Feliz Natal e um Bom Ano Novo!

So, Christmas was pretty neat here. We had a special Christmas Eve dinner at the house of the relief Society President after we shared a message about Christmas. Christmas here is very different than back home. Everyone here starts Christmas on Christmas eve. They go to someone´s house around 8-9pm to have a big ol´ dinner and party until 5-6 am in the morning the next day, and many stay awake until lunch and have leftovers for lunch at the same person´s house on Christmas Day. So, it´s pretty different. Apparently everyone wears white on new years eve here. I´ll have to tell you more next week after the new year turns over.

On Christmas day, I sang at the annual Christmas Cantata at the stake center here in São Luís. It was a lot of fun. Also, on Christmas day I said good afternoon to a drunk person on the street and he swung his arm into my stomach and called me a whole bunch of bad things. Merry Christmas to you too...

Yesterday, I saw something pretty interesting. There was a lady with a big kitchen knife and a guy with a machete chasing another man swinging their big knives at him. He only had an umbrella to defend himself. Fortunately, he made it into someone elses house. Then the two with the knives started arguing with eachother and dispersed. Some people need to sit back and relax and enjoy the Christmas Spirit. Also, apparently transfers were today, but no one in my district was transfered. So, my huge district of 4 missionaries still includes (since October), Sister Lúcia, Sister Hallman, Elder Bezerra, and me. But things are all good here.

Today, I want to talk a little bit about faith. Many people think that faith is a belief in God, and in some contexts you would be right, but if you look into it that´s not the case. Faith is a belief in something that you know is true but cannot see or have not seen. For example, the wind, you can´t see it, but you can see it´s effects and you know that it exists. So, why is faith important? Or, why is faith in Jesus Christ so important? Sure we can believe that He exists, we can see the effects that Christ and His gospel has on others, but when we have faith in Jesus Christ, we follow His teachings and keep His commandments. Faith without works is dead. If we have faith in Jesus Christ, we need to do all that we can to do what He asks of us. We need to follow His gospel having faith in Him, repenting, being baptised and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost by someone who holds His authority, and enduring, keeping the commandments, until the end. I know He lives. Let´s show are faith in Him. I love you.

-Elder Samuel H. Chiba

Christmas Eve Dinner

Christmas Morning Pancake Breakfast with the Sister Missionaries

Zone Baptism

Feliz Natal!!!

Querida Família e Queridos Amigos,

This last week was great. We were visited by Elder Mazzagardi and his wife. We had a special combined zone conference for the Mission Tour. I had the opportunity to sing with Sister Hallman, accompanied by Elder Gustave, for Elder Mazzagardi. I was also able to talk with him and Sister Mazzagardi a little bit after the conference and lunch. They are really great people. Very inspiring.

This is the week of Christmas. What a wonderful time of year. Take a little bit of time to reflect on the Savior. Remember why He was born, and the purpose of His earthly ministry. Remember what He has done personally for you. Those that brought great gifts to the baby Jesus knew His divine purpose. As Christmas comes quickly, take some time to think about what you can give to Him, what you can do to show your love for our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. I know He lives. I know that He suffered for my sins. I know that only through Jesus Christ and His gospel, we can truly be happy. I love you. Merry Christmas. Feliz Natal.

-Elder Chiba

Not Quite General Conference, but still Great

Yesterday we had stake conference here in São Luís. It was great! After the conference we went to our lunch appointment, but during our lunch appointment it started to rain. (it´s starting to be winter here. there are too seasons rainy winter [remember winter here is not cold, just wet] and hot dry summer) But the Lord´s work was not immediately put to a stop. We still went about doing some visits in the pouring rain. We were in our suits because of the conference, which was good because the rain made it a tad chilly. But we were still drenched. After a couple visits we decided to go home because our shoes were filled with water, and we didn´t know what else could be in there with the water. So, we went home to dry off. My shoes are still drying from yesterday. Unfortunately my companion only has one pair, so we´ll see how that goes. I hope that they are dry... Anyway, back to the conference yesterday.

It was more of a northern part of Brasil conference. It was pretty cool. There was a transmission from what seemed to be Salt Lake. President Uchtdorf, Elder Anderson, Elder Ellis and Sister Dalton all spoke. It reminded me of General Conference because it was a broadcast. It was all in Portugués. (of course) Elder Anderson and Elder Ellis both gave their talks in Portugués while President Uchtdorf and Sister Dalton spoke in English with a translator. It was a really good conference. I learned a lot and other things were brought to my remembrance. All of the speakers were good, but I got the most out of what President Uchtdorf said. He spoke about a lot of things. He spoke about building our own testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (which we should all study in chapter 3 of Preach My Gospel). He also spoke about the importance of member missionary work.

We should pray for the wisdom that we can know how to touch the hearts of others. Keep friendships and reach out to others. Remember the people in your ward who have special needs (ex. alone, no friends) and reach out and love them. Don´t be ashamed of the church and gospel of Jesus Christ. (Romans 1:16) Some things that we can do to keep ourselves safe are 1. strive to be worthy of a temple recommend 2. study the word of God daily and 3. speak with your Father in Heaven Daily. (I took notes in Portugués, and I noted the things that stood out to me, so sorry if any of it doesn´t make much sense).

I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and am so happy to be one of His servants, serving and looking for His lost sheep. I know that Christ lives and that He will come again. I love you.

-Elder Samuel H. Chiba

(p.s. I tried two new fruits this week. Cupuaçu and Jambo)

{note from the mysterious sister behind the blog: here are some images off of 'google image search' of the fruit that Sam tried this week.}

Cupuaçu (above)

Jambo Vermelho (below left) Jambo Rosa (below right)

Pictures!

Here are some pictures that Elder Chiba sent us this week.

Oh So Handsome!

Remember Him

Yesterday, I had to go to the stake center here for a rehearsal of Christmas music. There is going to be a "Cantata" on the 25th(Christmas), so, I´ll be singing. It was a lot of fun rehearsing. It´s been a while since I´ve been able to exercise the fullness of my singing capabilities. I´m a little rusty unfortunately, but I´ve still got it. And by the looks of it, I´ve not lost my range. I just have to put a lot of energy behind what I sing. My vocal stamina is not what it used to be. I suppose I should practice more, but there isn´t too much time in the day. Actually, I think the only time that I really have in the day to actually practice is when I´m in the shower. But I take a shower right when I get up in the morning, and singing in the morning is not the most fun, especially before 7 am........ I also don´t want to bother the neighbors, but who knows. Maybe I´ll work up some courage.

Yesterday was also fast and testimony meeting. I was sitting in sacrament meeting listening to everyone sharing their testimonies. I felt that maybe I should get up and share my testimony also, but there were a lot of people and the time was running out. But my heart was pounding with such a force that I could not reject the impulse to go up. I bore my testimony. It was an amazing experience. I bore my testimony about the Atonement of our Lord, Jesus Christ, and why this time of the year is so special. I cried. Which in my opinion wasn´t something very common for me until I started this mission.

It doesn't do much good to try and repeat what I said, especially because it was in Portuguese, but I have a testimony of the love that our Savior has for us. I know that He suffered for our sins, our heartache, our sadness, our pain, our difficulties, and any other trial that we face, have faced, and will face. I know that His love for me is so imense that even if I were the only person in the world who sinned, He would still come to rescue me. We are never alone. I know that our Savior, Jesus Christ, was born, came into this world a silent and peaceful night many years ago to save us from our sins and redeem us from death. This is why Christmas is special. Do not forget the importance for this season. Remember Him. I love you. I know that Christ lives.

-Elder Samuel H. Chiba

Make the Change

So, this week we had our Zone Conference and I also a leadership training. Aside from that nothing especially interesting happened. I was doing hanging my laundry up the other day, but unfortunately the cord broke loose and all of my clean white clothes fell to the wet and dirty ground. But, I wasn´t angry. It was more like a, "Well, that was unfortunate. Oh well. Hahahaha." kind of moment.

But anyway, for a while now I think I was a little depressed. I couldn´t figure out why. So, I talked with my mission president. Basically, he told me that I have to make the choice to change, or just do it. You know. I guess it was something that I had kind of forgotten. But, I applied what he said, and I´m really happy. We all pass through hard times. Whenever life is hard or whenever something bad happens we have a tendency to "give up". We say things like "It doesn´t matter what I do, it won´t work." or when we´re frustrated with someone "Nothing that I can do will make it better." But these responses and feelings are in fact wrong. Giving up never helped anyone. If we want a change in life or with our circumstances, we need to be the ones to make the change first. If life is hard, put on a smile and hope for the best.

Many people claim to be "realists" but in reality they are pessimists and expect the worst. In reality, expecting the worst is not a bad thing because in many instances the worst happens, but not always. For this reason we need to hope for the best but also expect the bad. Each day is a present. You can wake up and think to yourself "Poor me, my life is terrible." or you can wake up and say "Today is a new day, and I will make it good." No matter the outcome of the day we can always look back and laugh, good or bad. The things that have happened are in the past. The future is mysterious.... kind of. If you keep on the same track of self pity, the future is kind of obvious. It will continue to be bad. But that´s why we have the present. Like in the movie Kung Fu Panda, the old turtle said "Today is a gift, that is why it is called the present." What we choose to do today effects tomorrow. Choose to be happy. Choose to make tomorrow better. Make the change.

Dwelling in the past doesn´t help anyone either. The only thing good about the past, are the lessons that we can learn. Other than that, dwelling on it and being sad won´t help you go anywhere. The past will never change. Look forward to tomorrow. Make the change now to make tomorrow better.

In the long run, our life is but a small moment. Do you want to look back and say "My life was terrible." or "I lived a good life."? Sure, there will certainly be moments of trials and difficulties. But there is hope. We can always rely on the Savior to help us through. If we do all we can, the Savior will always be there to help us through our difficulties. Whatever they may be. In the book of Alma in The Book of Mormon, chapter 7 verses 11-13 says this...

11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and ^aafflictions and ^btemptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will ^ctake upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

12 And he will take upon him ^adeath, that he may ^bloose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to ^csuccor his people according to their infirmities.

13 Now the Spirit ^aknoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the ^bflesh that he might^ctake upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me.

I know that He knows each of our pains and difficulties. Make the change to rely on the Savior and follow him. He will always be there to catch us when we fall. And He waits for us with his hands stretched out to receive us. We need to reach out to him as well. As we enter this Christmas season, remember what Jesus Christ did for each and everyone of us. Remember the true meaning of Christmas. I know He lives. I love you.

-Elder Samuel H. Chiba

Turkey Week

So, it´s the week of Thanksgiving! Happy Turkey week everyone!

You know what´s funny? In English there is a country called Turkey right? And we think and laugh at how a country can be named after a bird we eat annually. But in Portugués there is also a country whose name means the same animal as turkey. Do you know which country it is? Well, if you haven´t looked into it, the country is Peru! Peru means turkey. Well that´s fun.

As with the rest of the world, there are people here in São Luís that prematurely put up Christmas decorations. It started a week or too ago. On the streets I´ve started to hear Brazilianized tune of jingle bells with a reggae twist. I´ve seen one reindeer made of lights and a few other Christmas decorations. Maybe it´s not premature in Brazil to put up Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving, because as far as I know, they don´t have a Thanksgiving. Fortunately for us missionaries here in São Luís, we have zone conference on Thanksgiving.

I don´t remember what I talked about last week. But there was a marriage at the church this past Saturday. It was nice. I sang with one of the sister missionaries, Sister Hallman from Nauvoo, while the bride walked to the front. The ceremony was nice. I´m actually not to used to witnessing a wedding. I think it was the third time in my life. But that´s because all of the other weddings I´ve been to have been at the temple and I´ve had to wait outside and sometimes watch or take care of the little ones. So, their marriage is a legal marriage. The following morning, the husband was baptized. So, in about a year, they will be able to go to the temple and be sealed for time and all eternity. It´s truly an amazing thing. Eternal marriage. It can only be done at the temple by someone who has the authority of God (the priesthood).

The priesthood is an amazing thing. Long ago, Christ gave the priesthood to his apostles. He told Peter that whatever he sealed on earth will be sealed in heaven. This sealing power was lost for a long time, but thanks to the Mercy of God, He restored the priesthood and the His gospel and His church through His servant, the Prophet Joseph Smith. It was Peter, James, and John that appeared to Joseph Smith to restore this sealing power. Today, we still have this sealing power of the priesthood of God. I know that through the temple and through the priesthood, families can be together forever. I know that any other marriage that is performed here on this earth ends at death, it´s like putting and expiration date on your marriage. But through the blessings of the temple marriages and families can be forever. I know the Lord Jesus Christ lives. I know that His church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true. I know that families can be together forever, and that God wants us all to have this amazing blessing. I love you. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

-Elder Samuel H. Chiba

P.S. Here are some other pictures from P-Day last week. It´s pretty cool. There were a whole bunch of old buildings and there was practically no one there because it was a national holiday. So, a lot of things were closed, but we got to explore and have fun and take pictures.