WEEK 22: Just Elevators bro

TUESDAY

Bus rides are an opportune time for street vendors to make big sales because everyone's sitting and listening with nothing to do, so every bus ride we get bombarded with people selling everything from popsicles to peanuts to toothbrushes. Today a guy walked on to the bus and started to give his speech advertising his product, which was a "magic" pen. He was like "ladies and gentlemen I have here a pen that can erase any mark it makes!" and I was like "so... a pencil?"

Lol I said it too loud and everyone on the bus laughed. The poor guy didn't get any sales but for his sake I actually thought his pen was kinda cool after his demonstration.

WEDNESDAY

We did a lot of work today; lots of work with less actives. A lot of them are planning on coming to English class on Saturday and church on Sunday.

THURSDAY

IT''S THE FOURTH OF JULYYYYYYYYYY.

One of the best holidays of the year. I'm grateful for all this holiday means and for the amazing, inspired people who established the United States and had the courage to form our Declaration of Independence.

We got some milkshakes today to celebrate.

FRIDAY

You hear some strange/funny encounters on the mission. We were getting to know a new family we're teaching and Elder Christensen asked one of the girls what her dad does for work. The conversation went a little something like this:

"So what does your dad do for work?"

"Elevators"

"Elevators?"

"Yeah"

"What do you mean? Like he builds them? Or does he conduct them or..."

"Hey don't worry about it. Just elevators bro"

"...."

I still have no idea what that means.

In other news we went to Asa Norte because Elder Christensen needs to get some shoulder surgery done.

Luan took us up there with his own gas money and spent the entire day with us helping us figure out where the hospital is, what needed to be done, and other miscellanous things. Ruy lent us his car so Luan could drive us instead of having to pay for buses. Those guys are so incredibly generous. The hospitality and service-mindset of the people here is astounding. It was nice getting to spend most of the day with someone we're teaching like that. We talked about temples and other parts of the Gospel. It was a really nice day, a nice change of pace too.

SATURDAY

We made pancakes for English class today. Had a good turnout.

SUNDAY

Tonight was SO GREAT. We had a bonfire at Ruy's because I'll most likely be leaving Pedregal this week. We cooked sausages on the fire with Ruy's family, Luan, and Taynara and Luan and I played some songs together. The other day I showed him the song "Rivers and Roads" by The Head and the Heart and he told me he learned how to play it. So I got out my uke and he played guitar and we sang a quick version of it. He's a really good singer. (We recorded it but the video is huge so I'll be sending it next week.)

Just an unforgettable night. I'll miss this area a whole lot. (If I end up leaving this transfer)

MONDAY

Our last Pday run with Ruy today.

We went to our favorite waterfall again. Gonna miss the guy and his big ole husky. Some of the people here in Pedregal have really felt like family to me. I wanna visit them again someday.

Thanks for the emails and pictures!

Elder Jovem (Young)

PICS:

1) Hangin' out at the Novo Gama house

2) Yasmin's baptism (Susanne's daughter)

3) The best baby in Pedregal/Novo Gama & one of Katiane's kids. Such a great family.

4) Asa Norte, big city buildings I haven't seen in 5 months

5 & 6) Luan Christensen & I at the hospital

7) Good views all around

8) Todo mundo at church