November 25, 2009

Hey Family,

Thanks for the e mail and voice messages. I loved them. I wish Monty would of been happier about talkin to me, ha. The lift looks so nice... it sounds like it’s almost fun to change the oil now... now that I’m not there to climb under the cars! Ok my bitterness is out now. So this week we had a couple baptisms fall, which always stinks, but this week we should have two or 3 so I’m excited for that. Thanksgiving is tomorrow right? I guess I won’t know until next week but we’re gonna go to dinner tomorrow for it. My comp can’t believe you guys would do that for us . So thanks... seriously thanks.

This week was the first time in my life I have literally scrounged around for coins (we both did) until we had enough to buy a little bit of bread and some mango pulp;;;; I felt like a homeless person. Multiple times I have eaten just bread. But I like bread.

Oh man, so Brenna also said I have an accent. It’s crazy right now. I’m just starting to be able to actually communicate kinda well, but not the best yet and my English has just takin a beating... When I speak English I always use Port phrases and spelling has just gone out the window. I’m sure you guys know that though. But it’s funny - all part of the experience. At first I was so excited to go learn a new language but there were multiple times on my mission I have just wished I went in the states, but it’s good. And it’s only getting better so I'm glad.

This week ill try and take the voice recorder and have some of our new baptisms talk to you guys too. I’m sure they would love that and I’m sure you guys would too. Their parents are still working on the marriage. It will prob be a couple months at the earliest. They have to get a birth certificate and stuff first. They don’t even know what year they were born and one has to get a divorce first. Then she can marry the guy she lives with... it’s ridiculous. I wish you guys could understand the Bahia culture. It’s unlike anything I had ever heard of... so so lazy people and they just don’t care about anything. Anything that’s any work at all - like getting married - they just don’t do cause its easier not to. Ha.

As for transfers, There’s almost a 100 percent chance I'll stay, and for sure I'll get a new comp so that will be exciting. I'll tell you all about it next week!

I hope the craft fair goes good for you Mom, and for the Hillmans too. Tell them hi for me and tell Sister Nalder thanks for all of her letters and Zach’s e mails. I love them. Can I e mail him or something? I haven’t got to talk to him this whole time.

Anyways’ love you guys. Justin, don’t be a bum. Write your brother! Oh and when I was in Seipp's class, it was just a regular - I think even dumbed down - English class. We didn’t write a book, or even read a book for that matter - at least I didn't. Ha. Good luck bro. I love you. Be good and study the scriptures. It’s not fun starting from scratch, but Pres challenged us all to read the Book of Mormon by Christmas, and so I started over and am making good progress. I should make it and I’m doing it all in Portuguese and actually understand most of it... Crazy huh? Ok take care. As for Christmas, I’m not exactly sure what will happen, but I think the day before I will call you guys and tell you where and when to call me. If I hear anything else, I’ll let ya know.

Loves