Not a Creature was Stirring, Not even President
Hey friends! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and ate lots of food for me. While you were eating and napping and watching football, all that good stuff… I made cookies, slept very little, woke up at 4am, left the mission boundaries twice, and slept again.
My Thanksgiving Thankful
Every year, at Thanksgiving Dinner, my family goes around and says what they are thankful for. Obviously I didn't get to do mine this year, so I figured I would share it here. Unfortunately, I don't have time to type out every one of you but I am grateful I get to send an email to you every week!
This year I am specifically thankful for people. I have met so many people and developed so many relationships in the last year that I will forever cherish. I'm thankful for my roommates during my first year at BYU, Caleb, Daniel and Sam, and the fun we got to have together and the trust between us. I am grateful for the girls of room 1204. Ashley (Sister Olander), Bella, Eva (Hermana Cheney), and, of course, Alix (Sister Aguilar). Each one of them has built my testimony from looking for God's hand in my life to the importance of missionary work to loving others. Each one of them has picked me up when I was down and given me advice, I owe a lot to them.
Don't worry I didn't forget about my family. They are of THE UTMOST importance to me. My brother and sister always provide me with entertainment and, at the same time, what it looks like to be dedicated. From guitar to football, there's always something new that we get to do together. My dad has always been supportive of what I've done. Whether it's work or a church activity or leaving the country for two years, his support for me has never wavered and he has always been willing to help in any way he can. Can’t forget my mother as I couldn't do anything without her. For as long as I can remember she was giving me rides and even when I could drive she came with me anyway to show her support. She always makes my favorite food when I ask and always makes sure I am doing okay. Even a continent away she still sends me packages to make sure I have what I need to keep going.
One more paragraph then I'll be done. Recently, I am extremely thankful for my CTM district. We've had our up days and our down days but regardless we've been there for each other. I am thankful for the relationships we were able to develop in a few short weeks together. Okay okay okay, last but certainly not least, my best friend, Liv. I can guarantee each one of you that I would be someone and somewhere completely different without her. Her love for the Lord and her love for others has been nothing short of the perfect example. She's seen me at my worst and my best and still stuck by me. Sure, at times, she's wanted to slap me and physically knock some sense into me… but that's what a best friend is for… right?
Seminário!
Alright, this sentimental stuff is getting cringe, let's move on. This week my comp and I went to lots of Seminary. Bryan and Ana (the two kids we baptized on Sunday) really wanted to go but had no way to get there so we decided that we would walk with them each evening. On the walks I got to practice speaking and making conversation in Portuguese, which was really helpful.
After seminary, we would get to spend time with the youth which I love doing because, in my home ward, the missionaries that hung out with us made a big difference in my life. I want to do the same for these kids. On Thursday we made cookies for them which… turned out and that’s all I’m gonna say about that. We will try again next week. With all the time hanging out, I finally got to break the language barrier and have fun with them, even if that involved a little rule bending (worth it). The youth have been bringing friends to seminary too which has been amazing. I love the youth.
The Slovenian Returns
Remember how my legalization documents said I was a citizen of Slovenia? We FINALLY got that fixed. On Friday, I went to immigration and dealt with that little issue. We woke up at 3:45am, ate pizza (ofc), got on the train and went to the office. We were supposed to be there at 6:30am and arrived at 6:00am… the whole mission was still asleep… so we just sat on the street, outside the gate.
Immigration was pretty much just like the DMV. The most stubborn unhelpful people ever (except for one person). But, it’s fine. Well it was… until they decided that they wanted proof of an address that didn't exist so I had to talk with the mission secretary (entirely in Portuguese) to figure out what the heck to do for me and the other Elder I was with. We were making record time too. It was going to be sub 2 hours and instead… 6. After immigration we had to go back to the office which took 3 times as long as it should have.
Now what happened after leaving the office… that’s between me and my comp. It may or may not have included going the wrong way on the metro. I was finally able to eat my first food of the day (a pastry) at 7:15pm and we finally got back to our area at 8pm (16 hours after I woke up). We got back and crashed (there's a video in my Google Photos). And that was that. To summarize, I woke up, met a bunch of unhelpful people, spoke a bunch of Portuguese, lots of stuff went wrong, and 19 hours later I went back to sleep. Story book ending, I know.
Random
It took 15 different stores to find a backpack
Found the backrooms of ties. Thousands of ties. It was tie heaven. Let's just say... I now own 40 ties.
Hit 100 days and naturally had to buy an entirely chocolate pizza
Met the senior couple that got called to our mission and we need more people in the world like them.
Bought lots of pastels and KitKats this week
Walked to the top of the mountain in our area and found our chapel and saw our area from above
I drank half a liter of Gatorade in 3.5 seconds
I got a broom thrown at me
Vocab
Seminary - a daily class for high school students to study the scriptures and the gospel
Quotes
“Are you a gingo? (looks at last name) Ahh Gonzalez… you are not a gingo” [Young Women in the Ward (English Translation), 11/26/2025]
God's Hand
God knew what I needed to hear on the days I knew I needed it. He led me to the General Conference Talks that I needed to learn from.
Never ran out of energy on long days until it was time to go to bed
Being able to converse with the Youth in the Ward
Spiritual Thoughts
God puts things in your path that you didn’t know you were looking for. Sometimes we don't know we are lost but he finds us, or sends someone to find us anyways.
I think about this a lot (I feel like I write about it every other week) but especially with Thanksgiving. Almost everyone I mentioned in “My Thanksgiving Thankful” I didn't know I was looking for but the moment I met them I knew they were heaven sent angels (I Believe in Angels — Elder Carlos A. Godoy, October 2020)
In the past year: I didn’t know that I was lost, I thought I was on the right path, but as I was getting comfortable my loving Heavenly Father sent Liv. An angel sent to build my testimony and realized my potential in the gathering of Israel. I didn't know I was lost but he found me anyway. He also sent me a Bishop that was patient with me as I figured out what was next for me. A Bishop that didn't give up on me even when I was hard on him. Another angel.
In the past week: I felt like I was doing pretty good. It was a chill week with not much going on so I let myself relax a little bit. Everyday, as I usually do, I listened to a Conference Talk. One day, I clicked on a seemingly random one but finished it realizing there are many things that I can do to better myself as a disciple of Christ. Something I didn't know I needed, but God put it in my path anyways.
“The Lord is aware of the challenges you face. He knows you, He loves you, and I promise, He will send angels to help you.” (I Believe in Angels — Elder Carlos A. Godoy, October 2020)
“I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your [heart], and mine angels round about you, to bear you up” (Doctrine and Covenants 84:88)
Challenge
“Seek out and find the one” that needs the Light of Christ this Christmas season. (“If Christ Had My Opportunities …” — Elder Paul K. Sybrowsky, October 2005)
That's that. Hopefully you are enjoying the long emails. I seriously don't know how they get so long, I feel like nothing is going on here.
I miss you all. Please, please, please, email me. Even if it's like 10 words it still makes my day. Let me know if there is anything I can pray for!
Muito amor,
Elder Urbano
