What's In A Day!!

So I've been asked to write about a typical day in the mission field.

That kind of sort of doesn't exist as we are constantly trying new

things. But I'll do my best! For example of new things here:

We just changed our address!! The old mission home was outside our

mission, so they had to move it. Here is the new address!

Elder Michael Ashford

Missão Brasil São Paulo Norte

Avenida Nova Cantareira, 1146  fundos

Tucuruvi

São Paulo - SP - 02330-001

So that's super cool, but not all. We also found out about an even

BIGGER change just today! We've been knowing this was going to happen,

as our mission presidents service ends in June, but today we found out

who our new mission president will be as of July 1st! Their names are

President Timothy Farnes and Sister Linsey Farnes of Bountiful, Utah.

He served in Brazil farther south over 30 years ago, so that's

exciting! We are all super excited for this, but sad to know that our

mission president now will be leaving us soon.

So yeah. But a typical day goes more or less like this:

6:30-8:00

Wake up and start praying! Afterwards, I start exercising for about 30

minutes. As soon as I can't do more exercising, I hop in the shower

and get myself ready for the day. I cook some breakfast, which can

vary from a sandwhich, eggs, toast, home squeezed orange juice, milk,

various freah fruits, crackers, and mixing a fruit (usually

strawberries, avacado, or banana) and milk in the blender to make a

very yummy "vitamin shake".

8:00-12:00

Study time! I have three hours of study time at a minimum. One hour of

personal scripture study (Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and

Covenants, Pearl of Great Price) and study of our missionary manual,

Preach My Gospel, as well as whatever other church articles or

magazines we have. I always study in Portuguese, because it's actually

a TON easier to understand. The second hour, we share what we learned

with our companion and then study something together, or practice

giving lessons. The third hour, I study Portuguese! Each of these

hours is accompanied by an opening prayer and a closing prayer. The

last hour is additional study, if desired. Here, I read books that are

not scripture or the words of modern day prophets. Right now, I'm

reading an AMAZING book about our Savior Jesus Christ, appropriately

title, Jesus the Christ. It is awesome. If I'm not studying during the

last hour, I'm getting ready to head out for the day, stocking up with

materials, and then heading out to do some early work before lunch.

Talking to people in the streets, sharing our message of the restored

gospel of Jesus Christ. Then we walk to lunch!

12:00-1:

This is lunch time! Lunch is the biggest meal here, so it's always

lots of food. Usually, we eat with the members and talk with them,

leave a scripture message with them, and ask them who they know who

would accept a visit from us. If we aren't eating with a member, we're

eating in our house and cooking for ourselves.

1:30-9:00

And this is where the real magic happens. The time varies depending on

the day, but it's about 8 hours of just working! We talk with people

in the streets, we go in their houses and teach lessons, we pray with

them, we chat with them. We just go around and spread the word of

Christ's church being back on the Earth for all to benefit! Sometimes,

no one wants to hear, which is sad. Others, we teach tons of lessons

and find tons of people with interest. It just varies. And we do this

every day!

9:00-10:30

After the day, we plan for the next one. We plan everything we're

going to do, and then relax a little bit and chat before bed. We make

sure to go to bed on time, because trust me, the rest is needed.

This all changes a little from day to day. Sundays we have church and

my companion is a leader so has to check up how everyone in our area

is doing. Tuesdays we have a meeting in the morning with some other

missionaries nearby and we learn how to improve our teaching. Friday

mornings are when we plan out everything for the entire week, in

general. Every day is new and exciting and I love this work!!

I hope everyone is doing well and having fun! Keep strong and carry

on! Sending lots of love and good wishes as people head into another

semester of school!

Sincerely,

Elder Ashford