Monday, December 2, 2024

12/2/24 - The week of the slamming doors

Here's the Google photos


This week the work has been pretty slow again, I guess that comes with opening an area.  But this week we have some lessons marked, so it'll start speeding up.

Thanksgiving was this week, I hope all of you had a great time.  We made l this Thanksgiving a Peanuts Thanksgiving. (Peanuts as in Snoopie and Charlie Brown like it's called here in Brazil) It was really fun.  Most of Thanksgiving day was spent at the mission tour with Elder Schmeil of the 70.  He came and talked to the mission.  Though it wasn't super effective for me cause it was entirely in português and my understanding is still not good.  It was really cool to see the entire São Paulo Sul mission in one spot.  And to see a bunch of people I knew, and didn't know, and to eat a whole ton of chocolate boarderd pizza. Seriously I don't know what I'll do when I get back to the states and the don't have chocolate borders.  It is sooo good.  I am grateful for chocolate, pizza, and especially chocolate in pizza.  BTW white chocolate boarderd pizza is best.

The reason for the title has needs some background, and a little ranting.  For all of you who are still in the middle/north part of the northern border, I am very jealous.  While it's getting cold for you guys, summer is just getting underway. A lot of this week has been from the 80's into the lower 90's and it's just gonna keep getting hotter. I am ready for some cold weather, but I've still got to wait for a while.  But back to the title.  There is no air conditioning here where I'm at, so the only way to keep cool is by fans and wind.  So whenever we're in our house, we keep the doors to the balconies open which cause glorious wind.  As a side effect, at times the wind will catch a door just right and it will slam closed really hard. It's happened a lot to us this week and get a little laugh when we're walking down the street and here a door slam in someone's house. 

Spiritual thought.  I've read a bunch of 3 Nephi about Christ's teachings to the people here in the America's. 3 Nephi 11 is such a good chapter it will bring the spirit when you read it, but what often gets overlooked, at least by me, are the chapters directly after it.  Those are the teaching of Jesus Christ, what he wants us to hear, and how his church is to be established.  My invite for you this week is to read 3 Nephi 11 and when you finish, just keep on reading.  There's so much good stuff in these chapters. And then always remember to pray about what you read and the Holy Ghost will testify to you that it is true. 

I love hearing from everyone, shoot me an email.
Tenha uma ótima semana
Elder Bliss




















Missao Brasil Sao Paulo Sul



Pizza!!




Our Peanuts Thanksgiving











The baptism of Michael which I sadly wasn't able to attend.


Monday, November 25, 2024

11/25/24 - Planalto

Here's the google photos


Time is going fast. I can't believe that tomorrow I will have been a missionary for 3 months. 

The work in Planalto is fairly slow.  It's a very different are than Vila Luzita.  Vila Luzita has the most media references in the mission so we were running around everyday visiting media references.  Planalto is not like that, it's also tiny and really flat so we're not walking as much and the walking is a lot easier. 

My new companion is a lot more laid back than my last companion.  Which means that a lot of the time we're sitting around not doing much. Also transitioning between trainers is weird.  My trainer right now is very different.

This ward is amazing. There are so many people in this ward who want to help us. They're really involved with the missionary work and want to help spread the joy of the gospel.

This really is the true gospel.  And there is so much joy to find in this gospel. So go share it! There are so many people in this world who are looking for joy in all the wrong places.  Go and show them where they can find real joy. Because the only true and everlasting joy is found through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Em nome de Jesus Cristo, amém.

Até próxima semana
Elder Bliss


A picture of me and Elder Marcal







The church building of my ward, which is also the stake center so it is really big.


Elder Marcal sleeping on a bus


Delta



A photo of us (pretty self-explanatory)



Delta



Churrasco (BBQ) of another ward because our lunch fell through




More decorations to come







Monday, November 18, 2024

11/18/24 - Já uma transferência?

This week has been pretty crazy.  We got transfer news last night and I got to pack everything up that night and now here I am in Planalto A area in the Rudge Ramos (the R's are pronounced like H's zone. It's sad that I had to leave Vila Luzita, I was starting to get to know the members there more. But it'll be a fun adventure.  This area had Sisters in it last transfer so both me and my new trainer Elder Marçal will have to figure the area out. 


In Vila Luzita I was living in a fairly small apartment with 4 Elders, it was really fun and I'll miss it, but this transfer it is just me and Elder Marçal in a good sized house that was meant for 4.  And we have not 1 but 2 balconies if your not including the porch.  And our downstairs neighbors have dogs, so we'll see if I can make friends with them or if they'll just bark at us every day.  One of then already seems fairly friendly so we'll see what happens.  Also all of the dogs are wearing little shirts.  It's pretty funny.

This past week has been pretty great.  We got to teach Michael again and he is progressing very fast.  We taught  him the plan of salvation and he said his mind was blown.  

This really is the true Church on the Earth today.  There is so much about this gospel that brings joy to so many people.  So many people don't know the fullness of joy this gospel can bring to their life.  So go and share it!

I love getting emails from you guys, so keep sending!

Elder Bliss

Here's the google photos





Splits with two trainees who don't know Portuguese!  Me and Elder Wright.



Transfers.  I'm going to Planalto


My new area



Lunch transfer day.  My new companion, Elder Marcal, on the left.


11/24/25 - Temple P-Day!

I didn't send an email last week cause we went to the Temple on Friday! Highlights: The Temple! I love every time that I've been abl...