Today is the day of the biggest festa that has ever been seen in the Maceió Branch, the first annual (and possibly last) Feira Familiar. As one entered the front gate of the church, he was met by a money changer collecting entrance fees of Cr$3,00 per family or Cr$1,00 per person or Cr$0,50 for children. The next vital point was a ticket booth which sold ingressos of Cr$0,10 (100 beans) each to be used in the many booths.
Out in the garage we had a sponge throw, ring toss, fishpond, bottle throw, ball in the basket, dart throw, and ball in the mouth booths. The fishpond and bottle throw proved to be the most popular booths. Each of these booths was two ingressos each.
Inside we had the food booth, under direction of the Relief Society, selling popcorn, candy, hotdogs, punch, cookies, and cakes. Food is always popular. A marriage booth attracted what few teenagers showed up. A cakewalk and the quebra potes were both very popular. All the prizes won at the several booths and everything else we were trying to sell were featured in a general store, Lojas SUD. In every part the rooms of the church, the chapel excepted, were decorated. A carnival atmosphere was in the air.
Starting at 7:30 this morning we slipped over to the church to finish decorating and everything else incident to the fair’s opening at 3:00. How we ever made it I’ll never know, but we met the deadline and the doors opened on schedule. Afternoon traffic was slow. In the early evening almost everything stopped. All of a sudden, people showed up and we kept ourselves more than busy. Zezira showed up with the hotdogs at 7:00, not realizing that we were starting at 3:00. The festivities ran on until after 10:00 (and we had thought of stopping at 8:30).
The members at no point had ever caught on exactly the scale of this carnival we were planning. Hence, not as many people as we needed showed up. The purpose of all this was to raise money for an organ in an animating way. But some of the members did not realize money was involved and did not tell invited friends to come prepared. Without a doubt the fair was wholly animating.
The help we received from Elders Morrell and Prisbrey was invaluable. Never would the four of us survived without them. They leave tomorrow morning on the 6:00 Recife bus.
We collected Cr$463,00. Considering how many people attended, we must have wrung every penny out of them. That represents about Cr$230,00 profit. It if had not been for Aldo, the fair would have been a flop.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Friday, August 28, 1970
The entire week was spent in feverish and exhausting preparations for the carnival. Since Thursday was a holiday, we had a workday at the chapel for all the members. All day today was spent decorating.
Elders Prisbrey and Morrell arrived this evening from Recife to help us out tomorrow. We sure need them. Elder Camargo planned to come with Elder Prisbrey but could not because he works with MIA in Recife.
Elder Christensen conducted Monday’s district meeting. Fasting and prayer as missionary tools was the assigned theme.
Elders Prisbrey and Morrell arrived this evening from Recife to help us out tomorrow. We sure need them. Elder Camargo planned to come with Elder Prisbrey but could not because he works with MIA in Recife.
Elder Christensen conducted Monday’s district meeting. Fasting and prayer as missionary tools was the assigned theme.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Sunday, August 23, 1970
Today was a full and interesting day. Elder Smith and I left at 6:00 this morning for Recife. I went to attend a branch presidents meeting with the other leaders in the Pernambuco District. I also met with Elders Brinton, Ferrin, and Sarager in a planning meeting. The Recife Relief Society had a lunch prepared for us. We headed back at 1:00, reaching Maceió in time for choir practice. I had left Elder Blackham in charge of the branch during my absence. Edmilson taught the priesthood lesson this morning.
Last night at MIA we held a really sharp talent show with Pedro Maia as emcee. I didn’t realize we had so much talent in the branch. Alexandre and Betânia both sang with the guitar. Singing solos were David, Vitória, and Pedro Maia. Virginia played a piano solo. Nádia, Agamemnon, and Sônia participated in a jogral. Simone and Aida Santos gave poetry readings. Elder Smith played a trumpet solo with my accompaniment on the piano. With guitar, Elder Blackham sang some solos and a duet together with Elder John (Elder Christensen). The whole evening was animating. Attendance was very good.
Last night at MIA we held a really sharp talent show with Pedro Maia as emcee. I didn’t realize we had so much talent in the branch. Alexandre and Betânia both sang with the guitar. Singing solos were David, Vitória, and Pedro Maia. Virginia played a piano solo. Nádia, Agamemnon, and Sônia participated in a jogral. Simone and Aida Santos gave poetry readings. Elder Smith played a trumpet solo with my accompaniment on the piano. With guitar, Elder Blackham sang some solos and a duet together with Elder John (Elder Christensen). The whole evening was animating. Attendance was very good.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Friday, August 21, 1970
A letter came today from Elder Brinton, the new zone leader in Recife. Elder Christiansen headed south together with Elders Dabbling, Carter, and Hironymous. Four new elders came north, including Elder Ferrin, who is the new district leader of the Recife District and also the teacher of the leadership course that will be given. Elder Morrell came from Fortaleza to be in Boa Viagem. He had been zone leader and branch president there. Those jobs are now divided among two elders. Elder Paige Jeffs is the new branch president.
Apolinário was feeling sick when we went by Tuesday evening. Yesterday Elders Blackham and Christensen went to check up on him. He was not home.
We have been working on preparations for the Feira Familiar the last few days. Elders Blackham and Christensen have bought some prizes, also Elder Blackham and I. At Aldo’s house we have been making quebra potes (piñatas) for the carnival.
Elder Smith has tried all week to get a trumpet to play in tomorrow’s talent show. He tried the Assembly of God Church, but the minister said their instruments were consecrated and could not be given out to pagan hands. He finally found a pretty bad trumpet today just before Primary at the Escola Técnica Federal de Alagoas.
Apolinário was feeling sick when we went by Tuesday evening. Yesterday Elders Blackham and Christensen went to check up on him. He was not home.
We have been working on preparations for the Feira Familiar the last few days. Elders Blackham and Christensen have bought some prizes, also Elder Blackham and I. At Aldo’s house we have been making quebra potes (piñatas) for the carnival.
Elder Smith has tried all week to get a trumpet to play in tomorrow’s talent show. He tried the Assembly of God Church, but the minister said their instruments were consecrated and could not be given out to pagan hands. He finally found a pretty bad trumpet today just before Primary at the Escola Técnica Federal de Alagoas.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Tuesday, August 18, 1970
A letter to my dad and mom that I started yesterday and finished today:
This week’s letter is going to be pretty short. Today we had visiting with us from Recife 12 more elders to meet in a zone conference. That took most of the day, and so there is no time left to write a letter.
[Next day] Here it is Tuesday already, meaning that it is illegal to write letters. I just wanted to mention briefly a special youth home evening we held Sunday. It is held weekly for 12 young people who are from part-member families where it is impossible to hold home evening in the home. Every person had to list five specific reasons why he liked another given person. You cannot imagine how positive and how love-filled such a session was, with the Spirit being poured out in rich profusion before we had completed. It was truly fantastic, something every family in the Church might profitably use. Tears filled many eyes: tears of gratitude, tears of pure love, tears of happiness.
Sunday evening our branch choir sang for the third consecutive sacrament meeting, a special arrangement of “We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet.” I spoke on the life and teachings of Joseph Fielding Smith, including the visit Jerry and I had with him and Sister Smith four years ago in their Salt Lake apartment.
I subscribe my full love and gratitude. I pray this finds everybody healthy, happy, and smiling.
This week’s letter is going to be pretty short. Today we had visiting with us from Recife 12 more elders to meet in a zone conference. That took most of the day, and so there is no time left to write a letter.
[Next day] Here it is Tuesday already, meaning that it is illegal to write letters. I just wanted to mention briefly a special youth home evening we held Sunday. It is held weekly for 12 young people who are from part-member families where it is impossible to hold home evening in the home. Every person had to list five specific reasons why he liked another given person. You cannot imagine how positive and how love-filled such a session was, with the Spirit being poured out in rich profusion before we had completed. It was truly fantastic, something every family in the Church might profitably use. Tears filled many eyes: tears of gratitude, tears of pure love, tears of happiness.
Sunday evening our branch choir sang for the third consecutive sacrament meeting, a special arrangement of “We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet.” I spoke on the life and teachings of Joseph Fielding Smith, including the visit Jerry and I had with him and Sister Smith four years ago in their Salt Lake apartment.
I subscribe my full love and gratitude. I pray this finds everybody healthy, happy, and smiling.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Monday, August 17, 1970
About 10:30 today Elders Christiansen and Greenhalgh arrived from Recife. I went to the church with Elder Christiansen to audit the financial records. About noon the rest of the elders from Recife showed up. Shortly thereafter we held zone conference in the chapel. We received the third scroll: “I Will Persist until I Succeed.”
In the afternoon we had arranged to play basketball at the SESC gym, but when we arrived there at 2:00 the baskets had not been put up. We bagged the idea of having a district-against-district tournament but put up a net and played volleyball instead. Recife and Madalena won two out of three games over Maceió and Boa Viagem. Then everybody played futebol de salão. Before returning to Recife, the elders ate at the Sayonara. Aldo’s family came to see Elders Camargo and Prisbrey.
Tomorrow President Johnson will be in Recife. He is closing a deal on land being bought in João Pessoa for a chapel. A major transfer is in the wind. Elder Christiansen was instructed to buy four tickets south, but he does not know who is leaving us. Hopefully (and probably) Maceió will remain untouched.
In the afternoon we had arranged to play basketball at the SESC gym, but when we arrived there at 2:00 the baskets had not been put up. We bagged the idea of having a district-against-district tournament but put up a net and played volleyball instead. Recife and Madalena won two out of three games over Maceió and Boa Viagem. Then everybody played futebol de salão. Before returning to Recife, the elders ate at the Sayonara. Aldo’s family came to see Elders Camargo and Prisbrey.
Tomorrow President Johnson will be in Recife. He is closing a deal on land being bought in João Pessoa for a chapel. A major transfer is in the wind. Elder Christiansen was instructed to buy four tickets south, but he does not know who is leaving us. Hopefully (and probably) Maceió will remain untouched.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Sunday, August 16, 1970
Continuing in the same fine tradition, our third youth home evening was another special experience. When all the smaller kids were around, they created such a bagunça, but they finally left, and we had a memorable spiritual experience that I’ll not soon forget. Each person in the group had to list five specific reasons why he liked another determined person in the room. After that anybody could add other observations. With a little bit of pulling previously, I had Elder Blackham assigned to me. It is strange what an experience like this can do to people. I really have grown to love Elder Blackham but have never thought of particular reasons why I did. He has so many great qualities that my choosing involved selecting the best five for the particular moment. I appreciate him and am grateful for his talents (especially his singing), for his eagerness to work and serve, for his humility, for his ability to love others, for his sense of humor, and for his testimony. Such a great positive feeling of love was generated during our session that all were uplifted and edified.
Yesterday afternoon Elders Blackham and Christensen taught a first lesson to Pedro Guimarães and his wife, in our area. They said it was sharp.
Yesterday afternoon Elders Blackham and Christensen taught a first lesson to Pedro Guimarães and his wife, in our area. They said it was sharp.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Thursday, August 13, 1970
“Let Virtue Garnish Thy Thoughts Week” is well underway, although we are lacking in follow through since our district meeting on Monday. In that meeting each elder had to think of a specific thing he could do to be a better missionary. Elder Smith suggested letting virtue garnish his thoughts unceasingly. Elder Christensen said he needed to smile more. Elder Blackham: “Only the work matters; love the people.” I mentioned dedication and evaluation.
This week we have been doing a great deal of tracting. It’s surprising what happens when we do that. Elder Blackham and I have three lessons marked, the first of which was for tonight. It fell through, however. Vera’s parents were tracted out by Elders Smith and Christensen and are receiving the lessons. They have now had two.
Tuesday evening we held our second family home evening with Apolinário and Idelta. It is always such a treat to visit in their home. My greatest desire is to see them baptized before either Elder Blackham or I leave Maceió. They consider us as their very own children. I love them very much, and I know Elder Blackham does.
This week we have been doing a great deal of tracting. It’s surprising what happens when we do that. Elder Blackham and I have three lessons marked, the first of which was for tonight. It fell through, however. Vera’s parents were tracted out by Elders Smith and Christensen and are receiving the lessons. They have now had two.
Tuesday evening we held our second family home evening with Apolinário and Idelta. It is always such a treat to visit in their home. My greatest desire is to see them baptized before either Elder Blackham or I leave Maceió. They consider us as their very own children. I love them very much, and I know Elder Blackham does.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Monday, August 10, 1970
A letter to my family:
Look on page 74 of the June issue of the Improvement Era. The picture in the ad looks just like Dale, or at least as I remember him looking. If Ricks starts school as early as it used to, he should be starting any day now. Que coisa já!
This morning I spent a couple hours reading from the June Era the addresses from the April general conference. Oh, what a special spiritual treat! Truly we can take comfort in the assurance that we are guided by prophets and apostles of the living God. A sad thought entered my mind as I realized that the next general conference talks I’ll be reading will be in the States. The opening remarks of Elder Alma Sonne (on page 86) are particularly poignant to a missionary who soon will be required to leave a people he has so grown to love.
The past week offered no major or critical events—just a lot of routine, hard, enjoyable missionary work. We did a great deal more tracting than we have in several months. And under the hot Maceió sun my nose tried to sunburn. The weekend and today has seen much rain, more than Idaho would ever see in a year.
One last chance. Our branch carnival has been postponed until August 29, which means—if you hurry—that you can still send post-cards, if you have not yet done so.
Until another week, may the Lord’s kindest blessings be yours.
Look on page 74 of the June issue of the Improvement Era. The picture in the ad looks just like Dale, or at least as I remember him looking. If Ricks starts school as early as it used to, he should be starting any day now. Que coisa já!
This morning I spent a couple hours reading from the June Era the addresses from the April general conference. Oh, what a special spiritual treat! Truly we can take comfort in the assurance that we are guided by prophets and apostles of the living God. A sad thought entered my mind as I realized that the next general conference talks I’ll be reading will be in the States. The opening remarks of Elder Alma Sonne (on page 86) are particularly poignant to a missionary who soon will be required to leave a people he has so grown to love.
The past week offered no major or critical events—just a lot of routine, hard, enjoyable missionary work. We did a great deal more tracting than we have in several months. And under the hot Maceió sun my nose tried to sunburn. The weekend and today has seen much rain, more than Idaho would ever see in a year.
One last chance. Our branch carnival has been postponed until August 29, which means—if you hurry—that you can still send post-cards, if you have not yet done so.
Until another week, may the Lord’s kindest blessings be yours.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Sunday, August 9, 1970
Our youth home evening this afternoon was really sharp. We put modern-day scripture on trial. Elder Smith prosecuted, Elder Blackham defended. I was the honorable judge. Witnesses were: the Bible, Vitória; Catholic and Protestant churches, Edmilson; the Book of Mormon, Sônia; the Doctrine and Covenants, Nádia; and the Pearl of Great Price, Simone. Nádia’s Baptist boyfriend, Ezdras, was there and enjoyed it. The only reason Elder Blackham won was because he was on the right side of the issue and the jury was prejudiced.
In Sunday School a new class was started for the youth, giving us three classes now. Elder Blackham will be the teacher. To help out on his lesson, he used a crossword puzzle (stick and candy motivation) with terms from the lesson.
At choir practice tonight we worked on “É tarde, a noite logo vem” [“Abide with Me, ‘Tis Eventide”] and “Meu testemunho” [“My Testimony”]. This latter we will sing in the next fast and testimony meeting. The choir sounds better all the time.
Sundays are full days now: Starting at 8:30 with priesthood meeting, 10:00 for Sunday School, dinner (usually at Aldo’s), district planning meeting, 3:00 for youth home evening, 5:30 for choir practice, 7:30 for sacrament meeting, and finally weekly planning and evaluation session.
In Sunday School a new class was started for the youth, giving us three classes now. Elder Blackham will be the teacher. To help out on his lesson, he used a crossword puzzle (stick and candy motivation) with terms from the lesson.
At choir practice tonight we worked on “É tarde, a noite logo vem” [“Abide with Me, ‘Tis Eventide”] and “Meu testemunho” [“My Testimony”]. This latter we will sing in the next fast and testimony meeting. The choir sounds better all the time.
Sundays are full days now: Starting at 8:30 with priesthood meeting, 10:00 for Sunday School, dinner (usually at Aldo’s), district planning meeting, 3:00 for youth home evening, 5:30 for choir practice, 7:30 for sacrament meeting, and finally weekly planning and evaluation session.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Saturday, August 8, 1970
Thursday evening we held family home evening with Aldo and his family. “Obedience” was the theme of the lesson.
Yesterday was unusual. Both sets of elders tracted about four hours straight each. All of us were somewhat sunburned and quite tired. I worked with Elder Christensen (Elder John to the members) while Elder Blackham together with Elder Smith worked in our area. At night we taught a lineage lesson to the Paulo Santos family. They have a bit of a problem in bringing their whole lineage neighborhood to church. Suely gave up her boyfriend last week. He finally gave her the choice between him or the Church, and she chose the right one. Too bad Hévia doesn’t do something similar with her boyfriend.
I nearly forgot to mention that last Tuesday Nádia had a good long talk with me, about an hour and a half, telling me all the problems she has had and has. She is so very sharp though and does an outstanding job at confronting those problems.
Tonight’s MIA sponsored Elder Smith’s lesson and an interesting game of spin the bottle.
Yesterday was unusual. Both sets of elders tracted about four hours straight each. All of us were somewhat sunburned and quite tired. I worked with Elder Christensen (Elder John to the members) while Elder Blackham together with Elder Smith worked in our area. At night we taught a lineage lesson to the Paulo Santos family. They have a bit of a problem in bringing their whole lineage neighborhood to church. Suely gave up her boyfriend last week. He finally gave her the choice between him or the Church, and she chose the right one. Too bad Hévia doesn’t do something similar with her boyfriend.
I nearly forgot to mention that last Tuesday Nádia had a good long talk with me, about an hour and a half, telling me all the problems she has had and has. She is so very sharp though and does an outstanding job at confronting those problems.
Tonight’s MIA sponsored Elder Smith’s lesson and an interesting game of spin the bottle.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Wednesday, August 5, 1970
Monday was a big day in Elder Blackham’s life. After six months of patient waiting, he was finally able to see Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. All the rest of us had seen it several times (this was my fourth time), and we had always told him so much about it.
If all that wasn’t enough for Elder Blackham, I gave him the opportunity to conduct Monday’s district meeting on the theme of “Example and the Missionary Image.” We discussed the power of example and motives behind proper example. If we have the pure love of Christ as a motivation, we cannot lose. I was really proud of my companion for the great job he did.
Aldo and family ate dinner Monday night with us in our new house. We ate baked potatoes, which they had never seen before, and really enjoyed them. Afterwards for home evening we showed the general conference films at their house.
More records yesterday. Zezira has finally figured out her Relief Society reports.
Elder Blackham and I even found time to tract today, not a thing we find every week. We also visited Adolfina today. She is always thrilled with our visits. She is progressing in her reading of the Book of Mormon. She has finished Jacob.
If all that wasn’t enough for Elder Blackham, I gave him the opportunity to conduct Monday’s district meeting on the theme of “Example and the Missionary Image.” We discussed the power of example and motives behind proper example. If we have the pure love of Christ as a motivation, we cannot lose. I was really proud of my companion for the great job he did.
Aldo and family ate dinner Monday night with us in our new house. We ate baked potatoes, which they had never seen before, and really enjoyed them. Afterwards for home evening we showed the general conference films at their house.
More records yesterday. Zezira has finally figured out her Relief Society reports.
Elder Blackham and I even found time to tract today, not a thing we find every week. We also visited Adolfina today. She is always thrilled with our visits. She is progressing in her reading of the Book of Mormon. She has finished Jacob.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Monday, August 3, 1970
A letter to Mom and Dad:
Today is my birthday. Thirteen years ago today I was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ. It is strange how memory works at times, because even now I can still remember with somewhat clarity that day in my life.
I hear by the grapevine that Lyle and Barbara had a baby girl [after seven boys]. I didn’t even know they were expecting, and I thought they specialized only in boys. They won’t know what to do with a girl.
What ever happened to Sister Yorgason? About seven or eight months ago you wrote saying she had cancer bad and would live only a few months longer.
Also I have never heard anything about what I need to do to vote by absentee ballot. It must be getting rather close to the necessary deadlines. It has been several months since I wrote asking about it.
Did anybody ever get my priesthood line of authority from President Hurren? It has been well over a year since I asked for that. Now that I am a branch president I need it badly. Please!
I do hope the postcards are on their way by now or they’ll never make it on time and that would wreck our carnival plans for the branch.
Everybody is wholly silent on what is wrong with Jerry. Is he better now? He never has mentioned a thing in his last two letters.
When does Dale go to school? It must be beginning soon.
May heaven bless. Smile.
Today is my birthday. Thirteen years ago today I was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ. It is strange how memory works at times, because even now I can still remember with somewhat clarity that day in my life.
I hear by the grapevine that Lyle and Barbara had a baby girl [after seven boys]. I didn’t even know they were expecting, and I thought they specialized only in boys. They won’t know what to do with a girl.
What ever happened to Sister Yorgason? About seven or eight months ago you wrote saying she had cancer bad and would live only a few months longer.
Also I have never heard anything about what I need to do to vote by absentee ballot. It must be getting rather close to the necessary deadlines. It has been several months since I wrote asking about it.
Did anybody ever get my priesthood line of authority from President Hurren? It has been well over a year since I asked for that. Now that I am a branch president I need it badly. Please!
I do hope the postcards are on their way by now or they’ll never make it on time and that would wreck our carnival plans for the branch.
Everybody is wholly silent on what is wrong with Jerry. Is he better now? He never has mentioned a thing in his last two letters.
When does Dale go to school? It must be beginning soon.
May heaven bless. Smile.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Sunday, August 2, 1970
Yesterday afternoon we learned that Virginia’s grandmother died in Recife. The funeral is this afternoon in Atalaia. Therefore, Aldo and his family attended neither MIA last night nor the meetings this morning. Elder Blackham and I spent most of the afternoon with Virginia, trying to give some consolation. She took it all pretty good. Inez was really hit hard.
In MIA we showed films of the October 1968 semi-annual general conference. It was a special spiritual treat. None of the members had ever seen or heard a general conference before. We saw both President David O. McKay and President Joseph Fielding Smith. The Tabernacle Choir was beautiful. I have seen these particular films twice before here in Brazil, but it was great once again.
Today’s testimony meeting was particularly good, the Holy Ghost animating so many to testify. The choir had its second practice this afternoon.
Tonight at our house we held the first family home evening for the youth of the branch who come from part-member families. Present were Sônia, Simone, Fátima, Nádia, Edmilson, Vitória, David, Moyses, and Márcia. We played College Bowl using the Joseph Smith tract. Next week will be at Nádia’s place with Sônia in charge of the lesson.
In MIA we showed films of the October 1968 semi-annual general conference. It was a special spiritual treat. None of the members had ever seen or heard a general conference before. We saw both President David O. McKay and President Joseph Fielding Smith. The Tabernacle Choir was beautiful. I have seen these particular films twice before here in Brazil, but it was great once again.
Today’s testimony meeting was particularly good, the Holy Ghost animating so many to testify. The choir had its second practice this afternoon.
Tonight at our house we held the first family home evening for the youth of the branch who come from part-member families. Present were Sônia, Simone, Fátima, Nádia, Edmilson, Vitória, David, Moyses, and Márcia. We played College Bowl using the Joseph Smith tract. Next week will be at Nádia’s place with Sônia in charge of the lesson.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
