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Elder Christian McOmber
Av. Dom Avenio Branoao 333 sala 402
Ed. Work Center-Farol
Maceio-AL
57001-190

with my shield or upon it!

Well, this week I recieved my beloved companion, Elder Lima, he has 4 days in the mission field. He is from João Pessoa, (Andy´s mission) he is awesome, and he has tons of Fire, I am so glad that I recieved a companion like him at a time like this. I am so proud of all of you and I am so happy that I am a part of this family. I would love to have been at Grandy´s funeral, I imagine it was amazing. But here I am happy and I know that Heavenly Father will take care of me as I do His will.
I love all of you and I will really miss Grandy, but I will take all of me saudades and put it into the work, and I accept the challenge, the McOmber mission is worldwide, if the Brazil, Maceio mission thinks they have seen "McOmber fire" I am going to go to a whole new level! With my shield or upon it!!!
-Elder McOmber

A family together.

Sorry, I am sending this a day late because my companion and I got back from a P-day activity too late to send the rest of our emails and so we are here this morning...

This week was awesome, we got 2 families married on thursday and we baptised them this friday. The missionaries have been working with this family for a long time, but we were able to help them get married and take these last steps before the baptism. I hope that one day you guys get to meet this family, they are amazing!!!

The man, Ródrigo, he was in prison when the missionaries started to teach his parents, but he didn´t know. In Prison he was humbled and one night he prayed to God that if God would get him out of Prison with his health he would follow him and change his life. When he got out of prison the missionaries before us started to teach him and his wife, Andréia. Elder Cason, when he found this family he worked a lot with Ródrigo´s sister, Rozana. But when Rozana was going to church, her mom Gedaria, always went, in fact before meeting me Gedaria already read the book of Mormon, but she needed to be married and her boyfriend didn´t want to. So she decided to fast, at the end of her fast her boyfriend called her and said that he wanted to get married.

Teaching them has been an amazing experience, and now I feel so apart of the family!! I was so honored when Ródrigo chose me to baptise him, it is amazing to see how Heavenly Father prepares these amazing people, Before I go home they will have already been sealed in the temple (and if I can help Andréias daughter´s get baptised) they can be sealed for time and all eternity with her daughters. This work is amazing!! I am so glad that I have had the oppurtunity to baptise another complete family, now I just need to find more families ;)

I love you all,

-Elder McOmber

house number 9

Sorry, 2 lame letters in a row, but I am really sick right now, please pray for me!!! I had a really cool experience this week I wanted to share with you guys, my companion and I were walking home from our last appointment and I had a very strong feeling to stop and knock this door in house number nine, the feeling was too strong to ignore, so I went over there and there was a woman outside, she said she lived in the next house over, my companion and I taught her and it was a good lesson, when we finished she asked me why I stopped on the street and looked over at the other house, I told her that I had felt very strongly to go to house number 9. She said "You are a servant of God, if you felt that you should go to that house it is because God wants you to teach that person" ( I was thinking, ouch, now I really need to go over there) So, we went to the house next door and we taught a woman named Diana, let me tell you, when she entered the room I knew it was for her that the spirit wanted me to go there. As we have been teaching her through this week she has been getting happier each day and it is so exciting for me and Elder Nicacio to see. She went to church yesterday with her husband, kids, and Maria (The neighbor I taught first) When she got there some of the women in the relief society went up to her and hugged her and talked to her, my heart was so touched by their love. Her husband didn´t enter, but luckily the members in Rio Largo are really clued in and some members went outside and talked to him before they left.

Diana is an amazing spirit, when we are teaching her I can feel god´s love for her, I am so grateful that Elder Nicacio and I were chosen to teach her. Please pray for Diana, I love you my family!!! Much love,

Elder McOmber

link to Brazilian boy singing

Christian is teaching boys just like this one... enjoy!

http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=F0M2MJNU&utm_source=GodTube%20Must-See%20Video&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=10/17/2011

quick letter. Doin great.

Wow, the arnesen family is turning into baby making machines!!! I can´t believe it, 5!!! Wow, that is just wild!! I am so proud of all of you guys, everyone back home is doing awesome, Sounds like Justin is killing it on the field, that is awesome!!! Sorry if my letters don´t get to places too fast, the mail people are on strike, but I am sure that it will all work out. Some quick news from the mish, Penedo is finally going to get a Capela!!!!!! (that is portugues for beautiful church) They say that this Capela is going to be the size of a stake center, I am so excited!! I have to admit, after so long of these people waiting to recieve a Capela I am so proud to be one of the 4 missionaries serving here to see this happen. And speaking of the family name, I have been here for 4 and a half months now, and we contact EVERYONE, I never imagined that so many people would remember a name like McOmber. It is not just the families that we work with, I feel like we are famous, people will ride by on bikes and say, Oi Elder McOmber, I gotta admit, serving in a small town is a blast.

amazing, amazing letter... happy general conference!

Hey Ma, can you print the following email up for me, and put it in my scrapbook thingy, I really want to remember this email:

cara tenho muitas saudades de voce tambem!!
estou esperando chegar o mes que vem para eu te ligar novamente, para a gente se falar melhor.
estou muito feliz por você estar tendo sucesso em sua missão.
sabe irmão, você e espelho para eu ir fazer minha missão eu aprendi muitas coisas boas com voce, e tudo que eu aprendi com voce eu vou fazer na minha missão!!
muitas vezes paro e fico lembrando das nossas divisões´poderosas que nós faziamos, sinto muita falta disso tambem!!
mas sei que um dia o pai celestial vai dar um geito de nos deixar juntos de novo, e espero que seja antes de da minha missão.minha ala estar precisando de elder poderoso como voce, voce batizou e animou muito os membros de minha ala e nos ajudou a crescer.
cara, eu amo que voce seja meu irmão, e lembre-se eu sou seu unico irmão no brasil, kkkkkkk
saudades de voce, cara,
abraços
seu irmão, klebson chaves.....................................................................

Heather, I am so sorry that you have bullys, I wish I could be there to help you, Have you already asked him why he does that? A lot of people do foolish things because they are jelous, I think if you show him concern and love he will think twice about doing that. But, I am sure that if worse comes to worse Justin can talk to him.

Well, this conference was awesome, it started off with serious opposition and so my companion and I missed the first session, but we were still able to get a few investigators to watch, I was kind of nervous, but everyone loved it. Then sunday was a little more relaxed, our big family didn´t watch the saturday sessions, so we went over to their house on sunday and reminded them to come to conference, Alex, one of the teenagers, was still sleeping at 11 o´clock, and the sun rises here at like 5:30!!!! So I went over and literally pulled him out of bed, he thanked me later, I am convinced that a mission is the best dad training there is.kkk So, they all came to conference and boy was it a blast, I just sat there and talked with members and our recent converts in between sessions. While our new president of our branch, president Silveirio took them aside to do interviews. In the last session, Daniel, who is about 10, he is the youngest brother of the family of 8 kids. He is a very special kid, right now he is reading in 1 Nephi chapter 8 or 9 and he is understanding it very well. He let his seat half way through the last session to come sit by me, I put my arm around him and we sat there watching conference.

I gave him a piece of paper to write down what he thinks of while he is listening to the speakers. At one point he looked up and me and whispered "When you arrive home with your family it is going to be a joy right." I said, "I don´t know, I am sure it will be, but it is going to be tough without the friends I have here" He said " Yeah, it is hard to have my friends coming and going" When he talks he takes deep breaths and speaks with a little scratchy voice, but something about that kid reminds me of a little boy who dreams about pirate swords and purple dragon wings...Whatching him say these things touched my heart. I told him that as long as he is here in church with his family it is like I am with him because the same Spirit that speaks to me will speak to him. And one day we are going to be in Heaven, and there we can live in the same neighborhood. He gave a big smile, I am so happy that his special soul was placed in a family with strong adults and valiant brothers and sisters that all love God and were looking for His church.

I wish I could describe to you how it really felt, watching General Conference surrounded by my recent converts. At the end of the day, we are all just fighting dreamers, but we have moments in our lives that are like looking into a shard of perfection. To me, these moments are the molecules that make up eternity.

I want to thank my family, my extended family, my leaders, my seminary teachers, my friends, all of my heroes and gaurdians whose sacrafice brought me to these moments, I am eternally grateful for all of your sacrafices, and I promise to consacrate these sacrafices for the people of Brasil!!! This month I will dedicate to Uncle Travis, Aunt Emily and their family, I love you all!!!!

-Elder McOmber

Christian is doing great!!!! AGAIN

Personal: I am gad that Uncle Howard can be with Aunt Artele again, that makes me happy. Sorry, the correios have been on strike so it has been tough to send letters, but I sent off a letter to you guys as a response to the letters from Dad´s family, next week I will send letters to Mom´s family. Can you guys tell me when the letters get there? Wow, Uncle Howard really passed away, and you guys ran into Torben!!!! Justin destroyed in his football game, wow this is a crazy week, but boy am I pumped, next week is conference!!!! I feel bad that Auna hurt her knee, I hope she feels better, tell uncle Mark I am giving them Heaven out here haha, That was so cool of him to come and visit me the day I went on my mission, and I am not gonna lie, I got my wisdom teeth pulled and that was kinda painful, but it sure was cool hanging out with Uncle Mark and aunt Auna, it made getting my teeth pulled a party, next time I lose a tooth I am totally gonna kick it with them haha. But yeah, life is good here, I am giving all of my heart, might, mind, and strength, the mission is a blast, my comp, Elder Garrett is getting real close to the end, but he is a mighty missionary we are still working our tails off. I love you family, I hope the best for all of you! -Elder McOmber

Christian gets the letters, and he appreciates every one of them!

I am sorry if my email didn´t get home last week, I know that I sent one!! Well, I want to start off by thanking the sacrafice of everyone that has been sending me letters, I am honestly trying to find time to respond to all of you individually!!! (Ma and Dad, please tell your families that I have recieved their letters, and I am very excited to respond to Ethan´s questions, I am proud of his faith!!)

Well, this week we baptised the rest of Selande´s grandchildren, they are amazing kids, I have been giving them parts to read from the book of Mormon, and Daniel, who is 10 has been explaining to me in detail what he read, I asked him, so why can´t the zoramites go into the synagogues and he said, "Porque eles são pobres de mais" haha, I wish you could see him in my english class, he is a little star!! Selande dragged us to her school this week, we met her teacher who explained to us that when everyone comes to class she invites everyone to church and stands up and starts preaching. haha She is so spunky, I knew that Heavenly Father was preparing me for these people, but I never realized how much these people were going to remind me of my family back home!!

I am so proud to hear about everyone´s successes and triumphs, I am so happy to have been born into such an extraordinary family, and to have been blessed with so many supportive friends, a friend of mine sent me something that I think is perfect for all of you, "Moments are the molecules that make up eternity" I want you all to know that when it gets hard I think of the moments, and it gives me the strength to keep going, I love all of you so much!!!

-Elder McOmber

dedication to Lizaron, and Geovanio the Great!

Sorry, I am not able to send a picture of (sorry I spelled it wrong before) Geovanio this week, but I will send a lot more pictures next week, I sent you guys some pictures from his baptism, he is wearing a black shirt and my copanion and I are hugging him, look through the pictures I sent you guys a month ago, I know that it is there. But no worries I will send you more!

Also, please send a hug to Nicole, Dawn, Fanda, and Martin, I miss them too!!

Ma, when I read your email I was imagining you all tired from the good life, everyone sleeping but you. I am so grateful that I have so many little cousins praying for me, I am sure that has been helping me in ways that I can´t always see!! And also, thank you so much for praying for Geovanio, I will definately tell him that you guys are praying, I hope some day you can all meet him, you guys would LOVEEE him, he is way cool, and hilarious!! I was thinking a lot about the family, and I was thinking about who I would dedicate this next month to, I looked down at my bedsheets signed by everyone, then I recieved my revelation kkk I saw a little note that read "Dunk someone for me- Zaron", so it is decided, this next month I am dedicating to Aunt Liz, Uncle Zaron, Corban, Liam supriam, e Charlotte!

This week was awesome, we baptised a man named Laelson, he is Selande´s son, he is the Man, he reminds me a lot of Uncle Alan. I wish so bad that you could all meet these awesome people!!! But yeah, he was baptised and it was a very special day for everyone, he was even baptised on Selande´s birthday, so he was baptised and after that we surprised Seland with brownies, and some members got some cool food too and we had a mini party, then I had my English class, everyone is starting to speak very well, and Pedro, who studies English in school said that he scored higher than his whole class in some big test, his teacher was so impressed and so he told her about the english class, she said she will come this saturday, I am pumped to meet her!!

I love Penedo, I hope I never leave!!!

You are the best family ever, I think about all of you all the time, much love!

-Eder McOmber

Aug. 20th, 2011 DANCE, Super Sabado!

Hey Family, I am so happy to hear about how awesome you guys are doing, I wish I could be there and see it all. Ma and Dad, for sure I will pray for you guys, Ma, that is a great idea, Bring your friend to church, that is the easiest way to get her in touch with the missionaries, and who knows, she might be ready to recieve it!! Tell me how it goes!! Dawn and Fanda, It is so nice to get your letters as part of the family Email!!! Tell Dawn I really digged his words of wisdom, you can believe, I´ll stay strong. Yea, the rumors are true, Brazilian girls are super aggressive, but no fear, that is why we have companions, we got eachother´s backs, no matter what.

I just wanted to share the recent events, this saturday was, "super sabado" We did the dance, it rocked, everyone thought it was the bomb. Geovanio is doing awesome, he was part of the dance and he helped out with super sabado, he is the man. The president of the branch told me the next day that he called Geovanio over to help him clean up and take things back to the church and as Geovanio was helping he was asking if there was any way to speed along the process of recieving the priesthood maior so that he can go on a mission sooner, President told me that he thinks Geovanio is going to ba an awesome missionary.

Yesterday we baptised a woman named Salande, she is awesome!! She is real old but she is full of spunk! She has loved the gospel so much that she has introduced us to all of her family, her 32 year old son Laelson and his daughter are preparing to be baptised this week. Yesterday we brought her Grandson Diogo to watch her recieve the gift of the spirit, in sacrament meeting there were 2 speakers, Pedro who was baptised 10 months ago and Keccio who was baptised 1 month ago, during my mission I have seen many sacrament meetings in my life, but rarely have I felt the spirit as strongly as I felt it there, and they said things that I knew were meant for our friends who are learning about the church. Afterwards I asked Diogo how he felt as the speakers were speaking, he told me that he felt something in his heart, I explained to him that that was the spirit and that when we feel that feeling we need to follow it, he then agreed to be baptised and together we made a goal to prepare him for the 3rd of september. Afterwards Pedro came up to me and told me that he didn´t plan to say half of the things he said but he felt like he should, I rejoiced when I heard that because I knew that the spirit had guided him to say the things he did, I explained to him that when we prepare and excercise faith the spirit can teach us what to say. Pedro told me that he prayed with a sincere heart that his talk in church would not be in vain and that good would come of it, I reassured him that good had come of it.

I am so grateful to have been put here in Penedo with the talents God has given me, I know that of myself I am nothing, but as I do what God asks of me and put my whole soul into helping others my Heavenly Father blesses me with amazing experiences. I want you all to know that I know that God exists, I know that we can talk to him, and he will answer us if we ask in faith. I love all of you and I can´t wait to talk to you all again!

New letter, new p-day each week...

Hey Family, I love you all so much!! I have been thinking a lot about how all of you are doing and I can only imagine how exciting it must be in the house, having Nicole there!!! Have Fanda and Don arrived yet, the other day I was reading thew advice book and saw what they gave me, kkk yes I am glad that I went to a cool place like Brasil. I can´t wait to hear how you are all doing!!!

This week is honestly hard to explain, there is a lot of mixed emotions, but it ended amazingly. Before Giovanio was baptised we taught him about the priesthood and how it is the power of God. He was very excited about it, After he was baptised we set up an interview with him and the President of our branch, we told him to be there at 5 hours in the afternoon on saturday, but he was way excited so he went to church at about 3:30 and waited there until 5 to have his interview. That night, he went with us to visit some of our investigators, we talked to a couple that needs to get married in order to be baptised, one of them was receiving money from the government because her husband died, she did not want to give that up. Giovanio told her to follow the commandments and that God will know how to help her, he then bore his testimony for her. She was so touched by his testimony that she told us that she is willing to get married, she then asked him if he was a missionary too, he responded that he is a member, and that the next day he would recieve the aronic priesthood. I will never forget the look of gusto on his face when he said that.

I am so happy for the love of my Heavenly Father in my life. I am so touched that Heavenly Father chose me and my companion to find and teach Giovanio. Even though I taught Giovanio, I feel like he has taught me so much more.

Basta-me dizer que eu me regojizo na glória de Deus, eu sempre estava bem animado para ir para a missão, mas eu nunca podia imaginar a alegria que eu tenho agorra. Eu só quero testificar que eu sei que está Igreja é verdadeira. Eu Sei que Jesus Cristo me ama e que Atrávez ele eu posso ser limpo de meus pecados, e eu não tenho dúvida nenhuma que Deus existe e que Ele está vendo nosso trabalho. Eu faco tudo possível para agradar a Meu Pai Celestial, e enquanto eu esto precisando ele me ajuda e eu posso sentir a presença dele, mas é só alguma coisa que a gente pode sentir quando colocamos nossos coracões nas mãos dele. Eu não só acredito, mas eu sei que este caminho é o caminho para seguir Jesus Cristo e viver com nosso Pai Celestial, e eu quero este felicidade para todo o mundo, se tiver um falta de sabedoria, peca a Deus, e ele vai te responder! eu digo estas coisas em nome de Jesus Cristo, Amem.

picture to run the Torchlight Race with us

Great day!

Well family, I am so happy that you guys are doing awesome, I really hope that my service is helping you guys out too. I think it is wild to see how you guys are changing just through your letters. Heather is writing really well, with a good sense of humor, I laughed real hard when I saw the pickles comment at the end. kkk I am glad to see that Justin is going all out and even doing work in the paint with the pros;) I am real happy that you guys are happy, the work here is going real well, We are about to baptise 2 people this saturday, Euranha and Felipe. Felipe is a teenager that went to one of our baptisms a few weeks ago, he saw his friend get baptised, and it touched his heart, and so he said that he too wanted to be taught. We went to his house in the following days and spoke with him, while we were there we met his aunt, Euranha, she is also way awesome. I know that mom would love her, she has a baby who faz bagunsa during the lessons, he is hilarious, and she is so funny. The other day he fell over 8 times because he puts clothes on his face and jumps up and down, she finally said "Pronto, pronto, a festa já era!!" and she put the clothes up above , then he tried to climb on a chair to get to the clothes and we all just started to laugh. When she holds him on her lap, we will be talking about something very spiritual, then she will all the sudden say to her son, "Deixe sua mãe para conversar!!" and then continues talking, I wish you guys could see it, it is hilarious!! They are both amazing people, Euranha has been through a lot in her life but she is so excited to take these steps, and I know she will be such a force for good, and Felipe is such a sweet kid, he is so tranquil, but happy, i´ve never seen a kid quite like him, they are both such amazing people and I am so happy that I was able to play a part in their lives, I am so excited to see what will happen to them as they grow in this gospel. I know that Heavenly Father saved them for me and my companion and for that I am very grateful! I love you all, thanx for the support and love, -Elder McOmber

Run for Justin! Good story of a kindred dancer :)

Thanx for the letters Ma and Dad, I love you both so much!! I will try to get a running picture for you guys, I will send it to you on monday. The work is going awesome here, we have had a few divisions that fell through this past week, but it was fun to have some quality time with my companion, Elder Garrett is very wise and I have really loved learning from him as we serve together. We are coming close to tranfers, I would really love to stay here with Elder Garrett, but if the Lord has a better place for me, I am ready to go, I love my Pai Celestial and I will do whatever he asks of me.
I had an interview with my new mission President, Elder Gonzaga is an amazing servant of the Lord, and I know that he is called of God. This last week has been amazing. I just want to share a story with you all about my friend named Jeovanio. He is way cool, he is way into Capoeira, he went to a big meeting in Sergipe last week with some pros. He is very sincere and very straight forward. He has been to church a few times and he is reading the book of Mormon and praying for an answer, whenever he reads he said that he feels normal, but he is always able to tell us exactly what the chapter is about. So we left him to read the story of Ammon and pray to recieve a feeling in his heart. I told him that I would pray for his answer.

I prayed and thought a lot about his answer, then the morning before we went there I recieved a prompting in personal study to read Alma 32, I read and funny enough, verse 28 stood out to me, even though I was reading in Portuguese I read that verse and I thought a little about Ben Bleazard haha But I felt really strongly about sharing that scripture with him. When we got there Jeovanio told us that he read this chapter, he really liked Lamoni. I asked him if he felt something this time, he told me that he did, I asked him if he could explain it, he said that he couldn´t but that he knew that he felt something and he indicated across his chest to his heart. I told him that I had been praying with all of my heart that he would recieve that feeling and that I had been prompted to show him that scripture, Alma 32:28, I showed him that scripture and we talked about how he knows that the feeling in his heart is growing and getting stronger. We explained that that feeling is the spirit and that he can know through that feeling that this church is true.

I was so happy that Heavenly Father let me be a part of Jeovanio´s spiritual journey. I want to testify that I know that this church is true and that Heavenly Father really does tell His servants what He wants them to do, if they are listening.

I love all of you, and I promise to pray for Justin and his Eagle Projects, I am not really sure how this whole letter thing works, but it sounds like it goes to a blog where people read it, so for all of you blog readers, go run in my little brother´s Race!!! He is the man! Much love Family, and Justin, even though I am not in America, I promise you I will be running around over here, so you can believe I am running with you, my brother.

-Elder McOmber

Great Day in the Seattle/Brazilian Rain!

Hey family, I love you all and I am so proud of all of you!! I loved the package!!! I just got it this last week, I am loving the peanut butter pretzels and NUTELLA!!! Nutella is Sooo good with Brazilian bread!! Heather, I am sorry you had a rough sleepover experience, and I am glad you are skyping with Nickle, tell her I love her too and there have been times when I see 2 little girls playing in the street and I think about you two. This last week has been quite an experience, but to put it all in a few words it was a whirlwind, my companion and I have been literally running around doing divisions and working out everybody´s problems. But it has been a blast, I have thought a lot about a lot of advice everyone has given me and some things Dad has said to me, as I have been working to achieve one of the goals he set for himself during his mission. On sunday it was raining like crazy, but we had found a bunch of people to bring to church that week so we were running around trying to help all of our investigators get to church. It was real rough, but then as I was walking along the streat I herd a familiar song that I used to sing to ma, and for a second the rain stopped and the sun came out. I thought about my family at home praying for me and it gave me a moment of needed courage. In our outdoor font in our branch it started to rain when Eunisse was going to be baptised, Augusto really wanted me to baptise Eunisse, I have to admit there was something magical about baptising Eunisse in what to me felt like Seattle rain. I felt like in that moment my worlds were colliding and I was reminded of how Heavenly Father really plans every moment perfectly if we have the faith to do what he asks. I love you all, Bust, go hit someone for me out on the field. -Much Love, -Elder McOmber

wearing his shoes out in the service of the Lord! :)

Thanx a million Dad, I loved your letter. There are definately times when it is a tough race, this last transfer was real rough for me, I don´t want to go into details, but lets just say I am glad that I had Scott Cooper´s story for preperation. But, I honestly tried to love my companion, I read over and over again the advice from the letters binder, that helped me out a ton, but we baptised 2 people, I felt so happy, but I also felt the energy sucked out of me, my heart, might, mind, and soul was tired, but I didn´t want to be one of the missionaries that 'Die on the mission" So I told myself no matter what I was going to press on, and now I am here in Penedo, It is amazing how Heavenly Father does things, but now everything that I lost I am gaining here, it is me, 2 old missionaries that are doing the best they can, and a new brazilian to whom I am teaching English, my English class is going great here, we have baptised 8 people so far and we have 3 more this week if everything goes well, and each one of their stories is amazing!!!

I feel like Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ gave me the oppurtunity to feel Christ´s pain and to stand alone for the love of others. i am so glad that I felt a small fraction of what it is like to carry the world on your shoulders for the love of others, and to be honest I cant imagine a better family to prepare me for these experiences. I love all of you, and I am so glad to be a part of this work, I was feeling so tired, but here I am working with valiant companions and amazing members. Not to mention these families that I am teaching are healing me as I teach them and we grow together, I know that it is a long race Dad, but keep going!! And don´t look back, you have to always know that what Jesus has for you is better than whatever you had going on before. I am honestly in Paradise, with a companion that is way valiant, I feel like we both arrived in Penedo after much suffering, but now we are getting stronger together, and Dad, I remember your goal of 25 from your mission, I always wanted to have that much faith, Elder Garrett and I are going for it.

I just want to testify that Heavenly Father is My Heavenly Father, he breaks me, and then he gives me everything i have ever dreamed, I can´t wait for you guys to see this place, it is more beautiful than I could have imagined, and pictures really don´t give the sunsets working justice. But, I love you, and my family,

Até próximo!

-Elder McOmber

Great Success!

Thanx for everythin ma, I am real grateful for the letters and all of the support that you guys give me. Penedo is exploding with success, I just want to tell you a little story real fast while I still have time. There was this family, Aloisio and Kelly and their 2 kids. We marked their baptism for this past saturday when we arrived in Penedo, they had been to church a few times and found a different feeling in our church. This past week we were preparing them for their baptisms, and let me tell you the faith they have can move mountains. On monday someone from another church stopped by before we got there and told Kelly that she wasn´t prepared for her baptism, how could she know that our church is true and tried to tell her a bunch of terrible things about our church, she bore her testimony and said that she knows that our church is true. Then after we passed by, she was cleaning through some things in her house and she found some music that reminded her of a different part of her life, she broke all of the CDs and said that she wanted to leave behind her past. Aloisio and Kelly were baptised this past saturday, when Elder Garrett and I stopped by the following monday Aloisio told us that he used to love São João, he use to drink like crazy, it was his life, but now he has left all of that behind to follow this new path. He told us that before his baptism, everything was (Hand slap sign that means whatever) but now he sees the difference in between right and wrong, and he wants nothing to do with the evil things of this world. He also told us that he is walking into a new world, and he wants that for all of his friends, the day after his baptism he invited his friend to church, and Kelly has a few friends that she wants to bring to church next week.

Aloisio and Kelly have tasted true joy, and now they want that for their friends, my brothers and sisters, my heart is full of joy for the righteous in this world who are willing to follow Jesus Christ. I want to bear my words that I know that God lives, and that through Jesus Christ we can live with Him someday, and I know that there are souls out there that are spiritually starving, and they need a friend to call to them. I wish that I had more time in a day to share this message, because I know that it is True!!!! I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

June 22, new area, 4 missionaries, much to do!

The name of my city is Penedo. It is gorgeous!! We just have a Ramo (Branch) here, it is waiting to become a ward (means bigger building) We just have us, Elder Maia, Elder Redd, Elder Garrett and me for the whole city!! It is a big area, but it is a blast, all of my companions are powerful missionaries and we all work together to help the will of the Loard come to pass. We have a ton of young men in our city that are way excited about missionary work, we have been working with them a ton in order to go everywhere we need to. I feel like I should share a story, 2 days ago I was with a kid named Ezmar, he was baptised by one of the teachers that I knew in the MTC in Provo. We were walking along and I felt really strongly to talk to this man on the side of the street, he told us he was going home but was waiting for his family, I asked if we could go with him, we walked over to a part of the city called Cidade do povo (city of the people) When we got near his house his wife and their extended family were waiting inside this cottage, we entered and there must have been about 20 people there, Ezmar, and I saw the opportunity and we took it, we gathered everyone together and taught them about Jesus Christ and how the church has been restored to the earth. The spirit was so strong, and I told them that we would return the following night. The next day one of the teenagers that we marked with for a divisao the next day couldn't go, and we were running around like crazy trying to teach everyone on our doubled schedule, it was a long day, and we encountered a lot of disappointment, and we were having a really hard time. And when it was time to return to that big family it was too dangerous because it was already dark, but as we were returning someone called for us to enter their house, when we went there, everyone in the family that was receptive was there in the house, my companion and I testified to them of the importance of following Jesus Christ, and 2 of them accepted to be baptised. One woman, named Tais who was already baptised agreed to return to church. The second house we went to was a completely different house, if everything did not happen the way it did we would not have encountered the people that want to follow Jesus Christ. I want to testify that Heavenly Father loves His children, and always knows where to place His servants in order to help them. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Happy transfer! Work in the PAINT!

I am so proud of everyone, that is awesome that Justin´s Eagle project got approved, I have no doubt Justin has some good stuff up his sleeve, right after this email I am going to check out his website. Give a shout out to Rich Whitehill when you see him, Ele é o carra haha. And Heather, way to go on your 4th Grade project! I can´t wait to see the video someday! I am so proud of all of you, I cannot imagine a better family to have prepared me for my mission.

1. My living conditions right now are awesome, I am living in an apartment with 4 other missionaries, we have quite a bit of space, running water, water to drink that we can buy nearby, plenty of sun to dry clothes, a washing machine, a bed, a place in the apaartment to study, we have got it made.

2. My testimony doesn´t really grow or shrink, I am willing to bet 2 years of my life that this church is the true church. I don´t just believe, I know that I am doing the work of the Lord, I know that my purpose as a missionary is to invite the whole world to follow Jesus Christ, and I know that the only place that they can recieve what they need to follow him is in His church. I do not believe this because I was born into this religion, I know for myself that I am following Jesus Christ. In John chapter 14 Jesus´apostolos are afraid because they don´t know where they can find the truth after Jesus leaves and he says "I will leave you a comforter that will help and guide you and teach you what you need to know" As I do this work I feel this counselor, and I can´t explain it, but when I pray I feel the presence of someone listening, and I know that my Heavenly Father is listening. I feel this comforter, and so I know that I am following him, and I feel that comforter strongest when I invite others to follow Jesus Christ.

But this past week was my hardest week yet, but yesterday we had transfers, I was transfered and I have recieved a new companion, his name is Elder Garrett. He is way cool, we are opening an area along with Elder Maia, and Elder Redd. It is pretty awesome, the missionaries that worked here before were way awesome, and last night I met someone that Elder Sheffer (A teacher in the MTC of Provo) baptised, tonight us 4 are going to talk to a leader of the branch, draw up boundaries and get to work, It is way awesome, it is just me and 4 other missionaries for miles and miles. Yesterday we rode on a bus all day and arrived in our area during the night. As my companion and I rode on the bus I watched as we passed by fields and fields of beautiful green crops flashing by in the wind. I thought of everything I had experienced until now and I prayed in my heart to my Heavenly Father and thanked him of this gift. As I rode on that bus I had this strong feeling like I was going to freedom, now we have arrived, and let me tell you, I believe I have made it to paradise, or at least, I hope paradise looks this good. I am excited to help this branch to grow and become strong, my companion is finishing his mission, but he wants to leave his mission knowing that he did everything he could, I am excited to work with him. The other companionship has a real chill trainer and a super excited filhão, I honestly believe that my Heavenly Father has miracles in store, we just have to go all out. But honestly, I feel so free and so excited, 4 missionaries that are all new in this area, it is about time to do some work in the paint.

-Elder McOmber

dedicating this month to Grandma and Grandpa

If you wish to write to Christian, this is how to do it...

Elder Christian McOmber

Av. Dom Avenio Branoao 333 sala 402
Ed. Work Center-Farol
Maceio-AL
57001-190

Christian got sick to his stomach, but he continued to work, these were in personal details to us, but he is strong, and very dedicated.

Here is the rest of his public letter:

This week was real awesome, my companion and I met this 15-year-old girl and her aunt while we were looking for the house of someone else that we taught on the street. She said that she would go to church if she didn´t arrive there by herself, when we returned to teach her mom said that she was baptised years ago but she hadstopped going to church, she asked us if we could tell her daughter the story of Joseph Smith. Well, Thamires (the 15-year-old) prayed about Joseph Smith and she recieved an answer in her heart that these things are true, we were so excited to bring her whole family to church, but adversity stuck.

Her sister took one of their family´s cars and ran away the night before, just she went to church, but this week Thamires will be baptised and we are hoping and praying that everything will be able to work out, we are trying to invite a lot of her friends and family to the baptism. Meeting Thamires was honestly a miracle and if it was not me and my companion we would not have ran into her, I know that Heavenly Father honestly wants the best for His children and when we as missionaries showHim that we want to help He gives us the oppurtunity to play a part in this great and marvelous work. I also have a testimony in transfers and that our companions were chosen for certain reasons that we do not know.

That is so cool to hear about your lives, I wish I had more time, I love you Ma, and Dad, and the whole family. I hope Elder Wirrick is ok, I know exactly how that feels!!! I have decided that while I am here I will drink water while I am fasting. But I am glad that everything is going well and that you guys are walking on sunshine! much love

sweet woman baptized

That was so wonderful to get to hear about all of those things, even though we are on different sides of the world I feel like we are fighting the same battles. I hope Grandad and Grandy are doing alright, I know that they will fight through anything that comes their way, and Ma, I know how you feel. I was having a real hard time this past week, I dedicated this month to Grandy and Grandad and I felt like I would have 0 baptisms in my new area in the mont that I dedicated to Grandy and Grandad, but then we had a miracle. I don´t have time or the permission to write the story, but on the very last sunday of the month we baptised a very sweet woman, it was a battle to get there, but it was amazing to see how without my companion and I working together we would not have succeeded. Sometimes we really do feel like we have the whole world on our shoulders, but it all worked out in the end, and I am real excited to move on into the future!

This past week I had an amazing experience, I don´t know if I already said this but I started a class of English in my new area, it has been really successful, this saturday will be the 4th week. It has been a blast, my first week I taught everyone how to pray in English and I testified to everyone that the best person to talk to in English is Heavenly Father, because he always understands. This past week as a part of the class I taught them how to bear testimony. The spirit was really strong, my favorite part was seeing 3 girls who are not members stand up and tell me in English that they know that Heavenly Father is there and that Jesus loves them. I testified to everyone in English and then expounded in Portugues that I know that these things are true. In that moment I thought of how much Jesus really does love these young women and that gave me courage.

tough week, but perseveres!

This week has been a little difficult, there are definately times in this work when I feel like the whole world is on my shoulders, or at least the part I am responsible for. But, Heavenly Father is always there. This week I was praying and fasting mightily that my companion and I would encounter success and yesterday we began to find people to teach who have the courage to change their lives and follow Jesus Christ. To be honest I dedicated this month´s work to my Grandy and Grandad, and lo and behold I had a Grandy and Grandad experience.

I felt like I was holding on in the dark, praying and working the best I can, then last night my companion had a feeling like we should go to a place called Oro Preto (Dark Gold) to find someone to teach. I was so excited that he was excited that I jumped on the idea, we booked it over there and immediately started teaching people, then at the end of the day when the sun was setting we knocked on one last house. This house held a beautiful family that we think have great potential, there is still a lot more to do in the future to help this family, but I know that my Heavenly Father helped us to find that family, I know with my whole soul that finding that family was an answer to prayer. And just like my Grandy and Grandad I held on, because something that I have learned from them that the darkest night is before the dawn.

I want you all to know that I know that the Lord is in this work. I know that he has been preparing me my whole life so that I could have these moments that I am having right now, and he is preparing me still to be a better servant. Thank you all for everything you all have done to help prepare me for this journey, until next weeks letter,

-Elder McOmber

address for Christian reminder....

Elder Christian McOmber

Av. Dom Avenio Branoao 333 sala 402
Ed. Work Center-Farol
Maceio-AL
57001-190

More photos

p day

Pictures

May 11, 2011 Portuguese as well for all Brazilians!

Hey Fam, it was so great to get to talk to you and hear from all of you.  I am really glad that everything is going better with Gregory. I am praying for all of you, I also want to say a special thanks to everyone who wrote in my book of advice, I have been reading through everything and it has really helped me out lately.  Yesterday I was transfered to Antares, I was really sad to leave behind Feitosa, I really grew to love the people there, my new companion, and I felt so much a part of their world.  There is something about Feitosa that is irreplacable, it will always have a place in my heart.  I think the hardest thing on the mission is leaving an area, especially because I was working with a lot of people that I was really excited to see them get baptised, but I am also excited to work in my new area, with my new companion, Elder Pianca, after much prayer and thought I know what my Pai Celestial wants me to do, and knowing that has given me joy.  Even though I am sad to leave behind my other area I am ready to move on and do the Lord´s will.

Para meus amigos brasileiros: Minha primera area, Feitosa, foi shieki da paega (um diria em maceio, significe de mais)  Eu gosto muito da obra missionario no Brasil. Muitos pessoas tem coraçoes obertos para ouvir coisas novas e tambem algums deles estaõ prontos para seguir Jesus Cristo.  Eu ja tive muitos esperiencias quando a fe das pessoas fez millagres para as familias deles.  Tambem, eu gosto muito da cultura entre os missionarios.  Minha missão tem mais brasileiros do que americanos. Em nossa missão nós pensamos sobre nossa missão como uma vida nova, Meu primero companheiro foi meu Pai, eu "Nasci" em Feitosa com 2 tios, Elder Pianca e Elder Gonçalves.  quando meu Pai saiu Feitosa ele me deixou uma gravata do nosso Clã na missão, As Águias.  Agorra eu esto trabalhando com meu "Tio" Pianca.  Eu realmente sentir que eu sou um parte deste País, e este povo, e eu sou muito grato que eu sou um parte das vidas das pessoas e que eu possa ajudar eles com preparrando a encontrar nosso Pai que está no Ceu, e eu Sei que realmente eu esto fazendo a obra Do Senhor.  Eu esto muito animado para falar consigos face a face sobre estas coisas!!  até meu proxima carta, tchau!  -Élder McOmber

April 28, 2011

Hey, the Noite Familiar was sweet!!! I feel like we are really making steps to strengthen Feitosa and unite the people. And the work is going awesome, We have another family that is going to be baptised soon, the parents are going to get married soon, it is just a little complicated but we are going to baptise 2 of their children this week, Artisio, and Andrei, they are awesome, Andrei is hilarious, he reminds me a lot of Justin at times, he walks like him and they have similar smiles. The funniest is how he totally busts himself and keeps on going. I will never forget the day I saw him walking to church with stitches in his foot.

As far as my dad´s questions, My companion, Elder Eggett and I are serving in Feitosa, and I have not use the puppets for primary but I plan on using it in the future, but I have used the parachute plenty of times, it is great to bring to events where there are a whole bunch of younger kids.

But, I just want to say thanx for the emails this week, it was nice to hear what is going on, I am glad that Heather won her game!!! That is awesome, and I m bummed to hear that Justin´s shoulder is hurt, that is real rough. I just want to thank the fam for all of the love and support,

much love,

Elder McOmber

April 20, 2011

Hey Ma, I love you so much, thanks for everything and I am so glad that the family is doing so great, and that is awesome, Alex is going to Baptise Shawnee!!!!! He is o carra! haha

How is Blake doing? Iv been thinking about him with the whole Autism Spaeaks thing.

I don´t have much time today, but just so you know, you quessed exactly how life for me here is about 90 percent of the time, but 10 percent of the time I have amazing experiences. And I want to share one of them with you today,

So, last night the Elders from Antares told my companion that they were having difficulties with motivating this family to be baptised, the Mom had a great desire and she is ready, but her husband is not and she wants to have their baptism all be at the same time, so my companion felt strongly that all 4 of us go there together and he felt stronly that I shoul lead on this one.

When we went there I saw something that I have only dreamed of, one of Marta and Milton´s daughters Mareana is special needs and cannot speak, she has a sister named Janaena who helps watch her, I was amazed, I could not have imagined a more perfect scenario, so my companion entered, and after the opening prayer left me to speak. As I looked at this family I cannot describe the love that I felt for them, and so, after a moment of taking everything in I felt strongly to say That I know that my Heavenly Father will help me to say exactly what I need to say, Then I told them about Gregory and my life and how the knowledge that I chose him to be my brother in the pre-earth life made everything ok. And then, with all of the love and power that I could muster I told them all of my dreams for Gregory and me after this life and that I know that my family can be together forever, then I took out a picture of my family.

And I turned to the mother and I told her that sometimes life is hard but I told her that there have been times in my life when my mother has been a light for our family and then I testified to her about the spirit and I asked her if she would be baptised so that she could be a light for her family, the way my mother has been a light for mine. After I asked her this question she said with all of the strength she had "Vou!!!" Shortly after I had testified to the family as individuals and as a group, Marta told me something I also did not expect, Mareana had a little pink doll that she had been adoring while we were there. Marta said that she knew that she could trust what I said because Marta takes her love for others and puts it into that doll and when we entered she felt great love for the doll, then I realized, why Gregory likes cars.

She finished by telling me how greatful she was for the sacrifice of my family and that she feels like while my family was going through that her family was as well, and she told me that even though our families are a half a world apart we now have this connection, and she knows that while I was being prepared in my family, their family was being prepared for us.

I want to finish by testifying of that which she spoke, I know that my Heavenly Father loves me and that he loves that family, and before I entered that house there were pieces of me that were rough and broken because of the experiences of my life, but when I left that house I felt clean and purified. It amazes me that Heavenly Father chose someone with the imperfections and brokeness that I have to that family that together we were made whole. Even when I was going through some of my hardest times with Gregory and my family as a whole I now see that I was being prepared, the good and the bad sides of me to help that family, and when I helped them, they helped me. I want to testify that the work of the Lord truly is a marvelous work, and a wonder. And I say these thing in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

-Elder McOmber

I=

Para meus amigos brasilaidos nos estados Unidos:

Eu quero contar voces uma experiencia que eu tive ontem a noite, nos fomos para a casa de alguiem chama se Marta, ella tem uma familia com dois filhas e um esposo, um das filhas dela tem necessidades especiais, e eu contei ella que a familia dela pode ficar juntos, para sempre, depois desta vida tambem, e eu tetifique sobre meu irmao, Gregory e ella disse que a familia dela vai ser batisada com autoridade de Deus. E ella me contou que a filha que tem necessidades especiais tem uma buneca e quando nos entramos ella comecou a adorar esa buneca e Marta disse que eso e´ porque ella teve grande amor para nos mas ella coloqou amor della nesa buneca.

E´ muita maravilhosa porque eu pensei que eu ajudei esa familia, mas em verdade enquanto eu estava ensinando esa familia deas estave me ensinando, eu sei que esto fazendo a trabalho do Senhor!

April 27th, 2011

Hey, I didn't have time to read all your emails pops, but I will stop by LAN house sometime tonight and print it out to read it, right now I am at Kleber's house for Julianna's birthdays, I got to meet their moms, I don't have much time, but the work is going awesome!! My companion and I are busy preparing the area book for transfers e tudu mais, but yeah, life is good, I will try to give your email to the missionaries in Marta's area so that they can give it to her. But yeah, I just want you to know that I love you and the family, I will tell you all how transfers go next week, much love!

Elder McOmber

Brazilians!!!! I need some help with translation on this one!

Para meus amigos brasilaidos nos estados Unidos: Eu quero contar voces uma experiencia que eu tive ontem a noite, nos fomos para a casa de alguiem chama se Marta, ella tem uma familia com dois filhas e um esposo, um das filhas dela tem necessidades especiais, e eu contei ella que a familia dela pode ficar juntos, para sempre, depois desta vida tambem, e eu tetifique sobre meu irmao, Gregory e ella disse que a familia dela vai ser batisada com autoridade de Deus. E ella me contou que a filha que tem necessidades especiais tem uma buneca e quando nos entramos ella comecou a adorar esa buneca e Marta disse que eso e´ porque ella teve grande amor para nos mas ella coloqou amor della nesa buneca. E´ muita maravilhosa porque eu pensei que eu ajudei esa familia, mas em verdade enquanto eu estava ensinando esa familia Deus estava me ensinando. Eu so´ quero contar voces que eu sou muito grato pelo todo seu ajuda antes da missao para que eu pudesse ter experiencias a mesma desa. Eu sei que Deus coloqou voces em minha vida para me preparar, muito Obrigado!

letter 4/20/2011, Gregory experience, some English, some Portuguese

Hey Ma, I love you so much, thanks for everything and I am so glad that the family is doing so great, and that is awesome, Alex is going to Baptise Shawnee!!!!! He is o carra! haha How is Blake doing? Iv been thinking about him with the whole Autism Spaeaks thing. I don´t have much time today, but just so you know, you quessed exactly how life for me here is about 90 percent of the time, but 10 percent of the time I have amazing experiences. And I want to share one of them with you today, So, last night the Elders from Antares told my companion that they were having difficulties with motivating this family to be baptised, the Mom had a great desire and she is ready, but her husband is not and she wants to have their baptism all be at the same time, so my companion felt strongly that all 4 of us go there together and he felt stronly that I shoul lead on this one. When we went there I saw something that I have only dreamed of, one of Marta and Milton´s daughters Mareana is special needs and cannot speak, she has a sister named Janaena who helps watch her, I was amazed, I could not have imagined a more perfect scenario, so my companion entered, and after the opening prayer left me to speak. As I looked at this family I cannot describe the love that I felt for them, and so, after a moment of taking everything in I felt strongly to say That I know that my Heavenly Father will help me to say exactly what I need to say, Then I told them about Gregory and my life and how the knowledge that I chose him to be my brother in the pre-earth life made everything ok. And then, with all of the love and power that I could muster I told them all of my dreams for Gregory and me after this life and that I know that my family can be together forever, then I took out a picture of my family. And I turned to the mother and I told her that sometimes life is hard but I told her that there have been times in my life when my mother has been a light for our family and then I testified to her about the spirit and I asked her if she would be baptised so that she could be a light for her family, the way my mother has been a light for mine. After I asked her this question she said with all of the strength she had "Vou!!!" Shortly after I had testified to the family as individuals and as a group, Marta told me something I also did not expect, Mareana had a little pink doll that she had been adoring while we were there. Marta said that she knew that she could trust what I said because Marta takes her love for others and puts it into that doll and when we entered she felt great love for the doll, then I realized, why Gregory likes cars. She finished by telling me how greatful she was for the sacrifice of my family and that she feels like while my family was going through that her family was as well, and she told me that even though our families are a half a world apart we now have this connection, and she knows that while I was being prepared in my family, their family was being prepared for us. I want to finish by testifying of that which she spoke, I know that my Heavenly Father loves me and that he loves that family, and before I entered that house there were pieces of me that were rough and broken because of the experiences of my life, but when I left that house I felt clean and purified. It amazes me that Heavenly Father chose someone with the imperfections and brokeness that I have to that family that together we were made whole. Even when I was going through some of my hardest times with Gregory and my family as a whole I now see that I was being prepared, the good and the bad sides of me to help that family, and when I helped them, they helped me. I want to testify that the work of the Lord truly is a marvelous work, and a wonder. And I say these thing in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen -Elder McOmber I= Para meus amigos brasilaidos nos estados Unidos: Eu quero contar voces uma experiencia que eu tive ontem a noite, nos fomos para a casa de alguiem chama se Marta, ella tem uma familia com dois filhas e um esposo, um das filhas dela tem necessidades especiais, e eu contei ella que a familia dela pode ficar juntos, para sempre, depois desta vida tambem, e eu tetifique sobre meu irmao, Gregory e ella disse que a familia dela vai ser batisada com autoridade de Deus. E ella me contou que a filha que tem necessidades especiais tem uma buneca e quando nos entramos ella comecou a adorar esa buneca e Marta disse que eso e´ porque ella teve grande amor para nos mas ella coloqou amor della nesa buneca. E´ muita maravilhosa porque eu pensei que eu ajudei esa familia, mas em verdade enquanto eu estava ensinando esa familia deas estave me ensinando, eu sei que esto fazendo a trabalho do Senhor!

Here is his address if you want to write Christian... 4/2011

Elder Christian McOmber

Av. Dom Avenio Branoao 333 sala 402
Ed. Work Center-Farol
Maceio-AL
57001-190

First letter from Macieo, dated March 30, 2011

	Dear Family and Friends, That is awesome Ma, it is great to hear that everything is going well back home. I am loving life in Brasil, everyday is an adventure! I love my companion, my pai is the man! And Today I met my avo, (pai de meu pai). Working with Elder Eggett has been way chill, it is fun to work with him because we both listen to eachother´s ideas, and Dad, bringing the parachute was a great idea, we have already used it once at a ward party, it was a hit! This next month my companion and I are organizing a ward talent show and we are going to invite everyone that we talk to. We are also going to make little handouts for General Conference, we want people to know that they have the oppurtunity to hear from a real life prohet, today!!!! Finally, I want to tell a little story, one day my companion and I went to this house, the mother let us in and we taught her the first lesson, when I was done telling her the Joseph Smith story she told us something amazing. About the same time that I came to Brasil she saw a pastor on TV that told everyone to find their church, and so she prayed that she could find the right church. She told us that she knew in her heart that our church is true. Then I told her that I have been preparing my whole life to teach someone like her, and she said "And I have been waiting,hoping, and working, and doing the best I can for my children, so that I could hear these things." Today she is being married so that she can be baptised this saturday with her children. I want everyone to know that I know that this church is true. I want you all to know that there are people waiting everywhere in the world for missionaries to teach them, I know that Marenilda was being prepared, and in reality she was hoping, and waiting for this message, and those of us who have the truth must share it! I am so proud to hear what my family is doing to share the gospel, and I know that they will always share it. I love this work, and I am so happy to be able to serve here, in Brasil. And to be able to help the people of Brasil to know of our Heavenly Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ, and that families can be together forever. I know with my whole heart that these things are true, and I say them in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. Much love to everyone, thanx for all of the support!! -Elder McOmber

christian says he made it to the Promised Land!

I finally made it to the field! I spent 5 days in Sao Paulo, Uncle Brad, when I get the chance I will send pictures that show what the MTC there looks like, but it is pretty beautiful, and also, while you are there they let you go out and tract, which was a blast. The best was one night I walked into a room with my companion in the MTC, one of my friends said "We are about to do something very spiritual" then we sang a beautiful raggae version of Minha Luz. My time at the MTC was pretty cool, but yesterday I came to the field with some of my friends from the Brazil MTC. President Beynon picked us up and we went over to their house where we did interviews and got our senior companions, or our "Pais." "Meu Pai" is an American who is called Elder Eggett, he is the man! It is real wild too because he looks like Uncle David (Chop Liver) to me, he also has a similar sense of humor. I looked at his planner while we were tracting and the time when I was supposed to arrive said "Dando Luz." He is an awesome "Pai" when we returned home from prosselyting there were big pieces of paper from our 2 brazilian roomates, Elder Gonc,alves, and Elder Pianca. Above our study desks we had posters congratulating me on making it to the field, and one on my companion's desk that said something on the lines of "Congratulations, it's a boy." I love the field, and I love my companion, everyday is an adventure, I am so happy that I am able to serve here in Brazil, in the best mission in the world!

Para Caterine: Voce ja tem minha carta para voce? Se voce tem mais conselho para mim, por favor, envia para me!! Eu esto muito feliz que eu esto em Brazil. Em a semana pasada eu foi no CTM(Centro de Traniemento Missionario) em Sao Paulo, uma professora la´ contou me que eu digo minhas R a mesma que alguiem de Rio de Janeiro, Eu Riu, e contei ella sobre voce e como eu aprendi a leer em portugues. Agorra eu sou em Maceio, eu gosto morando aqui, Maceio e´ muito bonito aqui, mas muito quente tambem!! nenhuem dos homens vestem em camisas aqui. eu vou falar com voce no futuro mais sobre meu experiencias aqui no Brasil. Eu me sento a mesma que os missionarios no Livro de Mormon, eu sou muito grato que eu posso servir neste pais bonito! E por favor se voce tem conselho para me, envia para mim!! Boa suerte com seus Filhos, e seu ajuda com a escola deles! Vai com Forca!!
-Elder McOmber

CHRISTIAN GOT HIS VISAAAAAAAAAA! Yay!

First of all I want to say thanx for the letter that Uncle Jesse sent, that meant a lot! Also, I ran into someone who knows you who works for the MTC, I asked him if he was "feelin the love"

I GOT MY VISA!

I am going to Sao Paulo MTC next thursday. So, it looks like I´ll be able to tell Uncle Brad what it is like! Sorry, they say that I can call home but we have zone conference in 2 hours, so iv been a little busy. This week has been awesome, Elder Gage and I have been real busy, but it has been a blast! It is really wild, Elder Black is going to Boston, they have so many portugues speakers there, I am real excited for him. Elder Galbraith is heading for Portugal in a couple of days, I really feel like I was meant to meet him here, I am so glad to have a dad that told me mission stories, it has helped me so much in the MTC, and I have no doubt that it will help me in the field. I am also glad to have such a strong mom, and as far as family goes, I can´t imagne a better family for me, I just hope I can share some of that magic and love with the people of Brazil.To be honest, I don´t have a lot of time to write this letter, but I want everyone to know that I love them, and I am so glad to be blessed with so many great people to look up to and to learn from throughout my life. I am so glad to be a small part of my Heavenly Father´s plan, and I hope that I can serve him well. Vao com Forca!!

Kleber and Juliana,,,,, Desculpe, porque eu nao falo perfeito portugues, mas eu espero que voces entende minhas palavras. Eu amo voces, Eu nao posso esperar ate eu vejo voces de novo!!! Eu sou um poco differente porque eu sou um missionario, mas eu quero para voces sabem que eu sou seu amigo, e eu quero o melhor para voces. Eu sei que Maceio vai sempre ser um lugar magical paras me, e voces vao ser sempre em meu coracao!! Eu tenho voces (I Got You) ;)

Kleber e Juliana, then to all! :)

Kleber e Juliana-

Oi! Muito obrigado para seu diccionario, eu uso todos os dias! eu ouvi que voces vao sair para maceio de novo. Eu esto muito animado a ver voces de novo! Quando eu tenho meu visto eu vou a algum lugar em Sergipe o Alagoas e durante meu missao eu vou mudar a otros lugares em sergipe e alagoas. Eu vou email voces e conto voces onde eu esto. Eu nao sei, talvez eu pudesse enviar a mesma lugar que voces. Mas, eu sei que cual quer lugar que eu vou, meu Pai Celestial Enviaria me la'. Durante meu missao eu quero compartilhar as coisas em meu coracao com voces em portugues. Por toda minha vida eu tenha preparado para compartilhar este mensagem com as pessoas no Brasil. Mas, talvez eu estava preparando a ensinar voces sobre como podemos ter familias para eternidade, e vivimos com nosso Pai Celestial em Ceu.

Eu quero para voces sabem que voces sao meus amigos, e eu quero o melhor para voces. Eu nao posso escercer quando nos fomos a Cidade em Seattle, e quando vimos o jogo de Seahawks e quando voces foram a minha igreja para ouvir meu discorso. Eu espero que fo'ssemos amigos para sempre. Voces sempre vao ser em meu Coracao.

Teu Amigo,

-Elder McOmber (Christian)

This week has been amazing, I am so glad to be able to serve. One of my teachers, Irmao Shaeffer lost his dad and so he has been home for 2 weeks, but he came back to finish his time with us, but it sounds like we will be his last class. It was amazing because we believe in families for eternity, so he has been comforting his mom, but when he came to us he was not sad, but he knew how much we love him and he knew we wanted to teach him, and so he gave us the gift of allowing us to serve him by teaching him a lesson. It was a very amazing experience, once it was over he told us that if we teach everyone with the level of love that we taught him, we will be able to help others to come unto Christ and find happiness. I am so glad to have him as a teacher, and it is so nice to have him back.

My other teacher, Irmao Dodge has been doing awesome with us, he has convinced our whole class to only speak portugues from now on, it has been a blast! Irmao Dodge is so wise and always know exactly what to tell me in order to continue to improve, and he is a perfect example of teaching me through asking questions so that the spirit can teach me. I am so grateful for my time at the MTC, even though it is coming to an end it has been a blast!

I am so proud of my family! I hear such great things about all of them, please tell Gregory that I love him! Justin and Heather, I think about you all the time everyday, all three of you are constantly in my prayers! I will try to get more time to write more letters to you individually, iv been a lot busier than before, we have had 5 new districts come in during the last 3 weeks so I have been a little busy, but I still had enough time to teach Johnathon in the TRC in Portugues!!! My dream is to someday speak portugues like him, and maybe il be able to be as cool. But it was still an honor to be able to teach one of my heroes in Portugues!!! I want to finish by saying how grateful I am to have my family, my mom is amazing, and I can't think of a better Dad to prepare me for the mission field. I also want to say thanx to Grandma and Grandpa and Grandy and Grandad, for all of their letters and advice, and all of my Aunts and Uncles for all of their advice and good examples. Also, my cousins, I have been so blessed to grow up in a Clan and also I am so glad to have my young cousins on the arnesen side, I can just see them praying as I go to sleep at night. Well, I ran out of my 30 mins. bye!

Deus Vos Guarde (God be with you til we meet again)

	Uncle Brad, thanks for the advice with the spelling, and your letter. Mom, just so you know, I have no idea when my visa is going to come, I just know that the Lord knows, I quess that will be good enough for me. Dad, I keep forgetting to tell you, Elder Galbraith is going to Portugal, he leaves in 2 weeks, we have been swapping stories, if you could give me a story that would be a great thing for Elder Galbraith to have, btw he said that his dad says you were legend! I have been so blessed in my service in the MTC, I wouldn't mind going to Brazil, but I am happy where I am. I have really learned to love the other missionaries that I serve. This past week has been awesome, but it has been bitter sweet. The portugal district in my zone has been very close to my heart, they left this past week to their mission, since they have left I have missed them greatly. Before they left I had many good talks with them, and when we did "contacts" they would always be creative new people, they were also very fun, we didn't know it until we left but the week we gort here they gave us a box of candy and a districty tie, we have in turn done this for all of the new districts. But the sunday before they left they got up in front of all of us and sang Deus Vos Guarde (God be with you til we meet again) I cannot describe how I felt, I have loved serving them so much and visa versa and now they were leaving to a totally different continent, but when they sang I felt comforted, also in portugues that song is more beautiful to me. I thought about how grateful I am to be here, to meet people like this, and to be able to have experiences like this. Since then we have recieved a new district into my branch this past wednesday, one of the members of that disctrict is an Elder from Belgium, he speaks a little english, and at the same time is trying to learn Portugues. I will never forget him standing there and telling us that his parents are seperated and neither of them like the church, he has been a member for a year and he has payed for his mission by roofing, but he told us, struggling with every word, that he wishes that the whole world could feel the love of Heavenly Father. His story is one of many who have made great sacrifices to be here, all so that we can serve the Lord and benefit the lives of others. I hope that whoever reads this letter will want to invite their friends to hear the words of the Lord, because I think that many times we don't think of how much it can change someone else's life, just look at how much the Kyiv temple blessed people as far as Khazakstan. I am so proud to be here, and that I grew up in a family that has prepared me so well for this work. Once someone said "I am afraid to talk to other people" My companion said, "Thats ok, I bet everyone but Elder McOmber, his father, and his grandfather had to go through the same thing." I love all of you, thanx for all of your support, until next week Elder McOmber