Ben #50 Importance of Families

Well what wonderful emails once more this week. I heard from many of my old buddies from Rexburg who are out and about in the Lords work serving in their various parts of the world. Im just amazed by all the growth the mission has brought in all of us. My and Dad thank you for your aw inspireing emails once more. Its always so wonderful to read your emails. Thank you a million times over for your emails. Matt, your email touched me so much as I too relized how blessed we are by all who are back home. Family Friends, I give praise and thanks unto God for you all in my life and pray that you may be blessed beyond measure for all your support and love for Matt and I here in Brasil... I just cannot write my expressions in words, they can only be felt. Really... Thank you all I love you so much. Well this last week flew by so fast, I dont know if it was because of the excitement of conference or what but it passed by in the twinkling of an eye. I now have one year on the mission, as Dad described to me in his email haha, and I cant lie im a little in shock. I remember like it was yesterday hugging all my loved one's goodbye and now realizing that next April conference I will be home. It brings me humbley to the relization of how important this great work is, and how much I have to do in establishing the Kingdom of God here on the Earth in this time I have left. He has trusted me with this sacred calling and I cannot fail Him. I must give Him my heart... Thank you once more for the emails and the love you share with us. 

 

Yesterday and Saturday we had the chance to watch conference! (I love conference here on the mission haha) I watched it in a small room on the computer with another American Elder... During the sessions of conference the spirit over and over testified to me of many truths as I felt my testimony strengthed. What I love about conference is how it speaks directly to all our needs. What every member needs to hear at that specific moment in their lives. Everyone recieves different insights and light from our dear prophets and apostles, and the spirit... what a true blessing, right? One personal principle that I picked up from the Prophets and Apostles yesterday and Saturday that I would like to share with you all this day is this "That We need to strengthen our families through the Priesthood and make our homes a Christ centered home, based on His principles and teachings. We must always engage in family scripture study, pray, obedience to the commandments, and family home evening. We must protect our homes because Satan is doing everything in his power to destroy this fundamental part of our Hevenly Fathers plan for us. Families are EVERYTHING." I heard this over and over through the conference as I realized how much Satan is trying to destroy us and our families and how we must "Bulid upon the Rock of our redeemer whom is Chirst!" (Helaman 5:12) and stand as a believer always! (Mosiah 18:9) I was touched by this as a missionary, this is one truth that our message teaches. The importance of families. Satan cannot have a family and thus thru his wraith is trying to do all he can to destoy them and make them miserable like unto himself. My beloved family and friends I testify to you that these things are in fact occuring. Here on my mission my heart is torn as I see the evil and destuction that is ocurring through the increasing wickedness in this world, ecspecially within the family... but then brought to such a happiness and love as I see the miracle and change that occur in the lives of those who put their trust in God and accept Jesus Christ as their savior and His teachings. We must base our homes on Chirst. We must set a foundation within the walls of our home wherein we can feel the power of the priesthood and the light of God shine from every part I so testify! I was truely touched by this truth as someday I hope to base my family on the teachings of Chirst.

 

I love General Conference and the chance we have to hear from our loving Father in Heaven. He is, and we are spirit children of thee. We belong to a great family in which we have the truths before us to have an eternal happiness without end... as it all starts within our homes. Im so grateful for my Parents... and my friends parents who created this enviorment for me growing up. That I was born into a home who established its teachings on that of Christ. I love you all so much and hope I too can someday, when I become a father, base my home on the Gospel of Chirst, and of His pure love. I know these things are true and my heart burns with a testimony of what I have spoken to you all this day... I know its true and I have no doubts. :)

 

It was a wonderful week and a wonderful conference. Here in Botucatu the weather has been pretty good with some light rainfall this last week. We have also began to teach some wonderful families in our area that have friends within the Church, The Lord is raining His blessings upon us here along with the normal rain. :) I do have a funny story that I would like to share with you all that happened last Friday! I was in the Bathroom... reading haha and I heard a weird sound coming from what I thought was beneath our house. I finished my reading in the bathroom and quickly grabbed the flashlight because this could be a problem haha if it was what I thought I heard. I opened up the floor panel to go underneath the house but found nothing. As I was coming up from underneath the house I heard the sound again, but this time I thought "its coming from above." So my companion and I created a ladder out of chairs as I pulled myself up to the top our our roof. I found an entrance to the attic and entered in and to my surprise found what I had heard... A liter of Kittens... about 5 haha. We now have 5 kittens living above our bathroom. As I was leaving I found the mother... staring at me. That cat was staring into my soul, seriously! She was ready to kill me if I tryed anything! haha needless to say I got out of the attic as quickly as possible. We now wake up to the sound of millions of kittens meowing... They also speak fluent portugese haha... im so funny!!!!!!!

 

Anyway thats the update here in Botucatu Brasil. What a wonderful week in the service of the Lord. I testify this work is real and that this mission is in fact life changing. I apoligize for the long email but I hope in someway you all can feel my love and sure witness that this is true church of God with His Prophet and Apostles... I too hope that the spirit in some way touched your heart and testified of the importance of our families unto. Family and friends I know all this is true... I believe it... I know it. Love you all and hope to hear from you soon. May God be with you till we meet again.

 

Ama Élder Benjamin B. Doggett

 

p.s. pictures of the kittens, and me with a dagger. I was going for a Prince of Persian, Jake Gynenhall look... haha kidding kidding... love you all so much have a blessed week.

Matt #50 Love

First off I need to apoligize... Today was my P-day because we had the Sacred Privlege of going to the São Paulo templo here in brasil... I love the temple so very much, but because the P-days were switched around I didnt have the chance to e-mail yesterday. I do want everyone to know that I am well and that nothing is wrong. Also thank you all for the wonderful e-mails. I really feel bad sometimes because I'm not able to respond to everyone but It brings tears to my eyes to know how much Ben and I are loved here. We are truly blessed to have you all as family and friends and I know with all my heart that I will never be able to repay the Love you have all shared with your testimonys each week and the incredible news of the Gospel. I love you all so much and thank you for the help each week. 

This past week was one I will never forget... We had so many incredible experinces that I cannot describe everything to you all but I hope that in some small way you will be able to feel my Love for you all in this E-mail. For those of you who dont know my Companion is Brasilian and he was baptised 7 years ago. His parents are not members and he was less active for a few years before he made the decision to serve a Mission. He is an incredible Missionary and example to me and I love him so much. This past week we had some time to get to know one another so we had many discusions about the Gospel and about his life before the Mission. He doesnt have support from his family to serve his Mission as a matter a fact his father during Christmas begged him to come home and his Girlfriend (now X) also told him she would like him to return... Through all of this he has smiled and broke up with his Girlfriend and told his Father he would never come home until he had served his full two years... He always has a smile and is one of the most amazing Missionarys every. He has already taught me one of the most valuable lessons we could possible learn here on the Mission or in our lifes... That is love. He has such a love for the Gospel and his duty to serve that you can see it when he teaches and when he offers to help others. Hes humble and willing to work and I love him so much. One of the biggest sacrifices I have seen him make so far is he explained to me that he doesnt receive e-mails from anyone... This broke my heart. Here I am recieving love and strength from each of you each week and usually I dont have time to e-mail everyone because I have so many loved ones who send encouragement. I wasnt sure what to say but he responded before I could say anything by saying "Its ok Elder Doggett... Even though I dont have much support I do know that my Heavenly Father loves me and he will support me in all that I do." He said this with such a big smile and I couldnt help but smile as well. Sometimes we dont realize the blessings we truly have. I especially have a tough time with this! :) Everyone who is reading this e-mail please know that I love you and I'm always praying for you. May our Heavenly Father bless you for your love and support and know that I realize now how much you all have and will countinue to bless my life for all time and eternity. What my Companion said this past week truly had me thinking of the Love our Savior has for us... I think it was a perfect time (Easter) to think of this one phrase. "Our Heavenly Father loves us." He loves us so much that he sent his only begotten son Jesus Christ to suffer and die for us. What a blessing to know that no matter what we have a friend in the Gospel. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. :) This past week during church we had a "Rescue" meeting because we were missing more then half of the members at church. As the members explained what we needed to do nobody mentioned anything about love... They kept mention ways to find and get people back to church but then our wonderful bishop stood and mentioned the key within the Church of Jesus Christ is to love those who struggle... to love those who have addictions. to love those who hate us, To help those in need without judging them. In my time here on the Mission thats one of the biggest things I have learned is to have love. John 13:34-35. May we do well to remember that through Love of the Gospel and for our Savior all things are possible. :) Actually once our Bishop said a few words about this very subject I asked if he would allow me to stand and explain more of this principle... I stood and bore a small and simple testimony in my fast improving portuguese about the power of Love. I dont remember exactly what I said but once I finished I was in tears and so were many of the members... Thats the key to everything... When we feel the Holy Ghost in our Hearts we are feeling the love of our Savior and even though I didnt speak the best Portuguese in the world the members understood and we all have a fire that cannot be stoped in bringing others back to church this coming Sunday.  

This past Easter Sunday I had the chance to reflect a lot on the Saviors love for us as well as we studyed about the ressurection of our Lord and Savior and as we learned of his teachings... I know these things are true and I know that our Lord and Savior has Risen and he guides and directs his Church today here on the earth. I had the chance to see many interesting things about the other faiths believes about the death of our Savior... As a matter of fact my companion and I got caught in the middle of a "Catholic travel" where they re-act the walk to the tomb... We were in the middle of this big cermony and it was very interesting to see how they worshipped during this easter season. They had a big statue layed on a throne ( It represented Jesus Christ) and they had several women dressed in all Black with their faces covered. (They represented Mary and the other women who were with Jesus when he returned to the Fathers Presence) I didnt understand much but they walked down the middle of the street singing and chanting prayers. What a blessing it is for us to know that our Savior lives and that he loves us and that no matter what we can countinue learning and progressing each day because of this wonderful knowlege. I love this Gospel so much and I know this Church is true. I love you all so very much... please never forget that. Ben I hope you know how much I love you. To be honest I'm scarred to write e-mails now because your faith and testimony is something very special and I just dont know how I could share anything more about the Gospel after I read your amazing letters. :) I love you and keep working hard. Never give up! I love you all so much and I know these things are true. Last Sunday I had a Baptism... It was very special as I had the chance to bless Aslessandro (Brother of Nayane and Alexandre, he's 15 years old) on Easter Sunday. I love this Gospel and the Mission. I hope you all know how much I love you and this incredible work. God be with you all until we meet again and remember to feast on the words of General Confrence... I have a feeling this will be a General Confrence we will never forget. Love you all once again so much. Elder Matthew Ryan Doggett      

Ben: Priesthood

Another week gone and another week to begin. Today I heard from so many back home which was especially wonderful for me since many of you boar powerful witnesses of our Savior Jesus Christ, I give my God praise for blessing me with such a wonderful family and friends. Mom Dad, Jenni, Rachel, Alyssa, and of course my beloved brother Matt I love you all so much. What a blessing this Easter season to remember all that Christ did for us so we could overcome the bands of death and be an eternal family. I finished "Jesus The Christ" by James E. Talmage in which he describes the pain the savior went through not only physically but mentally along with spiritually. The price He paid as He took our sins upon Him... the Love He showed is something my 20 year old mind cannot fathom. I know He is risen and this is His church, I am not ashamed to declare I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I testify He is at the head of it directing it through a living prophet, Thomas S. Monson... I know it! Once more thank you everyone for the emails. I received many emails today that were so wonderful. I laughed my head off Alex at your email and the picture you sent, it truly made my day. THATS the Alex i remember! Sorry about the Spanish lady though cutting your hair, if I was there I could have spoken Portuguese with her and that would have really thrown her for a loop huh? haha... Erika, thank you so much for your email and the wonderful news. Im so happy for you and your decision to marry and mark this wonderful moment for all eternity in your life. The blessings that come from this choice in your life will bless you in more ways then you can imagine. I promise I will be there... in spirit. :) haha Congratulations once more and know how much I love you my dear friend Erika ( I plan on eating some whales with you in the future, ok!? haha) To my 2nd family I love you so much and thank you for the wonderful update. You don’t know how much it means... I love you all so very much.

Well as to the events of last week many things happened but something that I just cant seem to shake from my mind and as I ponder it more it touches the core of my heart is the power of the everlasting priesthood. This last week and throughout my mission I have had the wonderful opportunity to give many blessings here on the mission and each time I have felt the spirit in so much abundance that I cannot even describe... but one experience that occurred late Friday afternoon I would like to share with you all this day. We had a lunch appointment with a family that lived very far away from our house and especially the area in which I am working in. The Irmã called me at about 11:30 and explained how crazy things had been that morning and lunch would be a little delayed until about 12 30 or 1. She explained that she understands how far she lives and if we couldn’t make it she would understand. As soon as she said that I felt the impression "Elder Doggett you go to the Lunch appointment now!" haha at first I thought its just cause I was hungry for some beans and rice but then felt it one more time... "Go" I told the Irmã it wasn’t a problem and we would go. When we arrived in the house we ate and had a wonderful time. They are a young family with two little boys one is 4 and the other 6 months old. They were baptized last November and are very active and faithful members with many questions concerning the Gospel, which made for a wonderful conversation around the dinner table. After lunch I left a spiritual message with them and then we said a pray. As we were getting up to leave the impression came once more "Elder Doggett you are here at this lunch for a reason, Don’t leave!" I was a little startled by this but continued to walk to the door... "Elder!" haha this time I acted and turned around and asked "Irmãos I don’t know why but I just feel like there is something you both need from us, is there anything we can do for you?" They looked at each other and then with a look of fear and concern they told me that there 6 month old baby had a high fever of about 101 degrees or so for the past few days and no one knows what’s wrong. That’s pretty serious. They tried taking him to the doctors and everything and they said they needed to put him in the hospital but the family just can’t do that right now financially. I then asked humbly if they would like me to give a blessing to him. They both with tears in their eyes asked me to heal their baby as they gave me their baby. Family and Friends I cannot type or describe the feelings of the spirit that overcame me in that moment as me, a 20 year old boy from Idaho, took that small baby in my arms, as he was crying, and gave a blessing unto him. He became silent and the spirit touched my heart and all of us present. As I finished the blessing and looked down at that small baby He was completely calm and peaceful looking right at me with his big brown eyes. I couldn’t help but allow one or two tears fall from my eyes as so many powerful lessons were taught unto me in that small moment... as I left that house Friday afternoon my testimony was strengthen as I gave praise unto God for directing me to that wonderful family. I know "That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness." (D&C 121: 34) Family and friends... I love my mission so much and the man it is helping to make me become. These experiences are unlike nothing i have ever experienced. I couldn’t help but for a small moment give thanks unto God for trusting me with His power so that someday I too could maybe hold my own children in my arms and bless them. Family friends, Fathers... Bless your family, honor your sacred Priesthood, and do everything you can to live worthy of it.

This email is long and I apologize for the long read this day but my heart is full. I have been out one year. One year ago I stood in my front lawn saying goodbye to all of you. Not knowing what the future here in Brasil had in store for me... but I found something that money can’t buy. Something so much more precious that I will carry with me throughout my life and the eternities. I have one more year to do all I can to build the Kingdom of my Savior Jesus Christ and I cannot fail. I’m humbled before you all this day and want you to know my testimony that I know this church is true and that the Priesthood of God was restored through a prophet Joseph Smith. I love you all so much and hope you all had a wonderful Easter and a wonderful week to come. Dad, here in Brasil there is still the whole Easter bunny and choclate eggs things. The lady at the super Market is always saying "Oi minino eu sei que você tem muito vontade para comer essa aqui!" As she stretches forth a big chunk of chocolate haha; I have to deny sadly because it’s just to expensive haha. And also about the Catholic religion I’m not so sure what there whole view is around this time, I did see them in there worship ceremonies yesterday as I was walking home... but I do know about the Jehovah’s witness as they knocked on our door early Sunday morning inviting us to their Easter worship. haha I gave them a pamphlet of the Plan of Salvation and thanked them for coming by. :) They were quick to leave when they saw i was a missionary too haha oh stories of the mission. My companion and the Zone leaders got a good laugh out of it... I love it so much and I’m loving this chance to be here in Brasil. It is truly something special. Love you all once more and God be with you till we meet again! (General Conference is this Week!!!!!! pois É)

Ama Élder Benjamin B. Doggett 

Matt: Big Changes

Bom dia minha família e também meus amigos. Mais uma vez nós estamos aqui para ouvir aos palavras do Élder Doggett e Élder Doggett kkkk. Eu amo vocês muito e espero tudo lá nos estados unidos esteja bom! Thank you all for the wonderful E-mails and letters and I am happy to say that I no longer have to report back to everyone in one big massive e-mail because the rules of the Mission have changed! :) We now have more time to e-mail and we can also e-mail our friends! I guess with all the big changes in the Missions around the world the First Presidency didn’t see any harm in allowing Missionary’s to E-mail one another... I can’t wait to hear how all my friends are doing! :) Love you all so much. Also once again thank you all for the E-mails... They really mean everything to us Missionary’s. Thank you all so much! Also Brandon thank you for the wonderful story about our families... Your right when you said our Parents do more for us then I think we will ever realize. Sister Tighe the picture you sent of my dear friend Alex with short hair blew me away haha. It’s been awhile since I've seen that kind of hair on my old pal but he sure looks good haha love you all so much. Also Sister Chester thanks for sending those pictures of Jordan, Tyson, and Chris. I miss those guys a lot! haha also thanks for the wonderful quotes and advice. To answer your question Ben is three Minutes older than me... So he’s my big brother haha. Mom, Dad I love you both so much... With all my heart! Your love and support is unreal. Thank you for everything.

Well this past week was pretty intense as I had to say goodbye to my dear friend Elder Larsen... He’s home now (Thanks for the photos Dad) and it was a sad goodbye. We worked really well together and never had any problems. We also got along and had a good time. We had a lot of success together and I will never forget him. I love him so much and to answer your question Dad he is a full blown Cowboy haha belt buckle and all. :) He will always be a dear friend of mine. Well I'm sure your all wondering what happened with transfers and well I'm Senior now and my companion is Brasilian, He’s actually from up north so he’s got a pretty awesome accent but for some reason I can understand him so much better than some of the Brasilians here in São Paulo haha but he’s amazing. His name is Elder H. Silva and he joined the church 7 years ago but was inactive for some time until some members helped reactivate him and now he’s as converted as you can get! He’s a real power house when it comes to the Spirit and we had an incredible first week together! I can already tell we are going to have a lot of success together and really help the amazing people of Campanário! :) 

This week we worked hard together and had many more experiences with Daniel and the bar haha... We worked até a pó! Haha which means we just kept working and working without stopping... but for some reason I had a really strange feeling in my Heart this past week during all the work. Maybe it was because Elder Larsen went home that things got a little strange or maybe I just had a poor attitude this week? I'm not sure I still haven’t really figured it out what exactly is happening to me, but when we were having the most success I've ever had on the Mission I was feeling the most down... Kind of weird huh? :) Sometimes we learn the most valuable lessons during the times when we are most conflicted within the chambers of our Heart. To this point I'm still not sure what I'm missing... Its a strange feeling but I feel like the Lord has something big in store and right now I'm in the learning process. I just haven’t figured it out what "it" is that I need to learn haha. Sorry everyone I'm just writing my feelings right now and this e-mail is going nowhere haha but I just feel that there’s something I need to learn, something that’s coming haha but I just can’t figure it out! It’s a little frustrated but I know the Lord will help me and I just need to do exactly what he says. This past week I really focused on D&C 4... What an incredible section of Scriptures, verse 2 mentions that we need to serve God with all our "Heart might mind and strength," Than in verse 5 we learn we must "have our eyes fixed on the glory of God." Maybe it was because of these Scriptures that I really began to think of my own Heart and how far I've come in this Journey of the Mission and how much more I have to learn and because of this I was having these feelings. I've been thinking a lot of my own eyes and if their fixed on the glory of God or on the things of the world? I think its easier for us as Missionary’s to keep our focus on the things of our Heavenly Father or on the big picture because we teach about it every day and we have the Mission rules to protect us, but for those back home it’s hard to keep going strong in an ever growing world of addictions (Facebook, television, Video Games, Sports.) Without those distractions here on the Mission my Love for my Family has grown so much and so has for my love for my Heavenly Father... and because of this I’m nervous/scarred to come home because I don’t want to lose my sight on what’s truly important. WOW I just received an answer to my problem all week just by e-mailing my family and friends and writing about it... Very cool, everyone who is reading this you are reading an answer to my prayers haha :) I guess the reason I was most conflicted this past week was because I don’t want my time to end... I love you all so much and don’t get me wrong when my time is up its up and I will return happy and proud! :) But the Mission is Sacred ground for me (Just like my Brother Ben always says) and I'm scarred its passing to fast... I just need to give it my all with my eyes fixed on the Glory of God! :) I love you all so much and I'm sorry this e-mail is really lame for you all to read... but it was something I needed, I just needed to write down my feelings and figure everything out. Haha :) I love you all so much and there is no other place I would rather be right now, I feel at peace and I'm happy. I feel so much Love for the people of Brasil that I don’t know what I'm going to do when my time is up... I guess we learn best that we need to walk by faith. :) This past week I watched a really cool short film our bishop showed us called Brasil Doces Lar. It was in Portuguese when we watched it but I'm sure you can find it in English on YouTube. Its about a Family who served a Mission here in Brasil and the Love they gained from the Mission. If you have time you should watch it because it explains perfectly how I felt and feel now. :) I love you all so much and I hope that I can continue feeling this Love for ever. I hope you all know that I love you and I want everyone to learn one phrase in Portuguese so that when Ben and I return you'll be able to understand us because it will be the first thing we'll say to everyone." Eu te amo." :) Take care and remember I'm always here for you. Love Elder Matthew Ryan Doggett      

Ben: Angels

WOW... I say it every week and I will continue to say it until the end of my mission but thank you so much for the emails. I heard from so many wonderful family members and felt so much strength from their words. Mom and Dad I agredeço por seu amor e palavras de sabadoria cada semena. Eu te amo. Brandon I also wanted to thank you for your testimony cuz. It was very inspired and something I really needed to hear this week. It was amazing to hear from you and I know we do in fact have such a wonderful family... What a knowledge and joy we can be together forever. Also to Kris Tighe and Heather Stewart Chester thank you immensely from the bottom of my heart. I cant lie I teared up a bit in the pictures I received... What a treat for me. Kristin once again your emails every week have such a light and spirit that illuminate from them. I often think of the scripture in D&C 50: 24 that teaches about light and how we need to try everyday to in cooperate more light into our being and by reading your emails every week I feel I increase my light a little more and my own testimony, so thank you so very much... Lastly I wanted to thank my dear brother Elder Matthew Ryan Doggett. Matt or I mean Elder you bring such a peace and serenity to my heart every time I read your words. I cant lie training is a little overwhelming at times but reading your email really touched my heart and your words of inspired encouragement. You are a powerful missionary and example to me. I love you Matt, I love you Mom and Dad, I love you Brandon, I love Kris, and I love you Heather Stewart-Chester. What an amazing light you all have given to me this day. Also mom I wanted you to know I received the box with the journal and valentines candy... The laffy taffys were devoured in about 2 seconds of opening the package haha and the journal was an AMAZING present! I really needed a journal... I actually haven’t missed writing a day on my mission so every experience is with me. Thank you so much. Matt I also received your package... wow... It meant so much to me. Words cannot describe the love and the spirit I felt as I held that tie. I promise I will take good care of it for you during this next year. I love you so much. Well lets get onto the events of this past week.

It was the first week of training as I headed to Campinas last Tuesday to get my new companion fresh from the CTM. The day was filled with a 8 hour bus ride and many meetings... needless to say when I got my companion I was pretty much dead haha. He is a really awesome missionary who is excited to be here in the mission. He is a Brasilian and 18 years old. His home town is only about 8 hours from Campinas by bus (The same time I spent on the bus from Botucatu to Campinas haha) Its going to be an awesome transfer. As I mentioned its been a little overwhelming as I realized "Wow I have a responsibility to take care of this Elder and help him become the missionary the Lord knows he can become." We had some pretty intense experiences together already with the spirit protecting us and guiding us. In my blessing it says that "throughout my mission I will be in dangerous circumstances, but I will be protected so I should not worry and neither my parents about my safety." As we arrived in Botucatu it was about 10:30 at night as we headed to our apartment. I had my boxes that Mom and Matt had sent along with one of my companions suitcases. I took the lead as we started the journey home. The bus station is near our house, Its only about a 10 minute walk. I was in front of my companion carry the box along with some other supplies for the Zone leaders that President asked me to take to them. My companion had his other suitcase along with a GIANT pillow haha that sister Perrotti had given him. As we were walking I noticed a bunch of young men who were maybe 16 or 17 in front of us sitting in the front of the bridge that lead to our house. There were about 8 or 9 and I noticed that all there attention turned our way. My first thought was "Oh great my companion’s first missionary experience is going to be him being robbed." haha but then I felt such a piece and calmness wash over me. I heard the powerful and direct words "stop!" I immediately did so and stood there in the street. I could tell my new companion was a little worried about the situation, but I think he was more worried because he say that I was smiling and laughing. :) haha We were the only ones in the street along with the 8 or 9 boys. I then noticed someone else appeared from behind us and began to approach us. It was a man who was a little drunk and shouted "I know who you are, you're MORMONS!" He came up and began to shout and exclaim things to us in joy haha and was almost dancing. I felt that we should just sit there and listen to this him (it was pretty hilarious watching him dance). This went on for a good 10 minutes or so and I then noticed the boys near the bridge slowly one by one leave. As soon as the boys had left the man stopped his drunken dance and went on his way... and the bridge was free for us to cross in which we made it safely home.

As I entered the house I knelt with my new companion in pray in gratitude and thanksgiving for the guidance and protection the Lord had given us. Family and friends I testify in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ, our redeemer and Savior who lives that angels are real. They are sent from God to protect us from the dangers of the world. To lead us to the straight and narrow and safely guide us home. It was a powerful moment for me and my new companion as I remembered the words from my blessing. It has been a overwhelming week but I know Angels are here. I know God gives us strength to accomplish this great work with help from beyond the veil. Miracles haven’t ceased and neither have the ministries of Angels. I have been the witness of so many miracles and blessings from God here on the mission. I love this mission and the foundation it has set for my life. I still have one more year to give it all I can and to feast and learn upon the teachings of our savior Jesus Christ. This time is flying so fast and I don’t want it to end. Being able to serve the Lord for two years was the best decision I ever made in my life and I challenge any young man who may read this email to desperately strive to fulfill this great commandment of God and serve a full time mission. My heart is full and my love for this Gospel is un-shakable. Yes, at times its not easy and we have many trials here on the mission and yes, I still feel very unqualified to be a missionary... But as i mentioned last week I know that whom the Lord calls He qualifies. In this life we have to have these experiences of inadequacy and trials so that we can grow and become what God needs us to be... To close this email I would like to share with you all a quote I found this week from Neal A. Maxwell that reads " One's life... cannot be both faith-filled and stress-free..."Therefore, how can you and I really expect to glide naively through life as to say, 'Lord, give me experience, but not grief, not sorrow, not pain, not opposition, not betrayal, and certainly not to be forsaken. Keep from me Lord, all those experiences which made Thee what Thou art! Then let me come and dwell with Thee and fully share Thy joy!' "Real faith... Is required to endure this necessary but painful developmental process." (Neal A. Maxwell, "Lest ye be wearied and faint in you minds") Family and friends I know that angels are real. I know that God protects us. I know that sometimes in our lives we have struggles and difficulties but it’s how we can grow and become all that God knows we can become. I saw and gained a testimony of these wonderful truths this last week as I know them to be true is my pray and testimony to you all this week. May God be with you all this upcoming week and may you feel my lasting love for you all.

Ama Élder Benjamin B. Doggett

p.s. Millie Carter! I just wanted to wish you a happy birthday last Saturday! I hope you had a special one... I was thinking of you and singing "Para bems para você" all day! haha love you! and Hey guess what? Next year on your birthday will be the day Matt and i come home... crazy huh?! haha love you and God be with you.  

Matt #48

Well everyone another week has passed and time sure is flying! I need to start of by saying truly how much I love each and everyone of you... I had a strange experince this past week as I was looking through my (Old) photo album of all my friends and family. I just felt so much joy as I fliped through the pages, but I no longer felt the pains of homesickness... of course I still love and miss you like crazy but I'm starting to understand what true love really is, and I know that my time on the mission is running out... which means I just need to work harder and enjoy this speciel time the Lord has given me. I hope you all know how much it means to me that you take the time to share your testimonys and experinces with ben and I. It truly sounds like everyone is doing great and growing so much... Tyson I hope you know how much I love you and it was good to hear from you... I really miss all the good times we had but in only a years time there will be more memories to be made! :) Keep working hard and remember we all love you. Also Sister tighe thank you for the story of life in Hibbard... Your story brought tears to my eyes as I thought of my own twin Brother and the love we share for each other. Thank you for opening my eyes a little more on whats truly important. Kristin once again thank you for the E-mail you sent... Your testimony is something very speciel and I love growing and learning from it each week, thank you so much for everything! :) Ali thanks for the Jamba update... I cant believe how much has changed but im glad to hear our pictures are still up, I cant wait to see those once we get home. I think one of the first things I want to eat once I get home is a nice big power sized peach perfection haha I miss you all so much and I hope you know I love you. I hope I didnt miss anyone, sometimes its a little hard to remember all the details of e-mail because we only have a short amount of time but I truly love you all so much and always remember your all in our prayers. Dad, Mom... I dont know what to say other than I love you. Your e-mails bring such a strength and its incredible to see how much our love has grow for one another just because of the Gospel. Thank you all for what you've done for me. Dad I do have to say that I agree with what you asked at the end of your E-mail, and dont worry I will from now on! :)

Well I'm sure you want details from the past week... We had transfers and Elder Larsen will be going home this week... I wont lie this past week was crazy because he had to get everything prepared to go home. It was a great experience to be companions with him and see him as he prepared to go home... Hes nervous and scarred. Imagine going two years without facebook updates or watching the news or talking with your friends and family. Its kinda a scary thought for me now and I only have 11 months haha imagine someone for two years! :) Hes ready though and I'll never forget the time we shared together. I truly love him so much and hes taught me so much. Yesterday we had the chance to give talks in church (Kinda like a home coming talk for Elder Larsen) and it went awesome. I gave a talk about our potential with our callings and Elder Larsen talked about what hes learned from the Mission. It was a little strange because we each talked for 15 minutes (In Portuguese) and when I sat down I thought to myself "Woah thats crazy... I just gave a 15 min. talk in another language! Back home I struggled to give a 5 minute talk in English about Faith haha the Mission really changes you. :) Afterwards as I was sitting on the stand I began to look out in the adience and I couldnt help but tear up as I looked at my amazing branch. I saw all the recent converts Elder Larsen and I helped bring into the fold of our Savior and they all looked so happy and at peace. I saw our members who I love so much with a fire to work hard. I'm really excited for this coming transfer as it will be one that I never will forget. I will be staying in Campanário mais uma transferência as the senior companion... I'm really excited because we have so much work to do that it should be an awesome transfer! :) 

One thing that happened this past week that strengthened me and taught me a valuable lesson was Elder Larsen and I made a stop by our less active member Daniel... I know I talk a lot about it but we are trying so hard to help him stop drinking... Its just so hard for him but hes trying so hard. As we made a stop by his house we heard the T.V. was on but no one was home. We became a little worried and I had the strangest feeling come into my heart and I said "Elder Larsen we need to pass by as many Bars as we can on our way back to the Chapel." He agreed and as we were taking our normal rountine back to the chapel we turned up a side road without thinking and we began walking... Family and Friends I know that this Gospel is true. I cannot tell you why we walked up this road because to this very moment I dont know why... We literally were walking our normal path just talking one to another and we all of a sudden were walking up this hill haha. As we came to the end of the street we noticed Daniel sitting on the ground... His clothes we very dirty and when we walked up to him we knew he was more drunk than we had every found him. He could barley stand and as we were helping him up this man came up to us and said "Its about time! I'll make a promise with you Mormons, that if you can get this man here out of here I'll convert to Mormonism!" I almost said "Sir may we write down your address and pass by your house another day?" haha but dont worry our less active member took care of it by shouting "I AM A MORMON!" Haha it was a little funny because the man looked a little suprised but afterwards I felt heavy in my Heart... As we began to carry Daniel home we passed by the very Bar he had been drinking at... His "so called" friends were there laughing and pointing at us as we carried Daniel home... Like always I tried to lighten the mood with a joke by saying "Look at those old men in the great and spacious bar laughing at us." We began to laugh a little but it was hard... really hard. I felt like we were there holding on to the Iron rod despertly trying to carry Daniel back to the straight and narrow but those evil man in the great and spacious bar were calling him back with their laughs and pointing fingers. I couldnt help but feel sarrow in my Heart and it was hard not to feel alone on the street carrying daniel home. We did however get Daniel home safely and we gave thanks to our Heavenly Father for allowing us the chance to help him during his time of need. I know the Lord put us in his path for a reason that day. 

That experince with Daniel was a great learning experince for us and we also had one more learning experince last night when we received our calls for transfers... One thing I have began to notice here in the Mission is a lot of Missionarys base success from Baptisms and the Callings they have within the Mission for example as District Leader Or Assistent to the President. Its so sad to see these sacred callings of leadership and growth within the Mission bring so much pride. We need to remember the Lord doesnt call us into a postition because we are qualifide for it... but that we may learn and grow from it. Last night got a little intense as many Missionarys around the Mission began saying things like "He doesnt deserve that calling" or "He only has that calling because he knows how to suck up to the Zone Leaders!" As I heard these comments from many Missionarys I became sad and began to think a lot about what they said. Callings within the Church are not important... Callings within the Mission are not important. In my Blessing it says that "You were pre-ordained to be a Missionary" It did not say I was pre-ordained to be a Zone Leader or a Assistent but a Missionary for our Heavenly Father... When you think about how many people have lived on this earth and how many few people have had the sacred privelege to serve Missions... Its crazy how few have had the chance. Its a privledge for me to be one of the few to preach the Gospel and bear the name of our Lord and Savior close to my Heart. :) We receive callings to grow from them. For example I'm senior know and my dear friend Brady will be a trainer! :) What a great time for us to grow and learn from this chance to serve others! I know this Gospel is true and I know that we are here to help others come unto Christ. Please dont feel that I am putting myself on a higher stand than the other Missionarys by saying these things... there just my thoughts and how I feel on this subject. Yesterday for example I was talking to our new member Clelie at church. (Elder Larsen and I had the chance to teach and Baptise her during our time together) and you know what she said to me with tears in her eyes. "Elder Doggett... I'm so sad right now..." I then asked Por que? and she responded "There will never be two Missionarys like you two, no one can re-place you both and its hard to say goodbye." Do you want to know how my Heart translated those words that she said to me? She told me that even if the best Missionary in the feild with a Million Baptism and had been Assistent to the President all His Mission came and was the next Missionary in the Ramo Campanário the following week, it wouldnt matter to her. Our investigators dont know what callings we have within the Mission... They only see two young representatives of our Lord and Savior who are bringing a message of joy and peace and to them that is something thats more speciel than any calling in the Mission.       

I hope this wasnt a boring/long e-mail to read this week... I feel like this e-mail was more for me so that I could put in order my thoughts about everything that will be happening within the following weeks. I hope you all know how much I love you and I couldnt be happier on the Mission. I'm learning so much and I know this is exactly where I need to be right now. :) I love you all and hope to hear from you all soon. Take care and know that I truly Love you all. Love Elder Matthew Ryan Doggett

Ben #47 Faith is Action

Nossa gente! I heard once more from so many wonderful family and friends this last week. Mom and Dad your emails as always touched my heart as I heard of your crazy adventures in Rexburg... and Utah haha Its good to hear everyone is doing great. I heard from my 2nd family as well :) which was a big booster to me. Love you so much and I have such a testimony on the power of Eternal families. Ali, wow was it amazing to hear from you and the news of good old Jamba. The Brasilians here have a hard time believeing that an American could make a good smoothie... but I still got it haha :) Love you and the team and be sure to tell them hi from Basil haha. Tyson haha your email was awsome I felt for a small moment we were all together again as memories of late nights at your house came flooding into my mind. Its crazy to me to see where all of us are going in our lives and the growth we are making as we are continueing to pressforward and preservear atê o fim! Im at 1 year, and as we say on the mission I have reached the sumit of the mountian and now "Its all downhill," it kind of makes me sad as I see how fast this time is passing and how much more I need to work to bring thy children unto God. I must give "my whole heart, mind, power, and force to progressing this work... as the field is white all ready to harvest" (D&C 4:4) Well, as for this last week it has been a pretty intense one for me. As you all can probably tell my mind is in so many other places right now. Dad I will try and include some funny stories from the mission but time this week is short haha... Anyways lets get to the events of last week starting with Transfer news! Yup its transfers once more and this transfer was a real shock to me haha

 Last night we heard about transfers and it turns out I will be training... I was a little in shock but im a Trainer. I felt and still feel very inadequate for the position but I know "Whom the Lord calls He qualifies." As I heard this news I layed in my bed as my thoughts went back to one yer ago when I entered the Rodoviária in Campinas with my trainer Elder Clay. I remember the fear of the unknown before me and the nervousness within. I remember it was pouring rain and a man came running up to me and began to dance infront of me while griping my hand. He was shouting and singing in Português. (It was also the first time I smelt Alchoal and someones breath haha) I sat there, an American smack in the middle of Basil without the ability to speak Português, with a man dancing while griping tightly to my hand... I was in shock haha :) and now to see how fast the time has passed by. Its funny cause in some way I still feel like that Elder one year ago as the unknown and nervosness was before him... but now I know through faith all things are possible (thank you Matt for that amazing and powerful email) This last week I learned a very powerful lesson but at the same time so basic... Faith is Action, We must trust in the Lord and have faith in His son Jesus Chirst and do as Matt said "and step into the darkness and do our part" and then the blessings will come. Spencer W. Kimball once said that "Some want the Harvest before they plant the Crop." We have to show the Lord that we will accept His will in any given circumstance even if we dont know why. In Moses 5: 6 we see that Adam , our first parent understood this principle as an angel appeared unto him and asked "Why does thou make burnt offereings? Adam Responded: I know not, only that the Lord hath commanded it." Sometimes we dont understand a principle or commandment of the Lord but as we act and fullfill what the Lord has asked we will begin to see our own testimony and understanding grow. Faith is a principle of power. Its a knowledge that you know you have a spiritual potential beyond your own understanding. I felt this so strong this last week as I saw this very power of Faith is Action. I challenge all of you to try a little better and exercise you faith and ACT and trust in the Lord and I promise in due time you will see the blessings I so testify.

I must apoligize alot of things are happening here in the mission right now and in my area of Botucatu and my mind is a little jumbled right now. There is so much I want to say to you all and so many experiences I want to share (Dad I really want to share every little detail of my mission with you haha) but time really is so short. I just want everyone to know through the thick of the confusion and unknown that Faith is the key. It is the light that will brighten any cloudy day as long as we do our part. That our knowlege of this Gospel and that we are sons and daughters of a living God alone can bring a relization and power to guide us through any trial of hardship. As Matt said we must have a conversion not just a testimony... Conversion is an on going thing that must be nourished and fed. My prayer is all of you will seek this own conversion and change within your own lives. Know that though right now the unknown, confusion, and inadqeucies that I feel are great... I know they can be overcomed through trust in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Though I know not His will, I must be as Adam and just DO, is my testimony and love for you all this day. I promise next P-day will be filled with more stories and adventures here in Brasil but until then I hope you can feel a small portion of Elder Benjamin B. Doggett back home. :) Once more it was so wonderful to hear from so many of you this week and though I cant email you all I want you to know how much it helped me right now... I Love you all and may God be with you til we meet again. 

Ama Élder Benjamin B. Doggett

p.s. As for Sueli mom things are going great with her. We have taught her all the lessons and she knows this is all true. When we taught her the Plan of Salvation she began to  cry as she said she had a dream about this Plan once but her Pastor told her that nothing like that exists and the will of God is unknown to us concerning the next life... She as a strong testimony and is reading faithfully the Book of Mormon. Her Husband is struggleing a bit as the other night we had to go search for him in the bar... He was completely under but extremly friendly as he anounced to everyone in the bar "im his American friend from the land of Potatoes." :) haha Pray for him that his heart will be softened... Anyway thats the update I love you all so much. Have a blessed week.