tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35047944216024368422024-03-13T12:24:32.531-04:00Elder Bushman in São Paulo, BrazilI was serving as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I know that Jesus lives and loves me, the Book of Mormon is true, and that the gospel is absolutely true. I love this church.T. Drew Bushmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00188589769272774733noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504794421602436842.post-43034359169329286202012-08-27T12:41:00.001-04:002012-08-27T12:54:19.766-04:00California - Week 2 - A new Blog<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
8-27-2012</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Hello everyone,<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
As you know, I am no longer in Brazil and so I felt the
necessity to change the title of my blog. I will now be writing in a blog
called "<a href="http://todayisashadow.blogspot.com/">Today's Shadow</a>." I tried to keep a blog consistently
last summer, but I never got into the habit. That has now changed and I
will have a weekly entry every Monday. Please take a look.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Thank you for your support,<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Tyler "Drew" Bushman<o:p></o:p></div>
T. Drew Bushmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00188589769272774733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504794421602436842.post-43979497851928357212012-08-20T13:56:00.000-04:002012-08-20T13:58:23.952-04:00California<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">8-20-2012</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hello Everyone,<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wow, I am so grateful to so many of you for the great
outpouring of love and support I have received.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I have had more hugs, expressions of caring, and warm smiles in the last
few days than I have had in months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For
anyone who does not know, I am at home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The difficulties I was facing were determined to be too much to try to
face while on the mission.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I had about 35 hours of travel from the airport in Brazil to California.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I spent much of my time concerned about how I
should interact with my family, and what life would be like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am sad to have left the field, but as I
walked around the corner in the airport and saw my family standing there with a
sign saying they loved me a grin spread across my face and I knew that I was
home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Life is so hard sometimes, but
after the Lord, the family is everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Our greatest joys in life come from the family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whether it is the family we have now, our
friends, or the family we dream to one day have, true peace and happiness can
be found in the idea of an eternal family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I have a long path ahead of me and many long days, but I know that I am
loved and my family is here.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was afraid that when I arrived at church on Sunday that I
would receive judgmental looks and difficult questions, but it didn’t
happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was welcomed home with open hands
and open hearts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t really have a
lot to report this week, but I just want to reiterate how wonderful everyone
has been so far.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one knows the
specifics of what is going on and yet they are so willing to love me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was afraid that people would not love me
because I wasn’t able to fulfill my responsibilities as a full-time missionary,
but that was not the case.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am
currently on track to return to the mission field in April.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know where I will be serving, but I definitely
plan to be serving again.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It does not seem appropriate to keep the name of my blog so I
will be changing the title soon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not
sure yet what I will change it to, just that a change will happen.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lastly, I have decided to change my name and go by my middle
name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have disliked my first name for
a long time and have wrestled with the decision to change it since I was
11.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, at this transitional and
pivotal time in my life, I am making that change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From now on I would like to be called Drew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope that isn’t too weird for you, but I
suppose that it is my name and as I introduce myself as Drew people will come
to just assume that is my name.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My quote of the day is actually just my life mantra.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John Locke said “Tabula Rasa.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It means “clean slate.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was referring to the human brain at birth
being empty and people being determined by their life experiences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t like that definition so I changed it
to suit my lifestyle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wake up every
single day knowing that regardless of what happened yesterday, happens today,
or will happen tomorrow, today will be a good day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will be happy and I will make it the best
day possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do not often feel sad
and I never feel discouraged because those feelings don’t help me to
improve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You too can live your life and
make the conscious choice that you will never have a bad day.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I love you and am grateful for all of your support,</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Drew Bushman<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<u><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Note from mom: <o:p></o:p></span></span></u></div>
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I want to thank all of you for
your amazing support for my son and our family this week during this unexpected
transition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have been quite literally
overwhelmed by the support and love we have received from so many of you in
person and through messages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What could
have been an extremely uncomfortable situation for all of us, has instead been
a happy reunion of family and friends that care deeply for each other and are
not afraid to show it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This outpouring
of love is exactly what the Savior wants from us when he tells us in John 15:12
“This is my commandment, That ye love one another; as I have loved you.” And in
1 John 4:12 “If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is
perfected in us.” For those of you who are interested, I would like to share
some of my feelings from the last few days.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As Drew has been working on
improving himself in the mission field, I have also been working on developing
my Christlike qualities here at home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
has been a wonderful experience to learn alongside him – even though we have
been on the other side of the world from each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the blog post from 6-11 he talks about
charity – this has been on my mind a lot, especially this last week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Charity is truly the ability to show Christ’s
love for another person to the extent that they can really KNOW you love
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As much as I would like to say I
am confident in my ability to show my love for those I care deeply about, I
know I fall short and hurt or disappoint the people I love more often than I
would like. I continue to work on this trait that is such a vital part of our
foundation in the gospel of Christ.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When we were officially notified
that Drew would be returning home to us, my first and overreaching thought was
“How do I show my son that I love him without exception?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did not have the opportunity to email or
speak to Drew before he left Brazil, so I had to rely on the Lord to carry my
love as my son traveled home alone – not really knowing what he would encounter
when he arrived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was not nervous for
myself, but I was apprehensive for my son because in these unforeseeable
situations Satan discourages us and allows doubt to creep into even the most
secure of circumstances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t want
him to hesitate as he walked around the corner in the airport – wondering if we
would still really love him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t
know what he was expecting, but as soon as he saw us I think he knew it would
be okay. His face filled with his silly smile and I knew that he was
home, which is exactly where he needs to be at this time. I have felt totally
comfortable with him every moment since. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Because I have been praying to
increase my level of charity, I received a confirmation from the Spirit that I
have succeeded in some small measure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
realized that I have absolutely zero embarrassment over the fact that my sweet
boy has come home from his mission earlier than anticipated. I feel no
need to explain myself or him to anyone. I just love him without
condition or effort. What a blessing this charity is in my life – I hope
to understand it more deeply each day as I continue to work through my many
shortcomings.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I will close with the first thought
that came to my mind when Drew told us he may be coming home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Elder Holland stated: “</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">You have a
limited time to be a missionary, but regardless of the work that happens, if
you are changed at the end, it is all worth it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can testify that the time Drew spent in Brazil
has truly changed not only Drew, but myself and many others for the
better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a blessing we will
always cherish.</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span>T. Drew Bushmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00188589769272774733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504794421602436842.post-49325426430097860892012-08-13T11:06:00.000-04:002012-09-21T11:52:10.100-04:00Brás Cubas – Week 13<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">8-13-2012<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hello Everyone,<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This week has been really difficult. I received some
hard news that I had been expecting, but nevertheless it was unpleasant.
I will almost certainly be coming home very soon. I will find out for
sure in the next few days what the final verdict is, but at this point I am
preparing myself to return to California in the next couple of weeks. I
will explain in more detail for anyone who cares to read on.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When I arrived in the field 13 weeks ago it became apparent
very quickly that I would have a problem performing the work in the manner
required of me. My body ached, but my heart and spirit hurt too. I
did not want to admit (to myself or the Lord) my weakness and so as I continued
to work and pray I became numb to what I was feeling. A missionary cannot
feel the Spirit effectively or teach well if there is not an open channel between
them and the Lord. I prayed that the burden would be lifted, that the
pain would dissipate, and I could feel the Spirit guiding me and helping me the
way I needed. The impression came several times to talk to my mission
president about what was going on inside me, to allow him to help me fight this
battle, but I ignored this feeling because it wasn't what I wanted. The
thing with me is that I may not always do what I should or what I think, but no
matter how ridiculous it seems I always do what I feel. To ignore this
feeling was my signal that I couldn't put this off anymore.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">One night while Elder Todd was sick and I had already been
trapped in the house for more than a week with the only thing for me to do
being to study; I was closer to the Savior than I had been for a while.
As I lay in bed this sick feeling came over me, not physical sickness, but a
deep and penetrating feeling of sadness and disappointment. I got out of
bed and walked to my desk to study some more. After hours of reading and
not feeling relieved I finally humbled myself enough to fall to my knees.
For the first time in months I prayed with the intent to follow any and all
promptings that came to me. My terrible feeling increased and then gave
way to a simple thought that alleviated the tension inside of me: "There
are some pains that only the Atonement of the Savior Jesus Christ can
heal. Whether they are physical, emotional, or spiritual, it is the
same."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It had finally come the time to turn my will to His
will. As I continued in my prayers I felt again the need to talk with my
president and tell him what I was thinking, feeling, and doing. I set an
appointment with him and went into his office a few days later. I felt
his deep love for me and he agonized with me over what I was experiencing and
the opportunities I had missed by blocking myself from the Lord. He
let me know what the steps would be and he commiserated with me at the
percentages that looked so grim against me. By this time I was truly at
peace with whatever would happen because I knew I was following a true answer
to prayer.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As I have said before, Elder Holland has promised that
regardless of the work done, if I walk away from my mission a better person than
when I arrived it was all worth it. When I told my mom I'd probably be returning
home she reminded me of this and told me that the principle is true even if my
mission is shorter than expected. I testify that even separated from the
full influence of the Spirit because of my own pride I have witnessed miracles,
blessed lives, brought joy, and more than anything else I have learned to study
and ponder the Gospel, and to never ignore a feeling again. I came into
the mission thinking I was ready for everything, but now I understand that only
with His help are we ready for anything.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I love being a missionary, and I am not happy to be leaving
the mission field, but I am ready to return home and I'm excited to continue
learning, growing, and being a lifelong member missionary. I may not
return to the mission field again, but never will I lose my missionary
spirit. This Gospel is too important and the message too powerful to let
it sit in the back of our minds. We must fight the good fight. In
the movie "The Other Side of Heaven" they are traveling to an outer
island when the wind stops. The branch president instructs Elder Groberg
to get in the rowboat and he begins to row. The young elder asks him why
he is doing it and he responds, "I didn't decide to serve the Lord until I
was old and tired - tired from all the sin. But you - you are young and
already give your life to Him. I cannot be young again. But today,
I can be the Lord's wind." We may not be old and tired from sin, but
we can still decide that today, and every day, we can be the Lord's wind.
I bear testimony to you that God lives and loves you. Jesus is our Savior
and is there for you when no one else can be. I say this in the name of
our Lord, Redeemer, and Savior, even Jesus Christ. Amen.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Elder Tyler Andrew Bushman<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />T. Drew Bushmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00188589769272774733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504794421602436842.post-22951168380934079182012-08-06T12:30:00.001-04:002012-08-06T12:30:26.661-04:00Brás Cubas – Week 12<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">8-6-2012</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Family and
friends,<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Note from Mom: Tyler’s
companion Elder Todd has been sick all week so they have not been able to get
out at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tyler had just a few minutes
on the computer and asked me to post something on his blog from his letters
home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sends his love to everyone and
told me he will find out later today if either he or Elder Todd will be transferred
tomorrow. Here is an excerpt from last week’s letter to the family:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My dear
family,<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I read a
story this week that inspired some new ideas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is titled <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“Smiles to Share”</b>
by C. J. Gudmundson –Friend, June 2009 – you can look up the full text but it
talks about a child learning a lesson about the importance of discovering and sharing
our talents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This story demonstrates some important principles.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1. The importance of sharing our
talents.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">President
Hinckley once said, “We are here to accomplish something, to bless society with
our talents and our learning.” That’s easy enough to say and to comprehend, but
actually putting it into practice is much less simple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It shouldn’t be, but somehow developing our
talents always seems to be put on the back burner to things that are “more
immediately important.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Satan is
incredibly clever and hardworking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
likes to show us 1,000 things we could be doing to distract us from the few we
should.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I know
first-hand how powerful a gift from God can be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I have been blessed with a “quick and ready” smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one ever said it would be pretty, just
that it would be there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We reactivated
this woman and the reason she didn’t come to church was because she has anger
issues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are several people in the
ward who have severely offended her, but her first few weeks at church when I
could tell that she “ficon com raiva” (was with anger) I would smile at
her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My smile is so awkward that she
always starts to laugh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She told me that
now, anytime she feels herself getting angry she picture my smile and the anger
dissipates.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2. The importance of audience
participation when teaching with the Spirit.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Elder
Richard G. Scott (my hero) states: “Creating an atmosphere of participation
enhances the probability that the Spirit will teach more important lessons than
you can communicate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That participation
will bring into their lives the direction of the Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you encourage students to raise their
hands to respond to a question, while they may not realize it, they signify to
the Holy Ghost their willingness to learn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That use of moral agency will allow that Spirit to motivate and give
them more powerful guidance during your time together. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Participation allows individuals to experience
being led by the Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They learn to
recognize and feel what spiritual guidance is.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If that
doesn’t say it all, I don’t know what does.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In the church we call them teachers, but a more appropriate title would
be facilitators.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They prepare with the
Spirit so they are guided to the correct words to say, but then their job is to
stand in the front of the room, present truths, and invite class members to
think and open their minds to the ministering of angels and of the Holy
Ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The world we live in today
teaches that answers must come instantly and that silence is awkward, but both
of those things are exactly contrary to the way the Spirit teaches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we accustom ourselves and those we teach
to quietly contemplate during classes in church and school, alone or in a
crowd, then the Lord will “open you the windows of Heaven, and pour you out a
blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” (Malachi
3:10)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we “shall find wisdom and
great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures.” (D&C 89:19)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>if we have the faith to let silence reign and
then have the courage to share what the Spirit bore witness to you, everyone
will be blessed with the ability to “be still, and know that [He is] God.”<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I wish I had
some funny story or experience, but missionary work is a lot of the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We wake up, work out and study, go to lunch,
and then walk and teach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Occasionally
something different happens, but generally it is pleasant and spiritual
monotony. I pretty consistently walk around with a silly grin on my face that
I’m sure occasionally makes people wonder about my sanity, but such is life.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My testimony
has grown so much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love the church
more than I thought I ever could or would.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I can’t wait to learn and grow more. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Para Sempre,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Elder Tyler
Andrew Bushman<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />T. Drew Bushmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00188589769272774733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504794421602436842.post-72576757479676121172012-07-30T10:55:00.000-04:002012-07-30T10:55:13.467-04:00Brás Cubas – Week 117-30-2012<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Hello Readers,<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
This week was truly amazing. I will tell you why.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
First, on Wednesday we got a call from the Zone leaders
saying that I was going on a 2 day division with another District leader named
Elder Lutz. I had 5 minutes to pack; we jumped on a train and headed to
Guarerema. I loved it there. There was grass. And trees. And it didn't
smell like smoke and alcohol everywhere we went. It reminded a little of
home, and I have to admit that when we weren't busy I was feeling pretty
trunky, but as soon as we started doing something again I was okay. It
was great; in the time I was there we reactivated one man, I taught Elder Lutz
several things about how to be a better and more effective missionary, and he
taught me several things as well. Overall it was a really wonderful
experience.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
On Saturday my ward had a giant festa (party). There
were about 250 people there and about half of them were less-actives or
investigators. It was amazing. I had a blast and I know that everyone
else did too. It culminated in a brief experience I had. They had a
dance floor and music, but no one was dancing. Knowing that I was a
dancer my Ward Mission Leader asked me to get people dancing. Always
happy to oblige a request to dance, I got a few of the men and young men in the
ward together, showed them a few moves, and then helped them to let loose and
have fun. I have missed dancing a lot, so it was nice, even if just for a
few minutes, to cut a rug and just have a little fun. So much of
missionary work is work, I am learning to really value the brief times I have
to let go and relax. I love this ward.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Yesterday Elder Todd was sick, so after church and lunch we
just went home. We might have to go to the doctor today, but he hasn't
decided if he needs that yet. I have had the opportunity to do some
service for him and really focus on making sure his needs are met. In the
early afternoon I took a brief nap, but being the kind of sleeper I am that was
probably a bad idea. I was up all night and only slept from about
5:45-6:30. In reality though, that was a blessing in disguise. I was able
to devote my night to study and prayer. I am making a study journal and
last night I was able to fill 10 pages with quotes and impressions from what I
was learning. We're going to take today and tomorrow off whether or not
we go to the doctor, so I will have some more wonderful opportunity to feel the
Spirit in my studies.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The quote of the day is from an Ensign Article by President
Boyd K. Packer. He said, "If you understand how the
Spirit operates, you will be alright. There is not enough evil put together
- if it was all brought together as some kind of dark, ugly laser beam and
focused on you, it could not destroy you, unless somehow you consented to
it." This is brilliant and true. Satan has power only to
bruise our heals, but we can crush his head. We need not
have respect for him, except to acknowledge that he has real power, but
our secret is that we have a body and that regardless of what Satan throws at
us, unless we give in, he cannot control us. We are infinitely powerful
and have infinite potential. Infinite doesn't mean "a lot" it
means limitless. If we remember that, and keep the commandments of God
nothing can stop us from achieving our righteous goals.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Para sempre,<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Elder Tyler Andrew Bushman<o:p></o:p></div>T. Drew Bushmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00188589769272774733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504794421602436842.post-22071553226854454122012-07-23T10:47:00.000-04:002012-07-23T10:47:00.690-04:00Brás Cubas – Week 107-23-2012 <o:p> </o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Good morning/afternoon/evening/night everyone,<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
This week was filled with a lot of craziness, not the least
of which being our really awesome investigator that keeps shouting the gospel
in the streets to his friends and neighbors. We are currently teaching
his whole family, his friend’s family, and various other people he has
introduced us to. Needless to say, our area focus has shifted. Our
investigator told us every single day how excited he was to go to church and
how much he loved it, but a few weeks ago he broke his finger and when he woke
up on Sunday morning it was so infected and nasty that his mom said he couldn't
go to church because he was going to the hospital. He was...very...very
unhappy about that, but his brother came to church and next week his grandma and
mom are planning to come. It is amazing how we can work, and work, and
work, and then one day meet this one teenager who gives us enough people to
teach that our days are completely filled. The blessings of the Lord do
not come how or when we want them, but they come exactly how we need them.<br />
<br />
I think it is sad, that now, just as I am becoming really comfortable with
Elder Todd (and I'm talking comfortable enough to have very frank conversations
about our personality faults) we will be split up in two weeks. We have
just hit a beautiful teaching stride, have a very full teaching pool, have
several baptisms that appear very likely, and I'm about to say goodbye.
Is that fair? No. Is it what I need? Apparently we will have to
wait and see. There is a chance (small, but there) that neither of us
will be transferred. Oh well, the Lord has planned 6 week transfers for a
reason and I trust Him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
It is wonderful though, that I am learning more
Portuguese. My first few weeks here lunches with the sisters in the ward
were a little awkward because I couldn't communicate well. Then,
I could communicate well enough to talk a little. But now, we have a
blast at lunch. We talk, laugh, tell stories, share mission experiences,
and just have a great time. I am learning better how to have fun but
allow the Spirit to remain. My Portuguese becomes better and better every
day. I always seem to think, 'okay, I'm doing pretty good now, I'll
probably plateau for a while' and then I find a new level of comfort and
skill. It's beautiful what we can accomplish with the help of a divine
being.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I met the new president this week. He is really
nice. He has the opposite problem from me in Portuguese. He knows
tons of vocabulary, but his accent needs some work; I don't know almost any
words (just enough to communicate and joke), but my accent is pretty
excellent. I have been blessed with the Gift of Tongues. Sister
Ferrin said that she was jealous of my language skills and hopes to someday be
able to speak like I can. They are a great couple with lots of faith,
some great ideas for what to do with the mission, and they let the light of
Christ shine through them. I am lucky and excited to have the opportunity
to learn from them in the next 20.5 months.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The quote of the day is from Winnie the Pooh. In the
movie Christopher Robin is about to start school and so he says good bye to
Pooh. In his heartfelt goodbye he explains to Pooh how much potential he
has. "You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and
smarter than you think. Even if we are apart, I'll always be with
you." We are children of our Heavenly Father, God. He loves us
and has given each of the talents and abilities to be more than we know we can
be. He is always with us even when we feel like we are alone, and He
loves us more than we can comprehend. With that in mind, go fearlessly
into this next week and share the divine light within you with those around
you.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Para Sempre,<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Elder Tyler Andrew Bushman<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>T. Drew Bushmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00188589769272774733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504794421602436842.post-44308373923445353152012-07-16T11:10:00.000-04:002012-07-16T11:10:03.759-04:00Brás Cubas – Week 97-16-2012<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Hey everyone,<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
This week my focus has been gratitude and about forgetting about
my needs to fulfill the needs of those that I am serving. As I have done
this I am more easily recognizing the miracles and the evidence of God's hand
in my life. I will tell a few stories to demonstrate.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
First, last transfer we reactivated a family. The
mom hasn't been active in years and the children didn't know a lot about the
church. The dad... is not a member of the church and is not living almost
any of the church standards. The reason this woman went inactive is
because she is not married to her "husband" and so she was
embarrassed to go to church. Her family is in the ward and
after she came once, felt their love and support, she came every week afterward.
She had been feeling lost and lonely for a long time. She was coming to
church for about a month when we went over to her house to talk to her and
her kids. She told us that they would be moving out of the house, just
her and the kids. She has since moved. She is living the law of
chastity, going to church, and is happier than she has ever been. It is a
wonderful privilege to be a tool in the Lord's hands, helping this woman to
have the courage to do something difficult and feel the blessings. I am
so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this work.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Second, we have an investigator that is the friend of a
less-active member we are working on re-activating. They both came to
church this week and loved it. We went to see them after church to see
how they felt and the investigator was running around introducing us to all of
his friends, inviting them to hear the truth he learned and to find God.
He is inviting them to youth activities, ward activities, church, and to let us
teach them. He truly has the spirit of missionary work and wants nothing
more than for every other person to feel what he feels.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Third, last week was really hard and we weren't feeling
discouraged, just a little...disheartened. We were still working hard and
talking with as many people as we could, but things just didn't seem to be
working out. My companion was taking it harder than I was and I didn't
know how to make him feel better. It all culminated last Sunday when none
of our investigators came to church and we hadn't taught a lesson all
day. We had been on our feet for hours and sat down for just a second to
rest. A man walked by with a bunch of pastries that he was selling in the
street. He came over, gave us each one for free, and walked away.
That gave us the energy to finish the day. Then on Tuesday we were going
home after another hard day and decided to stop for churros. As we went
to pay the woman told us that a man on the other side of the stand had already
paid. We arrived home and the sister who lives in the house above mine
gave us half of a hot quiche that she had left over from her family's
dinner. It is amazing how wonderful unexpected and free food can feel
sometimes. Since then we have been so blessed and I know that it is
because we kept working hard and not getting discouraged even when things
didn't look very bright. I think our greatest blessing this week, besides
having 2 investigators at church yesterday, occurred on Friday. We went
to the house of a referral that we had taught a couple of times. During
the course of the lesson 6 of his friends came in and sat down listening,
totally hooked. It was wonderful. We were able to teach 7 people in
a single lesson and many of them want us to come back. The Lord works in
mysterious ways, but He does always make things work.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The quote of the week is from Proverbs 17:22 "A merry
heart doeth good like a medicine." There is a story of a man who was
very sick in the hospital. His friends came over and brought a bunch of
their favorite funny movies. He spent days laughing and joking with his
friends. Miraculously he recovered surprisingly rapidly. If we can
smile and laugh through the worst of situations then our trials will always
pass and make us stronger.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Para sempre,<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Elder Tyler Andrew Bushman<o:p></o:p></div>T. Drew Bushmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00188589769272774733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504794421602436842.post-7366713883982730842012-07-10T13:47:00.000-04:002012-07-10T13:47:10.435-04:00Brás Cubas – Week 87-10-2012<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Hey everyone, <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Another week in Brazil has passed by. I'm sorry for
the late entry. Monday was a holiday and we couldn't find any place that
was open that we could send emails from. Anyway, this week was really
cold and I was sick. Not a great combo, but I learned some good things
and had a few great experiences. For now, suffice it to say that miracles
still exist in the world. I know that more now than I ever had before.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
This week was hard, not just because I was sick, but because
people kept canceling our appointments. We would walk for 30 minutes to
someone's house just to have them cancel. And it was not time
well-wasted, it was just time wasted. And then on Saturday we spent all
day visiting all of our investigators and inviting them to church. Sunday
morning came...only 3 investigators came to church, and none of them were
invited by us. What did that tell us? To drop all but 2 of our
investigators and start over from scratch. Our goal this week is to do as
many contacts as we possibly can and not stop until we have people to teach who
will come to church and keep their commitments. We will embark on this
new journey starting this afternoon as soon as we finish emailing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I now understand about 97% of all the Portuguese spoken to
me and I can write almost fluently. I still need to learn a lot of
vocabulary, but I can communicate nearly any idea (in a roundabout way) that I
want to. We were at a member's house for lunch on Sunday and I
participated in making several jokes and even told a few humorous life stories
in Portuguese. The problem now is embarrassment. I don't speak as
much as I really could because I can't make the sounds come out of my mouth
correctly all the time. I am learning to get over it as I hear more
Americans speaking Portuguese. Elders who have been here for almost 2
years have American accents so thick I can barely understand their
Portuguese. I may not have a large vocabulary, but my accent is pretty
good. Eu não vou ter vergonha mais. (I will not have embarrassment more.)<br />
<br />
The quote of the week is taken from an article by Brad Wilcox about the
importance of laughter. He told this story: "Some time ago I was a
passenger on an airplane that was coming in for a landing. As we neared
the airport, the other passengers and I began to realize that we were traveling
much faster than normal. I could feel the anxiety level in the plane
start to rise. Suddenly the airplane hit the ground with great force and
then began taxiing down the runway. Shaken, we passengers sat in stunned
silence until the captain's voice came over the sound system: 'Take that, you
bad, bad runway!' We all erupted in laughter. With a humorous
viewpoint and a shared laugh, and uncomfortable situation had become
bearable." That story is beautiful. Just like the captain in a
tense moment was able to be the catalyst for relieving the pressure, we must
also learn a few jokes to help others to be comfortable in difficult
situations.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Para sempre, (forever, or literally for always)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
Elder Tyler Andrew Bushman<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHL6NWlv24lAsdHcs6HGvMYkRAcyxV7xF_pCW9fAQCjHlMWRGKAP0e4VWVaoz7dWabG7ezs732vW6womXabcteJaaumBmdU-QEJj1RNe2CDt8XDkyfZ-w3rYKE0j6s1OgVzBxVdoOFyeVe/s1600/100_0194%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHL6NWlv24lAsdHcs6HGvMYkRAcyxV7xF_pCW9fAQCjHlMWRGKAP0e4VWVaoz7dWabG7ezs732vW6womXabcteJaaumBmdU-QEJj1RNe2CDt8XDkyfZ-w3rYKE0j6s1OgVzBxVdoOFyeVe/s320/100_0194%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Two beautiful sunsets.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmK11cmPDj__12kzY_oF-PdXjbiyiY6xSrAyUr3o9ZVjW7-OXfjNG5OtQoUZ8-TpDZyr88c6Y45wJJ2NcSv94hB0_1PXY44XHLMwN7ogNJZnrzXGP-GiNPJ8AQWJXxewl-MXPwf3oMBSM4/s1600/100_0193%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmK11cmPDj__12kzY_oF-PdXjbiyiY6xSrAyUr3o9ZVjW7-OXfjNG5OtQoUZ8-TpDZyr88c6Y45wJJ2NcSv94hB0_1PXY44XHLMwN7ogNJZnrzXGP-GiNPJ8AQWJXxewl-MXPwf3oMBSM4/s320/100_0193%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
A sweet mural on a local street.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv84ZcMcV7bJna0sZwB6EREsEV5kf5msapV65AVMvwfEmz3xgpX8DoQylQtAoJ9Q_MhMa4CJusMCWeHsZjGjRym5o5ELwW9L0sevS0de4vuYf94W6m889mmZsUFDkHmFdkEoTff42b36ts/s1600/100_0195%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv84ZcMcV7bJna0sZwB6EREsEV5kf5msapV65AVMvwfEmz3xgpX8DoQylQtAoJ9Q_MhMa4CJusMCWeHsZjGjRym5o5ELwW9L0sevS0de4vuYf94W6m889mmZsUFDkHmFdkEoTff42b36ts/s320/100_0195%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>T. Drew Bushmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00188589769272774733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504794421602436842.post-25823644759458539212012-07-02T10:29:00.002-04:002012-07-02T10:29:36.232-04:00Brás Cubas – Week 7<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
7-2-2012 <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Hey everyone,<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I love being on a mission. It's hard, I'm so exhausted,
emotionally and physically that I hurt, and I'm so happy. I don't even
know why I'm so happy. Can you be this tired and this fulfilled at the
same time? Apparently the answer is yes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I started reading the Book of Mormon again last week and for
the first time in my life I wasn't reading it because I was supposed to or
because I need help, but because I wanted to. Something really crazy happened;
I experienced what the prophets, and especially President Hinckley, described
as a love-affair with the scriptures. I haven't been able to put them
down. I read during my study time, I read after nightly planning, I read
while waiting for lunch, I read any chance I get. I've read more than 400
pages in 7 days. I'm reading in English and Portuguese (depending on
whichever one I happen to have at the moment) and I love it. I have never
appreciated how rich the stories are, or how simple the doctrine is. I've
read from the Book of Mormon more times than I can count, but this time through
it has taken on a simplicity and beauty that it never has before. Perhaps
I was finally spiritually ready to receive more from it, or perhaps I am
just humble enough to read it, but either way, I have fallen hopelessly into
the power and love of the words of God.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
It's winter here. The people don't like the cold,
which seems silly to me because I still sweat through my shirt every day and
they are wearing thick winter jackets. Because it's winter there are less
people on the streets and we are relying more on the members to send us to
people to teach. We started teaching these four 20 to 30 year-old men all
together. They seem to have a true desire to learn and I hope that they
continue to feel the need for the Gospel in their lives.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Our ward had a really neat activity on Saturday. It
was a Dia de Feijoada, or a Day of Feijoada. Feijoada is a food from
here. It is beans, beef, sausage, and a bunch of spices and sauce.
It is honestly one of my favorite foods here and I got to eat my absolute
fill on Saturday. It was an integration activity and we had a few
investigators there. It was a lot of fun. I understand almost
everything now, so I have to work on my speaking. I love this ward.
They are so much fun and so strong in the gospel.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The quote of the week this week is from Elder Richard G.
Scott. As always I am continuing to work on building charity, faith,
obedience, and better prayers. In relation to prayers and revelation he
says, "Communication with our Father in Heaven is not a trivial
matter. It is a sacred privilege. It is based upon eternal,
unchanging principles. We receive help from our Father in Heaven in
response to our faith, obedience, and the proper use of agency."<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
As always, love and prayers,<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;">
Elder Tyler Andrew Bushman<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>T. Drew Bushmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00188589769272774733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504794421602436842.post-21106611272128184272012-06-25T14:23:00.001-04:002012-06-25T14:25:04.373-04:00Brás Cubas - Week 6<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6-25-2012<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hello everyone,<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This week was...eventful to say the least.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">On Monday it was my birthday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Thank you everyone that sent me a birthday wish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really love hearing from you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Elder Todd and I were going to have pizza on
Monday but decided to have pancakes for lunch instead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Between the two of us we ate 5 kilos (11
pounds) of pancakes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was really,
really delicious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then that night we
went to a less-actives house and had pancakes with their family and some
investigators.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It's nice that my talent
for making chocolate chip pancakes has a real purpose in bringing people
together in unity around some good food.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">On Wednesday there was a conference because President Moreira
is leaving and going home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They took a
mission picture, there were some speakers, I understood almost everything that
was said, we sang the mission hymn, and it was just an overall good day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But in all honesty my favorite part of the
whole day was seeing the people I'd gone to the MTC with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was just so happy to see them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had grown to really love them in the 6
weeks we were together and it was nice to see that they were all doing well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Learning and growing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, I wasn't the one to lose the most
weight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another elder lost 15 kilos (33
pounds), so my 10 kilos wasn't so bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The conference ate our whole day though so we got back in time to do
just a little bit of studying and then go teach our English class.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We taught them commands and then played Simon
Says.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They thought that was the greatest
thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I look forward to continuing the
class.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It should be fun.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Elder Todd and I keep our house really clean, and except for
the 25 flies that live in our shower and various spiders that live in cracks
that I can't get to, I haven't seen more than a couple of stray ants in
weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Until Wednesday...<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was kneeling down to say my prayer at
night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don't have a bed, only a couple
of mattresses on the floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knelt down
and found a cockroach...in my bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
flicked it off, killed it, said my prayer, and climbed into bed and fell
asleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don't have the time, energy,
or privilege to be able to worry about having bugs in my bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I shake my sheets out every once in a while,
but bugs are everywhere here so you learn to just deal with it.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We continue to work with less actives and part member
families.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They seem to really love
visits from us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had 2 baptisms this
week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Included are pictures of the
baptisms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Flavia was baptized a couple
weeks ago, but on Friday her little brother Felipe was baptized and her friend
Renan was baptized.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Renan was the
referral of an investigator, who was the referral of a less-active, which was
the referral of a member.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Lord has a
way of leading us to the people who need to hear from us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Member missionary work is so much more
powerful than I ever understood before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Renan has several friends that want to hear the gospel and his cousin
even came to church on Sunday for Renan's confirmation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love this work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Renan, Felipe, and Flavia, are all filled
with a light that they didn't have before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It's beautiful.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The quote of the week:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In Joshua there is the story of the Israelites coming to Jericho for the
first time and sending out scouts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
scouts came back and all of them (except for Joshua and Caleb) said that there
was no way that they could capture Jericho.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Caleb's response was "Give me this mountain."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He volunteered to take the hardest and most
difficult challenge because he knew that with the help of the Lord it was
possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We shouldn't always ask for
the hardest thing to happen, but when it does we must be ready to turn to the
Lord and let Him know that you are willing to take on the challenge.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">With all the energy of my heart,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Elder Tyler Andrew Bushman</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0No7njcu9R8xbC01bQLvVc9uy4o14_zbp55zCHD2BU73eQW_dGplGtzkRWO5J6upc0pwY6yD6erPdPssXjdsRSK7oicVLjptlV5iLIhTZvMAj7bnLEO2NT3QJPNYkcJzIiCctlATEzn84/s1600/Tyler+with+PresidentMoreira.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0No7njcu9R8xbC01bQLvVc9uy4o14_zbp55zCHD2BU73eQW_dGplGtzkRWO5J6upc0pwY6yD6erPdPssXjdsRSK7oicVLjptlV5iLIhTZvMAj7bnLEO2NT3QJPNYkcJzIiCctlATEzn84/s1600/Tyler+with+PresidentMoreira.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0No7njcu9R8xbC01bQLvVc9uy4o14_zbp55zCHD2BU73eQW_dGplGtzkRWO5J6upc0pwY6yD6erPdPssXjdsRSK7oicVLjptlV5iLIhTZvMAj7bnLEO2NT3QJPNYkcJzIiCctlATEzn84/s320/Tyler+with+PresidentMoreira.jpg" width="320" /><br />
Tyler with President and Sister Moreira</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKGivL3tpLV-uz0HMI3rOwMOyAsd1LQtFdlcPqYUTaE6TvVF2VgnL4Py5e9YOQJjsVwCP4QwUeTQLe_JEIjWO7SpPumlI5EmyxWLcnCg2vPF0wzecqdAtbvhAD9snpWV9fSL61-27C4UDE/s1600/Elder+Todd+and+Elder+Bushman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKGivL3tpLV-uz0HMI3rOwMOyAsd1LQtFdlcPqYUTaE6TvVF2VgnL4Py5e9YOQJjsVwCP4QwUeTQLe_JEIjWO7SpPumlI5EmyxWLcnCg2vPF0wzecqdAtbvhAD9snpWV9fSL61-27C4UDE/s320/Elder+Todd+and+Elder+Bushman.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Elder Todd and Elder Bushman<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGKRGKprNCXru59XR5OHFpC4o2WkB9QklyDrduIOP5g2hPCTrKPqYq_cvpGlwUIx0dkJoeAupV5InuqirqK_CHtaawOwLXItT2S4w_a2ZYnjDzwBNQZLWzOlPaLURqIsAvE_82SWWqwFKq/s1600/Flavia+with+her+family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGKRGKprNCXru59XR5OHFpC4o2WkB9QklyDrduIOP5g2hPCTrKPqYq_cvpGlwUIx0dkJoeAupV5InuqirqK_CHtaawOwLXItT2S4w_a2ZYnjDzwBNQZLWzOlPaLURqIsAvE_82SWWqwFKq/s320/Flavia+with+her+family.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
Flavia's baptism day<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP1XnFULB4Bl2hAH8dtyMFGc07aw29STuHoHgwdB3Bk08O-DS-ojXFCnS8SBpsYJxHx56qr_c_lWCX-_i-02nCjOAXtBoixvOY22DFBsY7xUZalG4bZIFsbZjhlzJeg2iiUeH3jLDlzcJq/s1600/Flavia's+baptism+day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP1XnFULB4Bl2hAH8dtyMFGc07aw29STuHoHgwdB3Bk08O-DS-ojXFCnS8SBpsYJxHx56qr_c_lWCX-_i-02nCjOAXtBoixvOY22DFBsY7xUZalG4bZIFsbZjhlzJeg2iiUeH3jLDlzcJq/s320/Flavia's+baptism+day.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg25m1-7utbDUL4abHrFKYQ1N-RTUjJD7q0UlcT4FnlSJoKadjmbm3o-SZBESvBTCJenBn6r18DOvH4xwALd_fBq9dQ90pXNA6rWVICo_aliZADFs7OzXhHpaAr7IYNZxGUuTCbPb9gf62o/s1600/Felipe+and+Renan+with+Elder+Bushman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg25m1-7utbDUL4abHrFKYQ1N-RTUjJD7q0UlcT4FnlSJoKadjmbm3o-SZBESvBTCJenBn6r18DOvH4xwALd_fBq9dQ90pXNA6rWVICo_aliZADFs7OzXhHpaAr7IYNZxGUuTCbPb9gf62o/s320/Felipe+and+Renan+with+Elder+Bushman.jpg" width="212" /></a><br />
<br />
Elder Bushman with Felipe and Renan<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglqYKVmoOqI7lro-uMqghBTyGesme-JhsLSjF7XSm6zUu4ZzgAmJpNWoMmzc3nyNPPsYdKIA_NHYB0nsit-g_MHkTdrpW81gfD9aFmvm-0DjlLxrOoWl56jgoxpIjMQiL3Kycu2rZD44vi/s1600/Felipe+and+Renan%2527s+baptism+day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglqYKVmoOqI7lro-uMqghBTyGesme-JhsLSjF7XSm6zUu4ZzgAmJpNWoMmzc3nyNPPsYdKIA_NHYB0nsit-g_MHkTdrpW81gfD9aFmvm-0DjlLxrOoWl56jgoxpIjMQiL3Kycu2rZD44vi/s320/Felipe+and+Renan%2527s+baptism+day.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
Felipe and Renan's baptism day<br />
<br />T. Drew Bushmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00188589769272774733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504794421602436842.post-40796720286169442392012-06-18T12:00:00.001-04:002012-06-18T12:00:08.275-04:00Brás Cubas - Week 5<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:DoNotShowRevisions/>
<w:DoNotPrintRevisions/>
<w:DoNotShowMarkup/>
<w:DoNotShowComments/>
<w:DoNotShowInsertionsAndDeletions/>
<w:DoNotShowPropertyChanges/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
6-18-2012</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hey,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week has been...miraculous, and difficult. Allow
me to explain.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I fasted from Wednesday morning until this morning.
Missionaries aren't allowed to fast for more than 24 hours so I ate lunch every
day, but I skipped breakfast, snacks, and water all day for 5 entire
days. I have been praying for greater faith, charity, obedience, and a
desire to make my prayers more fervent and meaningful. I was inspired
to fast and so I obeyed. I have never been so tired, so hungry, and
working so hard ever before in my life, but I persisted, because as President
Eyring says "True spiritual staying power comes from pushing past the
point when others would stop." The physical and spiritual tax on me
became so immense that I could not help but turn to my Father in Heaven with a
prayer in my heart, always. My prayers in the morning and night have
become a true conversations. I no longer just say the words, I feel
them. I know that Heavenly Father answers prayers, and sometimes when we
foolish humans ask for a challenge we receive far more than we anticipated, but
the blessings are great too. Many miracles came this week. My
language skills have greatly improved, and I have a deeper love and appreciation
for the scriptures and for the times when I am not malnourished. I hope
that I never need to learn this lesson again, but I do look forward to the next
opportunity I will have to experience a hard and almost impossible trial
because as a friend of mine told me, she hopes that my mission is hard so that
I can grow. I know that trials are one of the best ways that we learn.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We shifted our focus this week. We did not even try to
do any street contacting this week because we have decided to re-activate less
active members of our ward. There are about 600 people on the ward list,
but 100ish come to church each week. A soul that returns to the Savior is
just as valuable as a soul that finds Him. We spent a lot of time
walking, but we were also able to teach many more lessons than we have in the
past. We contacted many less-actives; all of the people that we have
taught in the last week have been less-actives or referrals from
members and less-actives. This has been a huge blessing because as
we demonstrate to members the Spirit's ability to teach through us, our
willingness to work, and our pure love of the people they feel like they can
tell us about their friends that are prepared to hear our message. We
have 4 baptisms marked for the next 3 weeks solely from less-active and member
referrals. The members are a crucial part of missionary work and I never
understood that before. When I get home I will be so much better at being
a member missionary.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The quote of the week is from my grandfather. He has
been reading my letters and he commented and my mom forwarded it to me.
He said, "Often, after a time of toughing it out, something will
happen to make it all worthwhile. Jesus walked all the time; no bikes,
cars, airplanes or skate boards, just feet. The blisters will become
calluses. All WE can do is pray for strength of body and
mind." I am so grateful for my Opa and his example in my life.
He is such a powerful servant of our Savior Jesus Christ and I will follow his
wise words and continue to pray for strength and guidance.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Love,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Elder Tyler Andrew Bushman</div>T. Drew Bushmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00188589769272774733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504794421602436842.post-80588449602371475822012-06-11T11:43:00.002-04:002012-06-24T21:40:59.547-04:00Brás Cubas - Week 4<span style="font-family: Calibri;">6-11-2012</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Howdy y'all, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">(I'm running out of random greetings...This is bad.
I've got another 94 weeks and I can't think of any more random ways to say
hello. I will keep trying.)</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Some business first:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">- I've been in the field for 4 weeks now.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">- Next Monday, the 18th is my birthday and Elder Todd and I
will celebrate. If you would like to write me, my address is "Elder
Tyler Andrew Bushman, Brazil São Paulo East Mission, Rua Caa-Açu,
229 Belenzinho, 03171-020 São Paulo - SP, Brazil.” If you
write me, I will write you back, always. I hope you know that on my
birthday I will be thinking about you and praying for you.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">- I know that many people who are reading this have never met
me and I'm glad that my words are still meaningful to you. If you have
any friends who you think would enjoy this blog then please share it with
them. I am a missionary but that does not mean that my work should be
exclusively for the people of Brazil. If I am saying things that are
meaningful to you, then they can bless someone else's life too and my work as a
servant of the Lord will be magnified. Thank you for your love and
support. I feel your prayers.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now for my actual message:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have been praying and reading a lot about charity and
faith. In my studies I have found a list of attributes or activities that
help us to build charity but also embody what charity is.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Charity is:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">- loving someone enough to give up what is pleasant or easy
to help them.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">- demonstrating your love for someone and making sure that
they know you love them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">- loving someone enough to hurt them so that they may grow.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">- losing yourself in the service of others.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">- giving the last thing you have to give to someone else who
needs it more.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">- serving the Lord and giving back to Heavenly Father the
only thing that is truly His, our free will.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">- teaching a man to fish even though it would be easier to
give him a fish.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">- allowing the pure light of Christ to shine from your eyes
so that others can see it and want what you have.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">- always writing thank you notes and remembering birthdays.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">- forgiving someone who has hurt you, but more than that, it
is helping them to make a better choice next time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">- remaining worthy to receive revelation or exercise the
priesthood, always.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">- not just the outward expression of love, but the inward
transformation caused by love.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">- an experience, not a feeling.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">- never faileth, ever.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">- one of the greatest blessings and responsibilities of this
life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">- the pure love of Jesus Christ.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">- to begin to love as God loves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We worked hard this week and a girl that we taught was
baptized. She is so happy and filled with a light and glow that she did
not possess. She is filled with the Spirit and has a greater desire to
choose what is right and keep this feeling with her always. It is sad
that the feeling of cleanliness does not remain with us always. We have
the opportunity to feel like that every Sunday after we partake of the
Sacrament, but that feeling become commonplace and we take it for
granted. We must try to understand what the Sacrament is and how
meaningful it can be. I will strive to be more worthy to feel that clean
feeling, that closeness to the Lord, and that true love from God in my life.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The quote of the week is from President Eyring. He
said "Form a habit of pushing on through the fear and fatigue that might
make you think of quitting. The Lord's great mentors have shown me that
spiritual staying power comes from working past the point when others would
have taken a rest." We have potential within ourselves to reach out
to the Savior and find Him reaching back and then discover that together the
impossible becomes just another stepping stone. We can work harder, love
deeper, and change the world, if we have the Lord helping us.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">With great love,</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Elder Tyler Andrew Bushman</span></div>T. Drew Bushmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00188589769272774733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504794421602436842.post-31125709285036000762012-06-04T13:00:00.003-04:002012-06-04T13:02:21.908-04:00Brás Cubas - Week 36-4-2012<br />
<br />
Family, Friends, and other Readers,<br />
<br />
This week was...eye opening. Not in a bad way, just factually. I will explain by talking about <br />
specific events that occurred.<br />
<br />
First, Friday was Elder Todd's birthday on the mission. We had a cake and we made our own burgers. We mixed garlic and onions into the meat and spiced it to taste. Elder Todd is a flavor junkie, so they were strongly flavored. It was delicious and a lot of fun to take some time to just relax and celebrate for a couple of hours. Today marks my 2 month mark and I've already completed 1/12 of my mission. The time is truly flying. I thought it would feel like so much longer, but in reality, each day takes forever to pass, but the weeks just become a glaze. I will not get trunky while thinking about this. I have 2 more years to be focused.<br />
<br />
The second realization that occurred is that we have an investigator that has been coming to church for more than a month, but this last week his son became sick and has been in the hospital. His wife hasn't been home and he sold the shutters to his house to pay for a bus ticket to visit them in the hospital. They have no food left in their house and he can't work because he has 2 small children at home to take care of. He's heard the members of the church talk about love, charity, the relief society helping people out, and yet no one has come to help them. Several members know about their situation, but the only people who have come to visit him are Elder Todd and me. He even quit drinking for a couple days in the hopes of a miracle and nothing came. He was very angry with us, with God, and with the ward when we talked to him yesterday. Where is his help? Where is his love? Where is his miracle? That opened our eyes. Have we been doing all that we could to help... I don't know, but after we left his house we went directly to the bishop's house and then to the house of the ward mission leader. The help will now begin to pour out, but it took longer than it should have. Elder Todd and I committed to be more strictly obedient because things like this should not happen, we should have caught this sooner. In the future we will.<br />
<br />
The third thing and the one that has grown close to my heart is about Family History. I have never done family history in my life. I've filled out a 4 generation pedigree chart, but that is it. It had always struck me as wildly uninteresting. I have been told that one day my deep love for the temple would lead to a love affair with Family History. I never believed it before, but on Thursday one of the assignments for our study was to go learn about Family History. As I was watching the instructional videos I fell in love with the process and now I want to do Family History. I want to find and fill out my ancestors. They need the saving ordinances completed, and within me, at my fingertips at this very moment, is all that I need to find my ancestors. I'm on a mission so I don't currently have time to do family history, but I will hold onto this deep love for 2 years and become a Family History junkie after my mission. I love this gospel and the programs that are in place to bring us closer to our family, our ancestors, our friends, and our Savior. Families truly are the focus of everything we do because families are our greatest source of joy in this life and eternity.<br />
<br />
The quote of the day is from Elder Russell M. Nelson. He said "If you really want a certain blessing, you'd better find out what laws govern that blessing and then work on becoming obedient to those laws." We have the potential to do almost anything, including moving mountains and changing lives, but to do so we must be obedient to the laws of God and submit ourselves to the will of the Father because the only thing in this life that we can give Him that is not already His is our will and our agency. When we turn over our will to Heavenly Father there is nothing we can't do.<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
<br />
Elder Tyler Andrew BushmanT. Drew Bushmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00188589769272774733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504794421602436842.post-11960640735324097912012-05-28T15:35:00.000-04:002012-05-28T15:36:47.136-04:00Brás Cubas - Week 25-28-2012<br />
<br />
Hey everyone,<br />
<br />
I don't have a lot to report this week because not many people are keeping appointments or progressing. It's really frustrating because last week we had so many people who were listening and then they all seemed to drop off the map. It makes me sad because I know that if they had the courage to embrace the change, try some hard things, and then persevere, that they would be blessed beyond what they understand. I come to know more each day about how much I truly need the Lord in my life. I will give an example.<br />
<br />
This week I have worked harder than I ever have in my life. Because people haven't been keeping appointments we have had to walk a lot more. Upwards of 6 hours every day. On Saturday we did not have a single person open their door all day. We taught a couple of lessons to people in the street, but other than a few 5 minute breaks Elder Todd and I took and a 15 minute meeting with a member of the bishopric, I was on my feet from 1:00 until 9:30. At one point we were trying to arrange a ride to church for a guy we had met that week. The phone connection was bad so the guy on the phone told us to come to his house, but he was leaving for a date with his wife so we had about 10 minutes to get to his house. He lived 20 minutes away. Elder Todd and I took off running. We had already been walking for 7 hours, but we needed the ride for our investigator. We get to his house and he agrees to pick up this person.<br />
<br />
The same thing happened again on Sunday. I have a blister that is so bad I am walking with a limp and I must look ridiculous. And yet no matter how badly my body hurts, and the fact that no one answers their doors, I am doing the work of the Lord and it will all work out. Maybe no one will accept the gospel, and maybe I won't baptize a single person on my mission, but I will plant seeds in every person I meet and talk to. <br />
<br />
My family and friends, and anyone reading this is being blessed because I'm here, and that blessing is what keeps me going sometimes. Every night when I kneel down in prayer before I sleep I praise the Lord and thank Him for the hard times I had that day, and I ask Him to continue to bless me with difficulties because the hard things in our lives chip off the rugged edges of our souls and makes us more closely like the Savior, more loving, more strong, and just more. I feel the terrible pain in my foot at this moment, but I relish this pain because sometime in the future I will need to draw on this strength I'm receiving and do another hard thing. The faith I build here will be my fount of blessings and preparation. Every night I kneel down and pray for more faith and greater wisdom. I know that the trials of our lives, especially the one I am going through now, are an answer to that prayer.<br />
<br />
I don't know all of you who are reading this, but I love you and I hope that message comes through in my writing. Continue to smile when life is hard, tell a joke when someone is sad, hug your mom and tell the people in your life that you love them. Become the light that other people need to see to give them hope.<br />
<br />
The quote of the week is about service. I translated it from my Sunday School class in Portuguese. "The difference between doing service and serving is that we must make a sacrifice to serve. We can have love for someone and do service for them, but to really serve someone is to show love to that person." <br />
<br />
Elder Tyler Andrew Bushman<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlT24Mx2XSP5rfXv1qdh4SnWioNF24d4YmXilGMLxevrur8k9ZKmtTZti-KpbFlPXCBNkTNPRgWR2aVQIZImnjf1AqSULRUY3ZEGGnHj7NzmIs-XKqKY2HgGwyaB77FflkwNSXZ_nsvjBU/s1600/100_0046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlT24Mx2XSP5rfXv1qdh4SnWioNF24d4YmXilGMLxevrur8k9ZKmtTZti-KpbFlPXCBNkTNPRgWR2aVQIZImnjf1AqSULRUY3ZEGGnHj7NzmIs-XKqKY2HgGwyaB77FflkwNSXZ_nsvjBU/s320/100_0046.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The view of São Paulo from my CTM window.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP1c-DnmyfNoN6NncrSwuEkps1OjThrIZdOmN5PnACuFnd3sqtRYPhadyzG3sffNhS6Ki-W4nguxpHyuZjfhXY9RWwp0WLC_qR2b0HG5ASvSOivcQH3-QuIyFYNnBabHOKNCyyiIQQQhPH/s1600/100_0024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP1c-DnmyfNoN6NncrSwuEkps1OjThrIZdOmN5PnACuFnd3sqtRYPhadyzG3sffNhS6Ki-W4nguxpHyuZjfhXY9RWwp0WLC_qR2b0HG5ASvSOivcQH3-QuIyFYNnBabHOKNCyyiIQQQhPH/s320/100_0024.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My roommates at the CTM.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicfIfGCInqwaHkZ8rxwDee9pCCzpfpBaChoQ8CNhRJJNu3K1wovcDbU0U60Xl5HSnOcPqmVQH8Az38PyvnvU8_2q8xneUSpo0hCr0rBow0VrQ0M9TxhU10Nu77ucrWo4wu9SQqK0chXb0P/s1600/100_0064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicfIfGCInqwaHkZ8rxwDee9pCCzpfpBaChoQ8CNhRJJNu3K1wovcDbU0U60Xl5HSnOcPqmVQH8Az38PyvnvU8_2q8xneUSpo0hCr0rBow0VrQ0M9TxhU10Nu77ucrWo4wu9SQqK0chXb0P/s320/100_0064.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Elder Sena and I. Elder Sena was a Brazilian going to Paraguay and he taught me tons of Portuguese and was one of my good friends.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh58t5wXsASTJE_IYwCF2wS2PWPqV-VJnTIypJsqiJ8es1DKM6-PbKq2mW6KLh2EXncFbnIyKmh2EvkTXK8oxAhvv4AWEw5XZFKUw2GeW9uEWEMZ7sf0nMTHc3UHAQ6qBFZTmQ_5uIxvcB3/s1600/100_0112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh58t5wXsASTJE_IYwCF2wS2PWPqV-VJnTIypJsqiJ8es1DKM6-PbKq2mW6KLh2EXncFbnIyKmh2EvkTXK8oxAhvv4AWEw5XZFKUw2GeW9uEWEMZ7sf0nMTHc3UHAQ6qBFZTmQ_5uIxvcB3/s320/100_0112.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My district in the CTM - Elders James, Arné, Burnett, Allen, Pearson, Shipley, Bassett, Richardson, and my companion Elder Steele, Sisters Fernelius and Fitzgerald, and one of our teachers Irmã Pozete.</div>T. Drew Bushmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00188589769272774733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504794421602436842.post-68256838062105061262012-05-21T11:35:00.001-04:002012-06-17T20:07:21.907-04:00Brás Cubas - Week 15-21-2012<br />
<br />
Hey everyone,<br />
<br />
I arrived in the field last week on Tuesday. It was a really wild day. We woke up early, 16 of us jumped in a van and we drove to the mission office. We then had an individual interview with the mission president. His name is President Moreira. He is from Portugal and his English is pretty good, but his Portuguese sounded funny because of the different accent. It was really neat to get to talk to him though. I'd heard from many people that he was really strict, but he actually is just very big on obedience. He has a list of rules and if you follow them he is really nice, but if you break them he will really let you know that he is displeased. He knows that the obedience is not to him, but to the Lord, and that when you are disobedient it does not just affect you, but it affects every person who could be brought to the true happiness found in the gospel, but will not because you are not worthy to take it or you are not doing the work necessary to find them. That made a lot of sense to me, and I know that it is true.<br />
<br />
I am in an area called Brás Cubas. It is a giant city just outside of Sao Paulo. I am actually serving on the East side of the State of Sao Paulo, not the East side of the city. My area has no flat land and my companion and I walk upwards of 20 miles a day. We walk, really fast, for about 6.5 hours and teach for 3.5 hours every day. The problem is that to get from one side of our area to the other it is an hour walk, but we have investigators in all the corners. It's okay though because we practice my Portuguese while we walk and we talk to random people on the street as we walk. The work is going really well. We marked people for baptism this week, but then none of them came to church so now we need to find out why they didn't come. Our next job is to help to build more faith in our Savior Jesus Christ, in His Atonement, and in our need for His love, mercy, and guidance in their lives. The language barrier is hard, but I am learning to listen to Portuguese better every day. I love these people. I love this city. It already feels like a home away from home.<br />
<br />
My companions name is Elder Todd. He's actually from California too which is fun. We've probably been at youth conferences or something together in the past. He is fascinating, he is intelligent, and he knows as many obscure pop-culture references as I do. I know that the focus of our work is our investigators, but sometimes when we are getting ready for bed it is nice to decompress a little and just chat. He is writing a book in his head and I have been helping to come up with some interesting plot twists and literary undertones. He loves music as much as I do. He's been out on his mission for a year and he is an amazing man. His testimony and his faith are so strong. I'm glad I get to spend 3 months with him because I think that he has so much to teach me about life, the gospel, how to be a missionary, and how to be a man. I can't wait.<br />
<br />
Our area focus is in a "favela" or ghetto. The roads aren't paved, the houses are made of concrete, sheet metal, and plywood and the people live in utter poverty. And yet while many of the people in this area drink and smoke away their sorrows, some have hope. Some know that there is a divine being and that life gets better. There are a few elect souls who hear our message in the street and feel something that they have been waiting for their entire lives. This work that I have been called to do, that I am doing, is not for me. It's for the family with 5 children and all 7 of them sleep in the same bed, but every night they say a prayer and thank Heavenly Father for their bed. It's for the family that lost a child and hears about the Plan of Salvation and knows that there is hope. For the couple that just had their first baby and wants nothing more in the entire world than for that baby to be happy and know that the message we have can give that child the life they want to give it. People have doubts, they have pain, and they have fear, but with Faith in Jesus Christ the life they need and deserve is possible. Bad things will still happen in life, but we can be prepared.<br />
<br />
The quote of the week comes from a Sacrament meeting I had in the MTC. Elder Dickson said "In the moment of deepest despair, when the world looks like it's falling down and there is no light at the end of the tunnel, in that moment of their pain, we can be the answer to that prayer. We can love that person and show them how to be happy again." I know that is true because often times someone else's ready smile is what I need to change everything. For the next two years, and then on into eternity, I will live my life is such a way that through me other people will be able to be happy.<br />
<br />
Thank you for your support and prayers,<br />
<br />
Elder Tyler Andrew Bushman<br />
<br />
*Note from mom: We were very fortunate that Tyler was able to Skype home on 5/20 - he looks really happy. He didn't get to call on Mother's Day because he was in the CTM so they allowed him to call a week later. He told us that we will need to send all mail to the mission home because mail is frequently stolen locally. He will receive mail several times a month when the zone leaders pick it up and deliver it personally. Thanks for all your support for Tyler.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />T. Drew Bushmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00188589769272774733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504794421602436842.post-47549298103960320232012-05-15T12:18:00.000-04:002012-05-15T12:18:08.207-04:00Letters home<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:DoNotShowRevisions/>
<w:DoNotPrintRevisions/>
<w:DoNotShowMarkup/>
<w:DoNotShowComments/>
<w:DoNotShowInsertionsAndDeletions/>
<w:DoNotShowPropertyChanges/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><i>* Note from mom</i>: Elder Bushman is leaving the CTM
today, and I don’t know if he will be able to write at all or very much this
week so I am posting some excerpts from letters he has sent home through
regular mail. Also, his birthday is coming up and I would love him to receive some birthday messages from all of you. Since he only has 30 minutes on the computer each week I don't want to flood his in-box with birthday wishes. Instead I would appreciate you sending me a note for him and I will include it in his birthday package. Email me at: 5blueeyes@charter.net before the end of May. If you prefer to send him a letter directly to the mission home (the address is at the top of the blog) that is fine too. Postage is $1.05 with the amount printed on the stamp - forever stamps are not valid internationally. Thank you - I know he appreciates all of your positive thoughts and prayers for him, and I do as well. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">4/17/2012</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Minha familia,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">I wanted to outline the talk
I mentioned in my email.<span> </span>I didn’t get a
chance to write all I wanted because of the 30 minute time limit.<span> </span>Here’s an outline of his insights:</span></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:DoNotShowRevisions/>
<w:DoNotPrintRevisions/>
<w:DoNotShowMarkup/>
<w:DoNotShowComments/>
<w:DoNotShowInsertionsAndDeletions/>
<w:DoNotShowPropertyChanges/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">1. God doesn’t hear the
wishes of your mouth, but the wishes of your heart.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">2. Everything has a purpose,
so what’s your purpose in this time?<span> </span>Don’t
skip this phase.<span> </span>Live every phase of
life and don’t skip any.<span> </span>They are all
important.<span> </span>There will be time for other
things in the future.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">3. You have 2 years to be a
missionary, but regardless of the work that happens, if you are changed at the
end, it is all worth it. – Elder Holland</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">4. A good objective is as
the rod of iron: You know where you are and where you’re going.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">5. Efficiency is the ability
to do things well, effectiveness is the ability to finish what we start.<span> </span>We must be both efficient and effective.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">6. The three reasons we go
on missions:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> To help change the lives of
God’s children.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> To establish the kingdom of
God.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Most importantly – to change
our own lives.<span> </span>One soul becomes
millions.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">7. You have 2 years to do
and an eternity to remember.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">I hope that was as
meaningful for you as it was for me.<span> </span>I
love you and miss you.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Elder Tyler Andrew Bushman</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">5/8/12</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Hey Everyone,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">I have truly come to love
and appreciate my time in prayer.<span> </span>I have
learned to be much more grateful and specific in my prayers.<span> </span>Not just grateful for people, but for
specific attributes about them or experiences shared with them.<span> </span>I am grateful for people or things I’ve only
seen once that changed the way I think.<span>
</span>I’m grateful for opportunities I’ve had, gifts I’ve been given, love I’ve
received, and people who came into my life just when I needed them and have
loved me even when I’ve made it difficult to be loved.<span> </span>Thank you for that.<span> </span>I love you.<span>
</span>Truly.<span> </span>Always.<span> </span>Deeply.<span>
</span>And far more than you know.<span> </span>I’m
sorry I haven’t expressed that or appreciated you how I should have.<span> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">We had a fireside that
explained agency really well and I want to share the main example with you.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Choice:</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Having more than one option.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Freedom:</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Having more than one outcome.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Agency:</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Knowing the different outcomes of your choices.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span><u>An explanation using coins:</u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">One hand, one coin: no
choice</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Two hands, one coin: choice</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Two hands, two of the same
coin: choice but no freedom</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Two hands, two different
coins but no knowledge: choice and freedom, but no agency</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Two hands, two different
coins and knowledge of outcome: choice, freedom and agency</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“If we think there is nothing
more to agency than choosing right, we fail to understand the difference
between choice, freedom, and agency.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Redeemer:</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <span> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;"><span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">One who ransoms, frees, or rescues by paying a price.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;"><span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Bring something value.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> “The right of our so-called “free-agency”
was not free to our Redeemer.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">My faith is daily
growing.<span> </span>I am constantly praying for
myself, my companion, and for all of you and I know that I am being blessed for
it.<span> </span>I love you.<span> </span>I will serve my mission in such a way that
the Lord will have to carry me most of the time because I will push that hard and
when I get home I’ll sleep for a week. <span> </span>I
miss you and will be home sooner than you know.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Elder Tyler Andrew Bushman</span></div>T. Drew Bushmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00188589769272774733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504794421602436842.post-83566189613033040752012-05-08T14:07:00.000-04:002012-05-09T00:13:16.908-04:00Week 5 in the CTM<div class="MsoNormal">
5-8-2012</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Howdy, (The Brazilians think that is the funniest phrase)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week was...long. I'm just so ready to go to the
mission field. I am beginning to feel very claustrophobic, but I suppose
that is part of being trapped in 3 hallways, a gym, an auditorium, and a
cafeteria 95% of my time.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today after the temple we went to a Brazilian
all-you-can-eat barbecue. It was amazing. And the best part, it
only cost 11 American Dollars (20 Reais). Our teachers met us and came
along. It was so much fun to have our whole district just hanging out,
chatting, and having fun. It will be a while before I have an experience
like that again, because as it has been said by prophets "The most
important part of missionary work is work." I truly love my
district. I know that they are exactly the people that I needed to be
with at this time to help me to achieve my potential as a missionary. I
love this gospel and know that it is absolutely true. That God lives,
that He is our Father, and that we came to Earth to make choices, to learn
right from wrong, to be cleansed by the Atonement of His son Jesus Christ, and
then to return to Him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I know that without the help of Heavenly Father I would be
totally and completely unable to learn Portuguese as quickly as I have. I
know that He answers prayers and that He is looking out for me and guiding
me. One missionary put it really well in Fast and Testimony Meeting on
Sunday, he said "Just take the wheel, I'll do the work, but just guide me
through it."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I do want to talk a little bit about my adventure from
yesterday. All of the missionaries in my district went proselyting
yesterday. Each companionship was given 4 copies of the Book of Mormon
and told to go out and find people to give them to. That was really
scary, but even more exciting. My language skills were tested to their
very max. We worked for 2.25 hours talking to everyone who passed
by. Standing on corners, following people, walking into shops, everywhere
we could think of going. We walked all of the streets in the area we were
allowed to go to at least twice. And yet the whole time my companion and
I did not feel like we were disappointed. And then all the sudden we were
able to give two copies of the Book of Mormon to 2 women in the park with a
message of the Gospel blessing families. And then we gave another copy to
a man begging for cans after we brought him one. We shared a message of
service. And then we gave out one more copy right away. We went
from having given out none to giving out 3 to the next 3 people we talked
to. We knew that the Lord had not let us feel discouraged because He knew
that there were people that we needed to talk to after working for a while.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This brings me to the quote of the week. There are
actually two because they have a similar message. The first is by William
James. He said "Beyond the very depths of fatigue and distress, we
may find amounts of ease and power we never dreamed ourselves to own; sources
of strength never taxed at all, because we never pushed through that
obstruction."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The second is by Elder Cordier, an Elder that I am friends
with. He repeats this to himself everyday "I will walk and talk with
everybody that I meet and tell them about the church. And when I no
longer have the strength to walk, I will crawl on my hands and knees and speak
with a louder voice so that the people can still hear me expressing my love for
the gospel. And when I no longer have the strength to crawl, I will lie
on the flat of my back and shout to the heavens proclaiming this gospel to be
true."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I hope that you all got as much from that as I did.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Love,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Tyler Andrew Bushman</div>T. Drew Bushmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00188589769272774733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504794421602436842.post-72106739337609091492012-05-01T13:20:00.000-04:002012-05-01T13:21:19.758-04:00Week 4 in the CTM<div class="MsoNormal">
Hey everyone,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another week has gone by. I only have the opportunity
to be a full time missionary for 100 more weeks. I can't believe that
1/24th of my mission is already gone and I still have two more weeks here in the
CTM. How is everyone? I hope you are all well. I know that
I'm doing fantastically. Working hard, praying harder, learning
Portuguese, teaching people, and preparing to change lives and bring people to
the one thing in this life that makes me happier than anything else: The Gospel
of Jesus Christ.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not a lot happened this week. My companion and I are
continuing to learn how to be friends and how to learn and teach with each
other. The irony of the whole CTM experience is that by the time we
become really great together we’ll be separated and probably never serve
together again. The Lord works in mysterious ways. My companion has
really taught me a lot. He frustrates me to no end sometimes, but I truly
love Elder Steele and am so glad for the opportunity I have to learn from him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We get to go to the temple every week. That is pretty
amazing. The temple is about 40 minutes away, but the sessions are in
English which is nice. I'm finally beginning to understand the words that
the workers say to me. It is wonderful.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oh. I just remembered my big news... I started a
permanent English fast on Friday. I have spoken probably 100 words in
English in 4 days. It's very hard, and stressful, but my language skills
have almost doubled since then. Our investigator was having some pretty
hard questions about the church, but I was able to answer all of them without
any problem. My companion still has to prepare the words he's going so
say, so he will generally prepare a lesson about a specific topic and I will
just work on generally increasing my language, that way he will teach the
lesson and I answer questions and we each do about the same amount in the
lessons. I love teaching. Even though my Portuguese is still very
much lacking, I am able to bear my testimony comfortably and with power, enough
that our investigators feel it. Also, my prayers are now almost entirely
in Portuguese, and not just my prayers in lessons or in class, but all of them,
my personal prayers included. It's a wonderful thing to pray in another
language.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On Fridays or Saturdays we do a program called TRC. It
is where members of the church from here in Brazil, members who don't speak any
English, come in and act as investigators and we teach them. They film it
and then we are able to watch our lessons and get feedback. Last Friday
they were short on investigators, and because my teacher is the director of
TRC I got to play an investigator for some other missionaries, and then on
Saturday they had too many members and so I got to teach a lesson with my
companion. It was really great. My first week I was deathly afraid
of TRC - last week I had a blast.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I'm running out of time to email, so I’ll get to the quote
of the week. "We are a product of the agency of every person who has
ever lived, all the way up to Adam and Eve. And yet despite that we still
have the power to determine our own destiny." - Elder Dille, the 1st
Counselor in my Branch and CTM doctor. I hope this quote means as much to
you as it did to me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I love you all,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Tyler Andrew Bushman<span style="color: #1f497d;"></span></div>T. Drew Bushmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00188589769272774733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504794421602436842.post-76403875522683634052012-04-24T15:41:00.002-04:002012-04-24T19:40:33.756-04:00Week 3 in the CTM<div class="MsoNormal">
Weekly Email 4/24/2012</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Howdy everyone,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It's been another great week. I'm working my tail off,
but it is paying off. I'm at the top of my class for language acquisition
and I continue to become a better teacher in Portuguese. It's a lot of
stress, and a lot of crazy activities we have to do, but I know that it will
all be worth it when I get to the field and will be able to teach real people.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The food here is really amazing. A lot of meat, rice,
and beans. I end up having a Taco Salad for almost every meal. I
have probably had more meat (and kinds of meat) than I've ever had before in my
life in the last three weeks. If Tom Perkes is reading this, Guarana is
the most amazing drink I have ever had the opportunity of consuming.
Thank you for the tip.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My investigators are progressing and both have committed to
baptism. I know it's not real, but the preparation is.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last night my Brazilian roommates Elder Nunes and Elder Lima
both left for the field. It was really hard to see them go because Elder
Nunes has become one of my best friends. Sister Fernelius, a sister in my
district said "I understand how you feel. Just because we can't
speak with these people doesn't mean we don't have a relationship with
them." It was a very emotional goodbye. Both of us had tears
as we said our final goodbye. I miss him already but I saw him this
morning.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Cook came and spoke at the CTM yesterday. He
said some really great things and had some wonderful insight. The most
noticeable thing about him though, was not what he said, but the fact that every
time he said "We love you" or "We are so grateful" I felt
that <b>we</b>. I could feel the love off the Quorum of the 12
Apostles, the First Presidency, and the Savior emanate from him like a
fountain. The quote from his talk I want to share with you is this
"What you're doing is the most important thing you can do. It will
bless not just you, but everyone you love. You will
realize one day that this is a seminal experience and everyone in your
life will be blessed and protected. They may still pursue bad things, but
this mission will bless them sometime. This mission is important. At
the end of the Gospels is the only record in the New Testament
of the Risen Lord. His almost exclusive message in that time is to
proclaim the gospel. You are doing that. You are
devoting our lives to this cause. The most important cause on
Earth. The apostles don't see themselves as better able, but just
given the opportunity to be special witness of Jesus Christ. You have
that call for two years."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Quote of the week: Elder Holland once said "Plan right
now for the stories you can tell your grandchildren. That you were so
happy and worked your head off, that you felt like a prophet. Live for
the deacons and beehives that don't understand what serving a mission means,
and inspire them. Pierce their hearts and touch their souls."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With love always,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;">
Elder Tyler Andrew Bushman</div>T. Drew Bushmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00188589769272774733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504794421602436842.post-48769876842083261322012-04-17T12:26:00.000-04:002012-06-17T20:05:53.032-04:00Week 2 in the CTM<div class="MsoNormal">
Hey everyone,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another week has passed. Life is really crazy
here. So much is going on and at the same time I feel like I never do
anything. I am constantly studying, reading, speaking, and teaching in
Portuguese. In my journal I have to scratch out every 8th word or so
because it is accidentally in Portuguese. It's frustrating but absolutely
thrilling at the same time. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I love my companion. Elder Steele is very patient with
me. We still are getting used to each other, but every day is getting
easier. He's from Pasco, Washington so we talk about farm life
often. He reminds me a lot of Keith Bushman... He's a great
guy. Today we are going on a shopping trip to find shorts... They almost
exclusively have soccer shorts (which are too short for missionaries) so this
should be an adventure.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We are currently teaching 3 "investigators" which
are just our teachers pretending to be investigating the church. It's
really hard because of the language barrier. I find myself writing out 3
pages of text for a lesson but then when we get there our investigator has a
completely different thing they want to know about. It's very hard, but
as we learn from the scriptures and the apostles, we must do our best to
prepare, and then after all we can do the Grace of the Lord will make up the
difference. I feel His help and His guidance in all of my studies and
lessons. We heard a quote last week that said "Obedience brings blessings,
but strict obedience brings miracles." My companion and I committed
to live that and we have seen the change in our growth spiritually, as a
companionship, and in the language. It truly is a miracle.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I don't know how many of you knew that I thought I was going
to the CTM for 3 weeks, but there was a misunderstanding and I'm here for
6. I thought it was a 6 week program being shortened to 3 weeks, but it
is actually a 9 week program being shortened to 6 weeks. It is still
going to be a real test to see if I will be ready for the field by then, but I
have faith and when the time comes, whether I think I'm ready or not, the Lord
knows I will be.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I've been feeling really discouraged lately because my
sleeping has been bad. I was having doubts about whether or not I was cut
out for this life. On Sunday there was a fireside and a mission president
from a mission here in Sao Paulo came to speak. He talked about our
purpose as missionaries. I know that he was sent to me because I needed
every word he said and I wrote down almost 4 pages of notes. In his talk
he gave a quote from Elder Holland that went roughly like this "You have 2
years to be a missionary, and regardless of the work done, if you are changed
by the end, then every moment was worth it." I have no doubt that this
will change my life, and now that I know that is enough, I feel much less
pressure on myself. I look forward to letters from you. Letters are
like the currency in here. I hope that you know I love you. All of
you.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Tyler Andrew Bushman</div>T. Drew Bushmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00188589769272774733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504794421602436842.post-17304523677693241902012-04-10T17:12:00.000-04:002012-04-13T12:50:08.351-04:00Week 1 in the CTM (MTC in Portuguese)<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV6BPP2aeLgyk360LHPfG2k-C1Pk16W5U9hODLZLPGS_YGbYmp1KAkWPkQIrLHU9i7eclPiDfGi-MaRxZdYOKB07710PAy6qWiJ24QUH3vVy1OPpK70-f9KOoQzSXvT3Zv1WBGvLebUB1a/s1600/CIMG1706.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV6BPP2aeLgyk360LHPfG2k-C1Pk16W5U9hODLZLPGS_YGbYmp1KAkWPkQIrLHU9i7eclPiDfGi-MaRxZdYOKB07710PAy6qWiJ24QUH3vVy1OPpK70-f9KOoQzSXvT3Zv1WBGvLebUB1a/s320/CIMG1706.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Ola meus familia e meus amigos. Como vai?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am having a blast in the CTM (MTC in Portguese). I
have a really awesome district and some really great elders that I have the
honor of being here with. I even have 5 Brazilian friends that we eat
meals with everyday. Three of them don't speak any English so we have
conversations in broken Portuguese. It is a lot of fun. They're
hilarious. I can feel my testimony growing each day. I heard a
quote on Friday that changed my outlook on my entire mission. It said
"You do not go to the MTC to learn Portuguese, you learn Portuguese to
fulfill your calling as a missionary." When I understood that my
language learning skyrocketed. I'm in the top two of my class, tied with
a sister who has joined our companionship because there are no other girls in
our district. I heard another great quote about missionary work that
changed things for me too. It was the MTC Presidente paraphrasing Paul in
Corinthians about putting off childish things. He said "Don't act
your age, act your calling." I think that's a beautiful thought that
when understood can really make the difference between a good missionary and a
great one. The final quote I want to share is about obedience. It
reads "Obedience brings blessings, strict obedience brings
miracles." We have rules we need to follow as missionaries, but if
we do the blessings of Heaven will not be held back and people will be touched
and lives will change.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Tyler Andrew Bushman</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">P.S. The food here is far better than I
expected. Guarana is the best soda ever. There are a few scary
foods, but generally it's really good. Lots and lots of meat, rice, and
beans. ;)</span>T. Drew Bushmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00188589769272774733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504794421602436842.post-69108312120521396692012-04-09T09:19:00.000-04:002012-04-13T12:47:57.320-04:00Arrival at MTC<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Dear Parents,</span><u5:p></u5:p><o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">We are happy to send the good news that your missionary has arrived safely
at the Brazil MTC. What a great joy and privilege it is to greet each
missionary as they come through the front door of the MTC for the first time.
We promise to take good care of your missionary.</span><u5:p></u5:p><o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">They now have companions and are settled into their rooms. They are
assigned to a district with capable and caring instructors for language and
lesson study. The branch presidents and their wives, will soon give them
a second greeting. These couples are rewarded in their callings through
the love they always develop as they embrace and watch over the missionaries.</span><u5:p></u5:p><o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">The MTC has a full time live-in physician to care for their health
needs. He is assisted by his able wife. We are also happy to report that
the Cafeteria food is abundant and very good.</span><u5:p></u5:p><o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Your missionary will be able to e-mail home on Preparation Day after a
morning at the Temple. This will be either Tuesday or Wednesday,
depending on individual assignments.</span><u5:p></u5:p><o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Your very important young person is about to make an eternal difference in
the lives of others. We hope you will be encouraged and comforted by this
quote by President Lorenzo Snow. "There is no mortal man that is as interested in the success of an elder when he is preaching the Gospel as is the Lord who sent him to preach to the people who are the Lord's children."<u5:p></u5:p></span><o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Please accept our love,</span><u5:p></u5:p><o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">President Ralph Degn and Sister Mary Ann Degn</span><u5:p></u5:p><o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-S_auIKYizdrwjyP79Zj874QzYTPRCPvBdgVBhd4f6P6B46Hlb3SPNSooUt-c1p4zS_h9pbShhLBS4QEpx_WFCGL-BZhoVMhPJoXxVV4-TlCorW2JQu-tx7nPrxUDWNi_mnxY6EtGYzA3/s1600/2012+04+04+Gr.14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-S_auIKYizdrwjyP79Zj874QzYTPRCPvBdgVBhd4f6P6B46Hlb3SPNSooUt-c1p4zS_h9pbShhLBS4QEpx_WFCGL-BZhoVMhPJoXxVV4-TlCorW2JQu-tx7nPrxUDWNi_mnxY6EtGYzA3/s320/2012+04+04+Gr.14.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>T. Drew Bushmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00188589769272774733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504794421602436842.post-17022813001548559982012-04-03T11:12:00.000-04:002012-04-11T00:23:02.154-04:00Off to Brazil<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_4f7b11010829c0011006604">
Hey everyone. Last night I was set apart as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I want you all to know that I love you and will miss you. I hope that life treats you well. If you want to write me, my permanent address at my mission home (after my time at the MTC) will be:<br />
<br />
Elder Tyler Andrew Bushman <br />
Brazil Sao Paulo East Mission<br />
Rua Caa-Acu, 229<br />
<span class="text_exposed_show">Belenzinho<br /> 03171-020 Sao Paulo - SP<br /> Brazil<br /> <br /> or, if you want to email me: tyler.bushman@myldsmail.net</span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show">I am not supposed to send emails to anyone but family while at the MTC, but I can read all emails and would love to hear from you.<br /> </span></div>
</span>T. Drew Bushmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00188589769272774733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3504794421602436842.post-15902402425753981352012-03-29T13:54:00.000-04:002012-03-29T13:54:34.981-04:00Last week in CaliforniaI'm into my last week at home. I have organized my finances, gathered clothes and supplies, and studied a lot. I've lost the will to hang out with friends and am focusing on my family. I am so excited to be leaving. The MTC in Brazil is gonna be awesome, and then 3 weeks after that I'll be in my mission. It's gonna be absolutely awesome. My testimony is strong and I feel the Spirit's influence in my life a lot of the time. Life is so great.<br />
<br />
- Elder Bushman -T. Drew Bushmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00188589769272774733noreply@blogger.com0