watermelon in winter

(NOTE:  Received 5/31/2010) HElllllloooooooooo family! This was an interesting week. Had ups and downs like none other before, and was definitely a trial of faith. But some things I learned: first, always ALWAYS listen to the Spirit, even when you think what you say isn't important or doesn't matter. Cuz if you don't say it, there could be unexpected consequences. Also, I learned that we really do have power and authority, which is something I need to remember as we are teaching and talking about repentance and such like that. Also, keep the commandments. When you do something wrong, repent quickly. It's simple, and it's a gift from the Lord to have repentance and the Atonement in our lives. So first thing to write about is our baptism. It ended up not happening. Turns out, Mauro needs a little more time to prepare. I'd love to see his baptism, but I don't know what will happen with transfers and such, so who knows if I will even be here. That was actu...

(NOTE:  Received May 24, 2010) ...but it doesn't really work that well. Oi minha querida família!! Last Monday night, we had a fun surprise! The other two elders in our area live with two more elders, Elder Nóbrega and Elder B. Almeida. Anyway, those two aren't even in our zone, so we don't see them much, but are friends with them. Last Monday, Elder Lee Dee invited us to a noite familiar (Family Home Evening) with him and Elder Paul, and one of their investigators, and Rute and her family. So we got there, way before the Elders, and called them. They told us they were close, and to go in and wait for them with the family. So we did. Then they walked in with Elder Nóbrega and B. Almeida, instead of an investigator! That was awesome. The investigator really was going to go, but backed out last second. So we partied there and watched part of conference...that was interesting, in Portuguese. Tuesday was district meeting, which means MAIL! I got a letter from Pops, and ...

Hellooooooo family! I'm going to write this really quickly.  First of all, I have officially learned to do laundry by hand! I did it last week...it takes a lot of time, especially getting stuff to dry on cold humid days, which describes all of last week. The hardest part is just when I have to wring all the water out of the clothes. But it's a good experience. :) Last Tuesday at district meeting, I got a stack of letters and a package! It was like Christmas! There is also an Elder in my mission who I know from the CTM , who looks like Obama. It's funny. I didn't know he was going to be in the same mission as me until I saw him here. Also on Tuesday (I think), I saw a bus that was jacked up, because it was broken. The front end was off the ground...it was totally weird! But pretty cool. I didn't have my camera though. :( We taught English to someone last week. We helped her with the alphabet and such...and it makes me rea lly glad that I am NOT learning Engl...

(NOTE:  Received May 10, 20100 Helloooooo family! Long time no talk, eh? I loved talking to you yesterday! That was so good. It gave me a lot more motivation to work harder, that's for sure. I got a blessing last week, and in it was promised that my family will be taken care of and blessed as I serve the Lord down here. I know that's true, and right now, I am working hard not for me, but for you. Each and every one of you. Blessings come every day. The big ones take time to come, but keep pressing forward conitnually, as the people holding the iron rod did. Remember, those who continually held the rod got to the fruit, despite being laughed at and tempted to let go. On another note, I was going to tell you all something about the cars here. I know I've talked about it before, but now i see it more as I am out every day. So, there are a ton of trashy cars here. Somehow, though I don't know how, none of the cars have dents! They are just old, rusty, and beaten to deat...

(NOTE:  Received May 5, 20100 Greetings from the muito grande area of Vila Industrial! I am still in the city. My companion is Sister Frame, and I like her very much! This is going to be a quick email without a ton of information, because I already wrote a letter letter yesterday for you that has way more details about my last week at the CTM. I hope I get around to mailing that soon..probably on Pday, Monday. I get to write today because I basically didn't have a Pday this week, and I guess we have to email every week or something. And this Sunday is Mothers Day so we can talk on the phone! So, I took a ton of pictures the last few days at the CTM, so I should get you some of those maybe next week or something. That would be fun! Pops, know how you like to pick on the new missionary to pray...always? Well, I now am on the receiving end of that! I have prayed a few times already at people's houses, and it's only been half a day! I guess today we have district meeting late...