(That is a gaucho way of expressing incredible excitement)
Another week come and gone! And last week of transfers is here! That means that I’ll probably have another companion before next P-day. Weird!
The big news of this week: On Saturday I had my first baptism! Hurray! Finally! Alan (10) and Jomerson (13) are two brothers of a recent convert, Herendina, and I actually met them my second day here in Passo Fundo!
They live with their mom and step-dad, who can’t get baptized because of a stalled divorce. They’re a bit on the poorer side. I really love them, and I feel like they’re my little brothers.
We’re always laughing and joking around. They both have such great spirits, in different ways. Alan is super bright and quick and excited about the gospel and is always excited to give prayer or try to answer questions. I got to baptize Jomerson, his older brother. Jomerson is a bit slower, and therefore is always looking to Alan to know what to do. All through the lessons we would see Alan explaining to Jomerson what we had just taught, and Alan really got Jomerson excited to be baptized. Their baptisms were so awesome! They were so excited getting into the baptismal clothes and taking pictures, and really loved being the center of all the attention at the church. The hot water heater was broken, and I told them that it was just like my baptism with my brother, which they liked hearing. I baptized Jomerson first, and after Jomerson came out of the water, he was just laughing and smiling until after Alan was baptized. I really didn’t understand much of what they said to eachother afterwards, but I did recogonize Jomerson saying, “That was really cool, wasn’t it?” Lots of happy faces and I feel privileged to be a part of it. So worth it.
Today the whole zone got together and played futbol for 3 hours, and then went on a cool hike around a cool crater lake. It was very nice.
So that was awesome, but man guys, I really don’t want to worry you, but it’s still been somewhat of a hard week. I really don’t know why. I think I am definitely being tested now that I think about it. Rain rain rain, lots of walking, the two families that we spent a majority of every day teaching for the first three weeks here finally were cut from our list… A few instances of seemingly friendly and interested investigators completely turn around and want no more of us. It can’t be just that, because we’ve had a lot of great moments also. We could have a lot of baptisms in the future with the investigators we have now, and every day there has been something extraordinary that has saved it from being a waste, but… Man, I don’t know what it is still. I made a promise to not continue thinking of the vacations and family and media I’ll see after the mission, which has helped but it’s also leaving a gap. There’s something missing right now I just can’t put my finger on. I keep wishing I had some time just to sit down and think, but even on our P-days my entire zone gets together and plays soccer for the majority of the day and we are always racing to get back home in time for appointments. Not any time to sit down and figure out why exactly I’m feeling like this. Hmm… Don’t you guys worry, the Lord will give me an answer. I’m still praying. I did a fast. Studying every day. I could do more, I guess. I will. I need to get this behind me!
"One day at a time"
So sweet to hear about Thanksgiving! Man, our Thanksgivings were awesome. So glad you guys had such a great time! I was so lucky to have somewhat of a Thanksgiving feast at a member’s house who served us hotdogs and pancakes, the food of America! Haha! Was funny. Very good, though. I miss my family, and my family reunions, and riding the dunes, and watching movies. So much to do in 21 months! It will come fast enough. This time is very worth it. I’ve already learned so much.
Dad, I told the EQP of Lagoa Vermelha, another city, about you getting called. I talked to him last Wednesday. He wants to talk to you! Write him a letter, translate it into Portuguese via Google Translate, and send him one. I have no idea how he expects to communicate with you, and he doesn’t have a computer so you’ll need to write him or call him. I’m just going to do my part and transmit the message he had for you, and you can decide what to do with the info. :) – “My name is Gilmar , I am the president of the quorum of Elders of the Lagoa Vermelho Branch, Brazil. Your son was in my house and I was very happy to have him! If you want to talk, my cellphone number is ------, my phone number is ------. My address is -------, Lagoa Vermelha, R.S. Brasil.”
I haven’t seen him since because he’s not in my área, I was on divisions. Interesting!
Mom, thank you so much for all of the news! Congrats on riding the 450s! Oh how I wish I were with you! Mom, you are my link to the world. Thank you so much for taking care of me. I’m so excited for my package! It should get here in a week, with transfers, my trainer said! Sweet! Thanks again for the baptismal pictures, I showed them to Alan and Jomerson.
If you can figure it out, I have a Christmas list! All music! If you can figure out how to buy them online and then zip them up and e-mail them to me, I can listen to them! Cool! Also, I have a bunch of music on my iTunes that I like, that I could actually listen to hear. The rules are much less stringent than I had thought. Listen to some, and if it’s not too intense or romantic or silly, send it over! I am going to try to see if I can buy songs through iTunes here, which would also make things easier.
Mom, I love you.
Lynsey, Kaitlin! Thank you again for your letters last week! I read them 4 more times through the week! I love you so much and hope you enjoyed Thanksgiving! Enjoy returning to school for a short time before Christmas! I can’t wait to talk to you!
Dad, I know you wanted me to write a long letter… But I’m afraid my time is up. Very very sorry. We had to hurry up this time because we did a lot of extra things this P-day. I love you all very much, and I promise a very detailed and upbeat letter next week!
Dad, good luck in your calling! I’m thinking of you a lot. I can’t wait to talk to you also. Praying always!
Brendon: You big fat whale! Hey brotha! So excited about your baptisms! I love you bro. Great letters. Tell me about any good strategies and stuff that you’re using. The questions in the front of the BoM is really helping here, now that we’ve figured out how to manufacture them en mass. Also the Livro Lend program is going, but I don’t really know if it’s working that well. Mostly because it’s hard for me to explain it in Portuguese. Anyway, love you bro. Stay cool!
Elder Losee and I are going to leave in a couple of minutes, get haircuts, go eat somewhere, and then hit the streets. Another P-day bites the dust! Cool cool! Did you like the photos? Any questions?
(...a few minutes later, another email comes in.....)
Hey mom! Still here. I was experimenting with iTunes here. Unfortunately I think I may have accidentally erased everything I have on my iPod here. Hah! Very funny. So... Maybe you could send me CDs slowly over the next couple months of all of my music on my iTunes. Maybe we can do something else? I'll figure it out.
Mom, I love you. Thank you for the e-mail today. Sorry I didn't have more to say. Your letters really helped me feel good, thank you!
Your dear (clumsy) son,
Con
"Did I leave California?"
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