March 24, 2014

Good morning:

This email is coming in from the city of Canela, which lies 10 miles north of Gramado, the biggest tourist city in Brazil. I received a phone call from the assistant, Elder A., last Monday night informing me that I was being called to serve as a zone leader and that I would know where I was going and with whom I would work the following morning at the bus station.

When I arrived at the bus station, Elder A. aproached me and asked, “Are you ready to work?” Not really understanding the full meaning of the statement at the time, I said yes. When I got ahold of the actual transfer, I saw that my companion was going to be none other than the safado that had called me the night before, telling me I was going to be a zone leader. As I looked even closer, I saw that he and I were going to be opening an area together as the new zone leaders in the Gramado Zone (he was released last Monday as assistant to the president). I have to say that I was a little apprehensive about being a zone leader with a former assistant in a new area that neither of us knows, but so far it has proved to be quite enjoyable.

I am living in a house with four missionaries again, which is always fun. It is me, my comp, Elder N. (my second companion) and some verdinho, Elder Av.—in other words, one gringo and three Brazilians. This is good, though, because I have been with American comps for the last four months, so now I have the opportunity to improve my Portuguese even more. We all get along well, and we are having a lot of fun already.

Elder A. and I found a part-member family this week in our area, and so we worked with them and were able to baptize three of the kids who weren’t ever baptized. We also got another week of excellence, so we are off to a good start. I am attaching pictures, but don’t expect too much; nobody knows how to take a good picture, and nobody knows how to act normal in a picture. After 10 attempts, I gave up and I am sending the best ones of the baptism.

Bummer that I missed Tommy’s birthday. Wish him a happy one from me. Let’s see, I will miss the birth of my niece and nephew, James’ b-day, Emily’s b-day, Sam’s and Chris’, and then I am home. Boo yah. I can’t wait to eat some American cake with frosting (it doesn’t exist here either).

I am slightly pressed on time today, so I will have to wrap it up. I’ll look into the picture stuff; you sent me a couple of emails with different info. Could you send me exactly what you need me to do? I’ll do the best I can.

I love you all! It is pretty cool here in Canela. I’m looking forward to another great transfer.

Love,

Elder Morris