22 April 2009

Hello again! Can you ask Justin Lott how long it took him to learn to converse well in Portuguese?

This letter may be a bit short because the keyboard I am using has a lot of the letters worn off, and I have to keep back-spacing.

Guarapuava is an interesting city. There are two areas here, and Elder Cacio and I are assigned to the one that is not in the downtown city. It does get a little hot during the day, but not too much, and it has been cool every night. The way the area is laid out is pretty interesting. Because many (if not most) people here do not own cars, everything necessary has to be within walking distance (there are city buses to take you around, but they cost R$2.20 a pop). It's not like the United States where you have your residential area, and your industrial area, and your commercial area. The stores are mixed right in there with the houses. I admit, though, that the main street is mainly businesses.

Like I said, we walk everywhere. My feet have hurt every day since I arrived. They are finally starting to feel better, but they are not healed yet. I experienced my first Guarapuava rainy day yesterday. I cannot express how glad I was to have waterproof work boots because I didn't have an umbrella!

I was finally able to use my maple today. Pancakes! But we were a little short on baking powder and we aren't supposed to leave the apartment until 10:30, so they were a litle flat. Also, I've been putting my skills (though they may be few) to use. I thought I wouldn't make another cookie for two years, but I was wrong. I didn't have a recipe, so I just eyed the levels of ingredients and based it off  what I remembered from work (don't tell Jay  :)  ). They were a little cakelike, but still deliscious. At least, Elder Cacio liked them.

An interesting though before I continue: There is a old Church video about David Whitmer where he writes a letter testifying that he never denied the Golden Plates were real and he has some friend sign it. Dad should remember it. I have a lot of time to think, you see, because I sometimes zone out during long Portuguese conversations. Who played David Whitmer? I think it was none other than our famous Michael Balam.

There is a couple, Fernando and Daniele, who will be baptized on 9 May. We have been working with them may times a week. They live together and are unmarried, but they will be getting married on 8 May. They are some of the few people whose Portuguese I can understand.

There are also Lucione and her son Lucas. They are also preparing to be baptized 9 May. Good family with good faith.

I'd better go becayse I have a letter to write to President Araujo. Know that you are in my prayers and my heart daily. I feel so lucky to be here in Guarapuava. The people here are awesome. The Lord has a lot planned for this place. I hope all is well in the United States, and I look forward to writing you in a week.

I love you.

15 April 2009

First off, now that I am in the field, I have an hour of email time. Woohoo! Also, President Araujo had me send a written letter home, so that will arrive soon, I suppose.

This is my first day in my new area, Guarapuava. It took me a while to be able to pronounce it right, and I am still having a little trouble. It is three hours outside of Curitiba somewhere. Just ask Bishop Cheney. I think he should know. We went up a lot of mountains to get here, and guess what? It's cool! Cool as in frio! I know I am going to love it here.

My new companion is Élder Cacio. He is a full-blooded Brazileiro, and I think we are going to get along great. He has three months left on his mission, so he thinks we will be together until that time. He knows a little English, but I still have to look a lot of Portuguese words up in the dictionary. I know that the next six weeks (and beyond) will be very hard, but rewarding. I feel lucky to have a Brazlian companion who doesn't speak much English because I will learn the language faster, and I don't have to be an expert on English in order to teach it to him. We have a pretty big area, and there is no stake here, only a district. We'll see how long that lasts :P . Remember, pride somes before the fall.

I didn't realize how much I enjoyed working with Elder Pond until he left. You know me, I never cry. I was surprised that I cried when I said goodbye to you all (please don't read into that; I really do love you all very much), but just as if I had known him all my life, the tears came when he said goodbye and left the building. Elder Pond taught me so much about being a good companion. It was difficult to climb five flights of stairs alone when I had been using them with Elder Pond at least four times a day every day for six weeks.

A group of about fifteen of us went to Curtiba. Only three Brazilians in that group. We were able to take pictures together the night before, so it was great. If I ever get around to sending pictures home, I think you'll love them. I hear I can get a picture CD made and send it home, so I may try that.

The choir was great. In a previous emil, I mentioned something that Sister Christofferson said, and there's nothing like actually directing the choir to make you realize how true it is. It is sufficient to say that the song was way too difficult for the choir and that it was performed without a hitch.

Well, that's all for today. I have emails to write to Claudia, Jerry, and President Araujo. I still miss you all. If I have improved enough, my next transfer email may be all in Portuguese. Okay, that may not happen, but I can hope, right?

I know that I am going to love it here. I love my new companion. I love President Araujo. His wife is the nicest lady I have ever met. I miss you all and love you all. Just remember that no matter how hard it gets where you are, the Lord will bless you as long as you are faithful. I will write again in a week. Tchau!

9 April, 2009

8 April 2009

Well, this is it. In six days I'm out of here for good and into the great mission field!

I, too, was confused when no news of Brazil came up in conference. Trust me, I'll talk to Elder Lewis on Sunday. On another conference note, it would appear that because of Daylight Savings Time in America, there are now only four hours difference between us. We watched the first two sessions at 1 and 5 on Saturday, and Priesthood and the last two sessions at 8, 1, and 5 on Sunday. It was a magnificent conference. I've never taken so many notes in my life.

The pizza party was amazing. I don't think you will ever know just how great it was to me and my district. It tasted just like it came from the Pizza Hut on Main and College.

The choir thing isn't really that grand. There are about 75 people, yes, but we only have an hour one time to practice and parts are almost never sung. I think it will be great though. I'll let you know in my next email, and I'm not sure when that will get there since I will be traveling on my next preparation day.

Sorry for the short email this time. I need to get together with the pianist, violinist, and flautist to practice for Sunday, so I need to get going. I love you and miss you. I will write to you soon. Tell Jerry and Claudia thanks for the emails; I'll get back to them as soon as I can.

1 April 2009

We are now working on the third lesson in Portuguese, O Evangelho de Jesus Cristo. We have our milestone tomorrow, so I'll see if I really know it or not.

I will be directing the CTM choir on Easter Sunday in an arrangement of "Consider the Lilies". Piano, flute, violin, and 75 people: fun, fun.

General Conference this Sunday will be broadcast in English for all the norteamericanos. I really cannot wait for it. Elder Lewis of our branch presidency says we should be looking out for news about Brazil, so my interest is peeked.

Two weeks until I'm out in the field, wow. I feel so inadequate. I can barely speak Portuguese, and then it's only during a lesson. Need directions to the hospital? Sorry. Want to talk about the big game? Nope. But I know it will come. I'm doing as well as everybody else, so I don't think there is anything to be afraid of.

I'm afraid that there is no planned spiritual thought today, just a little testimony. The Church really is the same everywhere. I love it. The message of the Restoration is meant for everybody. If this were strictly an American religion, it would not be a big hit here. I know it's true. I know it changes lives. I know it has changed yours, and I know it is changing mine. May God bless you whenever and wherever you are. Thank you for supporting me here. The Lord knows and takes note of your sacrifices. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Sorry if I forgot anything. I'm out of time. Have a good week!