Behold Your Little Ones

3/4/13

This is a story I wanted to share told by the branch president's wife, Josy.

"On Monday night, Gabi gave us a scare by eating a 10-cent coin. After the experience in the hospital, she told me how she felt and what she did. She said, 'When I was hurting and I was crying a lot, and so I talked to God and I asked Him to make me better, and He said I'd be better, and he sits in the Prophet's chair, way up there in the top of the temple.' I was so amazed as a mother to see what insight God had given to my daughter. No one had ever talked to her about what there is in the Salt Lake Temple, but God showed to a four-year-old girl that the Prophet is His mouthpiece in this earth."

Have wonderful times!
-Élder Ortega

Happy New Year/ Christmas!

1/1/13
So, I hope you've all had a great holiday season. We've been really busy avoiding the many large parties that happen here this time of year. We did have a white Christmas, in that the sun was blaring! It's a different experience, but I'm glad to be a missionary. I hope you all have a wonderful 2013, and I'll see you next year.

Love,
Elder Ortega

Feliz Natal! And Thanksgiving!

12/4/12

Dear Readers,

Thanks for reading. I know I haven't put much personally here recently, but I wanted to thank you all for still worrying about me enough to see what's here. I hope you can all feel the spirit of Christ in this Christmas season. The Church is true!

Love,
Elder Ortega

Training!

11/6/12
So, transfers happened, and now I'm training. His name is Elder De Oliveira, but that will soon change since we already have one. It'll be J. Oliveira. He's only got a year and a half in the church. Cool, eh? But he's a hard worker, and he already knows a ton about misisonary work due to a mini mission he did. We're having a great time here, and I hope you are too.

Love,
Elder Ortega

Salvador!

10/2/12

I'm now in the city of Salvador, the capital of the mission, which means Savior. It's the third largest city in Brazil. So, it's very interesting. Our area has a big beach in it. As a missionary, that does nothing for me. But, it really reminds me of home. Salvador is a large city on a bay. It had lots of big buildings. And, the church is challenged by a surprisingly large influence of atheism. It's one of the least religious capitals in the world. Surprising for Brazil. But, the members who really stay active, like back home, have to be strong. There aren't any wishy-washy Sunday Mormons here. I like it that way. And, the ward I'm in is growing fast enough that it'll be dividing soon. Again. President Hart likes to put me in these areas.

On a different note, my companion has been very sick, so we haven't gotten out much. So, that's all I have to say for now. Keep being amazing people!

Love,
Elder Ortega

A Volcano Erupted

I hope you're all praying.

Love,
Elder Ortega

P.S. Just kidding. We get a lot of rash burnt here, and this time it looked interesting. That is the real story. Have a great week. I love letters! And emails!

President Hart

This past week, we had a special training. Because I'm serving so far from the mission home, we got to eat lunch with President and Sister Hart. I got to sit at the table with them, and I learned a lot more about their lives. He went to BYU, they got engaged after two weeks, and the engagement lasted a year. Her father was his stake president, but wasn't upset about the engagement. Rather, when she came home and told him they were engaged, he said that he had a feeling that they would be married. Many years later, everything is still working. Moral of the story: The spirit always tells us the right answer. Also, a diamond ring hidden in a lump of coal is a great idea for a Christmas present.

-Elder Ortega