The last one!

So I came across a scripture during my study last week and it hit me pretty hard, and then I knew the mission was at its end.

2 Timothy 4: 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

 

Each one of us have our own courses in life. None of which were like Paul's, nor the Savior's! But we all have our own courses that we must fight to keep the faith! The mission is the hardest thing I've done. But it was the only thing I could have done the last 2 years to have come to know my Savior and His sacrifice more. And especially to know how I can always come to know Him! I love this gospel with all my heart. It has been a privilege to have been one of His witnesses, that He lives and that His gospel has been restored back on the earth. I love this gospel and the fruits of it! I'm so grateful for the Atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ. Its healing power is so beatiful and it is simply always there if we are but willing to look for it! I know He lives, and I'm grateful for the lifetime I have to know Him more! 

 

Thanks for everything all of you have done for me these past two years! 

 

Love you all,

Elder Gary Loveless

One big pizza

Vander from Elder Loveless'  last area took them to dinner

The Elders visited campinas 4 and had chi marrão and pizza with Fabio

Lunch with some members and investigators

The Elders visited this family in the center of Campinas

 

What a crazy week!

Elder Loveless and Vinicius

Elder Eller, Vinicius, and Elder Loveless at dinner

Well we got a bug and we were both sick allllllll week! But we still managed to get a few things done here and there! We met Vinicius! I brought him the prosthetic limb from Indiana, and finally I was able to meet him. It was so cool!

Elder Loveless and Elder Eller with the ward at the steakhouse

Also the ward along with us went to a steakhouse. It was the best BBQ I've ever had, and super cheap! We love this ward so much! The members are great and they have helped us out so much! It was hard to get a lot of proselyting done since we were resting and trying to get better for our last two weeks! But we are good now...but to add to that  ... our house is out of power for 2 days now! Haha candle light dinners, studies, everything! 

Well the one thing that I have been so blessed to see over the last week is how real the atonement is. This quote pretty much sums up what I've been blessed to study and feel this last week,

The Savior's victory can compensate not only for our sins but also for our inadequacies; not only for our deliberate mistakes, but also for our sins committed in ignorance, our errors of judgement, and our unavoidable imperfections. Our ultimate aspiration is more than being forgiven of sin - we seek to become holy, endowed affirmatively with Christlike attributes, at one with him, like him. Divine grace is the only source that can finally fulfill that aspiration, after all we can do

-Bruce C. Hafen

I love the atonement. I am so grateful to know that we can use the atonement for so much more than just being forgiven. It allows us to become one with Him when we suffer from sin, temptations, pains and doubts. The atonement was made for us to use and never abuse. Even we may have deliberate mistakes,and sins he wants us back. He wants us to use His healing power and to feel of the love of the atonement. I know that it's through the atonement we come to know Him! 

Love you all,

See you in a few weeks! 

Elder Loveless

Elder Loveless & Elder Eller

Elder Loveless & Elder McKay

Time flies by!

Elder Loveless & Elder Eller

Well yesterday Soliange was confirmed and I was honored to be able to perform the blessing. It was so special to be able to be part of such a sacred moment. She is such an amazing woman! We are helping out her family and many of her friends. I love doing this work. Elder Eller and I work so well together and we and the ward are working so well together to strengthen less actives and many others! I love working well with the members! 

We have been having a lot of fun working hard with the members and many less actives this last week. We have seen so many people that are in need of help and being rescued. I love so much doing the rescue work of missionary work. Helping someone who is lost find that light and testimony again is so special and amazing. We all need to constantly strengthen our testimonies daily so that we may help others strengthen there’s. 

The Elder's enjoying some root beer floats

Alma 61:12 We would subject ourselves to the yoke of bondage if it were requisite with the justice of God, or if he should command us so to do.

13 But behold he doth not command us that we shall subject ourselves to our enemies, but that we should put our trust in him, and he will deliver us.

I read these scriptures the other day, and Elder Eller and I have given it much thought. We have come to see that when times are hard and you aren't sure what to do, we can always find peace in knowing that we are subjects to Christ, and He will deliver us. I know that He lives and if we allow ourselves to be subject to Him, He will form us, and use us and make us into the person whom He has always intended for us to be. 

The Elder's learned how to make sushi for a party

I’m so grateful for this time of the mission. I love it so much here, but I’m ready for the happiness and joy that the future holds. So grateful that the Gospel of Jesus Christ gives us a hope for something happier and better in every phase in our lives! 

Love you all, 

Elder Loveless

Chicken sandwich with a homemade cheese bun

What a blessed week!

Elder Loveless & Elder Eller at Soliange's baptism

Elder Loveless & Elder Eller

Well Soliange was baptized this Sunday! It was such an amazing experience! We were so blessed to see her come into activity (when she had thought her papers were lost) and then we ended up baptizing her so that she could have her name on the records of the church. We had a week full of lessons on the atonement, repentance and forgiveness. It was so amazing and so special to see her come unto Christ. 

Elder Loveless' last time with Elder Rodrigues

We were with one of the coolest members yesterday, Marinho, and he had previously served as a stake president in Brasilia. Well when we were talking (btw he is the most kind, spiritual man I've met) and I asked him what one thing was he will always take with him from what he learned as being a stake president. He said, "We have come here to serve others, not expecting others to serve us." It was so powerful and simple and true. But we have come here to serve our God and what a privilege it is! 

I read today during studies, in Alma 36: 17 And it came to pass that as I was thus racked with torment, while I was harrowed up by the memory of my many sins, behold, I remembered also to have heard my father prophesy unto the people concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world.

18 Now, as my mind caught hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart: O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me, who am in the gall of bitterness, and am encircled about by the everlasting chains of death.

Matching Ties

It caught my attention that in Alma’s deepest and darkest hour, he was brought to the remembrance of what his father had said about the atonement and our savior Jesus Christ. The phrase that grabbed my attention was what he said after: "my mind caught hold upon this thought." It was so amazing to see that his only hope of escape from sin and transgression was his last grasp upon one righteous thought! I know that we too, when we turn our hearts towards the atonement, are blessed. Maybe we can only hang on by a thread, but it’s enough to keep us in his love.

Love you all so much! 

Elder Loveless

3rd times the charm!

Elder Loveless, President Perrotti, and Elder Eller

The Campinas Brazil Mission Christmas Party

Well this is the third time we are together! Super stoked!

WE were blessed to be put together in the MTC and in B-Town, now here in Brasil! So excited to serve with Elder Eller again! We are more than brothers!

Well we are having a great time here in Barão Geraldo. We are teaching a few people from the same family, Soliange (who was a member because they have lost her records 2 times and she has to be taught everything again and re baptized) and her daughter Jennifer. It has been so amazing to work with them! She isn’t mad or anything that her record was lost a second time but she is so excited to be rebaptized. Her daughter hasn't shown that much interest in the gospel till Saturday. Elder Eller and I were teaching about a few commandments and baptism was brought up. Jennifer told us how she wanted to be baptized. We then taught to her needs and invited her to be baptized! She accepted. We hope that all will go well helping them come together as a family!

The missionaries with Rodolpho

Well I love you all so much...we will try not to have too much fun!

Some quotes of the week....

"Wow...this is the first time I have seen my Adams apple since 4th grade." (While we were watching a movie)
"Do you know the last time I was below 220 lbs...? Well like 7th grade."

As we were drinking our water.... "Elder Eller did you put bananas in the water?" Him: "no I thought you did." We both take another swig of our banana water. We left bananas in the fridge and it flavored our water ... it’s tasty!
 

Elder Loveless & Vander, a member from Vida Nova

Also Elder Eller was a great comp laughing hysterically at me as I’m walking on the bus as it hits a bump and I smack my head on the mirror and fall on the chairs! We then both sit together on the bus and we started talking how we started the mission together, severed together in Indiana, came to Brazil together and everything and we both started crying. It was so awkward. Imagine seeing to grown guys crying on the bus together....

Also we aren't able to sleep. It is hot and our house is a sauna....

Love you all!

Elder Loveless

Elder Loveless & Elder Eller

Whew .... Last Transfer!

So we got the call last night...it was really weird getting the last transfer call of your mission...but I have been transferred! I will be getting my last companion and area tomorrow! Wow the mission passes by so fast...

This last week was crazy! Not a ton happened! New Year’s here is like our 4th of July, and every other holiday put together in one night...man they went nuts. We had nothing to do so we got some bricks on our deck, a grill and we had a bbq. It was supper cool. (I had a ton of pictures but I got a virus on my card and it deleted everything...) But the bbq was great! And then the next day I got a 3 day flu with a super bad fever! (Yes I’m ok mom and doing great now. :) 

I’m so grateful for all that has happened and all that I have learned while here in Vida Nova! It has been a great 3 transfers and I’m sad to leave but ready for what the lord has in store! 

I was reading in 2 Nephi 2 this week and I was touched by a few scriptures... 2 Nevertheless, Jacob, my firstborn in the wilderness, thou knowest the greatness of God; and he shall consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain.

 3 Wherefore, thy soul shall be blessed, and thou shalt dwell safely with thy brother, Nephi; and thy days shall be spent in the service of thy God. Wherefore, I know that thou art redeemed, because of the righteousness of thy Redeemer; for thou hast beheld that in the fulness of time he cometh to bring salvation unto men.

 4 And thou hast beheld in thy youth his glory; wherefore, thou art blessed even as they unto whom he shall minister in the flesh; 

 11 For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so..., righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad. Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in one; wherefore, if it should be one body it must needs remain as dead, having no life neither death, nor corruption nor incorruption, happiness nor misery, neither sense nor insensibility.

When I read that I was so touched knowing that our afflictions are consecrated. Just as Paul as taught that we glory in our tribulations. I’m so grateful that the Lord has allowed me to suffer, be tried, persecuted and to feel alone. It has been a privilege, so that I would be able to come unto Him and find peace and joy in His atonement. I’m so grateful for trials and temptations for they help us to become witnesses of His merits, mercy and grace. I know that He lives and loves us enough to let us suffer. No person in their right mind would let someone purposely suffer, unless they could see who we can become through our sufferings! I know that we become special witnesses of him not through our success alone, but how we successfully overcome the adversary and our testimonies become strengthened in Him. I know He lives, and it is a privilege to suffer to come to know Him! 

Love you all and I pray and hope you have a wonderful year! 

Elder Loveless

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