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