19 Mar 2012 - Bom Jardin Area (Mom)

[Mom wrote some quotes she found about missionary work, one of which was this: "Was looking for some inspiring missionary tale and found this quote: Lady missionaries seem to be more tolerant and understanding than the elders. A lady missionary also seems to have far less of a challenge in getting motivated and putting in hours that are dedicated to the Lord."] Those are lies about sister missionaries :)

[Quentin L. Cook on becoming effective missionaries: "First, be a missionary all your life. Second, overcome feelings of hesitancy or inadequacy. Third, do not be discouraged because missionary work is hard. Elder Jeffrey Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, in speaking about how hard missionary work is and has been, said: 'I am convinced that missionary work is not easy because salvation is not a cheap experience. Salvation never was easy.' Fourth, be a good example and take every opportunity to share the gospel."] I have heard the 3rd quote before. It is part of the greatest talks of all time! I haven't been able to find it on audio or anything but oh well.

Time seems to be crawling by which is a good thing I guess. I told the Lord that these last 11 weeks would be my best and I would keep going and He could let Satan do his thing. It seems like he has done just that. This was a hard week. My brain got wasted a few days and my body was killing me in all sorts of ways for the 1st few days. I had no desire at all for the 1st part of the week. My companion was getting on my nerves too :) I had no confidence in my Portuguese at all. Basically I felt like I had 2 months on the mission again. I kept going though and things got better. It is a lot better now. I just want to finish strong and be an example to the newer people that are around me. Most people just assume that a missionary is dead when he has 3 months left. So I just have to prove them wrong. Things are not easier and I guess I will get a lot more blessings because of that. I'm glad that I'm serving. I'm often surprised that I was able to do it since I have never done anything in my life. I always gave up. I have so much to learn still.

19 Mar 2012 - Bom Jardin Area (Dad)

I forwarded my itinerary to you just so you can plan the party details ;)

[Lauren is taking an ice hockey class.] That is intense playing hockey on ice. I guess it is the same as rollerblades. Skates just have a sharp razor on the bottom to discourage falling and kicking.

Yeah Bom Jardim, the house is nice so that is good. It happens to be one of the most dangerous places here in Fortaleza and I've heard a lot about it. So that's a good last area to serve in right? ;) It won't be anything new, I'm fond of the ghettos. Nothing cool to report on this week so we'll just keep our fingers crossed. I doubt the other missionaries will be saying that but we'll see. I'm still chugging along like a freight train. I had a hard week but things got better. I don't know if my shirts will make it until the end. They are like paper. I ripped my sheets in half because they were so old and fragile. It turned over and my knee got caught in the fabric and just ripped it. Oops. Things are good and the Lord will bless me until the bitter end. I will need more help after the mission though :) This area we are able to find a lot of people and teach a lot of people too. It is good to have something to do all day. It hasn't rained hardly at all this year, so it is nice and toasty still. I don't know if I will be losing any weight here though since our house is full of people that love to cook.