14 Aug 2011 - Jardim América Area (Mom)

The week was a good week. It was a little sad since it was my last week in the area. Transfers again! I'm in Jardim América with Elder R. Santos. He too is from São Paulo, like almost everyone else. The area is small which is good; I don't have to walk as much. I don't know much about him yet. Oh yeah I'm Senior now...took me a while but I finally made it. I'm just chugging along. I loved my last area so much and I was only there for 5 weeks. It is definitely one of the my favorite places in the whole entire world.

[I am excited because one of the little boys from summer school has been transferred to Park Glen Elementary. He reminds me so much of you.] Does he have a chili bowl hair cut? If not, he's just an impostor! That's cool though, little kids are really cool. When you work with them it is easy to see why we need to become more like them. Oh I just remembered something. Evan's mom went back to school to become a teacher and she is old. She still got hired though, so there is hope for you. I think she teaches 2nd grade or something. Today we had transfers and a family from the ward took me to the chapel. They brought the little kids. The poor little kids were crying when they had to say goodbye. Then their mom started crying and even the dad. They are the 1st people that have done that, well at least that I saw. I love them so much. They were already crying on Saturday when I told them I would leave. The little 5 year old boy kept asking when I was going to leave. He wanted me to spin him too (I pick them up and spin them). Poor kids. I say it a lot, but as I have more time on the mission I learn to love the people more. I was only there for 5 weeks and I love them as much as the other people that I knew for 4.5 months. The love I have for them is indescribable! I'm happy, happier than I have ever been. I love 'em.

14 Aug 2011 - Jardim América Area (Dad)

[I mentioned someone in the ward said their son brought back some cool stuff from Brazil.] What did he get from Brazil? I've got some cool key chains and some soccer shirts. Someone gave me a cup with a lid so I could keep it in my backpack. Does that meet the cool standard? I'll go shopping near the end of my mission. I hear Havaianas (flip-flops) are popular in America now. They are only $5 here. I got some with little Brazilian flag on them. Those are a little more expensive though.

I didn't get a new camera yet, I can only go on P-day since the store was out of my area.

Good news is that I got transferred and there is a super walmart-like store here. So I should be able to get a camera there. My new companion is from São Paulo. He's got 6 months....yep I'm a senior. Took me 1 year and 2 months...kids in my group are ZL and Assistants already. Ugly duckling anyone? Just kidding. I'm happy for them. Were are in Jardim América....it's weird because it looks nothing like an american garden here...My last area was hard to leave. They are great people and I love them so much. One of my favorite families in the whole world took me to the chapel for transfers. The 2 little kids, ages 5 and 8, were crying when I went to say goodbye. Then their parents started to tear up. I tried to be manly but they got a few tears out of me. They are special people and I'll miss them. I can feel a bit of the love that Christ feels for all of us when I think of these people. Yesterday they invited me to bear my testimony and it was going well. I told them God loved them. I told them that Jesus loved them. As soon as I said that I loved them, I just couldn't speak. It came out of nowhere and I got all choked up. This is the Lord's work. I do love it here, I love the Gospel, and I love God's chosen people of Fortaleza, Brazil. I know this is the best place ever. I hope I can get better so I can be a better senior, a better Jeffrey, and a better missionary.