WEEK 30: Shaking President Nelson's Hand

TUESDAY

Today we waited a while at the bus station for my new companion. His name is actually Elder França not Barros and he's from Cape Verde, Africa! So that's pretty dope. He's got a thick African/Portugal accent when he speaks portuguese. In Cape Verde they speak Portuguese and Creole. He says he'll teach me the basics of Creole. 

He's kinda a quiet feller but he seems real nice.

WEDNESDAY

This week, even though our area is Taquaralto (14 hours away) we are working in Pedregal because President Nelson is coming Friday. It makes more sense for us to stay here than to make the 14 hour trip today only to return on Friday, THEN go back up to Taquaralto. So I get to show my new comp where I've spent the past 6 months. Kinda cool.

Elder Maclay and Ocampo are tagteaming Novo Gama this week. When Franca and I leave, Maclay will come back to Pedregal with his companion, because Pedregal is still his area.

THURSDAY

Yoooo my comp is way cool. He opened up a lot more yesterday and he's a funny guy. I'll miss Elder Maclay and I's humor but França and I are gonna have a good transfer.

FRIDAY

Wow what a day. We met the prophet today. We had a mission-wide conference in Asa Sul, and President Nelson and Elder Cook gave us a training. I think it was broadcasted to everywhere in Brazil. They shook each and every one of our hands, it was a really neat experience. I LOVED President Nelson's talk. I think the thing that impressed me the most is how much authority and calm power that man has, as a 95 year-old. I think it's incredible that while the rest of the people his age are at rest homes he's busy touring Latin America, visiting and encouraging all the saints down here. He didn't seem a day over 80 when he gave his talk and he spoke so firmly and clearly when he bore his testimony. I count myself really lucky to have had a day like today.

After the conference we took a 14-hour overnight bus ride to Palmas. It was a whole bunch of fun cuz we had a bunch of time to tell stories and have a good time with a bunch of Elders and Sisters we haven't seen in forever. A lot of my friends are up here with me in Palmas.

SATURDAY

First day up in Taquaralto. This whole city is a giant. freaking. oven. I was covered in sweat literally from morning til night. Every day is about 40 degrees Celsius which is about 104 in Fahrenheit. The Elders before us left exactly no one to teach... so we have to start from square one zero and knock doors all day. I'm actually excited for that though.

SUNDAY

Today we watched a broadcast of the Prophet speaking in Sao Paolo. When he bore his testimony he spoke in Portuguese!! Definitely didn't see that coming.

I'm starting to like Palmas more. It's a lot like Arizona; hot and deserty, so it makes me nostalgic for my great-grandparents house out in Phoenix.

I think this place is far enough away from Brasilia that people have different accents... because ever since I got here it's been difficult to understand everyone.

Excited for the week up ahead!

Elder Young

PICS:

1) Saying bye-bye to Elder Vega

2) A unfortunate ending to an unfortunate pigeon

3) SAYING BYE TO RUY AND LUAN. My #1 homies.

4) Getting ready for Jane's baptism: Every week cockroaches fall into our baptismal font and die so we have to scoop them out. 

5) Jane's baptism!!! The car that we were taking fell apart on the way to the church so I had to pay for everyone to take the bus. It was a good to last night to have in Pedregal

6) Saying goodbye to Elder Camargo, one of our AP's. He goes back home real soon. Super great guy

7) ON THE BUS to Palmas. 14 hours riding with a bunch of hilarious Elders & Sisters.

8) Goodole Elder França

9) Chillin on a rug with President Viana, one of the counselors in the Mission Presidency.

10) And some of his kids

11) Meeting up with Elder Warnick, my MTC companion at the conference with President Nelson