Just for today we switched to the old regular schedule of three meals per day. Elder Hendrickson and I visited Adolfina and Pedro Maia this morning. Pedro was home finally but had such a hangover that he was in no way willing to talk about any drinking problem. So we did not accomplish a great deal.
After eating our noon meal, we held a district meeting, which was mostly a planning session. We are going to try a completely new tracting idea: by mail. Each of us will write up a letter, to give us four possible approaches, which will be mimeographed and mailed by name to families listed in the telephone directory on certain streets in Farol. Also we plan to create and distribute to the members packets that will help them be missionaries. We will include pesquisa forms, convites, Articles of Faith cards, and some tracts. On Thursday evening we will meet with the Aaronic Priesthood to make some reverence posters for the chapel.
Four ladies attended Relief Society today: Virginia, Zezira, Adolfina, and Noêmia (Vitória’s mother). I spent the afternoon working on the financial report and attending Zesira’s class. Tonight we visited Apolinário.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Monday, October 19, 1970
Early this morning we were up and on our way to Recife on the 6:00 bus. I took advantage of the travel time to read several chapters in Articles of Faith by James E. Talmage. Upon arrival, we went straight to the chapel for the sixth and last leadership training seminar, held together with the elders of the João Pessoa Zone. We still receive number five next week in Maceió because we missed out last week. Elder Ferrin certainly has been doing a marvelous job in teaching this course.
We ate lunch in Elder Brinton’s apartment. We had planned to go to the beach with all the Recife elders, which I had been looking forward to, but we decided time didn’t allow it since we were returning on the 4:00 bus. We decided to see a show, but nothing decent was playing. We ended up just writing letters. I wrote again to Elder Blackham, which has been a highlight of many recent Mondays.
On the return trip to Maceió, Elder Smith and I had a long confidential talk, which I really enjoyed. By 8:30 we were home, which is nicer than the 11:00 that we have usually arrived in the past.
We ate lunch in Elder Brinton’s apartment. We had planned to go to the beach with all the Recife elders, which I had been looking forward to, but we decided time didn’t allow it since we were returning on the 4:00 bus. We decided to see a show, but nothing decent was playing. We ended up just writing letters. I wrote again to Elder Blackham, which has been a highlight of many recent Mondays.
On the return trip to Maceió, Elder Smith and I had a long confidential talk, which I really enjoyed. By 8:30 we were home, which is nicer than the 11:00 that we have usually arrived in the past.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Sunday, October 18, 1970
Each weekend must age me about six months. Sundays certainly can be trying experiences. Tonight in sacrament meeting, for example, a bunch of greasy girls were visiting and made absolute fools of themselves as they laughed and otherwise disturbed the sacrament service. Just before Elder Smith started speaking of respect they all left. It was not his planned subject. He was going to speak about repentance, but Inez did right before him. Edmilson also spoke. The choir was in bad form during the evening, even having sounded so sharp during practice.
Elder Smith and I went to see Pedro Maia this afternoon. He had left at 10:00 last night and had not returned yet. Umbelina wants so bad for him to be a good member of the Church. She wants us to really whap it to him.
Sônia taught the lesson this afternoon in the youth fireside. Attendance was low. We did not eat at Aldo’s today. Some sort of trouble is going on there. Aldo left early this morning without saying anything and did not attend priesthood meeting or Sunday School. He was at sacrament meeting but not in very good spirits.
Elder Smith and I went to see Pedro Maia this afternoon. He had left at 10:00 last night and had not returned yet. Umbelina wants so bad for him to be a good member of the Church. She wants us to really whap it to him.
Sônia taught the lesson this afternoon in the youth fireside. Attendance was low. We did not eat at Aldo’s today. Some sort of trouble is going on there. Aldo left early this morning without saying anything and did not attend priesthood meeting or Sunday School. He was at sacrament meeting but not in very good spirits.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Saturday, October 17, 1970
This morning we helped clean the chapel, which was getting to be pretty dirty. Paulo and a few of Vitória’s little brothers were the only ones who showed up to help. Edmilson hadn’t been informed. This afternoon we never did play volleyball because of rain and having to quit earlier in the afternoon because of this evening’s party.
About 5:00 we went to Pedro Maia’s place for a birthday party for Jacqueline, who is five today, and for Joseph Smith, who will be four in about two weeks. Pedro had gone out earlier in the day and returned drunk just before the party started. He was completely out of it. Umbelina was upset but kept her cool the whole evening. Nearly the entire branch plus many other people were there. Before we left Pedro took Elder Smith and me alone into the bathroom. It was a pretty humbling experience to see him on his knees sobbing his heart out. He asked for our forgiveness and begged us to help him.
With all this in progress, we left with the members about 7:30 to go to MIA. Elder Smith did not teach a lesson. We just had an activity.
About 5:00 we went to Pedro Maia’s place for a birthday party for Jacqueline, who is five today, and for Joseph Smith, who will be four in about two weeks. Pedro had gone out earlier in the day and returned drunk just before the party started. He was completely out of it. Umbelina was upset but kept her cool the whole evening. Nearly the entire branch plus many other people were there. Before we left Pedro took Elder Smith and me alone into the bathroom. It was a pretty humbling experience to see him on his knees sobbing his heart out. He asked for our forgiveness and begged us to help him.
With all this in progress, we left with the members about 7:30 to go to MIA. Elder Smith did not teach a lesson. We just had an activity.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Friday, October 16, 1970
Elder Stewart had good news for me. He feels it very unlikely that I’ll have to spend my last month in Rio. That is comforting.
The telegram Elder Ferrin sent Sunday morning arrived late Tuesday night. It was marked “urgent.”
Today the visits of the elders came to an end. To close our time together, we had an idea meeting, wherein we discussed everything and anything we wanted. A little more proselyting work to supplement our branch and member activities was suggested. We closed with a testimony meeting and sent them on their way. Elder Knight is taking a package to Elder Blackham for me. I sent a couple slides, a couple pairs of socks, his shell lamp (all of which he had forgotten), and a box of cookies from Dona Creuza. He should really love the cookies, which will give him saudades.
Elder Smith and I spent the afternoon writing an article about the Maceió Branch for the Church News. Elder Smith has the ideas; I write.
Primary attendance was good this afternoon for a change. Eleven children, which represents 50 percent, were out. After Primary, Elder Hendrickson and I spent the evening tracting in Trapiche.
The telegram Elder Ferrin sent Sunday morning arrived late Tuesday night. It was marked “urgent.”
Today the visits of the elders came to an end. To close our time together, we had an idea meeting, wherein we discussed everything and anything we wanted. A little more proselyting work to supplement our branch and member activities was suggested. We closed with a testimony meeting and sent them on their way. Elder Knight is taking a package to Elder Blackham for me. I sent a couple slides, a couple pairs of socks, his shell lamp (all of which he had forgotten), and a box of cookies from Dona Creuza. He should really love the cookies, which will give him saudades.
Elder Smith and I spent the afternoon writing an article about the Maceió Branch for the Church News. Elder Smith has the ideas; I write.
Primary attendance was good this afternoon for a change. Eleven children, which represents 50 percent, were out. After Primary, Elder Hendrickson and I spent the evening tracting in Trapiche.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Thursday, October 15, 1970
Today completes six months that I have been working in Maceió. They have been both trying and rewarding months. I am a much different person than the Elder Cleverly who arrived here in mid April, for as I witnessed in Elder Blackham, I too have developed and matured spiritually, emotionally, socially, and even physically.
For a few days we are privileged to have Elders Knecht and Stewart, assistants to the president, visiting with us. They arrived yesterday afternoon from Fortaleza. It was really good to see them again. Elder Knight went with Elder Smith last night and Elder Stewart, my old companion, with me to a home evening at Aldo’s house. Of course, everybody thought we looked like brothers.
This morning we spent in a special proselyting seminar, learning how to more effectively teach the lessons.
This afternoon Elder Stewart worked with me again while Elders Hendrickson and Knight went to teach a lesson to Helder Vasconcellos (they found lineage in the ancestry). We made visits with Virginia and Inez to invite ladies to attend Relief Society. Schools were out today because of a teachers’ holiday. Elder Smith and Knecht spent the afternoon at the church supervising special activities there. Once again tonight I worked with Elder Stewart. We saw Hévia and Apolinário.
For a few days we are privileged to have Elders Knecht and Stewart, assistants to the president, visiting with us. They arrived yesterday afternoon from Fortaleza. It was really good to see them again. Elder Knight went with Elder Smith last night and Elder Stewart, my old companion, with me to a home evening at Aldo’s house. Of course, everybody thought we looked like brothers.
This morning we spent in a special proselyting seminar, learning how to more effectively teach the lessons.
This afternoon Elder Stewart worked with me again while Elders Hendrickson and Knight went to teach a lesson to Helder Vasconcellos (they found lineage in the ancestry). We made visits with Virginia and Inez to invite ladies to attend Relief Society. Schools were out today because of a teachers’ holiday. Elder Smith and Knecht spent the afternoon at the church supervising special activities there. Once again tonight I worked with Elder Stewart. We saw Hévia and Apolinário.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Tuesday, October 13, 1970
Yesterday I wrote the longest letter of my entire mission: seven pages to Elder Blackham. There was so much to tell him, and I spent a great deal of space expressing my gratitude and love to him. His friendship and brotherhood are precious to me. I wrote four other letters also.
A little mix-up occurred today. Elder Ferrin had been scheduled to come yesterday to give us the fifth leadership seminar, but he never did show up. We had considered the possibility of his coming today but never seriously enough to drop by home to check. On our way to Relief Society, shortly before 3:00, we stopped by the house only to find them there waiting for us. Unfortunately, by this time he had no time for the meeting because return tickets to Recife were for 4:00. Sunday morning he had sent a telegram via the Brazilian postal telegraph system. We have not received it yet. A letter would have been here easily by now. Pois é.
Elder Hendrickson and I visited Apolinário and Idelta this evening. He is feeling somewhat better. I think his days are numbered, and he is slowly wearing out. We had an enjoyable visit with them.
A little mix-up occurred today. Elder Ferrin had been scheduled to come yesterday to give us the fifth leadership seminar, but he never did show up. We had considered the possibility of his coming today but never seriously enough to drop by home to check. On our way to Relief Society, shortly before 3:00, we stopped by the house only to find them there waiting for us. Unfortunately, by this time he had no time for the meeting because return tickets to Recife were for 4:00. Sunday morning he had sent a telegram via the Brazilian postal telegraph system. We have not received it yet. A letter would have been here easily by now. Pois é.
Elder Hendrickson and I visited Apolinário and Idelta this evening. He is feeling somewhat better. I think his days are numbered, and he is slowly wearing out. We had an enjoyable visit with them.
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