tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9151793253584150882024-03-08T13:04:00.477-08:00Elder Lee Mission in Lisbon, Portugal"Seek not to declare my word, but first seek to obtain my word, and then shall your tongue be loosed; then, if you desire, you shall have my Spirit and my word, yea, the power of God unto the convincing of men." Doctrine and Covenants 11:21Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10994494927886250185noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915179325358415088.post-23757953922538709112015-10-19T16:06:00.002-07:002015-10-19T16:06:28.006-07:00<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My week has been quite interesting. Last Sunday night I received
transfers for my district and we were all staying. It was a
party!! About 5:00 Tuesday afternoon, I recieved a call from Elder Madsen who
used to be my Zone leader in the Algarve and is now an Assistant to the Presidente. He asked me if I wanted to start doing contacts on another
island. I tried calling his bluff, but this time he was serious. When he was my
ZL he did that to me right before a zone conference and I called his bluff, I
did good. Anyway, this time I tried calling his bluff again, but I guess he is
Assistant now. :) So I left Lisbon at 8:00 a.m. Wednesday morning and rode an airplane for 2 hours and arrived here in the Azores at 9:00 am. I am now
here with Elder Kaelberer from Holladay, Salt Lake City, training, his second transfer. I am
also District Leader for 6 missionaries, 2 are sisters. So I have nearly been here a week and I am really enjoying it. It's
green again. :) But being DL might drain me again. Oh yeah, and the other
elders are the ZL, so just a little pressure. ;)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">One thing I have learned this week is: Always take a third person look at
yourself every once in a while. Look at yourself as others would. Always be
aware of the Appearance of Evil. You could be doing anything super innocent,
but if you look at it in another way, you might see that it doesn't look that
good. For example, a guy was supposed to deliver a bouquet of flowers to
a bar but said he wouldn't do it. The boss understood his religious
beliefs but responded saying that he would be walking into the bar with flowers
and people would know that he is working. The deliverer replied saying he
would be walking out of the bar without them and anyone could assume anything.
Take a third person look at yourself and ask yourself if you would be alright
with parents, or the Savior, seeing you do that. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I also really enjoy the new Mormon Message that is being advertised on the Church's home page, "Am I Really A Good Man?" Look it up! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Love you all. Have a great week.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Elder Lee</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10994494927886250185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915179325358415088.post-86463727514115370942015-08-31T17:39:00.001-07:002015-08-31T17:39:24.270-07:00<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Transfers were today. I stayed here in Sacavém with my comp, Elder Viehweg, from Idaho. Sacavém is in Lisbon. We had a good week. . . hot . . . and wet. We got one baptism
yesterday. The next one should be this coming weekend, so we will see. I was called as district leader again..... </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10994494927886250185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915179325358415088.post-74419269621409300302015-07-13T10:48:00.000-07:002015-07-13T10:48:25.316-07:00<div class="MsoNormal">
A spiritual experience I had was during studies
learning about the youth of the church. There are millions of talks and
discourses about the "Hope of Israel" is in the hands of the youth.
All of the kids from 12 to 18 years old should and need to realize how to
listen, hear, and follow the whisperings of the Holy Spirit. He is the way our
Heavenly Father talks with us and helps us guide our lives according to His
will. </div>
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And now, I would like to say a little on how you can do this, it is NOT
easy. It is a work of a lifetime, but you NEED to know how to establish habits
to be in tune with the Spirit. I will tell you how to do it, and all of you
will say, "Elder Lee, that's just a primary answer." Then I ask,
"Why aren't you doing it?" You all know the answers. </div>
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I will give you
one more answer that all of the women in the church are striving to do and I see them being examples to the faithful, as they should and are taught. Now
young men, you have the same resources that they have. They have Personal
Progress that helps them with many spiritual habits and studies. How are your
studies young men? Are you just going through the motions and reading your 1
verse per day? You have something equivalent to the Young Women's Personal
Progress, which is called Duty to God. Do you know your Duty to God? Do you
know that the presidents of the quorums have keys to the priesthood? Do you
know you can be ministered by the angels of God.? If not, read the last talk
from President Monson. </div>
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I am looking at the world in a different perspective
here on a mission and as a missionary. There is nothing better to prepare to
serve a mission or enter the Temple of God than the Young Women's Personal Progress
and the Young Men's Duty to God. I love you all. These things were inspired by
prophets, let's use them to our advantage. Read the Hymn "Hope of Israel." Who
does it talk about? "Oh be wise, What can I say more?"</div>
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Com muito Amor, </div>
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Elder Lee</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10994494927886250185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915179325358415088.post-17876545376933082392015-06-01T16:55:00.004-07:002015-06-01T16:55:41.791-07:00<div class="MsoNormal">
This week was great and long. I don't know why but these last
few weeks have felt like a drag. Honestly I have just about knocked every
door here in Beja in our area in walking distance. We still have this week or
next to get the rest of them finished then restart. Many of them don't answer so
we need to do it again anyway. But I don't like going down the road knocking
every door I see. I heard one time that an elder said, "you aren't
exercising your faith if you hit ever door on every street." so I have
been putting that to the test. We found some pretty solid investigators, well,
potential investigators. Better than nothing. It's the best week I have had on
getting more solid potentials, instead of the people that roll their eyes and
say,"yeah come back another day, when you want," wink wink nod nod.
That happens a lot. But it's all good. </div>
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The weather is hotter than I would
like. It is perfect in the mornings when we go out to run. But by working time
comes, it is too hot. We don't have a thermometer so I couldn't tell you the
temperature. </div>
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We actually did one little thing of service this week, we got to
take someone's trash out. When we ask to do that, only maybe one in a hundred
accept the help. And we don't even get the opportunity to ask much anyway. :) So
it's rare.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10994494927886250185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915179325358415088.post-35400215900021837762015-04-28T17:41:00.004-07:002015-04-28T17:41:52.669-07:00<div class="MsoNormal">
This week has been great, but tiring, as usual. We didn't get baptisms
or anything, but the other elders had a baptism. We were
supposed to have the interview Friday night, but he didn't show up, and we
couldn't get a hold of him. Saturday, his friend called the elders and asked, "Do you
want to speak with him?" So clearly they did. We met them in the church, taught the last lesson, then immediately after, had the interview. About 2 hours
after that, we had his baptism. :) It was a fun, long day. We ended up spending
about 4 hours in the church for that, but it was worth it. :) </div>
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Transfers were this
weekend and nearly all of us stayed here. We have four in this house. From
what Sister Jeffers told me, was, as of last Friday, we were all staying here. But last minute, President transferred Elder Darrington up north. I will receive my
companion this Thursday, Elder Sanderson (from what I know). It's going to be
three straight transfers that I have trained. Maybe this time I will do it
right.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10994494927886250185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915179325358415088.post-53949679595721442932015-04-06T16:27:00.000-07:002015-04-06T16:27:05.657-07:00<div class="MsoNormal">
Nothing really big happened this week other
than on April 1st we had a zone meeting. Before it started we all decided at
12:00 we would stand up and walk outside, no matter what we were doing, and
to not say anything. Well the zone leaders put on a show for us during the
announcements like they were getting pretty mad at each other, they did a great
job, but it was "April Fools." We caught it easy. Anyway, so at 12:00 exactly we
were supposed to separate into groups to do these practices, or the role plays, right, and exactly at that time, we all stood up and walked outside. It was the
funniest thing ever. I loved it. :) ~ April Fools ~</div>
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After the Zone Meeting the two zone leaders came to our area
and we did a division. Elder Madsen came in six weeks before I did and he is
from Spanish Fork. He went to Dixie for some school before the mission. He is
awesome. I got the privlige to be his companion for the division. He is an
amazing missionary. </div>
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We watched all sessions of conference except the last one because we
had to be home before 10:00. I was having a hard time taking notes so I didn't get to choose a favorite but a lot of them talked about families. I
wonder how many missionaries got "trunky" at this conference.
:) </div>
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Thanks for everything. Everything is great here. Love you
all.</div>
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Elder Lee</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10994494927886250185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915179325358415088.post-53129644253382480902015-03-30T16:52:00.002-07:002015-03-30T16:52:24.337-07:00<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Our week was good. Mais ou menos. My hardest problem is
finding new people to teach. And that's what we need now. I came here, finished
the work they did before me, now I need to start something, but I don't know how
to do it. P-days, we study in the morning until 11:30. Then afterwards we
usually either clean the house or buy food for the week, eat lunch about
1:00 or 1:30, go do email, and look for things to buy around the city.
We don't have much to do here in Beja. Not many stores or many attractions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Have a great week. Keep up all of the good work. Love you all.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Elder Lee</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10994494927886250185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915179325358415088.post-86926296743892255242015-03-23T15:54:00.000-07:002015-03-23T15:54:01.204-07:00<div class="MsoNormal">
Sorry I didn't have time to email much last week. I was
transferred and had about an 8 hour bus ride, on 2 buses. After one hour on the bus, I arrived in Porto, where two sister missionaries jumped on my bus, so i went back with them and we talked for that 4-hour bus ride. Those sisters saved my life that day. One of them is from Price. Her name is Sister Nielson.</div>
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My new area
is Beja, Portugal. My new companion is Elder Gregory Darrington from Idaho. His family
is a huge ranching family, so we have quite a bit in common with our work
before the mission. It's fun to talk about that. </div>
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Last week was draining.... we ended up having about 20
lessons in total. We had a baptism of a woman named Fátima. She had
been marked for baptism for the past 6 weeks and we did the work to get her
baptized this week. It was a struggle making commitments and everything. Now her
husband should be baptized this coming week. We will see. :) Elder
Darrington got to baptize her and I got to confirm her a member. It was
interesting, She only had seven words in her name. :P</div>
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I am now district leader here in Beja. It is hard work.
I haven't written in my journal for a long time. I took personal study today to write for the past week.</div>
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I am in the middle of nowhere. It reminds me of home
actually. :) It is country land, farms and stuff. But it's more agriculture than
animals and a lot of olive trees. The weather this last week was a bit cold.
Being here away from the water when the sun goes down, it gets cold. But with
the sun, it gets really hot. so yeah, like home. :) I am in
another branch, just about the same size or a bit smaller than my last area. We have a senior couple here in our
area. It's awesome. We bought them pastries today. P-days, we don't get any
rest. I am sick of it. All I want to do is sleep for a bit. But that won't
happen. </div>
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Thanks for everything. Love you all. Until next week,</div>
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Elder Lee</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10994494927886250185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915179325358415088.post-87208598639367682992015-03-18T19:13:00.001-07:002015-03-18T19:13:41.045-07:00<span style="font-family: inherit;">I was transferred to Beja. I was in the farthest
north area in the mission and now I am near the very bottom. I only traveled
for 8 hours on the bus. Man it was long. My new companion is Elder Darington
from Arizona. I will be finishing his training here this transfer. I am also
in a four elder house again with Elder Jones, who is being trained for the last
6 weeks as well and with Elder Hansen, who was in the MTC with me. So we have
two elders that have 2 transfers and 2 elders with 6 transfers. It's going to be a blast.
We will see how it goes. Well I don't have a lot of time today, so I will write more next week.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Thank
you. Love You All. Have a great week.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Elder
Lee</span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10994494927886250185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915179325358415088.post-3686678099199260472015-03-09T16:15:00.000-07:002015-03-09T16:15:32.364-07:00<div class="MsoNormal">
We had a baptism Saturday! It was really, really, really
stressful. We had planned to do the baptismal interview just an hour
before the baptism. We received a call at 11 o'clock
that morning that we didn't have a place to baptize. We didn't know what to do.
It isn't our responsibility to get a place, but at the last minute it was. During
this time we were working on the baptismal program. The other elders arrived
and we went and ate out for lunch with them, and that was good. We made it back
to the church at 2:00 to have the interview and to tell them that we didn't have
a place. But they arrived late, but not to stress too much, the interview went
quick. Olindo, the old guy getting baptized is 82 years old and we didn't have
a place with warm water so we asked if he would be baptized in the
river that goes directly into the ocean. He said he didn't care so we decided to
do that at 4:00. So everything eventually worked out fine. We finished
everything at about 6:00. I was just so tired, and the Church was messy,
so we decided to clean the church. We left the chapel at 8:00 and
did a little bit of work. The next day I was more tired. Baptism is a lot
of stinking work. But everything was good. The son-in-law of Olindo baptized
him, who is the husband of a recent convert. So it was really cool. And yeah, I gave a small talk on the Holy
Ghost.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10994494927886250185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915179325358415088.post-19774029004221302782015-03-02T16:37:00.001-08:002015-03-02T16:39:27.418-08:00<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">I got pretty
sick this past week. Thursday we went to Porto for interviews
with the President. We didn't have time to eat lunch so we ate lunch at
about 8:30 that night. It was raining and just a bit cold, so after that is
when I got a bit sick. I received the package from Grandma Lee with
those Vitamin C packs and juice stuff. They
were really good and helped me a lot.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We will be having a baptism this coming Saturday for Irmão Olindo, father of a recent convert. It is going to be great :)</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10994494927886250185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915179325358415088.post-34653852407779647072015-02-16T17:38:00.001-08:002015-02-16T17:38:25.728-08:00<div class="MsoNormal">
Well the first full week of training was good. I am now
realizing how much I wasn't taught very well, so I am learning too. Next week will be even
better and the next month will be better because I now know what I am doing,
mais ou menos. :) Elder Michelsen is learning a lot and already speaks better
than I did. He told many stories already in Portuguese to me. It's great. But it
has also made me realize how far I have come. I have realized that I can
actually understand everyone, for the most part, and I can say basically what I want. Elder Michelsen is doing
awesome, and next week is going to be great!!!</div>
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This last Saturday, or Valentine's Day, the youth of the
branch put on a date type of thing for all the old people. We got invited and to invite investigators. Unfortunately no investigators came. but it was fun. The pizza in Portugal is so strange, but good, and nearly everyone
eats it with a knife and fork. We didn't.</div>
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Being Senior Companion I have realized that it is a lot of
responsibilities - to keep track of all of the recent converts, less-actives,
all of the investigators, and invite members to come to a bunch of lessons. And
as many of you know, I don't like calling people that much, but I think I am getting
used to it.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10994494927886250185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915179325358415088.post-8658899908017833432015-02-13T11:32:00.000-08:002015-02-13T11:36:15.280-08:00<div class="MsoNormal">
Well I haven't personally written on this for a while. But I will write a little agora.</div>
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I am in the same place, Viana do Costelo, the coldest area and the farthest north area in the
mission, and probably the largest area as well. I am now training Elder
Michelsen from California and I am only in my 5th transfer. I don't know why I was
picked. But I do know that the Lord provides a way for everything. I know I was
assigned to this position for a reason. I just don't know why. :) Our area here
has a lot of recent converts and less-actives. Our teaching pool is really
small. If any of you have any ideas on how to find new investigators, please
let me know. :)</div>
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The Gift of Tongues is real. It's only been 6 months and I can speak
a new language fairly fluently. We have a goal with Elder Michelsen that he
will be fluent by the end of this transfer. It's going to be awesome. </div>
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I don't really like doing these mass emails because I never
really know what to say and I don't have enough time to say everything. </div>
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I hope you all know that I love each and every one of
you. You are a special child of Heavenly Father, and if he can love you, why
can't I. :) You all have played a special part in my short life and you
all are helping me on my mission. </div>
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Eu agradeço por tudo. vocês são incríveis. Eu amo cada um de
vos, com todo o meu coração. desejo que eu pudesse expressar meus sentimentos a
vos. Mas, é difícil. guardeis todos os mandamentos e vocês vão prosperar em
tudo fizerdes.</div>
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Com muito amor,</div>
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Translated, the above says, "I thank you for everything. you are amazing. I love each of you, with all my heart. wish I could express my feelings to you. But it's hard. May you keep all the commandments and you will prosper in everything you do.<br />
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"Much love,"</div>
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Elder Lee </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10994494927886250185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915179325358415088.post-27357774615350833652014-12-29T11:09:00.001-08:002014-12-29T11:09:27.505-08:00It's been a rough month for Elder Lee . . . here are some things he has said:<div>
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December 10: The baptism didn't happen. She has an addiction with
smoking. We were ready to baptize her but she got really sick and couldn't
go to church. The other
family keeps changing our times to meet with them. I haven't ever seen them go
to church, but I am sure they are going to go this next week. I don't know how.
But we will see. </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">The most important
thing in the world is to read the Book of Mormon and pray every day. Without
those things each day, the world will shoot arrows and spears at you and you
won't have that prayer to block them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">December 16: </span>This
past week has been the worst week for the mission in a long time. We only had
three baptisms last weekend. Our baptism fell again. The investigators keep
getting annoyed with us and I don't understand why. We talked to them about it,
and got it all figured out, but they still have that little feeling. I think we
will end up trying to mark her the 27 or 28 of December. That family was sick
last week. The father said he would go, but he didn't. We had a lesson with him Friday about prayer and it was amazing. We hope to keep talking with him and
keep his desire to be baptized.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
December 22: It's been the worst week I have had in the mission
number wise ... we didn't have very many lessons, but contacted a lot of people, just never could get a hold of them again. It's hard ...</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Go to this website. I am in one of the pictures (bottom picture) with all of
the missionaries. middle row towards the left.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.lds.org/church/news/elder-cook-reports-europe-area-focused-on-work-of-salvation?cid=HPWE121014557&lang=eng">https://www.lds.org/church/news/elder-cook-reports-europe-area-focused-on-work-of-salvation?cid=HPWE121014557&lang=eng</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On Christmas Day we were able to Google Talk with Elder Lee. He looks good and had a hard time with some English words. He has a cough but says that is normal this time of year. He doesn't seem to be homesick and is learning to like fish. He will stay in Viana do Castelo at least until the next transfer which will be February 2, 2015.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Viana do Castelo is <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">one of the farthest
cities north. The mission averages between 10 and 15 baptisms a week.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Please pray for Elder Lee and his investigators.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10994494927886250185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915179325358415088.post-79382942773294400202014-12-01T17:44:00.000-08:002014-12-01T17:44:07.420-08:00<div class="MsoNormal">
If you haven't noticed already, the church came out with a new
message called "He Is The Gift." If you haven't seen it go to <a href="http://christmas.mormon.org/">christmas.mormon.org</a> and
watch that video. This Christmas the church is going world wide with this
"initiative." </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Every one of your jobs is to watch the film, and like it on
every social media site you have to show the entire world. Also, invite at
least one friend specifically to watch this, come to a family night, or go to
church with you. The Church believes in Every member a missionary. So do your
part. Help the missionaries out. They need every bit of help they can. I am
here in Portugal and the only investigators that are progressing have a
relationship of some sort with a member. Members are the reason people get
baptized NOT the missionaries. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Please, #ShareTheGift with everyone you possibly can. Share
the joy you get from Christmas and being a part of The Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-Day Saints. They are your brothers and sisters. This will impact
their lives, please help them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thank you, Love you all.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Eu sai que Igreja de Jesus Cristo Dos Santos Dos Ùltimos
Dias é a igreja do Senhor e por meio do Evangelho do Jesus Cristo, nós podemos
voltar e viver com Deus para sempre em Sua presença. Por Favor Ajudemos todos
as possoas. Em Nome de Jesus Cristo, Amém.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Com Muito Amor,</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Lee</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10994494927886250185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915179325358415088.post-24320481878737628332014-11-24T17:14:00.001-08:002014-11-24T17:14:24.124-08:00<div class="MsoNormal">
Written November 17, 2014</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well the first week in this area was pretty good. Elder Fish has had a family here being taught the lessons and can't keep
their goal to be baptized on a certain day, but they all have been to church at
least once - some more than others. Anyway, the first night I got to meet them we gave them a date to be baptized. It's a family of 4, two girls and the
parents. The parents aren't married yet but the girls are marked for this coming Sunday after church. They are excited. The
parents are expected to be married before the 27 of this month so they can be
baptized on the 29 and all of them can be confirmed and receive the Holy Ghost
the same day. That's our goal. I am praying it works out. It will be the first baptisms
for Elder Fish, and we will complete a family which President is really strong
about. Also we got a reference - that really never happens. It's the son of
one of the recent converts. He has heard bad things about this church and he
just wants to know the truth. We have taught him the first and second lessons
and he is reading the Book of Mormon and trying to figure out which is the best way to
study it. He actually asked us that question. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Written November 24, 2014</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No baptisms. Those marcados were two daughters in a family.
And they decided to be baptized as a whole family, but the father, we think, is getting
annoyed with us. We really need the members help now, because the father needs
to stop smoking and also get married, and he says we are pushing him. It's
difficult. So we don't have any progressing investigators right now, but we
definitely will next week. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We ran out of milk Saturday and we didn't have time to
buy more. So Sunday morning for breakfast we ate oatmeal with water. It wasn't too
bad but this morning we went earlier than usual to buy food for
the week, and I still hadn't eaten breakfast. When we got home, I was excited
to eat, but they don't refrigerate the milk here (milk lasts about a year without
being in the fridge). I poured
my cereal and ate it with yogurt instead.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am leaving here today to go to
Lisbon to do residency, so now I won't be living here on a visa anymore. Wish me
luck.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Love you all!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thank you much!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Lee</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10994494927886250185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915179325358415088.post-73992420372462071682014-11-10T16:03:00.000-08:002014-11-10T16:03:01.834-08:00<div class="MsoNormal">
I have been transferred and assigned to Aviana do Castelo, the farthest area north. I have heard it's the biggest area in the mission, so
we will see how it goes. My companion is Elder Fish from Nevada. We were in the
same house in Setúbal, so we already know each other. This is his 6th transfer
and hasn't baptized anyone, so we are changing that this transfer. Also, this
transfer is only 4 weeks.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
In Benfica we had progress. Before I left we met a married
older couple that came to church and to the night of movies at the church last
night. It was great. Also a woman named Catia that just finished school. She
loves to read the Book of Mormon with us, but hasn't been to church and she is
leaving this coming weekend to Holland. But she has plans to attend church
there already. Also, Vilma. she has a boyfriend and one little boy. She is
ready and knows she needs to be baptized, but she lives so far from the church, and it's an hour ride by bus to her house. So it's pretty difficult, but we will
see what happens. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10994494927886250185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915179325358415088.post-24301914642226353922014-11-03T16:55:00.002-08:002014-11-03T16:55:51.646-08:00<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Being
selfless is crazy difficult. It's a pride problem, if I haven't said that before. It's difficult because there are two sides to it. When you put everyone
literally above yourself, its not good, but if you put yourself above everyone
else, that's not good either. There is a scripture that says let others praise
you, not yourself. It's fine if people start talking highly about you, or you
about someone else, but if you talk about yourself so highly, then it becomes a
problem. There is a point between being humble but also being confident. People say
that Nephi was a little boastful because he says a couple times that "I am of large stature, full of strength, and preferred of the Lord." Its not boasting or being prideful,
it is being truthful. It's very difficult and I don't know how to obtain it,
except always pay attention to what I say and try not to win an argument, of
who had the most beautiful goal, who writes faster, who wakes up earlier, or
who studies more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses. Preach My Gospel says, "quit comparing yourself to others." Its like
track or cross country - it's all about <i>you</i> and <i>your</i> times. You are trying to
improve YOUR time, not anyone else's. So in life, first look at where you
started, then look at where you are now. Have you progressed? or have you stayed
the same? It doesn't matter who else is better or worse than you. What matters
is you.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10994494927886250185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915179325358415088.post-77393934301874601662014-10-20T16:21:00.000-07:002014-10-20T16:21:32.990-07:00<div class="MsoNormal">
Yesterday was stake conference. We have
had just 1 normal Sunday here in Benfica and its already the 4th week of the
transfer. Yesterday we had the best day yet. We contacted a reference
from the other missionaries. She wasn't really interested but said the closing
prayer. We will see if we can still continue with her. Just after that we
encountered a man walking into his house and asked if we could share a little message.
We started with the importance of prayer right after the opening prayer and
lead to Joseph Smith. They accepted the Book of Mormon and will read 2 Nephi
31. They only have time to talk on Sunday's, so that's a bit of a downer.
But we will live. Anyway, Sunday we ended up with 5 new investigators and 5
lessons. It was a good day.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10994494927886250185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915179325358415088.post-39986831182972356892014-10-14T16:09:00.001-07:002014-10-14T16:09:27.055-07:00<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The work in our area
is good. We have 2 progressing investigators so far, but we encountered a
family last Friday night. They are considered investigators because we had a quick lesson but haven't been back yet, and we definitely will.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you love rain, come to Portugal. There is rain every day.
And if you think the weather changes fast in Utah, haha, it's not that fast, compared to Lisboa.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">One thing I learned, Always Wash Your Hands. It had
never occurred to me how dirty everything really is, especially public
transportation. Yuck! People are disgusting. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Well, I don't know what more to say. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Have a great week. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In Portuguese we say, Boa semana</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10994494927886250185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915179325358415088.post-79813643989377738142014-10-06T14:24:00.001-07:002014-10-06T14:24:44.422-07:00<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Learning a new language is the hardest thing I have ever
done in my life. I have never had to study for a test, I have never had to
practice non-stop, I've never had a problem with this kind of stuff. Well now
it's biting my back. I don't know how to study, I don't know how to make a study
plan, and I don't know how to learn a language. Luckily I have people to help me
with that. But what if I didn't? What would I do? Well, let me tell you. There
is someone who does know how to learn this language, there is someone who knows
exactly who we are and exactly what we need. That picture of Christ standing at
the door without a doorknob is not just a nice picture, it has lots of meaning
to it. So, what does it mean?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Christ is standing right next to the door and will never
leave it. But he can't open it, all he can do is knock. And that knock is the
voice of the Holy Ghost. But guess what? It's soft, it's hard to hear. If we are
in our house (which is here on this earth), and we can't hear that knock, how easy
is it for Christ to help us? It's impossible. Why do you always have your music
in your ears, why do you always have to be talking to someone, why do you
always have to be with your friends, why do you always have to be busy? Do you
have priorities, or do you just have a jumble in your head of what needs to be
done so you have no plan? Maybe once or twice a week you can plan out your
week, and plan a time each day for a special time with Christ so He can help
you. He wants to help you. He is standing there, always at the door. We need to
have our days planned out, and a little slower, so we can hear that soft knock
of the Savior in our lives, each and every day. And as Elder Ballard taught,
when we are on the boat and the water is still, when we are bored, we want to jump
out and have a little fun. But once we do that, we step that much closer to
death, not just physical death, but Spritual death. Even when each day is going good,
don't get too comfortable that you don't plan, that you don't keep listening to
that knock. Because once we here that knock what do we need to do? We need to
open the door. So how do we do that? We Pray to our Father in the Name of
Christ, to see what He wants us to do. Or let Him help us in our lives, and
prevent some trouble that might come upon us. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have now realized how important it is to slow down during
the day, and always be listening to that Still Small voice. It is the most
important thing in this life. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the Name of Jesus Christ Amen.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Elder Lee</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This area is an old
area, we are basically re-opening it. We have no area book, no numbers of
members on our phone, so we literally started from scratch. We did get a hold
of the bishop and now we are starting to roll. Slowly but surely. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Written September 29, 2014</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I had 2 more
baptisms this weekend, Rafaela and Clarisse. I got to baptize Rafaela. It
was great. Also they wanted my to give a talk on the Holy Ghost. So i gave my
first talk in Portuguese </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">and everyone said I did a good job, even when I had almost nothing prepared except for one
scripture and my thoughts. But
once I stood up to the pulpit, my mind went completely blank. I didn't know what
to say, but as D&C 85:85 says, the spirit will bring them back to your
remembrance when it is needed. It wasn't a smooth talk, but I lived and so did they.The water in the baptismal font was cold. It wasn't too bad I thought, but everyone else thought it was way cold. Pretty funny. :) Anyway, after the baptism the bishop had them come to the
pulpit and bear their testimonies. and the Testimony of Clarisse was amazing. It brought the spirit so strong and it was the best thing ever.
Rafaela was a bit nervous because she is young, but it was good. She knows
this is the true church and that she did the right thing. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The language is
coming and getting easier. I have a new companion, Elder Porter</span> from St. George. <span style="font-size: 12pt;">In the past he has
been a zone leader, so he is a good missionary. We are in Bem Fica, Lisboa.
which used to be the AP`s area. I just got here
today.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10994494927886250185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915179325358415088.post-52175517578282731642014-09-22T16:29:00.000-07:002014-09-22T16:29:37.960-07:00<div class="MsoNormal">
I had my first baptism this past week. The baptism Friday was amazing. Monica had been an investigator
for 6 years and attended church all of the time with her husband. I got to be a lucky missionary to see it happen. The spirit was really strong and
it was amazing. I'll send some pictures.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Other investigators:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Aldofo, is a really old and an amazing black guy. We saw him
on the road Saturday afternoon. He had time so we gave him a tour of the
church. He already committed to baptism next Sunday and attended church
yesterday. He was amazing. We still haven't started with any of the lessons yet, but
he is ready.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Clarice is 13 and Rafaela is
9. They have been investigators for two weeks now or so. and finally visited
church yesterday. They have also committed to baptism Sunday. So we will see
them get baptized. :)</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10994494927886250185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915179325358415088.post-65414920213887374272014-09-09T18:26:00.003-07:002014-09-09T18:26:53.626-07:00<div class="MsoNormal">
My friends and other friends. I love each and every one of
you. I have thought about YOU once already. Trust me. I have. :) Today I want
to tell you something that is the most important, the funnest thing I can do
here on the mission and I wish I had more time to do it. That is Study The Scriptures!!!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We have one hour to study every day. And that 1 hour is not
enough. I don't care if you say you don't have time. Gee, I KNOW you can make time. It doesn't have to be an hour, but please try for at least 20 minutes, and I promise you, if you are studying with your whole mind, 20 minutes won't be
enough. I promise with all my heart it will bless your day, your life, your
families lives and your friends lives if you can do only that for 20
minutes. It doesn't exactly have to be scriptures either, actually
scriptures are my favorite. But Jesus the Christ. If you haven't read that book, please do it sometime soon. Do it for me. I have gotten 45 pages into it, and I don't have time to read any more. At least for a couple months. :) If you don't
know, that book was written in the temple by James Talmage. It is practically
scripture. I know that it is true and if it was written in the House of the
Lord, I bet Jesus the Christ was the real author of that book. It was written
in His House. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I challenge you to pick a topic: the Atonement, Charity,
Brotherly Kindness, Chacter of Christ, anything, and study that for a week or a
month then move to another topic that interests you. You won't learn anything if it's
not something you love, so have fun with it and it will cause miracles to
happen in your life. :)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I ask you to do this because I love you. I hope you know
that. I would do anything for any of you. As long as it makes you happy.
:) </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Happiness is a choice. Choose to be happy every day. Wear
that lovely smile everywhere. You made a covenant with our Heavenly Father when
you were baptized to be a representative of Jesus Christ. So, I ask you to be a
window. A window that people can look through you and See your Savior Jesus
Christ. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well now that I feel like I'm giving a lecture. Sorry... But
It is true.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
De Novo, Eu amo vocês. Guardam Jesus Cristo em tuas vidas.
Sempre lembrá-Lo. E vâo ser abençoado. Em nome de Jesus Cristo. Amém</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10994494927886250185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915179325358415088.post-69855413925395901202014-09-01T10:33:00.002-07:002014-09-01T10:33:45.080-07:00<div class="MsoNormal">
I am tired just about every night. I don't exercise much
because there is only 30 minutes to get ready and go somewhere, and then get
back home. So I can never really move my legs. I find myself flexing my legs
and my back all of the time, because they want to do something exhausting, but I really can't. Oh well. I started getting a blister on my heel a couple nights
ago because we were walking super fast one night to get back home on time,
because the lesson was awesome and we didn't want to leave. We walked fast
and my heel got a little bit of a blister. This morning putting my soccer shoes
on hurt it a bit, but it's all good now, I think. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder De Oliveira leaves home in December. Yes, there is a
branch in our area that four missionaries are in, and we all live together. We
live in the other Elders' area, so we have to walk all the way to our area to
start doing anything, and its about a 20 minute walk from our house. The
drivers are crazy, but I love it. Honestly if you are crossing the road,
at a cross walk, you don't wait for the cars, they all wait for you. It is so
different. So whenever you get to a crosswalk you don't have to stop walking, the cars stop for you. It's actually really cool. They make sidewalks here
for three reasons, to plant trees, people to walk of course, and the most
important reason for sidewalks here in Portugal, is to park your cars. If they
have to run into the correios real quick, or something, they park pretty much
in the lane they were driving in, get their stuff and come back out onto the
road. They are crazy, but it all works somehow. Also, this town has steep
hills, and they park every which way. Places at home where it would be a 5
mph road, here it's about 25 mph. That's why they don't have bikes. If you got
into an intersection as fast as a bike does and a car is coming the other way,
you're dead. ha. And also, the cobblestone is really slick so bikes wouldn't do
anything when it's raining.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Members don't do very much missionary work. Elder De Oliveira hasn't
really ever received a referral. But the youth here are better than most youth I see anywhere in Utah. You want someone who will stand up for what they
believe in, you come to Portugal. Not to say that no one in Utah is like that,
but for the majority its like that. I'd take 15 Portuguese youth over 100 youth
in Utah, probably. They are awesome! The weather is very hot during the day. One
elder is from Arizona and says it's not bad when we are complaining, but it is hot. One of the members says in September its hotter than in August, so I'm
going to die.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
P-days, last week we didn't do anything. There
isn't much to do in our area. Today we went to an aquarium in Lisboa. It was great. We still need to buy food and stuff
for the rest of the week. Since we have two companionships in the house, we
switch every other week of who buys food for the week. It's pretty great. We get
160 euros each month. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10994494927886250185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915179325358415088.post-44479736145493087832014-08-31T17:33:00.004-07:002014-08-31T17:33:58.529-07:00<div class="MsoNormal">
Email from Justin on August 25, 2014</div>
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The flights here were crazy. The shortest one we had was to
Dallas. Not bad. But the over night one to London was ruthless. As I expected, I slept
about 4 hours, which actually was great because jet leg wasn't too bad. In Dallas, we met the missionaries returning home from Portugal. One of them knew
my companion Elder De Oliveira. He lived in Brazil when he was younger, then
has lived here in Portugal for the past 11 years. So he doesn´t know English
very well, but he knows a lot. I can talk in English and he will understand me, but it´s hard for me to understand what he says. He doesn`t have vocal cords,
so everything is like a whisper. But my understanding is getting better. </div>
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I am serving in Setùbal. Its a great place, every where
pretty much has a lot of hills. I can´t walk very far that's flat like at home (ha), but I´m surviving. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10994494927886250185noreply@blogger.com0