I forgot to tell all of you that I would have my P-day early this week. Thus, I am granting you all a holiday from writing letters to me! Seriously, lay back, relax, and wait till next week to write letters. It’s hard to do, especially out there in the world with so much else to do. You might be thinking that I’m being sarcastic, but I’m really not. Just go with it.
So this week was the last week I had with Elder Duarte. This transfer flew by. Nossa (Dang)… Mission life. Crazy.
Elder Duarte: "Cachorro Lutador" - (Dog Fighter)
"Ultima Reuniao De Distrito De Elder Duarte" - (Finale Reunion Of the District Of Elder Duarte)
"Ultima Noite De Elder Duarte" - (Final Night of Elder Duarte)
Elder Duarte and I taught Antonio every morning of the week this week, had a baptismal interview on Saturday, and he was baptized on Sunday after church! This, my friends, is the definition of the word ELECT. He never had a problem with anything we taught, read and prayed every single day after we taught, committed to follow all of the principles of the Gospel, and pretty much we just did a sprint, Antonio in the lead, running for the baptismal font.
I was also very surprised to find out that he chose me to baptize him! I was sure that he would choose Elder Duarte, because Elder Duarte is very outgoing, always cracking jokes, conversing, and teaching the lessons in a way that seems conversational and natural. While I somewhat stumble (but less than before) through the language, conversation, and knowing what and how to teach. But he picked me. Before going into the baptismal font, he told me he was shaking slightly and said he was nervous, and suddenly I felt like Heavenly Father gave me a surge of strength to comfort him, and I gave him a big hug and felt the spirit so strong while I gave him a short testimony that Heavenly Father loved him and was happy with him at that moment.
I loved baptizing Bruno and Jomerson, but baptizing Antonio was the best so far, for sure. I am sure he will be a leader in the church, and do a lot of work in our Lord’s kingdom. So glad to be a part of it.
Antonio’s baptism certainly was a blessing, because I don’t feel like we quite deserved it. Unfortunately, Elder Duarte, while brimming with experience and skill, just kind of ran out of batteries this week. So we spent a lot of time in member’s houses, with Elder Duarte talking about all the things he would do when he got home. Dang! He only had a week left to serve strong for the entire mission. I should’ve been more hard on him. I hope I can be strong at the end of my mission. Anyway, he’s crazy excited now to go home, and honestly is making me a little crazy with all the focus on home. Hehe. I love him. It’s a small thing to have to endure between friends, I think.
One night a family that Elder Duarte helped out when he was in another area in our zone, invited us to a churrasco! It was at night, on the top of a building in the center of the city, with a constructed fire pit, mountains of meat roasting, way more people than we had expected, and dance music! So I learned how to do a two step tango! That was fun, but also bizarre. I never expected to go to a party and enjoy myself on the mission. It seemed against the attitude we should be having here, but after I complained to Elder Duarte a bit, he said he’ll take all the blame if we get up to heaven and someone points fingers. I should’ve threatened to call President or something. I don’t know. It’s hard. I’m committing to be %100 obedient with my next companion, and not to give in to anything questionable. I’ll let you know how that goes. But anyway the tango and the churrasco and that whole night was really fun.
Speaking of my next companion, Elder Duarte says that he’s 99% certain it will be Elder A. Lima, another missionary in my zone, who will be transferred here. I would be his first Junior companion. He’s a short, spectacled Elder from Fortaleza. We have a good friendship already because I’ve sat with him a couple times while the rest of the Elders were playing soccer.
President sent me a message to give a little extra help for him to get started in his job as a senior. I am very excited to help him, if it is he that will be my next companion. He’s been waiting a long time to be senior, and so I think it’s my job to make sure that he has the best and most successful experience. I’m going to have plenty of time later to be Senior, so I am just going to work on being the absolute best Junior in the field. Come on Elder A. Lima, let’s rock Boquierao!
I am also excited because Elder Duarte said someone else from my group in the CTM will be coming here. It could be Elder Feller, my old companion, Elder Anderson, class clown, but good friend, or Elder DeMille, quiet but with a lot of potential. I would be so so happy to see any of them! It’s been 3 months since I’ve seen them! And also, because for some reason, the people from my group in the CTM seem to be better friends still than I have yet made in my district or zone.
I had a bunch of photos to send you, but my battery died and the camera doesn’t recharge through the USB cord like I thought it would. I’ll send you my photos from this week separately next week so that you can put the right photos in the right blog post, okay? Sorry for the inconvenience.
Mom! Here’s a big squishy kiss on the cheek.
Lyns! Here is a big happy smile, laugh, and hug.
My Kait! Here’s me lifting you up in the air, and an excited hug.
Grandma! Here’s a light, fragile hug and a wide smile.
My bro! Here’s a side hug, pat on the back, some quick joke (it doesn’t matter which one) and an accompanying chortle.
Did you feel that? I sure did. I’m right here guys.
Love love love, my fam!
It’s gettin’ better every day!
Elder Con
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