December 21, 2010 - Letter Home

A Trade

Sweet Bike

Hey my family!

Another week has ran and slipped by. Crazyness. It's Christmas week and I can't even believe it! Is it seriously just 4 more days until Christmas? Wow. So, luckily, I am feeling the Christmas spirit because Grandma's awesome package came through and I've opened a couple things but I'm saving the rest for the big day! Thanks Grandma (especially for the cool new vitamins) :D

So, I was transferred out of Elizabeth, and to the metropolitan city of Esteio, which really is just another part of Porto Alegre. It's cool because Elder Anderson was here (my buddy from the CTM, remember him Brendon?), and had a son here (son=trained a new missionary), and now I'm his son's stepdad (or second companion). BUT, Elder Anderson went to Elizabeth to be MY son's stepdad too! So it was a big trade! Elder Anderson is the man and it's really good to know that my area (and my son) is in good hands there.

Me and Correia

Cristielle and Family

Manuel and Family

Roseangela

I had marked a baptism there with Nathan before I left, who I know a lot of you guys were praying for, and I had some fears that it wouldn't work out right, but Nathan was baptized there and so even though I wasn't present for the actual ceremony, it was a good way to leave the area and to say that all the difficulties I and Elder Correia passed through weren't in vain but actually amounted to something. A good feeling.

So my new companion is Elder Cazeau, from Twin Springs, Idaho and he's freaking awesome. Basketball star, plays the guitar like a madman, worked on a farm there before coming to the mish. Really cool guy. Especially with Americans, from experience, it's always a little weird in the first couple of days as they get accustomed with living and working habits (I think Brazilians are naturally a little more flexible and open), but from my experience from my other American companions, we're gonna be best friends and working up a storm by the end.

I am a District Leader! My setting-apart blessing is being fulfilled line-by-line! I had my first District Meeting last Thursday, which I had planned for a LONG time. I liked it. Usually here the District Leader tends to talk most of the time in front of the other missionaries, but I made a circle in our district meeting and we took turns telling spiritual experiences and discussing things we have learned and can do better. 

Super Leader Conference

I think it's really important to get the other missionaries involved and build that unity to motivate us to do better. I think they liked it.

Anyway, the ward here is AWESOME. Everybody loves the Elders and both members and non-members here are just generally more open and accepting than in other places I've been. Sweet. 
Elder Anderson baptized a BUNCH here, so there's kind of a pressure to keep up the momentum, but it seems like everyone that had potential here is already baptized so we're starting from square 1. Again. Well, I think I'm pretty good at that by now.

SOOOO!!! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!! I will call you guys tonight at 9:30 my time. Okay? I don't know what time that is for you guys.
I can't wait for our call! Love you guys!
Con