December 30, 2013

So this week has been a pretty fun and spiritual week. The most significant event was our lesson with the Wilson family who we extended an actually baptism invitation for Jan. 18th and all 3 of them excepted. It was all I could do to not jump up and do a touch down dance, but I managed to hold it all in with a smile. We taught them again on sunday and it has been amazing watching this family progress and I cannot wait till the 18th. The other significant event was going to the baptism of Kody and Kennedy two kids who are 8 and 10 who come from an inactive, part member family. While we have been teaching them their less active mom has been in with us. And while we have been doing it we have also help here want to get re-activated and now we can focus on helping her out. Also her husband who is not a member went to the baptism and church and is a super nice guy and we are wanting to get him in on the next visit and see what will come of that. Also last night we went to go visit this older gentleman who is retired and all by himself and has been wanting to get re-activated after years and years of being inactive. Last night we talked and he told us his story and he really wants to be an Elder and have the priesthood but he cant give up smoking. He has tried a few times and the longest he has gone is a month. We talked to him about how Christ can help him and had a really good discussion. As our conversation kept on I realized that he kept saying if I quit smoking. And i stopped him and felt that i needed to tell him to change one word in that statement that could really help him get over this mentally, and that was taking out the word if and replace it with when i quit smoking, and then challenged him to just change that one word. and went on to explain more that i cannot wirte for the sake of time but it was awesome. Never have i been more directed by the spirit in a lesson. So i am looking forward to continuing visits with him and helping him along the way. Also we met with the part member inactive family on Christmas and had dinner and had an awesome time just getting to know them and letting them know they can trust us. While we were talking the conversation led to us both knowing a little bit of Portuguese and the dad told us that there is a lady here who is Brazilian and doesn't know English very well. Our eyes lit up and hopefully this week we will be able to meet with her. I am super excited for that. And finally I got to talk to my family this week! It was so awesome to hear every ones voices and talk. It really helps with the moral of being out on Christmas and it was a highlight this week as well. And every ones gifts arrived this week. Mom and kids I loved your gifts. Haha freakin Laurel man... hahaha i loved that little doll thing was hilarious. Also the nerf guns have been very entertaining, we have already had our fair share of fun with those. Also thank you for making me get fat...I have been trying to watch my food intake and i was doing very well until some people... decided to give me wafers and kit kats... i have been eating a liitle each day and i have to say i love it!!! Also mom i have already read a bunch of the inspirational stories book and have been using it a bunch in lessons. I love it thank you so much! also the tree has been up and looking festive and i forgot to take pictures of it but i will today and ill send them next week for you all. Also dad thank you so much for the whole set of boxing stuff!!! It is up hanging in our dungeon. I have loved using it so far and the gloves are perfect. I see now why you sent me those because they don't take a bunch of room up in my bag so that's awesome and im super excited for those. Thank you so much dad you are a life saver. This has been such an awesome week. Oh by the way we have our money now so no need to worry. I love you all so much and im so excited to see you are all doing so well. I hope you have a good week and again i love you all.

December 23, 2013

Hello family and friends, 

       First of all merry christmas!! So my new area is pretty awesome. Its this small town in this valley between these two mountians/hills. Its a really pretty area. We are already seeing success and we are just opening this area kinda. We just started teaching this family of a single mom with 3 sons ranging from 13-7. We just had our first lesson with them yesterday and they were super receptive and super prepared. The lord has truly prepared this family and will hopefully be ready to get baptized in a month or two. So my favorite person so far that you will be hearing about a lot is bro. W. He is a member and has a son who is 9. He is divorced and live on his own with his son. He is as of now entering surgery on his back and will have to chill on the coach for two weeks. But he cant do a lot of physical stuff because of his back so we go and help him out all the time. He is in a very humble situation but he is seriously the coolest guy ever. The best way i can describe him is a jacked santa clause. He is super cool and has done some awesome things with his life but has recently over the past few years had some setbacks. But he is awesome and we really love being around him and helping us out. Anyway we are staying in a house just off the main road. It's a pretty good size house with 2 bedrooms a big kitchen and living room. And best of all a freakin creepy basement, like seriously i will send a picture of it one of these days but just take my word for it. And right now ( mom dont read this ) we have like literally no food in our house ha. We are both visa waiters and the way things played out with how we get money and stuff. Neither of us have had any money since last week. And dont have any money to go shoppong today. We are now out of the few eggs we had and now we will be having rice and stir fry in very humble portions until we can have money. The bright side is that the members here are insane and give us an insane amount of like steak ribs and of course potatoes. So we have a great dinnner everyday. And there is a cool diner in town that is member owned so we get 50% off and free ice cream. So yeah thats pretty nice because we can eat a huge meal for like 4 bucks. But anyway everything is going great and i am super excited. This area is awesome and i can feel that there are a bunch of people here ready to listen. I love you all and i hope everything is going great back home and merry christmas!!
                Love, Elder Davis

Friday, December 13, 2013

Hey family! Not much has happened this week that is huge! A lof of typical stuff! Quentin L. Cook came this week to speak to us and his talk was really good! It's weird thinking that im already done with the MTC it went by so fast. I've loved it here but im so ready to go and actually do everything we have been talking about! I cant wait to give everything i am to the lord and let him shape me to the best man I can become so I can bless the lives of His children. Im already a different kid and its only been a few weeks. I think you will all like the this Elder Davis better! I am confident in the lord's ability to help me follow the spirit and help me say and dow hatever i need to best help the people of Idahoa. 

I hope you all like all the pics i sent, i feel bad for not sending any so far, but since i did I did have less time to email. So I will talk to you all later and i love you all!!!!

Love, 
Elder Davis 

Kelsey's note: Just click on the picture and it will make it bigger!

Elder Davis ironing  Elder Woodward. 

Elder Davis and Elder Foland. 

Elder Davis is off to... Twin Falls Idaho!!!!

Below is the email we got from Elder Davis last night:

"We have not received your visa to travel to Brazil. You will be serving a temporary assignment in the Idaho Twin Falls Mission until your visa arrives." So there you have it! I will leave on Tuesday and will be taking a bus from here to Twin Falls. I am so super excited to serve the people in Idaho. This has to be a quick email but I just wanted to inform you where I am going. And we will have to plan how I will get warm clothes because it is very cold there if ya didn't know. I really am excited to go to Idaho. My district says that maybe this will convince me ot go to BYU-I when I get back because that's where they are all going but we will wee. I can email more on Friday when I have more time and give you an update. But I love you all and I know the Lord has a plan for me there and I am going to give all I have to helping the people in Idaho.

December 6, 2013

Responding to your dear elder about the weather it has been pretty cold. The other night we all went out bare feet in our shorts and did snow angels and ran around then warmed up in the showers! It was really fun but freezing cuz it was late at night! (before lights out). Then on Wednesday i was out for like 2 and a half hours because our district was asked to host the new missionaries but the district asked to direct the traffic bailed cuz they didnt wanna be out in the cold and they asked for volunteers, so long story short i was outside directing traffic in a suit and a yellow vest for two hours. And it was a fun experience it was a good change of pace from being in the class all day. It was kinda funny looking at all the new missionaries and what not. But this week has been great as always, Elder ballard was supposed to come talk to us on tuesday but he got stuck wherever he was and a 70 came with only an hour and a half warning and gave an incredible talk for an hour, those men are insane and so in tune with the spirit. Other significant things one of the other elders from the other district elder kampf, the one i work out with, loves working out with me and i love working out with him and since we are having such a dandy time with it we have created a plan. He is already out of college and has like crazy coaching license for soccer so when we get back he is going to coach in colorado and we are going to get a beat up ware house and he is going to be my trainer and im going to get into boxing competitions and its going to be awesome, so just a heads up on that. And we are both serious about it soooooo. we will have to see how that plays over but yeah. Oh and also i went to the doctor because i had an over acidic stomach, but i got medicine and no need to worry its all good :) like seriously it just made me hungry and i would just wake up in the middle of the night and have to eat something. Also kelsey, i would invite you to get me red bulls or coke. I must be mistaken cuz i really thought you actually loved me for a second. I wont make that mistake again. Im still loving it here at the MTC portuguese is getting better every day, my companions and district and zone are great. I am not the district leader any more because you only can be it for up to three weeks but its kinda nice to not have to be in charge per say but they all still expect me to kinda take control of things even though ive been trying to take a back seat. The hardest part about the MTC is the sisters, Its like wow, you are attractive and you are serving the lord as well, makes the attractive ones that more attractive. But you dont have to worry because all the elders make fun of me because whenever an attractive sister talks to me i freak out and stumble across my words. I try to avoid them at all costs though, but sometimes they talk to me and yeah i freak out. But dont worry, I am so focused on getting prepared to go serve the lord out in the field and im dedicating everything i have to it with remaining focused on what im here to do and who i represent. It was funny when i was getting my blood drawn the older nurse asked me if i was scared of needles and i said no ma'am only sisters. and she laughed it was funny. So thats the update for this week!

Elder Foland and Elder Davis!

November 29, 2013

Hey family! Thanksgiving here was sooooooo awesome! We got the privilege to hear from Russel M. Nelson which was incredible the spirit was so strong. Then we had our Thanksgiving dinner at lunch. Then did a service project after noon then had this really really really stupid Thanksgiving skit thing which must have been directed by people from Utah. I was ashamed just to be in the audience ;) but then we watched Ephraim's Rescue which was so spiritual and inspiring. Lately I've still been a little worried what's going to happen with my future and after I watched that movie I felt a calming peace and I realized and decided that I'm going to forget about my future for now and when I get back I'm going to rely 100% on the lord and let him direct my life because he can shape my life a 1000x better then I would be able to shape mine and hopefully now I can have 100% focus.

The language is going awesome! I can already teach the first three lessons and have a 30 minute talk/lesson with investigators. It is so incredible. Once we get into the lessons my mind is cleared and its like I've been speaking Portuguese for years and everything just comes to me. Sometimes I kinda fumble to make a sentence but it always comes out fine. My two teachers irmao pinho and irmao belchoir are seriously the best teachers ever. I love them to death! Everything is still incredible. I've said it before and I'll say it again 100x over! I love this work and there is no where else I could see myself besides right here. I love you all! Now some business stuff, kels, I NEED you to send me some red bulls and REGULAR coke!!!!!!!! Please do it ASAP this no caffeine Utah thing is ridiculous! Help a brother out! Also I loved all the stuff you sent mom,I traded all the ties last night for some ridiculously better ties because my companion is a freakin wizard. Like its scary! So I have all these sick ties now. But anyway I'll talk to you next week. and Kelsey I'm trusting you no matter what mom says send at least a 4 pack of Redbulls. 

November 14- Second Week

I will be able to email you this Friday, but we haven't had our P-day yet, just because the of the way a few things have played out scheduling wise. I will be able to email every Friday.

If you could post my email address and mail address on Facebook, that would be much appreciated. I'm giving you the keys to my Facebook, so don't crash it! Keep everything classy and bring it back with a full tank of gas. So now, I'll get into some of the basic stuff and the questions mom had.

Language:
Yes, we started that very day. The second I walked in the classroom, a half hour after I got to the MTC.

Schedule:
It changes every day, but we have personal study after breakfast for an hour. Then typically have our investigator lessons (all in Portuguese), then lunch, then a computer thingy to help us with the language called TELL, then language study. Then after that, it is usually gym, then dinner, then after dinner is another class period for another three hours, then we come back to the residence and get ready for bed then write letters or read.

Food:
Eh, it's alright. I'm mainly eating salad and wraps to watch the lbs since I'm not getting my usual amount of exercise. For mass-like people food, I'd say it's pretty good, but in general, I'd rate it a 5/10.

Companion/District:
My companion is Elder Woodward. He is from Oregon and is 18. He has been kind of reserved and now that it's been a week, he is really starting to open up. Then Elder Evans used to be my companion as well, but Elder Guarity got his visa and left yesterday. Elder Evans went to BYU-I and is picking up the language fast. His new companion Elder Folland is from Maryland and is the other 18 year-old. He is pretty funny and a great guy, both spiritually and in general. Elder Rowell reminds me of Danny in the way he acts and does certain things. He also went to BYU-I and is an amazing elder. Finally, Elder McChesney, where do I start? ha. He is hilarious! He is the life of our group at lunch and when we're not doing spiritual stuff. I love this guy! Although he has had kinda a trouble maker past, he is growing every day and it is becoming more spiritual and it's awesome to see that growth.

Language (2):
We are teaching all our lessons in Portuguese and so far, we have taught four lessons. I can pray in Portuguese, bear my testimony and then just basic conversation.

The final question was, am I happy. Ha. I am having the time of my life! The unity between companionships and district is unreal. It seems like we have known each other for years already. I mainly like having the spirit with me consistently and all of my efforts are going toward helping people with their salvation. I love the MTC. I love my teacher. Yesterday we had the honor to hear from Elder L. Tom Perry and he talked about companionship (with elders) and it was incredible! Sunday night we watched a talk by Elder Bednar and it was the best talk I have ever heard and I don't think I have ever felt the spirit stronger than when I was listening to his talk. It has all just been incredible. I know this is where the Lord wants me to be and I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. The spiritual growth I have experienced through just a week is almost unbelievable. Being a district leader has been one of my biggest challenges with leadership and the expectation is higher and the other elders have been looking to me for guidance and it is very humbling. I want you all to know how much I love this work  and this gospel. I've never been happier in my life. This has been exactly what I've wanted. I love all of you and I will talk to you and let you know how I am doing Friday via email. Send me stuff! It's cool to get mail and packages! :)

Love,
Elder Davis
P.S. Tell bishop I am dominating at basketball!

November 9, 2013- First Week at the MTC

I'm writing this letter on my third night at the MTC. I have been so busy I haven't been able to write, but I love it! I am in a tri-companionship right now with Elder Evans and Elder Woodward and they are both amazing. Elder Evans is outspoken and confident, but humble at the same time. He has been an amazing example to me. Elder Woodward is very soft-spoken and shy, but once he warms up to you, he has amazing insight. Last night we met our branch president and had a pseudo-zone meeting. We met with our first counselor in our presidency, Elder Goodman and had one-on-one interviews. After, he selected the district leaders and he called me to be the district leader of our zone. I was honored and humbled to serve and get the chance to serve the elders in my district. I was frankly shocked to be called to this because all of the elders in my zone are incredible and an inspiration and older, some by two years. I am thankful nonetheless and will do my very best to serve and guide them the best I can.

The language so far has been very difficult. They throw you right into it. Tonight, our third night, we were all getting frustrated and we were tired. Our teacher, Brother Belchoir asked us to close our eyes and asked us to raise our hands if we were having a difficult time with the language and I raised my hand. Then he asked us if we were speaking Portuguese. I again raised my hand along with the others. Brother Belchoir then looked at all of us with disappointment and said, "I encourage all of you when you pray tonight to repent for not having faith that God will help you learn this language." And it home to me, and I was ashamed. But nonetheless, I will got at it tomorrow again with more faith.

How to contact Elder Davis!

There are a few ways to get a hold of Mason while he is on his mission! Here's how:

1. You can email him at davis.mason@myldsmail.net. 
2. While he is in the MTC, you can send him a Dear Elder letter. Dear Elder is a website that allows you to type a letter for free and then they will print it out and put it in his mailbox. This is the best way for you to get in contact with him because he only has about 30 minutes of email time a week. 
3. You can also just sent him a regular letter. Missionaries love getting mail. You can send your letters/packages to this address:

Elder Mason Davis

Dec 16 BRA-FOR

2007 N. 900 E. Unit 61

Provo, UT 84602

So get writing! :)

Here's a few pictures right before I dropped him off! (He has more pictures on his camera from saying goodbye to the rest of the family, so hopefully he'll email those to us soon!)