New Companion

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO guess what I`M………………………………. not getting transferred. The Lord still needs me in Lago Sul, and I won´t complain because pretty much the work is awesome here, the food is great, and the people are so generous. BUT I am getting a new comp!!! A Brazilian!!!!! I´ve never meet him but I´m sure he will be so so so so awesome. He name is Elder SATO, that’s pretty much all I know about him. It will help my language so much, i´m super duper excited about that. I know the Lord knows what he is doing as well, which is always comforting right!!!!

The Next Week

I have a Brazilian comp that doesn’t speak English. It is sooo good for my language, its just tooo easy to speak English with an American comp. His name is elder Sato, He has nearly 100 percent Japanese blood, but he doesn´t know a lick of Japanese. He is super young on the mish, this is his 4th transfer. He has only worked in one area and it was super poor, its been a little difficult, to adjust teaching style, scheduling, and just a lot of things that are unique to our area, but its going well and we are learning quickly. Also all Brazil missions have been banned from using bikes, it may change but were stuck without bikes for now. Its been really hard because we have some investigators that live at least an hour away on foot, and its so hard get to their houses. It changes up planning and pretty much everything. So this week pretty much consisted of us being lost not knowing what to do. It was a little rough BUT we learned a ton and I think were getting a hang of things. Hooray. He is really energetic and is a hard worker, Which is one of the most important things in my opinion. He really wants to help me learn and grow, which is awesome.

The language is tough, sometimes I wonder if i´ll ever get a hang of it, then I look back to how much worse my port was 3 week ago and I realize that I actually am making progress!!!!!!!!!! It’s a good feeling. I know that the gift of tongues is real. I am receiving so much help, it is insane.

(This is a bridge in Paul's area that is incredibly beautiful!)

Brasilia!!! Sept. 28, 2008

Elder Rasmussen with his trainer, Elder Holbrook.

Ok I am right in the middle of Brasilia, like probably like 10 minutes away from congress by car. I´m in an area called Lago Sul, and it is ginormous, like huge like so big we have bikes!!!!!!!!!! Isn´t that crazy. Its one of the only areas in brasil that has bikes, crazy. Ok, so Lago Sul is the richest area of Brasilia, it´s where all the diplomats and rich people live, so consequently life half of our ward are American diplomats. It's crazy half the ward speaks English, and the wives of most the diplomats don´t speak English. Our bishop and ward mission leader are both American, crazy huh? We are currently teaching a diplomat from Ghana. He is super cool, and we get to teach him in English. Oh my companion is American, Elder Holbrook, He is great and is teaching me a ton. Its nice to have an American trainer but it will take me a longer lime to learn the language. Ok so everyone has cars in our area and it is hard to make contacts, We are kinda opening the area so that has been an adventure all on its own. The members are very giving and willing to serve, our meals are always very nice. My president is President Pizzirani, he is from Sao Paulo. The language is super hard for me I can't understand anything, I need to have more patience with my self, and have more faith. I´ll get this its just going to take some time.

The MTC in Brazil

Elder Rasmussen sends word that he LOVES the CTM (Missionary Training Center) in Sao Paulo, Brazil. He loves the language, the food, the people, the facility, his companion, learning the culture--everything!! His letters sound so happy, in fact, he says that he has never been happier in his whole life. I think I will let him tell in his own words (from a letter sent Aug. 12, 2008)

"I love it here it is soooooo amazing!!! where to start? The language is going well. I´m learning a ton and I don´t feel too discouraged. It is such a beautiful language. I love the CTM. It is amazing. The food is good most of the time. It gets a little sketchy now and then but oh well. My district is great, there are only 7 of us two of which are sisters. We have a lot of fun together. I love my teachers. They are both brazilian, which is really helpful. They know the language and the culture perfectly and are able to really help us out. I love the brazilian culture already. Everyone here is energetic and has such a strong love for life. They love everything and they are not afraid to show it.They don´t take offense and forgive so easily. They are hillarious!! The have so little but they always offer to give us things. They are such a beautiful people. I´m falling in love with them already. So all of the native brazilian missionaries come here as well so we are pretty much in constant contact with natives. I have 2 brazilian roomates that I completley love. They are so fun. They make me laugh so hard. We got really close (they actually left to go to the field today) I love Preach my gospel. It is such an inspired program. I love teaching with the spirit. It really works. The spirit is so strong here, it´s amazing. My testimony and knowledge have grown sooooo much its insane. We have firesides twice a week that are translated into english or vice versa. I love them it is a really cool experience. My companion is great. His name is Elder Ash. He is from Colorado Springs. We get along great! We have gyn 3 times a week. I usually play volleyball, but I try to run about 5 miles a week. I´ve really enjoyed that. My room is on the top floor(7th) and we arn´t allowed to use the elevator so I get quite a bit of exercise. My view is incredibe I love it. I havn't had too hard of a time with anything. The adjustment has gone well. I haven´t gotten homesick yet which has been a great blessing. I pretty much just love it here a lot. Everything is going very well. Its hard work but I´m loving it. I can´t wait to learn everything so I can get out there in the field.

MTC Address

Paul's address while at the MTC:

Elder Paul L. Rasmussen

Brazil Brasilia Mission

Box # 42 District # 30 A

Rua Padre Antonio D'Angelo 121

Casa Verde, Sao Paulo SP

BRAZIL 02516-040

This address can be used until about Sept. 10.

Leaving on a Jet Plane

Paul was to report to the MTC on July 23, but he had to leave on July 22--at 6:00 a.m.!!! Which meant being at the airport at the very early hour of 4:00. He flew from Las Vegas to Miami, Florida. He had a 7 hour layover in Miami, and was supposed to meet up with other missionaries flying to Brazil. The layover was made 2 hours longer with flight delays!!! He did call from Miami to let us know he had made it that far without problem. He landed in Sao Paulo on the morning of July 23--over 24 hours in airplanes and airports!

Leaving home.

We received an e-mail from the Brazil MTC President informing us that Elder Rasmussen has arrived. He has a companion and room and will be well taken care of.

Please remember Paul in your prayers as he learns Portuguese and how to be an effective missionary. We appreciate your support.

The Last Sunday before Brazil

Sunday, July 20 was a wonderful day. Paul was scheduled to speak in Sacrament meeting and had an appointment to be set apart as a full time missionary. Although all of our children wanted to be together, for obvious reasons, not all of them could come. Liz sent her love from Milan, Italy. Ammon and Kirsten, and Becca and LeGrand sent their love from Columbus, Ohio. But they also sent a very special surprise for Paul. WHITNEY!!! Whitney was visiting in Columbus and had already said her good-bye to Paul, but Ammon and Kirsten thought that she really should be home for these last few days. So on Saturday at midnight, they decided to fly Whitney home. She landed in Las Vegas at 9 am Sunday morning. Paul was delighted!!!!

Paul spoke in Sacrament Meeting on the topic of Love--Heavenly Father's love for His children, and our love for Him and each other. That is why Paul wants to serve a mission--he loves God and wants others to know of God's love for them.

Our home was full of loved ones who came to wish Paul well. Thanks to everyone who came to show their support for Paul. We love having you here.

These two incredible women have done so much to help Paul grow to the man he is. Grandma Larsen and Grandma Rasmussen show their love in so many ways. Aren't they so cute!!

Pres. Ken Asay and Bishop John Erickson and their wives came to our home to set Paul apart. His dad, and brothers Stewart and Seth were able to join in giving the blessing. These are some men who have had a tremendous influence on Paul.

Set apart as a missionary!!! Ready to go!!!

Endowed with Power

As soon as Paul received his mission call, he made arrangements to go through the temple. He received his endowment in the Provo Temple on Friday April 4, and attended as often as possible. Keeping with family tradition, he was able to go on a couple of "temple trips" with his family, as well as to the New York Manhatten, before leaving for his mission.

Elder Paul L Rasmussen

Paul received a large white envelope from Salt Lake City!!! In it was the call he has been preparing for his whole life, a call to be a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was called to serve . . . (drum roll, please) . . . in the

Brazil Brasilia Mission!!!!

He will report to the Missionary Training Center in Sao Paulo Brazil on July 23, 2008.

He is very happy and excited. It is a long time to wait!