Letter #17

Dearest Family, 

This week was, as many are, a week of ups and downs; we stand on the very pinnacle of Gospel joy when we see those we teach enter the church and learn and grow; and we experience what must be a particle of Christ´s sorrow when those good people of this earth refuse to trust in Him, even just enough to test His words.

I know that you crave every detail of life here, and I will try to give as much as I can as the time and mind will allow. Often, though, I feel more pressed to share what we feel here rather than what we do. More the small plates of Nephi if you catch my drift, because time we surely do not have. But to help, I made a list of all the worthy events that I could remember from the week.

With transfers last week I received. . .16 letters!!! And two packages!!! Nossa! What a day! I could not physically read all of them before the day ended, so I saved some envelopes of goodness for the next day. Talk about inexpressible joy. Thank you all so much for the letters. I promise to write each one of you, but if it seems long it’s because often, like this, I don´t receive any of them until transfers, 6 weeks later. Many letters coming, fear not. . .

My fantastic fellow missionaries here threw me a birthday bash with a cake, sandwiches, soda, and the works. I think I was sung to about 8 times by other missionaries in the district, Sister Tavares, the missionaries in my house, investigators, members. . .They like birthdays here, and it so happened that Irmã Natalina celebrated her 78th on Thursday as well. Good times. I also gloried in the simple joys of contact tape, with which you can cover/protect books like the Preach My Gospel and my planner, and decorate them with the heroes of the scriptures at the same time. 

In random news of the week, and in promised revenge on Elder Parker-- Elder Parker wore the same pair of socks for the entirety of last week. Yup, its true.

We began to teach an old investigator of Elder Parker who reappeared on our to do list. He is a wonderfully sweet and simple person who understands that the gospel is the way to a life without worldly ills. He is living with his uncle’s family, who are active members of the church. We hope to baptize him this week.

Also, we were introduced to a wonderful family through the reference of Elder Chambers and Abreu. They were called in from the street to give a blessing to this man´s wife who was sick. The family lives directly across from our old residence in the Rua Marilia. After giving the blessing they passed us the reference as they live in our area and we taught them the same day. They are marvelous. The husband is a humble worker, the wife is recovering physically and growing spiritually, and the daughter astounding us at every step. Sunday when they came to church she PARTICIPATED in the primary program in front of both wards, her first time going to church. Booyah! She´s read and comprehended every passage from the Livro de Mórmon and more, and is one of the happiest most prepared people I´ve ever seen. She´ll be serving a mission here in 8 years or so but we have a date marked for baptism this Sunday. Should be equally marvelous. (The parents aren't married but we are working on that and as soon as they are, in fact the day they are, we will baptize them as well: )

They do celebrate Day of the Dead here Nov. 2 but we had others to teach and so while many missionaries went to the cemetery to teach the Plan of Salvation we stuck this one out in other parts of the city. On another note, Irmão Joaquim, formerly mentioned, is a mortician who doubles by making many of the fantastic floral designs that cover graves or caskets. This week, after he fed us lunch we helped cut out cardboard hearts, a lot of them, that make up some of these designs, in thanks for the help, and lots of it, that he gives to the missionaries. I am still looking for P-Day activities here but there is a museum on the native Indian tribes, that sadly isn´t open on Monday, so I have to pass that one up. . . Maybe they´ll have a special day one week. . . Oh do I still want that extra copy of the Ensign, yes, yes please. No witches or gypsies here, just normal wickedness, like occasionally I stop breathing to not breathe in the clouds, CLOUDS of weed smoke drifting by. I love the U.S.A. EVERYONE here wants to talk about, or slam or do something else to the U.S. and frankly it’s very sad to see ignorance in action so frequently. I have determined after my experience up till now in the field to simply remain mute from now on as far as this topic goes and also, for the most part, as far as doctrine goes. I will try to teach but I refuse to argue or "prove" what I am saying. It is simply not worth it. I am eternally grateful for the clearness of opinion and ability to evenly weigh and consider topics afforded to me by my upbringing and blessed education. No way Brazil celebrates Thanksgiving. Christmas decorations, prevailingly corny and plastic, but however, not usually made in China (most things are made in Brazil) are widespread. 

Could you send me my roommate’s address, Jeremy, who is serving in Canada, Toronto? And also check my Yahoo email to keep it from deleting itself.

In the Spirit of Uncle Aaron, I would like to introduce a new section asking a doctrinal question which I do not have time to research but would like to tax the combined efforts of my brilliant family to answer or weigh in on. Please send responses connected with your usual letters. I am most grateful. This month´s question addresses a single line I read in the scriptures this week, I believe 1 Nep. 17, but at the moment cannot remember. What is the specific significance of the title, "The First Covenant," as applied to the Abrahamic covenant. I´m looking for pondered answers if you have the time. Thanks folks! ; )

Listen folks, all you thousands who are leaving right now to serve a mission: A mission is hard! (And biasedly, a mission in Brazil is very hard.) But what joy! we have I have never felt. And what blessings and love as well. So go get ém Naomi and Greg! I´m excited that I´ll have some relatives serving in the field with me. Welcome to the army of God!

Love, Love, Love and Love,

Tanner ´"Banner Carrying" Schenewark