February 21, 2011

It is funny how you started your letter (I hope this letter finds you healthy and happy)… because last night was not the best of nights for either of us. Both my companion and I made frequent visits to the bathroom.

It has been raining a lot. We had interviews this past week. Other than that this has been a really slow week. I feel we barely work. But it is hard when I am not senior. President Batt did mention to me that I need to be ready to become a senior and just not do what I didn’t like about my other companions. Because it is transfers again we will wait and see what happens this weekend! This week we will have a zone conference so I won’t receive anything until Friday, I think.

This transfer has just flown by. That’s why I haven’t said much about my companion. It has been hard because my companion just talks about home... that’s like all he thinks about. He has over 7 months left but that is all he thinks about. That’s all he worries about so it distracts me and him.

This coming week we are hoping to have one more baptism of the transfer to end it with 7 baptisms. I am still very far behind my goal but I have a feeling I can catch up. I have about a year left to do it so I just have to work very, very hard to get it.

Hey, so apparently word is out about the new Mission Presidents for the missions. We are getting a Brasilian so there is a lot of potential for change. Like a lot. Kind of worried about this since I don’t do very well with the whole change thing, so about 7 months with a new President will be interesting. But it will all just have to work out.

Well, this past week I butted heads with a member in the ward. He started causing problems for us which did not sit well with me so I did everything I could to deal with it. But, I had to tell President Batt and the Bishop so it is getting dealt with.

Did I mention I finished the Book of Mormon in Portuguese?

I hope Logan is writing another letter.....

So I had a weird thought, isn’t Dad’s birthday coming up???

I can’t think much of anything else for Nick to bring. It sure is nice of him to do this. Just those books, maybe a peanut butter. just random food items. And something I  keep forgetting to ask. What is the name of the girl Nick is coming to visit??? I have seen quite a bit of the mission here so there is a chance I know her!
 

Unfortunately I have little to say today. And my time is up. I’m just not feeling so hot today. Bye everyone!!! Love you all so much!!!

February 14, 2011

Well, I got the package this last Tuesday which was a rather big surprise to me! I haven’t been getting a lot of letters but I just figure they will arrive eventually if they are out there. Right now I am cleaning off my camera so I can start sending pictures more often. That’s been my main problem. I never wanted to take my card anywhere because I was afraid something would happen to it. Now that I have the USB I can back up all my photos.

(Regarding the missionary from our ward who rescued the pilot of a plane in California that had crashed into a storage facility) Figures Cameron would make the spotlight somehow! haha

Well, we baptized one more young man this week. On Sunday, I gave somewhat of a talk that I am not entirely sure everyone understood... but whatever... It was actually really funny. Here, they take going over time, like if you speak to long, very seriously. And my companion spoke too long…Usually they just hand you a paper that tells you your time is up. But let’s just say this ward does it very differently. One of the counselors pulled out this like retractable pointer, like one a teacher would use. He bent down, and then smacked my companion in the leg at which point my companion  freaks out, stops speaking, steps away from the podium and then once he figured out what happened, he finished his talk. I could not stop laughing.  It was like the biggest interruption ever!!! I think I was the only one there to notice it, other than a few of the other brethren who had the same thing done to them. It is the worst way to ever tell someone to end! It just scares them to death!!!

We are slowly coming to the end of this transfer. It is a short 5 week transfer. So we will see what happens.

The sleeping “thingys” have been nice. I have had a few weird dreams, but I at least sleep through the noise of all the cars and thunder.  It has been raining a ton here this last week.

Well, my time is up, hope you enjoyed the pictures!!!

Love you all so much! Have a great week!!!

Well, sorry about last week. Due to some choices my companion made, which in turn includes me we did not get home until 66. And we are not supposed to use the Internet after six. So as I struggled to decide what to do, break the rule and email my family, or keep the rule and not email, I decided to not use email. My companion did however. So sorry that is what happened. But just so you can know, everyone in my house this past week was really sick, except me!!! I was not sick, and don’t think I will be.  And I’d like to think that is because I didn’t use the Internet.  We only left the house like 3 days.

Well, today was actually transfers so I am in a new area, Boatan.  I am actually not sure where I am... no one knew. So I guess I am lost. It is close to Antônio Bezerra, I think. I am here with Elder Mangum, an American. But I know very little about him at this point.

Well, for the last few weeks it has been raining a lot... I got a number of my books wet at my transfer so I will try and dry them out over the next few days. Now, when I say raining... I mean raining, like flooding the streets. My shoes, well, one pair, is soaked all the way through because of today. You can only get so wet before you just start walking through the half a foot or so of water without even caring. Haha

My kidney stone situation should be all “fixed” now.  I was supposed to have my second surgery last Wednesday, but we had more troubles with the insurance so it was delayed until Friday.  I was only there for 4 hours or so, so it went pretty fast.  The second surgery was to remove a tube they left in the path between my kidney and bladder, because the stone did so much damage.

Well, I am a little down. This past transfer was hard because we had something happen five of our six weeks so it made working really hard. With this new transfer I am still junior when many of my group are like way out in front. Two became Zone Leaders, one of which went from junior to Zone Leader in one transfer, he skipped senior. Elder Eyre (sp?) went senior and trainer this transfer, and then I haven’t done much of anything. So my hope is I can get it all figured out this transfer.   

I think I have gotten all the letters from you guys, and I wrote grandpa last week. By the way, can you get me Jamie’s and Cameron’s addresses?

Have you gotten back the first package you sent, or you think it won’t get back?

I love you all and miss you all dearly. I am doing and feeling much, much better now. What is going on back at home with everyone?!? Well, until next week!!! Bye!!!

Well, as you know it was an interesting week, so you could say. I woke up at 4:00 Tuesday morning in the most excruciating pain. After trying to resolve the issue myself, I called Sister Batt. After talking with her for about a minute she told me to get to the hospital, at which point everyone went into rush mode. A taxi was called and I was dressed and blessed and was at the hospital between 6 and 6:30 a.m. At about 4 or 5 in the afternoon I was checked into the hospital after basic attempts to diagnose the issue. About an hour later I received an ultrasound which found the kidney stone. Unfortunately, I had to wait for my doctor to arrive and look at the ultrasound and decide what to do. After looking at the ultrasound, he decided that surgery was necessary. So I sat and waited for my surgery to be approved by our insurance.  The following day I was sent to another hospital where the “stuff” for the surgery was, only to find out that they don’t accept the mission’s insurance. So we went to another hospital, one where I waited from 7:00 in the morning until 7:00 at night in the emergency room, in a room with four other people. I was without an IV so I was very, very uncomfortable and in a little bit of pain. Finally the insurance approved a room so I was allowed to go to a room. Then I waited until the following morning to have the surgery. In some following email I will send some pictures!!! 

So, basically on Thursday morning I had the surgery. I was not cut. It was through more natural channels. The following few days have been not so great. I am super, super weak and I still currently have a tube in me running from my kidney to my bladder which has been rather uncomfortable because I can feel it and all. So this next Wednesday I have another surgery to remove the tube. I am drinking a ton of water. I downed so many IV’s it isn’t even funny! We are talking like at least five or six in one arm and six or seven in the other.

Now at about this point mom is possibly crying, so as a comfort to her, she should know that I am 100% fine. I never cried and I was never afraid. So I just keep going. It does seem however that after it all, I have been a little depressed this past week. But I think I am getting better.

So three days in the hospital! haha

Well, sending those pictures ate up a little chunk of my time. But really... that is all that really happened this week. Oh it has been raining a ton. We had a baptism this past Sunday. I received a card from Jenny and Gary last week, and I received a letter from Amber and Jason this past week. I love you all and wish you all a fantastic week!!!! If you have any questions just ask and I can respond next week. Love you! Bye!!

Well, do I have some news for you!!!! At this point, we will be using SKYPE to video chat on Christmas day. I will call sometime this week before to work out a time, most likely Wednesday. And most likely mom... since her work number is the only one I can remember... haha. Isn’t that exciting?!!!!! So... umm... who exactly do you think will be there?

This past Sunday was hard for me. None of our investigators came to church. Well, one did come but she can’t be baptized because she needs to either get married or separate from her boyfriend husband person. But when she came... oh my gosh... it was the best thing that happened this week!!!

Yesterday, Sunday, was the Primary program and had nothing to do with Christmas. So the timing was a little weird... but hey!!! Haha. Me and my companion actually had a part in it!!! haha

Oh, also this past week, I found out that we shouldn’t celebrate Christmas because it actually isn’t Christ’s birthday... it’s Noah´s birthday? Ya... I am just as confused about that one as you... haha

This past week we went to the beach... I think that was this past week. I can’t remember. Anyhow, we went to the beach and it was all raining and stuff. We played around on the beach then I helped President and Sister Batt serve lunch. It was so good. Sister Batt made that American shredded beef in like the BBQ sauce... it was amazing!!!

Well... about the package... I went and almost got away with it. Basically, there is no reasoning to it. They said any package over 50 reais has the same thing happen. Yet we have 200 dollar packages arrive. Basically from what I can tell is, any US package that goes through Rio has this problem. So really it seems to be a hit and miss. So it may stay in Brasil... or it may get sent back... they weren’t sure. I actually tried to pay for it and take it... but they, well, I don’t really know... I guess they don’t accept cards... yet in my hand I was holding a card reader... it was... odd. Basically, my Brazilian companion and I left very confused. Haha.

I am super excited for Logan´s letter!!!! Like really!!!

Do you all still have the sisters in your ward?

Any updates on friends and missions?

So what kind of physical therapy is Logan having?

So I am super excited to talk with you all on Christmas!!! I almost couldn’t get to sleep last night!!!

I love you all and wish you a good week!!! Until Christmas!!!

Well, speaking of transfers... they were today! haha. I am in the same area with a new companion, Elder R. Ferreira, another Brazilian which is really good for my Português! I get to be senior for a week as I show him around.  To be honest with you all I am rather worried about playing senior for a week. Yes I have done it before but if I mess up here I mess up big. Elder Roza and I finished out with 9 baptisms, the best transfer of my mission yet we worked almost less than half the time due to the fact that he was a secretary. But now Elder R. Ferreira and I will work all day. We have almost two times as much time to work. Our ward is expecting even more out of us. This area has one of the best bishoprics in the state, so nothing less is expected out of us. So a lot is riding on if I can get us going good at the start of the transfer.

I am for sure doing much better with the language but there is always room for improvement. I just can’t write like I want to. I can read and understand pretty much everything. I can understand almost everything someone says. I can speak but there are still some words and actions I don’t know, plus I can barely write.

This past Sunday... ie... yesterday, we baptized 4 people. Danilo (14), Nicailli (13), Hiani (11), Andrezza (9). I baptized the two younger girls. They were references from the family we baptized! We are actually heading there right after we email. I want to take my new companion there in the light so we don’t get robbed of something!

I forgot to mention this past Sunday we had a regional conference with a broadcast from Salt Lake! Here in Fortaleza we had two new Stakes made and a number of new Wards created. Second most stakes in Brasil at like 16. Second only to São Paulo... with like... 40 or 50 or something. haha. Just a little difference…

So I will be spending Christmas and New Years here in Nova Aldeota. A very different experience but it will be good! Christmas here, at least here in Ceará is... very different. No cold, very few lights, tiny trees, and seems like very little Christmas music. Fortunately, we have a surplus in our apartment everyday!!! haha yes we wake up with it, we go to sleep with it!

Speaking of no cold… It is very humid here today because it has been raining a bit throughout the day... which always makes it worse.

I am glad Logan finished a letter!!!  Which means it is almost time for him to start another one!!! like one every week... punk... haha just kiddin. One from you every week Logan would be nice, really nice.

I am slowly drawing close to 9 months which is rather strange! I feel like I was just sitting there getting my call, then just sitting in the CTM. Everything has just gone by so fast. It is weird to think about. There are a ton of missionaries leaving at the end of this transfer. I don’t know what we are going to do. The church needs to send us about 20 to fill the gap. It will be interesting. 

The package hasn’t arrived yet. But there is still hope, maybe. Haha. I don’t really know! haha. I think I will send some pictures home next week. 

  

Well, I love you all and wish you all a fantastic week!!! I am looking forward to your letter Logan!!!! 

I am currently watching the Christmas Devotional, because we might see it in Português this next Sunday, but it really just isn’t the same! So I will just watch it now!

Well, it has been a frustrating week... well, more like disappointing. We spent hours working with a young 14 year old boy just to have it all basically thrown back at us. We spent so much time with him. He said right to us that he had received an answer from God... but he said he doesn’t want to do anything about it. He was interviewed by one of the mission’s best missionaries. He was interviewed by one of the Assistants. We did everything imaginable, but he literally wants to throw his answer away. It was rather difficult.

We do have 4 baptisms planned for this week so we are planning to work our tails off this week to make them happen.

Let’s see one major accomplishment this past week. Our secretary received a phone call from São Paulo saying we needed to get all our baptism records entered. We had over 100 to do, so he entered as many as he could but then, being the secretary, had to do other things. So he asked me to enter the records. So starting at 4 I entered fichas as fast as I could. I finished all the fichas we had for the week at 6:30. I felt accomplished. In joking, yet with some seriousness, he asked if I would like to be a secretary. I don’t know if anything will every come of it in my mission, but I remember thinking in the CTM that I would enjoy being the secretary at some point. So who knows what may come of it!

Elder Roza and I were asked the other day if we were from Rio. As you may or may not know there has been an actual war going on in Rio, the drug lords against the government.

Apparently the drug lords have been running to other cities and stuff. This man asked if we were or at least worked for the drug lords!? He asked us if we would sell him some guns. It was rather odd. The other Elders were asked the other day, or something was said about how we are spies. There are some very odd things that are said about us.

Let me tell ya. There are some crazy things that happen here. The other Elders had a baptism this past Saturday, but the guy getting baptized was late.  When he arrived he apologized and explained that he had to wait even longer than normal for the bus because the bus he was waiting to use so he could be on time, didn’t stop because it was being assaulted. Basically they robbed the bus!!! I know that’s most likely one of those things you don’t tell your mother, but it is what happens sometimes.

We had a zone P-Day today. I just watched movies because I can’t play soccer. I want to, but my knees are more important to me!  I want to be able to use them after my mission. My mission has already taken a big enough toll on them so I am just guarding them. Today we watched the Best Two Years, UP, and that movie about the boy who’s an inventor and goes to the future and is chased by the T-Rex. I can’t remember the name…

We should be having a P-Day at the beach or something coming up soon so that should be fun!!!

It is rather odd being so near to Christmas because it really does not feel like it here. It is strange to see palm trees wrapped with lights, to sweat during December and to see tiny Christmas trees in all the houses. It is just very different, obviously. Haha

I am still having troubles sleeping. Last night was the second worse night of my mission. I woke up at 4:15 and fell back asleep at 4:30. Then I woke up again at 5:00 and haven’t slept since. I just lay there in bed and wait for the sun to come up then I sit and read whatever I placed near my bed the night before. I just plan for it now and keep either my English or Português scriptures nearby!

  

Logan... you better either start writing letters, sending emails, using mission ties, or something. Seriously...

This is a very good talk by President Eyring. I like it a lot!

This week I have felt I have ever so much to learn about everything. There are those who know much, much more than I. I have a lot to study, a lot to learn, a lot to practice and improve, but eventually I will figure it all out. Learn what I desire. Someday…

Well, my time is about up. I love you all dearly and wish you all the best of weeks. Until next week… Love you all!!!