The Brighter Side of Things

One of my most favorite foods is Japanese Curry and Rice. I´ve received some packs of curry to make Japanese curry in packages sent from my family. So, it´s kind of a really special thing for me, especially being away from home and from anything remotely close to a Japanese market. I´ve shared it though with my companion who has fallen in love with it, and some other friends and neighbors, until some started to ask me for the recipe. Unfortunately, it´s kind of one of those things that I needed the pre-prepared mix to make. So, I had to tell them that I didn´t have the means to teach them the recipe. But, I found a recipe online on how to make Japanese Curry and rice without a pre-made mix. So, I tried it out today, and it turned out good. ´The only problem now, is that I need to translate the instructions and measurements to Portuguese and the metric system.

Yesterday at church I had the opportunity to teach the gospel principles class. The topic was "The Creation". It was a really neat experience for me. As we were all learning about the creation, I realized how organized God is, and how much He loves us.

(here´s a link to what I taught yesterday from the Gospel Principles Manual, http://lds.org/manual/gospel-principles/chapter-5-the-creation?lang=eng)

Truly, everything that the Lord has created is for our benefit. Often times we are ungrateful for the many blessings that we have of simply being alive and for the world we live in. We complain about the heat, or the rain, or pollen being blown about by the wind. But did you ever think to stop and really think about the reason for these things? Why do we complain so easily? Why aren´t we grateful for the sun, whose heat warms us and whose light gives light and life? Why aren´t we grateful for the rain that cleanses the air and provides us with water? Why aren´t we grateful for the the wind that pollenates the plants to which sustains our life? We are so blessed, and yet we complain. In reality, we need to be grateful to our Heavenly Father for everything that He gives us. Even our difficulties and problems. How is it that we learn, if not for our trials? I read recently a talk given by Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and he spoke very well about the subject of faith and our trials.

He started by first quoting a scripture in the Book of Ether, then explained.

~“Faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith” (Ether 12:6).

Thus, every time you try your faith—that is, act in worthiness on an impression—you will receive the confirming evidence of the Spirit. As you walk to the boundary of your understanding into the twilight of uncertainty, exercising faith, you will be led to find solutions you would not obtain otherwise. With even your strongest faith, God will not always reward you immediately according to your desires. Rather, God will respond with what in His eternal plan is best for you, when it will yield the greatest advantage. Be thankful that sometimes God lets you struggle for a long time before that answer comes. That causes your faith to increase and your character to grow.

It´s very easy find the bad side of things, and even easier to complain. But I want to invite everyone of you to look for the bright side, look for the positive, even in the midst of difficulties and troubles, or even in the things that are simply unfortunate like a particularly warm day. Try to find God´s divine purpose in what happens to and around you. And when you do, let´s remember to thank our Creator for the many blessings He gives us, whether pleasant or unpleasant. I testify that God lives and that He loves us. I know He has a plan for us, and if we are willing and humble we will be able to fulfill our full potential and find a happiness when we count our blessings and look to the brighter side of things. I love you my family and friends.

-Elder Samuel H. Chiba

Small and Simple Things

This week has been pretty uneventful. We´ve been working hard and it´s been raining. That´s about it I guess.

Something that my companion and I both read this week was a talk given by President Uchtdorf. It´s called "Of Things that Matter Most." (http://lds.org/ensign/2010/11/of-things-that-matter-most?lang=eng) His talk is profound, yet simple. It´s basically what he was talking about too. By the small and simple things great things happen. But we also need to focus on the things that are most important. What are the things that are truly important? To put it simply, family and faith. Everything else will fall into place afterward. What I want to focus on more is the importance of doing the simple things of building our faith.

Building our faith comes from doing those simple acts of faith.

1.Daily Prayer

2. Daily Scripture Study

3. Going to Church Every Sunday

If you are feeling overwhelmed by life or stressed, take a step back and reevaluate what is most important in your life. Slow down and go back to the basics. We read in Alma 37:6-7 the following:

6. Now ye may suppose that this is ^afoolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by ^bsmall and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.

7. And the Lord God doth work by ^ameans to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very ^bsmall means the Lord doth ^cconfound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls.

I know that the basics are the keys to unlocking the complex and profound. The Lord teaches us with basics. The gospel is simple, but when we truly study it and ponder about the teachings of the Savior, the simple things become profound and even more beautiful than we realize. I know the gospel is true. The fulness of the everlasting gospel is simple, and it was restored to us through the Lord´s prophet Joseph Smith. I invite all of you to take some time and go back to the simple, small, and basic things, the things that matter most. In them you will find what you need. I love you.

-Elder Samuel H. Chiba

P.S. Chapter 32 of the Book of Alma talks a lot about faith.

http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/32?lang=eng

Um Anozinho!

As some of you may be aware, this past week I completed one year since I´ve left home. And what a wonderful year it has been. Anozinho means little year, but here it´s what they call the one year birthday of a child. After one year, I am bilingual. Also, I think my English grammar and spelling has gotten worse and will worsen during this next year. When I talk to other American missionaries we speak a mixture of Portuguese and English, thus forming the language Portinglés. So, when I get home try not to make fun of me so much if I talk weird. Also, I´ve lost about 40 lbs. When you see me, don´t be surprised to see a very stunning and lean young man.

So, my one year anniversary fell on my half birthday, (as well as my parting date from home). I received a calender of 2011 which is amazing because it´s full of pictures of family. But, the other cool thing is that it´s pretty much a count down until I go home. So, if anyone is anxiously awaiting my arrival home, just follow the calender of 2011 and if you like you can cross out the days. Just kidding. There is so much to do still. January is more than half over.

Also during this past year, I´ve been learning and realizing the reality of the gospel and how important it really is. My testimony of the Savior, His gospel, and His church have grown imensely. I know that Jesus Christ lives. I know that only through Him we can be saved. I know that His church, The Church of Jusus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has all of the keys of salvation and has His authority to conduct the Sacred Ordinances of Salvation, like Baptism and receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost. The Lord has commanded all men and women to repent and be baptized, so that He might have mercy on us. As it says in the book of 3rd Nephi chapter 27 verses 13-16.

13.Behold I have given unto you my ^agospel, and this is the gospel which I have given unto you—that I came into the world to do the ^bwill of my Father, because my Father sent me.

14.And my Father sent me that I might be ^alifted up upon the ^bcross; and after that I had been lifted up upon the ^ccross, that I might ^ddraw all men unto me, that as I have been lifted up by men even so should men be lifted up by the Father, to stand before me, to be ^ejudged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil—

15.And for this cause have I been ^alifted up; therefore, according to the power of the Father I will draw all men unto me, that they may be judged according to their ^bworks.

16.And it shall come to pass, that whoso ^arepenteth and is baptized in my ^bname shall be filled; and if he ^cendureth to the end, behold, him will I hold guiltless before my Father at that day when I shall stand to judge the world.

My dear friends and family. I pray that we can all be held guiltless before God. I know it is possible if we truly follow the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Thank you for all your love and support. I love you.

-Elder Samuel H. Chiba

p.s. So, there are two pictures of me on my 1 year point, and a picture of my companion chasing donkeys in the Church parking lot. They walked in while the gates were open.

Teresina, Rain, and Flying Ants

So, this week I went to Teresina for training again. It was a really good training. I learned a lot. Also, because I went to Teresina, I was able to pick up packages and letters for my District!!!! That´s right! The Christmas packages arrived!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They are so wonderful!!!!!!! Thank you so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My companion is very happy also, and grateful. Like seriously, it was so great!!!!!! FELIZ NATAL!!!!(in a material kind of way...) But still, it means a lot to me. Thank you.

As it is now January, the seasons are changing again. Here in the Northeast of Brasil there are two seasons. Six months of sun and six months of rain. The six months of rain have definitely started. The rain has started to be more frequent and heavy. It actually gets a little chilly at night because of the rain.The flying ants came out the other day after was sunny for the majority of the day. Oh man, it´s pretty gross. They are everywhere. If you thought ants were a problem where you live, go to a tropical climate. There are many different species also. It´s pretty fascinating, but it´s one of those things that I didn´t really need to know.

Because this week has been crazy and totally out of my regular schedule my plans to write in my journal everyday didn´t work out so well. So, I´m going to write in my journal better this week. But I did get the chance to go on splits with my good friend Elder Epperson my CTM comp who is now my zone leader. We can do splits because I´m a district leader and he´s my zone leader. It was a really good experience.

Yesterday three of the people that we have been teaching were baptized. Unfortunately, I wasn´t able to be there because I was on the division, but I did get a chance to talk to them after their baptism. They were really happy.

Lately, I´ve been really impressed with the scripture Alma 34:32 which says...

"For behold, this ^alife is the time for men to ^bprepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of ^cthis life is the day for men to perform their ^dlabors."

Our life right now is a preparation to meet God. As right now are the last days until the Savior comes again, the importance of missionary work magnifies everyday. Our purpose as missionaries of the Lord Jesus Christ is to invite others to come unto Christ. So, that´s what I do everyday. It doesn´t matter if you think you know a lot about the Savior or if you know a little, because we can always improve. This is my invitation to you, to come unto Christ. I know He lives. I know that He loves us. I know that He will come again. The question is where will we be in our life when He comes. Will we be ready? Or will we be caught unaware. Let´s perform all of our labors to prepare to meet God. I love you all.

-Elder Samuel H. Chiba

p.s. pictures with Christmas packages and with a gecko

NEW ADDRESS!!!

Elder Chiba has sent a new address and requests that all letters be sent to:

Elder Samuel H. Chiba

Missão Brasil Teresina
CP 2321
Teresina - PI
64001-973 BRASIL

{The updated address can also be found on the right side of the blog. Check it out. Use it! >>>}

Ano Novo!

So, new years kind of came and went. It wasn´t too special or very different than Christmas. Wait, just a minute. I forgot to tell you that everyone and their mother (literally) go to hair salons right before Christmas and New Years. All of the women at church have snazzy hair lately because of the holidays. Anyway, back to New Years. It was very similar to Christmas. People went to another person´s house to eat, drink, and be merry all night long. Except this time, all dressed in white. There were various drunk people New Years Eve and Day. Actually, new years day the whole town was pretty much dead. We were walking down the streets, and it was pretty much a ghost town. Things livened up later in the evening as people woke up and went outside.

I have a goal for this week. My goal is to look for the hand of the Lord in my everyday life. At the end of my day, I am going to look back and try to find something that God has done for me during the day and write it in my journal. As for my goal to read the Book of Mormon in Portuguese by the new year, that didn´t work out. I was reading it side by side with the English translation, but eventually I realized that I don´t really need to read it side by side with English. I made it to the beginning of the book of Alma. So, I´ve still got a long way to go, but, I´ve been learning and remembering a lot. It´s been a really neat experience. So, I´m going to finish O Livro De Mórmon before the middle of February. So, if there is anyone that is trying to read with me, you´ve got more time. As it is the beginning of the new year, and as a universal tradition (i think it´s a universal tradition) to make personal goals for the new year. I have another challenge or invitation for you. That is to come unto Christ by receiving and living His teachings. I know that if we truly follow Christ´s example we will be happier and have a more fulfilling life. I know He lives. I know that He loves us, and that He wants us to become more like He is. Happy New Years my friends and family. I love you.

-Elder Samuel H. Chiba