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:)

Elder Lindquist 5/31/10

Hey all, I don't have a lot of time but yeah I'm doing fine, a little tired but fine. We arrived on the island of San Miguel on Tuesday night; we work our butts off there. I love my companion; he's like a brother to me. The island is BEAUTIFUL and the accent is SOOO different!!! I felt like a greeny again but when I looked to my comp, (who in a greeny's case understands the language can step in and help), he looks at me just as confused! But it is a humbling experience and we're seeing the hand of the Lord in our work. We just have to be humble and search for the guidance of the Holy Ghost. But yeah needless to say island life there is CRAZY! The catholic traditions are ridiculous they aren’t even things that the church practices in the rest of the world the island just makes up their own traditions. I'll tell you more about them another day. So yesterday night I flew into Lisbon for our zone leader council that we had today and my plane was late. I didn't get into Lisbon till like 3:00 in the morning! So yeah I'm super tired I slept like 4 hours last night. Today during the meeting we got to eat at Chili's, because our mission baptized the record this last month!!! Well things are going well, but crazy. But we're hanging in there. I'll talk to ya'll another day ok I gotta go!
-Love Elder Lindquist, the newest Azorean.

Elder Lindquist 5/24/10

Hey every one how are you doing? We had an awesome week here, (even though our baptisms fell through...) but other than that it was super awesome. We had the coolest activity on Friday night and we had tons of youth there. It was super fun! During the week we gathered up cardboard boxes from the grocery stores by the chapel and we had two teams that made arcs (based on the story of Noah) and then we played some sick games and then we ate pancakes. It was super fun. It has been sad to say goodbye to every body here but I'm super excited to go to my next area. Yesterday there was a Priesthood meeting in our chapel and President Torgan was there, so he pulled me off to the side and told me where I'm going. I'm going to the Azores!!!! To the island of São Miguel and my area is called Ponta Delgada. It is by far the prettiest area in the mission with sites like Sete Cidades and Lagoa de Fogo. I'm super excited I heard the area and the branch is great too. I'm going to be going there with Elder Mclean from Pleasant Grove neither one of us knows the area so this will be super interesting. But I'm super excited to go serve there I thought my chances were over but it looks like I was wrong. I will fly out there tomorrow so yeah. Other than that just the transfer madness is going on. It's going to be hard to leave this area but I know I did all that I needed to. I'll also be sad to say good-bye to Elder Togo. But we'll meet again (we have already made plans to go to California/Vegas and such). Well I'll keep on working and loving it and you guys just try not to get into any more accidents ok. Love you all
-Elder Lindquist

Elder Lindquist 5/17/10

Hey everyone how's it going sounds like things are going ok. Sorry I didn't write last week we ran out of time, but it was great to talk to you on the phone! We had an awesome week two weeks ago. The two young women we baptized are amazing (especially Olga the one that we found because of the false address) they both made drastic changes in their lives and are a lot happier now. It is so cool to see the difference that the gospel makes in peoples lives. I can't believe Dallan is about to graduate. Man that's crazy it seems like yesterday that I was dressed up in that ugly green robe. But that should be fun for him; the most fun part of that day wasn't graduation but the lunch after and the SR. all-nighter. Well today was fun we went to the Tocanos type restaurant and then played ping-pong with some recent converts it was a blast. This last week was sick as well things are moving forward in our area. Preach My Gospel tells us to leave our areas stronger than when we found them. I hope I can do that in this area I've been here forever! We had interviews and they went well. President didn't tell me if I would be transferred or not. I guess I'll just have to find out next Monday. But we hope to have some baptisms this week a lady named Carina and her daughter Jessica and a girl named Mira. Well we're going to have another family night in Eliza Carla's house tonight. That family is amazing I'm just bummed that her son Ruben still doesn't want to get baptized. Well I love you guys a lot and I hope that everything is going well I will talk to you all next week.
-Love Elder Lindquist

Elder Lindquist 5/3/10

So this week was good, we have a lot going on here in the Miratejo and we're teaching some of my favorite people in Portugal. The people the Lord has blessed us with are so amazing! I love the investigators/members here and it's sad to think that I'll probably be leaving in a couple of weeks. We weren't able to baptize Francisco this last week. His mom (an inactive member) didn't allow him to be baptized for a bunch of stupid reasons that don't make any sense. He's so prepared so that was a heart-breaker, we made it very clear that this was the will of God and if she didn't allow her son to be baptized that would come against her in the last day. We'll keep praying and helping him along. Olga, (the girl we found because of the false address) is doing really good, she's super nervous for the baptism but is excited at the same time. She's got nothing to worry about she knows everything already! She has already made some good friends with the young women in our ward so that's cool. Today we're having a "zone p-day" and it should be pretty sick. We'll have a BBQ and play some ball. We had zone conference this last week and it was really good to hear the instructions of Pres. Torgan and see some old friends/companions. Elder Togo and I are pumping out the jams, (what I mean by that is pumping up the exercises in the morning) I've never done exercises that were so intense. We've got this work out plan and I'm actually starting to see the results already. Don't be surprised if I come home as the next Hulk Hogan. Brother!
Speaking of exercises I'm going to start my six month program here in a few days, (that basically means eat more healthy for the last six months) It’s pretty needed. Well I hope you have a great week, I'm excited to talk to you all this Sunday. I pray for you every day and hope you are also participating in this great and marvelous work. Love your son/brother
-Love Elder Lindquist

Elder Lindquist 4/26/10

So this week was awesome! Elder Togo and I are having a blast and working hard we had some great experiences this week. We were able to mark many of our investigators for the following weeks in May. With faith and the help of the Lord we hope to baptize weekly. It is really hot right now! Earlier this week it was raining like crazy, but that's just how the weather goes in the springtime right. Today we're going to play some b-ball with some members/investigators and this should be fun. I'm excited to talk to you guys soon. It’s weird to think that this will be my last call, even though if I stayed another month I would have a fifth call. I was reading in Jacob this morning where he says that their lives passed by even as if it were a dream. Sometimes it feels like I'm dreaming because the time is going by so fast! Elder Togo and I are definitely not sleeping here. The other day we contacted a kid that gave us his address and a few days later when we passed by the house we found out that he actually doesn't live there, but a really awesome young woman did! We talked to her for a bit at the door and set up an appointment to talk to her a few days later. We brought her to the chapel and showed her everything then we had a lesson and marked her for baptism. I am really grateful that the Lord has given me the chance to serve him here in Portugal there’s no other place I'd rather be. I know the Lord hears and answers our prayers and he really does love us. Elder Togo informed me that Elias and Ana went to the temple a little while ago, (he was up in that zone). And I guess they are dating. It’s kind of funny because they were baptized on the same day. I was really happy to hear about that. Eliza Carla and Betina received callings yesterday, both of which will be serving in the Relief Society. So things are going really well here, I hope you guys have a great week keep on working hard in school! You are all in my prayers and I thank you for your prayers as well.
Warmest wishes, Elder Jordan Lindquist

Elder Lindquist 4/21/10

Hey all I apologize for my late email we had a meeting with the zone leaders on p-day and we haven't gotten around to doing email. So news about transfers, I stayed a fourth transfer here. I'm now serving with my homeboy from the MTC Elder Togo!!! He was in my group from the MTC (the Hawaiian one in the group). We are excited to serve together; we have a lot of good things going right now, (our zone/area is kind of down in the dumps but we're working to bring things back to life). Elder Togo was the branch president for six months in a tiny branch at the very top of the mission and needless to say this area is the exact opposite for him. (He taught all the classes, primary, Relief Society, and directed the sacrament meeting, played piano in sacrament meeting, talked in sacrament meeting, etc) so when he got here he asked what we needed to do on Sunday and was completely shocked when I said we just have to get our investigators. He has so many crazy stories about that place. It has been great working with him and been great catching up on the good times. We have some decent investigators right now but most of which are progressing towards baptism either aren't married or have some type of challenge but we will keep working with them till they reach the water. We haven't baptized in a while and I'm getting worried, in the last few months we have had a really strong urgency to not "loose" investigators but to help them progress towards baptism. But sometimes it can be disappointing because people still have their agency. The least we can do is our part, "remember the worth of souls is great in the eyes of God". Things are going good we have hope and faith for the future. If you can pray for a kid named Francisco that would be great we're going to try and baptize him on the 1st of May. Well I'm excited to talk to you guys for the last time before I come home. Even though I'm not exactly sure what day it is I just know it's sometime in May. I love you all, and even though it will be a while longer before I see you I'll still be home for Thanksgiving!! You are in my prayers!
-Love Elder Lindquist

Elder Lindquist 4/12/10

So things are going great out here in the field. We have a few people that are progressing towards baptism; we had some good experiences this week. The other day we did a division with some missionaries from our district and I stayed here with one of them, as we were walking in the afternoon the other missionary saw a man waving us down in his van. He pulled over and we crossed the street to talk to him. He got out and explained that he had seen a program on a news station about our missionary work here in Portugal (the members showed it to us it was pretty sick. It was filmed in the times of President Terry and followed the Elders that worked in our area here in Corroios) and he told us that he was curious about our religion. I gave him a Book of Mormon and we marked a visit with him. A few days later we went to his work, which is a graphic design company, and we had a lesson with him. Turns out he's a practicing catholic man, (which is pretty rare here) and he just wanted to gain more knowledge about our religion. At least we were able to bear our testimonies to him and leave a copy of the Book of Mormon. Maybe he won’t act on these things now but I have faith that in the future when he really wants the truth he will know where to go. But we've been working hard to find those that arent only curious but willing to act on the things we teach them. Jó is doing well and is having a very hard time taking the step to baptism. She has already felt that the church is true and has no doubts about it, but the deep roots of Catholicism in her Caboverdian family are tough to up-root. But we're praying for her and I know that she will be baptized soon. It is very rewarding to see Eliza Carla bear her testimony every fast and testimony meeting. She has borne it every month even when she was an investigator. She is such a fireball!! Adonis is doing well and has been teaching with us on divisions. I really want that kid to serve a mission. He’s got the age, now we just need to chase all the woman away from him and he'll be set to go. Well transfer calls are today bet we still haven't heard anything. We're pretty excited to hear what is going on. We will just have to be patient as President Uchtdorf taught us. Well it is official; I won’t be going home until the second week in November. I would either stay only a month or leave in the middle of the transfer or just stick out the whole transfer and so I'm going to stick it out. I'm not sure what the exact day is but I can let you know when they tell me, it will probably be like the 8th or something like that. Well I love you all and hope and pray all is well with you. The weather has been great here, (to tell you the truth it's getting to be pretty stinking hot) but take it easy every one.
-Love Elder Lindquist

Elder Lindquist 4/5/10

First of all I want to say Happy Birthday Dallan, Hope you had a great B-day on Easter. What an awesome day to celebrate your birth! On the day the Savior resurrected as we read about in Matt 28. I hope you all had a great Easter, watching the conference sessions (which were all amazing) especially the priesthood session. Things are going good here, we didn't have as many investigators watching conference as we would have liked to but everyone was in Lisbon or with family. Easter is a really big deal here; the kids get two weeks off in school and everything. But it is a good reason to make a big deal right? As the Hebrews celebrated the freedom of their fathers from Egypt we as Christians celebrate the freedom from sin thanks to the sacrifice that our Savior offered in our behalf. It's really quite cool to look at the similarities between the symbolism of the Hebrew celebration and the Christian celebration. The lambs that were sacrificed and the blood that was put on the door so that the destroying angel didn't take their sons, and the Lamb of God that was sacrificed so that all the children of God could be saved from the effects of sin. I'm grateful for this sacrifice and I'm grateful to be a missionary and serve our Savior here in Portugal. We can re-live Easter practically every week when we take the sacrament as Christ said to his disciples that the wine would represent his blood, the blood of the New Testament. Have a great week, sorry this is short but we've got to go teach:)
-Love Elder Lindquist

Elder Lindquist 3/29/10

Well this week was good. We are seeing improvements in our zone. We have some hard workers here so that means less stress for us. We have interviews in a few days so that should be an awesome experience as it always is. This last week we worked a lot with the recent converts to make sure they are feeling well integrated and to nourish them with the good word. They are doing fine, especially Eliza Carla and her family; we are now working with her son and some of his friends to prepare them for baptism. EVERY TIME we go to their house they feed us a bunch of food! I'm not exaggerating since the very first visit we have been fed there. I love this ward a lot and the people here however I'm not sure I'll stay for another transfer. We'll see what President says in my interview with him. Well not too much other than that is going on, we're just trying to keep the momentum up that we (with the Lord's help) have started. That's a really challenging thing to do but with faith and desire and works the miracles will certainly start to happen. A few weeks ago we contacted a lady who was walking with her daughter, (this was a very similar situation to the experience that Elder Wheeler and I had with the Brazilian lady in Torres Vedras) and when we began talking with her she snagged the Book of Mormon from my hand and was like I had this book in Cape Verde! Turns out that she has a nephew who is serving a mission in Brazil and she is really cool. She brings her Book of Mormon with her to work and reads in her spare time. Her name is Jó (Jobe) if you guys could pray for her that would be great we really want to baptize her soon. Well I hope you all have a great week and that everything is going well. The time is passing so quickly!!! I love you guys.
-Com amor, Elder Lindquist

Elder Lindquist 3/22/10

Hey how's it going everyone? This last week was amazing!!! I can't even explain the awesomeness that occurred. The family night was really cool in Eliza's house we had a good group of 15 members making a total of about 24 people that were there. Wednesday, Eliza got really sick and when we went there to give her a blessing she asked to be baptized the next day. So she was baptized on Thursday. Then we marked one of her daughters and her Aunt for Saturday. So we were able to baptize three members of that family, they are so amazing! So we had 4 confirmations on Sunday. This family has really brought a change into our ward. Before we found them the ward was very slow to remember the elders and not very excited about missionary work. Now all the members are stoked to work with us because they have seen the effort that we've given and they really like these people so now they are more willing to help and do more for the work. We have meals almost daily now, and people are signing up do to more divisions and always asking us if we need anything. It's really rewarding to see the change in these recent converts/members. A member even mentioned last night that he has seen a change in him and his family and some other families in the ward. That was awesome to hear. It was cool to see Adonis bless the sacrament yesterday. Actually yesterday morning we had a meeting with Elder Rocha, (from the area 70) President Torgan, and all the Presidents of the Auxiliary groups, I was a little nervous to be there I thought we would be grilled for being punks but it was pretty calm we just watched them talk about the new programs that are being implemented in the wards and they made copies of our progress record, (the record that has all the information about our investigators, recent converts, and less actives) and we talked about it. And also last night we (the sisters and us) organized a fireside about missionary work in which we gave a few talks and we asked forgiveness for not working with the members the way that we should have then our bishop said a prayer and asked the Lord to help the members know which friends and neighbors are ready to receive the gospel. So all the members with their pen and paper wrote down the names that came to their minds, now we will begin working with these members to start teaching their friends. Needless to say it was a good and really rewarding week, which was well needed the first few from this transfer were pretty rough. We were a bit discouraged but we didn't lose our faith and now we're definitely seeing the blessings. Today for P-day we're going to a restaurant similar to Tacanos in which the people bring the meat on the stick and cut it off for you it's going to be delicious. We're going with some members and investigators this should be pretty sick. Well I love you all, thank you for your prayers and love/support. Take it easy
Love Elder Lindquist

Elder Lindquist 3/15/10

So this last week was a trip. One of the most stressful weeks since I've been here in the Miratejo. Happily Elvira was baptized yesterday, but it was not an easy task (even though she was the one that asked to be baptized). It is always a battle the moment that we mark someone for baptism. But it went great we had the baptism right after church (which was our ward conference) and there were a bunch of people there. More than I've ever seen at a baptism like 50-60 people. Adonis was also ordained yesterday. Eliza and her family are doing great she is so anxious to be baptized and we're working with her family as well. I love those people; I believe they are one of the biggest reasons I was sent to this area. Tomorrow they are hosting a family night in their house and invited half the ward yesterday. She will also invite a bunch of her friends and neighbors; we're excited for that. Well I'm just happy that I'm here and that I am alive and things are going great. Hope everything is good over there as well. The members have started doing better about feeding us. The Relief Society made a calendar and everything so that was an answer to our prayers. Things are a little different because our ward received a pair of sisters. They are cool and everything it's just different I've never worked so closely to sisters. We had to split our area with them. But our zone is doing well currently we have 12 pairs of elders/sisters. It's the biggest zone by far and has almost the double of the other zones. Well have a great week I love you all!
-Elder Lindquist

Elder Lindquist 3/9/10

So this week was pretty crazy. It sounds like you are doing well and everything is cool there. Well this week we had a lot of great experiences as well, Eliza Carla (the mom of the family I've written about in the past) received a strong answer about the Book of Mormon and the church and that was really cool. She and the family are so amazing and have been clicking really well with the members here because she's really out going. We marked her for baptism for Sunday but it fell through because of complications with the marriage she will have in a few months, but she will be baptized soon. We’re still working with the rest of the family to help them receive an answer like the one their mom received. She bore her testimony on Sunday for the second time in a row. I love that family! We have another investigator that we talked to in the street about three weeks ago, it was a great contact and we invited her to visit our church but she didn't want to give us her contact or any information so we didn't think that she would really show up. But the next day she did! We taught her that week but then it became really hard to talk to her during the week because she's a single mom that is working and is going to school, but she continued to come to church. During our weekly planning this last Friday Elder Bezerra and I prayed to know when she should be baptized and we felt that it should be the next Sunday so we made plans to talk to her after church on Sunday. Saturday night I had a dream that we challenged her to be baptized and she was like of course I will I've been waiting for you guys to ask me. I told Elder Bezerra about the dream Sunday morning and he was like I sure hope it will be like that. So after sacrament meeting before we could even ask to talk to her, the member who we designated to sit next to her was like Elders get over here sister Elvira told me during the meeting that she wants to be baptized. I was like oh my goodness that is music to our ears. It's kind of funny how the Lord works, we were pretty bummed when the baptism of Eliza fell through but the Lord blessed us with this miracle and we set up appointments during the week to teach her the rest of the lessons. I know that God lives and Loves and watches after his children. I love this work and I know that Portugal is the only place for me to be right now. Sorry I couldn't write yesterday we had a meeting in Lisbon.
-Elder Lindquist

Elder Lindquist 3/1/10

Hey everyone Tudo bem? It sounds like every one is sick over there but I've been lucky enough to dodge the bugs going around, (knock on wood) but Elder Bezerra is sick right now. This week was interesting we had interviews and stuff. In the beginning of the week I went on a division in Setúbal, it was weird to do a division there because the last time I did one was a little over a year ago. It was quite the adventure it rained like crazy! (The storms that hit Madeira came after us as well) and it has been super windy so Elder Blair and I got soaking wet. it was pretty funny, we taught a Spaniard man that is an investigator of theirs and he was speaking the crazy Spain Spanish mixed with Portuguese it was a cool lesson. Our area is doing ok, we've been searching for the elects and things are going ok. We still haven't heard anything about transfers but we'll find out soon. In interviews president told us that we would stay together so I'm not packing my bags for at least another transfer:) I'm grateful for this time that I have to be a servant of the Lord and serve in his vineyard. This time really has been amazing for me and I know if we do the Lords will he will continue to bless us. Even though there have been a lot of disasters and tragedies in the world these are the signs of the second coming as described in Matt 24 but as we read towards the end of 1 Nephi the righteous have nothing to fear, we will be protected and the Lord will watch after us. I know that the Lord remembers all of his people no matter which country they're in, (Alma 26) well have a great week I love you all and hope that everything is going fine.

Here are a few pictures we had from our baptism last week. He is a stud. By the way I thought it appropriate to let you know mom and dad that I'm thinking about extending my mission. I talked to President in interviews and he said the max I could be a month. That would still give me time to prepare for school and everything. I've been thinking and I've prayed about it and I feel good about it. I'll still have to fast and stuff this next week but I just thought I'd let you know.
President also wanted me to thank you and send his love and appreciation for everything you have taught me and for helping me get to where I am today. I also thank you for that. -Love Jord

Elder Lindquist 2/22/10

Well how's it going is everything running smoothly? Sounds like you guys are enjoying the Olympics. People haven't really been too excited about it here, maybe because there are so few Olympians from Portugal. Well carnival is over, it wasn't bad at all there was hardly any commotion if not any just a few people dressed up going around getting candy it was like a miny Halloween. Torres Vedras actually has a huge party. That city has a tradition and is known for its carnival parties. Well the baptism was amazing yesterday the spirit was very strong. Elder Daley came to do the baptism it was really cool. This week was a little slower:( Elder Bezerra and I had some minor health interruptions, colds, back pains, ingrown toenails ya know the usual. But we're pumped for this week because it's the last one of the transfer. We're anxious to see what will happen with the zone. I don't know if you have seen on the news but the island of Madeira (that's part of Portugal but is part of the Porto mission) had some bad flooding/mudslides and quite a few people have died. It's pretty sad. Yesterday we got permission to leave our area to give a blessing to one of our members moms it was cool it's always good to exercise the priesthood. We didn't travel to Beja this week maybe another time. Familia Texeira (the coolest family ever) is doing well, the members like them a lot. Well today we're going out to lunch with a member I'm excited to eat some BBQ. Have a great week every one I love you guys!
-Elder Lindquist

Elder Lindquist 2/15/10

Wow what a week! It was fun and went by pretty dang fast. Allow me to fill you in on a few happenings from this last week. We were able to mark Adonis, (a caboverdian investigator of ours) for this coming weekend. He is such a stud; he came to church in a suit and tie yesterday. Actually he was dressed better than we were, I will explain. Saturday we left at about 10 in the morning to start teaching and E. Bezerra locked the door, we didn't get back until 10 at night and when we tried to unlock it the door would not open. We tried for quite a while then finally we had to call the assistants and they came and picked us up and we slept in Lisbon with them. Oh the joys of the mission! It wasn't fun wearing the same clothes for 48 hours with my beard growing out of control but Sunday actually turned out to be really good. We finally got a ward mission leader called!
I was thinking that we'd only have like 8 investigators in church since we didn't have an opportunity to talk to a lot of them on Saturday but we were extremely blessed and had 13 investigators there! (The most I've had in my whole mission) Elder Bezerra and I call it the miracle of the multiplication of the investigators. After church we went to the house and had to call a key place to come and open the door which cost 70 euros :((about 95 U.S. dollars) but the rest of the day went really well. That family I told you about are doing really well they are so awesome! Yesterday was fast and testimony meeting because of stake conference last week and in the middle of the meeting the mom tapped me on the shoulder and was like can I go up there? I was like of course I'll go with you. She bore her testimony the second week in church and told the story of how we found her family and how she has received an answer about the truthfulness of the church and everything it was amazing. But yeah things are going really good I feel extremely blessed to be here right now! I think that tomorrow we might be going to Beja to participate in a district meeting that is held by one of our districts in that chapel. If I can I'll swing by Paula Cristina! Today is the holiday of Carnival and the weather isn't very good for people to be partying outside so I think all the commotion will be held indoors. But I think we're going to play ping pong with the youth today, should be fun. Keep up the good work and enjoy yourselves there in America and I'll do the same in Portugal ok.
-Elder

Elder Lindquist 2/8/10

So it sounds like the week went well for you guys, ours was great as well. Antónia's baptism went well on Saturday it was really great to see her enter the waters of baptism. It was a tough fight but it just goes to show what a difference a lot of faith, prayer, and fasting can make. Our zone conference went really well, I love President Torgan's trainings and messages. That man can lead an army. As a matter of fact he talked about how the mission is like a war. We studied about the war in heaven and how a spiritual war is still going on right now on earth and we, as missionaries are the warriors on the front lines. It's true, serving the Lord truly is suiting up for battle and no unhallowed hand can stop the work of the Lord. This week we found a bunch of great investigators; one family in particular came to our stake conference yesterday. It was a little different though; every two years instead of a live stake conference they have a transmission where some of the Seventy and a Twelve Apostle speak to the stakes in Portugal and Spain. Elder Neilson spoke and it was really cool. Well things are going fine I hope you all have a great week and I hope you all can fell our Savior’s love every day.