28 December 2016

Transfer and Skype

Mom and Dad Skype on Christmas
With Elder Lundy!


2 very intent Elders Skyping


Wonderful Hosts
Working on English



I'm staying here. My new companion is someone I've never met. Elder Alves says my new comp has 5 transfers in the mission. I'm going to be District Leader again. (We congratulated Elder Lundy on his new responsibilities) Thanks, I am happy about one thing though! Elder Ewerton will be a zone leader starting tomorrow! (What did you do after we Skyped?) We stayed with the family for the rest of the day. After the call we ate, and then I helped K... with English a little (the family is planning on moving to the U.S. at the end of July) then we watched the Saratov Approach (missionary kidnapping movie) then ate a bit more, then went back to our house.https://ssl.gstatic.com/ui/v1/icons/mail/images/cleardot.gif
Love you


19 December 2016

A new Nephew a week before Christmas!

(Elder Lundy got a new nephew on Sunday. Ethan William Lundy!)
Seriously... you've got no idea but you provided them with one of the best meals ever made for a zone conference. Almost all of mine have been sandwiches (super basic ones) with a banana, yogurt, a brownie thing, and pop. This week we had a change of pace with our zone conference meal but yours was still way better.
I'm glad you had a lot of fun with the Haworth's!
Okay... so you mentioned that like it was nothing too big but, woah... Rachel got married already? I mean yeah, we're already 21 years old but it's really weird hearing about someone my age getting married!
Questions/Answers:
 1. When is the next transfer? Is that when your companion finishes his mission?
Two days after Christmas. Elder Alves finishes his mission in February. (Elder M. Pereira will be ending his mission today, a week early, because his parents are coming to get him. If you don't remember, he was my second official companion in the field.)
2&3. What kind of Christmas music are you hearing? What would be traditional Christmas decor down there....?
People don't do much for Christmas here. I haven't heard any Christmas music outside of the church hymns, and there are a few people who have put lights out and some people have trees in their homes, but that's pretty much it. Oh and everybody always makes you wear red ties if you're an Elder... It's annoying because I've only got one red tie.
4. How did this week go for you? What was it like?
This week was alright. I had our "Christmas" zone conference and the only thing Christmas-y about it was the decorations on the lunch tables. Then at the end of the week we had a three ward devotional which consisted of lots of hymns, President and Sister Silcox giving talks, then a large dinner. (The next day, pretty much everyone that ate had stomach trouble because of something that went bad that was served) Other than that, we managed to visit some people but they didn't want to make or fulfill commitments.
5. Are you staying well?
More or less... I already had a bit of stomach trouble lately so I'm not sure if the trouble I'm having now is from that devotional dinner or something else. I also need to start exercising again. I've gained a few kilos and I can feel a difference in my belly chub... not happy about that because that means I'm gonna have to work really hard once I return to not gain a lot of weight again.
6. Are your shoes holding out. In other words, do you still have shoes to wear?
I'm down to two pairs. The Doc Martins that Ron and Bridget got me and the black tennis shoes. I use the Doc Martins on Sunday only, and the tennis shoes every other day. The sole is starting to come off the tennis shoes but I'll probably buy some glue soon. 
By the way, I plan on buying more or less a new wardrobe during the transfer before I return. I already have some pants but I need more. I've got enough shirts now too. (more or less... you know I love t-shirts of heroes and stuff and can never have "enough") I'm also thinking about buying a new suit if I can find a good one for a cheap price. But I'll probably wait for that too because what I wanna buy doesn't follow mission standards (light brown slim suit) (I'm not a big fan of brown clothes but I have to admit I looked better in a brown suit I borrowed from an Elder once.)
Anyways... 

I love you!

12 December 2016

a FHE/birthday party

I miss snow! :(

That's cool that you're doing splits with the Elders - Dad! And I'm sure the elder is grateful for the ride to the mission home. I'll probably end up having to travel all alone.

I'm doing alright. I've actually gained 3 kilos lately (not happy about that because it's a result of me not exercising... aka bad omen about when I go back home) I guess lately when I say I'm not eating too well I mean that I'm not eating very healthy stuff.

This week was kinda slow... we didn't have too many visits because of the issue that you got to know this week (people not being home) and on top of that the weather has been either raining or super hot and the hotter it gets the more difficult of a time I'm having. I start sweating just getting dressed in the morning and if I stay out in the sun too long I feel like I'll get sick :( but oh well, just keep working

There was a fun thing that happened this week. This Saturday was Elder M. Pereira's 20th birthday and a member from our branch invited all six elders from the three wards in our chapel to his apartment for a FHE/birthday party.

We haven't taught anyone new lately, but this week we should be getting some new investigators.

ohhhh I miss that style of a breakfast meal! Especially the biscuits and gravy! (I might be able to make it here... I just don't have time and I'm too lazy) [We had a Ward Christmas Brunch on Saturday and I fixed one of Elder Lundy's favorite breakfasts] And that was mean what you did right there describing the Mexican style meal you're preparing for the zone conference! Mexican food almost doesn't exist here! :,( 

Oh so Brazil had a special conference this Sunday with Jeffery R Holland, Elder Maynes, Elder Claudio R. M. Costa, Elder Joaquim Costa, and I can't remember the Sister's name. It was good. Elder Holland is (slowly) learning portuguese! He said that his grandson is serving in Brazil and guess who his companion is right now... the grandson of Elder Faust! Pretty cool haha :)

Image result for Jeffrey R Holland
Jeffery R. Holland
Image result for elder maynes
Maynes

Image result for Elder Claudio R. M. Costa
Claudio R. M. Costa,

Image result for Elder Joaquim Costa
Elder Joaquim Costa

Anyways, I love you! https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/images/cleardot.gif

06 December 2016

Planning ahead ;)


Okay so the Skype call's not going to have to be at night. All three wards that use our building will get together at 9 am for the sacrament meeting then church will end for the day. We'll probably go to lunch a little after that then we'll have to see from there still but I think it might be in the afternoon... but what time would be better for you?

My head is alright. Yup a hammer to the head. But really it didn't fall that far so it didn't do much. After two days I was completely fine. Others are using the bunk bed and I've got a bed box with two flimsy foam matresses but it's better than the couch. I've been eating more, but seriously... I ate three whole meals yesterday and I was super full by the end of the day. (And my stomach isn't too good today)
That's really great all the support that you're giving Michael. The couple that took care of me in Taubaté when I was sick called me their other son and this really helped me relax a lot.

I'm excited for Tiffany and Chris too! I've been telling everybody I'll have one more nephew soon haha :) Have fun with decorating for Christmas!

All the members are asking about our Christmas plans, but I think we might end up staying in our house. The mission had a Christmas party last year (missed it because I was sick) and this year we'll just have zone conferences :( I don't know why President changed it but NO ONE is happy about it. Victor will enter the MTC on the 14th. He invited us to a FHE at his house on the 12th.

We had more success with visiting people this week. Something cool that happened this week is that we were walking to the farthest part of our area one day and we heard someone yell for us. When I turned around I saw the bishop from the São Mateus ward! 
He recognized us first as missionaries then remembered me from my time in the neighboring ward Jardim Tietê. He bought us water (offered more but I only accepted that) then offered us a ride but we planned on searching for people while working our way to our destination. But it was really cool to see him again and that he remembered me even though I never really was a part of his ward!

Anyway, I love you!