Letter from Mike Aug. 29, 2007

How are all of you? I can honestly now say that I´ve never been better! Everything here is so awesome. You should all want to be in my shoes! Today we didn´t get to go to the temple because we went to the Federal Police and got fingerprinted, hassled etc etc...It was awesome.

So go up to this handsome lookin fella, start handing the guy a pass along card and stumbling through some portuguese, and he´s like "Dude, save it. I speak English." HA!! The Lord directs you for sure! But yeah, we talked about Christ and I told him that I knew that he left the tomb and that he is a living God, and he told me that this was the message that Brazil needed. That it was gettng more and more corrupt and that what I was saying to him would help everyone in one way or the other. So he took my card with the missionaries number and told me that he wanted to look into all of that, becasue he also felt that Christ is more than a man. Anyways, proselyting experience #1=AWESOME!!

Everything is just swell. Portuguese is actually starting to pick up. We have to speak it in class now and that helps so much. Tough, but ~´m learning so much.

I got that first package and was quite pleased. You guys know me better than Dumbledore knows Harry. I appreciate it. Also, mom, got your letter and a few from mission ties. I love trivial news from the mainland. Thanks a lot. I pray for you, just like I promised. Uhmm, tell the Nielsen´s as well as Rolene T thanks. They´ve both sent me letters and it helps to know that the support of the ward is with me.

Well, we had the best fireside so far last night. It was awesome. Remember the story that Pres Mnson(?) told about the young mens pres that went and got the kid from the beah every sunday morning to get to church? That surfer kid is now President Arujo(?), an area athourity seventy, who used to be a pro surfer in Fotaleza. Look him up, because he gave the best talk I´ve ever heard last night, Obedience is key he said, and I knew that thanks to you dad.

You´re all so swell. I hope that you can feel the spirit of missionary work as I work and learn here. It truly is an amazng work. The most important thing in the world, and knowing that I have the full support of the best family in the world is so awesome. Never stop the letters. I love them.

Kids, one and all, be good. Be smart. Be wise and study the important things. Make sure and have fun though. The most important thing all of you can do is get close to the Lord and stay there. I love you all and smile when I thnk of you. May your week be full of smiles and laughter, good food, and lots of school hahahahah!

Elder Mike


Michael now has an email address! Click this > E-Mail Elder Young

Elder Araujo Article

Michael mentioned that Elder Arujo, an Area Authority Seventy, spoke at a fireside this week at the MTC. Here is the General Conference address that talks about his conversion as a youth in Fortaleza, Brazil. Note that the man in the photo portraying the YM President is Elder Arujo.

Click here to see video presentation of this story on LDS.org.

Strengthen Thy Brethren

Mervyn B. Arnold, “Strengthen Thy Brethren,” Ensign, May 2004, 46

Brother José de Souza Marques was the type of leader who truly understood the principle taught by the Savior: “And if any man among you be strong in the Spirit, let him take with him him that is weak, that he may be edified in all meekness, that he may become strong also” (D&C 84:106).

As a member of the branch presidency in Fortaleza, Brazil, Brother Marques with the other priesthood leaders developed a plan to reactivate those who were less active in his branch. One of those who was less active was a young man by the name of Fernando Araujo. Recently I spoke to Fernando, and he told me of his experience:

“I became involved in surfing competitions on Sunday mornings and stopped going to my Church meetings. One Sunday morning Brother Marques knocked on my door and asked my nonmember mother if he could talk to me. When she told him I was sleeping, he asked permission to wake me. He said to me, ‘Fernando, you are late for church!’ Not listening to my excuses, he took me to church.

“The next Sunday the same thing happened, so on the third Sunday I decided to leave early to avoid him. As I opened the gate I found him sitting on his car, reading the scriptures. When he saw me he said, ‘Good! You are up early. Today we will go and find another young man!’ I appealed to my agency, but he said, ‘We can talk about that later.’

“After eight Sundays I could not get rid of him, so I decided to sleep at a friend’s house. I was at the beach the next morning when I saw a man dressed in a suit and tie walking towards me. When I saw that it was Brother Marques, I ran into the water. All of a sudden, I felt someone’s hand on my shoulder. It was Brother Marques, in water up to his chest! He took me by the hand and said, ‘You are late! Let’s go.’ When I argued that I didn’t have any clothes to wear, he replied, ‘They are in the car.’

“That day as we walked out of the ocean, I was touched by Brother Marques’s sincere love and worry for me. He truly understood the Savior’s words: ‘I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick’ (Ezek. 34:16). Brother Marques didn’t just give me a ride to church—the quorum made sure I remained active. They planned activities that made me feel needed and wanted, I received a calling, and the quorum members became my friends.”

Following his reactivation, Brother Araujo went on a full-time mission and has served as bishop, stake president, mission president, and regional representative. His widowed mother, three sisters, and several cousins have also entered the waters of baptism.

When speaking about the work of the Aaronic Priesthood quorums in his ward, Brother Araujo, who is once again serving as a bishop, stated:

“Our rescue work is the focus in all three quorums of the Aaronic Priesthood. We have a list of each one of our lost sheep. The quorum presidencies, advisers, and bishopric divide up and go visit them on a regular basis. We visit not only the less-active members, but we also visit the nonmembers in less-active or part-member families.

“Activities are organized to reach each young man. We discuss each young man in our quorum presidency meetings and in our monthly bishopric youth committee meetings. In 2003 we managed to rescue five priests, one teacher, and two deacons, who are now active in their quorums. We have also reactivated some families and have enjoyed the blessing of seeing some nonmembers enter the waters of baptism.”

[photo] A story told by Elder Mervyn B. Arnold was reenacted to illustrate the importance of reaching out to youth. A now-grown Fernando Araujo portrays the priesthood leader in this photo. Bruno Augusto portrays the young Fernando Araujo.

Letter from Mike Aug. 22, 2007

Elder Michael Young writes:

About the trip: I flew from SLC with one other Elder and then we met up with 5 others in Texas. We all commented on how strange it was to meet up with strangers in a foreign place and instantly feel a brotherhood. Very Cool!

On his 2nd P-day in the MTC:
So many things in my inbox! I have the best friends and family in the world! Well, I´m doing all sorts of fine and dandy. P-days rock. I´ve been out wandering the streets and I can´t wait to get down to the nitty-gritty haha I´ve been busy all week...It wears me out studying 24/7, but I couldn´t be more all about it. It's amazing having the spirit on your side. True happiness is in Brazil ladies and gentlemen. Thanks for the letters. Portuguese is a mean bully, kicking me in the mouth with every mistake I make. It´s fun, and I love trying to talk to the Brasilieros. Most of the time, they look at me like I have lobsters crawling out my ears, but it´s a fun experience. I can pray, testify, and give the first lesson in Portuguese, and this week we start on the second. It´s hard to train your tongue to something so different, but it´s an awesome experience. We go to the temple on every p day. The first five weeks we go to Campinas, which is about an hour and a half away, and the last four weeks, we go to Sao Paulo. The Campinas temple is rad. I love it. Portuguese isn´t the highlight of the trip, but it´s an interesting experience nonetheless haha Well, Mom, Dad, I love you. Thanks so much for helping me get out here and showing me what it means to be a servant of God. I couldn´t love it more. Don´t ever worry about me. I am so fine. I have a blast in this big frat house of a missionary training center. Let me know what you want to know. Thank you for all your support and prayers. I can feel them. I hope that you can feel mine.

Love from afar, Mike

Cakes and Pies

Here is a shot of a Ice Cream and Pastry shop in Bowling Green, Kentucky that reminded me of Michael and Ren. Cakes and Pies forever!

Campinas Temple Information

Here are some photos of the Campinas Temple that Michael attended.
Click here to see more information about the Campinas Temple.

Click here to see more information about the Campinas Temple.

First Letter From Mike!

We received our first letter today from Mike in Brazil. He arrived at the Brazil MTC safely and says all is well.

He has only seen a little bit of the area, but says how much he loves the country.

He says: " . . studying all day was way hard for me at first, but once you feel the spirit teach you something, it becomes much easier to put your mind to work and study for hours at a time. Personal study is where it´s at. I´ve been reading Jesus the Christ and I love it. J.E. Talmage was a genius."

About the food he writes:

"Like we heard, beans and rice every day. Oh boy except Monday nights, the Americans last nights at the CTM. We had grilled cheese, mango chicken, and french fries. It was a serious blessing. I´ve been living on rolls (the bread is amazing) and orange Fanta. The meat is always tough as nails and they always have these weird casserole combinations that I only try if the Brazillians are sitting with me...I´m making it worse than it is. It´s really not bad. With a little soy sauce and divine help, I can swallow the beans and rice, but bit by bit. Line upon line, precept upon precept, right:)"

His new companion is Elder Allred. That is all we know about him, his name!

On Wednesday they went to the Campinas Temple. He wrote:

"I went to the Campinas temple this morning. It is awesome. We had an early morning English session and I loved it. It´s beautiful. Be sure to check it out on the web."

He is having a great time and learning a lot. He misses all of us, but is so excited to be a missionary.

Michael now has an email address! Click this > E-Mail Elder Young

Michael Has Arrived! Letter from the Brazil MTC President

Dear Parents,

Your son or daughter arrived here safely at the Brazil MTC this morning. They
were greeted, and are now moving in and resting, and then they will have lunch.
This afternoon they will attend an orientation meeting and meet with the doctor
about immunizations, etc. Then they will go for a short walk around the
neighborhood with a teacher. Tomorrow they will learn how to pray in
Portuguese.

The food here is very good. There are always two kinds of meat or chicken, a
hot vegetable, beans and rice, fresh salad vegetables, a variety of fruit, a
dessert, a popsicle, and lots of Brazilian juices and other drinks. They can
eat all they want.

We are so happy to have them here ready to serve and help the people of Brazil.
It would be wonderful if you could pick them up at the end of their mission.
You can then relate to them the rest of their life about their experiences here.
It will be worth the time and expense.

They will be able to e-mail you on either Tuesday or Wednesday which ever day is
their P-day. They go to the temple that morning and e-mail you during the
afternoon. Attached is the information for mailing letters and other mail to
your missionary while he or she is at the MTC.

Click here to read document about mailing packages to the Brazil MTC.

Thank you for sharing them for this time. May you be blessed in their absence.
Love, Phyllis Cardon, wife of the MTC President

Brazil MTC Photos

Here are some photos of the Brazil MTC from other Elders who have been there. These are not from Michael.

Michael Countdown Clock

Sao Paulo Guarulhos Airport

Michael will be flying to the Sao Paulo Guarulhos International Airport. Here is a photo, and a Wikipedia article about the airport you may find interesting.
His destination is 13 hours by air and 6200 miles away!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/São_Paulo-Guarulhos_International_Airport

Elder Young Leaves for the Brazil MTC

Farewell Fotos