June 8, 2014

“You can see your breath, your nose is cold, the [heater don’t work], the pipes are froze, it’s winter, [freaking] winter.”

Yeah, although good weather comes around once in a while during winter in Canoas, every morning now it is pretty cold—nothing like Utah yet but cold nonetheless.

Well, Elder A. headed out last Tuesday, and he is actually serving in an area where I have already served: Venâncio Aires. I will miss him, but I think I lucked out with my new companion. My companion, Elder R. from Tennessee, started the mission with me and is from my MTC group. We were companions for two weeks in my first area when his companion went home a little early to start college. I’ve know him since day one, since he lived in the same dorm as me in the MTC. He is a super cool guy. We have been friends since the beginning and I’m excited to be working with him here. Also, Elder Ro., who is also from my MTC group (Brazilian) and his greenie companion, Elder S., are splitting the area with us. So it’s pretty cool. There is nobody weird, we are all friends and we are all trabalhadores.

This week was, as Elder R. and I concluded, a “test of our faith.” One of our baptisms fell through and the other one went to the other elders because, after the division, she lives in their area. Also, one of the people that we want to baptize next week didn’t go to church on Sunday because he hurt his knee. Besides this, on Tuesday I had stomach problems, on Thursday I got super sick with a cold and had to sleep all day (I’m better now though), and this week I also got bit by a dog—twice. Crappy week, right? But we kept on working and at 7:00 p.m. Sunday we met a friend of a member who was going to be baptized a few months back but wasn’t because her stepfather didn’t let her. But now her stepfather has separated from her mother, so she will be able to be baptized next Sunday. It’s an eternal principle that I have learned here on the mission that if you endure to the end (end of the day, week or transfer, etc.) God always blessed you with success.

I liked your high school story. Even though it has only been three years since I graduated, it is strange how fast the time has passed. Three years ago last week (June 3) Ben and I threw a party at his house, and the whole class was there. Everyone stayed up until 2 a.m. eating, laughing, playing games and messing around. After everyone else hit the sack, Ben and I stayed up talking until 5 a.m. We talked about future plans, girls, mission, etc. It’s weird to think that so much has happened since then. I can’t believe it has passed so fast.

I hope Mom is enjoying her stay in Phoenix. I imagine that it’s hotter than poop. I’m sure that Grandma and Granddad will be grateful for her help and will enjoy her company. 

Anyway, I’m going to wrap it up for now. We have to send in a relatório. Say hi to Grandma and Granddad for me, Mom.

I love you!

Elder Morris