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