His Will

Christmas for Elder Loveless
(Below: a letter and a tree from his niece, and a crown from his nephew)

Well to start off with probably the scariest night of the mission. The four of us sleep in the same room with bunk beds. Elder Goodfellow and I have the tops and our comps on the bottom. Well I woke up all of the sudden at like 3:50 in the morning to see that both of our comps were gone. So I woke up Elder Good fellow saying, “Where are our companions....??????" He launched out of bed. We went through the house frantically finding them nowhere to be found. Keys gone, with the other phone. Man we about freaked. We then saw a note saying that a bug entered into Elder Espinoza’s ear and they called president and went to the hospital to get it taken out. But man what a heart attack

At the temple with Elder McKay

But this last week was great! Christmas was amazing and so full of the spirit. We were so blessed to spend it with a great family! 

The Elders with Irmã Margarida who gave them a pillow

We also are teaching a grandson of a member here! He is 11, and his name is André! He is so amazing! As we taught him the restoration the spirit was so strong and he loved it. It was as if he was able to understand and comprehend it all! I love this work and the blessings of sharing our testimonies to others! 

So Christmas is nuts here! We have guys that played music and huge sub woofers for more than 50 hours. For almost 3 days nonstop. No one has slept! It’s so crazy here. And New Year’s is getting worse! haha 

Elder Espinoza gave Elder Loveless Winnie the Pooh Shampoo

Well we were so blessed to be able to have the privilege to go serve in the temple on Friday! It was so amazing! I learned so much! Each time it truly is a spiritual feast! something that I’ve been so blessed to come and learn was something I found in 3 Nephi 1: 14 Behold, I come unto my own, to fulfil all things which I have made known unto the children of men from the foundation of the world, and to do the will, both of the Father and of the Son—of the Father because of me, and of the Son because of my flesh. And behold, the time is at hand, and this night shall the sign be given.

It brought more light and understanding to me of the atonement. We know of the famous scripture where the savior says, “not my will but thine be done." I love how in the Book of Mormon it states that it wasn’t just the Fathers will, but His own will as well. He wanted to be our savior so that he could glorify our father. He aligned His will with the Fathers since the beginning. Because all He did was the will of the Father thus it was His will as well. We wants us to come unto Him. He knew that the suffering would be more than any could bare. But he was give the power and was blessed with the honor of our Father and accomplished it. Sometimes we may not understand His will for us. Why we must continually suffer or why we may not be able to see if what we are doing is right. But I know that as we not only try to align our will with his, but seek daily to fulfill His will we will be blessed and come closer to Him. I know that He lives and loves us!  I know that the atonement was HIS will and He is pleading for us to repent and come unto Him! 

I love being a missionary and testifying to others of the truthfulness of this work! 

Love you all! 

Happy New Year’s! 

Elder Loveless

Elder Loveless and Elder McKay with matching shirts

Merry Christmas!

Wow...time flies by. The last Christmas on the mission and then I start my last transfer. Time flies by and sometimes its hard to watch it do so. 

But hey so excited to see that the wedding went well. Reese and Rachel you both looked so happy and so excited. How amazing to know that you both have entered into the fullness of God's power. Love you both! 

This week we had almost all of our investigators travelling. Was pretty hard, and I was sick until Friday...

This week as I was taking the sacrament I had a very special experience. I was reminded of a quote that I had once heard, "rise and rise again til the lamb lays down with the lion." It brought so much peace to my heart knowing that we fall. We fall spiritually and we die spiritually weekly because of sin and mistakes we make. But the sacrament allows us to, "rise and rise again." Each day we are in a battle spiritually, fighting our own wars. But that little piece of bread and cup of water allows us to feel of that peace. Its through the sacrament that we may, "rise and rise again." its our privilege to establish peace. Peace will fully come when our Savior comes. But a way has been provided for each of us to overcome this battle. 

Jacob states in 2 Nephi 9:3 Behold, my beloved brethren, I speak unto you these things that ye may rejoice, and lift up your heads forever, because of the blessings which the Lord God shall bestow upon your children.

I love how he states, (talking about the atonement of our Savior) "I speak unto you these things that ye may rejoice, and lift up your heads forever." The atonement of our savior allows us to, "rise and rise again," triumphantly weekly as we partake of the sacrament. 

Later he states,  

6 For as death hath passed upon all men, to fulfill the merciful plan of the great Creator, there must needs be a power of resurrection, and the resurrection must needs come unto man by reason of the fall; and the fall came by reason of transgression; and because man became fallen they were cut off from the presence of the Lord.

 7 Wherefore, it must needs be an infinite atonement—save it should be an infinite atonement this corruption could not put on incorruption. Wherefore, the first judgment which came upon man must needs have remained to an endless duration. And if so, this flesh must have laid down to rot and to crumble to its mother earth, to rise no more.

 8 O the wisdom of God, his mercy and grace!

I love in verse 7 how he says, "wherefore, the first judgment which came upon man must needs have remained to an endless duration." The atonement and weekly taking the sacrament blesses us and allows us to use our agent of the atonement and to access our advocate with the Father! Im so grateful for the greatest Gift of our Heavenly Father. Im so grateful to know that I have a Savior, a Redeemer, and an Advocate with my Father in Heaven, that weekly the judgments are taken off of us and put upon our dear Brother. I know the atonement is real, and exists. We may feel it and hold on to it if we chose. I pray that we may all remember these precious gifts in our lives and to always remember our dear Savior Jesus Christ.

Love you all so much! I pray you all have a Merry Christmas and a wonderful new year! 

Elder Loveless

My good friend Jaelson! He has been a source of strength to me. He hand delivered a Christmas package from home.

Love this gospel

Nativity at the Campinas Temple

Wow...The greatest thing I have heard in a long time was from Rodolfo. He stopped me at church and said, "Ya know Elder Loveless ... this last week I was feeling really down and didn't know what was up. Then I realized I didn't go to church that week because of work. But I have such a good feeling here at church and I"m loving this gospel. I don't want to leave." Afterwards while he was taking the sacrament I saw such an amazing light in his eyes. I felt so prompted to tell him the following. "Rodolfo, when we start to search things spiritually we change outwardly too. A light comes into our lives that we don't notice but others do. Rodolfo you have a light about you that is amazing and you are progressing really well." To which he replied... "Elder Loveless I love hearing the lessons that you guys give to me. I'm strengthened because of them and I know the gospel is changing me." 

The missionaries at the temple with a family

I love how the Savior says, "the light of the body is the eye; if, therefore, thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light."

Elder Loveless by the Campinas Temple

I love so much to be able to look into people's eyes and see their true desires. I know that as we search for Christ and His light, we too become a vessel of light for others to see. We have the blessing and privilege to do that this season. I know that Christ is the light and as we try to purify and sanctify our lives we become single to Him, thus making us full of light! 

Love you all and I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas! 

Love, Elder Loveless

Elder Loveless getting a crepe from a french man

Yep, that's a dead armadillo

Elder Eller & Elder Loveless having fun

A Christmas Miracle!

Elder Loveless' Christmas shrine

Well we are all so grateful that Elder Goodfellow was healed this last week. It was so amazing. It was so hard to see him thinking of the fact that he almost had to go home. It was late Thursday night when I was staying with him and we were getting ready to make Pão de queijo (cheese bread) and he said, "Man I'm feeling really good. Like this is scary. I've not felt this good in a long time." At that moment we both agreed to say a prayer and I know that not only our prayers but the prayers of so many have been answered. There truly is a power in prayer and fasting. I know that God truly looks after those who love him and who he loves. Our Dear Father ALWAYS hears the prayers of the righteous!

I read in Moses 7:53, I am Messiah, the King of Zion, the Rock of Heaven, which is broad as eternity; whoso cometh in at the gate and climbeth up by me shall never fall; wherefore, blessed are they of whom I have spoken, for they shall come forth with songs of everlasting joy.

I love how it says and "whoso cometh in at the gate and climbeth up by ME shall never fall." Well it truly was a great blessing to see that take place this last week watching him and so many others climb up by Him. I know that as we always look unto Christ in all things and always try to "climb up" and out of our trials miracles are wrought! And we glory in our tribulations.

Making homemade root beer - only the Elders liked it

Rodolfo is progressing really well and is loving the gospel. He is so amazing and shows so much faith!

We were blessed to see 6 less actives come back to church yesterday and the father went and bore his testimony. It was so strong and the spirit was so overwhelming. To see those who have fallen come back with their heads held up and glorifying our father in heaven! I love doing less active work. The feeling and the happiness that comes from seeing those who have been lost or strayed from the path come back into activity is so beautiful and I’ve never felt so much joy or love for others in my life! I love this work and I love helping others come unto Christ both members, less actives and nonmembers our calling is to bring souls to Him.

Love you all!

16 days 12 hours and 39 minutes till Christmas....at least it is for me!

Elder Loveless

Standing in some strong winds!

Elder Goodfellow & Elder Loveless

Elder Francisco & Elder Loveless 

24 DAYS TIL CHRISTMAS!

So I have to say I am supper excited about Christmas. It’s kinda sad because they don’t celebrate Christmas here. But that won’t stop me from going crazy like usual with Christmas! It’s like being happy. You can chose to or no. 

So this week was great! Rodolfo our solid investigator is amazing! As we were following up with him he talked about 1 Nephi 3:7 and how it inspired him to do so much good! How he knew he could do the Lord’s will. It was so amazing to see the Lord prepare him in his studies. Because we went and taught the word of wisdom. And his daily reading in the Book of Mormon is giving him so much strength. 

I love in 2 Nephi 32:3-4: Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.

4 Wherefore, now after I have spoken these words, if ye cannot understand them it will be because ye ask not, neither do ye knock; wherefore, ye are not brought into the light, but must perish in the dark.

I know that so many missionaries know and use this scripture so much, but it is so simple, powerful and true! We speak to our Father through prayer, and he speaks through His holy scriptures to each of us to guide us, prepare us and empower us. I love the Book of Mormon and the spirit from it. It’s so hard to put it down during studies. It has helped me so much to come to know my savior! 

I pray that everyone can remember Elder Goodfellow in their prayers. He has been sick for quite a while and is in need of many prayers. 

Love you all so much! Don’t forget to watch Christmas movies!!

Elder Loveless

Super Happy!

Elder Loveless singing in the rain ... without his umbrella

I’m so excited! So I’m staying here in Vida Nova for at least one more transfer with Elder Francisco and Elder Goodfellow (he’ll get his new comp tomorrow) so excited to be able to continue forward these last 12 weeks of my mission with people who love the Lord. I truly am so blessed to be a part of this great work.

So we found 2 different people that are amazing! 

A lady Monica, a single mom. She is doing so great! She loved the first message and began to read the Book of Mormon. She is loving it. She also lost her dad a while back and the Plan of Salvation was perfect for her. She told us how now she knows where her dad is and she is feeling at peace. She then said in her prayer, “I thank thee for these two missionaries that have brought me peace and love into my life." It brought me to tears after. Something I feel I need to recognize more. We as members have the PRIVILEGE to bring peace and love into people’s lives through the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

The missionaries with a family in the ward

Another man was Rodofo. He stopped us on the street asking for a visit. He began to tell us he had stopped all of the Catholic traditions because he felt inside spiritually that they were wrong. He then told us after we went back to follow up with him about the Book of Mormon and the Restoration, “as I open this book and begin to read, immediately I feel peace. I’m sorry I read more than what you had marked for me. I wanted to feel more and read more. It brings peace into my life. As I have talked with so many people and pastors over the years they have attacked and criticized this book. Well I am a witness that it is true. That every critic that has been given and will be given is false. Because this book testifies of Christ and brings peace into my life." Wow...it was amazing to witness that. I know that the Book of Mormon is true! I love it. If it wasn’t for the Book of Mormon I wouldn’t have a testimony of my savior Jesus Christ, and I owe it all to this scripture: 2 Nephi 25:29.

Our Father in Heaven needed Joseph Smith to be His instrument; not just to have a prophet, but to have His gospel restored on the earth. The priesthood, the prophets and apostles and anything else we have with in the church are all fruits of the gospel of Jesus Christ. That’s what was restored. The true gospel of Jesus Christ. This Thanksgiving I truly am so grateful that I have parents that loved me enough to teach me this restored gospel and the fruits of it. Everything I have in my life that is close to me is because of the gospel of Jesus Christ! 

I love you all,

Elder Loveless

Elder Loveless making pão de queijo (cheese bread) for Elder Goodfellow

Elder Goodfellow and Elder Loveless

Love the Atonement!

So this last week was good! We are still having problems with our investigators being anti-ed or they are starting to chose to not follow the gospel. It is so sad and so hard to see others that we love and we are striving so hard to help deny something so pure and something so strong that brings light and peace into our lives. 

Well as we went to a less active families house to teach them, it just so happened to be that their 9 year old grandson Marcos was there. Well we felt prompted to start teaching him the restoration. As we asked him if he had any questions that he hasn't found the answer to them yet. He told us how he was struggling because he didn't understand why his older brother had to be in the hospital and why he had to feel so much pain. It was such a special moment for us to testify about the atonement of our Savior in such a simple way that he was able to understand it. The spirit was so strong. And he was able to leave with a smile on his face! 

I'm so grateful for the atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ and all that it does for us. I know that it is complex, hard to understand at times, but when we study it simply as if we were a child it becomes easier to understand! I know He lives and that He died and lives for us! 

Mosiah 3:19 For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.

Elder Loveless

Love the Lord's hand!

A family that fed the missionaries dinner

So this last week was good and hard!

We are working a ton on finding new people to teach and the Lord blessed us with a new investigator Anderson. He is 17 and shows a ton of desire and interest in the gospel. We are working our hearts out to help him receive an answer of the fullness of the gospel!

So we are working a ton with less actives here to strengthen the area, but more so that they can feel the blessings of the gospel again! I love working with less actives. The lord guided us to a less active family that is ready to return. We felt we needed to stop by a member’s house to get a drink of water. Well we ended up talking with him about less actives. Well he told us about a family close to his house. We stopped by to visit them and the welcomed us in with a smile on their faces. As we began to talk to them there son walked in the door and immediately began to tell us how he just had a kid and was planning on leaving where he worked so that he could return to church. As we testified of the blessings of the gospel and the atonement they all agreed to return to church and the activities as well! I love how the Lord is always looking out for his children! Whether we are lost, struggling or going through a death in the family we all can and will find peace in the atonement, especially knowing that He has suffered for the unimaginable.

Love you all so much,

Love Elder Loveless

It rained on Elder Francisco and Elder Loveless

Elder Loveless making pastels

Elder McKay and Elder Loveless with the Helping Hands

Uma semana difícil!

Elder Francisco and Elder Loveless

Wow...this week was so hard. Really hard actually! Diego went up to Campinas to look for a job on Tuesday and hasn't returned since. He has gone missing and his family and friends don’t know where he is at! Super sad.

On top of that we went to teach that family that I had talked about a few weeks ago, and the dad came to the door saying that he would no longer allow his wife and kids to hear the messages. Man my heart is broken. Everyone that I've come so close to and love have fallen away or they aren't permitted to hear the gospel? I see that family and the wife especially that already received answers that this is the true church. My heart was pretty shaken up and shattered this last week. I was feeling really down about all this and came across a scripture in 2 Tim 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;

The thing that stood out to me and comforted me took me off guard! "Be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;" I love that line. Knowing that just because we are members of the gospel of Jesus Christ doesn't mean everything will just be all dandy, but that we are meant to have these afflictions. I don’t know why we aren't able to teach this family more and why the dad doesn't want to allow it, but am willing to partake of the afflictions of the Gospel. I love knowing that even when we have these afflictions the power of God sustains us, empowers us and lifts us up in our afflictions. I love knowing that I have a father in heaven! 

I was blessed to find out that a women, and a family I taught in Cosmopolis are going to be baptized this month! It’s such a blessing to know that the Lord cares for the fruits of our labors and he doesn't plan for us to see all the fruits sprout and grown when we are wanting them to! 

D&C 98:14 Therefore, be not afraid of your enemies, for I have decreed in my heart, saith the Lord, that I will prove you in all things, whether you will abide in my covenant, even unto death, that you may be found worthy.

I know that the Lord loves us and provides for us in our afflictions and our sorrows! We just have to show that we are willing to keep His covenants and be worthy of Him! 

Love you all,

Elder Loveless 

Elder Loveless and Elder Goodfellow threw a Halloween party!

Elder Loveless and Elder Goodfellow 

Bobbing for apples

Love the Book of Mormon

So this last week has been crazy. Every investigator we have had has been getting really offended by the book of Mormon. we have been having pastors of other churches and men then follow us around, or that find out streets where we have gone and have been anti-in our investigators. It has been super hard not to get upset or frustrated but this experience is strengthening my testimony more than anything that the Book of Mormon is true and this is Christ’s true church on the earth today!

D&C 17: 6 And he has translated the book, even that part which I have commanded him, and as your Lord and your God liveth it is true.

Also Diego is progressing well we were able to take him to the temple going up there with Sister Perrotti! It was sweet! He loved the temple and we are working our hearts out to help him live the commandments and to make this great step in his life!

I’m so grateful for the chance to serve my savior in this great work! I know that it is true and that we receive blessings for participating in this great cause! Love you all so very much!

Brethren, shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren; and on, on to the victory! Let your hearts rejoice, and be exceedingly glad. Let the earth break forth into singing. Let the dead speak forth anthems of eternal praise to the King Immanuel, who hath ordained, before the world was, that which would enable us to redeem them out of their prison; for the prisoners shall go free. D&C

Love,

Elder Loveless

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

It's hot!

Elder Loveless and his new companion Elder Francisco.

So it is getting suppper hot here! there are about 139 neighborhoods here in São Paulo that don't have water. Some areas in Campinas haven't had water for over a week. Our water was shut off for a day. We have less than 4% of the water level here in São Paulo. they frequently will shut off the water to be more economical. So we need rain for at least a week or two straight without stopping. And it needs to be a storm to help out the water here. Don't worry mom we are fine. We have a huge water tank of 500 liters and we are filling up water bottles at the chapel! :) Super crazy never thought this would happen on the mission. Haha!

Well on that note, this last week was just hard in everything. We had to reschedule an investigators baptism for the future. He is still over coming some addictions and could use some prayers. We love him and we are doing everything to help him receive the gospel. I love helping others that are in need of help! 

Elder Rodrigues, Elder Loveless, and Elder Eller

So I had an interesting experience yesterday. I was sitting there during sacrament meeting and thinking to myself...I forgot what it was like to have a normal Sunday. We had late to the meeting because we were bringing others to church. During the meetings running around trying to make sure everyone was where they needed to be and also calling less actives to see if they were going.

To come or if we could go and get them. As I was thinking about all of that after thinking to myself what Sundays used to be back at home, I felt the spirit so strongly whispering to me...this is how Sundays should be. I really needed that and needed that moment to repent for the desire to just go to church and go back home and eat and rest. But then I was reminded of the good shepherd. 

In Matthew 18:12 How think ye? If a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?

 13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.

 14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

I know that the good shepherd wouldn't ever just think of the salvation of others during that three hours of church but during the entire day. I'm so grateful for the spirit and what it teaches us to do. I'm so grateful that I know now what a normal Sunday should be! 

Love you all so much!

p.s. We could use some prayers here for rain...it's hot...and we don't have water.

Love,

Elder Loveless

Glad tidings!

Elder Loveless and Elder Rodrigues, Elder Loveless' old trainee

1 Nephi 13:37 And blessed are they who shall seek to bring forth my Zion at that day, for they shall have the gift and the power of the Holy Ghost; and if they endure unto the end they shall be lifted up at the last day, and shall be saved in the everlasting kingdom of the Lamb; and whoso shall publish peace, yea, tidings of great joy, how beautiful upon the mountains shall they be.

I read this scripture this last week, and it brought so much peace to me. We went to a lunch at a member’s house and they began to tell us a ton of all the problems in the world, and the sickness in Africa and everything. (Not super excited to hear the news when I get home!) But I started thinking more about this scripture and what it means. I love the part that says, "Whoso shall publish peace..." It made me stop to think. That is our purpose of being disciples of Christ. To establish peace where Satan is striving to establish fear and corruption. We may not be successful in all of our endeavors bringing others to this gospel, but at least we can share a message of peace, of life and salvation. I love sharing this gospel and I was so blessed to see the blessing of sharing it this last week.

Elder Loveless, Elder Goodfellow, and some amazing members

First off Diego should be baptized this Saturday! We are finishing up some things with him and we are praying that a miracle will be wrought so that he may be baptized. 

Also Rosemary (the mom of the family we found) is progressing very well. We are focusing on her and her kids. Her husband and one son unfortunately had a very bad experience with another church and don’t trust in churches right now. But we met with her and she told us, “I know that this is the true church. I need this baptism so that I can be born again. I need Jesus Christ more in my life and I know I will find it through this great book (The Book of Mormon). I just want to feel more of his love." Man I love her and this family! I saw that scripture from Nephi come into play. When life is hard or we are suffering we need to share that peace and glad tidings of the gospel if we are to find peace in our own lives! 

I know that this is the true gospel and that Jesus is the Christ. I know He lives. I love him. 

Love you all! 

Elder Loveless

p.s. I hope the new "Meet the Mormons" is sweet. Can’t wait to see it!

LOVE PRAYER!!!

Elder Loveless at the Campinas Brazil Temple

Wow this last week was the best! 

So we were blessed to go to the temple today. It has been the first time I’ve gone since the MTC. It was such a beautiful experience! I felt so behind and that I had forgotten so many of the covenants that I made in the temple. I finally see why the brethren say that we need to attend the temple frequently. It was the first time on the mission that I was able to feel at a perfect peace and knowing that Gods kingdom is on the earth! I love this gospel and the blessings of the temple! 

Elder Loveless at the Campinas Brazil T

So some cool blessings and miracles this week,

1. Diego is progressing really well! We are finishing up teaching the laws and ordinances with him and then he will be baptized on the 18th of this month. It was so amazing to see how the lord blessed us to find him. He loves the gospel and is embracing it. It’s hard as a missionary and as a member always striving to bring people to the gospel when they don’t want it. But seeing Diego I testify that God is preparing people to embrace the gospel. We need to always invite as Elder Bednar has said, to, “come and see."

2. So yesterday I was thinking during my studies. I would love to be able to help a family come into the gospel. I have worked with a ton of families on the mission but I decided to say a silent prayer to ask for a family. Well we get a call and we received a reference of a lady that just moved here to Vida Nova. Well we went there last night to contact her, and she then told us how she came in contact with the gospel. 

“I have been seeing you missionaries, especially the sisters where I used to live and work. Well I have been asking God for 6 months that they would stop to talk to me about the gospel. Well they always passed by but never stopped. On my last day in the area, I asked God again. ´God will you have them talk to me before I leave?´ Well they ended up stopping by in that moment. They then told me how there were missionaries where I live. I thanked God that he gave me an opportunity to learn about His Church."  She has boys that are 19, 17, 14, 12, and a girl that’s 10! The whole family wants to learn about the gospel and they have asked if they can be a part of this church! We walked in and taught them, prayed with them, and as we were leaving there was a light that was with that dear family. I know that god hears and answers our prayers. Not only was her prayer and my prayer answered but the prayers of those who are seeking to share the gospel. I am so grateful that the lord loves me enough and trusts me enough to teach His children about His eternal plan of Happiness! 

Love this gospel!!! I know it is true! We all have prayers to be said and answered! 

Love you all,

Elder Loveless