April 26th

We almost had a baptism this last weekend, but during church, he went to the bathroom, and came back saying he caughed up a ton of blood...so...went home. Ha...and then he got wasted. So...maybe next week? Not giving up on him quite yet. Ha! ...Oh! and Stake Confrence yesterday was awesome! Elder Nelson(also the name of my companion) from the q of the 12 came! and also a member of the 2nd Q of the 70! IT was a good talk about many subj. Tithing, Kids, Templework...pretty much everything that doesnt aply to me till after my mission. Ha!

Im doing good this week...its been really hot, and sweaty! soooo sweaty. OH, and our clothes washer machine is broken...so all 6 of us get to take turns to clean our clothes in the buckets:D HAha!...its tough...and my clothes arnt that clean,i need more practice. Wish me luck not to smell!

I loved that Talk from priestood confrence. It was reallly interesting to see how they call us. Very interesting. I love the prophet and the apostles...its hard not to when you watched a talk of theres everyday in the CTm and read there articles daily during study. hahaha...

Ya, i like the peopl here. there all so nice. And even the poor people make Great lunches for us, I DK (i don't know) how they can do it...but they do. ITs nice. Almost every house here is probably worse than the one that Jill has now. Its amazing...its not even that its poor...its just that everything is poor qaulity and the standard for houses are low. its just a lot different here...it amzes me that im here, and your there, every day!

Well,. i must go now. I sent you all a letter with a couple pics in it...so i hope you get that soon! Tchao Tchao! My furry, blistered, bug bitten feet!

April 19th

I don't have anytime (almost) to write you, just on my P-day. But would like to keep you updated on what I am doing. So, I'll just write a little bit here in my notebook, every time we stop to catch our breath or are waiting for other missionaries or investigators.

Well, so far, I REALLY like it here! The work is hard. This area baptizes a lot, so were always running around to prep for baptisms and lessons. I have to have my inhaler on me all the time... haha! We are actually filling out paper work for mom who has 9 kids. We were suppose to baptize her 2 weeks ago and now we are!

I just found a place to develop photos so I will try to send some as often as I can. OPA (whoa)! We are going to baptize her in 2 hours!!

The past couple days have been the hottest its been since I've been here. But, I guess it is nothing compared to this summer when, here in Rio was the hottest place on Earth for about a week! Summer doesn't start again until this upcoming September.

Well, I baptized Luiciene, my first! It was just a small meeting since there was only about 2 hours to set it up. But we did buy a cake for her! ummmmm... it was good!!

Sundays here don't compare to anything at home. Up at 630, dressed, breakfast, until 730 and then running here, hustling there, have to pick up all our invited people and people who need to be confirmed all by 930. This morning we are picking up Luiciene and her family of 10 and her friend, an ex-drunk we have taught and another family of 4 or 5. So crazy. We all walk to church and sing hymns all the way there.

Funny thing, they sell Halls cough drops, as if they are just another mint. Also, almost all their glasses are half the size of ours. I have to refill my glass 5 times! Brazilians are crazy, I love them!

April 6th

We new that Parker would be leaving the MTC (CTM in Brazil) in Sao Paulo and going out into the field somewhere in Rio de Janeiro. His P-day in the CTM was on Monday, the 5th. He wrote that he was packing and would email us when he could. On the 5th, 6th and 7th of April, Rio had the largest rains it has had in 46 years. Streets of the city were flooded, mudslides in the hills and about 100 people were dead or missing. It's funny because I, the mom, knew that where ever he was he was safe, Heavenly Father would take care of him. I wasn't too worried about him.

We finally heard from him on April 11th. He was in Rio and he wrote, "I made it to Brazil (Rio) alive! Even though I had to wake up at 3am, the flight was delayed for about 6 hours, my luggage nearly lost. They couldn't find my 24 kilo luggage until 5 minutes before I left the airport (I was there for 2 hours?) so JUST in the nick of time. So, I made it!

We were greeted at that airport by the AP's with open arms. they are really nice and the drive to the mission home was crazy. The flight was delayed, because of the rain. The record before was 150mm about 10 years ago. The past 2 days its rained 188 mm! The taxi would drive through 'lakes' in the road! haha! Scary!!!

There are a lot of tunnels because of all the mountains. They are super steep and just thinner that Utah mountains. I couldn't see the Jesus Cristo because of all the crazy fog! But I saw Epinima beach (like the song ' the girl from Epinima'?) I guess its popular.. or something... so far I love it here! My Mission President and his family are super nice and Sister Bazzedo cooks very well... I'm stuffed with all sorts of food and cream cakes!