Ahh I miss Ellie(Tess's niece who is 2 and a half.) Mike said she remembers me. That is so awesome, because I sure do remember her. I hope I will see her soon after I return, and hopefully she won't be scared of me. I've heard that happens sometimes.
Wow so the whole snow fiasco is pretty crazy. I don't know if I would complain about a little cold coming my way. Hey, also, do you guys know anything about chronic headaches and pain from heat and sun? Don't get worried, but if something like that runs in the family....maybe you guys could give me a little advice. Dad, I remember the first week in the MTC when I found out that our comp had to wait for us outside of the bathroom, and I thought I would die without alone time. Literally I panicked a little bit, because I always have needed to get centered. But it's been such a tender mercy from God, and I haven't had a hard time at all. To be honest, I can hardly bear to be alone. Sure, everyone needs some time to themselves, but I get that by really immersing myself into my scripture study in the morning. Sometimes I do just need a little bit of time to myself, but overall, I don't know how I will survive without a comp. I finally understand why RMs are so anxious to get married. Truly every joyful moment is better shared, in my opinion. We are meant to share our joy with others, so I don't want to spend too much time away from them. We eat a lot of meat here. TONS! Holy cow they are obsessed with it. They don't eat a single meal without meat and are always craving it. If you thought Americans loved meat, think again. I also think they might be allergic to the color green, because they aren't huge fans of veggies lol, but the food is good. Its just really hard to be healthy and feel well nourished haha. I realized that I wrote ya'll a letter forever ago about the food but never sent it.....woops....ill send it. Sorry! We aren't the first missionaries in the city, but the baptisms weren't booming here, so the stake president requested sisters....because apparently we ladies are pretty much the bomb. I guess Jabo needed a little feminine touch. Its been hard but we are having miracles every day, and starting to find really awesome investigators.
However, I am always learning that our true purpose as missionaries is to do as Christ would. Sometimes that doesn't mean marking dates for baptism, but instead uplifting a person in the short moment you have with them. We encounter and help so many people that will not be baptized any time soon, but tudo bem, because I always walk away with a certainty that I left them better off than I found them. I know God is giving me the opportunity to be literally be an angel in the lives of others and this is a huge privilege. Sometimes it's really hard and painful, literally...but I know I will look back on the mission and have no regrets about serving. I will even cherish the hardest moments, because those are the times that brought me closest to my Savior, Jesus Christ.
Yes, we have some bug spray that kills cockroaches, thank goodness. I can't help it, but I always scream when I kill those little tyrants. And my comp screams even louder lol. Our neighbors love it I'm sure lol. We have had way less though because our toilet is fixed, so now our bathroom doesn't smell like sewer and we don't have a bunch of roaches. Blessings!! now all we need is a stove, microwave, oven.....something to heat up food....someday it will come.
Yes, the songs in Portuguese are very beautiful. I love hearing hymns and listening to how they changed the words. Some songs I prefer in English. Some I prefer in Portuguese. I really love Secret Prayer in Portuguese. Its great.
Hey I've got to run, but we have a lot of awesome stuff happening. Hopefully some baptisms and a new church building! Right now church is in a house, so its very exciting. I'll tell ya'll more about all the awesome people next time.
Love you!!! Miss you soooo much. Wow I love you so much. Oh yeah, and I got the letter with the flash drive and card so I'll send a memory card home!! woo. It might take a while though.
