Elder Lindquist 6/28/10

Hey all, so this week went well we have been seeing the Lord’s hand in the work and it has been really cool. Elder Mclean was kind of sick though (coughing up his lungs) but everything is well with him. We were not able to baptize Luisa and her daughter, ughh!! The opposition is really hard for some people, but she is coming along. She explained that since they have been hearing the lessons they have had more problems in their life than they have had in many years, but they truly are elect people and I know with our prayers of faith we will be able to battle and beat the adversary. But we're working with some great people right now I really like the people here. And the missionary couple that is serving on the island is really helpful to us. Well there wasn't too much other stuff that I can think of so I'll just try to explain some more about the island. One of the first things I smelled when I got here was a smell I hadn't smelled since I left Santaquin... cow manure!!! There are cows everywhere and the Azores is famous for the milk and cheese products. There are nine islands but only two have missionaries on them, (the rumor in the mission right now is that President will be opening another island that has 40+ people on it waiting to be baptized.) a member that was baptized here moved there and brought a bunch of Book of Mormons with him. More about the traditions; well they have these little shed type things that are on almost every block, (it isn't a shed but it's the size of a shed. it's more like a cement building) and inside the shed on the other side of the glass there are decorations and saint statues, or most of them have these silver crown things in there with a white dove on them representing the holy ghost and they are called "the house of the holy ghost". There is sooooo much idolatry going on here!! This place truly has strengthened my testimony of the apostasy. We are trying our hardest to help people to see that kneeling before a manikin of the Savior dressed up in crazy outfits and praying to him will NOT cure you of your illness. It may seem weird to us but to them it's really normal and they actually have faith in these objects. Well I know that as it says in Acts 4 that it is only by and through the Lord Jesus Christ that we will be saved. His name is the only name given whereby men can be saved and I am so grateful to be a part of his church. My testimony and love for the gospel has grown so much and it continues to grow every day. I'm just grateful that the Lord gave me the blessing of serving here I love this place and these people. Have a great week everyone!
-Love, Elder Lindquist

Elder Lindquist 6/21/10

So this week has been a good one. A lot has been going on here on the island of São Miguel right now the world cup games are going on and Portugal is playing like South Korea right now. Someone just marked a goal and a guy with out a shirt came out of his house and was dancing right across the street. They are so obsessed with soccer here. So this week we were able to mark a mother and her daughter for this weekend. Please pray for Luisa and Cátia, they are truly elects but as always when people are progressing in the gospel of Jesus Christ the adversary always needs to stick his nose in our business. I am really enjoying the area and serving with Elder Mclean. He's a stud and we love talking about the gospel, we could talk for hours. The gospel is such a great thing, so deep but yet so simple. People here on the islands like to complicate it. There are a lot of ignorant people here, but we're trying not to lose our temper when we contact and teach people, even though some times it is very difficult. The reason we get frustrated is because we really love these people and when they are blinded from the truth and don't want to open their eyes that is painful to watch but we can't open the people's eyes for them they have to want the gospel. A funny thing happened the other day we were teaching this great lady and at the end of a long lesson I was saying the prayer and in the meantime Elder Mclean started choking on something. His throat started closing up a little bit and he started coughing but it wasn't anything violent so I kept praying, and he kept coughing when I finally finished the prayer I looked over at him and his face was as red as a cherry and his eyes were watering as if they were rivers. The lady ran to grab him a glass of water and he said "my gosh I thought you would never stop praying I thought I was going to die, I was praying that you would stop praying":) it was hilarious. Oh and the other day I was able to play the drums, (the third time on my mission) and I'm still quite rusty, but it was fun. It was actually in an apartment right next to the chapel. We will have to baptize that family. But yeah things are going good here, Happy Fathers day Dad!! I'll be honest I don't remember when any American holidays are. Besides Christmas I forgot when Halloween was and everything else. All I know is I'll be home for Thanksgiving this year:) no more McDonalds for me. I love you all and hope you have a great week!
-Love Elder Lindquist

Elder Lindquist 6/15/10

Hey all wow, where do I start with this week? It was super crazy that's pretty much all I can say. We got home last night from our zone conference on the other island; it was a blast having a little plane pretty much to ourselves. We had the conference and interviews at the same time. The American members there, (that island is the one with the American base on it) prepared an amazing lunch for us, turkey, soup, salad... it was the best meal that we have had in a while since E. Mclean and I have been on a pancake and breakfast burrito diet. Things are going great in our area, so many great things are happening. We're seeing the hand of the Lord guide us. We just have to realize that we don't know anything, (we literally don't in terms of the area and such) so we just have to rely on him. I found out on Sunday that Elder Togo baptized one of Olga's friends, Olga is such a great recent convert I hear they are lining up several other friends/family members of hers to baptize. I still want to find the kid that gave us that address and give him a big hug:) I love this work and my area and companion. We have a few people that are coming along well. In that activity we were able to bring two families who had never seen the chapel there so that was wonderful. They liked the open house and the presentation of each class. They didn't come to church but we did have a great experience on Saturday. Our day was going a little slow and we decided to pray about a place to go so we got the map out and prayed. I felt like we should go to a certain road a ways away, so we went there but when we got there, there weren't a lot of people there. In fact there was hardly anyone there and there were no doors to knock only stores. So I started to doubt the feeling that I had about the street so we kept walking and turned and as we went up the next street we met a guy coming down the street, (the only guy on the street) and we contacted him. It turns out that he knows a few of our members and was very open to our message. We invited him to go to church the next day and he came. It was a very inspiring experience. The Lord knows exactly where we should be and he is willing to send us there if we are willing to hear his voice. I am super excited to see all of my new cousins it's cool that there are new ones on both sides of the family. Well I hope you all had a great week even though everyone was gone and that you have a great week this week. I love you all and I hope you can feel the love traveling across the Atlantic, (I mean I am a little closer to you now so you should be able to feel it at least a little bit stronger right?)
PS Ry-speaking of merit badges you should check out a talk given by John Bytheway called "Jesus knows I'm a Christian" I heard it this morning. You've got to listen to it to see how it ties in with merit badges. Everyone else, keep reading the scriptures and praying ok!
Love, Elder Lindquist

Elder Lindquist 6/8/10

Hey how is everyone doing there in the US of A? Elder Mclean and I are doing great out here things are going really well and we're being blessed every day in the work. Speaking of the USA they have a lot of American food here on the islands, (thanks to the American base on one of the islands) it's expensive, but we have been in seventh heaven buying Mrs. Butterworth’s pancakes, pudding, and cake mix!!! Speaking of seventh heaven, yesterday we went with a member to one of the prettiest places on this earth. It's a place in the northwest part of the island called Sete Cidades, (meaning seven cities) and they are seven lakes that were formed because of volcanic eruptions. It seriously took my breath away. It was soooo beautiful! This place is seriously a paradise! We are super excited to work here and see the work progress in this area. The catholic traditions here are ridiculous. That’s the only word I can think of to describe it. It is complete apostasy they do things that are completely insane!! Right now what they are doing is every night there is a party in a different neighborhood called "parties of the Holy Ghost" and they block off the streets in a neighborhood and blast music and drink and party it up. They also shoot off these bottle rocket things. It's almost like the fourth of July but like every night. So it sounds like we're working in a war zone. They also have a group of guys that walk around the whole island praying the various prayers and when they return to their city they are forgiven of their sins. There is a bunch of crazy stuff that isn't even doctrine of the church but traditions that were made here on the islands. Well, this Sunday we will be traveling to the island of Teceira for Zone Conference; so that means more tiring plane rides. But they are always beautiful views. Our members here are sick! We’re having an activity this Thursday which will be like an open house where we will show their friends the chapel, (which is one of the best ones I've seen in Portugal) and we will have a BBQ as well because this Thursday is a holiday (Portugal day). We share our area with some sister missionaries, we also have on our island another pair of elders on the north side of the island an elderly couple that is doing family history work taking pictures of documents in the city library of birth certificates as well as baptism certificates from the catholic church to submit to the indexing site of the church, (I'm sure you guys know what that is.) But yeah Elder Mclean is awesome he's like one of my best friends now, and it's always great to work with someone you get along with. I was able to talk to a few recent converts on the phone when I was in Lisbon. They are all doing great and were super excited to talk to me. Olga is still a fireball walking with the sisters every day. I hear a few of her friends will probably be baptized here shortly. Well I love you all and pray for you and I know that this church is the only true church. My love and testimony of the gospel has grown so much on the mission, and my love for the people has grown immensely. Well take care love E. Lindquist:)