Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Email August 27th, 2013

 heyyyy there from the MTC! 
       how is it going on the outside world?? it is long here but flying by so quickly.... almost half way done.... everyone is being reassigned stateside and waiting for the visas.  i have the opportunity to attend the temple and i prayed fervently to know what was going to happen... the most remarkable feeling came over me, the most peace and the reassurance that i was there for a reason... and that if i am reassigned state side, there is a reason for it.  the days are full of attempts to learn Portuguese and practicing baring my testimony in the language... most of my prayers outside the temple are in the language, i see the lords hands at work with me and my district mates, so if anyone has not heard the huge news my companion and i are the new Zone Leaders for Branch 70! my patriarchal blessing said i would be given responsibility that i would assume that are impossible to accomplish, but i am faithful and prayerful, i hope i am humble... and as i am continuing in this assignment i will accomplish it with success. (i glance up to about twenty red-squiggly-lines-that-let-you-know-that-you-cannot-spell-to-save-your-life-thingys.... staring and taunting at me cause my mouse isn't working...) i realize i am learning much when i start to see words in english and i think i see the portuguese word in stead... im starting to think certain words in english... along with that my letters are effected a bit... i love the language, it is the ultimate language, portuguese is best described as a mixture of french (love language?) and spainish (epic accents?) haha alright, now for picture time!!!!

elder Charles!

 heel click for joy??

 temple walk sundays
 
sisters showing there yay hands from Irmão Belchoir 

an unfortunate person with unfortunate circumstances.... i pray he sees how much the savior loves him... 


well that will be all for this week... 

-Elder Buffington (Boo-f-ing-tone is how they pronounce it)   
ps i love and pray for you all! stay stong and keep mom from missing me too much!!!


Excerpt from email to Mom:
as i am on my complete third week, i find that i need another pair of jeans, maybe a pair of khaki (?) slacks... and a shirt or two... if you all in the real world can find the Brazil mission tee-shirt.... or if u can find a Brazil, Macéio mission tee-shirt maybe you can get one for my companion and i... if you all do, I'm a Med. and my companion is the same!

btw.. if you find a tie like this.... or maybe the background black and the stitching pink... id be grateful!  the design is called "paisley" ::)))))


so my roommates and i created a top 25 tips for missionaries

1. Socks, THAN Shoes
2. Residents vents can be doubled as fridges
3. you may be called to one of the Brazil missions, but your serving state side, you just don't know it yet.
4. official tie length is described as "to the belt buckle"
5. comparing district members to the Disney characters they resemble is a good use of language study time
6. The best way to make friends is cinnamon rolls and a ab wheel
7. A missionary will use the hand sanitizer dispensers on average of 25 times daily.
8. if you are having trouble memorizing "your purpose", turning the lines into war chants makes it a success
9. don't play with your cafeteria food, UNLESS it is JELLO
10. the most seriously observed and respected game at the MTC is 4-square.
11. if lessons with your progressive investigator isn't going well, crying hysterically is a acceptable last resort.
12. dropping your scriptures on the ground is a automatic 10 pounds on your future wife, but don't lose hope, there is a reset option, its called prayer
13. having a companion is like having peter pans shadow, but you cant get rid of him with soap, or bring him back.
14. TALL lab (interactive language learning program)= nap time
15. the Orange Juice here is rumored to be sketchy
16. tie exchanges can be fun, but people can be real "wheeler-dealers"
17. the Cafe doorman watches like a hawk... so if u don't have your card, your not eating
18. encourage friends and family to send packages and letters, especially if you have the early eating schedule
19. if you are saddened by not receiving any letters or packages blaming your district leader can be a good stress reliever
20. if a sister tells you that you have a "sweet spirit" it ISN'T a complement
21. all stories that include "long story short" ends with a long drug out ending.
22. don't photo bomb on the temple grounds, you'll feel stupid
23. if you are going to sing during a Sunday night devotional, 1. SHAVE 2. don't sing like a goat
24. singing, parkour, jump-roping, food eating competitions, riddles/jokes
      -these are examples of things you might think impress sisters, but in fact makes u a outcast
25. Make sure you know what a dear john is before PROUDLY announce it in front of the entire MTC population


i must let you know that these are not ALL done by us.... 


hahaha hope this made you smile :) we are working hard here... but my district is like a family to me! it has assisted me so much!

you can share the list with the others if u feel like it.

keep praying, keep on being faithful, and above all else, Stay Strong, and remember who you are :) 
i love ya mom and will hope to hear from you soon! 

Friday, August 23, 2013

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

hello there! well this is my weekly update to let you know the cool stuff that has happened, i might add a pic or three, gotta find a way to reduce the size of these :D

anyhow, i have been slowly but surly growing in the language, these hours are difficult but much worth it!

sobe missed me xD


Elder Thorley and I
(such a great companion)

my district in front of the provo temple

my first progressing investigator

portu-englês words (zinhos= little, so, little byes, little breaks, etc. (fox is irmão walkers little boy xD))

thats all for this week i think, for everyone following me, thank you for the support and may god be with you till we (e-mail) again!
and mom... thanks for the livingroom picture on my camra, i just found it the other day! you are the best, and a super thanks for the care package!\
tchau zinhos!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Elder Buffington
(called to the lords true mission, slightly delayed cause of meainies, but i know there is a reason for it!)


Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

hey mom! it has been a crazy week! but this is my p day! i get an hour to do this! i sent a note home, a brief note but it does have my adreass on it! language is progressing more than i could ever imagine, and i have been told i have a Portuguese accent now! hope all is well with you at home, and the family of course, thats good that spence is heading there, i guess he is there by now, tell him that i love him and he has been in my prayers, i believe today has been by far the best day, i started my day at 6:15, then had a small bite to eat, than we went to the temple and went through a session, it has been too long sence i have been there and it was a much needed time to converse with the lord, i hit a point that i thought i couldnt learn anything because i can understand sooooo much and i know what to say, i just get a bit nervous when it happenes.... my companion is Elder Thorley, he is a epic person and he is awesome in the language, he assists me when i need it!!!!!    by the way... you covered o output with duck tape,

i am trying to read the book of Mormon with the Portuguese book of Mormon side by side, you all are in my prayers always, i love you all, i have about 20 min. on here so maybe there will be a reply,

i love you, stay strong and remember that you have a son that is puting all his heart might mind and faith into his preperation to serve the wondwerful people of Maceio,

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Write to Daniel!

Daniel's address in the MTC is:

Elder Daniel Ammon Buffington
SEP17 BRA-MAC
2007 N 900 E Unit 58
Provo UT 84602

You can also write to him at DearElder.com  This is actually a really cool way to write him while he's in the MTC because he gets it in the form of an actual paper letter that he can read without using his computer time.  And it's free! : )