Matt #19

Well once again another week is gone.... holy cow I can not believe how fast the time is flying by down here, it honestly feels like yesterday I was e-mailing everyone haha. Well I recieved and awesome package this week from Jenni/matt full of Fruity Tooties which were so delicous! Thank you so much Jenni and Matt I love you both very much. Sorry mom I still havent recieved any package yet but Im sure its coming soon. Also I got letters from Olivia, Millie, members of the Sixth Ward, and my incredible mother. It was geat to hear from everyone and dont worry letters are already on the way home! :) Also thank you everyone for the E-mails this week, I wont be able to respond because I'm limited on time but it was incredible to hear from you all. You all have such strong testimonys of this Gospel, I just love reading them! Thank you Jordan, Jason, Kristin, and Aunt Melani for the e-mails they were incredible. Also mom and dad thank you for the update on Rexburg and for your Love and testimoneys! Alyssa thank you for the e-mail also, I hope you know how much I love you! :) 

         Well this week was great, it was such a learning week for me (Like every week on the Mission) and I really felt my Saviors Love as we worked hard. To start off this week was incredible hot for some reason! Its Winter here in Brazil.... I just cant imagine how hot its going to get in the summer. Once November hits im a dead man haha but everythings going great and the work is really progrssing for us. This week my companion and I learned a very valuable lesson. We have really been wanting just one Baptism as a companionship before this transfer ends but we havent been able to get anything... nobody is willing to commit when we challenge them to come to church or to read the Book of Mormon and its tough. We've been praying and fasting and working harder then I thought possible but still nothing.... My Trainer Elder Wright is an incredible Missionary but yesterday he was very sad because we've  been obiedient to all the rules and done everything we possible could do to help our investigators fullfill their commitments but still nothing! We were both beyond discouragment.... My companion said to me "all the other Missionarys in our Zone are having Baptisms left and right and some of them arent even following the rules. What is our Heavenly Father trying to teach us Elder Doggett?" I just sat there not knowing what to say so we slowly walked in silence to the Church where the other Missionarys were having a Baptism that they needed help with. As we were sitting there and as I was pondering in my Heart that question something incredible happened, I looked at the young man who was being baptised and when he came out of the water I only saw pure joy on his face... and he said to Elder Michal. "This is the greatest feeling in the world.... I just feel clean." This was a special moment for me in the Mission, because I realized its not about recieve a baptisim but about sharing the Gospel with everyone. This young man was following the example of Jesus Christ and he was changing his life, and I had the special opportunity to be there as a Missionary as a servent of the Lord to witnesse this incredible change in this young mans life. :) I love Alma 31:31-38 but I especially love verse 36. Alma claps his hands on his breathern and they are feeled with the spirit and they go to work. (All the Missionarys in são paulo sul are working together to bring people unto Christ... we are all in this together and feel the same Joy) 37. They forget themselves and there needs and focus on the work. 38. According to their prayers and faith their afflictions are swallowed up in the Joy of Christ. (I felt my Saviors love when I saw that young man come out of the water with a smile on his face.) :) Even if that young man wasnt "My" Baptism that doesnt matter. I was there as a representitive of Jesus Christ and I got to see the change for good that took place in his life. 

             Family, Friends, and everyone who is reading this e-mail. Im sorry if this doesnt really make sense... everything sounds so much better in my head and in my Journal haha its just hard to write e-mails, I just wish I could just share all this with you in person, I wish you all could see how happy and full of joy I am! :) haha but I want you all to know that this church is true... I know that with every fiber in my heart I need to be here in Brazil. The Lord has called me here for a reason and even if I dont recieve a Baptism in my first area that doesnt matter. Because we have taught over a hundred lessons and we will countinue to teach and preach the Gospel. Remember in Alma 32 we read that everything starts like a little seed in our hearts... and evenutally that little seed can grow into something great. Everytime my Companion and I Teach the Gospel we are planting that good seed in their hearts... and who knows maybe in ten years someone we have taught here in vilá áurea will remember the incredible messeage of the Restored Gospel and they will want to learn more or they will remember that one American who made no sense when he spoke portuguese but they remember his smile and joy when he talked about the Gospel. Who knows! Haha one thing I do know is that I have never been more happy in all my life. This really is the greatest experience in the whole world! :) I love you all so much and thank you all for your prayers and love. I hope to hear from you all soon and thank you for everything. :)  

Photo Time for Matt

So theres some pretty awesome pictures. The ones where I'm at the beach was last p-day. It's me and Elder Wright, Elder Michal, and Elder Tavares. Then the one where I look crazy with the green hair is with a member of our Ward Bishopric here in my ward. They're an awesome family and I will miss them a lot. :) Hope you all enjoy.

Ben #17

To be honest I dont know what really to say. After reading my brother Matt's amzing email and his testimony he just said it all! :) and after reading my parents amzing words of advice. Dad for those scriptures and experiences of the mission (I cant wait for old faithful!) Mom, for your love and sure conviction of the Gospel... What an amazing family I have. Aunt Melanie, Keep up the work and open your heart to what the missionaries tell you. The Book of Mormon is Key in knowing that the Gospel is true. It proves everything is true of what my fellow Elders are teaching you. In the introduction we are promised a testimony of all this as long as we do it with faith and "Real Intent" As the prophet Moroni teaches. Love ya keep it up! Jason man, once again I love you! haha Im sorry I havent recieved letters for some time cause there has been alot of changes in my mission so things have been a little crazy butmy Zone leaders told me I have alot waiting for me so thank you all and I love you all for you Letters, I cant wait to read them... As Matt mentioned they really lift you up.

This week was... you guessed it, another Roller Coaster! haha (the mission has alot of those haha) but this was different. I know what your thinking "Oh no, something about Porteguese again" haha and yes, its hard and still on obstacle but wasnt what was tough this past week. Alot of our Investigators feel through... I never experienced something so heart breaking then this before in my life. We hold the key to true happiness! I was so frustrated. Why couldnt people see this!? Was I doing something wrong!? Why was this happening!!!!?- I really began to fight with myself (remember when Enos wrestled with God, kinda the same thing). As Matt said in his email, my parents came into my mind (Matt its scary how similar our experiences are haha) I wanted so bad to hear their voices and talk with them. I remember sitting on the couch in our room tieing my shoes and looking up out the window. My eyes began to be filled with tears (Mission makes you cry but as Matt said its well needed haha). I had never felt so alone... Last week I had such a spiritual high! What was going on this week? Ive never felt so abandoned and so alone... Then it came... PRAY... How powerful prayer is. I remembered something that President Boyd K. Packer had said, he said "No message appears more times or in more ways in the Holy scriptures then ask and ye shall recieve."- I turned around and sincerly boar my heart to my Father in Heaven and asked what I needed to do. With everything that had happend I cant lie my attitude was suffering and I needed his guidance... I testify in those moments of our lives when we feel abandoned or alone that we are never TRUELY alone. Our lOrd is there for us, he knows what we are going through. When I finished my prayer I realized so many important things.

First have Faith and CONFIDENCE in yourself and in your Savior Jesus Christ. Through my life I have never really had the biggest confidence in myself. I see now how important that is. We need to have confidence in our abiltities and that we will succeed. Have faith that the Lord will Fullfill ALL his promises, not just a few but ALL. I began to realize if you think you cant or you can your right! Attitude determines alltitude. How many times are we getting ready to make the shot and we tell ourselves "Oh, there is no way its going in"...The ball hasnt even left our hands yet! We just have to take it! When we have difficulties or trials to overcome we need to believe in ourselves and importantly that the Lord can do all things (1st nephi 7: 12). This week, after every gate was shut in my face, after ever person on the street told me off. I allowed myself to become trapped and slowly began to just not take the shot, and doubt my abilties as a missionary. Family friends! DONT ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN! Dont allow what others say affect you, or a gate closed on you. There not the ones shoting the ball but you are! Trust in your abilities! Have confidence you can over come anthing in this World through the power of God. I know you can cause I have experienced it first hand.

After I began to realize these truths of faith and confidence I began to wonder how I was going to increase these qualities in my life. I turned to the scriptures and realized a really important truth that I have been missing when it comes to the scriptures. Yeah we can read the scriptures and love the scriptures, mark them up, and even memorize scriptures!... But unless we apply what we read the in our life are we really edified? I realized that I was a clear example of this! I was reading and loving and even feeling the spirit but throughout the day I wasnt pondering what I read and wasnt apply the lessons from the prophets teachings in that wonderful Book... The teachings of Christ. To develop faith and confidence in our savior we need to apply his teachings and his love. The other day I read Nephi 18 and decided to apply the teachings of that chapter... In Nephi 18 Nephi and his family leave by boat to the promise land. While on the trek Laman and Lemuel begin to act in wickedness even to the point of tieing up their younger brother Nephi because of this wickedness they become tossed upon the sea... Eventually they become scared and fear for their destruction and release their brother. Nephis Hands and Ankles are swollen from being tied up and he could have easily been upst and been angry... but you know what he did? He prayed to God... This stuck out to me so much. I had been this past week becoming upset and angry, depressed, all these things cause what was going on with our investigators and the people of our Area but I realized I just needed to pray to my God... Family friends, I pray it makes somewhat sense haha and helpful in some way. my mind is just so full and the spirit so present but... Through pray, Faith, Confidence, and applying the scriptures we gain an overwhelming sense of power and peace. As I looked out that window one more time I felt peace and the Lords love for me as his missionary. I survived a tough week... actually my Trainer said that was the hardest one he has ever experienced on the mission, but I have learned so much and my confidence in my abilities and ecspecially in my savior Jesus Christ is extrodinary. In just this one week it has grown so much. I know that through him all things are possible, make him the center of your life and apply his words and ponder them throughout the day and you will "Make the Shot" I testify of all these things. I love you all so much and hope to hear from you all soon. It was such a blessing to read your emails. They lift me up so much. If only you knew. Love you all again!

Love Elder Benjamin B. Doggett

Matt #18

Holy cow what a week.... So many much needed e-mails... Thank you mom and dad for everything. This E-mail today will be focusing on both of you but to answer your question dad I have never seen old faithful and so when I return I want to spend as much time with my family traveling and seeing the sites of the world haha I think my sisters will be a little freaked out to hear that I want to spend time with the family traveling once I return haha but thats one of the many things that have changed in me because of the mission. Also Olivia thank you for the E-mail I miss and love you all too and dont worry your not a bad friend, your one of the best! :) Alyssa also thank you for the E-mail and dont worry your not the only one wondering what exactly the Lord needs from us. But I can promise you as long as you work hard and pray with faith everything will work out. Once again thank you for the e-mails everyone I always print them out and re-read them because there like scripture for me... no matter how many times I read them I always find something new and inspiring in them that really help me out. I hope you know how much I love you all.

        Well Im not sure where to really begin other then this was one of the greatest and hardest weeks of my whole Mission. I learned more about life and myself then I ever thought possible haha my brain actully fills like its going to explode right now. Well to begin I learned two very important lessons about myself this week. 1. Im terrible with money and really need to work on that haha (Thank you mom and dad for the love and support) 2. I've always taken for granite what true love is in my life. What is true Love? Occasionally we learn something that has profound influence in our lives and I know this week was one of those occasions for me.

        So what is true Love? What is pure Love? I think Todd R. Callister makes it pretty clear for us. "Sacrifice-The Highest form of Love." Sacrifice is the highest form of Love, Sacrifice implies doing one thing at the expense of another thing that has equal, or maybe greater, appeal. Everybody who is reading this E-mail think of someone in your life who is the perfect example of this.... When I think of Pure Love I think of my incredible parents. Think of how much they sacrifice for all of us everyday. Parents are everything in this life and sometimes we take for granite what there love for us truly means.

                 This week was extremly hard for me and yesterday I had another breakdown... I think Missionarys need breakdowns because it allows all of our emotions and stress to leave haha I'm not sure why I broke down but I did and all felt hopless.... I remember sitting there with the tears slowly rolling down my face and I could only think of two people who mean everything to me... My Mother and Father. I thought how much I wanted and needed their Pure sacrificing Love, There I was yesterday as a 19 year old boy crying and wanting my Mothers soft loving embrace, and my Fathers loving comforting words of advice, I wanted my parents to comfort me in my small moment of pain but then I remembered the Saviors Pure Love for us.... He gave his very life for us and he endured everything for me and for  you.... The Lord Atoned for our sins and because of this we shouldnt be afraid to do all we can possible do for the Lord, He did everything for us and I mean everything... We should be willing to give just a little back to him. (Two years) (Either 12:26-27) "The Lord makes weak things become strong" Those who humbly and faithfully wait upon the Lord may, like the eagles, soar above their weakness. Our Savior loves us very much and as long as we do our part we will become all that the Lord needs us to be. Through the Saviors Pure Love (Atonement) All things are possible.

               This week was such a growing week for me, I just learned so much about myself and whats really important in my life. I love what Lawrence E. Corbridge said about change "As you consider the question of what kind of person you will become, you must understand the dynamic process of life. You not only can change but you do change all of  the time. Sometimes people donot believe this. They excuse their  failures and weaknesses by saying: "That's just the way Iam." "I am just short tempered, impatient person." I can't get up in the morning. That's just the way I am." "That's my nature." Or, "I'm just shy. That's all. That's just who I am." "I am not really a spiritual person."To believe that weaknesses and deficiencies in your character are unchangeable is to reject the central truth of the plan of salvation. You are not cast in stone. You not only can change but you do change all of  the time. You are a dynamic, changing, evolving being. You are always changing. You never stay the same. You cannot stand still. You are right now the sum total of what you have thought, said, seen, heard and done. What youthink, say, do, hear and see, cause you to change; to change for good or evil; to become either stronger or weaker; to either internalize the qualities of light or the qualities of darkness. You are responsible for who you are and you are responsible for who you will become. Do you know what kind of person you want to become? Do you see in your mind who you want to be? Do you know?"  Family, Friends, Mom, Dad, and anybody else reading this E-mail I want you to know that I know what kinda Missionary I want to be... I know what person I want to become in my life... I know what kind of Father I must work to become. I want to be the man that honors his priesthood and gives not only his time and strength to the Lord but also my Heart. I know this is Gods work. I know this Church is true. Im also sorry my e-mail has included nothing about brasil or my investigators but only my testimony... dont worry I will try and send more letters explaining this incredible place called brasil haha. Also my Journal im keeping is a really good record of my day to day activites so dont worry you will all eventually learn whats happening down here in brasil :) One cool thing is yesterday I taught the young men in our ward about the plan of salvation and guess what... I talked for a whole hour in Portuguese about Gods plan for us! Now it wasnt perfect but I still was able to do it. The Lord works mighty miracles in our life especially when we give everything to him. We just need to take the time to realize these changes and blessings. I love you all with a Pure Love. Thank you for all your letters and love. I miss you all so much but I know this is where I have to be right now in my life. Its time to give everything including my Heart to the Lord in this work. Love you all :) (Sorry for the incredible long e-mail)

#16 Ben

OK Im not kidding when I say I have 5 MINTUES THIS WEEK TO WRITE! Things have been crazy this week what a spiritual high I have had. First I loved the emails mom and Dad they both actually brought tears to my eyes cause they were both what I needed to hear. I really missed you all this week, and I printed them off haha!.. but The lord really strengthed me. I also received letters today from Rachel and Mom and Dad (thanks for Brady;s emails also he is a giant and such a strength to me... BRADY if you ever read this email I love you man!) and RAchel the pictures were awesome , it was great to see the house. Anyway I had the chance to actually read the letters during our visit to the Temple this morning... Yup I went through the Campinas Temple, I was so excited and had quite the experience there. Something occured there so special to my heart but to personal to share... Family Friends this church is true... I have no doubts....

I have a short amount of time and sorry if this email seems rushed. I dont want it to seem that way cause when I write these emails I take my time as to allow the spirit to guide me into what would benefit you all. THis week though due to the visit in the Temple time is really short and I have to make it back from the Central of Campinas to Anhgurea because we have a lesson with a lady who has commited to baptism, so yeah... Mutio importante na? haha but first I wanted to start off and share a experience I had this week that strenghtend me so much.

Elder Clay and I were not having any success all DAY(Monday)! I cant lie I was a bit discouraged. We found a guy selling blankets so I bought one cause for the last little while I havent had one haha and have been sleeping with... Nothing but a sheet HAHA (oh the Mission) so mom, thats the 15 dollar charge on my card :) Anyway after that we made our way to a random area we visited about 4 weeks ago. We felt prompted to make a visit to a contact we made that 4 weeks ago. As we aproahed the house I cant lie my faith was weak. From the success we had been having all day my expectations were low. I clapped and soon saw a women approach the gate we talked for a bit and asked if she remembered us, she nodded and replied yes and warmly invited us in. As we sat down and began to teach things were going great. I was doing my usual small portion of the teaching, and my companion was doing the rest... But the next thing caught me off guard, I heard my companion say "Now Elder Doggett will explain more on the restoration and this boy Joseph Smith"... Now you have to understand, I have only taught this lesson once... In my HOUSE! haha never to an actual investigator. I froze! What was I going to do!? How was I going to do this!? I just do the little parts! haha I turned to the lady and back to my companion and then BACK to the lady... now the miracle I experienced... I swallowed, and slowly began to talk. At first my mind was a fuzz and I didnt know where to start, then I heard something that touched my heart and mind which calmed me and all it was was "Talk Ben", So I did... I cant explain it Family and friends but I was filled with the spirit and the Porteguese just flowed. I remembered ever part of the restoration in Porteguese and I spoke almost perfectly...Afterward I was stunned, I looked at this lady and saw that she was crying... and that I was crying. The spirit touched that room and i knew the Lord was there, guiding everyone my words. It was such a testimony bulider for me. I heard stories like that in the Ensign and to be honest was like "oh, thats a neat story"... BUt I testify as a witness that the Lord truely does us as his instruments, that these arent just stories but REAL experiences... I invited her to be baptized and she agreed for the 25 of August. The spirit was there.

I know this church is true. This week I experienced first hand the power of God Use me as his representative, how humbled I was. I mean come on! A stuck up Idahoan boy, who in High school goofed off more then studying, who was more interested in the mundane things of the world then his Savior... I felt it... As I left that house I feel to the ground, in the middle of a Brazilian neighboorhood, and cryed. Giving thanks to my savior JEsus Christ and my Loving Heavenly Father. Its true I know it is. My priorities have changed and my whole life is being shaped by this mission. Things are becoming clearer and I can see what things are truely important. EVERYONE SHOULD SERVE A MISSION! haha but FAmily friends my time is spent but my Testimony is growing. The Lord lives and I know this Church is true. I just finished the Book of Mormon again this week and I testify that if we have REAL INTENT like our beloved prophet Moroni taught the Lord will Bless us... "Ask and YE SHALL receice" I have received and know its true with all my heart! I love you all so much and thank you again for the emails. Im sorry this week I wrote fast but the work is moving fast as my Brother MAtt said, Matt I love you bro and thak you for your words of advice and comfort. You are an inspiration to me. Again I love you all and God be with you all.

LOVE Elder Benjamin B. DOggett

Matt #17

Wow what a awesome week with letters and e-mails.... everyone I feel so much love from all of you! Thank you for your prayers and love, I just miss you all like crazy! I got letters from rachel, mom, dad, lauren, kristin, brother palmer, aunt karen, and uncle curt. Im glad to say that I have gotten letters written for everyone and there on there way home! :) Also mom you can get ride of the car, I realize that the things off the world dont matter and if it will help someone in need thats more important then anything. I wont lie though I will miss that car more then anything but change is good in our lifes and its time he moves on to bigger and better things... I kinda feel like Andy right now saying good bye to Woddy and Buzz (Toy Story) but I know its for the best haha. :)

     Well It sounds like everyone is doing great back home... to be honest I cant believe another week has past by, it just feels like it was yesterday I was writting you all. This week was a blessing, The mission I have decided is like a mini-life from our birth to our death. We start off making the decision to serve a mission and then we enter the field not knowing or understanding anything around us and we are so confused and lost but we have our senior companions there leading and teaching us what to do and say... We then have really hard times and things sometimes seem impossible but we countinue to work our hardest and we eventually have success after diligent prayer and enduring to the end and reilying on our Heavenly Father. We learn and begin to grow... we start to focus on whats really important in this life and we begin to have a greater understanding of Gods love for his children. We then go home from our Missions and have incredible Joy and look back on our missions and think of all the blessings and Joy we've recieved through things we've learned during the hard times. Now heres what I would like to compare the Mission experience to.... In our lifes we made the decison to follow Gods plan and come to this earth and recieve bodys... We come to earth as babys and we dont know anything around us but we reiliy on our parents love and guidance and we begin to learn and grow.... We have hard times in our lives with death and problems of the world but we countinue in Faith and Diligent Prayer and we follow the Commandments and Endure to the end. Eventually we start our own families and realize whats really important in this life than we all will pass away or return home to our Fathers presence. There we can look back on the growing experiences of our mortal life and have eternal joy based on weather or not we really put forth our best effort. The Mission and our entire life are exactly the same. :) I hope this made sense to everyone haha it made a lot more sense in my head this morning so I apoligize if everyone is super confused now haha but just remember that everything we experience will either lead to joy or sorrow... its really just up to us and if we choose to follow Gods plan of happiness. :)

      Well this week was great, We have one investigator named Carmine who is 18 years old and she speaks perfect english and she loves the messages. She came to church yesterday along with three other investigators!!! It was incredible, my companion and I really feel the Lord is blessing us for our Dilligent effort and we continue to pray they will countinue to follow through with there commitments. After church Carmine turned to me and said with a smile on her face "There is something really diffrenet about this church" I was so happy to hear her say these words because its very true. There is something really incredible about the Gospel of Jesus Christ that I cant really explain in words only that it changes lifes thats for sure... Im a living witness to this incredible change. :) We hope she will commit to being baptised this next sunday but we will see what happens. Sometimes our purpose as missionarys is to plant that seed of Faith and then on the Lords time he will take care of his children. :) We have another investigator named hynilma and she just needs to recieve an answer and then she said she will be baptised. We then have three investigators who need to get married before they can be baptised. The women I talked about last who said she wants to be baptised needs to be married first so we are really working with them. Other then that Ive just been extremly busy... There are definetly days I miss home and my friends and famlies but I know this is what I need to be doing right now in my life. The mission is and incredible journey and I am learning so much. Remember I love you all very much oh and also Im getting married hahah This random girl on the street said to me "will you marry me" in portuguese and I had no clue what she said and I nodded my head and said "Sim" hahah WHOOPS but dont worry we got everything worked out and she understands that shes not the one for me haha. :) I love you all so very much and thank you for your love and support. Mom I still havent gotten that package with the goodies but im sure its coming soon. Love you all and I pray for you all everyday. I just cant believe im on my Mission.... crazy!! :) Also whats bens address? I want to send him a letter but I dont have his imformation, also mom can you get me Maguels familys address I really want them to know how Im doing. :) Love you all and God be with you till we meet again!

Photo Time for Ben

Ok, the first is at this Park near an area called Sumaré. They had these work out toys that we thought was pretty funny. Next we had family night at a members home where we taught her friend who isnt a member. I had the chance to bear my testimony of the Book of Mormon and wow what an experience... After the lesson we played a game and that's what you are seeing in the picture haha! The last one me and my companion found a random swing in the street... I mean come on! We had to get a picture with the SWING IN THE STREET HAHA hope you enjoy this weeks adventures in Brazil!