Carolina's Baptism

Above: Carolina's mother, grandmother and Sister.

Below: Elders Pettitt & Jones at Carolina's Baptism!

From Elder Pettitt's Letter:

"This week was great!  We had a baptism, her name is Carolina.  Her family is all active in the church except for her and I’m not sure why she wasn’t baptized when then rest of her family was.  They moved into our ward here and we went to visit them the first day." 

We talked with them and just made small talk, after we were about to leave and were walking out and her mother pulled me aside and said, "You’re welcome to try with Carolina but just to let you know she has been though 10 other sets of missionaries”. 

I said, “well then we wouldn’t want to bother her and send her to another set so we will just have to baptize her.” 

She kinda giggled while I kept my straight face it was funny.  We ended up laughing a little bit about it, but about 5 days later she had a date for baptism and when we told her mom she said, “Who is getting baptized? My Carolina?”   It was pretty cool to see the surprise on her face."

The service though was the most spiritual service that I have been to.  Her 16 year old sister was so excited to have her sister baptized.  She's been a great example for her sister and really, I'm just glad that we could give her that extra little push she needed to make this step into the waters of baptism."

 

A Visit to the Garoto Chocolate Factory

 Elder Jones & Elder Pettitt

Josh's zone took a field trip to a huge chocolate factory recently on one of there preparation days.  It's owned by Hershey and called Garoto Chocolate located in the city of Vila Velha.  They were allowed to eat all the chocolate they wanted while they were there on a tour. Josh ate 33 pieces...but one of the other Elders the week before broke a record by eating 76 pieces!!  They are now famous there.

Elder Pettitt & Elder Jones meet at the Mission Office in Vitoria Brazil.  

  Views out of office window.

His apartment...not quite like the office views : )

Josh has a new companion who is new to Brazil. He's from Washington State and his name is Elder Jones. They met each other the week before Christmas and moved together into a new apartment in a new area of Brazil. There had never been missionaries working in this area so they actually put 4 Elders there to "open" the area. They all live together in one apartment and are settling into the area. They are getting to know many members there and working hard to help grow the ward.

Vitoria Brazil Mission at the 2011 Annual Christmas Conference!

December...Summer begins in Brazil!

Preparation Day Adventures...

Making new Brazilian friends.

Special friends...why I'm really here.

Pictures from Itaperuna 1st Area!...

New Pictures!!!!!

Update!!!

Hey everyone! Josh is doing very well!!! His Portuguese is coming along well! He's loving the work he's doing and couldn't be happier!!

No longer in the Mtc!!

Josh arrived in Vitoria yesterday from the MTC or CTM..Here is a picture with the Mission President and Sister Pickett!!

Josh arrived in Brazil Today!

June 1st. 2011

Hello my awesome family!!!


An update on things here in the mtc:

I hope you are doing as well as I am here in the MTC. Because I am doing awesome. Everyday i am here is a better day than the last. I feel the spirit more strong everyday!
So pretty much everyone that I came in with got their visas today. It is only me and 2 other people in my district now. So next Tuesday i will be getting a new companion in Elder Christensen. I will still have my other companion elder lutz.The food is still pretty good i have put on 10 lbs and now weight 195 lbs i wish i could play football at this weight lol. So when i get back you have to fatten me up because i hope to play the summer i get back. We heard from a few good speakers this week. Elder Allen b Packer and Elder something Allen both of the 70. Our whole branch pretty much leaves next week but we also just got about 8 new Brazilian elders today that will be in our branch.

I have about 4 progressing investigators now but have not taught past the 2nd lesson still! this week i hope to teach the 3rd lesson. I now have the first vision, baptismal prayer and most of d&c section 4 memorized. I plan to start working on the sacrament prayers this week. then some scriptures. 

Thank you for all your prayers, love, and support! 

My prayers are with you all love you so much 

Elder Pettitt 

One Month!

Hey Family,


My one month update:

One month today! it went sooo fast i cant even believe it!! its insane time flys here. I feel like i should have so much more accomplished in the one month i have been here. But i guess i am understanding the language a ton and can understand the language pretty well i just cant speak alot when its not related to the gospel.

We had Elder Russell M. Nelson here last night! he spoke with power and gave his talk by the spirit. It hit me that he was one of the 12 apostles just like peter james and john were! Pretty cool. I sang in the choir for the first time with my two companions and yes i still have them,

I have memorized the first vision in portuguese and have used it in one of our lessons. I really felt the spirit for the first time a few days ago as we taught in portuguse. It was sweet.

My room has 4 beds but only my 2 other companions. everyday i wake up at 630 and go to the classroom that are district is in at 7. we have breakfast lunch and dinner for about 45 minutes at a time and sit in class for about 10 hours of the day. its pretty intense but we keep it fun. This next week coming up will be our first time teaching a real investigator in portuguese.

I am loving everyones letters they have been sending. I think i have pretty much gotten a letter from everyone now Thank you! Its fun to hear about everyones life and whats going on on the outside. I cant wait to get to brazil so i can go outside the mtc i feel like im locked down in prison sometimes except i dont get visitors!

I love you all very much though and pray for you always! My testimony is continually growing and i love sharing it.

Love you all soooo much thanks for your love. hope to hear from you all soon!!!!!

Elder Pettitt

May 11,2011 Second Week!

Update for this week:


May 11, 2011

Hey there family and friends!

I made it 2 weeks and it seems like I have been here FOREVER! It’s crazy because everyday seems to be faster and faster. We had Elder Neil L. Anderson here last night for our weekly devotional!

Today is P day and went to the temple and did an endowment session with all of the elders from my district.

I am learning so much of the language so fast. i gave a 5 minutes lesson yesterday in Portuguese but next week between the 3 of us it will have to be 30-45 minutes.

Everyday my testimony grows stronger for this gospel, I feel the saviors love on a regular basis. I feel the Spirit everyday and love the joy that it brings me. I am really glad to be here, there are so many missionaries that i can help and have been helping in all different ways. I love to teach people and share my testimony especially of the atonement. I always look up to the sons of Mosiah, Alma, the younger, the sons of Helaman, because of the great missionaries that they were and where they came from.

I love you all soooo much and thank you for your prayers and love.

Love you all,

Elder Pettitt