June 30, 2009

Family!

Thanks for the emails and thanks for praying for me. TRC went really well! We taught two young kids, one 10 years old and the other 13 years old . . . these boys were so black they were blue. Ha that’s what all the Brazilians say. It was fun, kinda hard too but I surprised myself with how much I could actually understand and say to them. Elders come into the CTM every week. On Wednesdays Americans come and on Thursdays Brazilians come. The group’s sizes vary a lot from 4 to 40 Americans and Brazilians so its fun. We already got new Brazilian roommates and they’re really cool. I like them a lot. Oh and Dad that skate board thing is called a rip stick. They’re every where in the U.S. haha but yeah there cool.

Not this Thursday but next Thursday we’ll get Brazilians that are going to Salvador South. They wont live with us but they will be in the CTM. Just something you guys might find interesting, the CTM and the church in general is doing tons and tons of changes to save money. They have cut our water pressure to next to nothing, just a trickle, enough to brush your teeth. They also now serve you the food and limit how much you can have as of today. They shut off about half of the power outlets. My week was the group that was first to not get two name tags. They used to give you one that clips on your suit but we’re the first group not to get them, just tons of things like this to save money. Sometimes its kinda frustrating but its kinda neat to see how frugal the church can be. It’s really smart and maybe there’s something coming that we don’t know about. But I thought dad would like to know about that ha. I hope your china trip went well dad. I probably wont get to meet your friend and we’re not really supposed to get contact info while were in here but I’ll see what I can do. Unfortunately my Mission Pres (New Mission President for Salvador South Mission as of July this year)has been in Utah the whole time I’ve been here and I wont get to meet him until I leave for the field. but yeah I’m super excited to get to Salvador. I wanna go now even though I’m kinda nervous cause I need to learn a lot more. But a district that was really close to me - like all of them were my really close friends - left this morning. It was really sad but exciting. You never think you’ll have to keep saying goodbye to people once your out here. But I took pictures with all of them. Don’t worry Mom I tried sending them today but this computer was being weird. I’ll print some out and send them next week if it doesn’t work. I’m sure the high adventure will go fine Dad. Don’t sweat it. I’ll pray for you. I know the boys will love it. I know it was one of my favorite ones. Mom I wish I was there to help you. Sounds like Monkey is getting brave. I think about him all the time and picture him walking around. I miss him and all of you. As for our 4th of July American meal ... well the next day is Fast Sunday so we won’t get dinner on the 4th! So we better get American food for lunch or something. Keep feeding the missionaries and love them. I have a new respect for them as I’m sure you guys do too. Thanks for the ward updates, ha and I’m sure the wedding will go great mom. At least you’ll have fun. I know that. so with this group that left our branch was our AP(assistant to the president). He was really cool and I liked him a lot, but Sunday the President asked me if I would be his AP so that was kinda fun. Basically I just have to do some paper work, check up on all districts and I am in charge of the 4th floor. It’s been fun cause I’ve got to meet new people. They have all been real nice to me. I can definitely tell a difference in my Portuguese and just myself since I’ve been here. The temple today was really cool and all is well. Thanks for the note Kimbo. I love you guys and pray for you all every night. I hope all is well. Thanks for everything!

love elder anderson