Hey you guys!  This is Elder Tracy's sister Melinda.  It has been a long time since this has been updated, but I thought that I would give you a quick run down.  Mitchell is still in Brasil and is expected to be coming home at the end of December.  He has so far had a great mission.  Of coarse there have been some ups and downs.  But overall he's doing great.  Elder Tracy and I have always been very close.  I love this kid so much.  It's amazing to hear how much he has changed.  You can just hear it from the tone of his letters.  It is my personal testimony that the Gospel of Jesus Christ changes people.  It changes our very beings.  As we serve others and learn more about our Savior, we start to become more like him.  I can tell from Elder Tracy's letters, that he has a solid testimony of our Lord and Savior.  I know that he loves this gospel and all that comes with it.

I will try to update more after his next letter.  :)  Keep praying for him.  Keep on loving him.  I know that he loves you!

~Melinda

February 27, 2012 - Picture

February 27, 2012 Letter

So, this week was a good one. Im getting to know Elder R. Silva and Elder Quaresma better. Elder R. Silva reminds me a lot of Dallen... The way he looks, acts.... I dont know.. There are some similarities. But ya, things are going good.

We had some cool experiences... We went to a family on Saturday. The man we were looking for wasnt there, but we asked if we could come in anyways. We started talking and the man showed up. We talked with them and they were really interested. While I recounted the first vision I felt the spirit really strong. It was just like, whoa this is really true. It was a really cool feeling. I know they felt the spirit. It was an awesome experience.

But, other than that not much. We´re taking care of 2 areas.. Jardim America, and Jangadeiro. ... They´re pretty contrasting wards... But, they´re both awesome. On Sunday there was another cool experience. All the youth returned from EFY, or as they say it EFI... But they had a testimony meeting for them.. There was one young man who didnt go up. The bishop came down, and took him up to the pulpit. He just cried.. Everyone was crying.. The Spirit was really strong.. It was a cool meeting. I especially loved seeing the love of the bishop, going down to help this boy... It just showed that he really cared about him. Others might have been like, oh, he´s a lazy teenager who doesnt want to come up... But this bishop was really loving. It was great.

I love the mission. Its amazing. Love you all. Elder Tracy

Love you all. Have a great week.

Elder Tracy

December 19, 2011 Letter

Well this has been a great week. We had some cool things this week. First, we had a christmas devotional with President Lanius. All of the zones had 1 person speak, then everybody sang a song. It was really cool. The spirit was strong. And i only messed up on the piano 1 time.... oops. But afterwards we had lunch... Wow... It was the thanksgiving meal that i had missed... turkey out the wahzoo.... They even had gravy!! I didn't even know that existed here!

So, have I told you guys about ...... and .......? They´re a couple we´ve been teaching for some time now. They know the Book of MOrmon is true, but he was just looking for the "certainty" that it was really true. Well anyways, we fasted that they could recognize its true. And yesterday they came to church!! Their baptism is marked for this Saturday... I´m dreaming of a white Christmas... haha. Its going to be soooooo great. I love you all. Have a merry christmas. I love ya

Elder Tracy

December 12, 2011 Letter

Ya, so the woman i told you about,  She´s great. We´ve really been focusing on her. But this week we had two experiences with her. First it turns out that she´s not married... But she´s getting married in February... I´ve never been so dissapointed to find out that someone´s going to get married!! Why cant the people we teach already be married? Wouldn't that be easier?... But, she´s great. We also taught the Word of Wisdom. It just so happened that that day she was having a headache... and a lesson about a law of health, and how she could be healthier and happier was just what she needed... Interesting how things turn out perfectly....

We also are teaching a boy named ...... He´s 10 years old... He doesn't know how to read, but he´s a great kid. He lives in Nova Goiana, an area really far away(which by the way we go to everyday). But he comes to church alone... He comes to activities during the week. And yesterday was stake conference, the bus to go the stake center left at 7:30, and he woke up way early to go. He´s great. I think we´ll have his baptism this weekend. Wish us luck.

Ya, stake conference. President Eyring was there! And Elder Cook! haha it was a satelite transmission... But it was cool. President Eyring is funny... At the beginning there was an Elder from the Quorum of the 70 speaking in Portuguese.. Presidente Eyring just had this look of amazement... haha It was great.

Haha, Utah sucks at basketball.... Merry Christmas to me!!! hahaha

I love you all. Have a great week. Remember, the church is true.

Elder Tracy

December 5, 2011 Letter

Well, another week come and gone... This week was great.

So, this week was good. Elder Barbosa is training now... His companion is Elder Linton. He´s from Mona... Close to Nephi... Turns out he knows Jacob Howell... Weird huh? There are 7 billion people on this planet... It´s just crazy how small the world is, and how many people we know...

So, investigators... We taught a woman named .... She´s a stud! She knows the Book of Mormon is true, that Joseph Smith was a prophet... She just didnt want to mark her baptism till after she went to church... and guess what?! She went to church yesterday!! And loved it!! So now we just go there, mark it, then do it. BAM! It´s going to be great! We´re also going to work with her husband... He "goes" to Assembleia de Deus... (By the way, do you guys know of a church in the US called Assembly of God, or something??? Because I cant think of any.. then again Im not that familiar with other religions...)

Other good news, yesterday we had 7 people at church!!!!!! It was sweet! We´re really going to work with these  people this week because they´re the ones putting forth the effort to know... So, they´re ready!! Yes!!

We had an interview with President Lanius on Friday. It was great. I love him so much. He shows so much concern and love. You can really tell that he wants the best for us. Especially his hugs... My goodness... Its the best hug ever! Maybe its because i cant hug many people... But his hugs just show so much love and concern. Their great.

Well thats about it. I want you all to know that we need to be happy. We have the true gospel of Jesus Christ!! Lets help everyone else know the same thing!!! Dont worry, about a thing... Because every little thing, is gonna be alright... Because we have Jesus Christ!!!

I love you all. Elder Tracy

November 28, 2011 Letter

So guys, how is everyone? This week was good for us... Kinda.. It´s really tough. We don't really have any strong investigators... Those we did have are really starting to show that they aren't interested... So that's been kinda rough...

But the good news... We found a woman who is pretty interested... She read, she just forgets to pray... But, she will. We´re going to have a family night with her tonight. That should be great.

We also found a woman carrying some buckets of water.. We helped her and then she invited us to talk with her. She´s really interested. She´s going to come to church next week...

That's about it. Goiana is going... slowly, but going for sure. Love you all. Elder Tracy

November 21, 2011 Letter

Well hey guys, I had a good week. Nothing really exciting happened other than Zone Conference. It was great. President Lanius was great. I know he´s inspired because he talked about what i was needing. It was really great. Yesterday we went to the branch choir it was good to sing with everyone... Things are going great here. Love you all. Elder Tracy

November 14, 2011 Letter

Hey guys,
This last week was pretty good. Our ´invetigators´ are kinda slow, but we´re working hard. But, this last week something really cool happened. So, we´re kinda low on funds and we had to do a course online. But if we did we wouldn't have enough money to go to district meeting this week. But we decided to do it and have faith that we´d get there somehow. So we did. Did the course and went to lunch. Lunch turned out to be money.... They gave us 40 Reais, which is double of what we usually get.... But it gave us the opportunity to eat and save money for the passage to district meeting.. It was really an answer to our prayers. I know that the Lord answers our prayers, even if its something simple. I know He´s there listening and wanting to help. We just have to do our part and ask. It was great.

I hope you all know that I love you. Have a great week, and make good choices... haha
-

November 7, 2011 - Picture

November 7, 2011 Letter

Hello,
So this week was really good. On Tuesday we received the challenge to baptize this week. President Lanius said that there were people in every area that were ready to be baptized. So, this week we focused on just that. We currently have nobody in our teaching group that could be baptized, so we started looking for former investigators. We asked members, looked through the area book... everything. We had a really cool experience. We had a list of people that we could visit. So, we said a prayer and asked for help. After, we both felt good about the same person. So we went there. There there is an amazing family... They are super friendly, loving, have testimonies of the book of mormon... Everything... almost. There was a problem with some of the members.... But, we both know that the Lord sent us there for a reason. Maybe it didnt end in baptism this week, but Heavenly Father knows whats best for us...

Also, yesterday we had the chance to follow the spirit again. We were walking to talk with one of the stake counselors. But, i felt like going to a house of one of our investigators... So, I did so, rather suddenly. Elder L. Ribeiro even said, `wow, what are you doing?` But we got there and started teaching her. Asking her questions and such. At the end she accepted to read the Book of Mormon and pray. She told us that she knew we were sent from God, because we taught with love while others teach with fear. She said she really appreciated the care and concern we have for her son. She told us the way to a mothers heart is through her children. And she knew that we were really there to help her. It was just a really cool experience. A great moment to realize the important of following the spirit always. To always be a disciple of Christ, because people are paying attention. It was cool.

This week was really good. I´m doing great and I hope you all are too. Love you all.

Elder Tracy

October 31, 2011 Letter

Well, this week was the complete opposite of last week... Last week was full of miracles, faith, and baptism... this week not so much... We worked so hard, walked so much, and taught almost nothing... I dont know what it is was, or is... We´re working, trying, praying, but having very little success.. It´s been a hard week...

But it´s made me think a lot. Life isnt easy, especially on the mission. Some times it´s really hard. Even in the Book of Mormon, there are many examples of prophets who were afflicted because of the people... I feel that way right now. We´re working hard, doing all we can, but Im pretty weighed down in afflictions... But, I know life isnt going to be happy and easy all the time, even if we are doing what´s right. But when we do what´s right we qualify ourselves for that "never-ending happiness". And that´s what´s important. Maybe we´ll have times in life that are less happy than others, but while we endure to the end, we can live happily ever after.

But, just one experience to show a little of our trials... We found a woman, who accepted to be baptized on my birthday.(yay!) But we went back 2 days later, and she told us that "her" pastor talked with her and said she couldnt get baptized in our church because her name was already in that church... hmmm.... How is her name in that church if she´s never been baptized? And who is he to take away her agency, Satan?... But, things were just this way this week. It´s been tough, but we´ll get through it. We´ll come out of this stronger and more faithful.

Happy Halloween! I love you all.

October 24, 2011 Letter

Well,

This week has been great. Training has been a new experience, but its really helping me grow a lot. His name is Elder L.(Lucas) Ribeiro. He´s from Curitiba, the same stake as President Lanius. He´s a great Elder, who´s willing to follow all the rules and always do what we should do.

This week we had an amazing experience. When he got here I was thinking of who we could baptize this week. President Lanius told us we need to baptize every week. It´s a steep goal, but not impossible. But we only had one man at church last week, ...... So, we decided to fast and pray for him. So we did. It turned out really good. The next day we went to his house and he was so happy! He told us that his day had been amazing! Everything was just going good for him. So we took that opportunity and invited him to be baptized. He said Yes! It was amazing! We´ve spent the week talking a lot with him, and yesterday was his baptism. He´s a great man, who I really think will stay strong in the church. But, the lesson I learned is the power of faith and prayer and fasting. There´s a scripture, Matt. 19, that talks about how things are impossible with men, but with God, all things are possible. It´s so true. Everything. All we need to do is have faith and turn to Him, put our trust in Him, and He´ll take care of the rest.

But this week has been great. I love training. It´s really helping me become a better missionary and a better person. Im learning a lot everyday. Sometimes I feel like Im being trained over again. Someone with the energy and spirit of a new missionary. It´s really motivating to be a better person. I love the mission. It´s amazing. I love you all, I´ll talk to you next week.

October 17, 2011 Letter

Well, how is everybody doing? Things this week have been pretty good. Me and Elder L. Santos are getting along great and things are going good. But, there are a few things, or news items, that maybe you guys would like to know.

First, we had a Mission Tour with Elder Mazzagardi. He spoke to us for quite a while... It was pretty intense. He talked about a lot of things, but lets just say I think the mission here is going to get better. I know that i feel more motivated to do the best i can to be the missionary, and person the Lord know that I can be, that He wants me to be.

We taught two men that are pretty cool. One named Ailton, who stopped us on the street. We invited him to church, and he went! Turns out he was taught by missionaries quite a while ago. He really is elect. The members here in the branch love him. He really just needs to be baptized. The second man is Nanau. We found him on the street as well. He stopped us and asked if the church has any black, or dark members because he´s never seen any. We answered that there are darker people in the church... and marked a day to visit. When we taught him, it was really cool. He was really interested, and asked a lot of questions, like, "What did God tell Joseph Smith? How can I know this is true? Now what?" He really is a cool guy. WE invited him to come to church next Sunday, and i really hope he does.

Well, that's just a bit of the week. But know that I love you all. This church is so true. Read the Book of Mormon. Its amazing.

Elder Tracy

October 10, 2011 Letter

Well, this week was a good one. Busy, but good. We had some good experiences, and some good learning experiences... Our area is kinda far from everything. Its an hour from district meeting, and i feel kinda in solitary here. Goiana is a lot different than in Recife. Recife is buildings, lots of people, lots of the hustle and bustle of city life. Here is the exact opposite. Here has a nice calm quiet lifestyle. But, the city is huge. Also, has lots of other cities that are in our area. But, we probably wont spend very much time in those areas...

Ok, well some of the experiences this week. We did a lot of contacts... I don't know why, because Elder L. Santos already has 4 months here, but we seem not to have any investigators. hmm... But, we talked with a lot of people. That's not the hard part. The hard part is talking to them again. It seems like they dont want anything to do with us... Hmm... Strange... But, gives us lots of room for improvement.

We did happen to have a baptism. His name is Ygor. He´s 16. He accepted everything we taught. Then I found out he´d already been taught by 8 elders. But he accepted everything. Even the earring. We talked about it and he took it out right then and said he´d never use it again. It was pretty cool.

Also, we did a division with the Zone Leaders. I went with E. Meyers. Turns out that he has family that lives in Mapleton... So ask Grandma Olsen. I'm sure she knows them. Maybe... But E. Meyers is an awesome missionary. I really look up to him a lot. We talked about some problems here and how to overcome them. He really helped me a lot.

Well, life here in Goiana is good. Different, but good. I'm learning a lot, including learning how to sleep on the ground, take showers with a 2 liter bottle of water, and even had an opportunity to lead the branch choir. Life is good. It really is. I love being a missionary. I love you all. Until next time.... Elder Tracy

October 3, 2011 Letter

Well, it´s been quite the week. Last Monday night we got a call saying we would recieve another companion. So Tuesday, after district meeting we went to the office to get him. His name is Elder Pincerno. I guess he was having some "real" difficulties with his other companion... But, he´s doing good now.

Another exciting thing was Rusivel. He´s really an amazing person. We talked with him and everything with the Zone Leaders, and they kinda did an interview with him. Elder Labrum, one of the Zone Leaders in Agua Fria, told him to pray hard and to listen, because he would get his answer during conference. Well, Rusivel went to conference, but only one session. But it was good for me. As conference went along, I wasn´t only listening to the talks for me, but I was intently listening to help Rusivel. I dont know if you guys remember the first session, the second speaker, the lady that talked about inspiration and such. Well I feel that talk was pesonally for Rusivel. But the problem is, he wasnt there. But I know that the Lord answers our prayers. But, we have to do our part, being ready to get an answer at anytime.

Conference was great! I love conference! It was kinda a different experience in Portuguese, but it was good. They finally were able to hook up a tv, and me and some other elders watched in beloved english. Its so much easier! No having to try to understand! It was great! Also, I love the Prophet! He´s such a funny man! So loving, and happy! A lot of people are saying he´s crazy, but I know he just really loves us. But conference was a party. Kinda different having sessions at 1 and 5 in the afternoon, and having priesthood rebroadcasted at 8 in the morning Sunday, but it was great. I love conference and have so much that I need to improve. Now is a better time than any to start.

Some other exciting news is that last night, at 10:20, Elder Hocker called and said that me and Elder Barbosa were transferred.... So, we spent a good part of the night packing our bags. This morning we went and visited Joaquina and Rusivel. They´re really the only people that I´m really going to miss here. I´m really sad that I wont be there to help Rusivel. But, the good news is that President Lanius authorized, at least E. Barbosa that he could visit for the baptism. Im hoping that promise applies to me too... But anyways, the transfer. Yep, my new area is Goiana. (Goy-awn-uh) It´s the area farthest north in Pernambuco. It was a long hour and a half ride in a little tiny car, with 4 of us, and 5 pieces of luggage... But, we´re here now. It´s great. My companions name is Elder L. Santos...( I think, IM still learning) But things are good.

Well, thats about it.... for now. Hope you´re all well. Love you all.

September 26, 2011 Letter

Hey,

So, another week here in Torreão. This week was kinda slow. Not much is happening here. We´re "kicking" all of our investigators that really don't want anything... The sad part is we´re left with 2. Ugh... Gives us a lot of room to improve though. We talked with President Lanius and he told us to work with the less actives to first, get them re involved with the ward, and second to find new people to teach. So we´ve been trying that, but with very very little success. But, we just need to keep on going. That's all we can do.

Really, the only person we have is a man named Rusivel. His wife is a member, and he´s amazing. But, we´ve been struggling with him. Ever since he and his wife had dengue 2 weeks ago, there has been almost no improvement. We´ve remarked his baptism 3 times. He´s waiting to get an answer. I think he wants a huge answer like an angel or something. He´s already had spiritual experiences. He loves how people serve in the church, he already has a desire to share the gospel with one of his friends. But, there´s something there... We just need to find out what it is, and figure out how to help him.

Well, that's it. Not a very exciting week. But, a good learning experience.... But it would really be nice to have a happy week where things turn out good every once and a while...

Love ya,

Elder Tracy

September 19, 2011 Letter

Hey,

Well, these past 5 days have been great. There are a couple things in particular that were amazing.

First, Wednesday I was finally able to go to the temple. It was amazing. I love the temple. It was a little difficult in a different language and all, but really, it was amazing. I absolutely love the temple.

Second, Thursday we had interviews with Elder Costa and with President Lanius. It was great. Elder Costa is such a great guy. He´s super spiritual. He really just talked with me. Asked about my family, areas, companions, and some things I can do to improve. He also told me he has a house in Draper, in case you´re interested... And I had my first interview with President Lanius. It was great. He´s so loving. He talked about the "new" rules, area, problems. It was really just a good talk. It was great. Afterwards he just gave me a hug. It wasnt like a normal hug, it was really caring... I don't know how to explain it... It was just.. different. I know that he really loves each one of us and wants the best for us. It was a great day.

Next, we´re being blessed. The Lord is really putting people in our paths. We´ve had some cool contacts on the street, at the store, meeting new people, friends of referals who are actually more interested than the referals... It´s just been a real eye opener for me of how the Lord works. Now, we just have to do our part and help them.

Finally, Léo finally was able to get confirmed. After suffering through 4 weeks of his mom and grandpa working against him to not be able to go, he was finally able to go to church! It was great. Also, Kaline was there too, and a miracle, her mom came. Her mom, Cicera, kinda doesn't want Kaline to get baptized... But, she came to church, liked it, and hopefully that opens doors for her. It should be great.

Well, that's just a bit. But know that life is great. Im great. The church is awesome and true. I love it. The End... for now...

Elder Tracy

September 14, 2011 Letter

Hello,

Well, just to get all your worries away, yes, I´m still alive. I´m actually doing pretty good here. Sorry about not writing on Monday. Our Pday got switched to today... Why? Because we get to go to the temple today!! Finally! I´m so excited!! I haven't been to the temple in 6 months... Its sad, but Im finally going. So it´s all good.

This week has been kinda rough. We´re dropping almost all of our investigators. We´re really focusing on finding this week. We need people to teach that are ready to receive the gospel. It´s not the most fun work to do, but we´ve found some nice old ladies that have some potential. I´m excited to teach them.

And, this week we have the opportunity to have a general authority here in the mission. President Costa. He´s the area president. He´s interviewing every missionary in the mission. Our meeting is tomorrow. Should be great.

Well, thats about it on my end. Just know that things are good, I still love you all, and the church is and always will be true.

Elder Tracy

August 29, 2011 Letter

Well,

This week was good. We had zone conference and President Lanius was really kinda straight forward. He said, "Some of you have been talking and saying that I'm kinda strict... I just want to tell you something. I am." Wow! It was really powerful. I know that he is strict and strait forward because he loves us. He knows the potential we have, and he knows the importance of missionary work. He really stressed the part about having the Spirit. It´s so true. We all need the Spirit in our lives, especially here on a mission. We need the Spirit to guide us, to protect us, to tell us where to go, what to say, everything. So, that's what I'm trying to do now. Have the spirit really be a companion in my life.

Something kinda sad is that Léo didn't come to church yesterday to be confirmed. He went out of town with his grandpa. But, he´s an amazing kid. He´ll get confirmed this Sunday.

Also, we had a really cool experience on Saturday. We went and taught Rusivel. His wife is already a member but he´s not. They met each other over the Internet.... (kinda weird..:)) But he´s really a cool guy. The lesson was super cool. We had a lesson plan, we prayed before we went in, and we bore testimony and shared experiences and scriptures. It was really cool. The spirit was super strong and he accepted to get baptized! It was really cool. We´re really pushing for this Saturday because next Monday is transfers and we really want to see him get baptized. Because he´s awesome!

The mission is great. I absolutely love it. Time is really flying. Before you know it I´ll be home talking to you all in person. But, as for now I got some more work to do. A lot of it. I love you all.

Until next time,
Elder Tracy