tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32867429388238587562024-03-21T10:49:31.189-07:00elder siebersAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667160522128493028noreply@blogger.comBlogger115125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3286742938823858756.post-86736821423783221302015-06-01T19:11:00.003-07:002015-06-01T19:11:43.121-07:0099. Rio das Ostras, Rio de Janeiro<i>1 June 2015</i><br />
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Good morning family and friends, </div>
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So this week was my
official last week as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter Day Saints. It was an incredible week and one that I'll never forget. We
helped a sister move in the rain, weeded an entire yard, said
goodbyes to many beloved investigators and members, and had some incredible
progress with our investigators. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The most memorable experience from this week was Sunday. It
was a normal meeting all the way through. Bishop was the final speaker and at
the end of his talk he invited Elder Evans and I to the front to share our
testimonies. If you weren't there you missed the two of us get teary eyed :D
Then afterwards, just about every single ward member came and gave us a hug and
wished us well on in our travels. An Irmão got about 40 members together for a "Till we Meet" chorus. Hugs were had, presents were given,
tears were shed, and it really put the capstone on my time here in Rio das
Ostras. <o:p></o:p></div>
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There's so much to be told still, and many stories that will
come up here in the next few weeks, I'm so excited to see you guys this
week!!!!! See you real soon!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Elder Siebers<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667160522128493028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3286742938823858756.post-21142996139134708642015-05-25T17:40:00.002-07:002015-05-25T17:40:54.637-07:0098. Rio das Ostras, Rio de Janeiro<i>25 May 2015</i><br />
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Hey everyone, sorry for the late start this morning, weve
kinda had a crazy week and today began in a search for a decent new LAN House
to send emails. I realize I didnt send updates from last week, so I'll give some
highlights real fast, even though two weeks ago already seems in the distant
past....<o:p></o:p></div>
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I believe I sent a photo from the _____baptism. He was a
another great story. I´ll sum it up. He appeared out of no where at church
three weeks ago and we began teaching him that very week. Turns out his father
has been a member for a very long time, well had been, anyways, he is 19 years old, just had his first child and recently he separated
from his wife. He's going through an incredibly tough time. He remembered the
church that his father participated and searched it out that Sunday. He was
completely ready to receive the gospel and needs it so much durng this trying
period of his life. The father lives here as well, we already met and talked
with him. He knows he needs to come back but he needs to get some things back
in order first. He was part of the bishopric after all... kinda a crazy story
to be told later :D<o:p></o:p></div>
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So that was one major miracle, but it gets even better...<o:p></o:p></div>
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We also worked hard this week to prepare _______for her
baptism yesterday. Sh'es the grandaughter of _____, and we´re currently teaching
the entire family. I love them so much and they have literally become family to
us. <o:p></o:p></div>
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So that makes two huge miracles from this week. The third
was the most impressive if you ask me. We met ___ while we were teaching ___ and on one
day we gave a brief introduction to our work, purpose as missionaries and the
church in general. We invited her to participate and she kindly refused. She
stated that she participates in [another church] and is content. We of
course accepted her choice. <o:p></o:p></div>
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About 2 weeks later I get a phone call from ___ and out of no where she had
this immense desire to be baptized in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day
Saints. We RAN there immediately and began teaching all the lessons. She
accepted everything we taught and expressed much of her complaints with her
previous affiliation. She also expressed her difficulty in changing over 17 years. While in the lesson she
looked at us and said<o:p></o:p></div>
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"I dont want to be baptized on satuday... " We
just looked at her with a sad look...<o:p></o:p></div>
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"I want to be baptized before" And we marked the
day for the following day which was wednesday :D<o:p></o:p></div>
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I'm sorry the story isnt all nicely written, I'm typing as
fast as I can to get everything in!</div>
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So this week was jsut overall... INTENSE. We were running
around all week teaching, interviewing and we also had a move this week....
except this time it was our own.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So we moved. We have a new apartment, even further from our
area. its on the top floor, 5th, and has an incredible view of the neighborhood
and surrounding mountains. I'll send pics someday,,, or when I'm at home :D<o:p></o:p></div>
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Cleaning an old missionary house was NASTY, and we're still
not done, we'll have to spend several hours to finish off the job this
week. <o:p></o:p></div>
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So thats pretty much the scoop on things. It still hasn't hit
me that I'm coming home so soon, I'm just doing what I've always done. I think the
best way to really take adventage of this last week is to just keep working.
There are several appointments we made this week to visit beloved members and
recent converts, it's going to be a great last week. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The members this Sunday threw a churrasco for me which was
AWESOME!<o:p></o:p></div>
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I love you all so much, and can't wait to see ya'll soon!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Elder Siebers<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667160522128493028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3286742938823858756.post-65094951203418515452015-05-19T16:14:00.000-07:002015-05-19T16:14:53.122-07:0097. Rio das Ostras, Rio de Janeiro<i>18 May 2015</i><br />
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<span style="color: cyan;">[Well friends, this is what it has come to. Cooper usually sends us a numbered update for the blog and then answers our personal emails as his time allows. This week. No numbered update. I am not quite sure what to think of that. How do you run this two year long marathon and then skip a checkpoint in the last quarter mile? But we do know he is alive and well as I received the following from him personally. -Oh, and Scott saw three charges on his card for McDonalds later that day. Clearly he has not lost sight of all that is important.]</span><br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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So I'm pretty sure "trunky" came around as in packing your trunk
or I guess suitcase. Something like that and it stuck. Trunky is that feeing of
packing the suitcase and going home.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Still coughing, thinking today that it will never go away. I'm fine though, the fever has passed.</div>
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I watched riley's performance. It was incredible in video, I cant wait to actually see her live. She's amazing! What are her actual plans
with all this?<o:p></o:p></div>
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So many things I want to comment on, but I remember that in
two weeks we'll be able to talk about them in person so i'll just hold on a
bit longer! :D<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: cyan;">[And so I give you- "Riley's performance"]</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667160522128493028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3286742938823858756.post-41313565414727578482015-05-11T14:53:00.003-07:002015-05-11T14:53:40.023-07:0096. Rio das Ostras, Rio de Janeiro<i>10 May 2015</i><br />
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<span style="color: cyan;">[We had a fantastic LONG skype talk with Cooper yesterday! Though suffering from a cold he seemed better than ever. We discussed his re-entry desires- which include "no big parties, but lots of chicken pockets". There are two companionships in this ward, so there are four of them in the apartment, at this last transfer, a friend from the MTC district- <a href="http://elderalexevans.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Elder Evans</a> was assigned to Rio das Ostras, so they are now living together. They arrived in Rio together back in November 2013, and in just over three weeks, they will fly to Atlanta together on their journey home. He seemed very excited to enjoy the last three weeks of his mission. I can't believe we are this close!]</span><br />
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The final chapter began this week, and it certainly was
written up quite poetic-ly. E. Evans made his epic return to Rio das Ostras. We
came on the same flight from the States to Brazil, now we are going to finish
the mission in the same area and same house and then were gonna book it
off on the same flight home. Nice ending.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The week was pretty difficult overall. I ended up catching a
fever midweek and I managed to walk and visit some people but I just wasn't
capable of working and teaching effectively so I did get some bed time in so I could
recover quicker. <o:p></o:p></div>
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We had some CRAZY experiences this week which will need
further explanation here in a few weeks. Remind me to tell you guys about the
time we taught ....</div>
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Strange email this week.... but the highlgiht was really
talking to the family this week. I love you guys so much, and can't wait to see
you all real soon!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Elder Siebers<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667160522128493028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3286742938823858756.post-5622658008573065222015-05-05T16:00:00.000-07:002015-05-05T16:00:12.754-07:0095. Rio das Ostras, Rio de Janeiro<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>5 May 2015</i></div>
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GOOD MORNING EVERYONE!!!!!! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Wow. Where do I even begin with such an epic week? I´ll have
to be brief about everything to be able to give a good summary of this weeks
events. <o:p></o:p></div>
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This week was our week in Trio, We dropped E. Hamilton off
in Rio and spent the entire day traveling (Tuesday) We got back to work
Wednesday covering the entire city of Rio das Ostras, covering all of our own
investigators and those of Elder L. It was fun to be able to teach some of
my friends from the English class. We had an incredible lesson with a woman named
X from the English class. She is coming to church and this week heard
about baptisms for the dead and was left very doubtful. We went to visit her
and she asked us to explain for about it from the Bible. We gladly did so and
she began to weep and explained how she didn't believe we were going to be able
to show her. She began talking about the implication it would have in her life
and of those she loves if it were a true doctrine. <o:p></o:p></div>
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We worked until Saturday when we were to receive the phone
call about transfers. nothing. We went to church not knowing about the
transfer at all. We had so many of our investigators there , (mostly from the English class). We got the phone call finally at 6:20 in the evening that only
Elder L was transferred. We left Rio das Ostras at 8 pm and arrived in Rio at
midnight. We went to the support house (where missionaries from a far spend the
night) and no one was there. I. love. adventure. So that's how we found
ourselves in Rio Cumprido, a super dangerous part of Rio :D at midnight,
stranded. Luckily there is another missionary house nearby, we got things
figured out quickly and grabbed a taxi to Botafogo to spend the night. 20
missionaries in one house, 10 mattresses in total, I spent an awful night on the
floor. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Transfer meeting was yesterday bright and early. Junior from
Madureira was there, and we talked for a good while about the ward. Elder Evans
is returning to Rio das Ostras (I took his place when I arrived here) and its
going to be a great last 4 weeks! We had Famly home evening with Y (whom Elder Evans baptized) and his wife X and another family they are helping
to get to know the gospel. He freaked out when Elder Evans appeared. It was
AWESOME!!! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Today is Tuesday. Its downpouring here. We are going to
visit M and F to help them continue to grow and learn everything
they possibly can. Then some other investigators we have in our teaching pool
for the rest of the day. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Mothers day arrived so quickly, I hadn't even realized that
it was so near. We haven't really made plans yet because of all the transfer
drama. I'm sorry i don't have any information as of now. It will most likely be
after we have lunch on Sunday, 2:00-3:30 ish, also depending if we have to do
it one at a time and so on. When I get better details, I'll send an email
through the camera, with the time. (I'll try) If any problems, I log onto Skype
through Facebook, I'll send a message to you guys and well figure it out on the
spot. Just have FB open to be ready.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I love you guys soooo much!!!!!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Elder Siebers<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[endif]--></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667160522128493028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3286742938823858756.post-16061605806258111092015-04-29T17:02:00.001-07:002015-04-29T17:02:29.772-07:0094. Rio das Ostras, Rio de Janeiro<i>27 April 2015</i><br />
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Good Morning everyone! I´ll be honest with you all. I feel
like the last leaf on the tree, being beaten by the wind, holding on while the winter
approaches. I'm tired, beat, but this week, the sacrifices make it all worth it.
The Lord truly prepares people to receive the gospel. X and Y were
so open to the gospel. They felt the spirit with each passing day,
didnt deny it and make the commitment with God to follow him. It doesnt get any
better than that for a missionary. They already are excited to go to the temple
next year. I told them I´ll try my best to be there. I look at their two your
old daughter and see a bright future. One where she will grow up with
loving parents, and the gospel to orient her life. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Last night I met the sister of one of our investigators, 15
years old and is living with a 23 year old man. Its those types of things that
leave me reflecting deeply on the cruelty the world has to offer. When I was 15, I was still a child, played video games, sports, and messed around. Imagine
having your innocent childhood taken away from you at such a young age. Thats
not something you can get back. <o:p></o:p></div>
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That's why when i see little X2, my heart swells that
things will be entirely different for her. Her dad said to us, "I
just want to be the best father for her that I can be" and now he has
truth to become. <o:p></o:p></div>
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My time has passed. It will be nice when we can talk without
time restrictions :D<o:p></o:p></div>
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I love you all so much!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Elder Siebers<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667160522128493028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3286742938823858756.post-88289538444842990442015-04-23T14:24:00.003-07:002015-04-23T14:24:52.691-07:0093. Rio das Ostras, Rio de Janeiro<i>21 April 2015</i><br />
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<span style="color: cyan;">[In case you missed the facebook announcement- Elder Siebers comes home on Saturday June 6th!]</span><br />
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I'm currently seated in Carlos and Ritas home. We are going to feast on churracso here in a bit and I'm
stoked! <o:p></o:p></div>
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In other news, X, the mcdonalds employee and her two daughters were baptized this Saturday. That will always make for a legendary
story. The ward is openly receiving all new faces into the ward and the word
here is impressive. </div>
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So we've been struggling to have our investigator progress,
we've been working hard and God has blessed us with a new family. </div>
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Maybe you will all remember a few weeks ago we met two
families from Bahia and they invited us in to share a message. Well we lost
contact with X and Ye after that and then last week they appeared at
church. We went and taught them Wednesday, they like it so much we returned Thursday and Friday, they are reading for the Book of Mormon each day and are
on board for their baptism this Saturday. Another great couple. They have an
adorable 2 year old daughter. I'll send some photos this week. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I love you all so much, off to eat some churrasco!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Elder Siebers</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">P.S. just got done eating.
They're the type of people who just keep piling food onto your plate. Everyone
is stuffed with roasted sausage, beef, ribs, vinagrete, farofa, garlic bread,
and roasted buffalo cheese.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667160522128493028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3286742938823858756.post-25171265949889271822015-04-14T16:45:00.004-07:002015-04-14T16:45:40.551-07:0092. Rio das Ostras, Rio de Janeiro<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>12 April 2015</i></div>
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Comfort. I guess it's what we unconsciously feel when we´ve
settled into a predictable routine. It's when life is easy, things are going
swimmingly, there are few surprises. It's a good feeling, but I also think its
something that interferes with our progression. New experiences and changes can
bring new enlightenment. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Wednesday, 1:00 P.M. Elder R and I had just finished
eating lunch at home, the member wasn't going to be home so she left us with
some cash. We were preparing to leave and we had an awesome day planned. The
phone rings. Elder K, our zone leader, asks us how we are doing, how the
day is going and then continues, "Are you guys close to home?" Luckily
this very moment we were home. "Elder R, pack your bags, your being
transferred." <o:p></o:p></div>
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That was the shock that came this week. Because of an
incident, not any missionary's fault we had to have an emergency transfer. We
spent the entire day traveling, finishing up some last minute things for Elder
R. <o:p></o:p></div>
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My new comp is Elder F. L. from
Recife. He's a new missionary with roughly 5 months. He's been in the zone ever
since I arrived so we already kinda new each other. He's a great guy, hilarious
and we share tons of interests. He break dances so I´m going to have take advantage
of that! Although, I tried to mimic a move of his and I tweaked my knee pretty
bad... not pretty, but only 7 more weeks :D<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOfu_gnrwRSm_yODr8aIc3rlC7mMC43P3ae8B3Ub4Ix-8RRBcoYJjgHIWGsAIeOoIlKelOZSeGd7r2wXv949SeTIW029oxN-HKMWjZXtIufwXE9_yoZuPlTZWlZalWBF-wFJt2EZ7D3bbR/s1600/SAM_0156z.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOfu_gnrwRSm_yODr8aIc3rlC7mMC43P3ae8B3Ub4Ix-8RRBcoYJjgHIWGsAIeOoIlKelOZSeGd7r2wXv949SeTIW029oxN-HKMWjZXtIufwXE9_yoZuPlTZWlZalWBF-wFJt2EZ7D3bbR/s1600/SAM_0156z.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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That brings me to my next point. Do I have dental and doctor
appointments marked, because I need to get myself checked out...<o:p></o:p></div>
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Returning to my original subject. Saying goodbye to Elder
R was difficult. We had incredible rhythm, we knew each other so well, so
many experiences we've passed through. I love that guy. <o:p></o:p></div>
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But I'm with a new missionary who is teaching me new things
each day. change is good. </div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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We had some incredible miracles this Sunday, including a
mother and son whom entered the church just out of curiosity and stayed. We
also had a family that we lost contact with about a month ago suddenly reappear
at church. The english class is providing new people to teach each week and we
had a new AWESOME couple from the ward be called as ward missionaries (that
couple I mentioned that lived in CT. They are like my parents here! ) They have
awesome awesome ideas, so I'm stoked!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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I love you all so much, I hope you are enjoying the warmer
weather! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Elder Siebers<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_yLuEgdWlJiECRdW_gQ3W0cEjjbAYL5CyORqGNa8eLMxkm6G3Q6SNTGiYEwR9eJfoNSkO8I71nVKBd3PVT-tKv8q4kzN3x5D17lnPiCLwNo-IpSBGXzvVhKnTqQ_bKcPv1r95HDMBsb0o/s1600/SAM_0157q.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_yLuEgdWlJiECRdW_gQ3W0cEjjbAYL5CyORqGNa8eLMxkm6G3Q6SNTGiYEwR9eJfoNSkO8I71nVKBd3PVT-tKv8q4kzN3x5D17lnPiCLwNo-IpSBGXzvVhKnTqQ_bKcPv1r95HDMBsb0o/s1600/SAM_0157q.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<!--[endif]--></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667160522128493028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3286742938823858756.post-55093621516052937842015-04-06T16:13:00.000-07:002015-04-06T16:13:16.511-07:0091. Rio das Ostras, Rio de Janeiro<i>6 April 2015</i><br />
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Hey everyone, I hope you all had a nice Easter weekend.
Sorry for the late letter, we decided to get up and take a stroll to some
beautiful sites in Rio das Ostras, I'll have to send the photos via camera a bit
later! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTpG4AcNCCcs1KDgGFpRmfmYWlHi-QGeygq-2nYXk1d6fUeFYSgEkyT_uzOK_5Ov-IK64NHhGDcUn9w_gv6txra0_q9jwxI2aggCX21WNtWWOsQV4FH_dreXCOnPsQqjs_ATjGoV_708oi/s1600/SAM_0055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTpG4AcNCCcs1KDgGFpRmfmYWlHi-QGeygq-2nYXk1d6fUeFYSgEkyT_uzOK_5Ov-IK64NHhGDcUn9w_gv6txra0_q9jwxI2aggCX21WNtWWOsQV4FH_dreXCOnPsQqjs_ATjGoV_708oi/s1600/SAM_0055.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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So it was another difficult week, me and my companion are
struggling to get one of our investigators to progress. I can
always feel when someone has true desire and is willing to make sacrifices. I can
see it in their eyes. I can see it in the way they speak with us.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Although we don't have too much going on for us, I'm still
overly excited for X, the lady from McDonalds. She went to General
Conference this week with her 3 kids and is on board for baptism this Saturday.
I'm literally freaking out!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBInw8CQQb10TxMLStufy3pkz_cQYCHyht-qVublqoGK-4RnAoMKXHczAeKwWUZ0kh1He3fWwkbaBE1VbKIzcMYU0tDMNWydSFHAjQwHkrYQF31ztA6gyn5v2TOitYZZ0U2VDnL2VxtasX/s1600/SAM_0103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBInw8CQQb10TxMLStufy3pkz_cQYCHyht-qVublqoGK-4RnAoMKXHczAeKwWUZ0kh1He3fWwkbaBE1VbKIzcMYU0tDMNWydSFHAjQwHkrYQF31ztA6gyn5v2TOitYZZ0U2VDnL2VxtasX/s1600/SAM_0103.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXyJvI0PdcH8E69J8Z4aS1c6sNTrjlZ_9rBWa9JMkh-bQ_8ALTPtZwV0oo-OiI32k8loP3pZ5oIbD654-rsswsfr_a_GopMPGl6PvQVuATxArovk6yLYoIYFDVUzR3q9g8-yIJtRG_13bG/s1600/SAM_0118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXyJvI0PdcH8E69J8Z4aS1c6sNTrjlZ_9rBWa9JMkh-bQ_8ALTPtZwV0oo-OiI32k8loP3pZ5oIbD654-rsswsfr_a_GopMPGl6PvQVuATxArovk6yLYoIYFDVUzR3q9g8-yIJtRG_13bG/s1600/SAM_0118.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhviyzK45Uns4v_3zFTIlp0fQU7NspafpV6xP_yeQ-eiWp1YJVH1PGYvTmda1w2LA1J15MkCCCdllpsHc71cQS1ebLHQB90R9Z5jRza5FhiZVlq3ZRWnvpCpagEbmmGqVUEgljmIL4H7Cs_/s1600/SAM_0139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhviyzK45Uns4v_3zFTIlp0fQU7NspafpV6xP_yeQ-eiWp1YJVH1PGYvTmda1w2LA1J15MkCCCdllpsHc71cQS1ebLHQB90R9Z5jRza5FhiZVlq3ZRWnvpCpagEbmmGqVUEgljmIL4H7Cs_/s1600/SAM_0139.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Some other highlights from this week,<o:p></o:p></div>
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I participated in the ordinance of the giving of the Holy
Ghost for an 8 year old kid from the ward. I can't deny the feeling I get each
time the Priesthood Authority is manifested through me. It's always one more
conformation that the Priesthood of God is more than real. <o:p></o:p></div>
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We ran into Guto from Alcantara once more as he travels from
chapel to chapel working with chapel maintainance. He informed us that Y spoke in Sacrament meeting this past Sunday! yes.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So General Conference got off to a rocky start. We got
informed that the conference would be broadcast to our local chapel which I thought strange since it isn't the stake center, but the bishop said it was all
going to work out and they do it every year. So Saturday we are arriving at the
church about noon to eat our lunch and we get a call from the bishop asking us
to set up the entire thing.... he wasn't going to show up... so we quickly
snagged the computer from the secretary's office and got the whole things
armed. We had about 15 in attendance but the entire time it was freezing and
most of the members left after almost 2 hours had passed and we only had
listened to the first two talks...<o:p></o:p></div>
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The second session got better, 2 hours of conference in 3
hours :D<o:p></o:p></div>
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Sunday we had another member bring a laptop and we got much
better reception and watched the sessions without flaw. So I watched all the
sessions in Portuguese but then I downloaded some of the most intriguing talks
and listened to them this morning in personal study. I was a big fan of President Uchtdorf"s talks, as always, and Elder Balllard had a killer talk for returned missionaries in
the Priesthood session.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Good week. <o:p></o:p></div>
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So many other stories to be told but this will have to
suffice for now...<o:p></o:p></div>
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I love you all so much! Have a great week!<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 7.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
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<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667160522128493028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3286742938823858756.post-32762275695971769912015-03-30T16:14:00.001-07:002015-03-30T16:14:26.936-07:0090. Rio das Ostras, Rio de Janeiro<i>30 March 2015</i><br />
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So this week was good, but also really disappointing... we
had tons of great appointments set up that managed to fall through. We did have
some great lessons but we don't really have anyone that is truly progressing
towards baptism... The good news is the english class is thriving!!!! We had to
expand our classroom and we had incredible fruits, they all live in the other
area which is a shame, but I'm happy either way, we're all on the same team
right?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUaQjOlp9zbqycgqr5fcUNjGwB9vO6zBn9dXEVCwP8mqB0VICuvec5CuvgwEJdTCIm1c9Mm15GacSeDS_H0yVxsGbASmbeAbQ0gMJIYS86xt-LWs-4yn5PXOQvjL7H073mPFc8gQUx1rqd/s1600/SAM_36661.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUaQjOlp9zbqycgqr5fcUNjGwB9vO6zBn9dXEVCwP8mqB0VICuvec5CuvgwEJdTCIm1c9Mm15GacSeDS_H0yVxsGbASmbeAbQ0gMJIYS86xt-LWs-4yn5PXOQvjL7H073mPFc8gQUx1rqd/s1600/SAM_36661.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the "Team"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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There was a mother and daughter from the english class that
went to church. There was X, his wife and her mother, whom talked to
me at the post office who went to church. There was Y and her three kids
who we met at McDonalds whom went to church again and are on date to be
baptized April 11th!!!! That's 8 people, whom we found but belong to the other area
:DDDD So happy though! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ2PdYJxHGG_jhYUmTj5FL_tSruGKtfBP8_xH3HgcmUDX_vW4z9tUFNJwXO1z2SwbSc-ICPyiYbg6gAvn6RXriyT9-wGw5a-p5HK_4j9aXzyLMVClQksbccvVI1Yh6vFpBoPRT892pVvUq/s1600/SAM_0132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ2PdYJxHGG_jhYUmTj5FL_tSruGKtfBP8_xH3HgcmUDX_vW4z9tUFNJwXO1z2SwbSc-ICPyiYbg6gAvn6RXriyT9-wGw5a-p5HK_4j9aXzyLMVClQksbccvVI1Yh6vFpBoPRT892pVvUq/s1600/SAM_0132.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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In total the other companionship had 13 investigators at
church (incredible!!! ) and we had two. But we'll count our blessings :D This ward
is outstanding, we are going through an epic age of growth. Bishop is focused on
expanding our smaller chapel and the stake encouraged him to have an attendance
of 170 to do so. I've been here for 3 months and in this time to attendance has
raised constantly each week, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160 last week and we hit a new
record, 168 this week. massive ward!!! The members are working, we're
reactivating and bringing new people each week,... it cant get any better that
this!!! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Just working :D<o:p></o:p></div>
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I love you guys so much!!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Elder Siebers</div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 7.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667160522128493028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3286742938823858756.post-45903212914707718892015-03-23T14:00:00.001-07:002015-03-23T14:00:52.217-07:0089. Rio das Ostras, Rio de Janeiro<i>23 March 2015</i><br />
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Hey everyone, sorry if it seemed like I had been transferred
seeing as I didn't enter this morning. <span style="color: cyan;">[Cooper usually emails in the morning, except on the Mondays when he gets transferred, then we don't hear from him until late Monday or even Tuesday. So I was starting to wonder.]</span> We went to the LAN House and the system
was entirely shut down and the man told us to return after lunch. So here´s the
news. It seems President is serious about this whole 6 month in each area
thing, and all four of us are staying here in Rio das Ostras! In the entire
zone, only 2 of 14 elders were transferred. Times are changing!<o:p></o:p></div>
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I'm excited to be staying, seeing as we have some incredible potential for this transfer! <o:p></o:p></div>
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So this week was pretty interesting. I just wanted to recap
one of the most incredible days I have ever had. Tuesday was a pretty normal
day, the sun was shining, we left home with some plans for the day as well as
some errands to run. It seemed just like any other day, but for some reason
everyone wanted to talk to us for some reason. We probably had about 10
different moments where someone stopped us on the street to know who we were,
what we do, or if we could give money :/ I caved in two Phillipiane girls who
wanted a church donation, whom didn't even speak portuguese and spoke in broken
english to us. But those weren't even the highlights. We had to run to the post
office, and we were a bit unsure about it because there's always a huge line and
it takes about an hour to get in and out of there, we decided to go. In that
hour, a man talked to my comp while in line and marked a day to teach him, a
young woman and her uncle asked me about the Book of Mormon while I stood by
the exit and she asked how much it costs. We went straight to her home after the
post office and shared the restoration and wow it was a lesson. Smart people,
with good questions, we´ll see where it goes. Also in the post office and older
gentleman asked me about the English class and went this week!!! <o:p></o:p></div>
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That doesn't even top the day off. So get this, (you guys are
gonna loved this story, its almost too good to be true) That night we were
kinda hungry and McDonalds has a new promotion for a triple bacon burger for 6,
50 reias, roughy 2.50. So yeah we went and we were joking on the way there that
it would be funny if someone stopped to talk to us in McDonalds. We ordered,
sat down and ate, and on our way out while throwing out the trash and employee
started talking to us. She moved from Bahia a few weeks ago, has a
relative in the church, and is looking for a church for her three young
children to grow up in...... yep. So, unfortunely she lives in the other
elders area, but they are teaching her and she went to church this Sunday!!!!
YEEEEESS! We may or may not pass by McDonalds this week just to followup with
her and give her some extra support! :D Miracles do happen :D<o:p></o:p></div>
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So that's all for now really<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Love you all, </div>
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<br /></div>
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Elder Siebers<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 7.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
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<!--[endif]--></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667160522128493028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3286742938823858756.post-60910255083927958672015-03-18T14:33:00.002-07:002015-03-18T14:33:41.027-07:0088. Rio das Ostras, Rio de Janeiro<i><span style="color: white;">16 March 2015</span></i><br />
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<span style="color: white;">Well everyone, things just cant get any better right now!
This week was almost completly focused on the getting X and her grandson prepared for their baptism saturday. We spent the week visiting
members and planning the baptismal meeting. Saturday came around faster than usual
and overall the baptism was a great success! We had in attendance about 35
people including members, nonmember family and friends of X, whom we will be
looking to teach this week, and some other investigators from Rio das Ostras 2.
We also had someone from the English Class show up which was awesome!!!! She was so prepared and needed the gospel in her life at this time, she has more hope for the
future, her soul has been calmed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNMx29Tm1v3SYJpkSXZ8-lqgPDBqrWcTUdUpQ_NyZDDFzgGdcobStWn0igtD3TDIo7rsHnosPG0CEHgK695GvnfR0LJGDGbwlTEVw9WseDMenXpW498pqyFMxxfi9xGAklGduAPggiIizM/s1600/SAM_2193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNMx29Tm1v3SYJpkSXZ8-lqgPDBqrWcTUdUpQ_NyZDDFzgGdcobStWn0igtD3TDIo7rsHnosPG0CEHgK695GvnfR0LJGDGbwlTEVw9WseDMenXpW498pqyFMxxfi9xGAklGduAPggiIizM/s1600/SAM_2193.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: white;">So early this week, I finally received what we call
"Ligação da Morte" (death phone call), Elder G. Morales asked me which
airport I would like to arrive at. Bradley International Airport was the
response. Elder G.Morales also just left from Madureira and informed me on some
interesting news. Apparently the are reforming the Stake, the ward mission leader is currently
serving as bishop of three combined wards for the time being. </span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">And Even better
news!!!! My good friend is now Elders Quorum President and he and his wife are booked for
the next carpool to the temple to be sealed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">I'm as happy as a clam.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">I love you all so much! Hope ya´ll have a great week!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: white;">Elder Siebers</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 7.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
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<!--[endif]--></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667160522128493028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3286742938823858756.post-20217322776553878512015-03-15T16:00:00.005-07:002015-03-15T16:00:57.604-07:0087. Rio das Ostras, Rio de Janeiro<i><span style="color: white;">9 March 2015</span></i><br />
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
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<span style="color: white;">Well, I´ll call that a week! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">This week was INCREDIBLE. I´ll start by briefly mentioning
an incredible multi zone conference we had in Macaé this week with President
Cabral. I wont have time to go into detail about all that was said, but
President Cabral is one of the most incredible, driven, and largest visionaries
I have ever met. He doesn't have a limit, he just wants us to do more and more,
and its quite inspiring. He´s pushing the entire mission to new limits and to
new potentials and we are having more results than ever! We immediately put
into application some of the techniques that were taught there and we had
incredible results this week. We began to invite EVERYONE we possibly could to
church this week and followup constantly until they fulfilled with their
commitments. This Sunday, X, her grandson (whom are going to be
baptized this Saturday), X2 (my first student from our english class), X3,
Y and X4 (whom we met for this first time this week) X5,
Y2 and X6 all came to church. We had ever more people confirmed to be
there, but some didn't make it! The chapel was exploding with new faces,
especially since the other companionship had 6 more as well! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">Update on our english class. When I arrived here during the
holiday season, we had one student. She came the first 2 or 3 weeks
alone, and we had a good time learning! Then the class started to grow each and
every week until this week we hit 20! We made plans with a member here who lived
in the states and teaches english and she's gonna run to course now so that the
switch in missionaries doesn't hault the course like in the past. Also that we
could better get the members involved! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLPsk00Sq-FTPhcbZy0UFTbHZnJ9jjrSv6ftBzj-xBiAhxYrSV_Bc_7KoHzMMB9Ja8yg-Hhe9JQTvLl93lqlIqNt58OEubLDfguapn7dB4R8XaUozZiWJnO3c_ki64HaM59WcrSHoA0D7-/s1600/SAM_2182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLPsk00Sq-FTPhcbZy0UFTbHZnJ9jjrSv6ftBzj-xBiAhxYrSV_Bc_7KoHzMMB9Ja8yg-Hhe9JQTvLl93lqlIqNt58OEubLDfguapn7dB4R8XaUozZiWJnO3c_ki64HaM59WcrSHoA0D7-/s1600/SAM_2182.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: white;">Miracle from the week. We were searching for a referral we
received this week. A partially drunken man on the road asks if we are 'the
mormons'. Yes we are. And he promptly invited us into his home where we
proceeded to teach two families from Bahia. They both moved here recently and
have always wanted to know more about the church. We dropped a summary of the
Restoration and invited them to church this Sunday. They said they would go, but
didn't come. I felt sincere desire though, so i know they'll be there this week
around! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">So yeah, that's about it for this week. One more in the
books. Its gonna be another great week here! Hope it is for ya´ll as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">Elder Siebers<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: white;">P.S President has received instruction from Thomas S. Monson
that missionaries should stay in there areas for at least 5-6 months. Finally
that has been in place after hearing it almost two years ago from E. Anderson
in Gilbert. I may finish my time in Rio das Ostras, that would be a dream come
true!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667160522128493028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3286742938823858756.post-88960032421476620052015-03-03T19:04:00.004-08:002015-03-03T19:06:31.424-08:0086. Rio das Ostras, Rio de Janeiro<i>2 March 2015</i><br />
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Good morning everyone. I am doing well. Today we woke up to
a clouded sky, which always makes me grateful that today I won't be as sun
scorched as usual. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihEIdI5Heuqh5BVyIZ05oBcDvKO2J4Yl8fBHtGtqW_vsJ7JC0ruiM2GhBfoznHJac_NYkN8zNHNKRAwVcR5nJ4o-dx2fOT5_wl7XTCu3ZweR2-Z4w0LFCUX9WPkG0__6rXd0XaxUvoAbzU/s1600/DSC03561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihEIdI5Heuqh5BVyIZ05oBcDvKO2J4Yl8fBHtGtqW_vsJ7JC0ruiM2GhBfoznHJac_NYkN8zNHNKRAwVcR5nJ4o-dx2fOT5_wl7XTCu3ZweR2-Z4w0LFCUX9WPkG0__6rXd0XaxUvoAbzU/s1600/DSC03561.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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We had a busy week. We are working a ton in an area called
Aquarius, which is about 30 minutes by bus away from the chapel. We are
teaching several progressing investigators, we received a good amount of
referrals there as well, so weve been heading there almost every day these
days. We are so excited about several investigators that are on date and
keeping commintments. We were so excited for this week because X and Y were on board for this Saturday, but neither of them were able to come to
church this week, so well have to remark them for the next week and see where
they are at this week. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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We had a great lesson with Y2 this week. We had planned a
specific lesson to help her with a question she has about being rebaptized for
the third time, but as we began the lesson she opened up for the first time and
began talling us about several spiritual experiences she has had recently. She
is dating an returned missionary, they went to visit his uncle, a patriarch, in
January and she received a blessing from him. She explained how she is seeing
the promises of that blessing being fulfilled and add in some recent prayers
being answered. She accpeted a baptismal date for the end of March and it was a
great lesson. <o:p></o:p></div>
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This week ahead, it appears we will have another Zone
Conference in Macaé and Elder Aidukaitus will be present. Im pumped<o:p></o:p></div>
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I love you all so much ,and hope you all have a great
week! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Siebers<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667160522128493028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3286742938823858756.post-23513215911839160002015-02-23T15:25:00.002-08:002015-02-23T15:25:22.788-08:0085. Rio das Ostras, Rio de Janeiro<i>23 February 2015</i><br />
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Good morning everyone! </div>
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<br /></div>
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Another solid week has come and gone
here in Rio das Ostras. We spent Monday- Wednesday in quarantine, which isn't so
bad when we have Settlers of Catan. We went back to work full time on
Thursday, the carnaval festivities had quieted down but those who came to
celebrate often stay until the end of the week, so it was still crowded with
beach goers. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL8iDQea5alOGIuErR7VFONUnJ1UzWaT2kT52uoaWYlQOj6BIYKnpKnVGzVcSNdTX58FEkAPQbA-xnvNO_6iF_UaZRlgqeathtO74sl7Dnzr1G3-31b0JC0qDS0l0Uup5A_CCIrvLwXX6j/s1600/SAM_2028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL8iDQea5alOGIuErR7VFONUnJ1UzWaT2kT52uoaWYlQOj6BIYKnpKnVGzVcSNdTX58FEkAPQbA-xnvNO_6iF_UaZRlgqeathtO74sl7Dnzr1G3-31b0JC0qDS0l0Uup5A_CCIrvLwXX6j/s1600/SAM_2028.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Alas, we continued to work and we had some great success
this week! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Here are some updates on the people we are teaching. <o:p></o:p></div>
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We have been working with Y for a while now. She stopped
us on the street and asked if we could say a prayer for her and her family.
Weve been visiting several times a week now and she was all excited to make her
first visit at church and she was planning on going to X's baptism to see
how it goes. She backed out of them both because a friend of hers started
telling her lies about the church and the baptismal ordinance. She became
scared and didnt go. This week we returned and cleared up those rumors and she
came to church this Sunday. She loved it and we´re heading back this week to
follow up. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ3FWohYA-y2AXHZHECagcnzZCrJWD7T0yZeYlhzmDgVVDTWMdjfl6iPmY5MExMYLMJZEyz6vrGa5QU50SFVjrXuQ3XegmvV9eHurStG_EI-fjIm8qUH4fLYc5R5H2fZqdqBbAkl-wsfpM/s1600/DSC03537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ3FWohYA-y2AXHZHECagcnzZCrJWD7T0yZeYlhzmDgVVDTWMdjfl6iPmY5MExMYLMJZEyz6vrGa5QU50SFVjrXuQ3XegmvV9eHurStG_EI-fjIm8qUH4fLYc5R5H2fZqdqBbAkl-wsfpM/s1600/DSC03537.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Y2 is another woman whom we found through
a referral from a member from Espirito Santo who passed by here to visit. Weve
also been teaching her for a while now but she finally was able to come to
church this week and also had a great experience. She's going to attend the
baptism of her nephew in Espirito Santo in two weekends from now so we´re
trying to see if we can hold her baptism beforehand. She really believes this
is the true church and is excited to become part! <o:p></o:p></div>
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We are also teaching Y3, it's been several weeks since we've
been able to teach her and we just got back on board with things after the
festival season and she also recently moved. She made homemade pizzas
afterwards!! mmmmmm<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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So thats really about it for now. We have some awesome
investigators right now and lots of good work to be had. Also the mission beat
its all time record of monthly baptisms in February. President Cabral is working
hard and inspiring us all to do more! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39jUA_JajvgR2zQaPE2DvYUIb5_LZ_HA-2or1V_BfSqyBoxtyM_tg8jbQlgrGfXwmH6AHvNjeOiHxdXK9GLs6S3oO8ik7uX-mlW4Lke7epUyt-GO24go-FPfhwVZ5p5tfKOFVOrqmd8MK/s1600/DSC03550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39jUA_JajvgR2zQaPE2DvYUIb5_LZ_HA-2or1V_BfSqyBoxtyM_tg8jbQlgrGfXwmH6AHvNjeOiHxdXK9GLs6S3oO8ik7uX-mlW4Lke7epUyt-GO24go-FPfhwVZ5p5tfKOFVOrqmd8MK/s1600/DSC03550.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYi8_D3LYFno3cxC3BRVCCB4-o4iRA7ZLI2r-pj2sKoJSwpn4QggrpAVmbHU7N6dcAkrXplAyCSaMyk0hOtlHuFiMzetk9aRphmCt1MWvWAGTy3pIf5SFud_mwDtHiGujKIgQF83x04DEt/s1600/SAM_2059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYi8_D3LYFno3cxC3BRVCCB4-o4iRA7ZLI2r-pj2sKoJSwpn4QggrpAVmbHU7N6dcAkrXplAyCSaMyk0hOtlHuFiMzetk9aRphmCt1MWvWAGTy3pIf5SFud_mwDtHiGujKIgQF83x04DEt/s1600/SAM_2059.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"> </span><br />
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I love you all so much!<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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Elder Siebers<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667160522128493028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3286742938823858756.post-66052656667675066152015-02-16T15:54:00.003-08:002015-02-16T15:54:27.969-08:0084. Rio das Ostras, Rio de Janeiro<i>16 February 2015</i><br />
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Well this week was loaded with good work and exciting
events! Here are just some of the updates from this week.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Our new housemates are Elder Hamilton, a missionary I've
known since Madureira. He's from Sacramento and is also finshing up his mission
and goes home in May. He's a great guy. Dad, send some of your Sacramento areas
and we'll see if he recognizes some people! <span style="color: cyan;">[Scott served in Sacramento Spanish many, many moons ago.]</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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He is training a brand new missionary, Elder L from
Bahia. He's 25 years old, was baptized as a kid and and is now serving his mission. Great kid as well!<o:p></o:p></div>
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This week we had lunch with an awesome couple from
the ward- W and E. They like making healthy foods and refrain from eating meat. Soy meat isn't a favorite of mine. You can ask mom- who tried to make soy
meat tacos and I immediately noticed the difference! She made Kibe, which is practically one of the only Brazilian dishes I'm not a fan of. It consists of whole grain wheat, onion, salt, eggplant and mint leaves. Really weird taste,
but we have to eat, so down it went. I doubled up on salad, goes to show I'm not
a fan<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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We ran into Guto, one of the bishopric from Alacantara! He
reported back to us about X, who received the priesthood and passed the Sacrament this week! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Carnaval is brutal. President established a schedule for
the entire mission. Missionaries work in the morning, and have to return at 6
pm. But after releasing this information, our leaders got a phone call from him
saying that our zone and one other zone (that is in the center of Rio) have to all
be home by 1 pm. We only get to work a few hours in the morning, go to lunch
with the members and return home. We've been laying a lot of Settlers which is
a great time! It will remain like this until Thursday...<o:p></o:p></div>
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The good news is that we worked to get X's baptism all
set. We taught him several times this week, he passed the interview and the
baptism was a success. He brought several non-members from his family and we had
a turn out of about 25! He bore a powerful testimony afterwards and several,
especially his mother were brought to tears! </div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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So that's the run down from this week!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I love you all so much and I hope you all have a great week!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Elder Siebers<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 7.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
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<!--[endif]--></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667160522128493028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3286742938823858756.post-70263843655143388322015-02-12T19:39:00.002-08:002015-02-12T19:39:43.009-08:0083. Rio das Ostras, Rio de Janeiro<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>11 February 2015</i></div>
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Well this was the pending last week in Rio das Ostras and it
went pretty well. It rained like no other here several days this week which was
awesome. We continued to work with some of our investigators.<o:p></o:p></div>
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X is coming along great and is on board to be baptized
this Saturday. He´s 19 years old, dating a member and is enthralled by the idea
of being able to marry her for eternity! <o:p></o:p></div>
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On Monday, on our way home and older woman called us over.
She explained to us about her son who is heavily involved with drug trafficing
and is causing all sorts of problems at home. She simply wanted us to pray for
her and her family, but we offered to stop by the following day to help them
out! We began teaching her and her grandson, 8 years old. Her troublesome son, hasn't been home these days that we taught, but we took a
walk with him, became good friends and helped him pick out flipflops for his
girlfriends birthday. The mother has been inviting countless pastors and religious
preachers to her home to help her son but he hates listening to them rant about
how he is sinning against God. In fact the first time we showed up there was a
women there just talking endlessly at him, citing scriptures, ordering him to
repent and such and he just didn't respond well... We decided to take another
approach, show him that we care, became friends, search for the real issue,
and then begin to help him change his ways. These things need to be done with
sincere love and patience. I'll follow up when we see him next!<o:p></o:p></div>
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We also began teaching a student from our weekly English class. I don't think I mentioned that until now. An English class began
here last year and it was a huge hit. Weekly 30 or 40 students came and several
people were baptized. When I arrived, Christmas and New Years were passing by
and only 1 or 2 people came each week. We had 5 last week, so it's growing and I think people are liking it. I didn't like teaching at first, but I've learned some
teaching strategies and now I'm actually really enjoying it!! I think my students
are too! Anyway, we taught this student English for several weeks, just us and
her.... Shes a spiritist which are difficult people to convert.... What's
interesting about them is that they believe in a lot of the same things that we
do about the Plan of Salvation. They believe its all a plan to grow and to
evolve, to perfect ourselves and to become like God, they believe in Jesus
Christ...but they don't believe in the ressurection into the same body. Instead, they believe in reincarnation. We taught the plan of salvation and well see where it goes
from here! </div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Sooooo now the part you were all waiting for. Transfers.
Elder Evans, and my three housemates were all transferred while I stayed put! We
had to leave Sunday for Rio and we spent the night in a small missionary apartment
in Rio Cumprido with 30 other missionaries. It was a mess and one of the worst
nights sleep I've ever had. The good news is Elder Neu is serving there and I got to catch up with him along with some other good friends including Elder
Hammond. We spent the night on a mattress and remininsced about good times in
Gilbert until like 3 in the morning!<o:p></o:p></div>
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So this transfer was interesting. As they were calling areas
and companions I noticed many whom were returning to old areas or with former
companions. The pattern continued with me. My "new' comp is Elder
Ribeiro!!! After just 6 weeks were back together again! So funny!!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Its gonna be another good transfer here. Caraval is on the
way which is going to be rough, but well get through it! Apparently some churches here are offering "Carnaval with Jesus!"<o:p></o:p></div>
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I love you all so much!!! Have a great week!!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Siebers</div>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 7.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667160522128493028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3286742938823858756.post-44273735577101395672015-02-06T19:24:00.000-08:002015-02-06T19:24:01.291-08:0082. Rio das Ostras, Rio de Janeiro<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>2 February 2015</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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Good morning family and friends! I hope you are all happy
and well. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So this week will be wrapped up pretty quickly seeing as we
ran into some health issues that really kept us back, but don't worry too much it
wasn't me this time :D My comp has been dealing with an ingrown toenail for a
while now but hasn't had the funds to see a doctor, so when our payments came in
this week we went there first. He got it worked on and it was UGLY. On top of
that, we caught mad diarreah this week. On top of that our progressing investigators
were abnormally difficult to get a hold of .... It was kinda a rough week for us but there is always a highlight.
Two actually.<o:p></o:p></div>
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First is that we continued to work with a family that is on
their way back into activation and we helped them with a move. We moved their
fridge and other furniture into their new home, which is still on our area so
we'll continue to work with them! They came to church Sunday and are coming
along great.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJnq4ybljRL-0GgSQQxIMc2TvxIB0WfWdlDwNuqW0Xd-MFJnuM6fADZLf7ODS1ELS2pN67HZzf3peRVGnQaL14tAl_0rTZ5-D52BjW2NVKXH72GpG0uEpW2iV0pybBKhry_GuLT_14UnpF/s1600/SAM_1941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJnq4ybljRL-0GgSQQxIMc2TvxIB0WfWdlDwNuqW0Xd-MFJnuM6fADZLf7ODS1ELS2pN67HZzf3peRVGnQaL14tAl_0rTZ5-D52BjW2NVKXH72GpG0uEpW2iV0pybBKhry_GuLT_14UnpF/s1600/SAM_1941.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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So funny story this week. Here in Brazil the largest youth
activity occurs during Carnaval. It's summer vacation here and its better that
the youth avoid any type of carnvaal related activities.... So the youth trip is
planned for next moth, but it's in Sao Paulo and kinda expensive. X had
really wanted to go but the price was a bit out of his grasp. His parents have
already passed away and he lives with his older sister who has two of her own
kids and is single.... The ward hosted a fundraiser where members donated old
items and they held a mini thriftstore on Saturday to help the youth raise some
money for the trip. Well on his way there to help he found 750 reais in
the street (Roughly 300 dollars!!!!) and that's enough to pay the trip and
more! So nows he's on board and I'm so glad.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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I love you all and hope you all have a good week!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Siebers<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 7.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
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<!--[endif]--></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667160522128493028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3286742938823858756.post-27860108933812007872015-01-26T14:59:00.000-08:002015-01-26T14:59:47.612-08:0081. Rio das Ostras, Rio de Janeiro<i>27 January 2015</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
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Good morning family and friends, I hope you are all doing
well! <o:p></o:p></div>
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I'm doing great. I was able to recover from whatever I had
last week early this week and things are back to normal health wise. </div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
This was a very down to earth week. We had another Zone meeting in Cabo Frio which
turned into an interesting activity. Each companionship was sent out to find
one person and bring them into the church to have a church tour. The zone leaders said
that no one could go home until we brought someone in. We said a prayer and 6
companionships went running to speak to closest people around. The chapel in
Cabio Frio is located on a majoy highway, and it was 3 o clock in the afternoon
so theyre weren't that many people around. Amazingly each companionship was able
to bring someone in within an hour. We brought a man in who was leaving his
work, which was a woodshop nextdoor to the chapel. The activity was to help us
understand that when we are DECIDED to do something, then we will find the way
to do it. Many times in my mission I've had the attitude, "I'll work my best
and whatever results come from it, so be it", I never really DECIDED that I
was going to have certain results. When we are determined to have a certain
result, ask God for his assistance, and act, we are much more likely to
accomplish more. I digged the activity.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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This week we continued to work with some awesome people whom
are coming to get to know the church through members. The members are bring
tons of people to church each week and we are just doing our part to teach
them. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Not too much else to report from this week, but things are
going well! </div>
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I love you all so much! Hope you are all enjoying these
winter days, the weather here is beautiful!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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Elder Siebers<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667160522128493028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3286742938823858756.post-39287355087242023982015-01-25T10:39:00.002-08:002015-01-25T10:39:42.066-08:0080. Rio das Ostras, Rio de Janeiro<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>19 January 2015</i></div>
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Hey Everyone, </div>
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How was everyone's week? I know mom and dad had
a swell time enjoying the beaches in Mexico. It must be nice to sit back and
relax. We got nice beaches here, but we don't even go near them, SUPER DANGEROUS
TERRITORY! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Anyways, so this week was pretty excellent for the most
part. X's baptism went over swimmingly. Some of his family members were
present including his older sister, who cried during the ordinance. She told X how he is setting an example for everyone is the family (there
are 11 siblings) and shes already so impressed with the changes he's made in
just two weeks. <o:p></o:p></div>
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That was the highlight of this week. The low light was that
entire day (day of X's baptism) I was feeling terrible after lunch. I
fought it off the entire day because we had a lot to do. That night I vomited
BIG TIME! I felt terrible all day yesterday and I'm still at it today. It feels
like the same thing I had in October when I went to the hospital. Thankfully I kept the doctors note on medication so I'll bring that to the pharmacy today to
take it again. <o:p></o:p></div>
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BIG NEWS. I found out today that X2 was baptized!!!! I
can't even believe it and I'm soooo happy!!! Almost to the point of shedding
tears! <o:p></o:p></div>
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I love you all so much. Hope you all have an amazing week!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Elder Siebers</div>
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<br />
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<i>"...that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of
God to bring some soul unto repentance: and this is my joy</i>" <a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/29.1?lang=eng" target="_blank">Alma 29:9</a><o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667160522128493028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3286742938823858756.post-43065308457054074552015-01-12T14:59:00.005-08:002015-01-12T15:05:59.221-08:0079. Rio das Ostras, Rio de Janeiro<i>12 January 2015</i><br />
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Good morning family and friends! </div>
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How is everyone doing? I am well. </div>
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The summer here in Ri odas Ostras is much cooler than Madureira and
Alcantara so I'm just trying to enjoy it while it lasts. This week was caught up
in several meetings in Cabo Frio. We had our Zone Training with E. Luque and E.
Evans on Thursday. It was a great and inspiring meeting and helped us all
increase our desire to do more. Presidents main theme is just to have us do ALL
that we can, striving to have the most results as possible. President has
really help expand our vision as to what we can do. </div>
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My entire understanding of goals have changed
while I've been out here. A goal is implemented to push us, to do more, to
accomplish more. It's not always reaching the goal that is the point, but to
have more success along the way. </div>
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Everyone is going to work harder to achieve our goals and
along the way we will find ourselves with more success, which is what Pres. Cabral wants. </div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
It's like an athlete practicing for the high jump. He places
the bar at its highest level. While he fails to clear the bar attempt after
attempt, when he goes to compete he finds himself jumping higher than earlier
thanks to his efforts in trying to clear the highest bar.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In other news we had interviews with President as well on
Friday. My interview was really low key this time around. President just urged
me to push harder, to increase my faith and vision and finish off the time left
with the most success that I've had yet.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We continued to work with X this week. He´s excited for his baptism and he's doing very well in keeping commitments. His baptism will be this Saturday and we've invited the whole family, so much should come out of
the example of a 15 year old boy. <o:p></o:p></div>
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We had some new people at church including boyfriends of
members, spouses of other members, and we booked to teach them all this week.
There is a ton of work to be done here, so I'm excited for this week
ahead! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwlxj7Yie4a4iKzuDHEGzBZlHpM361F71pJf6mdTAe2kVwmpm4MFk3lFU85Mb3N94fBywRIHJM51HnfAu167_3y72Yd4S_YA4ynTpuxr8lgC75RctB_9ZLl77jJ0rKe1_4pMIBL1RXw11K/s1600/SAM_1915.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwlxj7Yie4a4iKzuDHEGzBZlHpM361F71pJf6mdTAe2kVwmpm4MFk3lFU85Mb3N94fBywRIHJM51HnfAu167_3y72Yd4S_YA4ynTpuxr8lgC75RctB_9ZLl77jJ0rKe1_4pMIBL1RXw11K/s1600/SAM_1915.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<i>If we don't take chances and step into the unknown, we
may find ourselves ripe in age and discover that all the outcomes of our
not taken chances have become eternally unknown to us.</i></div>
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I love you all so much and I hope you all have a fantastic week!<br />
<br />
Elder Siebers<br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667160522128493028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3286742938823858756.post-50304891366062097032015-01-07T15:36:00.001-08:002015-01-07T15:36:46.058-08:0078. Rio das Ostras, Rio de Janeiro<i>5 January 2015</i><br />
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Good Morning everyone! Happy New Year! </div>
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My News Years
activities including arriving home at 9:00 and crashing at 10:10. I didnt even
wake up once to the fireworks I was sooo beat!<o:p></o:p></div>
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So after one week, we got to know our area a bit better.
Here's the run down. Our house is located above a members home in county of
Jardim Marilea. Get onto Google maps to get a better idea of all this. We don't
live in our area, and our area begins on the other side of the bridge that
crosses Rio das Ostras ( the river that the city gets its name from). The bridge is
about a 30 minute fast paced walk and that begins our area. The chapel is an
hour away, and our main area of focus is closer to the chapel. To sum it up, we
are walking a TON. Our area goes almost into Cabo Frio, to a place called
Unamar. The area is beautiful, but we came at the worst part of the year. The
summer holidays everyone comes here to enjoy the beach and to party. We knocked
on many doors to find tourists, or people who were just spending the holidays
in their summer homes... Its clear that we have to work through the members,
especially in an area like this one. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4OlcACkkk0MIN-fhemwAI_8l1p-q6TcrM9x84Hpxz0QTkEglk3A08nMTVdA_J5OnEsbfcWWsw-Wy3Hxfj796EXkoQMKQwOWlsJXa3jE0Vm1V-CNYb8ir2gbVuY3rTFyRDAGWHDU_Kcsyh/s1600/SAM_1880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4OlcACkkk0MIN-fhemwAI_8l1p-q6TcrM9x84Hpxz0QTkEglk3A08nMTVdA_J5OnEsbfcWWsw-Wy3Hxfj796EXkoQMKQwOWlsJXa3jE0Vm1V-CNYb8ir2gbVuY3rTFyRDAGWHDU_Kcsyh/s1600/SAM_1880.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Actual scenery shot from Cooper, not Google.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Speaking of such, a Irmã R called us Tuesday night
telling us about a young man who was shot in the midst of a trafficing incident.
She and he husband work at the hospital and asked the lad if she could send two
young men to give him a blessing. We went there on Wednesday, gave X (15
years old) a blessing and we've been visiting him almost everyday teaching him
the lessons. He even came to church with us with his massive cast that covers
his entire arm until his shoulder. He wasn't involved in the trafficing incident
but he was at the wrong place at the wrong time. While conversing in the
street, other trafficors (does that make sense) shot the 16 year old boy in the
back and twice in the head. X and his cousin ran for their lives and X
was shot in the upper arm. The experience opened his eyes, he saw death, and is
now searching God in his life. <o:p></o:p></div>
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intense. <o:p></o:p></div>
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We also helped with a service project this week. We helped a
member who is contructing a house. We mixed cement and carried bucket loads
into the house for him to work with. I got BAKED in the sun. I will send a
picture of my arm which looks like Neopolitan ice cream, white, pink and then
brown! Way funny! President said we had to use our prosylitizing clothes
and they got way wrecked, but no problem! The project was awesome though, it's
nice to get out of the routine every once in a while.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2F_oVxe6r0ut7hhMoMm7-t5nivuSgrMUHBfKp6JzFIdBSSA-1ulgHHhHNsr-WDnAw8h1yj6AKeC29qZl3sSAC580eCxc5Gc-0d1UkKTa4OhFWd8H7WP0IKPstOBLKLSiCTnUg65SIM7b5/s1600/SAM_1885.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2F_oVxe6r0ut7hhMoMm7-t5nivuSgrMUHBfKp6JzFIdBSSA-1ulgHHhHNsr-WDnAw8h1yj6AKeC29qZl3sSAC580eCxc5Gc-0d1UkKTa4OhFWd8H7WP0IKPstOBLKLSiCTnUg65SIM7b5/s1600/SAM_1885.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXqGtAHcznCv4DW61Ifltqr1Rv9Lbe4GaaATqnPE8uktQ-0EEzUhq2IqFRuxD9FWT-zIyu3EkSqNm4se8CRU9CEozK6MRy2Id9HBEPa193sHv3GXCT-cFleCeABqdxfpEU_McVj10dXlZ9/s1600/SAM_1883.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXqGtAHcznCv4DW61Ifltqr1Rv9Lbe4GaaATqnPE8uktQ-0EEzUhq2IqFRuxD9FWT-zIyu3EkSqNm4se8CRU9CEozK6MRy2Id9HBEPa193sHv3GXCT-cFleCeABqdxfpEU_McVj10dXlZ9/s1600/SAM_1883.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho5aVd0T44z3PtpgRm9t9Plp2QfnV96Szo0luXcXwZWXOjC7NDpzcIpggx7A3dQNMyFUEqxoJ9sS8Ixv4duOjHBPrTdu3gAcqYt1OUELQJf6vDDLG3ofnna0YJ9UwK1raZls2cPfQB8D5B/s1600/SAM_1904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho5aVd0T44z3PtpgRm9t9Plp2QfnV96Szo0luXcXwZWXOjC7NDpzcIpggx7A3dQNMyFUEqxoJ9sS8Ixv4duOjHBPrTdu3gAcqYt1OUELQJf6vDDLG3ofnna0YJ9UwK1raZls2cPfQB8D5B/s1600/SAM_1904.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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So thats about it for this week! Things are going well here
so far. We have a lot of work to do. The ward is great!<o:p></o:p></div>
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I love you all. Have a great week!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Elder Siebers<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667160522128493028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3286742938823858756.post-13899881793942444952014-12-31T09:20:00.000-08:002015-01-25T10:45:14.765-08:0077. Rio das Ostras, Rio de Janeiro<i>30 December 2014</i><br />
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Well everyone, seeing as I'm writing a day late, you can
probably guess what happened to me yesterday, but before we get to that, let's
recap my last week in Alcantara. My time in Alcantara came to a peaceful close
as the week of Christmas passed by. I got to talk to my family which was
awesome as always. As I have said before, that skpye call is always so strange
for me, its like I just want to hear you guys talk and you guys just want to
hear me! I enjoyed the musical number! How did caroling work out (this keyboard
literally doesnt have a question mark button) Anyways, I hope you all had an
awesome Christmas! In the last week in Alcantara we had a dinner at Shana´s.
Pork Leg, Turkey, rice, beans, farofa, and a ton of desserts. We ate so much
and it was good company. I taught the kdis how to play Spoons and we had a
blast. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbAbc-3uZjbISW3AmASCoquV8Trv0i92xEepNnURK9dMFGVjn_VOgXJPI9aDRAG056n4QgL4IS12Q0jr6khx75Ji0E1HM90OhqTt1XHAnbLXLs6hjYcJltRIjMm2P1TtngEonKo7pA1eOM/s1600/SAM_1826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbAbc-3uZjbISW3AmASCoquV8Trv0i92xEepNnURK9dMFGVjn_VOgXJPI9aDRAG056n4QgL4IS12Q0jr6khx75Ji0E1HM90OhqTt1XHAnbLXLs6hjYcJltRIjMm2P1TtngEonKo7pA1eOM/s1600/SAM_1826.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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So late Sunday night we were at a members house, we had
dinner with X, recent convert, whose going to travel to Forteleza unitl
Februrary, so it was kinda a send off. While muching on hotdogs we got the
phone call that both Elder Ribeiro and I would be transferred. Turns out that
was the theme for the entire mission. Almost every single area is being
whitewashed. <span style="color: cyan;">[Whitewashed: both missionaries leave and two new ones come in.]</span> In our Zone of 8 areas. 5 of them are being whitewashed and only 4
of the 16 elders stayed. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I stayed up until 3am putting my suitcases together, which
is reaching their limits, SO MUCH STUFF!!!! I had to write detailed intructions
to help the new guys work their way around the area, find lunches, and
investigators and all that stuff. I woke up at 6:30 and we took of to Botafogo
for our transfer meeting yesturday. It was intense to say the least. I'll spare
the details. I was transfered to an awesome area. My two good buddies Elder
Evans and Elder Luque were here together before me, and they stayed in the zone
as the LZs but in a different area now. Without any further ado, check out my
new area on google maps-<o:p></o:p></div>
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Rio das Ostras! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMeNysXSrnug-K5z5i0GjEkn5GfRBBbOtcjG04WQG74vGWc5xm3-oFHkpEbgWEO-PzlonJV5nD_CgyjUC1eRKymVAAEuf5N0yw476iZdmIq8OmJDlTidp-ARJxtq1LQgRDP6RpMRMUPMwS/s1600/rio-das-ostras-rio-de-janeiro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMeNysXSrnug-K5z5i0GjEkn5GfRBBbOtcjG04WQG74vGWc5xm3-oFHkpEbgWEO-PzlonJV5nD_CgyjUC1eRKymVAAEuf5N0yw476iZdmIq8OmJDlTidp-ARJxtq1LQgRDP6RpMRMUPMwS/s1600/rio-das-ostras-rio-de-janeiro.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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This area is BEAUTIFUL! Its a big city that is settled on the
beach. It kinda feels like Masquamacut and Hammonassett. <span style="color: cyan;">[Uhm no- I think he is really stretching it to say that this feels like a Connecticut beach.]</span> I'm so excited to
explore the area today! <o:p></o:p></div>
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From Botafogo, a member of the ward called us and asked us
if we needed a ride. HECK YES!!!! We pulled up, we threw our suitcases in his
car, and we took off for the 6 hour trip! We were cramped in his small Fiat.
but it was way better than bus. We darted through Alcantara, Itaboraí and Rio
Bonito on our way here and the trip was awesome. I got the same feeling I get
when taking our trip to the Weber Cabins, the highway curved between tropical
hills and this part of Rio is gorgeous! We stopped in Cabo Frio as well to drop
some luggage off there for the other elders!<o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="color: cyan;">[Looking at the image of the Rio de Janeiro mission , you will notice that he is on the most northeastern edge of the mission boundary. Rio das Ostras is near the city of Macae on this map.]</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMaXSteSp2Yz9XAy0JhqBANtbrFSKpOQINg6L-YR8pONzHMu10GTDJegKF_fq3_kIEBsJnGsea54UqRVZN_Mg2DwxGtvKZmt15GEwnY9I29A6pn6fogkHGQQ3VruxtLlXcOzoZ3IZOZO6C/s1600/Rio+de+Janeiro+Mission.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMaXSteSp2Yz9XAy0JhqBANtbrFSKpOQINg6L-YR8pONzHMu10GTDJegKF_fq3_kIEBsJnGsea54UqRVZN_Mg2DwxGtvKZmt15GEwnY9I29A6pn6fogkHGQQ3VruxtLlXcOzoZ3IZOZO6C/s1600/Rio+de+Janeiro+Mission.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSLmvfnRJAjIYBgua7gXYr6i9Y_AB9EHOMyHZxgBKje1t86EjPx1-MketEGxieEQDsDDHW86DZLoqVeCfV2PhQ5tYj_K6MAcR7P2uao0CAQmBzjEpSrZYwhZUKvLiL7jJHfA5jA9oE823o/s1600/mapaestados.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSLmvfnRJAjIYBgua7gXYr6i9Y_AB9EHOMyHZxgBKje1t86EjPx1-MketEGxieEQDsDDHW86DZLoqVeCfV2PhQ5tYj_K6MAcR7P2uao0CAQmBzjEpSrZYwhZUKvLiL7jJHfA5jA9oE823o/s1600/mapaestados.gif" /></a></div>
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So yeah thats really about it! My new comp is Elder de
Oliveira, he has 4 months in the mission., from Natal, Rio grande do Norte. He seems
like agreat guy and were gonna get along well! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglVl_f7MkmRvjZHiFdsUZ_4DuykA01WB818KsnrGGGCoZNlKxuxKdG93Y8hXss8Xort1HJqfdZo_Mln5jMWMsByM_6wo5T08q3R7CKmNvDFxMMQnkGWpG2s9kUIJAw_hOgnSZ72A9nNU4U/s1600/SAM_1854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglVl_f7MkmRvjZHiFdsUZ_4DuykA01WB818KsnrGGGCoZNlKxuxKdG93Y8hXss8Xort1HJqfdZo_Mln5jMWMsByM_6wo5T08q3R7CKmNvDFxMMQnkGWpG2s9kUIJAw_hOgnSZ72A9nNU4U/s1600/SAM_1854.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4onZ2wGwwrwgoB3YgeYFFYLdHDGBjGNSo0QfujYo4q6nskMMAhWNtQY-hFWOcmCPShEpoQgNH4cDiPXNhC7siNLWZ-aGkQA3skILTHzJuQ4QwbpUr_iE2DbtIEzkodA0jYlMTkJADTaN8/s1600/SAM_1816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4onZ2wGwwrwgoB3YgeYFFYLdHDGBjGNSo0QfujYo4q6nskMMAhWNtQY-hFWOcmCPShEpoQgNH4cDiPXNhC7siNLWZ-aGkQA3skILTHzJuQ4QwbpUr_iE2DbtIEzkodA0jYlMTkJADTaN8/s1600/SAM_1816.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elders Siebers and Ribiero in Alcantara.</td></tr>
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I love you all so much, <o:p></o:p></div>
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Happy new year!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Elder Siebers<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667160522128493028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3286742938823858756.post-39874378639795625732014-12-22T17:06:00.001-08:002014-12-22T17:06:58.956-08:0076. Alcantara, Rio de Janeiro<i>22 December 2014</i><br />
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Well everyone, I can't believe how quickly Christmas has
arrived once more. It's hard to imagine that classic Christmas atmosphere that I
grew up with and love, with this 100 degree plus weather and beaming sun. But
that's just the way it is, I wouldn't rather be anywhere else at this time in my
life than where I am! <o:p></o:p></div>
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So this week was......intense. </div>
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<span style="color: cyan;">[Cooper shared with us a very long story about a man they have been teaching for weeks. I would love to share it with you all because there are so many great lessons in the things that have transpired. However, I really feel that I must protect this person's privacy. </span></div>
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<span style="color: cyan;">I can paraphrase this part- Our missionaries today commonly use <a href="https://familysearch.org/" target="_blank">Family Search</a> to teach people how to find information about their ancestors. If you are not familiar with Family Search, it is essentially the same as Ancestry.com, except that it is free- for everyone. A few weeks ago Elder Siebers and his companion showed this man how to log in to Family Search and start looking for his ancestors. This was the first time this man had EVER been on the internet- which I imagine is hard for many of us to believe or relate to. He doesn't have a smartphone, or a even a cell phone, or even a landline phone. He was fascinated by Family Search and the idea of learning about his family. However, a few days later when he shared his excitement with a "friend", this man his told him that "hackers had stolen all of his personal information and put it online." This man has had a troublesome past and has no understanding of the internet. He thinks the kind little woman volunteering in the Family History Center is the culprit/hacker and he is mad and and he is struggling over whether or not he can continue to talk to the missionaries.]</span></div>
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Although he LOVES so many of the members of the ward he cant seem to
get over this one sister and unfortunately its costing him his eternal happiness.
And yes. We told him that directly.. and many others things in a loving
and caring manner. </div>
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I've been reflecting on this unfortunate circumstance for a
while now. How often do we let simple things get in the way of our happiness? Why do we tend to focus on one small bad thing compared to thousands of
uplifting things? <o:p></o:p></div>
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That poor sister who has NO idea that any of this has even
happened, she was just trying to do her best in fulfilling her calling, she couldn't
have predicted any of this, and she made the most out of it that she could.
While someone else has felt deceived by her actions. How often do we do
something that offends others and we don't even realize? It doesn't even have to
be anything wrong. This sister is voluntarily making a weekly trip and hour
away to help others and someone ignorantly judged her for deception. Although
others may be in the wrong, could there be others in our lives who have
misjudged our actions and intentions and turned away from us? <o:p></o:p></div>
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Life is interesting. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I love you all so much. And I hope you all have a Merry
Christmas. Make the most of it. and remember the very first present that was
given to us..Jesus Christ and the hope of eternal happiness. </div>
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Elder Siebers<o:p></o:p></div>
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We've been sharing a recent church video "He is the
Gift" with everyone and I encourage y'all to check it out as well! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667160522128493028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3286742938823858756.post-4847008238791567992014-12-22T16:19:00.001-08:002014-12-22T17:21:42.982-08:00Community of Saints part 2I love connections. I love people connections. I love missionary connections.<br />
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Thirty (!) years ago these two young men were serving LDS missions in the California, Sacramento Spanish mission. They become good friends. You may recognize one of them as Cooper's dad- Scott. The other is Alan (AJ) Tantillo.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2xTMNuztYPsyEKxlycnAkqZuN8uJuXReWu7EHphST_nmvKKRxwUtiGcVOOFfVI31kgPXd34rgHbkvlbpniQ8SbHahg8XeZi_lJOPh4ditUl6B8DdWrJ8Cy8sIBTFWv3usI0zPy-CgZ2-F/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2xTMNuztYPsyEKxlycnAkqZuN8uJuXReWu7EHphST_nmvKKRxwUtiGcVOOFfVI31kgPXd34rgHbkvlbpniQ8SbHahg8XeZi_lJOPh4ditUl6B8DdWrJ8Cy8sIBTFWv3usI0zPy-CgZ2-F/s1600/photo+3.JPG" height="224" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elders Tantillo and Siebers 1985</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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After their missions they were roommates at BYU. In the Fall of their Junior year they moved in to apartment 462 in a complex known for its fun people and activities (The Colony, of course.) Not long in to the semester they met two girls from apartment 394, myself and Linda Smith. Linda and AJ were married the same summer we were.<br />
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Five years later we found ourselves living in CT and the Tantillos were in NY. Each of us had two little kids, and our youngest were just weeks apart in age. We spent Thanksgiving together that year along with some other great friends from Scott's mission and childhood- Jeff and Cami Smith- who also had a little girl the same age as Cooper.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOyJATH4leAjL8x_CvQaRFSJJy0Hkp-7YCm1V_azSZrey6K5_yq1fIxUkOnMuCn_8polz963F6Msi7wScD2nMRHfHi-eKvn0AvuIKVSKeylPp1gRksx6EUIBMu3_GVXO5hg6iLMh7fKM-e/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOyJATH4leAjL8x_CvQaRFSJJy0Hkp-7YCm1V_azSZrey6K5_yq1fIxUkOnMuCn_8polz963F6Msi7wScD2nMRHfHi-eKvn0AvuIKVSKeylPp1gRksx6EUIBMu3_GVXO5hg6iLMh7fKM-e/s1600/photo+4.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cooper, Samantha and Bonnie. November 1994</td></tr>
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Last year these three cute little babies all left to serve full time missions. Cooper and <a href="http://sistertantillo.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Bonnie Tantillo</a> were called to Brazil and <a href="http://hermanasmithisgonnabeokinmerida.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Samantha</a> was called to Mexico.<br />
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Cooper visa waited for a while in Arizona, and Jeff and Cami Smith were able to <a href="http://eldersiebers.blogspot.com/2013/09/9-gilbert-az.html" target="_blank">take him to dinner </a>one night while he was there.<br />
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Bonnie also visa waited and was assigned to the Boston Mission! Just a few weeks after Jeff and Cami took Cooper to dinner, we were able to go to Boston and take Sister Tantillo and her companions to dinner. It all had a very symbiotic feel to it, and would be a great story if it ended there, but it doesn't.<br />
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Bonnie's visa never came, but she was okay with that and when given the option, chose to be assigned to the Boston Mission permanently. She has served mostly in the Boston area with Portuguese speaking people. However, two weeks ago she was transferred to Bridgeport, CT. Last week Sister Tantillo's dad called his old mission companion Elder (Scott) Siebers, and asked if we could help Sister Tantillo with a task. She had been teaching a young girl in her last area of Marlborough, MA and this young woman was being baptized on Sunday. Sister Tantillo had grown very close to this young girl and really wanted to be there for the occasion. She was given permission to attend, IF she could find a ride.<br />
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Of course we jumped at the opportunity. <br />
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Not long in to our journey, Sister Tantillo mentions that she is looking forward to seeing her companion (and friend) that she was with when she was in Marlborough - her name is Sister Lima and she is from Brazil. She also mentions that her dad is a Mission President in Brazil. It took like three seconds for Scott and me to put this together... yes- Brother and Sister Lima were Cooper's Mission President and wife when Cooper arrived in Rio.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyl5SBph0jjRxhni8Z1fNd_hZOvqtOJjUK_l2fcdGAgpWdr87y0uTBAzAHqmphvvGv7tV8b7UuXFYi8DXTJOm3jhfw4hgPxBdO0knYA1zQuDCUYUtyV7wBVKFXQ0nTqIMfjjyqgB9hGiZP/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyl5SBph0jjRxhni8Z1fNd_hZOvqtOJjUK_l2fcdGAgpWdr87y0uTBAzAHqmphvvGv7tV8b7UuXFYi8DXTJOm3jhfw4hgPxBdO0knYA1zQuDCUYUtyV7wBVKFXQ0nTqIMfjjyqgB9hGiZP/s1600/photo.JPG" height="320" width="257" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elder Siebers with President and Sister Lima</td></tr>
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When we arrived at the baptism we were able to meet Sister Lima and show her ^this^ photo of <i><b>our </b></i>son with <i><b>her</b></i> parents. That really surprised her! She was so excited to see a photo of her parents. We got to sit down and chat for a while. She was able to tell us a lot about the area, she even translated some messages I have received from ward members there. (She grew up in Manaus, Brazil and had moved to Rio when she was 16 and her dad was called to be a Mission President.) <br />
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We then took the photo below and she sent it to her parents today.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSnDBX19bqhV9aFcje9B1mwpqYR67aXjPa1pcrBfitZu2-BCHMHIajhpIG2uI3l8zimQnfejowRJ6JZThwDcLZ3btRkO8n09tHmHNnLq2vjyiCigMsH6tZVUjGkPU0JsrDm-vcf0-LZ4iM/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSnDBX19bqhV9aFcje9B1mwpqYR67aXjPa1pcrBfitZu2-BCHMHIajhpIG2uI3l8zimQnfejowRJ6JZThwDcLZ3btRkO8n09tHmHNnLq2vjyiCigMsH6tZVUjGkPU0JsrDm-vcf0-LZ4iM/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="320" width="283" /></a></div>
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The world truly feels smaller to me today.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEGb2azcatnlpJCfBbrl5bk6ZU_CgpvCH-Ih4T_vW2VHmB6X9CMvvHZqUW0kmxs-PyFf0jx3nLab6Y5sfAkkZgQNOXA68t_VaeQHDf7mpLHBn8kfknS_0mmX7ry3ba0ok-i1usnTEhS5Qf/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEGb2azcatnlpJCfBbrl5bk6ZU_CgpvCH-Ih4T_vW2VHmB6X9CMvvHZqUW0kmxs-PyFf0jx3nLab6Y5sfAkkZgQNOXA68t_VaeQHDf7mpLHBn8kfknS_0mmX7ry3ba0ok-i1usnTEhS5Qf/s1600/photo+2.JPG" height="320" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sisters Tantillo and Lima</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667160522128493028noreply@blogger.com2