Hey guys!!

Google photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/jQia3spFvZoX9NtB7

Also check out my website: jonathan.missionjournal.app

ive been at the CTM for only a week and I feel like ive adapted really well. The first couple days were hard and i had to get used to so many things but its chill now.

My companions are as awesome in person as they are online. Its been really fun being in a trio but it does make planning things hard, and studying impossible. Recently we've been doing better though.

I ALREADY LEAVE IN ONE WEEK. In one week from now i will be in Curitiba. Its all happening so fast im nervous and excited at the same time. Part of me really wants to go and serve the people and part of me doesnt feel ready

HERES SOME HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK. theres one thats helped me a LOT to get through my first week being away.

1. I said hi to Sister Nelson!! It was so good to see someone from home.

2. Ive been teaching my companions how to play pickleball whenever theres time. Who knew there wouldve a spot to play that here. They've all been having a lot of fun

3. All the workers here at the CTM are return missionaries. The COOLEST thing that ive been able to hear from them is their past experiences and their miracles. There was a devotional about being led by the spirit, and they talked about how they put their hand on a dog (which had been paralyzed for 2 months) and cured him. The entire street was baptized. Like WHAT do you mean bro.

4. The other half of the Elders in my district have been yelled at by the hall monitor for having their lights on just a minute past 10:30, but the way Elder Tôrres describes it he makes it sound hilarious. Everyone in the hallway now calls him "O ditador" (The Dictator).

5. Its interesting being the translator for both the americans and the brazilians its very fun how theyll both be asking me how to say one thing and how to say something else. I love seeing two different cultures interact with each other, trying their best to be friends despite the language barrier. They have all gotten really good, both americans and brazilians, that they dont really need me anymore.

6. Last highlight. Very exciting. When i was flew from Atlanta to São Paulo, i came with another group of missionaries. I sat down on my seat, and then a brazilian man named Renato sat next to me as well. Once he knew i spoke portuguese he asked me a question "Who are you guys"? And that whole conversation during the plane ride led to him promising to read The Book of Mormon, which i had to get an Elder to run around the plane hunting a portuguese one, and i got to give him that book. He asked so many questions about the gospel of Jesus Christ. I gave him my email so he could contact me about any thoughts or questions regarding the Book of Mormon. Please pray for him to read this book, and if he is, that he may continue to read it. This interaction came as a surprise to me, but i feel really really really good about it.

Spiritual Thought: The focus here has really been on letting the spirit take control of your actions. Listen to the spirit, and he will magnify your abilities and guide you through your actions. Ive been doing my best to act in ways that invite the spirit and keep him with me, so that im ready for anything. Im not very consistent with a lot of things but i know i can get there.