Elder Chandler Hyer

Elder Chandler Hyer
Elder Chandler Hyer

Saturday, December 24, 2016

Samambaia - Week 1

We had a way epic week, Tuesday we had our Transfer meeting and Christmas conference which was awesome!! Elder Archila and I went with homemade ties and I have to say they turned out pretty well. The conference was a little bitter-sweet as it will be the last time that I'll see a lot of missionaries before they go home.

As far as transfers go I was transfered to Samambaia 1 and I am training again. My newbie is Elder Alves from Rio Grande do Sul and he seems like a good guy and is excited to work. The area is simply amazing. I went from Unaí, a hard area with almost zero lunch appointments where the missionaries did almost everything, to a strong ward in a great area, with lunch everyday and most days we also have dinner appointments and I'm just way excited.

There is a young man in the ward named Bryan who introduced us to his neighbor Gabriel who came to church this Sunday. I hope he continues to progress and I'll keep you guys updated.

I also got my Christmas package this week and I have to say that I have the best Mom in the whole world who sends delicious dark chocolate and other tasty things to me, so ya love ya Mom.

That's about it. Have a great week love ya bye!!

Elder Hyer

Elder Kohler and I (he went home this week good friend here)

Our epic Christmas ties

Sister Heperi and I (she goes home this transfer)

Friday, December 16, 2016

Unaí - Week 24

Transfers, Finally Leaving!

Crazy week, not a whole lot of time today. This week we had transfer calls and the last thing we expected happened. Elder Archila and I are being transferred. We all thought that Elder Archila, being Branch President, would stay but it looks like the Lord needs us in other places.

I have to say that when you stay in the same area for six months it really is special. This was not my easiest area, but all in all I had a blast and most of that is due to Elder Archila. I'll miss him quite a bit.

I'm super excited, my next area will probably be my last area of my mission. I'll let you all know next week where I end up, who my companion is, all that jazz.

Jennifer and her family weren't able to come to church this week. I really wanted to see them there one last time before going but no big deal, if they do their part, they'll be ready for baptism here in no time.

Anyways, love you all, wish me luck in my last area,

Elder Hyer

Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Unaí - Week 23

Well not much to report this week to be completely honest. We ended up having Jennifer, her Sister Mary-Jane, and her older brother all come to church this week. It was a very spiritual experience and you can see the changes happening in the whole family as we teach. All that's left is helping the parents to come too and we´ll be baptizing the whole family!

Things can be really frustrating at times as a missionary, whether it be the work, members, companions, or the sun! haha. But it really is all worth it. The growth that happens is incomparable to any other experience.

That's it for this week, hope you all are doing well, Love you all so much.

Elder Hyer


Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving
Sister Langston´s B-day

Volleyball

Awesome tie that Sis. Andrade made for me!!

Sunday, December 4, 2016

Unaí - Week 22

This week was super crazy, lots and lots of rain, and then afterwards lots and lots of sun, and just a few miracles.

We taught a man this week who actually studied religion, really liked our message, and said that he will pray and come to church. The spirit was very strong during the lesson and I can't wait to see how he progresses. He is getting a surgery done this week so he couldn't come to church this Sunday, he may take some time but it is certainly exciting.

Jennifer and her Mom are both progressing very well during our visits but then on Sundays they don't come. So that's been pretty frustrating.

I was asked to give a talk this week which went well. I have come to enjoy giving talks much more than before the mission (especially when I have time to prepare.) I was asked to prepare this talk Saturday night to give it on Sunday so I don't exactly like that part.

This last Thursday was Thanksgiving, I hope your Thanksgivings were great. I know that mine was pretty good considering I'm in Brazil. I ended up buying a bunch of food and the sisters made a grand feast for us all!!

Love you guys tons. I'll send the thanksgiving pictures next week, I have to get them from the sisters. Have a fabulous week!!

Elder Hyer



Monday, November 21, 2016

Unaí - Week 21

This week was actually really fun. Tuesday evening we had the Traveling Assistants come and do exchanges with us which was really fun. They stayed Wednesday and Thursday and left Friday morning. The Assistants are Elder Lafaiete and Elder Ribeiro. It was really fun to work with them.

Sunday morning I had the amazing opportunity to go to Paracatu with Elder Archila. Paracatu is a new group of the church that is starting up just like when I was in Padre Bernardo but it is already like a year and a half or so old. But seeing as how they are so small they officially are a part of our branch here in Unai, which means that Elder Archila is also the Branch President of Paracatu. Anyways, ELder Archila had some interviews to do, and President was going to visit so he picked us both up and took us there. Let me just say that the meeting was very spiritual. I guess just the experience in general was really special to us to see such an excited group of new members with an attendance that Sunday of 105 people, truly incredible. So that was neat.

Other than that, we had some sad news Sunday morning when we found out that Jennifer went to the hospital and was there all Sunday. We talked with her mom and I guess she'll be fine but she wasn't able to go to church. So keep her in your prayers that she can heal and be able to go to church this next week.

Not much else to talk about. This morning we all went as a district to the Rio Preto (black river) which was fun, took some pics, I got stranded on a rock, walked até o pó, it was fun.

Anyways have an incredible week, and a Happy Thanksgiving!!! I'll be eating Rice and Beans, woohoo!!!!

Friday, November 18, 2016

Unaí - Week 20

This week was amazing! We worked super hard and it all payed off. We had several good investigators at church, one of which is named Jennifer! She has a baptism set for the 27th of November and we are super hyped! She loved church and is excited to prepare herself for baptism.

We have an investigator named Edinilson who has been kind of wishy-washy "I wont commit to going to church because if I commit I'll have to go, and I don't know if I'll go, so better to not commit, but If everything works out then I'll go". I cant tell you how many times I have heard that with the same result that they don't go. But this Sunday he came! And brought along his mom! He has some doubts about the existence of God and feels a little bit that because he studies science he can't believe in God, but I'm certain we can help him gain faith.

Friday the sky literally fell, or at least it felt that way as it rained like I've never seen it rain before in Unaí. It was about 8:30pm and we were half an hour away from home at a member's house. We had no choice but to walk/run 30 minutes in the rain to our house and we were... soaked. The worst part is that we left all of our windows open at home, our apartment was basically flooded and our beds were completely soaked, along with my blanket and pillow, so that was an uncomfortable night haha.

All is well here in Brasil. I hear a lot every day hate comments about Trump and questions about what I think about the elections. and I'm just like "your Brazilian why do you care?" haha but Long Live America!! How I love you...

Amo Vocês
Elder Hyer

Thursday, November 10, 2016

Unaí - Week 19

Hey everyone, transfers happened and the changes couldn't have been better. Like I said, I am staying one more transfer here in Unaí and will be training a new missionary, Elder Sanches from Rio de Janeiro. He's super awesome, huge anime/video-game nerd and we relate pretty well.

We also received here a Sister Langston who is Awesome! She is from Utah, Salt Lake (of course) and is a super great missionary.

Gabrielle is doing great but wasn't able to go to church again this week, the work itself continues to be difficult but I'm confident that it will all work out well.

I hope you all have a great week!
Our new district

Unaí - Week 18

Every week lately has been pretty much the same, but there are a few more things to write about.

First of all our investigator Gabrielle is still progressing well. She is reading the Book of Mormon so fast and is just so ready for baptism. The only problem is we can't get her at church. This week she and her mother went to Brasilia at the last minute which was frustrating but I am positive that this next week she will go, and we will do everything to help her get there.

Juliana has continued going to church, it really looks likes she is back on track and doing well, we will continue visiting her but having her there every week is just nice to see. Oh and our recent convert was interviewed to get the Melchizedek Priesthood this week!!!

Saturday we had a fun activity (almost no one went) but it was a cool activity focused on being more like Christ and it was very spiritual.

Tomorrow is transfer meeting and I'm really excited. So I am staying here in Unaí but my companion was transferred along with Sister I SIlva. I'm really excited to see who will be coming in their places.
The activity about how to be like Christ
Brasilia graffiti



Unaí - Week 17

I can't believe the heat that happened this week, Unaí hit 108 degrees Fahrenheit 2 days in a row, and that's a dry heat. I seriously without exaggeration haven't ever felt so hot in my entire life.

Other than delirious heat things were pretty good. We are teaching a girl named Gabrielle who is just awesome. We have already taught the first 3 lessons and she is progressing so fast, at this point if we can just get her at church I'm certain she will be baptized.

Juliana is a less-active member here and is coming back to church more and more. She brought several friends this week which was awesome, so we got their information and I hope that all works out.

Elder Hyer

Thursday, October 20, 2016

Unaí - Week 16

This week was Kids' Day here in Brasil and we ended up celebrating with a fun activity and had a ton of people show up!! It was a blast. Other than that we really didn't have a ton go on this week.

Saturday we had the baptism of Pedro-Henrique. He's pretty awesome and he has been looking into the church for a pretty long time. I was really special to see him finally decide to get baptized.

I'm excited for this next week, I have a feeling it'll be prety awesome, sorry for the lack of news and I'll try to get more pics next week.

Love you all,

Elder Hyer

Sunday, October 16, 2016

Unaí - Week 15

This week was just awesome. We had a lot of success in our missionary work and really had a good time.

We have been teaching recently an older couple with grown kids (Tanya and Eduardo). We have continued teaching Sicero and after quite a while and lots of work we finally were able to get these investigators to come to church and they really liked it.

Something that I learned this week is that miracles exist but that they are made by us If we are willing to put in the effort and make sacrifices, miracles truly happen, and that is nice to see.

Not a whole lot more happened. Juliana, a less-active member, came with her family this Sunday as well and that was great.

Oh and on Friday we had a really fun family home evening with one of the sister missionaries' investigators. We are going to do another one this week so I'll get some pictures.

Anyways, love you guys tons, have an awesome week,

Elder Hyer

p.s. I am the new official pianist of our church branch which is pretty sad because I am awful...

Thursday, October 6, 2016

Unaí - Week 14

We taught some great lessons this week especially with two new investigators Sicero and Juliana! They both accepted our baptismal invites and they are both really good people who I'm excited to teach.

Juliana in particular was really special, as we taught her about the truths that we hold about the restoration, and the priesthood authority, and prophets she just loved it, asking questions after every subject and she told us about questions that she had and asked us if the Book of Mormon would answer her questions. When we said yes she was so happy asking us when we would come back and saying how excited she was to receive an answer. That was special. I think I get so used to people not caring about our message that it's refreshing to have someone really take joy in it. Of course it's now up to her to act and show her faith.

Our Recent convert of a few months now is progressing so well. He watched all five sessions of General Conference in the chapel in his new suit and is loving everything. He really gets me excited about missionary work and wanting to help the church grow here because of him.

Other than that General Conference was incredible!! just amazing, we are so privileged to live on the earth in this day where we can listen to and see the prophet and his apostles speak to us.

Have a wonderful and safe week,

Elder Hyer

Monday, September 26, 2016

Unaí - Week 13

RAIN!! New Comp, Baptisms!

So this week was really good! As you guys know Elder Chaucoski was transferred last week which was sad but in the end it worked out fine, my new companion is Elder Damasceno. He was actually companions with Elder Archila and just switched to be with me. Elder Archila is training a newbie named Elder Assis, and we got Sister Andrade who works super hard and is way cool, so I'm excited for this transfer.

This week after 3 months of intense heat without rain we finally were blessed with heavy rain and also a lot of lightning. Everyone got soaked and it was just fantastic. The downside was that the volleyball court the next morning was wet and it made it hard to play, but that's life and it was definitely worth it.

Sunday the Sisters had two baptisms, two little girls 11 and 9 years old, super cute and super awesome, their parents are also preparing for baptism here pretty soon.

There isn't much more that happened this week other than we are working hard. We are really focusing our work to find those that are truly interested, not just teaching anyone and everyone that just somewhat listens to our message. I believe that results are showing themselves and that we will have quite a bit of success this transfer.

Love you guys tons have an awesome week tchau!!

Went to see the river with my new comp
It's finally raining!!!
In the elevator
Getting ready to baptize these two sweet sisters who have been receiving lessons from the sister missionaries
Random pics of the church
The Branch Presidency working hard
I am now the most experienced pianist in the branch.  I play the songs for Sacrament Meeting now.  I only slaughtered one of them this week.
Me confessing to the Branch President :)
The baptismal font
RAIN!!!

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Unaí - Week 12

This week has been very busy leading up to transfers. Also sad because I will be losing my companion who is awesome and we have had a blast together. And one of the sisters will be transferred who came out with me and I have served in two areas with. She is a hard worker and great missionary. So tough week, but that’s life.

On the upside we put on a really fun activity for our little branch. Starting with a lesson about the “Plan of Salvation” and then an activity that allowed you to personally judge yourself on how you were doing in different areas. How you judged yourself lead you to one of 3 doors. The best had bowls of candy and soda the second was less enticing and the 3rd. was dark with only a candle and note on the chalk board that said “Good Luck”. Each person, kids and adults, would pick a piece of paper stating something like “fasting” or “scripture study”, things like that. When one little 9 year old girl got “fasting” she showed her mom and apparently she never fasts so her mom said “you know where you need to be for that one” yep, door #3. After seeing that she was the only one for that round in that room one of the leaders came and turned the light on for her and stayed with her those few minutes until the next round, but it was still enough to make an impression. She told her mom after “I will always fast on fast Sunday from now on”. We had several with experiences like that. It was a good time to self-reflect and see where you were doing great and where you needed to improve.

This continues to be the hardest area I have served in and one of the toughest in our mission. We have some new people that we are working with and I’m hopeful this next transfer we will have more success. Right now one other missionary and I are serving in the Branch Presidency. We definitely want to get this area strong enough to be able to provide their own leadership.

I hope you all have an amazing week. And keep Unaí in your prayers. I have never fasted so much as I do in this area. We as missionaries fast almost weekly because the needs here are great.

Love you all,
Elder Hyer

Sunday, September 18, 2016

Unaí - Week 11

Brasilia, Barbecue, Elivan!!

This week was really busy. We took a bus Monday to Brasilia to attend a training from one of the area seventy leaders which was really good, very spiritual. I really got thinking about how much I'm dedicating myself here in the mission and why I'm here. Sometimes in areas with less success you start to wonder if anyone will ever accept you, but I was pretty excited after this training to find those waiting to hear our message.

Wednesday after we got back form Brasilia we had a church barbecue which was a blast! We had a water balloon fight, amazing meat and food, and tons of ice cream afterwards. And we had a good turnout.

Sunday we were a little frustrated because everyone that we confirmed for church ended up not going for one excuse or another but I'm sure there is someone here in Unaí that we just need to find. But what cheered me up was watching our recent convert, Elivan, give his first talk at church that he prepared by himself with just a few tips from us, it was really awesome!!

Anyway, excited to see how this week goes, and next week I promise more and better pictures, have a fabulous week!