12/28/09

Well this is how this week went down!
First off this week was great because I got to talk with everyone and it just felt real good. Conference was a bit boring but it then it got good at the end, we got to see all our old companions, I was able to see Elder Lyman which he is doing great and I got to see Elder Onofre too. Elder Onofre told me some real good news that made my day. He told me that he baptized a family that we were teaching and it went good. He even showed me a picture which made me tear up. It feels real good to see the work you put into people finally pays off. At the end of conference they had a play and gave a bunch of lame presents but it didn't matter because its the meaning of the gifts that matters most.
On Christmas Eve I did something what made my Christmas the best. In our district we have an Elder who does not like his companion very much and on Christmas eve everyone in the district was to spend the night in the centro with everyone at the same house. However, this certain companion did not want to go and was throwing a fit about it. So I did the ultimate sacrifice(not really but it was a sacrifice) I gave my Christmas eve to my friend. It felt good to give someone my Christmas.
The following day was of course Christmas and it was pretty awesome. We had a BBQ and then we went to the bus station to call up the family. I first called up my mom and her family which was awesome. Ivan started crying, that shows he got s heart and it felt good to me. Everyone there talked to me and it was great. I then called my dad. I basically told him about all my experiences and he was proud of me. I was able to call my grandma Martha too because I know she would freak if I didn't call her too. It was cool to hear that my aunt Bianca is getting married and I was able to talk to them in Portuguese and they understood. The calls felt real good and real relieving for me. Basically the rest of the week we did nothing, visit a couple of members and that was it. I now feel that home is like the celestial kingdom. You cant see it, yet you know how great it is and you have to serve an honorable mission to get back there.
Well to everyone have a happy new year! hahaha Love Elder Rodriguez

P.S.
hey Mom! it was good to hear your voice too. I was also with smiles the whole day too. Christmas was real good, spent it with the Elders in my district. I also ate nothing but chocolate too. It was great to eat American chocolate. Well thanks for being an awesome mom, mom. Love you bunches Jordan.

Christmas Greetings from Brazil

Oye!
So we were blessed to hear our missionary on Christmas morning calling from the bus station using the public phones( he said that everyone was staring at him because he was speaking English). Ivan and I spent the night at the Sanders house so that we would not miss his call. It was really nice to be able to share it this special moment with everyone that loves Jordan. When we heard his voice through the phone, he sounded the same and had his unique laugh that only Jordan can produce, so of course we( meaning Ivan and I) started crying like babies! We miss him so much but so proud( When I told him how I was so proud he told me in missionary form that its a sin to be prideful, lol). We passed the phone around the circle so that everyone could say Hi, it was really neat for Jordan and us. Jordan even blessed us with his testimony in Portuguese which was awesome. He actually speaks better Portuguese than he does English! He told us about the conference and other stuff. What surprised me was that he said that time is flying by and he only has 17 more months to go! That seems forever to Ivan and I but I'm glad that he loves what he is doing. He says that he is being prepared for the rest of his life and not only spiritually but in all facets. Wow! This is my son!! It was the best Christmas ever! We only talked about 25 minutes or so so that he could call his father in California. Now I just have to wait till May for the next call!!

Pic's

11/27/09

A letter dated 25th November: Dear Aunt Joan and Uncle Klaus, I am sure you are wondering how I am doing. I got transferred out of my last area to a new area. My new area is called Alvarado, Apucarana. My area is the largest hat manufacturer in the world which is pretty cool. The only not cool thing is the hills in my area. They are really steep and could be a pain on your knees. One missionary went home because of the hills wore down his knees, so I guess I have to take it easy on these hills. My ward is so small it is not even considered a ward, it is a district. Usually we have 40 members every Sunday which is little compared to my last area. The members are real nice as usual too, they feed us good. The people here in general are real nice too. When we knock on doors we usually get a lesson real quick. Oh yeah, and my companion's name is Elder M. Rocha, and he is pretty much my favorite companion yet. He is really relazed on the rules which I need but the bad thing is he is going to leave the mission this month, so that is kind of a bummer. He is a real cool guy. Antway,s that's basically my new area.

November 25 letter to everyone: I'm in my new area now and it is right next to Londrina. It is way smaller than Bauru, but it is a good thing because my area has a butt load of hills in it. Yup, I said hills, well more like mountains. I feel like a robot when I climb up the hills, I don't even feel my legs any more, when I walk up the hills. I love the area though because the people are pretty nice here and when we knock on doors or clap at gates, the people generally accept our message. Another cool thing is my companion whose name is Elder M. Rocha and he is from Nordest or North Bra zil. He is really relaxed on everything is good for me, because I'm a relaxed person too. I'm the type of missionary who works and baptizes, that is all what is important. The only thing what is not cool is that he will go home in the beginning of December, but it is all good. The investigators are also pretty nice, we teach lessons real good, with the Spirit, so they are really powerful. Have not gotten a baptism here but we have baptismal dates for people. The ward here is pretty small, it is so small it is called a district and on Sundays only about 40, 45 people show up. Big difference than in Arizona or Bauru my last area. The members are nice and they feed us good too.
I ahve not really had any funny moments in my new area. The only close thing is when a weiner dog attacked meand he bit at my ankles and ripped my pants, but I'm fine. I fixed my pants and did a pretty good job on them. The night before I got here out house got broken into so you can imagine how I slept the first week, but now I sleep with a kitchen knife next to my bed so it gives me a bit of comfort. The neighborhood is not that good at night too. We talked to the President about this and he wants us to move to another location, so we gotta keep our eyes peeled. Elder Nielson, who is from the same district I was in at the MTC, got robbed not long ago by a guy on the street. But he only took his cell phone. The President was ticked because in reality, we are to leave our cell phones in our house, when we're out and about, but all missionaries take them out.
Our area has really been worked a lot. Almost all the doors have been knocked, but we try every day. So far we only have one really good investigator here, his name is Antonio. He has a slight problem with beer, but not really big. Once we baptize him we are gonna have no more investigators here. So we have been having a couple of slight difficulties with that. Another thing is that a lot of members here are slackers. If all the members here went to church we would have a ward. A sign that our area has been worked a lot is that everyone here knows the missionaries, which is real funny.
The city of Apucarana is built basically on an inactive volcano and right on the hole of it is a big Catholic church. I bet when the Second Coming happens that church is going to explode into flames. Well, I really do like my area, after all my area has one dollar sodas called Tubainas. Thanks for all the packages and stuff. After a week I am already out of Mike and Ikes, but the caramel pops I didn't really like, just the Mike and Ikes. It's fine though. Thanks.

12/14 Good Bye Elder M.Rocha Hello New Companion(we dont know his name)

Hey everyone,
Well transfers went on this week and it was ah, well it was interesting week. Well it started out sad cause man my companion, Elder M.Rocha was leaving. He is seriously my best and favorite companion and it stinks to lose him. Well the day came and it was hard but he took off. I went with elder Yuri and Nielsen and the day before was p-day, and they were in Londrina so they did not have a p-day so they had one with me. so in reality i had 2 p-days. it was pretty legit. the next day i went on a service project with elder Nielsen and Yuri to help them out well you know me I'm just rel nice like that.The service project was alright it was just pulling weeds and knocking beehives. Ya that's right i said knocking beehives! It was pretty intense. We knocked them then ran it was also pretty funny. Elder Yuri got stung but he is alright. ha ha after the service project we went straight to the house and i was so busy that i forgot my shoes at the house, my good ones too. We booked straight to the rodoviaria or the bus station to get my companion. We did not even change to our church clothes. Now my new companion, A lot of the elders have stories about him, and not good too. they all say that he is pretty feminine, or other words gay real gay. Well he got here and did not appear gay he actually is OK,but pretty gay too. I'm actually missing Elder Onfre now, but one thing i learn on the mission is to get along with people. At some times it is hard but hey, no one said life is easy. Well this week i was a bit lost with where the streets were and what not because my old companion was good with these type of things but now i think I'm good. Our numbers were also kinda in the dumps but this week were gonna get them back up. This last week we helped one of the missionaries with there baptisms and saw a fresh dead dog, blood was coming out of that bad boys head like crazy, it was pretty nuts but another thing only a week and a couple of day's till i call the family so that is good. remember to give me your numbers to aunt DeAnn's house or grandmas either one is good.with love,elder Rodriguez p.s. hey mom i will call on 25 probably around 12 1 or 2 or 3 so I'm not sure just be at there house the hole day.

Guess who had a birthday?!?!?! 11/08/09

Hello Everyone,

Man, do I have a lot to tell everyone! I got a transfer baby!! YA! I am now in Apucarana but I will tell you what went down on the last p-day until now. So after we used Internet on the last p-day we got a call that I was going to be transferred, where one of my good friends, Elder Nielson was . At this time I still didn't know who my companion was. Well when we got home I started packing my stuff and then I went and visited the families who are important to me. When we went and visited the first family I gave away my LiveStrong bracelet to a kid named Lucas. His family cried, he cried and I almost cried, so it was basically an emotional mess. The we went to Rogerio and Gracellas house( they live right next to us) he said that he would give me a ride to the bus station the next day which was way cool, and then we went to another family's house. These people we are teaching and I paid for their wedding. I did not really want to leave Bauru but I sort of want to visit new areas, so it was bittersweet. I told the people that I would visit them which I plan on doing. The next morning we went to the rodoviara( bus station) and said goodbye to Rogerio. I then went to Marilia and I saw another good missionary friend, Elder Pumphry who also was in my district but he did not get a transfer, we switched buses there and then went to Londrina. On the way there Elder Aider( he is also from Mesa) told me a story called The Kimberly Story, look it up, it is a good one( I didn't sleep too good for two days because of this story). We were able to see the movie Ice Age 3 on the bus :). When we got to Londrina Elder Yury and I got some food and juice and then left to our new area in Apucarana( which is close to Londrina). Got to our area and saw Elder Nielson and had to give him a huge hug, then I met my companion! My companion's name is Elder M.Roch. He is from Brazil but man, do I love him. He is so chill and not strict. We got our bags and headed into the house. The house is huge!! The night before the house was broken into, so you can imagine how I slept this week. Our ward is real small and guess what, I'm 20 now! Weird!!All in all I like Apucarana except maybe for the giant hills!!

--------Elder Rodriguez

P.S. Hey Mom my birthday was fine, Ive had better. It looks like my picture had a better one than the actual person but Im good. Way to make me homesick! Ivan looks like HotRod and wow he looks like a giant now! And to answer his question i would be a Grizzly Bear( Ivan wanted to know what kind of Bear would he be)

It's been awhile, sorry!!--The Mom

Well it has been awhile since I last posted, sorry! Nonetheless, Elder Rodriguez is doing good and growing each day. He his still in the same town with the same companion. I thought that I would post a letter that Elder Rodriguez sent to my Uncle and Aunt since the letters that he sends to me are mostly his wants and needs( I thought that I would have two years free of that, oh well).

Dear Aunt Joan and Uncle Klaus--

First off, I heard that Clint and Maryanne got the baby! How exciting to have a new family member. They must be crazy with happiness. About the writing letters, its OK. It just takes awhile for the letters to get to us because we only get them when the mission president comes down or during transfers, which is every 6 weeks. So its usually my bad, with the letter writing.
I heard about the blog, but I only been on it once, we are not really allowed to go onto other sites but, that might be one exception.
I love it here. It is funny that you say the field is ready to harvest because today I was reading in Jacob 5 about the Lords vineyard, then I compared missionaries to the servants. I like that section! My old companion, Elder Lyman left and now I have a Brazilian, his name is Elder Onofre and he is from Rio de Janero. He is real nice and loving. We have two baptisms in our area so far, which is great!
The area which I am in is called Murechal Rondom, and the city or my district is Bauru. I love the people here, especially the members of the ward. They are all real nice. We try to have fun activities every P-day but this P-day we are writing letters to our families. Next P-day we are going to the zoo. I also try to take pictures on P-days as well.
Well I'm not roasting nor chilling here, but more like dripping! It tends to rain a lot in my area but on the days that it is not raining it can get hot. In our area we walk but when we go to the Internet cafe or to our district meetings we take the bus.
At church we attend a ward or an alag. There is a pretty good amount of members who attend. On a regular basis on Sundays or Domingos, we have about 150 members show up. It stinks because we are the only missionaries in our area but I guess it is alright because that means we get a greater opportunity to teach more people.
My companion and I live in a small 3 bedroom house, one room is our study the other kitchen/laundry/bathroom and the other our bedroom. We don't get asked out for dinner a bunch but we have lunch with members everyday except for our P-days, so we do just fine.
It sounds that everyone is doing fine over there in Arizona. Yesterday I went on splits with an Elder from Arizona as well. Mesa in fact! I thought that was neato! Well Aunt Joan I think I answered all your questions. Thanks for the greenie package but by the time I received it I was not considered a greenie. I'm in my second transfer already but the package was a great moral booster. Well whenever you feel the need to write a letter you know who to write too!!
Love Elder Jordan Rodriguez

Elder Rodriguez and Elder Onofre

September 21, 2009

Iguazu Falls

Hey Mom!
Well this week did not go so good. I had a pimple under my arm and it became infected so bad that it affected my whole arm. So I had to go to the hospital and give myself treatments at night and take medicine. but I'm OK. I will spare you the gross details but the ordeal is not going to stop me from doing the lords work. Another bad thing happened was that the last would-be baptism did not happen so now I only have two under my belt but on a happy note is that we have so many investigators now that I have a native companion. His name is Elder Onofre and he is from Rio de Janerio, which is pretty cool. I'm speaking fluent Portuguese now(with a lot of errors). I learned that I may be here in the city of Bauru for 6 months or longer. If all the missionaries in the Londrina area get a baptism we will all go to the Christmas Conference at the Iguazu Falls, they are huge falls that were shown in the last Indiana Jones movie. That's nice that you helped AuntieAnn move, I figure that is you help people that when you need help they will help you. Our church building is the second largest building in our area, the first is the market. I love all the members here, they are super nice. All of them call me "menudo" or "Ricky Martin" because I told them that I am Puerto Rican, it's pretty funny. I really like Elder Onofre even though he is a neat freak. He is always going around cleaning everything but I love the guy. Our area is real humble as well( in referring to Cousin's mission in Mexico). The temple is 7 hours away right now so we don't get to go to it. Well please tell everyone hi and I love them. Love Elder Rodriguez

September 14, 2009

Well Elder Rodriguez has been doing really good out in the mission field. As of August 4, 2009 he has 3 baptisms under his belt(literally, he makes a notch on his belt for each baptism). Jordan says that it has rained a lot and that the food is great. Here is an excerpt of his letter that he sent today(via email): Dear Mom and Ivan----
It's hard to say what happens because there is so much to tell but I will tell you this, blessings do really come true. I have been praying that you would be financially well and that Chloe could get a job then the next thing I know you get money in the mail and there's a good chance that Chloe will be hired. All I can say is that you better get on your knees and thank you know who cause that is huge! I am excited to get the package, my companion, Elder Lyman was transferred and I have no one to speak English too or music to listen to when we are going to sleep. My new companion is Brazilian and its pretty intense cause I feel that I'm still not good with the language or my surroundings. However, I'll do OK. I have been traveling with the LEZ's zone leaders to other cities to do interviews. One last thing, I have not seen a monkey yet but once I do I'm jumping on it and throwing it in my backpack! Love you Elder Jordan Rodriguez

August 17, 2009

Elder Rodriguez goofing around, as usual!

Hey Mom!
I'm good! I have a lot of emails to write so this is gonna be short. Today for P-day I might buy a guitar or a pipa(kite). They have crazy kite battles like on the Kite Runner!! This past week we ate lunch at this lady's house and she served us this substitute coffee and it was gross. I tied to make it taste better by putting sugar in it but she just filled it with more coffee stuff so I had to drink even more of the gross stuff. Tell Aunt Shellie that I met up with the elder that she and Kyle knows. Its crazy that his mom and Aunt Shellie are like best friends. He also knows Danielle and a lot of people that we knew from our old ward( our old neighbor from Corona). The baptism went well and I will send more info on that next week. Here are a few pictures, I will send more. I love you

A short note to Grandma Bev

Hey Grandma--
Yup out in the mission field and it is awesome! Know wonder LaVonne didn't want to leave New Zealand. There is a bunch of hills here and I get blisters and shin splints like crazy but it is worth it. My companion, Elder Lyman is awesome as well. He is from Colorado and has been out for a year so far. He helps me out a lot. Now for some successes, We made 15 contacts today to people on the street. I teach a good chunk of the principles to investigatos and we are baptising a lady this week. I never thought that we would get a baptism this quick. I will give you the details after it happens-----Elder Rodriguez

Out in The Field!

Dear Family-----
I'm still alive and well. We flew down to Londrina at 3 in the morning then had lunch with the president. The took a 4 hour bus ride to Bauru and have had an awesome 6 days so far. The language is finally entering my head and my companion, Elder Lyman is pretty cool. While going to visit with some members yesterday we saw a couple of Toucans, so that was pretty cool. The days are long and I get tired by the end of the day. I have blisters but at the end of the day it is well worth it! Oh ya, I forgot that we are baptizing a lady this week. Never thought it would be this quick, crazy huh?!?! I will take pictures of the baptism. I heard that Brayden is having a good time too, saw the pictures. Well I will send you the rest of my adventures in the mail!! Love you Elder Jordan Rodriguez

29/07/09

Dear Family----
This is the last letter to you from the MTC. Went proselyting again, in the rain but it was still fun. We got out all our Books of Mormons. We talked to some bums( homeless people) and to some other people but it was all good. We also went to a city walk which was like Wall Street of Sao Paulo so we were talking to a bunch of business people. I'm definitely going to get a hot wife because it rains like crazy here. It has been raining for 4 days straight. We went to the temple this last P-day and I bought some nice Portuguese scriptures with a case that has the Sao Paulo temple on it. My Portuguese is coming along OK, I guess but I will really find out when I leave the MTC. Man, I cant wait to get out of this MTC! I am really excited to go out into the field. I also hope that my companion is cool. Last Tuesday I sang a solo for a devotional and I thought I did OK, it was real cool. I am going to ask if I could do another solo this Sunday for a prelude. Don't worry about me, I have Heavenly Father on my side along with Jesus Christ. That's as good as a bullet proof vest! ----Love Elder Jordan Rodriguez

Elder Rodriguez has Arrived in the Mission Field

Dear Family of Elder Rodriguez,

We are writing to inform you that on August 4, 2009, Elder Rodriguez arrived very well in the Brazil Londrina Mission field. We were very happy to meet him and to know that from now on he is part of this great and wonderful army of the Savior. After a long wait and much preparation, he along with many other missionaries arrived at the mission home safely and very excited. They had lunch, and after a great testimony meeting he learned who would be his companion. The Brazil Londrina Mission is a blessed land where many people are hearing and accepting the gospel of Jesus Christ in such a joyous way. It is an honor for us to be able to receive your son in this area, and we know that this is possible only because you have so lovingly taught, guided and cared for him until he could arrive here. We want you to know that we will strive to fulfill all his needs, and will take care of him as if he were our own son. Thank you for trusting us with your son for this short yet fundamental period of time in his life!

We are at your disposition to help in any way during this time.

With gratefulness and love,

President and Sister Leal
Missao Brasil Londrina

Last Letter from the MTC

Dear Family,

I'm doing just fine. Went proselyting and we handed out all our Book of Mormons. This one lady wanted us to go and teach her. But we told her that we were not the missionaries to talk to. She said that she would call the number in the book to have some missionaries in the field teach her. We took pictures today as a district. I realize that I am really gonna miss Elder Rezende. Elder Neilson is also real cool. He wants to me to go and live with him after the mission. I miss the beach. I'm glad I am not going to the Rio de Janeiro, that is where Elder Rezende is going. He is also from California, but lives in Arizona now. We have like the same type of friends, and his dad is Brazilian and my dad well you get the idea. I think that's why we are so tight. I am really going to miss him. We went to the Temple today and I brought some scriptures with the Sao Paulo Temple on them. They are cool. Mom, I am fine. I wear the armor of god and nothing could fade me. Hey did you know I have like the largest wetland in the world in my mission. Ya I did not know till last week. I will write Todd and Bradyn. I just hope they got my letters in time. Well gotta go, next time I type you I will be in the mission field. Love you mom

Elder Rodriguez

Week 7

Dear Family,

Only 3 more weeks in the MTC until I get out of this hole. There is this kid in my room right now and his name is Elder Allred. He is singing along with a church song and he is doing it bad, so it is even worse! Again, can't wait till I get the heck out of here and to work.

That's good that you feed the missionaries. I hope I could get fed that good. I will probably be giving out pamphlets too to families. I think I told you that for the 4th of July we sang the Star Spangled Banner in the morning, outside our windows. it was early in the morning and it was fun/

The language is getting a bit better. Last Friday our district went proselyting and gave out 48 Book of Mormons. At first, I was a little panicked on the basis of talking to people with a language I have not yet mastered. But somehow, i gave out 4 with my companion. I am truly grateful for my companion because he helped me out when I needed help. I also need to work on not judging people as to how they look, cause I would not talk to scary-looking characters, but I need to realize that everyone is a child of God and that I have an important message to share.

I still have not received your package of candy, I fear that it is lost forever (Elder Rodriguez did receive the candy package a few days later and said it was definitely a morale booster!)

I want to tell you about some spiritual experiences I have had. One night I prayed that as a district we would be able to exercise our Priesthood powers. After this prayer, this blessing came upon all of us in my district. We all had a blessing of comfort come upon us. Everyone gave a blessing. I gave mine to Elder Nielson. He is really a neat elder. I was so happy to have this prayer answered almost immediately. It was truly a blessing. Another experience was when I fasted and prayed throughout the day for Mom to receive her job back, and as you know, that blessing came true too.

Tell Aunt DeAnn to write me. Tell her I only write to people who write to me. I received a email from Grandma Martha. Uncle Barry wrote to me and I'm sending him a letter today along with this one. My hand gets tried sometimes but I still persevere on writing.

I know I am here to serve the Lord, and I know my Savior Jesus Christ died for me. I love that I am here and that I will be spreading a word that is more important then everything. I am thankful for every one's help to me and my family. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Love Elder Rodriguez

Thumbs Up

A letter and email all in 1 week

Letter

The language is coming along. I go proselyting this Friday. Last Monday i did my first lesson in Portuguese. It was rough but I got through it. It's most likely that my first companion in the field is going to be a native. So I will have that same experience as Uncle Richy.
I do admit I am feeling homesick a lot lately but a good friend, Elder Rezende who is also from Mesa, Arizona, so we help each other out a lot. I take these tutoring classes that are helping me out. I feel I'm catching on to the language a bit better.
Ya, I miss Mom a lot too. You could let her read this part. Mom, I love you and I'm doing okay. It is good that you sold the piano. There is an elder here who plays amazing, his name is Elder Olsen. He will play at my wedding!
I went to the Sao Paulo Temple again today. It is a great experience every time. You can't help but feel the spirit there.
One of Todd's friends came in last Wednesday and we talked. It was cool to see a friend of a friend.

I love you guys. Bless you,
Elder Rodriguez

Email

I feel I might be going slowly crazy in here but two more weeks. I leave on Ivan's birthday. August 4. I went proselyting and along with my companion I gave out 4 Book of Mormons. The best part was that it was pouring rain. The leaders say that when you work in the rain the the Lord blesses you with "hot" wives. Ha Ha so you know when it rains I'm working hard. Mom don't worry about me. Instead worry about the people of Brazil cause I'm gonna baptize the #@** out of them.
Mom, dad wrote me he said he was proud and helped me with home sickness. It's getting better slowly. Love you and Ivan. Please send me Todd's address

Love you,

Elder Rodriguez

Pictures from Jordan

Excerpts from Elder Rodriguez's letters to family members

All the missionaries in my district went to the Police Station to get finger-printed.

My companion is Elder Bower. He is from Virginia.

There are about 400 missionaries or more in the MTC.

My district leaves the MTC on the 4th of August, Ivan's birthday.

The food is awesome.

When we go to the Temple we attend the English sessions so that we can understand what is being said.

P-Day

Our district outside the Missionary Training Center in Sao Paulo, Brazil

Sister Erika Guimaraes, one of our teachers here at the Sao Paulo, Brazil Missionary Training Center

News from the MTC

Dear Familes,

I wanted to pass some pictures on to each of you of your son or daughter with their district at the Sao Paulo Temple. I am a counselor in their Branch Presidency and was able to attend the temple with them.
I am so impressed with each of them and the special district that they have. Each is working so hard and doing so well at learning the language and preparing to enter the field soon.
They are truly wonderful missionaries.
Thank you for all your years of hard work in loving and preparing them to be missionaries for our Lord and Savior. They all send their Love to each of you!

Best wishes,
Elder Wilson
Consultor Medico de Area Brasil

Week 3 in the MTC

Hey Mom,

My week went good. I just need to learn the language. I'm struggling with it pretty bad, so make sure you keep me in your prayers. I'm watching want I eat so i don't get big. Bradyn (cousin) sent me a letter. I email Todd (friend) every P-day. Myself and another Elder, Elder Rezende, who's from Mesa, AZ got some of our Brazilian elders to teach us cappuerra. Todd will be in for a surprise when I show him my skills. "I feel like a monkey in a pinata waiting for the kids to break me open and take all the candy (show Ivan this) in the MTC". I just want out and a new companion.
That candy and toy idea sounds like a good idea. My second P-day I saw some kids asking for money and I felt compelled to get them some treats. So, I got them some. One of the boys reminded me of Ivan so I thought I would do anything for him. Then I knew how to love everyone. Mom I love you, you will always know that.

Love, Elder Rodriguez

PS: I can't take pictures out of the MTC but this P-day I am going to take some anyways. I'll develop them at a photo shop around the corner. I have enough cards, ha ha they have a thing here for downloading, but I forgot my camera at the dorm. Ya, I would have to say that the cousins are my sisters. Awe the "poppy" (Rocco the dog) you gotta send a picture of him. The work thing is good, just that I don't sleep in anymore-just nap here and there. I wake at 6:00am and go to bed at 10:30pm. Love ya Mom

2nd Week in the MTC

Hey Mom,

Things are great. Just another P-day. So ya emailing that's cool, Ivan read my letter. Dad just needs to reply to me. Ya I miss Ivan a lot. He is like my best friend. Unfortunately I am turning into a church nerd. My companion is like a dark shadow over me. Follows me everywhere even to the bathroom. Sometimes I feel like giving him a fat lip. Then I ask myself if that's Christ like and I learned to love him. So you know we get along but he is not a person I would hang out with. The food is awesome. I'm getting fat so I'm gonna drink some local water and get a parasite to lose weight. Bishop was right about the awesome language. All the Brazilians think I am Brazilian but then I tell them I'm puerto rican. Whenever I think of Ivan and how much fun we had I start to cry a bit or tear up. Also when I think of you too. So ya, a bit home sick but I learned to emerge myself with the work. You'll be getting blessings real quick as long as I'm doing the work of the Lord. It's really hard sometimes but I'm all good. People look up to me. I've had several of my roommates tell me that they look up to me. It's weird. I guess that patriarchal blessings are from our Father in Heaven. Great Stuff. I'm gonna mail you a letter. You'll get it!! Love you Mom

Elder Rodriguez

First Email

Mom,

Guess who it is? Your favorite son. Ha Ha Elder Rodriguez. MTC is great...like a church boot camp or a prison. They have cameras everywhere and electrical fences and guards so ya a prison. But I think I could survive, as long as I don't drop the soap or get shanked I'll be fine. The airport took forever like a 7-hour lay over but I got here ok. Today we went to the Temple and it was great. I learned more about the gospel in these 5 days then 4 years in seminary. It's funny most of the Brazilians think I'm Brazilian so they talk to me all crazy like. Love you mom.

Elder Rodriguez

PS: Tell the poopy I miss him and give a hug and kiss, little hug big kiss, little kiss

(Poppy is Rocco the dog)

First Letter

Hey Mom,

How you doing? Well I'm just gonna start from the beginning. Ok so after I got off the airplane in Dallas I took the tram to get to my gate. Once I got there (after walking 2 miles) I did straight what you told me to do call you. Well, I got to the phone and tried calling. Well the stupid thing didn't work. After trying persistently to call I heard this lady yelling, so I turned around and looked and she kept yelling, so I looked to the left then to the right and realized that she was yelling at me. So I walked over and she was yelling Elder, ha ha. I guess I was not used to the word "Elder" yet. Just think for the next two years my name will be Elder, weird. So then I called you. After I called I saw all the Elders and one Sister eating at McDonald's (one of the Elders in my room, last name is McDonald) We all meet which was nice but then our flight was delayed from 7:30pm to 10:30pm and we were all there since 4:00pm. So we played games and got to know each other. Well we even rode the tram 2 times around the airport. After a while we finally got on the plane and flew over down to Sao Paulo. When we were driving you could see nothing but skyscrapers littering the land. I never seen that may ever in my life. When we first pulled up to the MTC it looked like a prison but once inside it was nice. We ate lunch and man they got some good food!! Then we had an orientation thing telling us want to do and want we were going to be doing. Some of the missionaries were teasing us and talking to us in Portuguese, even when we knew not a word. So during the orientation thing the old Elder guy doctor told us they had monkeys in the market and not to touch it. Who in there right mind is not gonna touch it. You know I might even buy it. Some of the missionaries say the first 3 days are hard but I think it's easy and fun. Love you peace.

Elder Rodriguez

Email from Sao Paulo, Brazil MTC

Today, we received a email from the Sao Paulo, Brazil MTC President.

Dear Parents,

We are happy to send the good news that your missionary has arrived safely at the Brazil MTC. What a great joy and privilege it is to greet each missionary as they come through the front door of the MTC for the first time.

They now have companions and are settled into their rooms. They are assigned to a district with capable and caring instructors for language and lesson study. The branch presidents and their wives, who are usually a senior missionary couple or mature Brazilian couple, will soon give them a second greeting. These couples are rewarded in their callings through the love they always develop as they embrace and watch over the missionaries.

The MTC has a full-time live-in physician to care for their health needs. He is assisted by his able wife. We are also happy to report that the Cafeteria food is abundant and very good.

Your missionary will be able to e-mail home on Preparation Day after a morning at the Temple. This will be either Tuesday or Wednesday, depending on individual assignments.

We are also parents of children who have served as missionaries. And we have been missionaries who have left family. Please know that we are mindful of you and know of your love for your missionary.

Your very important young person is about to make an eternal difference in the lives of others. We hope you will be encouraged and comforted by this quote by President Lorenzo Snow. "There is no mortal man that is so much interested in the success of an elder (sister) when he is preaching the gospel as the Lord that sent him to preach to the people who are the Lord's children".

Please accept our love,

President and Sister Woodward

PS: We Strongly Discourage Sending Packages to the Brazil MTC.

If you have already mailed a package to the Brazil MTC and it arrives after your missionary had left for the field, please understand that the package cannot be forwarded to his or her mission and will be returned to you.

We Strongly Encourage Sending Hand Written Letters. Please see MTC address to the right of this blog.

Sao Paulo, Brazil MTC

Elder Rodriguez entered the Sao Paulo, Brazil Missionary Training Center today.

Jordan will be at the MTC for 2 months, learning the language and the lessons.

Brazil Here I Come

Jordan left for Brazil from the Phoenix, Arizona Sky Harbor Airport. Jordan had a lay over in Dallas, Texas Airport and then off to Sao Paulo, Brazil Missionary Training Center for 2 months.

Elder Jordan M. Rodriguez

Getting ready to go through Security Checkpoint.

Jordan with Brother Ivan and mom, Shana

Elder Rodriguez, God be with you till we meet again.
Return with Honor

Setting Apart

President Reeder of the Desert Ridge Stake come over to the Rodriguez's house to set Jordan apart as a full time missionary for "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" for 2 years.

Elder Rodriguez with Pres. Reeder

Jordan with his mom, Shana
Grandparents, Grandma Bev & Grandpa Don

Uncle John & Aunt DeAnnUncle Darin

Cousin's, Ashlyn, Sophia, Abigail, Hunter and brother Ivan

Brother, Ivan

Aunt LaVonne was there also only she didn't get her picture taken.

President Reeder had everyone who was there to see Jordan get set apart give him some advice on being a great missionary. Some of the things that were said were, remember who you are, return with honor, have fun, get along with your companions, serve your companions and obey the mission rules.

Thank you family for all your words of advice.

Farewell

Jordan was asked to speak on "The Plan of Salvation" for his farewell talk. Family members that were there to hear me speak were his mom Shana and brother Ivan. Aunt DeAnn and Uncle John. Cousin's, Abigail and Sophia. Aunt LaVonne. Grandma Bev and Grandpa Don. Papa Jim and Grandma Janet. Aunt Joan and Uncle Klaus and cousin's Clint and MaryAnn. After church we went over to Aunt DeAnn's house for Dinner. Uncle Barry (Papa's Jim younger brother) and his friend came for dinner as well.

Temple

Jordan went through the LDS Mesa, Temple for the first time. His Uncle John Sanders was his escort.