I am a tool...In the LORD's Hands

So, this week was amazing! I feel pretty confident in my Portuguese now and it's great to see that the people truly love us. If you struggle with the language here they just love you more. Brasilians are just awesome. They don't have hardly any negative words, because they hardly ever complain.

On Friday, I had the wonderful opportunity to go out into the center of the city of Sao Paulo and talk with the people. I was able to sit and meet with three gentlemen. One was on his break from work, another was just waiting on his bus, and the third was a Monk. I was able to talk to them all about their faith in God, our Father in Heaven, as well as their faith in His Son, Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, as well as my personal savior.

It was a wonderful opportunity. The people here in Brasil truly are so loving toward everyone. I love them so much and I don't even know them. Keep the faith everyone. I love you, and look forward to hearing more about what's going on at home.

The CTM is wonderful!  I love going to the Temple on Preparation Day.  My Portuguese is improving.  I can't wait to get to the field and really start teaching.  Thank you all for your prayers on my behalf.

São Paulo CTM

The new arrivals at the Brazil MTC, August 28, 2013
I'm in the Second Row

I have been in Sao Paulo, Brasil for three days now and it is truly an amazing city. Very diverse, but so beautiful. Everywhere you go you see smiling faces. The Brasilians love the missionaries. They have little cars like in Europe and tons of sprint bikes. The food is amazing! I actually like Brazilian meatloaf. The people here are just amazing! They smile all the time, and are so laid back, but still get work done. What a great city. I can´t wait to see the rest of Brasil!

Anyway, stay tuned and I´ll have some pictures soon. Oh, and Brad, the water does go the otherway when you flush. Haha.

Tchuo!
--Elder Petty

Me with my MTC Companion Elder Gerber

I am a tool... in the Lords hands

After years of allowing my Heavenly Father to shape me into the man he wanted me to be, the time has come for me to go out into the world and do His work. Every part of my life leading up to this point has been a preparation for my mission.  His hand as a crafty blacksmith shaping me into the best tool I can be for the work He has in-store for me.  These past few years I have seen the Lords influence in all aspects of my life.  From no longer having an allergy to mosquito bites, to having friends and family who support me unconditionally.  I have been truly blessed and I can't wait to share the message of a loving Heavenly Father with my brothers and sisters in Brazil.

Farewell to Indiana! Hello to Brazil!

The days keep rushing by.  Summer wrapped up and I had to say goodbye to all the kids I was teaching swim lessons to, the wonderful Carefree Crocs, and all my friends and little buddies at church.  I had a wonderful farewell party with all my friends.  Glad I got the chance to say goodbye to all of you.  Thanks for coming.  It was wonderful to see you and do some swimming and night bowling.  I truly appreciate all the love and support from every one of you.  Here is the video that was shown at the farewell...with a few things from the past week thrown in by my Dad.

Click here to watch.

I apologize to all my grandmothers for not getting a chance to call them and say goodbye.  The last days were a blur before I flew out to Provo, UT.  I just got accustomed to the Provo Missionary Training Center and my visa for Brazil came in and I was off to Brazil.  I love Brazil!  The people are amazing!

The lovely Porto Alegre North Mission.  Called "PAN" for short.   To hear it spoken in Portuguese click here: Porto Alegre is the capital and largest city in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. The city population is 1,509,939 inhabitants (2010), the tenth most populous city in the country and the centre of Brazil's fourth largest metropolitan area, with 4,405,760 inhabitants (2010). The city is the southernmost capital city of a Brazilian state. Porto Alegre is one of the top cultural, political and economic centers of Brazil.
Porto Alegre was founded in 1772 by immigrants from the Azores, Portugal. In the late 19th century the city received many immigrants from other parts of the world, particularly from Germany, Italy, and Poland. The vast majority of the population is of European descent.

Will be set apart August 19, 2013.  I report to the Missionary Training Center in Provo on August 21, 2013 if my visa from Brazil does not come through.  I report to the São Paulo CTM on August 21st if my visa comes through.  Please pray for the Brazilian Consulate to work quickly.  All things are possible with the Lord.

What a whirlwind summer it has been!  Graduated in May, received the Melchizedek priesthood and was ordained an Elder, had my Eagle Court of Honor, went to the temple for my endowment, and have only six more weeks until I am set apart as a full-time missionary and head to the Missionary Training Center.  I loved the temple and did not want to leave.  I love the spirit there and the way my understanding of all things spiritual has grown.  I love my Lord Jesus Christ and my Heavenly Father and can not wait to serve them and the people of Brazil.