Missionaries in the Brazil MTC

First Week In Brazil

At the Provo Temple

Jonathan and Elder Crandall (missionary who taught Steven Card)

Dear Dad, Mom, Liz, Kirstie, Ashlynn, McKay, Family and Friends,

This past week was my first full week in Sao Paulo Brazil. Although I´m not in the city everyday talking to people on the street I have come to really love it here at the CTM, or MTC for all you americans out there. :) The first day in Brazil, right after we walked off the airplane felt like we were in a sauna because it is very hot and humid here. I thought I would be used to the humidity and heat after a couple days, but to my surprise it still feels like us missionaries are in a 24/7 sauna. Every night, with the exception of one, I have slept without a blanket because if you do you just wake up in the morning super sweaty and gross feeling. Luckily yesterday and today the ac in the building has been working so it´s not too humid and hot while we are in class all day. 

If I had to describe this past week in a few words, they would be humbling, busy, spiritual, hot, humid and fun. The day after arriving here in the CTM, it was go, go, go. We met our new district and they are actually really amazing people with amazing stories and great spirits. This week was vveerryy  hhuummbblliinngg  because I went from the Provo MTC where a lot of english was being spoken to the ctm here in brazil and very few people here speak english and as we practice teaching investigators in Portuguese it has been difficult and at times frustrating because I  can´t express my true feelings and thoughts because I don´t know very much portuguese. I wanted a humbling experince while I was on my mission, and I guess I got it because I feel helpless trying to learn Portuguese in such a short period of time, so I´ve prayed and relyed on God more than I ever had because I can´t spread this amazing gospel and message without his help and the spirit. 

This past Monday we had the amazing  experience of hearing from two members of the seventy and an apostle of Jesus Christ. Elder Mazagardi, Whitney Clayton and Quinton L Cook spoke to us about the importance of being sharp clean instruments that the Lord can use to perform spiritual surgery on the people we teach. Elder Cook also gave an apostolic blessing to us that this mission is the best possible thing we as  Elders can be doing and that all those we love will be blessed in one way or another because of our faithful service. There truly is a prophet of God and apostles on the earth today and I am so privliaged to be able to spread his gospel to the people of Brazil.  

I love you all and will talk to you soon!!!

Love,

Elder Hokanson

First Letter from the MTC

Today is my last full day in the US for the next two years.  I am surprisingly not very nervous about heading to Brasil, I am just excited to be immersed in the culture and Portuguese.

I saw Elder Archuleta this morning, when me and the companions I am on splits with got locked out of our room and had to go to the floor above us to get the master key. As we were standing around  in our towels, he walked by us and into his room right next to us. I talked a little bit to him and one of his roomates and wished him good luck in the Chile, Rancagua mission because he's leaving today. Aside from seeing him a couple times today last night, we had the most amazing fireside I had ever been to. Before it started all of us missionaries sang hymns and then we heard a musical number from the daughters of the 2nd counselor in MTC presidency, then we heard from our MTC president  Elder Brown who spoke about the importance of being a good companion that is lead by the spirit. After his talk, Elder Archuleta sang the Spirit of God and it was amazing how he brought the spirit into the gym we were in. The final speaker was M Russell Ballard and he also spoke on the importance of teaching by the spirit and believing the doctrine with all our heart. I felt like he was looking directly at me a lot of his talk which was pretty cool. To cap it all off, all of us missionaries formed an Mtc choir and softly sang called to serve as if we were the stripling warriors coming over a hill so by the end we were standing up and singing at the top of our lungs. It was an amazing spiritual and uplifting fireside. The MTC is a remarkable place and I can't wait to experience the one in Brasil.

My companions are teaching me a lot about patience and being understanding because they are struggling wwith the languange but they are a blessing to my life. I am glad to hear that you've been comforted by so many people. Ashlynn you are aewsome. I love you all.

love elder hokanson