February 27, 2008

February 27, 2008

Hi Pãe,

Wow, New York. That is one place I would love to visit. How was it? What did that guy who you work with say about Rio? All I hear is that it is super dangerous and has a ton of favelas (really poor parts). I saw some pics of a member’s vacation and she wrote the places. I dont have them with me but she went to Cutatiba. There are beaches there and it looked awesome. Also, the temple in Cutatiba will be finished in the next month or two. I don’t think President Leal will let the missionaries go because it is out of our area. Bummer.

I am finally at the point where I feel like I have a personality. I am able to talk with people (more or less) and I am understanding a lot more. I still can’t express myself clearly and there is a lot I don’t understand but I pretend that I understand when the people talk to me. I am enjoying the mission more and more as I learn the language. I sometimes feel like I will be a missionary here forever. At times I never want to return to my normal life because here, I feel like I am making a difference. But at times I think, wow, it would be really nice to take a nap or take a break from being in the sun. But I don’t really miss much. Just my family and friends.

Although I haven’t had a baptism for a long time, I am learning a lot and have met a lot of great people. We are also able to help strengthen the ward members. I really want to baptize and sometimes I feel like I am doing something wrong because we are not baptizing. But I know there is a purpose for this and that we will find someone. However, I love getting letters from the 15-year-old girl who I baptized. She is darling and this mission is worth it even if I only baptize her because I love her so much.

Anyway, how are you doing? And the rest of the family? You were the only one who wrote this week so I am in the dark. And Michelle and the baby? I love you and miss you so much. I hope you are doing well. Love Barb


Hi Mom,

This week was our first week without the other Sisters. We ended up in their area and the elders ended up in our area. I love our new area although there are a ton of really steep hills. The majority of the members live in area and they have been helping out a lot. It is so nice to have help from the members.

We have been teaching Idinea English as well as the lessons. We gave her a Book of Mormon in English and she has been reading the Book of Mormon and O Livro de Mormon side by side. She also bought a dvd with Shania Twain songs that she is listening to and memorizing which is funny. She seems really interested in the church and always asks a bunch of questions about our standards and beliefs. I always look forward to teaching her. We are also teaching a really great family. We left them a little bit to read in the Book of Mormon and when we returned they had read all the parts as well as other parts dealing with sacrament, baptism, etc. Also the 10-year-old boy has started to participate in the activities at church. They seem really interested, and the spirit is always really strong when we teach them. We taught an older lady yesterday. She is very open and loves our visits. She and her daughter love to talk with me about the United States. She said she had the lessons from the elders several years ago and there was an American who taught her. She sort of laughed and said she didn’t understand anything he said and his companion had to translate for him.

Anyway, how is everyone doing? Did you get the cd of pics that I sent and the letter? How is everything with the condo? Has it sold? The people here always ask about the weather and the snow. Is heating up there yet. It is like an oven here and won’t cool down for months. The sun is so strong that through our sun-proof umbrellas, it is dying our clothes (or I guess lightening our clothes).

How is Michelle doing? How far along is she? And mom, your new calling. Have you begun to play in Sacrament yet? I received an email from dad about New York and it sounds like he is having a good time.

Anyway, I love you and hope everything is going well.

Love Barb