A little fruit

A little fruit is better than none! (Our fruit trees aren't producing this year)

I´ve learned that recently.

Hmm... a blessing... the work didn´t go well this week but we still had two investigators at church for the first time since I arrived here...

So this week I had to go to the federal police to renew my visa. I had to travel to the office by myself at night on Tuesday and I spent the night there. (Ewerton stayed with the Elders in another area in our zone) Then on Wednesday a group of us went to the station. Afterwards we went to a restaurant for lunch. Oh the group was more or less just the guys that showed up with me which was cool to see them all again at the same time. One of their companions (a Brazilian) kept going on an on about how the Elders in my group (all of us) are so good at Portuguese compared to a lot of the other Americans in the mission. That was cool :3 Afterwards I returned by myself and met up with the others in the other area. We had dinner there at a member's house then returned to our area Thursday morning. I felt like we lost a lot of time to work. But even though we lost a lot of time to work we finally had investigators in church!

What have I learned? When I´m tired I don't work well which makes me more tired... it stinks...

Love you!

Happy Late Father's Day!!!!

It's crazy to think about how the kids are all their own little person already! And in just a little while 3 more will be arriving! ( As I said in an earlier post Elder Lundy's Nieces and Nephews came to visit Nana and Grampa)

I had a feeling Thomas didn't really have much more time in this world, but I know he's definitely in a better happier place and situation. (Elder Lundy's Cousins son died this past week. Thomas was just over a year old and was born with heart trouble.http://charityandpatience.blogspot.com/ )

I'm trying but I know I can do better. (I asked him how he was doing to listen to the Spirit.)

I already had an experience that I regret. We were returning to the casa and on the way we passed a woman hauling a little cart with a gas tank. We passed by and of course it was right at the time that the road went up a hill. Thinking back on that I feel really bad because A) I should've just helped her and B) Who knows? Maybe it would've led to us baptizing her in a couple weeks... now I won't know.

The winter is all good for me. I'm doing fine, but the cold isn't doing to well for Ewerton yet. He got a bit of a cold and stuff that almost wiped him out but he didn't let it get him down. (Of course I didn't push him to work past what he was capable of in the moment) I miss snow though... The cold isn't nearly as fun without snow.

I'm pretty good as far a clothes go. And I am eating :P

So there was a church party this Saturday. Festa Junina. We got a bunch of referrals and contacts and the other elders that share a chapel with us got one specific referral that I kinda wish was ours. He's a young man that reminded me a lot of my friends and I found myself thinking "They better take good care of him" which surprised me a bit. Just 30 minutes earlier I had never seen the guy in my life and then I was already worrying about him.

I also got to attend the baptism of an 8 year old girl from our ward. And when we showed up, her mom rushed up to me and asked if I could give a message about baptism. I was also surprised by that because the members here still barely know me and the Sister couldn't even remember my name but she went directly to me and not just one of the missionaries.

Elder Ewerton and I are getting along well! Maybe a little too well haha. At times we get a little distracted just chatting about stuff.

I love you so much dad. I know at times you seemed sad that you didn't serve a mission (Dad is an adult convert) and that you didn't "set that example" for Chris and I but you really have set a great example for us. I'm constantly thinking about how you always expressed your desire to serve and how you and mom really want to serve together.

Oh btw, EVERYONE says I look just like you when they look through my photo album :3 (The picture of you and mom hugging is the first one in the album)

I love you dad!

That's all I've got for now...

I love you!!

Week of June 12th 2016

Me and M. Pereira

Elder Ewerton and I

Webster, Beatty, Kebker, and I 

Dictionary, Beauty, Cupcake, and Handsome (Lindo) 

Us by our nicknames (in english)

Q & A:

1. So can you tell me where Elder Ewerton is from now?

He's from Maranhão in the north east of Brazil. I've probably already said this but I think it's kinda interesting that all my brazilian companions have been from the north east

2. What part of the Book of Mormon are you studying now?

I'm actually studying 1st and 2nd Corinthians right now. Also Preach my Gospel and a book that Sister Sautter (a Sister from my previous district) left for me when she returned home. It's "100 Favorite Verse for Missionaries" I'm reading one each day and the little explanation that comes with it.

3. Tell me about the members, did you find a new family to befriend you like the Magda-Santos

family?

I still don't have a good grasp on the how the members are here... For some reason this sunday was pretty empty. The lunches have been slightly awkward to me recently. They're really quiet. There was one that was with a couple families that was more normal, but the others have been a bit strange. I'm thinking the problem really is that winter is arriving. Brazilians seem pretty influenced by the temperature. If it's  cold they're cold, if it's hot they're warmer or crazy

4. Do you have any investigators?

We've got some investigators. J..., and 18 year old that we've been working with. We still need to get him to come to church more. We're also visiting his cousin A.... he brought with him the first time he went to church. And we're teaching an older woman Ar.... and her daughter T..... They haven't been to church yet but they're super excited to learn more and have been marking visits before we could ask to mark the return visit!

5. Do you have any picture of your companion and the area you are in?

Yup! Hopefully I'll be able to send some pictures from here without problems. Let's see

6. What was the highlight of your week?

We had a mission conference! ALL the missionaries from our mission got together for half the day for a visit from Elder Pinto of the seventy. I got to see my friends and stuff! I also had a cool little happening just before leaving. Elders Hirst, Merril, and Ambriz (two americans and one portuguese) made a little trio and were beatboxing and singing and I got to join in to make it a quartet! Once I joined in we "performed" I'm Yours by Jason Mraz. I think it turned out pretty well. Sister Coronetti recorded it with her camera and hopefully she'll send it to me soon! It was a lot of fun and something I've always wanted to do. Kinda funny I had to go to Brazil to be able to do it :P

I can't really think of more, but if I could I'd include it...

I love you!!!

Elder Ewerton and I

Webster, Beatty, Kebker, and I

Dictionary, Beauty, Cupcake, and Handsome (Lindo) Us by our nicknames (in english)

 Elder Ewerton and I

Webster, Beatty, Kebker, and I Dictionary, Beauty, Cupcake, and Handsome (Lindo)  Us by our nicknames (in english)

Me and M. Pereira

Q & A:

1. So can you tell me where Elder Ewerton is from now?

He's from Maranhão in the north east of Brazil. I've probably already said this but I think it's kinda interesting that all my brazilian companions have been from the north east

2. What part of the Book of Mormon are you studying now?

I'm actually studying 1st and 2nd Corinthians right now. Also Preach my Gospel and a book that Sister Sautter (a Sister from my previous district) left for me when she returned home. It's "100 Favorite Verse for Missionaries" I'm reading one each day and the little explanation that comes with it.

3. Tell me about the members, did you find a new family to befriend you like the Magda-Santos

family?

I still don't have a good grasp on the how the members are here... For some reason this sunday was pretty empty. The lunches have been slightly awkward to me recently. They're really quiet. There was one that was with a couple families that was more normal, but the others have been a bit strange. I'm thinking the problem really is that winter is arriving. Brazilians seem pretty influenced by the temperature. If it's  cold they're cold, if it's hot they're warmer or crazy

4. Do you have any investigators?

We've got some investigators. J..., and 18 year old that we've been working with. We still need to get him to come to church more. We're also visiting his cousin A.... he brought with him the first time he went to church. And we're teaching an older woman Ar.... and her daughter T..... They haven't been to church yet but they're super excited to learn more and have been marking visits before we could ask to mark the return visit!

5. Do you have any picture of your companion and the area you are in?

Yup! Hopefully I'll be able to send some pictures from here without problems. Let's see

6. What was the highlight of your week?

We had a mission conference! ALL the missionaries from our mission got together for half the day for a visit from Elder Pinto of the seventy. I got to see my friends and stuff! I also had a cool little happening just before leaving. Elders Hirst, Merril, and Ambriz (two americans and one portuguese) made a little trio and were beatboxing and singing and I got to join in to make it a quartet! Once I joined in we "performed" I'm Yours by Jason Mraz. I think it turned out pretty well. Sister Coronetti recorded it with her camera and hopefully she'll send it to me soon! It was a lot of fun and something I've always wanted to do. Kinda funny I had to go to Brazil to be able to do it :P

I can't really think of more, but if I could I'd include it...

I love you!!!

Me and M. Pereira

Elder Ewerton and I

Webster, Beatty, Kebker, and I 

Dictionary, Beauty, Cupcake, 

and Handsome (Lindo) 

Us by our nicknames (in english)

Q & A:

1. So can you tell me where Elder Ewerton is from now?

He's from Maranhão in the north east of Brazil. I've probably already said this but I think it's kinda interesting that all my brazilian companions have been from the north east

2. What part of the Book of Mormon are you studying now?

I'm actually studying 1st and 2nd Corinthians right now. Also Preach my Gospel and a book that Sister Sautter (a Sister from my previous district) left for me when she returned home. It's "100 Favorite Verse for Missionaries" I'm reading one each day and the little explanation that comes with it.

3. Tell me about the members, did you find a new family to befriend you like the Magda-Santos

family?

I still don't have a good grasp on the how the members are here... For some reason this sunday was pretty empty. The lunches have been slightly awkward to me recently. They're really quiet. There was one that was with a couple families that was more normal, but the others have been a bit strange. I'm thinking the problem really is that winter is arriving. Brazilians seem pretty influenced by the temperature. If it's  cold they're cold, if it's hot they're warmer or crazy

4. Do you have any investigators?

We've got some investigators. J..., and 18 year old that we've been working with. We still need to get him to come to church more. We're also visiting his cousin A.... he brought with him the first time he went to church. And we're teaching an older woman Ar.... and her daughter T..... They haven't been to church yet but they're super excited to learn more and have been marking visits before we could ask to mark the return visit!

5. Do you have any picture of your companion and the area you are in?

Yup! Hopefully I'll be able to send some pictures from here without problems. Let's see

6. What was the highlight of your week?

We had a mission conference! ALL the missionaries from our mission got together for half the day for a visit from Elder Pinto of the seventy. I got to see my friends and stuff! I also had a cool little happening just before leaving. Elders Hirst, Merril, and Ambriz (two americans and one portuguese) made a little trio and were beatboxing and singing and I got to join in to make it a quartet! Once I joined in we "performed" I'm Yours by Jason Mraz. I think it turned out pretty well. Sister Coronetti recorded it with her camera and hopefully she'll send it to me soon! It was a lot of fun and something I've always wanted to do. Kinda funny I had to go to Brazil to be able to do it :P

I can't really think of more, but if I could I'd include it...

I love you!!!

Transfered to a New Area

 Sorry everyone I have been unable to post Elder Lundy's letters. We had company for 2 weeks and I couldn't get to the internet...

 Answers and questions:

1. What was the mode of transportation to your new area? bus train car other?

I took the Metro and the train.

2. How was your trip to your new location? Any adventures?

It was pretty good. My bags got stuck in the metro doors, but that was actually a blessing because it turns out I was on the wrong metro so people inside held the doors open and let me exit.

3. How is your stomach?

Saturday night and Sunday was pretty rough. I think I got a little something from the water here. Something that was helping was covering my mouth with my handkerchief and breathing into it for a while.

4. Who is your new companion?

Elder Ewerton (pronounced Everton) He's 18. I'm his second companion. I'm in Brás Cubas with Elder Ewerton (pronounced Everton)

5. Where is your companion from? He's a brazilian from the north east (like the rest of my brazilian companions so far)

6. What number child in his family is he?

He's the first child and he's got a younger 8 year old brother who he got to baptize before leaving for the mission. 

7. Are you still the senior companion and also a D.L.?

I'm still senior and DL

8. Are you praying morning and night with your companion?

Yup yup

9. Is your area big or little?

It's big because I'm back in the country. It's pretty clean, and kinda hot. I've got a pretty good close up view of the mountains and I have to deal with some hills daily. I can already find my way around the area with our map. Now I just need to learn where all the members live.

10. How many elders are in your new casa?

Just us two, but just a bit down the road is the casa of our zone leaders. We live on the border of our two areas less than two minutes from the church.

11. This having been your first Sunday in your new area...is it a big or small ward?

What is the situation in your daily work? Is it progressing in your new area?

Still can't say because I arrived just in time for stake conference when the stake president was being released after 9 years and Elder Aidukaitis and Elder Gonçalves were here. So needless to say it was pretty packed. But I was feeling like I was going to throw up the whole time so I didn't really get to watch/listen because I kept slipping out to go to the bathroom incase I really did vomit. (It didn't happen thankfully)

The work is actually progressing here. The bishop gave Elder Ewerton and his first companion a list of member names to search out and report back on their situations. Before I got here, they'd only managed to search out 5 of the names in 2 months. We got 38 of the names searched out in 4 days. 

My weight is fine. I'm around 77kilos. We didn't go out for dinner because Medeiros and I were running around in the rain to different members houses to say bye, then we returned to our casa and I stayed up until midnight packing.

Sounds like you had a fun week with all the visits this week! I'm a bit jealous :P

I love you!!