August 31, 2009

hey, hey, This week was great, we were blessed allot and guided by the lord in our efforts. We were expecially blessed on Sunday because the lord sent 3 visitors that just showed up and so we got there adressses and are going to visit them this week. Transfers are this next monday so im pretty sure I'll be going becasue I have been here for about 6 months so far and normally we stay in an area for about 4-6 months. The work is great, we are being so blessed in all we do. Thanks for the prayers. We had a conference with the Zone and the President last Friday and we learned a ton. One thing the lord let me know to do is--- To do everything that you dont want to do first. In other words sacrifice and it is hard but the best thing I have ever done in my entire life. I invite you all to try it and you will see powerfull results. One other thing I have learned on the mission to do/ have is Charity, the pure love of christ. This means we shouldnt Judge others, we should treat all people like children of christ and not make fun, we should help others in there problems: financial, mental, fisical, and spiritual. as we do this we will be more like our heavenly father and we will loose our pride. We need charity because without it we cant return and live with our heavenly father. It is a requirement. like it says in Ether. I know it is a true principle and it has been changing my life. have a good week and I love you all. JEsus CHrist is our savior. and HEavenly Father loves us. ELder Davis

August 24, 2009

wow!! The sand rail sounds awesome!! Sounds like you all are doing well, This week we did a good service. We strived to work with members and do our part and the lord helped us allot and guided us thoughout the week. Of course we could have done better so we will strive to do way better this week working with references. We had one cool experience where we entered in to a guys house to teach him and I soon found out that he actually doesnt live there, he is just staying to find a job and if he gets one hes going to stay. I left a small mesage thinking to leave soon so we could take better advantage of the time but the Lord inspired me and let me know to promise him that if he would go to church with us this sunday the lord would prepare a way for him to get a job. We did it and he came to church. I know the lord will prepare the job and we will prepare him further to be baptized I hope. We were blessed a ton this sunday to have allot of investigators come to church, the lord is blessing us allot and I know that if it wasnt for him nothing would happen. The church is true and Jesus Christ is our savior. Thomas S. Monson is the lords prophet. in the name of Jesus Christ amen. love you all. Elder Davis P,s. I dont know the release date. mmmk.

hey, how are you all doing? This week was great. Before I forget, I still have to return Nate Gardeners books that I borrowed about learning portuguese. Could you tell him sorry for me and that ill give them back when I return. I dont want to send them in the mail because im afraid that they wont get there and I wont be able to return them. Thanks. This week we worked like no other, we had some goals to meet and the lord provided a way to fulfill them. Last night we had about 1 hour left and we still needed to teach 1 more lesson with a member. After getting a member to do visits with us no one was accepting! we had 30 min. left to get in our house that was 20 away from where we were. We decided to put it in to faith mode and we continued looking and at 8:37 my hopes were going down but we tried one more door and the lord blessed us to be able to teach one more lesson and fulfill our goal!! (p.s. we can be out until 9:30 only if we are teaching.) I learned allot more about faith from this experience. I one heard near the beginning of my mission that the lord didnt open up the red sea until the people were in the water up to there necks! I dont know if its true but that is how faith really is. You cant just say you believe in Jesus Christ and then not do anything, you have to do everything in your power and then the lord will do his part. Like we read in Alma 32 and Ether 12. Mom and Dad, we learned about honesty in church and I reviewed my life and the lord has helped me find areas that I need to fix- I am sorry for my wrongs and hope you all can forgive me for my errors and sins. Including treating you all bad and beating you etc. Alexis, Court. and Jordan. I love you all and am thankfull for your prayers and help, they really make a difference. We had a zone meeting this last teusday and we learned a new way to work; on the first visit we find a necessity or interest and we teach a principle on that necessity or interest, we then invite them to church, we promise blessings and invite them to promise the lord that they will go to church. Those who do this we know that they are ready to heard and follow the lords voice and we can work with them. Those who do not make the promise are cut loose. People here in Espirito Santo are willing to hear the messages but are not willing to make commitmentes and so this new method of work was started to seperate the elect from the not and it permits that we use more time searching for the elect. Its really cool.I invite you all also to grow in faith through studying the scriptures diligently, studying the foot notes too because you recieve revelation through them, I invite you all to pray more sincerely and look for answers at church and really think and learn why we go there. I know the church is true and our heavely father loves us and answers our prayers, Jesus Christ's sacrifice helps us correct our errors and recognize that without Heavely father we cannot do anything. Sorry for my pride also. have a good week and I love you all. Elder Davis

August 10, 2009

hello family, This week was great!! we were blessed to have some baptizms and it was awesome. My companhion, Elder Ward is from Salem, and he doesnt know the Shulers. Sounds like the boat is a mess and the shocks sound way cool! We are currently looking for people to teach more than teaching becasue all of our investiagators have been cut becasuse they wont progress and pretty much all of the lessons we have taught this week the people arent willing to leave there false churches to follow the lord. We are teaching perfectly and the spirit of the lord is way strong but the people arent willing to follow the lord, just men. Tomorrow we will be having a zone meeting with the president and we will have to get up at 3:30 in the morning to get there on time. My comp is learning the language way fast and is already helping me teach. He is teaching at least 2 principles every lesson and the people are understanding good! One thing I have been focusing on lately is developing a better relationship with the lord. I am focusing on my prayers and my testimony is stregnthening but its difficult also becasuse when I dont obey with something or didnt do the lords will it kills me! I invite you all to develop a better relationship with the lord also through sincere prayer. Dont say a word in a prayer unless you mean it. You will find great results. The Book of Mormon is true and helps us follow the lord and helps us realize our nothingness and if we didnt read it we ours eyes would be blinded by the things of the world and the devil would have more power over us. I sent a letter home that I think you will all like. I love you all and have a good week . Elder Davis P.s. alexis-- as an answer to you blessing you should study preach my gospel because it literally has everything you need!!!!!!-----Original Message-----

August 3, 2009

Dear family, How are you all doing? This week was transfers and I got a new companion: Elder Ward from salem, Utah. Hes cool. and he just barely came into the field and is learning portugese really fast!! We are currently preparing some other people for baptizm so this last week was a hurry and this week will be also. Sounds like the boat is a mess, and the campouts sound way cool. I was reading in the book of mormon today and read in mosiah 21 which talks about king Limi and the lamanites atacking because they though limi and his people had stoled their daughters and it talks about how the people became heavy laden with huge burdens like the lord said through Abinadi. The lord helped the people becasue they humbled themselves through prayer. I know that prayer is a powerfull tool. I was thinking today and I have realized that all the difficulties and trials I have been blessed to overcome becasue of prayer. I know the lord lives and this is his chruch. Jesus CHrist is our savior. If we are humble through prayer and faith in the lord will always be there to help us ( Mosiah 29:20). Em nome de Jesus Cristo amem. love you all and have a good week Elder Davis

Oops...out of order. This one is from July 29, 2009

Dear Family, The week was good, we were blessed to baptize Gilberto this last saturday so it was the best baptizm I have everbeen a part of!!! He is seriously an elect!!! so this is pretty much all that we have done this last week was preparing him. P-day on monday is really wierd, but cool. We are helping an other investigator prepare for baptizm here in the next few weeks on the first of August- her name is Graziele so everything should go good. One thing that I am greatfull for is is trials, they are way difficult but are given to us by our heavenly Father to stregnthen us if we permit them. Thats cool that Uncle danny and Fam went over to visit. and the campout sounds really cool. Dad- you have to pretty much lift the poll and not gerk it like a regular pol because the hook is so small that it doesnt need much force. We had a cool experience I remembered now while we were teaching Gilberto for baptizm this last thursday, while we were teaching him the Holy ghos helped me remember a scripture to use while we were teaching about " respecting and obeying the laws of the country" in Dand C 58 so I was guided to read the scripture and help Gilberto prepere better for baptizm. The Holy Ghost is so important that without him we cannot teach. He is always guiding us and normally people always look for something big and difficult but the holy ghost just needs to be recognized. Like I said, he is always talking to us through our Ideas, thoughts, feelings etc. Look for him and learn how he talks to you. I know the church is true, Heavenly Father takes care of us, we just need to ask for his help through prayer. Jesus Christ is our savior and loves us also. in the name of Jesus CHrist amen. ELder Davis

Hey, HOw are you all doing? The week sounded great. This week we stived to meet our goals. This is one of the main things lately, establishing and meeting our goals. Speaking of goals Gilberto was baptized!!! I dont know if I have already told you about it but it was great. We are woking with two more people lately qualifying for baptizm so we are striving to do our best planning to meet there needs. We still have the same mission presidente, Pres. Pickett. and Tomorrow will be transfers. One thing I have learned that is really important here on the Mission is to be dilligent and faithfull. It is so crazy how easy it is to fall captive to the devil and not be ableto return to our heavenly father. Strive to learn better his commandments and obey. Becarefull with all of your word, actions and thoughts. I am greatfull for a loving Heavenly father and for a way to be forgiven of my wrongs because If it wasnt for Jesus Christ it would have been all over for me. The CHruc is true. IN the name of Jesus Christ amen. Love you all Elder Davis p.s. Hi John.

Hey, wowww!!! that picture is so cool!!! This week was great we are teaching an invesitgator who is an elect!!! Juberto. He has come to church every week since we found him at church--3 weeks. His baptism is planned for this saturday so I hope everything turns out well. Thanks for everything, sorry I dont have much time today because I was writing to the president about Juberto and stuff. P.S. could I Have presidente Roths Adress please? Love you all and seek to keep thehey again, I looked at the reference site and we have nothing so I have some more time to write. Yesterday we had the firs conference of the mission Vitoria!! We talked about allot of new changes like our P-day is being changed to monday instead of wednesday. Our weekly planning will be changed to sunday 3-5, a few mission rules have been changed and stuff. Its good that I have a bit more time to tell you these things becasue I almost forgot. After learning how to be an elect missionary we ate lunch, I ate SOOOOOO much . As I was eating the huge plate I was thinking - "How Is this fitting!!" after we watched a film, I dont remember the name in english but It was really good. I already watched it once on the mission before. The work is progressing really well, Like I noted already about the elect ( Juberto). Today we are going to teach him the 3rd lesson or the gospel of Jesus CHrist. Last time we taught him we taught the book of mormon and the work of wisdom and the law of chastity. He said that he was drinking cofee and he agreed to stop and BOOOOM! he hasnt drank it since - this is really and elect!! What we are dong here as missionaries is we are starting to dream, think, eat , teach, hear, and want Baptizm!!! we are making some serious changes and we will have allot of sucess. Have a good week and please dont forget to sent Pres. Roths adress please. Keep all the commandmente to the best of your ability please!!!!!!!!! seek to understand them more. Im greatfull for our savior Jesus christ because I know that we can be healed fisically and spiritually. This is his church and Thomas S. Monson is the lords profet helping us follow him, study teh Ensign! Love you all ELder Davis lords comandmente ELder Davis BAPTIZM!!!!!!!!!

hello, How´s things going? I cant believe that Doug is going to be in a whole different world if I can say that. Its crazy how things change allot but cool at the same time. Thats soooooo awesome that Jordan got his eagle!! good job!! This week was really good, we have been following up allot with our investigators and separating the ones that will progress from the one that wont quickly to take advantage of this small time we have here to serve. Today we had a zone meeting in our ZL´S area with our zone. Last time I said I was the Ld but I forgot to translate it to english= DL. Today starts the new mission, Mission Vitória. Some of my group from the mtc was kept in the other mission so thats a bit of a bummer to not see them again but oh well. The other day we had a really good teaching experience, we taught one of our recent investigators after lunch and we taught really simple and clear and the Holy Ghost testified the truthfullness and the investigator we saw had some tears and his mouth was open like "nooo way!!" It was so cool. actually for the rest of that day we taught perfecly and so smoothly by the spirit. I had a good experience a bit ago that I would like to share: I was realizing more and more that I needed to draw closer and rely on the lord and be more humble but I didnt know exactly how. Thanked the lord sincerely for some blessings and I felt myself draw closer to him and felt his love and realized that I am in need of his constant help. we should alway thank the lord sincerely and we will be filled with his blessings and love like it says in Moroni 8:26. I love you all and am glad for the example, strive to include the lord more in your lives and seek to understand his principles of the gospel and you will be allot happier and blessed. I am glad to know that through my savior I can correct my wrongs and continue on the path of perfection. He lives and loves us, also our father in heaven. em nome de Jesus Cristo amém. love you all Elder Davis

Fourth of July at the Sand Dunes!!!

On the 4th of July, Ben, the kids, and I went to the sand Dunes. Jordan also brought along Matt Bowen and his brother, Kelly. We enjoyed a much-needed relaxing get-away, and just before we left to go home, Jordan, Matt, and Kelly jumped the sand rail. I got some good pix.

Look mom, only four legs!

Kenzie's view of Times Square before leaving for Brazil.

Hungry for brownies?

Kenz and comps.

Cow's feet that people cook and eat. Yum, yum!

the new mission adress isRua João Batista Parra, 633 Sala 1501Enseada do SuáVitória-ES-29050-330 --- hey wow!!!! Things are going crazy!!! everyone is getting married, and tons of changes!!! even on the mish. This week was great, we are focusing our studies on preach my gospel more and the lessons with members are going good. We are currently teaching a ton of people, we have so many investigators that it is hard to take care of them all. but they are doing really well. We recently returned to teach one of our old investigators and we taught him yesterday again and he is progressing really well!!! We were going to teach him the 3rd lesson and we started to teach about faith but then he came in with a bunch of quesions to answer so we decided to get the doubts out of the way. The Devil came in for a shot at the hoop but was stuffed!! The spirit helped us use the book of mormon to answer the questions and "paulo" grew in faith in the book of mormon. It was way cool. Thats crazy that Doug is getting married!!!! mmmmmmk! Im the LD here. Sounds like a cool week, and campouts. I have recently reflected on the many blessings that we have and I feel as if im not worthy to have so many blessings!! I know that Jesus Christ lives and Heavenly Father lives also, he hears our prayers, loves us and helpes us progress through trials. This is his church and is guided by his profets: Joseph smith- Thomas S. Monson. In the name of Jesus Christ amen. Doug- thats seriously awesome. mmmmk. Have a good week, and I love you all.. ELder Davis

Hey, Jordan Alexis and courtney: Keep up the hard work and I love you all, sorry if it seems like I never write you all. I dont forget you I just usually write to everyone. Sounds like the camp was cool, Jord- are you working for uncle Dan? and hows the shed? Alex- Did you do anything hillarious at camp? Court- What have you been doing lately? love you all, Elder Davis

olá, How are you all doing? sounds like the trip to rome was cool, and the rain sounds allot like it is here in the summer. Durring the summer every other day if not every day it rains way hard and the roads flood. This week was good, so im staying in the new mission Vitoria and not being moved to the Mission Rio. I still dont have the adress yet and wont until July 1. We have been working with references this last week and this week and we are recieving some good ones. I have been studying the Second lesson allot this last week and this week and I am realizing more and more about the reality of how we are Gods children and the importance of being obedient to all of his Gospel principles and how easily the devil blinds us with t.v., music etc. I am glad that I have been born into the true Gospel of Jesus CHrist and have been taught by a righteous family, usually we take this for granted but it is a serious blessing. But it is also good to remember that we are free to choose so we dont have to do whats wrong if we dont want to. It just requires abit more thinking before the doing. Jord, what did you do when you worked with Bro. Casto? Alex, A bit. Court, that was allot of faces!!!I dont know if you have the principles of the Gospel book with you but it would be an important thing for you all to study. I study it almost everyday and it helps aton and I learned things that help me want to do whats right. Our investigators are good, we have been striving to take them to church lately. We are teaching allot of people but we havent found allot this week, The lord will help us, We just need to keep working diligently. Have a good week, and a good attitude, Love you all and Jesus Christ lives and Heavely father is guiding us by his profet and answers our prayers. The CHurch is true. em nome de Jesus Cristo amem. Elder Davis

hey, hows it going? yesterday we had conference with the presidente so we got up early and headed out about 5 in the morning and had a cool conference. We learned about working with the members allot so this is our new focus, working with the members to get references and teach with them etc. I got a package from uncle Josh and fam. that is full of candy and stuff. Ill send him a letter here soon. Im the DL. We were blessed to have an investigator come to church this last week which was cool and good. She is progressing good and even has a few friends in the church so it will turn out perfect. We are following up with the investigators allot so instead of just a few progressing, lots are progressing now. Its harder work but its whats got to be done. We are also using our heads more, thinking better and being more efficient and the lord is blessing us allot with people to teach. We returned to teach one person to teach that we found the other day and he and his wife didnt pay that much of attention, I noticed that he was cleaning his yard when we arived so after teaching I went out and cleaded out all the rest of the weeds in the yard. I now that when we return to teach on thursday they will be more willing to hear because we showed the lords love through service. Since I havent done hard work like that for a while my hands were all torn up and from an other service project my hands were bleeding from the blisters. ggrrrrrr. I lost the calices. I am sending a letter in the mail here today to you all so it will be good. Have a good week and keep doing whats right. I love you all Elder Davis p.s. Alex, Jord, Court- dont follow or do what the other girls and guys are doing that are bad!! and stay away from those situations please. --Mom-- ex of virtue: alma 39 , where alma is talking to his son about chastity. also the last chapter in proverbs. the story of pottifers wife, mos4:30 and the fact that if you want to live a celestial life you have to live a celestial law. here are some...

hey, How is everybody doing? im still great, WOW, we are finding allot of new investigators this week!!!! Its way cool because we are teaching more than ever!!! Thanks for the emails, they were good. Today me and my comp. got up and cleaned the house early so we could do other stuff today for p-day. Durring Monday we headed out to have a district meeting and so me and my comp. got up early and left, we got there about 2 hours later in the area of Colatina. After the meeting, we headed out with just enough time to get the bus but the Miss. in Colatina called and said that I had left my planner at their house so we had to go back and we missed the bus and our day was left a bit scrambled because of that but it was good. Like I was saying we have been finding tons of new investigators to teach!! I have been really striving to obtain knowledge of the Gospel principles and marking my scriptures and I have noticed that when I do this the spirit is able to guide me better to help others. It is so cool to teach other people!! sometimes it is difficult but it is really a good feeling that I cant describe. We have been making allot of street contacts lately and trying to visit the people, and when they arent home we knock the doors to the sides and the lord always blesses us to find new people when we do this. I know the lord is helping us because we are trying to be more obedient and resolve the difficulties of others and trying to do this. Yes, I want spaghetti courtney and Im going to eat it for lunch today. Your guys week sounds good and full, how is Doug doing? Unfortunately I dont know the adress yet so I think we will get it here in the next week because this next week we have a Conference with the President in Vitoria. Here is a good scripture for you guys and a question to answer after the scripture - Jacob 7:7-12 and why are the scriptures important to study and how do they help with testimonies. Thanks allot for everything, Keep up the good work Jrdan, Alex and Court. Mom and Dad. I love you all and have a good week. The CHurch is true and Jesus CHrist lives and through obedience to the gospel we can be happy together in families forever. and Heavenly Father answers prayers!!!! In the name of Jesus CHrist amen. Elder Davis P.S. here is a good scripture that I read today. 2N 8:7-12. = dont fear men, but trust in god and obey him. And thanks for the adress mom.

hey,hey, How are you all doing? Im great, and sounds like tons of changes are happening which is cool and exciting. This week was the week of serious blessings!!! wow, I dont know where to start. Ill start with today, this morning I got up and studied and I asked the lord for help to realize the reality of this life and to focus on the work more. As I studied the spirit prompted me to read the foot note in 2 nefi which is in D and C section 138 which talks about how Jesus Christ went to the spirit world, called and organized missionaries there and sent them to teach in prison. while I studied my understanding opened to the reality of this life and how we need to focus on the things of the lord and not ourselves. I also remembered how I studied another thing the other day and I realized the importance of this work, so important that Jesus Christ did it after his death and before his resurection. We need to focus on doing things that help others progress even if it means and it does mean that our needs wont be met because this is the best way to meet our needs. Please give references to the missionaries and help those around you. but, thats one cool thing that I learned today already. Sounds like the week was good. Me nad my comp. are working hard to work as one and find new investigators. Have a good week and I LOve you all. ELder Davisp.s. sorry fam. for beating and teasing and doing what I shouldnt have before the MIsh. JOrd- good work. mmmmk Mom, could I have Dianas adress please and love You, Dad- WIll DO and INfo programed. thanks Alex- :) Court- MiSs YoU MmMk. Have a good week

hey, Alright, so the refference site is down so I have a little bit more time to talk. So it was cool hearing from everyone, sounds like the problem with work is affecting allot of people. The sandrail broke down again? wow, do they have a bigger reverse gear or something? This week was great, we started recieving the lords blessings working hard to find new investigators and they are comming fast. I have really learned the principle of asking in faith for something and then doing all that you can to make that goal or thing happen and the lord helps you achieve it. I have no doubts that the lord can do anything when we do our part. I have been studying about faith these las few days and I have learned allot of new stuff, we practice the principle of faith daily- for example: do you think we would work so hard all day if we didnt expect to recieve something, do you think we would plant if we didnt have the hope of harvesting? No!! we just need to focus our faith on our savior Jesus CHrist. LOve you all, my time is up. Elder Davis

Hello.. I wrote a huge cool letter but the internet ripped me off and so I now have little time. It was awesome talking to you all and I love you all. stregnthen your faith through scripture study, hearing the word of god, prayer, putting stuff into practice and the lord will help you all in everything to stregnthen you all. I know that Jesus Christ lives.. Love you all, and I got the email mom. Elder Davis p.s.- the mission house will move in a few days so dont send any thing there until I get the new adress. P.s.s- could I please get Andy and Diana's adresse to write please? thanks.

hey,whoooooooooooooooooooooh!!! The week sounded s.w.eet! The sand rail sounds way cool and the date too. Guess what!!! this sunday is dias das maes! so please call at 6-o- clock (my time) here is the number: (27)3256-3671 and I called the pres. and he said the number code for brazil and the area code here and the chaple number is-- 01155-(27)3256-3671 so I think that is all the info. but this will be cool!! This week was good, we had transfers again and I got a new comp. Elder Karras from Ogden, and he is cool. he has about 6 months on the mish. The other day was way funny, we were heading up a drive way to eat lunch at the members house and usually we have to watch out for the dog that bites, when two huge white geese came out and came to attack! I had a broom stick to deffend and my comp. had an umbrella. As we passed by deffending one came at me to atack and I tried to block the attack but missed and it almost got me but I used a sweeping action that hit it in the neck and hit it right to my comp. so when I yelled "Look OUT!" my comp. turned around not paying much atention and had the daylights scared out of him. And his spartain instincs came in and he gouged the goose in the chest which hit it back and it ran off. I Laughed so hard you dont even know!!! they also tried to atack the owner and I made a film on my camera which is hillarious. The work is going good, we are having a bit of trouble finding new investigators but we have started to work really hard with the members so I know if we give it our all we will be blesses by the lord. One thing that is interesting is the people are really like children in their knowlege, im not bragging that i know allot because I dont, but when you teach the people you have to teach like you are teaching a 3 year old or they loose interest really fast. I love teaching people, it is one of the best things in the world to help someone else have the chance to recieve the truth, but also sad when they dont accept. AAAAHHHHH! if I could stay on the mish. for the rest of my life I would. The other day I was planning our day out while my comp. backed up to leave ( before the transfer) and I asked the lord to know where we needed to go because I was having trouble planning and the lord put the thought of the area where we needed to go into my head and I felt that it was right. I know the lord answers all sincere prayers so pray sincerely and I promise you will be happy and be guided by the lord if you open your heart to the lord. Dad, one suggestion is having him study about the importance of the Savior. To more completely understand this he needs to study the fall of adam and eve then the atonement etc. I did this not a while back and my life has changed realizing the need for the savior, expecially the reality of this life. Its not a play toy but a real test. If he does this I know he will have more Hope in the work and keep strong in the faith in who we need to- Jesus Christ. I know that Jesus Christ lives, through him and our hevenly caring father we can correct our errors and return to our father with our families. The Book Of Mormon is true as well as the profets- Thomas S. Monson and Joseph Smith. This is our Heavenly Father's church on the earth to guide us to return to him in the name of Jesus Christ amen. Elder Davis

Hey, Hows it going? Thanks allot for the package, it is way good. This week was already packed, we had to get up at 5:30 Monday morning and I had to head to Rio with my group to renew our visas. We slept at the assistants house ( we slept on the floor) that night and on Teusday we went to the air port to do the stuff. Later we came back and ate a ton of pizza at Dominos pizza so it was cool. While we waited util night to get the bus home me and one of my buddies went out to work to take advantage of the time so we decided to see how many people we could talk to in 2 hours. In 3 hours we talked to 103 people, taught 2-3 lessons, and 1 less active. so we "opened up the can".and I pretty much almost lost my voice so it was also cool. The sand rail sounds awesome, and thats way cool that Dylan's mom is going to church. Is she participating in the classes and stuff too? I didnt get an email from mom, just to let you all know so you dont worry why I didnt answer. On the 10th is mother's day so I will let you all know what hour to call and stuff next week. but the phone number for the chapel we will be at is (027)- 3256-3671. We are currently teaching a cool guy, (Paulo) who is absorbing the lessons. love teaching people because is is cool!!! I dont know how to expain why or how is is cool but the spirit makes you feel way good and its addicting to stuy new principles and the scriptures applying them in your life and also being able to teach others to help them change too. One funny thing that happened this week was we were heading up to a members house to eat lunch last sunday and the members have those huge geese. We were walking and while my comp. wasnt looking the goose went for my comp. to bite him and when I said " look out!" my comp. turned around and almost touched the sun becasue he jumped so high from scaring him. Dang geese they are worse than the dogs here. have a good week and I love you all, I know the Book Of Mormon is true, and Jesus Christ lives. our baptisms are valid to god as long as we keep to the faith. In the name of Jesus Christ amen. Remember to keep your cup full. Elder Davis p.s. I love you mom, yes, this is why I will call home to talk to you. if its alright with you maybe doug could come hear how much I love you. mmmmk. please.

April 22, 1009

nnnnnoooooooooooooooooo?????? dougalognie is going to get married? What? mmmmmk, Jord- I know, Holy Holy HOly Holy c. But, besides the crazy stuff, me and Elder Lish are doing good. This week I tried some new foods like eggplant and chu-chu. The teaching is getting way good!!! we returned to an investigator taught a while ago and he is way interested and we taught him the first, and second lesson these last few days and he understood really well. We also have kicked it up a knotch and made better goals and are really working hard to fulfill them. I am way adicted to studying the scriptures and principles of the gospel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! the things I study are crucial!!. Because almost everything I study, and it doesnt matter what or when, but I always use that thing I studied in teaching etc. so its cool. Afew days ago we taught a lady and her husband who is alittle crazy and lost one of his fingers, and they have billions of birds!!!!! one bird they have is cool because it likes to be petted on the head, and when you leave it gets alittle upset and stomps its feet on the ground so you come back. The lady we taught is part of the adventista church,- "mother of abominations" and we taught the second lesson which was alittle hard for her and her husband to understand but we were able to clear up the difficulties teaching slowly and clearly, resolving doubts. And at the end she accepted the invitation to pray and ask it its true. IN my last area I thought about -"why do people not understand these things we teach when they are so clear and simple that you are pretty much beating them in the face and they dont feel it?" and while I was studying the scriptures the lord answered my question in 1N 32:7. I think the time zone is the same here but I dont know, maybe abit different. My area is in Aracruz, Espirito Santo so maybe you can look it up on the internet to see the time zone or something. I learned something really interesting in church this last sunday; That when you ask the lord for patience or something he usually just doesnt give it to you. But he will give you the opportunity to learn it through a trial or something and if you ask for his help and study and do your part he will help you find the solution. I remember a time when I asked the lord to learn what he wanted me to learn (this was before I learned ths principle) and I passed a really really hard time with trials, but I know they were for my good and an answer to my prayers and stregnthened me. If it were not for the trials in our lives we wouldnt be strong enough to resist the damage done by the devil. The Book Of MOrmon, sincere prayer, and going to church are the strength givers from the lord. I know that Jesus Christ lives and through him we are forgiven, and the Lord loves us. Thomas S. monson in the prophet called of the lord that lives today. EM nome de Jesus Cristo amem. Have a good week and Ill be talking to you all again in a few weeks. Love you all and thanks for the help and emails. Elder Davis

April 17, 2009

hey, Today I was part of an emergency transfer. Yesterday morning I got up and was about to do my exercises adn the phone rang- the LZ said that I was being transfered to Aerocruz in Espirito Santo. I had to get all my stuff ready and leave for Rio at 3 o clock, I got there about 6 and met up with some other Missionaries going there, and we got the bus at 10:30 and I got here in my new area about 2 hours ago!! I have never been on the bus for so long!! My new comp. is Elder LIsh from Treemonton, Utah. I already know him becasue he was with us in Campos.( one of my old areas) Easter was good, we did a fast and the lord gave us huge blessings. We were blessed to run into one of our old invesitgator and she came to church and the lord helped her realize that the church is true, and one of our other investigators came and found out this also again and was pretty much begging to be baptized. so the lord helped us a ton!!! The people here celebrated by leaving town, Drinking beer, or selling and eating tons of chocolate!! The statue of Christ and sugar loaf are in my area, I pass by them almost every month or so. The missionaries probably dont know me becasue they are probably new. I have been focusing allot lately on marking and fulfilling my goals and the lord is teaching me more diligence. And I am still adicted to studying the principles and striptures. Remember who you are and why we are here, we have to be obedient with exactness. Jesus Christ lives, Hevenly Father answere prayers and the BOM/church is true. have a good week and work hard and do whats right. love you all Elder Davis Invitation: pray sincerely, using only words that you mean. and study to know who Jesus Christ is more. I promise you will feel the love of the lord, have help in your life and stregnthen your faith to overcome problems.

April 8, 2009

hey, hHws it going? so yesterday was interesting- you know how there are allot of stray dogs here? well one day ( about 2 weeks ago) I called the dog and it for some reason likes me and started to follow us all day. Another day it found me again adn followed us again, and yesterday it found me and followed us all over. The bad thing is that it thinks It has to protect us so when ever a motorcyle drives by or a car it gets really mad and runs out to bite the tires. It does it everytime then follows us so people think its ours. Yesterday it ran out and went for a tire of a motorcycle and the two people on the bike got really scared and we were thinking people are going to get mad at us because of the dog becasue it almost bit the lady on the back, someone will sue us or something so we decided to ditch the dog. First as the dog was walking in front of us we jumped into a store and hid but it returned and found us, then we took a sharp corner and hid but it found us. Grrr. It followed us into stores before and so later when it chased off another dog we took the opportunity adn ran. We ran down the block and lost the dog so that was good. At least until the next time it finds us. This week was reall good, it rained allot this week. We are trying to find the people who are ready to hear the gospel. Lately we are finding allot of people who say the Book OF Mormon is a lie and to stop teaching about it, but little do they know!!! I know soon we will find someone who is prepared by the lord. Conference was awesome!!!!!! when Pres. Monson talked it was way good the first session on Sunday, and when the choir sang "we thank the o god for a prophet" the Holy Ghost renewed my testimony that Pres. Monson is Gods prophet. And I liked learning how faith and doubt cant exixt at the same time in you so throw away the doubt through filling yourself with spiritual experiences so there is no room for doubt. I figured faith is like a cup in the sun- if you leave it, it will evaporate. But if you want to keep it full you have to keep putting water in it like how we have to keep filling ourselves with spiritual experiences- reading the BOM, seeking revelation etc. I went to the dentist and he said he cant do the retainer, the only way to realign my teeth he said is with braces again. But dont worry, my teeth are not bad and are good. Easter is celebrated here too. One other thing I have been thinking about lately is our Savior, I am gratefull for him becasue of the many times I make mistakes and I ask for forgiveness and I feel the heavy load taken off me and I feel happy again. I know that Jesus Christ lives and his sacrifice is reall and eternal. Heavenly Father hears and answer every sincere prayer and Thomas S. Monson is Gods prophet on the earth to guide us. IN the name of JESUS CHRIST amen. dad/mom- I like the theory. and thanks for the being the best examples ever. and thanks for everything. mmmmk. Jord- lucky!!! and keep up the good work, thanks for being the best Bro. Alex/court- love you.-thanks for being the best sistas! Love you all and have a good week Elder Davis

April 1, 2009 letter from Kenz

hello, This week was good, we had allot of blessings from the lord. Good news from everybody- I asked the president and he said I cannot write Dylan and Jason throught the Internet. the sandrail sounds cool, and thats cool Jord that your finishing the BOM. Alex and Court- ballet?-eh. and what do you like to do Courtney durring the day? I went to the dentist to get my teeth looked at so we could to the retainer but we had to remark a day to come back becasue some equip. broke but I was thinking- do I really need a retainer? my teeth seem great to me and I dont want to waste money and the lords time too, what do you think I should do about the retainer? the appt. is this Friday so if you could let me know or something before. this week we are working on the little things, not saying negative things, being on time to all our stuff, and things like that because the president invited us to work on things like this, and its going good with the lords help. one cool thing that happened today was I was looking for my planner so I could get some adresses and I couldnt find it, I looked through my stuff about three times and I decided to say a prayer. After I just went straight to a drawer and was guided to look under some papers and it was there. I say this becasue it proves that God exists and he is always there for us. It is way easy to forget about the lord adn think about the worldly things and brush away what is important, I dont know why we have the natural tendency to doubt about the things concerning the lord- maybee its so we can be humble and be stregnthened in him but to do this it means we have to study the scriptures every day and pray etc. You hear in the scriptures of great stories of faith and wonder, why dont I have faith like that? but the lord has a purpose for everything and maybe we just need to look for that gift of the H.G. (faith) but through scripture study is where i have found the fountain of the "faith-stregnthener". I read about Nefi the other day in 1N7 and how Nefi prays to loose the cords and he had such faith the lord loosed them. We can have faith like this if we are diligent through our prayers and scripture study. I know this because I am seeing this in my life. thats cool, I pretty much just gave a talk. but we are doing good, currently looking for the elect to teach. Jesus Christ lives and H.F. answers sincere prayers. and the BOM is true. em nome de Jesus Cristo amem. Have a good week and love you all, Elder Davis

olá, Sounds like the week was good, this week was great. I went to the dentist and he took out the bar and my teeth straightened up allot. I had to get that mold done again and xrays. But I will be going back to get the retainer thing done. The other day was cuuuuoooolll. We were teaching one of our investigations - Cosme, and he read the bom and recieved an answer and since then everytime we have taught him the spirit is way strong. He even is begging to be baptized and follow the lord but he has to clear up some marriage issues. his "wife" or partner (becasue they aren't married) said to us the other day that she wasnt baptized correctly and by the authority of god And she was able to realize this because the holy ghost told her. They are addicted to the bom and are gulping it down so its like I have to mark 6 chapters so it fills in the space when we arent there becasue they read like 8 chpts. and re read it again. wow!! I never found people moved by the lord like this in my life. Sounds like a funny sight with the blond hair and braces incedent. My teeth feel wierd too in the back where the bar was. I remember a dedication we watched here and when we waved the white hankerchiff mine hit my comps and threw his across the bench. Ha ha. I liked it. Jord- I did that once with James and it was cool. The other day a member gave us a huge cake so its a cool area that im in. I would like to email Jason but I have to ask the president becasue I dont want to work around the rules and cheat. so Ill ask the pres. first. so i finished studying Mathew in the bible and started Mark. I also started the Book Of Mormon again. My comps name is Elder Campos and hes cool -still the same comp. Have a good week and always read the BOM.!! Im glad i know the truth now and im glad for having an awesome family also. I know that Hevenly Fathers promises are always fulfilled and answers sincere prayers -always! Jesus Christ lives and is the foundation of our faith. without faith we cant be helped in our life and strugglings. Em ome de Jesus Cristo amém. soon Ill be able to talk to you guys again on mothers day. mmmmk -so pray sincerely por favor. Elder Davis message for courtney----tttttttttttttttttttttttttttttcccccccccccccccccccccchhhhhhhhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaauuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu cccccccccccccccccooooooooooouuuuuuuuuuuuuurrrrrrrrrrrrrrtttttttttttnnnnnnnnnneeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk! mmmmmmmmmmmmiiiiiiiiiiiiiiissssssssssssssssssss yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyoooooooooooooooooouuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu tttttttttttttttoooooooooooooooooooo.

Last week's letter (I forgot to post)

Hey, Hows it going? This week was good, we are teaching allot more lessons too. My comps. name is Elder Campos, he is cool. And we are in Macaé- Rio de Janeiro. We are about 2 or 3 hours north of the center of the City. Today i finished the Book Of Mormon and i am currently studying the New Testement. I will start the Docrorine & Covenants here soon, becasue i started to wake up earlier to study so its cool. Sounds like the week is going good, Jord- how was basketball and hows Doug? My teeth are alittle better, they were way bent but somehow -power of god- they are alittle straighter. I talked to the dentist the other day and he suggested that he remove the bar to see if the teeth will straighten themselves up but he said that i need to get new braces to fix them completely. I marked another appointment on the 20th so email the pres. or something so i can know what you want me to do, he plans to remove the bar. The other day was cooler than ever!!! we were visiting an investigator that is preparing to be baptized this saturday and we sung a hymn then read and studied about Jesus Christ then we read chpt 17 of 3Nefi and the spirit blasted the room to utter destruction!!!!!!!!! until the point that Antonio, the Investigator, said himself that the Book Of Mormon is true. What else is cool is that since we have been putting more effort into teaching more lessons, we are also making more contacts on the road in between the lessons. We have to make a certaint number of contacts each week and I thought it would Have slowed the contacts down but it is increasing the number so the lord is preparing the way. cool. The sand rail sounds good, and we already passed the time switching situation- yes we have time savings, one time we didnt know and we were late to church because of it. mmmk. HAAAAAPPPPPYYYY Double b-day, Jordan.Have a good week and I know the Book Of Mormon is true, because of the guidence it brings in my life and becasue the lord said so also. the church is true and Thomas S. Monson is a true prophet of the lord today so we can follow the lord. in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.-- hey, one cool thing i learned the other day about the Book Of Mormon is that it is the corner stone of the truth, so if we dont make the BOM apart of our lives then we wont be able to keep our testimonies. so read it every day. and congrats for uncle dan--YES!! Elder Davis

Kenzie's letter from March 18, 2009

What, that was like the coolest emails i have ever gotten!!! So Dougalognie is dating? be carefull. that was cool to hear from him again. That is soooooo awesome that dan got married. I recieved his open house invataion from his wifes side. I dont think i have ever been so proud of dan. Mmmmk. Not that im old or anything but its cool. Cool marrage story too. Jordan--- YEEEESSSS!! I want to buy like a truck or something becasue you got your eagle and are almost done with the bom!! I finished the other day and how the lord responded to me was different, I thought i would get a similar experience as last time but it was different. While i finished studying moroni 10 I felt way good, and then after finishing I thought like moroni says about the kindness of god since the beginning and then I asked if the bom was true... I didnt feel anything big, nothing shook me but i felt more peace and calmness than i have felt on the mission. I just understood that its true and felt good. So you just have to pay attention to the spirit becasue he talks to us in different ways. seems like everytime i ask to know if the bom is true or something i get a different response everytime. If you ask wanting to know the lord will let you know. So I dont get that much baptizms but i know if i do my part then the lord will do his. Even if it takes time. Yesterday we had a mission tour with Pres. Didier- It was sooo coool.the spirit was way strong and his wifes mother came too and bore her testimony- she only speaks french. So it was cool. After we had lunch at a restarant and nobody was sitting by pres. Didier and his wife etc. so i though- its not everyday that you can eat with a 70. So i sat by them and ate too. I always thought that he was german but they speak french for their native lang. and they are from some place that starts with a B. Pres. Didier speaks a ton of lang.!! Wow. Thats awesome that Dougs back, if he stops by again he can just stay in my old room if he wants. JK. Have a good week, I really Know and am converted not just convinced that Jesus Christ is our savior and through him we are forgiven of our sins, and if we follow his gospel we will be able to return to our Hevenly Father again. Em nome de Jesus Cristo amem. Elder Davis

Kenzie's e-mail from Feb. 25, 2009

hey, hows thing going? if i was at that conference and heard that talk i would have have headed to the bathroom. i laughed just now. this week was good, awesome!!! we are in an area where the members are down our throughts trying to visit our investigators and stuff. we taught 8 lessons in one day that we did splits. yesterday was cool, the spirit was with us durring the whole day so we were happy and we taught a person that was incredible!! we taught the first lesson and the spirit was so strong that i couldnt stop smiling through the lesson and the person really opened up and told us her difficulties so we could help, she has problems with her family being together- her kids use drugs so they are rebelling. as we taught the spirit testified to her that her family would be helped through the truth. and she will go to church sunday. she was so touched that she read a section of salms (a big one) to us that she liked. it was way good. later we were invited to have a family home evening with a less active and our new missionary leader in the ward. we watched a film on the resoration and it was good becasue it brought good feelings to the less active. this week was carnaval, so we had to return home every day at 7 o clock and we studied from 7-8 and comp study 8-9 then we planned. we had to wake up and work at 8 in the morning too. it was a huge mess every where with huge parties nad lots of beer and stuff so its good we avoided it all returning home early. they had some wierd contests in the evening too where they made some bulls out of bamboo and put cloth over it and painted them adn stuff and then one guy went in and made the bull dance while others played drums so it was interesting. it was a contest to see who made the better bull and stuff. im in moroni 7 now!! yes. i wish i could eat and drink knowledge so i could get it faster. i started to wake up earlier too adn read the bible( new testement) i need to know these things becasue the people interperet the bible wrong. today while i was waiting for a bus i made a contact with a guy and he tried to teach me lies to we corrected him and it was pretty funny. he started to get alittle mad and nervous and tried to tell a bunch of boloughnie. but was knocked down by the power of the lord. but.... have a good week and keep reading the book of mormon --- jord.-- i love you all Elder Davis

Last Week's Second Letter

wooooooooooooooooow, hows things going? happy birthday courtney. my comps name is E. Rezende, from uberaba, minas gerais. ( the best of brazil- its what my comp said right now) im still in the same area; caju, campos. so dougalonie will be visiting hmmmm, hey douuuuug!! can you get him the mesage please and tell him to keep writing. sounds like the week was different, my week was different too. we are talking to almost everyone on the road. our pres. is telling us to talk more and profess the gospel. we are having alittle trouble finding people that are willing to go to church and pray so we are on a shortage right now besides 1 family that we are teaching. the other day was good teaching them, we taught the first lesson and marked dates with them for bapt. the husband drinks and smokes and wont go to church so hes alittle difficult, creuza, the wife went to church 2 times already and likes it. but still hasnt prayed to know if Joseph smith was a prophet. but we are trying to take a member there to help, the spirit is guiding us allot too. yesterday was interesting becasue we were walking down the road and made a contact with a guy, and he said he was a prophet and after listening to him we helped him know that he isnt a prophet and a few other things and he exploded adn got really really mad at us. and later durring the night while we were planning for the next day our room became infested with flying ants so we left the room but they still kept entering in, and they bite too and it swells up when they bite. so we spent a while killing ants. and they are not small,... huge! on the 13 of march pres. didier of the 70 is coming to talk to us so it will be good. today we went and had a barbeque and i cooked allot of meat. sausage and steak so it was good. and i read 2 more chapters in the bom. now im in ether 8. almost done!!! happy valentines day and i love you all. stay strong with the basic things, going to church, reading the bom, praying etc. have a good week. Elder Davis

Last Week's First Letter

so ivé got alittle more time to talk becasue the reference site says -- nobody-- so, are people still eating ice cream and playing games and stuff? you know one thing that im alittle nervous about when i get back, is returning to the world because ill loose alittle bit of focus on the things of the lord. hows the cool car? is dan married yet? the other day i was studying and i found some interesting stuff- that peter, james, and john when they went to the mount of tansf. they saw the transfiguration of the world. so i thought that was interesting. you know what will be cool? is when i get to study D&C, and overload the mind with knowledge. you cant be saved in ignorace so load up. times up but have a good week -- heres a challenge.. i want all of you to ask the lord if the book of mormon is true again, so youll need to read a chapt, think about it then ask if the bom is true. because you have to fight to keep a testimony. you cant just recieve a response 1 time and thats it. thanks Elder Davis

hey, hows the week. IM IN A NEW AREA! today, at 2:40 we got up and me and on of the other mishionaries -elder burris, left and headed to rio. i am now in a new area, do you remember the times when i said we had a conference in macaé, well now im serving in macaé. the name of my area is areoporto. its cooooool! our house is like a rich guys house, i have my own bathroom, a good bed, huge kitchen and its the coolest area and house ever!!!! but, things are going good. thats cool that dan will be married! thanks for the letters and the emails. happy birthday courtney!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! my comps name is elder campos. he has 1 transfer on the mish. ( 1 month and 2 weeks) hes pretty cool, hes a brazilian. one cool thing that happened the other day in my old area was we were walking down the street to return some pots we borrowed from a member and lately i have been asking for opportunities to serve and i felt i should pray while i was walking so i did and it slowed me down a little bit and because it slowed me down i realized a guy was having a hard time walking. we went over and helped him becasue he broke his foot and was returning from the hospital but it was killing him, so we carried him to the bus stop and helped him on. it was a good experience that shows the lord answeres prayers, and shows how good it feels to help others. he was way greatfull. in my old area we were having a bit of trouble finding people who would go to church, wow it was hard. but we kept at it and prayed and fasted, the lord helped us find a few less active members and a few new investigators and on sunday we left really early and went to the end of our area and woke them up by clapping or calling them by phone adn we were blessed with a answer to our prayers and fasts by having the less active members and new invest. come to church!!!!!!! it was great and i new they felt the spirit. so sounds like things are going good, im in moroni 5 now, almost done and ill start doctorine and covenants. i was thinking the other day about stuff and thought about how the enemy blinds us without even trying, if we dont read the book of mormon, go to church and say our prayers we will forget him and get lost in the world. so do the basic things every daY!!!!!!!! i know the bom is true and Jesus Christ lives. god hears and answeres every sincere prayer. in the name of Jesus Christ amen. Have a good week and i love you all, remember to please recieve a renewed testimony of the bom. thanks for the emails dad. ill keep fighting. Elder Davis

Feb. 4, 2009

hey, hows it going? this last week was good, we talked to about a billion people on the streets. we are talking to more people now, yesterday we had a conference with the president and learned we need to talk more and open our mouths and proclaim the gospel. so we are making allot more contacts with people. sounds like the cold is what is nice... and sounds like some interesting stuff is going on. im in mormon chtp 9 now. and soon i should be starting to study doctorine and covenants soon. yes!! ill be loaded with knowledge. the camp out situation sounds anoying, send the letter and put my name on it too. and have fun with the sweethearts dance... lucky, i never really got asked like that. but be carefull. how was the trip to chicago? is there allot of black people there? there are allot here, ive got nothing against blacks. its just a question. because now im used to only seeing dark people. but they are way nice and funny too. have a good week, leard how to type and shop away alexis. jk. i know the lord loves us and if we follow the profet we will be protected against anything. becasue its a promise. the book of mormon is true and the church also. the only church established by Jesus Christ that will take us back to our heavenly father in happyness. Elder Davis

January 28, 2008

hey, tudo bom? today was really different. the president let us watch another movie- called -facing the giants-, about a football team and how they trust in the lord and when you work, never give up, even when it hurts. it gave me allot more desire to work and never quit. after we went to an old folks home and visited some old crazy people and one was hitting a chair because she was hungry so it was pretty funny. sounds like good weather, im dying of heat!!!! when i get back ill just lay in the snow. has there been any new campouts or stuff? sounds like stuff is normal, thats awesome that dan and landon will get married. you know one thing that i have learned these last couple of weeks, that life is hard but you cant quit. you cant wait for something to happen or for others to do something, you have to do it yourself. like dad was talking about. every day seems like a fight and you just want to give up, but you cant- you have to fight the good fight like king benjamin. so i have been here for 6 months - almost- in this area. i should be transfered in a few weeks. this next teusday we have a conference in macaé again. so i heard doug finished his mish or somthing like that. i havent heard from him in a while so i guess he finished. hows the cool new powerfull car? i have almost finished the book of mormon in portugues, im in mormon now. im pretty much addicted to studying now, i want to know everything but i only have a few hours to study each day. it would be cool to study for an entire day. how is jordan and the rest of you doing in reading the scriptures? thanks for the letters, they are good to read. no they are not annoying. everyonce in a while you feel overwhelmed with all the stuff so the letters calm you down. have a good week and never stop fighting, the scriptures and stuff have really opened my eyes about the real world around us and our part on earth. i know Jesus Christ lives and is our savior and he will help us in our problems. and our hevenly father also. this is my testimony. in the name of Jesus Christ amen. have a good week. and if you get the chance tell uncle dan hi and congrats, and uncle josh- hes going down. and uncle scott- thanks for being cool. love you all, Elder Davis---mmmmk- jordan-mmmk

cool pictures, sounds like the trip was good. so this week was good, we had a zone meeting the other day and we had some good news- we used to have to get atleast 70 adresses from the people (written down) every week and it kindof restricted looking for people who really want the message because you usually focused on the number at the end of the week but now they took the rule away so now we can focus on the people who really want to hear!! yess!! there are billions and billions of mosquitos here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and billions of cockroaches also. so usually i sleep with the sweater and pajama pants and sweat all night- but is better that getting the disease -dengue- and scratching all day. im way sick of mosquitos you dont even know. the cockroaches usually stay away when you clean the house but they still come in. there big. and even after smashing them they move for another day. the work is going on slow here, being that almost the whole town went away to the beach so the town is uninhabbited. but we found a guy yesterday that is real good. its a constant search for those willing to go to church and stuff and usually they dont. but have a good week and i love you all. jordan looks pretty different in the pics. Elder Davis i know that Jesus Christ lives, the book of mormon is the word of god to guide us and pres. thomas s. monson is a true prophet of god...em nome de Jesus Cristo amem.

The kids are learning to twirl the fire knife...sans fire, but they did have the important background drums!

This is Jordan and Alexis shaking their "thangs" at the luau. Courtney also was chosen to dance, earlier.

This is the beautiful background for our luau on Wednesday night. It doesn't even look real...but it is!

We were looking for whales, but found this...(whales, too).

The rainbows were magnificent!

Courtney created this turtle by herself!

At Pearl Harbor...Alexis with the Arizona Memorial in the background.

Courtney's favorite flower (before we even went to Hawaii)...the Bird of Paradise.

Us in front of the Laie, Hawaii Temple!

hey, hows it going? me and my new comp are doing good, you know frankenstien? hes almost exactly the same----seriously. the same size, square face, moves nothing but the mouth so its pretty funny. this week went by really fast. sounds like hawaii was pretty cool, i got my desires for getting coconuts done with. there are billions of coconuts everywhere on the ground so we usually just kick them around. how was snorkeling? and jordan did the hula dance? no i cant recieve emails from other people, so bro mckissick cant email me. have you had any campouts yet? (dad and jord.) what is bro casto doing now that hes out? the car sound cool that you got dad. and thanks for the tips, dont worry about preaching because they are things that help me durring the week that i remember and they arent anoying. we do contacts everywhere. we have to get atleast 70 adresses per week so we talk to the majority of the people on the roads as we go to our appointments. the work is going good here, right now we are loaded with references. so this week we are just focusing of references mostly. we have been finding new people and marking bapt. dates so i hope they will fall through. it is getting really hot here also!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! wow!!!!! you just sweat all day. and you have to ask for water every half and hour because it goes away that fast. and you cant stay in the sun all day becasue your brain gets fried. yesterday was a cool day, me and my comp were thinking of how exactly our hevenly father talks to us and we found some interesting things--- when you ask to know if some thing is true( a specific question) you usually get a response through feelings- happyness, peace, burning in the heart, etc. and when you ask the lord for a response ( not specific) you usually get a thoughts as a response, thoughts of what you should do/teach etc. that are reassured through good feelings. so its pretty cool. but have a good week and try to ask the lord for some stuff and recieve revelation and you will be guided more. jord- im in 3n18 now in the book of mormon so ill finish here soon, where are you? Elder Davis

hey, hows it going?everything is going good here, hows it in hawaii?today was transfers again and i got a new companion elder rezende. hes brazilian from minas gerais. my old comp went to espirito santo. so last night me and the other mishionary at the apartment- (elder young from utah, (has about 1 year and a half)) taught and today for the first part of our p-day we walked around downtown and i baught some more pants and a backpack. my comp is brand new so im showing him all the stuff. i dont have real long to send email today but,... hows the weather there? its real hot here still and rains allot too. is the ship that sunk still leaking oil that was shot down there? and what type of car did you get dad? jord- take some sweet pictures and have fun. i know what you all can do, you can get a little doll and dress it up like me and he will be me and you all wont have to miss. jk. have a good week and thanks for the prayers and help in everything. i love you all Elder Davis