WEEK 8:Spongebob Tavern and Some More Crazy Buses

Hey all - another week gone by in Pedregal, Brazil. This week didn't have as much success as last because it rained all. day. every. day. But we made the best of it and still found a lot of people interested in hearing about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Here's the day-by-day:

TUESDAY

Today started out tough. It was raining all day and we were soaked and no one was out on the streets to contact. Most of our appointments fell through. But things got a lot better at night after we taught the Silvas again. This time almost the entire family was here (its a huge family, we don't even know if we've met them all) and we were able to answer all their questions. I was finally able to say a lot of things during the lesson. My portuguese is slowly but surely getting better. I think the Silvas are coming to church this Sunday which is going to be so great.

After that we taught a new family and they seemed really interested. It was nice ending today on a good note.

WEDNESDAY MY DUDES

A lot of our appointments fell through again today but we started teaching another new family.

We FINALLY fixed our shower. I forgot how nice hot water is. We've had freezing showers since last Saturday haha. Builds character I guess

I've been studying a lot in the book of Matthew, specifically the Sermon on the Mount. There are so many incredible principles to take from these chapters.

I love Christ's commandment to go the extra mile; to love and do good to those that hate you, to turn the other cheek to those who smite you, and to give freely to those who need. Patience is such a crucial characteristic to have. It makes you so much more capable of feeling love for your neighbors and feeling happiness in general.

Man if we all followed the teachings of the Sermon on the Mount this world would be such a friendlier, better place.

(Matthew 5-7)

THURSDAY

Haha I just got off the craziest bus ride yet. It was like riding the Knight Bus from Harry Potter X2. Our bus driver was having some mad road-rage with another bus driver and they raced all the way back to Pedregal. Every time our bus passed the other one our driver would scream at him and flail his arms around. Everyone took a seat because if you were standing you'd be flung around at every turn.

I love the buses here; it's like riding a rollercoaster all around town.

Aside from that, my comp and I found our new favorite soda. Anyone ever heard of Pepsi Twist? It's Pepsi mixed with Lime and it's the most refreshing thing ever after a long day of being out in the sun.

Do we have this in America? Anyone know? Cuz I'm gonna stock up on it big time when I go home if we don't have it in the states.

Tonight we spent a lot of time with less-actives (people who haven't gone to church in a while) on the outskirts of Pedregal. Man it's so beautiful out there. I need to send a picture but I don't think it would capture it. It reminds me a lot of a little town in Utah called Alton where my family would always have family reunions. It's just so serene and relaxed in the countryside, with mountains all around you. Made me a little nostalgic.

FRIDAY

It's (very gradually) becoming easier to understand portuguese. The hardest part about being surrounded by only portuguese-speaking people is that I can't make jokes to any of them in conversation. Lol I don't have the vocabulary and I've missed sooo many golden opportunities for something witty because I don't know portuguese well enough. Haha it's so sad. Can't wait til I can speak port well enough to actually communicate my personality to people.

SATURDAY

We baptized one of the girls of the Silva family today. I think they're starting to feel more at home in the ward.

SUNDAY

I played piano for the congregation again. Haha it's a little hard to play because they're pretty stubborn with the tempo when they sing. It's sooo slow haha every time I try to pick up the speed no one adapts to me so I just give up and play every hymn at like 70 along with everyone.

I like accompanying though. A little boy I've never met came up to me and gave me a hug after Sacrament meeting. Kids are so genuine.

PICS:

1) My companion and I made banana brownies... wrong move

2) Elen Silva's Baptism

3) The view from the Novo Gama missionaries' apartment

4) A spongebob themed bar in Novo Gama. They have cartoons everywhere here, painted on the walls and at bars