The Best White Christmas Ever

Since it is Christmas Day, and we got to video message with Elder Rawson, he did not send a written update for this last week.  He did however send some pictures.

Feliz Natal - Brazilian Santa Clause

Elder Rawson in beautiful Brazil

The highlight of his week was 3 baptisms!  He said his favorite smell in Brazil is the smell of cleaning products they use to clean the font for baptism!

3 Baptisms for Christmas!

Baptism of Gabriel

Baptism of Jorge

Baptism of Micael

He also knew that he will be transferring from Sao Gabriel  back to Santa Maria tomorrow.  He had mixed feelings about the transfer as he felt that things are going well in Sao Gabriel, but is optimistic about the good things that will happen in Santa Maria.

Adam, Blake, and Grandma watching David say goodbye on Christmas call

Some sweet members in Sao Gabriel also sent us some pictures and videos this week.  We are grateful for the love and kindness they show to Elder Rawson.

Lasagna Lunch with Members

Elder Rawson & Elder Lopes

Christmas Eve Sunday

Sweating Cats and Dogs

1. WELCOME SUMMER
And it´s offically summer here down in Brazil! This week was a solid 105 degrees with humidity.  Only rich people have air conditioning, so it´s safe to say I´m sweating cats and dogs! We are blessed though cause people see us walking on the street and feel bad --so they offer us water and to sit in the shade a bit- which turns into a great opportunity to share the Gospel!

2. Light the world FHE
This week we had a special "seja a luz do mundo" family night with members and investigators and it was SUPER special. We passed the challenge from day 12 about taking in and loving strangers- And the love of the Savior really hit me. So many times on my mission people have taken me in and loved me, and the light of Christ really overwhelmed my heart as I was able to bear my testimony to everyone present. I love my mission.

3. The secret to mission work
MEMBERS! Working side by side with the local members is really the key. We´ve been focusing on teaching members friends/families and visiting incomplete families, and we´re being super blessed. I've never had so many good investigators. We were blessed to have 10 investigators at church this week. Our "Domingo do Amigo" (Friend's Sunday) really is working out.

Don´t forget to share the Gospel with someone today so that they can feel the true joy of Christ!

Luke 10:38-42

Love,
Elder Rawson

the famous Elder Pereira

our Christmas choir in the city center

Our Christmas choir in the city center featuring a drunk guy

our bff RM Natanael

 sunset in our area

Elder Rawson sliding in to teach you the Gospel:)

 Elder Rawson saving the day:)

2 years to work- Eternity to remember!

1. Christmas
Hello family and friends! I hope this Christmas time is going as good as mine is! There's not a better time to be a representative of Christ. We had a wonderful Christmas conference with half our mission. Me and some of the older missionaries did a skit in the talent show that was well liked (see pic #2 bellow). We also got presents and had an amazing training on how to Light the World!

2. 2 years to WORK
When I was at home I didn't full realize that a mission is two years of work, serving the Lord and preaching the Gospel in every moment! Now that I`m more experienced, I´m doing my best and giving it my all in every moment! This week we really focused on inviting people to church and we were blessed to have 12 INVESTIGATORS come! I was overwhelmed. The Lord really is blessing me and I couldn't be more grateful.

3. Apostasy
This week my testimony of the Apostasy grew! We talked to a lady on the street who attends one of the many churches here in the city, and she was explaining how in her church  they pay 30% tithing, 10% to God, 10% to Jesus, and another 10% to the Holy Ghost! Hahahaha and they announce to all their members not to accept the Mormons in your house, "cause that's how they get you.'" Made me appreciate that God restored His church:)

Love you!
Elder Rawson

#SejaALuzDoMundo (Be the Light of the World)

Skit in talent show

Christmas Presents

Seja a luz do mundo at church

a present from an investigator-mini Elder Rawson

 São Gabriel!!

Vai Grêmio!!!

1. Spicy week here in Rio Grande do Sul
HELLO family and friends- what an exciting week this was! So soccer here is obviously huge, and this week the team from our state won the South American Cup, so people went CRAZY celebrating!

Also this week I got bit by a dog and a woman offered herself to me. My personal favorite was a comment from our ward mission leader "Adam, the first man, was the luckiest man ever- he's the only man ever who didn't have to deal with a mother-in-law!"

2. Balling and Preaching
As we finished English class this week I noticed that there were a bunch of people playing basketball on the court, so I decided to give it a look. They invited us to play- so we did! I won´t lie, my jump shot isn't look good, but I managed to impress people with my skills:) they called me white Michael Jordan! We were able to get some people's addresses so it was a success.

3.The Church Miracle
We've been focusing on bringing people to the church on Sundays. Well, Sunday morning it started raining, and because everyone walks a ways to church, during the first hour we had no investigators in sight- so during second hour we headed to the street to invite anyone in sight to come! As sacrament was starting we saw an investigator slide into the back:) after all our effort God blessed us! I´m grateful for the tender mercies that he gives me each and every day.

Love yáll!
Elder Rawson

Utah county representing in São Gabriel-- my new roommate from Provo 

My Study Area

Our "Christmas referral box

Elder Rawson with a cool fam!

Jorge and family (investigator who came)

O Domingo do Amigo (Friend's Sunday)

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving! Thanks for all the birthday wishes and a special shout out to my mom for a rocking package!

Bday Decorations- Thanks mom!

1. The Sunday of Friends
The work here in São Gabriel is coming along! Our Branch is always excited to help, so we had a special Sunday with the theme of inviting a friend! It was awesome to see the members talk to preach the gospel to their friends! I love being a missionary. We are teaching some super cool people that come to church, we're just planning what we can do to help them accept a baptism date! The work is coming along here in São Gabriel:)

2. Fun in São Gabriel
In preparation for our Christmas zone confrence they asked every zone to prepare a video, so today we had fun filming and finding fun things to do on P-Day. I had the brillant idea that we could throw a bucket of water on an Elder who is always sleepy, so I enjoyed throwing a bucket of water on my comp today:) video coming soon.

Love you all! Never forget #SejaALuzdoMundo
Elder Rawson

My trainer Elder Prata went home and I got to see him!

the office decorated for Christmas

  20 year old pic

my Thanksgiving date:)

My humble cake

 bday package

Birthday cake selfie

Traveling to Santa Maria for mission counsel

New District

HELLOOOO my family and friends. I hope everyone enjoys Thanksgiving and my 20th bday:)

1. God knows better
We´ve been killing it lately! We've been blessed to be guided to people who really are interested in the Gospel of Christ. We were searching through the area book for some old names and we felt inspired to visit a couple! The next day we showed up there and they answered the door with eyes wide open. That morning they had been talking and said, "It´s been 6 months since the Elders came... But if they really are men inspired of God, He will send them here today." And there we were! I felt so happy that I could be an instrument in God´s hands. He points the way, and we follow.

2. Goals and Planning
I've  learned the importance setting goals for things you want to accomplish in life and then setting a plan to get it done. We've  been struggling to get our good investigators to church on Sundays, so we set a goal of 5 people then worked all week to get in done... And God gave us 7 investigators at church! Super cool experience.

3. Conference Talks
Lately I've been studying and listening to conference talks and I've been amazed at the impact it´s had in my life! The Prophet's words are the words of God, God´s literal will for your life. I've  been amazed to read and hear things that I know applied directly to me. I invite all of you to pull up a recent conference talk and study it- and then wait for the revelation to come!:)

love you all!
Elder Rawson

Omni 1:26

Me and my comp 

Teaching a lesson with a Member

A Sunday selfie

Jedi Rawson

Heating Up!

1. Overview
Hellooooo everyone! This week was super good and we were blessed to see the Lord´s hand every day! We´re working with a ton of incomplete families, and we´re happy with the progress we´re seeing! The sun is heating up here, and being a missionary in Brazil during the summer is tough!

2. An FHE to remember
Every Thursday we have FHE at the chapel with the 2 branches in the city, and it´s great to have that interaction with members and investigators! This week as part of the message I had to do 3 pushups for every person that came to represent the Atonement of Christ. My arms were a bit sore after to say the least considering the fact that it´s been 1 year and 4 months since I´ve been in a gym! Who knew I would miss my crossfit?!;)

I know that God loves us and takes care of the details in our lives.
Elder Rawson

our district

my hot new tie

walking to a lesson

Lesson with Michael & Gabriel

our fearless ward mission leader!

Bus Rides to Distant Lands

1. The Return
HELLO FRIENDS:) so I spent almost all week outside of my area in exchanges. On Tuesday I was able to return to my homeland (first area) in Salgado Filho! The AP´s area moved to there so now we go there for splits! I was happy to see some people I knew and teach there again. One member even told me I looked skinny!

my return to Salgado Filho

The first of many bus rides this week

2. Rosario do Sul- LZ Viajante
I visited our beloved Elders in this city this week! I love to go out with newer missionaries and try and pass some of my knowledge/experience to them! Having an amazing day to excite and inspire another missionary always helps.

 with Elder Ranger in Rosario

ROSARIO DO SUL- A CITY IN OUR ZONE

Elder Rawson and Elder Gates 

THE BEACH (kinda)

BEACH SELFIE (river beach- the best I`ll see in my mission)

3. "Há segurança em obediência!"
There is safety in obedience! This phrase is so true in missionary work and in living the Gospel. When we obey the small and simple commandments that God gives us, we are blessed. I have also learned that when we obey for love, instead of for obligation, we are able to be MORE blessed!
I know that this is God´s church and that this is His work, and I couldn't be more happy than to serve in his work!:)

With love,
Elder Rawson
ALMA 26:12

ENGLISH CLASS