture: MTC District at São Paulo Temple

Subject: Hi all!

So a very important note to start off with. While in the MTC, I will NOT be able to email anyone. So send your home address to my Gmail account if you want me to write you, because I have no one’s! And really, I would love to get a letter! I never realized how letter hungry missionaries can get, and I have only been out a week! But if you aren’t able to send one, of course that’s fine!

Hi! Brazil is incredible! I love it here! The MTC (or CTM as they (and from now on me) call it since for Portuguese grammar it’s the Center for Training Missionaries) is absolutely beautiful. All the wood in it is Cedar, which is beautiful. And the Spirit is so strong! And I am getting much stronger because my bedroom is on the 6th floor and missionaries have to take the stairs!

So I just want to apologize up front, my email stuff will be separate because my brain is fried on Preparation days (which are Wednesdays for me at the CTM), and my spelling and grammar is beginning to suffer from the intense learning of Portuguese.

So yeah, for what has happened for me . . . classes, classes, and classes. I am learning lots, but that’s all I am doing. Which actually has been a lot of fun. My companion´s name is Elder Johnson. And so far in Portuguese I can bear my testimony, say a prayer, and talk at a 6 month old level other than that. I can really bear testimony though that the Spirit helps us learn here. The program without the Spirit already is incredible, but with it, oh, it’s incredible. Like, I´ve been slightly sick since Saturday. I was trying my hardest to learn, but I just couldn't concentrate. The Spirit kicked in though and I haven´t gotten behind. As long as I try my hardest, I feel so much help from God!

Well, more next week I guess.
Bon Dia (Good day)
Elder Eyring

000/104 090603 Arrival at Brazil MTC

Picture: MTC (CTM) in São Paulo, Brazil

Dear Parents,

We are happy to send the good news that your missionary has arrived safely at the Brazil MTC. What a great joy and privilege it is to greet each missionary as they come through the front door of the MTC for the first time.

They now have companions and are settled into their rooms. They are assigned to a district with capable and caring instructors for language and lesson study. The branch presidents and their wives, who are usually a senior missionary couple or mature Brazilian couple, will soon give them a second greeting. These couples are rewarded in their callings through the love they always develop as they embrace and watch over the missionaries.

The MTC has a full time live-in physician to care for their health needs. He is assisted by his able wife. We are also happy to report that the Cafeteria food is abundant and very good.

We are also parents of children who have served as missionaries. And we have been missionaries who have left family. Please know that we are mindful of you and know of your love for your missionary.

Your very important young person is about to make an eternal difference in the lives of others. We hope you will be encouraged and comforted by this quote by President Lorenzo Snow: “There is no mortal man that is so much interested in the success of an elder [sister] when he is preaching the gospel as the Lord that sent him to preach to the people who are the Lord’s children.”

Please accept our love,
President and Sister Woodward


Mission Home Address:

Elder Nathan George Wendell Eyring
Box 5 District 23-A
Brazil Rio de Janeiro
Rua Padre Antônio D’Angelo, 121
Casa Verde, São Paulo, SP
Brazil 02516-040