The Big Change

Oi,

This week flew by!! And I can’t believe the transfer is already over! I feel like I arrived in Canela just about a week ago. The next transfer will be a little different, but I’ll talk about that later. Finally in Canela, we had a week of heat. Ba walking around in the sun with high humidity was brutal. Plus, Canela has been cutting everyone’s water, so every time we asked pesquisadores, members, or anyone for water...they didn’t have it.  This week was a little slow for work, but I know I just gotta keep working hard.

Language update:  This week Elder Amorin and I had a conversation in Portuguese in our sleep. Haha. Elder Robert told us that we were having a convo about what we would eat the next day. But I’m feeling pretty confident with my language abilities, but I can always learn more and improve just a little bit.

The Big Change: Sunday, Elder Cerrano went to Porto Alegre to catch a plane to Argentina. He finished the mission. It was kind of surreal seeing all of his lasts (last contact, lesson, lunch com membro, and Sacrament Meeting). I’ll miss Cerrano a ton. He is such a chill, funny dude, yet focused on the work of the Lord. The other big change is that my comp, Elder Robert, is leaving for Passo Fundo (my last zone), and I will be taking his place and train here in Canela. You could say I’m excited, nervous and everything in between. This next transfer will be a huge learning experience for me. I will meet my new companion this Wednesday in Porto Alegre. Could be Brazilian, Hispanic, or American. Only time will tell. Elder Robert was an amazing companion. We were always laughing, conversing, and learning together. This most important thing I learned with Elder Robert was teaching through the spirit. Elder Robert is a spiritual powerhouse and always uses inspired questions and teaches to the needs of the investigator. He was a huge example to me, and I hope that I can have the same influence he had on me for my next companion. No one likes change, but we all need it to improve, see our weaknesses, and step out of our comfort zone. These changes will put me out of my comfort zone, but I know that’s what I need and God’s plan for me right now. I trust in the Lord, so I know this will be an awesome transfer filled with miracles, spiritual highs, trials, learning experiences, opportunities to improve and opportunities to grow closer to my Savior Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father. This gospel is true, so live it! Thank you for all of your love, prayers and support.

-Elder Bodine

Time with the APs!

This week was strange to say the least. As you read last week, my comp, Elder Robert, was hit by a car.  He actually hurt his knee pretty bad, so he had to take it easy on the walking. This meant we had a lot of time to spend in the house reading, studying, conversing, and cleaning. Lucky for me, I was able to do divisão with the LZ one day, and the APs came to town. In our mish, we have two sets of APs: APs of the President, and AP viajuntes (travelers). AP viajuntes get an assignment from President Campos, go to that city/area, and do divisão with the missionaries in that area.  Because Canela B, our area, had an emergency, Presidente sent the APs to our house. So, Thursday – Sunday, I was able to work with Elder Maciel of São Paulo.  I always love divisão because you get to see so many new styles of teaching, contacting, personality, and attitude. With Elder Maciel, I learned the importance of loving everyone you talk with. Also, how to be not just a missionary, but a friend of the investigators and members. Elder Maciel and Elder Robert were companions for over 5 months, so it was funny/cool to see the similarities in their teaching style and techniques. It was crazy having 6 Elders in the house at once.  The APs are hilarious, so it was a party every night. I don’t think I’ve laughed so hard so many times on the mish. Overall, it was a blast having the APs in Canela, and I learned a lot of things about the mish and about myself that I can improve: teaching, studying, Christ like attributes, and so much more. I learned that the mission is a constant battle. We can constantly become converted, better teachers, greater examples, and more like Christ, or we can become lazy and take steps backward. On the mish, I have learned the extra effort is always worth it. Elder Maciel showed me a scripture in Ether 12:14 which says, “Behold, it was the faith of Nephi and Lehi that wrought the change upon the Lamanites, that they were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost.” This verse is awesome because it’s so applicable to any member or missionary.  Lehi and Nephi, sons of Helaman, were amazing missionaries who had so much faith that their enemies accepted the Gospel. I love in Portuguese how this verse uses the word transformação instead of change. Solely, through their faith in the Lord, Nephi and Lehi transformed the hearts of thousands of Lamanites. If we keep the commandments, pray fervently for more faith, study the scriptures diligently, fast, ponder the words of modern day prophets and apostles, and participate in our callings and church meetings, there is no doubt in my mind that we can be like Nephi and Lehi transforming the hearts/spirits of any son or daughter of God through our faith and powerful testimonies. I love this Gospel. I love the gift of increasing my faith every day through sharing, preaching, learning, studying, and praying over this gospel. I love you all. Have an awesome week.

Elder Bodine

Meu companheiro foi atropelado

Thanks for all the birthday wishes.

I always knew the mission would be an adventure, but I never expected so many crazy things/miracles to happen. For example, this week we had the baptism of Nauã, my birthday, the best member lunch in my life, fondue in Gramado, and much much more. You are probably curious what a birthday is like in the field… Well, for me it was just about the same as every other day… Work. We had an awesome/productive day of teaching, contacting, and feeling the spirit. The only difference was that I was 20. We ended the night with pizza provided by a member and red velvet cake. Overall, a normal day with a little party to celebrate. My birthday was just about the most normal day of the week.

We had a crazy wind/lightning storm Wednesday, crazy fog on Friday, and an hour long bible bash on Saturday, but now let’s talk about Sunday... Something happened on Sunday that I’ll never forget.

Right now, to experience this situation how I experienced it, I need you to imagine every detail I describe and create almost a film of what happened in your head.

7:49 à Elder Robert and I say a prayer, bear testimony, and leave the house dressed in our Sunday best.

7:53 à We casually walk and talk heading toward the house of an investigator to pick him up for church.

7:55 à We pass skimo lanches, a restaurant, two blocks away from the gigantic cathedral in the center of Canela.

7:56 à We are talking about our plans for after church, side by side. (Elder Robert on the left, I’m on the right.) We go to take a left turn into a cross walk, in which Elder Robert takes the lead.

7:57 à As Robert enters the cross walk, I see a white Toyota Corolla zooming toward us… I yell, “Cuidado!!” …BOOM. Elder Robert gets hit by the car, goes airborne, flies 12 feet from the impact zone, hits the ground face-first, rolls 2 times, and finally comes to a stop, laying motionless.

7:58 à I start to feel the adrenaline rush/panick, and quickly say a prayer for my comp and for myself to stay calm. I run to my comp and his eyes are closed. I expect the worst, and think he’s unconscious.

7:58.30 à He opens up his eyes, spits out his cough drop, and tries to stand up, but immediately falls back to the ground. The driver jumps out of his car and exclaims, “Desculpa, desculpa, nao viu voces.”

7:59 à We call an ambulance as blood starts to pour from his face.

8:00 à A crowd of 30-40 tourists gather around us, pointing, taking photos, and making comments.

8:01 à Talk with LZs of our Zone (President was in a meeting and didn’t answer). Elder Robert starts talking, saying that only his face/head hurts.

8:02 à Police show up and start to ask me and the driver what happened. Miraculously, a couple in our ward were walking to church and came and helped.

8:03 à Paramedics put Robert on a stretcher and carry him into the ambulance. I ride shotgun.

8:05 à I talk with President Campos and explain the situation. He tells me to stay calm and pray for my companion.

8:08 à Arrive at the hospital, where Elder Robert is taken to a room and receives several stitches to the cuts on his nose and above the eyebrow.

8:10-8:30 à For the next 20 minutes, I talk out with police, fill out medical forms, and talk with the man who hit my companion (all with the help of the members who were with us at the scene of impact). Luckily, it’s a rule for missionaries to always carry identification, so he had everything he needed.

8:30-10:30 à Elder Robert receives x-ray of his head, kneck, back, and legs. Also receives a blessing. We wait anxiously in the waiting room to hear the results.

11:00 à Elder Robert is released with no fractures, contusions, no nothing. Only swelling to his face and five or six stitches. Elder Robert returns home with Elder Cerrano, and Elder Amorin and I head to church.

12:30 à We have the baptism of Nauã. He was thrilled to be baptized, but super sad that Elder Robert couldn’t be there with him. We have lunch, return home, and I stayed in house with my comp for the rest of the day.

The promise of protection for missionaries is real. I watched my companion fly like a rag doll through the air, land face first, and roll on the ground. I expected the worst, but miraculously he should be back to normal work in just a few days. I love Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” He will help us in all things. Always trust in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. This week was an adventure. Thanks for your support and prayers. Don’t worry about my comp, he’s a lot better today. Have an awesome week and always trust in your Father above.

Elder Bodine

Remember Your Name

Ba!!!

Time is flying by in Canela.  I can’t believe we’re already half way through the transfer.  It’s been hard finding investigators because Canela is one of the biggest tourist towns in the south of Brazil.  So everybody works on Sunday during church.  But despite this setback, we have found some awesome people to teach.  First off, Noeo and his dad are awesome. Noeo’s mom is an inactive member, and they have been loving our lessons.  Noeo came to church this week in a giant suit. (He is hilarious.  He has a ton of energy and personality.  He is pretty much a 25 year old comedian in a 9 year old body.  We have set his baptism for this Saturday, and we are working with his dad to overcome his smoking and drinking problems.  Another couple we are teaching is Mateus and Paula.   They love the Book of Mormon and miraculously don’t work on Sundays.  So we will keep teaching and working with them to go to church and prepare to be baptized.  Another woman we’re teaching promised us churrasco, so I’m stoked about that.

There were many spiritual experiences during the week.  The most powerful happened during personal study.  I was reading Helaman 5, which is an awesome chapter (you should all read it).  Verses 5-9 stuck out to me.  Context – Helaman is speaking to his sons, Lehi and Nephi, about the origins of their names.  Helaman tells his sons to always remember your name and who you represent.  DAVID Hart Bodine.  My name represents my uncle, mom’s side of the family, and dad’s side of the family.  When I think upon these names and these people, I remember their works, their example, and their legacy.  In my name, I find motivation to work one more day, talk to one more person, and to pour out my soul testifying of Christ.  Helaman tells his sons to live up to their ancestors’ legacy so that one day Nephi and Lehi’s posterity will think so highly of them.  Helaman also says to create a legacy in the perspective o f the eternal goal of a life with Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and our families for eternity.  Don’t create a legacy to boast, and always remember that the only way you can obtain this goal/legacy is through Christ.  This week ponder these questions.  What is my name?  Who do I represent?  What is their legacy?  And how can I create my legacy?  Always remember that you represent your family and Christ in all things that you do.  I love this gospel, and the opportunity to represent my family and Christ, sharing this gospel with the people of Brazil!

Love,

Elder Bodine

P.S.  This week, I made brownies almost every night for my comp, housemates and members of our Branch.  Everyone is obsessed with Americans here, so I’m trying my best to represent my country!  U.S.A.!!!

The Zone at Gramado

The Enemy

The Enemy at night

Birthday Jerky from Grandpa and Grandma Hart