December 26, 2014

Whats up again familia
It was so nice talking to you guys yesterday, even if it was only for 30 min.  I felt so homesick after because I walked out in the hall after talking to you guys and everyone was crying, it was hard.  This Christmas was one of the worst, but one of the best also if that makes sense.  It sucks not spending time with your family but everyone here was in it together.  It was cool we just made the best of it.  So Christmas morning we still woke up at 630am, but we were able to stay in our athletic clothes until 1030am.  What a blessing!  We ate breakfast baloney sandwiches and mush oatmeal like always.  Man that stuff gets better by the day!  Then we played basketball and my district got to play with all the Brazilians that we normally don't get time to play with and they are our homies.  I dunked it and the whole place went wild, it was so funny I don't think they have ever scene someone do that before. I'm like a legend! haha

One of the Brazilian's thinks I'm that actor Taylor Lautner from Twilight then he thinks my companion is Mr Incredible - It's really funny.  I feel like I have so many foreign friends already, its cool.

I still can't speak the language but I'm determined to do my best.  After an hour of basketball we went outside and made paper airplanes for an hour.  Let me tell ya, best time of my life. Oh well- We later got back into our missionary clothes and watched a devotional and movie.  I was so tired I was trying to stay awake because it was a good message from Russell M Nelson, but I was cashed.  The rest of the night we played Uno, that was actually pretty fun.  Those games got intense haha!  Good ol mormon fun!  We closed with a Christmas message from the president and his wife that was really good and you realize the true meaning of Christmas.  It was a good way to end the night.  Then all the Brazilians who are really touchy wanted to give everyone hugs.

It was kinda sad mom when you asked me if I could speak some Portuguese yesterday on the phone.  The only thing I could talk to you about is a lesson.  Like the Restoration or the Plan of Salvation.  I made a personal goal to start studying harder so that I will be able to know more of the doctrine and have scriptures that connect well with the lessons.  My favorite right now is Ether 12:6.  I think its good especially when I feel like I can't learn something as quickly.

One of the elders is kind of the try hard type and sometimes makes the rest of us feel like we are not as good.  So my goal is to know more than him by the end of the MTC so I can say "What's up essa!"

I loved all the letters everyone put in my bag- it was so nice to read all of those letters.  I usually read some of those at the end of each night with my patriartical blessing to get my mind set for the next day.  I have felt like I have been out here for 5 months but this past week has gone by really fast.

The part of Sao Paulo that I've scene is a hole.  The city is filled with trash and stuff.  The Sao Paulo Temple is pretty small.  But thats because only the members payed to have that temple built.  Today we went to the Campinas Temple.  It was big and really nice.  The area around it was really nice too.  It got my really excited to get my feet wet out in the campo.

I love you guys.  I pray about you guys all the time and I miss you so much.  Once I get out of the CTM I'll send some sweet pics of me and my boys.  We took a silly district pic today and a lot with my boy Elder M---- that leaves next week. That will stink.

Gavin, you won't ever be bigger than me(even though you are going to the gym now) sorry buddy!  I have been getting way smaller out here though.  I've noticed it's because they limit the machine weights to 40 pounds.  Like what can you even do with that? haha!  But ill be shredded because I eat beans, rice, and chicken for every meal.
Love,
Elder Mauter

December 19, 2014

Como via familia! (whats up)

This place is a legit prison.  I wish you guys could read my first three days of my journal entries, haha!  Looking back at it now, its funny because of how much I have changed.  My first three days were rough.  I literally had the worst time and hated my life.  But it's so much better because I have had a change of heart and probably because  my companion is super chill.  Me and Elder O--- are literally the same person.  It's funny, he's someone that I will hangout with when I get home.  Me and him have contemplated running away, but we didn't mom cause I love you!

The days we have are like 16 hours of nonstop studying, it's terrible.  It's so hard to focus and plus being in a way different environment. But I'm fine now. Pray for me that I'll learn Portuguese because this language is hard and the instructors are only allowed to speak Portuguese-so you sit there and have no clue what is going on.  But my instructor is super chill- he's like 22 or like Chase's age.  We teach 2 investigator's a day and will work up to three a day, that'll be fun.

I know now that they actually put a lot of thought into where they send their missionaries, because I would be having such a bad time if I was in a different district.  We are all like the same kids and plus some of the kids here are really goony and look twelve.  My other comp Elder B--- thinks he tore his mcl in physical activity when me and him were going up against each other for a tip in volleyball.  That's why you don't go up against me....but I feel bad, I don't want that to happen to anyone.

They give us like no time to email, only 45minutes - If you guys could sign up for missionties.com and send me mail there- it'll be a lot better.  Because then I can actually write a lot more and read letters throughout the week and feel like I'm love so tell everyone!!

(PS from Spencer's mom- We signed up for an account under missionTies.com-its a monthly fee.  If you want to send your letter through our account email us your letter at jsmauter@cox.net and we will attach it. They print these emails  and put them in the missionary's mailboxes daily.  He only has computer time one day a week for just 45min.  He says its hard to read all his emails and respond.  keep the letters emails coming he loves them!)

Today will be my Pday(preparation day) so every friday in the CTM.

We get to call home on Christmas at 12:30pm here so idk what time that is in Arizona so just be ready.  There maybe a lil tears, haha.

This week has already been such a test of faith and for my personal self.   It all finally hit me like the second day.  After I read the letter you wrote me mom, at night i teared a lil bit.  Prayer and my patristical blessing have helped me so much and I feel like I notice something new everyday by reading it.  It is so true.  I wish now that I would have tried a lil bit harder before I left on my mission.  Because I know I'm behind in the doctrine but I know I'll be an expert after 2 years.

We have been talking to Brazilians and it's funny cause we have no clue what they are saying and they don't know what we are saying.  Some know some english and they go around saying "will you marry me" or they call my comp a fag-hahah.  I've been asking people about Natal and they say that's where everyone goes for their honeymoons.  It's hotter there than Sao Paulo and it's hot here-that sucks but they also said girls are trouble in my area too.  So I have to watch out for that lol!

It rains like every night here so it feels nice at night.  We went to the temple for the first time today.  It was a cool experience.  Thank goodness it was in english.  I miss you guys and wish I could be home with you guys right now but I know I'm doing the Lord's work.

So write me on that website so ill have more time.  Or under Mr. Cheney's Cookies.

Love you guys!!! Tell people not to feel like I ignored them if I don't write back.  A lot of people have been writing me and I don't have time to email back.

Elder Mauter

December 10th

Well I finally made it fam bam

Sorry I didn't call in the airport in Atlanta.  We were all looking for a pay phone but couldn't find one and thought food was more important.  The Atlanta airport is huge - good thing you guys talked about it or I would have been so lost.  So we got to the CTM around 9 am.  I swear I about threw up on the way here because our bus driver was crazy!  It was like he stole it - no rules out on the freeway.  There area so many motorcycles just lane splitting and I was hoping one would get hit so I could have a lil entertainment for this long day - jk.  The policia are so sketchy they drive around with their guns out of the car looking for trouble.  But let me tell you Brazil is beautiful - It's a lot like Hawaii.  The buildings and everything are all colorful and everything is really green.  But it is sooooo hot! I feel like I'm sitting in a sauna right now.  Like can I get an air conditioner or something?  I probe have the nicest pit stains on me right now.

I got assigned to a trio companionship.  Both kids are new like me and their both from Utah.  One of them is low-key and looks and sounds like Corey the Wagstaff's cousin.  He rangles cows and stuff like that so he's a legit cowboy.  He talks about his guns and shooting his bucks.  My other companion plays basketball.

They gave us only an hour to sleep when we got here and I barely got any sleep on the airplane.  I ended up moving towards the back so I could sit with a mish that has already gone to the MTC in Provo for 3 weeks.  I felt better talking to someone.

 

I have a crazy upset stomach, what should I take?  Nothing much has gone on today so far- I'll keep you updated when more fun stuff happens, haha! I miss you guys- it was hard leaving and I'm thinking about you guys.   Keep me in your prayers and I'll keep you in mine.  We don't have time to email anyone else sorrzz
love ya-
Elder Mauter

Dear Parents,

Sister Swensen and I are very happy to let you know that your missionary has arrived safely at the Brazil Missionary Training Center.  What a great joy and privilege it is to greet each missionary as they begin their missionary experiences with us. We will surely take good care of your missionary.                                                                                                     

The missionaries now have companions and are settled into their rooms.  They are assigned to a district with capable and caring instructors for language and lesson study.  Their branch presidents and wives, will meet them this Sunday.  These wonderful couples are richly blessed as they work with, motivate, and interview the missionaries assigned to their branch.

The MTC has a full-time live-in physician to care for their health needs.  He is assisted by his able wife who is a nurse. We are also happy to report that the cafeteria food is plentiful, healthy and very good.

Your missionary will be able to e-mail home on Preparation Day after a morning at the Temple.  This will be either Wednesday or Friday, depending on individual assignments.

Your missionary is about to make an eternal difference in the lives of many others. President Lorenzo Snow said:"There is no mortal man that is as interested in the success of an elder when he is preaching the Gospel as is the Lord who sent him to preach to the people who are the Lord's children".  We love these missionaries as if they were our own.  We will watch over them carefully to ensure they are ready for a wonderful missionary experience after the rewarding time they will have in the MTC.

We thank you for preparing such a wonderful representative of the Lord.

President Robert Swensen and Sister Julie Swensen