11-17-14 "Man...he's pretty"

11-17-14

Hey mom

I was waiting for a bus and a young woman kept looking at me and then she said something to me and I started to talk with her. I told her my name and she said the equivalent of "man..he's pretty" and we got the same bus and then when we were leaving she said "tchau gringo!" American moments in the Brasil.

Something Elder Bolognini said recently that I thought was interesting. He was talking with some people. "Do you think having a calling is convenient? Do you think it's convenient to teach every week or be a secretary or be a leader? The answer is no, it's not convenient. But it's necessary." He's also known to say "You think life isn't easy for you? Life isn't easy for anyone" haha it's an interesting point of view. And it's true. Life would be "easier" without callings but they're necessary to the growth of the church and our personal growth.

Elder Campbell, that other tall, American that I met at BYU, is assistant to the president now! I was happy when I found out :) I've always liked that guy.

My district changed! Now it's my companionship, the other one in Pinda and one more in Guaratinguetá. I like the change because now I feel like a District Leader again because when my district was just my house, it was all different.

I got your letter too with the credit cards. I thought it was funny the comment "no snickers this time" That same day I went in the market and bought snickers.

Tell me about who you’re teaching.  

We were visiting a woman, Maria do Socorro, a cousin of Lelia, the Relief Society President and the visit was super  cool because Leila also shared her personal experiences and it was special because how the 2 of them came to know the church was about the same. I believe that Maria do Socorro will be baptized here in 2 weeks. It was funny too because during the lesson she said that she wanted to visit our church but she said she was waiting for Leila to invite her! Don't leave your friends and loved ones wanting to visit the church of Christ! Invite them! Invite them to go to church and into your house and invite the missionaries and you'll be giving them a great opportunity to get to know the restored gospel!

Tell me about your blessings.

I have the blessing to learn with Elder Bolognini many techniques to be more excited and to teach and to excite other people. 

"We become so caught up in the busyness of our lives. Were we to step back, however, and take a good look at what we’re doing, we may find that we have immersed ourselves in the “thick of thin things.” In other words, too often we spend most of our time taking care of the things which do not really matter much at all in the grand scheme of things, neglecting those more important causes." -Pres. Monson

Tell me what you think about the meaning of “being in the thick of thin things”.

I think that being in the thick of thin things means exactly what Pres. Monson said. Like we're too worried about watching the next episode of our favorite series instead of thinking about that one member that only goes to church every now and then or maybe your home teaching family or maybe your lesson. In the grand scheme of things and in the end, God won't ask you "Hey did you like that episode of Burn Notice??" He'll ask "Did you feed my sheep?" That doesn't mean that we can't have our "me" time either, it just means that our "me" time shouldn't take priority of the Lord's time.

I bore my testimony to a non-active man and he told me that my testimony was just a result of my being raised in the church and that my mind was closed to other options. I bore my testimony again and told him I knew God had responded my prayers and that the church I represent is the true church of Jesus Christ. This man came to be even the president of the quorum of elders but he began to look for information and study about the church but not with church resources and studied philosophers and what not and he has come to the conclusion today that Jesus Christ was just a simple man and not the son of God. When I came to know about that I was sad. But it just goes to show a fact. Something that Elder Bolognini said. If you study books that an atheist wrote, then you'll start to believe that God doesn't exist. The philosophers didn't believe in God. if you look to prove that Jesus is the Christ and the son of God then you'll find proof, but if you look to prove that he isn't then you'll start to believe that and you'll have your own "proof"

It's sad but true. We did our part, we gave him a chance and we bore our testimonies. I hope one day he'll see the light. But as for me, I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet and that he saw God the father and Jesus Christ as Moses saw them in ancient days. I know that God's church is on the earth today and that we are part of His kingdom. This testimony and knowledge came to me by the Holy Ghost which teaches all truth.

I love you all!

Elder Horton

(in response to Dad’s letter)

Man that'll be an interesting calling for you, but you've proven yourself to be well able to work with kids and youth with your Sunday school class. I'm excited to hear how things will go with your seminary class! If you're still teaching when I get back then I think I'll want to participate sometimes just to see it personally.

Every time you mention something about your mission, it seems like it's something new every time, something that I've never heard before. That I remember, you never really talked a lot about your mission so it's interesting to hear little details every now and then. Thanks for the stories and the incentivation, I always like to receive your letters.

11-10-14 Skipping class

11-10-14

Hey mom

Big news! There were transfers! ANddddddd the whole district stayed the same. Elder Gilliat continued training Elder Elias and I continued with Elder Bolognini. He and I get along well. We play around, we joke. He buys something for me and I buy something for him. He's used to things like that. Like just buying things for your companion. It's a good thing but it's hard for me. It's really hard not to keep a mental track of how much I've given him and how much he's given me to see if we're "even" man that's hard haha. But I'm trying. Preparing myself for the law of consecration.

I loved the pictures of little baby Ames :)

So how was your week?

The week was good, unfortunately some of our investigators are deciding that they don't want to go to church and these things and in that case we can't do anything :/ it's kind of sad as a missionary because sometimes you just want the best for that person. I was talking with one of the young woman that was helping us to teach 3 of her friends who are losing interest and I was trying to encourage her and tell her not to give up just because these 3 are losing interest and she ended up encouraging me. She said that her dad knew the church for years before becoming a member and maybe now just isn't their time. Which is true. Maybe now, they won't be baptized but I believe that without a doubt our involvement now was key to their conversion after.

I made more cookies. And ate them all already :) It's kind of expensive to do those cookies here...peanut butter is like 10 dollars. to make 2 batches, I spent like 35 dollars. Ridiculous right? But it was worth it, it was very good.

How has service as a missionary changed your outlook on things? 

Being a missionary, I've really gained the ability to see things in a grander perspective. Before my mission, it was just me, my family and 1 or 2 other people but now, it's the whole ward and how everyone works together. Who's there and who's not there, who's growing and who needs some more help. I've started to worry more about that one brother that only comes once or twice a month or even that sister that I've never even seen but that I can visit and help and invite to come back to church. I liked the quotes that you gave because they really are true. Especially that first one.

What are your thoughts about service?

Service is something that can be menial at times but only if we choose it to be menial. If we serve like the savior served then there is a great amount of joy and love that can be shared as we serve. I've passed in many wards and gotten to known many members. I've seen every kind of member. The happy member is not the member that sits in the bench listens and leaves just to come back in a week and do it again without interacting. The happy member is the member that interacts with others, has good friendships inside and outside of the church. The happy member is the member that chooses to serve his fellow brethren instead of just watching the news or something like that. It's tiring but it's worth it and with the Lord, we can take upon us His yoke with is light and he can help us.

I love you all!

Elder Horton

(In response to Dad’s letter)

I always enjoy reading your letters, thanks for taking the time to write them and let me know who things are going with you. I'm happy to see that you're helping your Sunday School class and helping them to gain their own testimonies about the principles of the gospel :) You're a good instructor. I remember when I was like 15 or 16, I would skip class sometimes and go to the YSA because I thought the teacher boring. But I don't think I would've skipped your class.

Thanks for being a good dad and a good example and a good instructor in my life growing up :) You and mom both.