3-23-2010

This past week has been really great. We found two families who are so strong in spirit. They know what we are teaching is true and it is so cool to be able to see that. This Sunday we are all going to walk to church from their house, the walk is about an hour and a half!! This is something that is unheard of, mt companion can't believe they are willing to walk that far. There is a 10 year old boy, Juhlio, and he asked if I would baptize him in English. That would be so cool to be here baptizing someone in English. I think that his family will definitely be baptized.

That is crazy about the earthquake in Chile, I am glad Cody Christensen is OK. We get to see the news once in a while, but not very often. The only sports we ever hear about is soccer, soccer, and more soccer. So I really appreciate the Jazz updates.

I love you all and thanks for all the scriptures, they are helpful.

Life in Marilia

My Companion, Elder Galdino

Down time at the apartment
My church in Marilia

Brazilian Spider

Bob, our pet gecko

3-17-2010

Yes, I know, I have gotten a little behind...

3-2-2010
Today is my P-Day because it is also transfer day. Some things have changed in my area, it has been split into two areas, so now I am living with 3 elders. They are all Brazilian who do not speak English, but I think it will help me out a ton with learning the language. My new companion, Elder Galdino, is pretty cool. He is kinda nervous because he was just made the district leader and he has only been here for 8 months. I can understand his Portuguese really well which is nice. I don't really know much about him since I just met him today.

Last Wednesday was my first baptism. It was such a cool experience. But I worry she won't stay strong in the church, I hope that she will though.

Two other things. There is a member who is way cool, who asked me if you could send some peanut butter for him. So, could you do that for me? And another member who is 18 loves my CTR ring. Is there any way you we could get him one?

Brian - To explain the stove: we actually have two because they closed an area and all the extra stuff is at our house. So our stove is inside the house, but we don't ever really use it.

Thank you for all the support. I love and miss you all.

3-9-2010:

I am doing good. It can tell you guys are having a lot of fun in Hawaii right now. I can't wait to go again when I get back. You have no idea how much I miss Panda Express, I want it so bad. No one here has even heard of it. Mom, I can't believe you cried when you dropped off Tulo at the Kennel. HaHa, I always thought you were a dog person but you would just never admit it.

Elder Galdino is really cool, he makes us work way harder than Elder Silva did. It is kind of interesting because he has a fiance who is serving in the Santa Maria, Brazil Mission. I tried to think about me serving a mission and having a fiance, that is just to weird. Living with 3 Brazilians who do not speak English can be a little frustrating, but my language skills have gotten so much better just this past week! I have lost about 5 more pounds and my pants fall off without a belt. I haven't received any mail yet but we should be getting some today, so I am pretty excited.

This week I had a really cool experience; there is a girl we have been teaching whose mom is a member, her name is Tauane and she is super shy. While we were teaching her my comp. was talking to her about her shyness. I felt prompted to tell her that I was really shy, but I knew I was here to help people know that the church is true. Afterwards, my comp. told me how strong he felt the spirit at that moment. It was cool and made me way happy!

3-17-2010:

It sounds like you had an awesome trip and lots of fun. I want to see some whales. Wow, Tulo is getting pretty big. Are you going to get another puppy so he can have a friend? I think Brian wants one.

I like my new companion a lot, he has helped me out a ton and is so much better than my old comp. The 2 other elders living with us are Elder Dos Santos and Elder Barros. Elder Barros is brand new in the field and he likes to talk alot. He reminds me of Colin when he talks and talks, and stutters when he can't get it out fast enough.My comp makes me talk to people, but he does most of the talking. We are in a hard area, we teach alot of first discussions, but when we go back to teach again they are not home. We have been doing alot of reactivating members and that is going really well. We have one investigator, Guiherme. He is the boyfriend of a member and we are hoping to baptize him on Saturday.

It is really green here. The city we are in has all types of people; poor, average, above average. We teach alot of poorer people. The food is good, it is a guarantee that we will have rice and beans, then some kind of meat which is way good. My favorite is this beef and potato thing that people make.

I did receive my package and I really like my watch. Everyone asks, "Is that a watch? How does it work?" It's pretty funny. Oh and will you send me my pink tie, the one from Cass' wedding and my favorite green purple silver one. It's OK to wear them.

I love you all so much!!!