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!