Week 9

This week has been awesome. The biggest thing that happened was that I had exchanges. Because my comp is district leader I got to spend a day and a half with one of the zone leaders and his two roommates. Elder Almeida (the ZL) is very cool, but what made the entire experience just a bit cooky was that he is the person in the zone who speaks the least English, and I debatably speak the least Portuguese, which lead to an interesting dynamic of slow talking, finger-pointing, and Google translating. But we got it down eventually and gave some really great lessons.

Elder Almeida's roommates are also dope. Elder Fonseca is a Brazilian Elder who is almost fluent in English and is always laughing or making a joke. Elder Jones is a war torn veteran of the mission field, but still has lots of enthusiasm. Living in a group of four is very different, and if I'm being honest, I prefer it. We also ate out of the apartment a lot, so I got to try lots of new foods like Brazilian Pizza, Acai, pastel (attached below), and dessert Torta.

We also had a training on Friday for all the new missionaries. I actually don't remember what it was about because it was all review of things we had already been told. Plus some spiritually uplifting things...but that barely counts. 

We don't have a whole lot of lessons or baptisms because we are laying the groundwork in the area. However, we have one or two interested people who we are teaching, including Odinei. We have a picture with him attached below.

Today was Pday and normally that means all the missionaries in São Carlos get together to hang out. We played a lot of Uno, Mafia, and basketball. I have also attached a photo of this below. (This week I have actually taken photos of the things I have done)

I feel inordinately blessed this week, and feel like I am hitting my side as a missionary. My Portuguese is improving, and I'm am actually starting to understand what is occurring around me. I also feel the Lord bless me as I teach so I can speak passably and be understood perfectly. 

This upcoming week has a whole bunch of other exciting things coming up, so rather writing about my life, I'm going to go live it now.

Peace!

Elder Whiting

Week 8 (I Think)

Time really does fly! It feels like yesterday that I was arriving in the field and it's already been a week. I met my trainer, Elder Watson, and found we would be opening a new area and house in Tijuco Preto, which is part of the city of São Carlos. What I did not realize at the time was that meant I would be arriving to a house with 2 mattresses and a bed...total. Thankfully, many of the appliances arrived on Friday and we have had the opportunity to run to the store to get groceries. It was very day to day there for a bit.

The people of Brazil are great, but I have no clue what they are saying. I speak fine and they understand me, but as soon as someone else's mouth opens, it's all Greek to me. I know it comes with time though, and Im already seeing some improvement, but it still is slightly disheartening to basically be deaf to everyone except my trainer.

We get fed lunch as our primary meal and usually it involves rice and beans. At this point, I'm past enjoying it, but also past being dissatisfied with it. I will never complain about more food on the plate. 

I would say the kookiest thing to happen this week was at lunch the other day. We arrived and found that the entire Elder's Quorum Presidency was there, despite it not being their house, as well as another man we hadn't met. After we ate, they simply stood up, went to a different room and started playing 80's rock music without saying a word. We were just awkwardly sitting there a few minutes before we found someone to give a message to and get out. We also later found out the guy we didn't know in the group was the Stake President, so we have simply been left with more questions about the situation than before.

I'm settling well, but am perpetually hungry and a bit tired. I'm sure as the weeks pass it will either disappear or I will learn to live with it though.

We have had the opportunity to teach at least one appointment a day since arriving, and we even got a family to come to sacrament meetings, which was hype. The work is progressing and it feels awesome. At times, our efforts feel a bit ineffective, but no sooner do I have the though than someone lets us in the door. God really does bless His missionaries.

Much love,

Elder Whiting

Weekly Email 6: Last Week of MTC!!!!!!

This week has definitely gone by the fastest thus far. It seems like just 2 days ago I was writing my last letter, and now I'm writing another again. I'm not sure I have enough stories to fill it, but I will give it a try.

As part of my journaling, I have started to list things I'm grateful for each day, but each day the list growing by one. This has lead to some...obscure picks, including, but not limited too: the peanuts from the vending machine, a "nice" bed, power naps, Brazilian Elders, and a dope T-shirt blanket (shout-out to my mom).

Classes are going well, for the most part. We are at the point where our instructors and ourselves are expected to use exclusively Portuguese, which is great because we are able to do that, but also not because it means that we are never able to say what we actually want. That being said, our knowledge grows everyday and it's definitely a blessing to be learning as quickly as we are. That does not mean I am not a bit apprehensive about this upcoming Tuesday. 

Yesterday, one of our roommates carelessly locked us all out of our bedroom while we were showering, which feels like something from a movie, but was resolved in a surprisingly umembarrassing way. We just asked someone else to get help unlocking our bedroom. That does not mean we didn't give the perpetrator the hardest time ever though.

I have started reading the Saints novel, which is surprisingly great. The expressions of faith of everyday people really has helped my testimony to grow and put my struggles in a new light. The stories of miraculous conversions alongside very normal ones has helped me understand that the Lord has a different plan for everyone. 

Overall, I would say that although my time here has been great, I am anxious to get out there and do stuff. My Portuguese is at the point where I feel I could get most any point across and I have some level of listening comprehension, so I really don't feel like I have anything holding me back here except the people. My district is great and we get along really well with another district of Brazilians, so it's going to be hard to say goodbye. I know this is just a stepping stone, but I have gotten comfortable here... Still excited to leave though. I will be sure to let everyone know how the transition goes next week.

Fica Frio,

Elder Whiting

Week 5: The Grind

This week has been something of a snoozer. Not much exciting has happened, but that doesn't mean they don't have us working. We still have classes 6 hours a day and some days I just passout when I hit my bed.

I think I finally figured out Journaling. Little did I know that when we are honest when we journal it is a fulfilling experience rather than a laundry list of experiences. Needless to say, I have been having a much more spiritually blessed experience when I am honest with God and myself about how I feel and what I think. 

Yesterday, Elder Rasband lead an MTC devotional. It was really great to hear from an apostle of the Lord and he left us with two promises that are real special. It astounding that in a 1 hour devotional I ended up with about 3 pages of notes. The apostles really do have profound wisdom and insight. 

Once again, we visited the temple today, it was a wonderful experience. I went with a specific question in mind and took a small notebook into the Celestial room to make sure I recorded my revelation and that made all the difference. I have found that the more I spiritually prefore for the temple, the more meaningful an experience I have. 

It's been a long week. It's weird because day in and day out I feel like I am doing work that does not feel fulfilling of itself, but I feel like I am spending my work as a whole is more fulfilling than I can ever remember.

Até Mais,

Elder Whiting

Brasil MTC Week 3/4 - Elder Whiting

This week (and a half) has been craaaazy busy, but also one of the best of my life. My flight plans were pushed back a day about 2 hours before we left for the airport, which was a not totally welcome surprise. But the extra day gave me some time to be with my family and for that, at least, I am grateful. Because I was traveling late, I ended up traveling alone as well. But in His infinite mercy, the Lord put many people in my path to help me emotionally. To many tender mercies to list in one place. 

I arrived at the MTC and it has been a blast. I got reunited with my old district, minus those who are still waiting on visas. We also gained two new members, Elder Chandler and Komatsu. Both are from Japan, but Elder Chandler's father is in the Army, whereas Rlder Komatsu is ethnically Japanese. On Friday we also gained a 10th Elder, Elder Canon, who got kidney stones and has to stay a couple extra weeks while they monitor his health. 

I gotta say, the food her is AMAZING...for the first couple days. It is the same meal schedule every day. Paninis for breakfast and rice and beans with some variation of meat for lunch and dinner. The exception is Thursdays when we get pizza for dinner. Even that is different in Brasil though, because one of the options for tonight was pizza with a jam sauce and cheese curds. It was pretty solid.

The Holy Ghost speaks in a whole different way now. It's not louder by any means, but It is perhaps a but more willing to make its presence known. It also is just easier to feel with both the structure of the day and the content we study. I look forward to having this gift for the next 2 years. 

We get to play volleyball everyday, which is my jam. My district has found it amusing how in just 2 weeks I have turned from a fairly solid but quite player to a much more...animated version of myself as my competitive nature begins to express itself. 

We had the great opportunity to go to the São Paulo temple today. It was awesome! The Celestial room was smaller than San Antonio's but also very beautiful. 

To be honest, I have had to many experiences to put in one email. Hopefully, next week my thoughts will be more linear.

Love from,

Elder Whiting

Photos:

1. Average Meal

2. Elder Canon and Getz sleeping in .5 FOV

3. At the São Paulo Temple visitor center

4. Posting up in the dorms

Week 2 - Elder Whiting

Life is a blur. It feels as if just as quickly as online MTC has started, it is coming to an end. I will say, however, that I am a bit forlorn about it all, because this week the district really bonded in a way that was something to behold. We were especially sad about the fact that because only some of us have our visas, we will be split when we arrive in the Brazil MTC. Some Elders even jokingly put together a slideshow presentation about why Distrito 37F should stay together. We know the Lord has a plan for us though, and we trust he will guide us to better things than what we ourselves can build. 

I leave the States Monday afternoon, and as that time moves closer, my feelings about it not only get stronger, they also alternate more rapidly. One second I'm over the moon about being in Brazil, and the next I am feeling deep sadness at the thought of leaving my life here behind. And it's not any easier for my family, because they are mostly just feeling sadness - or at least my mom is, I am not sure about the others. While we were packing my stuff away and redistributing the things I didn't want between the family, my dad said, and I quote, "You leaving feels like Christmas!" So at least I know I have their total support in my departure to Brazil.

My Portuguese is coming along as nicely as can be expected. I think I can confidently say that it's about where my Spanish was after 3 years of classes. Our teachers decided the district would graduate from the basic core to the intermediate core a week early, which was met with mixed enthusiasm. For reference, the basic core is about 10 pages over the course of 2 weeks of "God is our loving Heavenly Father" and "The Book of Mormon is the word of God," whereas Intermediate Core is a self guided program that is paced so that we are familiarized with a 200 page document, which I affectionately refer to as the "Portuguese Bible'', alongside 2,500 words, 500 phrases, and 9 memorized scripture - all to be completed in 4 weeks. I don't doubt it's possible, it's just extremely daunting.

I think one of the greatest spiritual takeaways I have had this week has been how the Lord is setting us up for success when we follow his promptings. About 2 months ago, I started watching The Chosen. I remember after watching the first two seasons I had the distinct impression to pivot my personal scripture study from the Book of Mormon to the New Testament. Reading about the life of Christ was great, but there wasn't much new ground covered spiritually. Imagine my surprise when the Lord put me on pace to start reading Acts right when my mission started. Reading about the mission of his disciples is truly inspiring and I feel edified each day as I learn about their commitment to His gospel. What's more, when I restarted reading the Book of Mormon, alongside the New Testament, I picked up in Helaman, during Nephi's ministry. I could not have picked a better combination of scriptures for this period of my life if I tried. And all this because I accepted one small prompting a couple months ago. It's a strong testament not only of God's omnipotence and whatnot, but also His love for each of us that He wields it not for His own benefit, but to bless our lives in ways we could not even fathom on our own. What a joy to wear His name on my chest as I go about doing His work!

As I struggle to come to terms with my own joy and sadness, knowing the Lord has a plan for me is a great comfort. I know that what He has for me in Brazil is going to be awesome, and I can't wait to ramble about it again next week!

Tchau,

Elder Whiting

Dear Wyatt, (An Open Love Letter)

Dear Wyatt,

In one week and one day you will leave for Brazil for two years. I keep watching you and thinking. I keep cherishing every "last" moment and I keep mourning what was one of the best phases of my life, being your mom. I guess that role won't end, but it will definitely change and it is that change that has me all introspective. When you were little I believe I wrote a letter for you that was supposed to be opened on your 18th birthday. Clearly I didn't give it to you this past year at 18, and I don't know if I even know where it is now, or if I even wrote it. And so, sadly starts the phase of my life where once I could say things with 100% surety as I have always had a fantastic memory, I now hesitate and allow a lot more room, because there are certainly things I am starting to forget.

So I never forget the things I am thinking now as I watch you sleep on this Sunday afternoon on the couch right by me with the dog right by you, I wanted to write you this open love letter. Let me start by saying I love you so much, I have loved you every day of your life, in a way I never could have imagined, am constantly surprised by, and I am given more delight in the giving of that love than any other thing I have done to be happy. You are on the right path, a good path, an eternal path with far more significance, meaning, and purpose than most people know. Please make the daily course corrections you need to stay centered on that path. It may be tedious some days, hard others, and a cake walk on a select few, but that path when on it tends to feel really good, and at the end is the best reward.  Seriously daily course correction. I know, you know what I mean now, but remember it forever, every day for as many days as you have.

Wyatt, from 9 weeks old in utero you revealed yourself to me in a million ways that I have maybe added significance to throughout the years, but more likely I now can understand and interpret the language of Wyatt in a way I couldn't when you were in utero. So at nine weeks I started feeling you move. Doctors didn't think it was possible, other mothers were skeptical, but your Dad believed me. I didn't know if that meant you were going to be active or an athlete, but I knew you were moving. Knowing you now, I know that once your big brain was fully formed you needed to figure things out and explore and I have no doubt that is what you were doing then. I have since learned that around 8 weeks a baby's brain develops to the point to dictate movement. I am sure your natural curiosity was testing the equipment even at that early age. By age 1.5 years old you were talking in multiword sentence, by 3 you would ask me what your options were, by 4 you had taught yourself the letters of your name and how to write them without me every once showing you, but just having it on the refrigerator spelled out in magnet letters.

Your child temperament was always mild, accommodating, easy, and pretty self soothing in nature. You would sit and watch cartoons for long periods of time when I needed, but were just as happy if I told you to entertain yourself with toys or books. By early elementary school you were wowing the world with both your intelligence but even more your sweet disposition. Most every year K-4, except one, I think you earned the Principal's Award, given to one girl and boy in each class who stood out. Occasionally you would earn a bit of a reproof or correction but almost always with good spirit and a willingness to obey. As you got older, Dad and I marveled at your name meaning - little warrior, because it didn't fit you at all, not even a little. You laughed easily, had many friends, a few close friends, and life was pretty good.

As we neared the teen years, things were still going okay. This was a phase dreaded by many parents, but with mild issues with Isabella and no signs from you I thought we would sail through these years. In middle school you continued your sweet personality, and good grades, and added sports like volleyball and soccer to your list of loves and you did pretty well at both considering we had never been the parents to start our kids at a little age. By the summer after 7th grade we had decided to move to Texas and you were our most resistant child. You were angry and moody. You cried the day we moved into our new house and flung yourself on your bed. My heart broke at your misery, but even more at your inability to choose to be happy. School continued to go okay in Texas even with the frustrations of limited academic support or programs suited to your "gifted" nature.

But by the beginning of high school you were a bit of a nightmare. Puberty with you had been far worse than with Isabella. Your mood swings were much more frequent and far wider in range. You turned into an angry child. Travis joked that your warrior self had finally come to play. Now I say this and still I recognize how blessed we were, because even through all of this you remained largely sweet to children and infants, quick to give me hugs and kisses and check in when leaving and returning home. You toggled some new friends and overall after a few serious worries about your growing rage issues and worrying for your siblings physical safety, you popped out on the other side of the worst of it. You weren't near as angry, but instead you had grown just a bit cynical, judgmental, and worst of all your comments reflected some of the values of the media and ideals around you which were laced with some good old fashioned sexism and a healthy dose of pride. Yet in all this you were fully engaged in church whether by force and coercion or choice is to be determined - I'm sure in another few years you will tell me.

Eventually you outgrew most of that too. Your last year or two of high school turned the corner and again returned back to my favorite version of you. The smart, quick witted, funny boy who couldn't pass up a ridiculous joke because laughing is just too good. You got very serious about a mission and started making changes in your life and habits to prepare. You read scriptures mostly daily, prayed nightly, and worked hard to live consistent with the standards, sometimes better at the do nots, than the do's. I got better at waiting patiently for you to learn under the Lord's tutelage and timeframe instead of my own and you bloomed and blossomed into this amazing man.

You are smart, you know this and so does anyone who has talked to you for more than 10 minutes. And sometimes you worry that is all you are, but I promise you the best bits of your are not your brain power and intellect. Wyatt, you have so many amazing attributes and not just because we share more than a few - much to your alleged chagrin (I believe you are more okay with it than you like to admit). You are kind and thoughtful, a great teacher and helper. You have so much patience but crazy high expectations for yourself and everyone around you which sometimes comes off as judgmental or unforgiving - neither of which things you are. Your warrior self has never revealed it self more than in this age and stage. You are a devoted disciple of Christ. You are engaged in living life now trying to be exactly who he needs you to be and to serve the people and the places you are called to.

Yes you are leaving for Brazil next week, but you have a life planned that includes so many righteous goals and pursuits. There are no limits to your preferences and you have a plan with big things outlined and trust that the details will sort themselves out. You have this mission, college with majors and minors - that may change, grad school, careers, etc... You have a description of your wife that you are watching for and a desire to continue to learn and to grow like no one else I have ever known. You aren't afraid of doing new, hard things and once you decide to do something you are "all in". So many parts of the gospel and your testimony have clicked into place this year. Continue to get "all in" on the rest of them. Nothing will serve you more, make you happier, help you succeed than being "all in" on things of eternal significance. I will miss you immensely my sweet Wyatt. Two years is way too long even with weekly phone calls, but I have never wanted anything more for you than I do this experience. Go serve in the Lord's army, in the youth battalion, be his warrior, and bring a whole host of others to Christ with your fiercely burning testimony of Jesus Christ and the Plan of Salvation. Remember that it isn't about the two years, but what they represent. This is the start of you choosing for yourself what you want out of life and what you are willing to forego to get the bigger, better, more important things.

I love you, I am exited for you, I am worried for you, I am eager to hear from you and you haven't even left yet. Just know that you are exactly who Heavenly Father intended you to be. Continue to fine tune and measure your progress by his promptings and no one else's not even your dad's or my opinions. Live worthy of every blessing he has planned for you which is so much more than you and I can imagine. Go conquer my little warrior. I love you, I love you, I love you!

Your best friend and grateful mother,

Mary