Letter #43

Dearest Family,

I write to today with not much to say in the development of the work here in Agudos. This week was rather hectic. That is not to say that it hasn't been a week of singular personal growth. Sometimes weeks are like that! But as I sit and type I feel a great peace, part of which springs from you, my family. I am most thankful for your continued support of me.

This week I was a little "blue" as Elder Beaudoin went to Londrina to renew his visa and so I spent several days with Elder Havili, he of the city Seattle. He was affable as ever and we spent an enjoyable time attending our several duties, interview, and marked appointments. Lots of bus travel within a short period of three days! I also got to visit the uppermost top-right corner of our mission, Macatuba. Check. There the father of the president of the ramo (branch) was baptized in what must have been a very special moment for all.

I also introduced Elder Havili to the Palador Pastel. If you ever pass by here, I´ll take you too, though be warned, you may have to split the beast as Elder H and I did.

Oops, I forgot to address the pre-letter questions, so I'll skip back and do that. I loved the cards, though I do remember explicitly mentioning THAT picture on the front as being for mom´s eyes only, hey! Oh well : ) They're happy and cheerful and well done, and indeed I have already sent one out (to whom???). They are slightly more expensive but not to worry, I always budget more money for letters than normal, because I try and send a lot. I´ll send out another one this week to my dear recent converts, who sent me the second letter I've received from them here in Agudos. I'm sure it will make their day!

Second, on shoes. Thankfully due to some research before the mission the shoes that I picked out are holding up pretty good. I usually just use one pair as the other has worn down on the corners and gives me the outer calf workout of my life walking around in them. I think I may have to get other shoes down the road or just resole the ones I have here in Brasil, which would probably be cheaper. However, for now I think I am good. In the future, if anything I may look at a new pair of insoles. We'll see.

Well, I thought Dad might like to know about a few Brasilian games that the kids play quite a bit here in Agudos. One, classic leapfrog with upwards of 20 kids. Impressive. Two, a jump rope like game called pula corda, where they use a large elastic cord, tied in a circle that goes around two people´s ankles. Then two participants must jump and do different things with the cord circle created, one matching the other step by step exactly. Each step the cord goes up higher on the bodies of the two that are holding it making it higher and thus harder to complete the more and more intricate moves within the cord, until one cannot match the other and a winner is declared. Don´t understand all of the rules yet but it's very popular. Last, my favorite, a kid wraps himself around a convenient pole, light post etc. and forming a chain and grabbing him around the waist, 10+ kids try and pull him off. Oh yeah. Try that one for FHE this week : )

Three sweet moments and I'm out of here: First, our convert is still progressing, left this morning for a job interview we set up for him with an active member here. Hopefully he'll get the job and that will also help him be more integrated into the church as well as simply being a blessing received as a result of his recent efforts.

Second, we are helping are recent convert/ward mission leader begin the process to get his patriarchal blessing and prepare for the temple in August. We had a very nice lesson with him and his wife yesterday. I know that this blessing can be a strength to him in his life and maybe the final needed effort to bring his wife into the church as well.

Third, I teared up, secretly of course, Sunday when arriving at church I saw the newly baptized young man seated up in the front with the deacons ready to pass the sacrament. And even more when he, making his way down the aisles, administered this sacred ordinance to me, and I was blessed by the priesthood of someone whom I had helped come into the church.

I love this work with all my heart. I do. We are small in number but we wield the mighty sword of truth, everlasting truth that cannot fail for it comes from the creator of all things, even God. Share it please, whenever and however you can. Bring families to the missionaries to teach.

This past week I've listened to the last general conference two more times all the way through. The overwhelming--overwhelming--focus is missionary work. It is the work we are called to do, for we have been warned:

"And again, I say unto you, I give unto you a commandment, that every man, both elder, priest, teacher, and also member, go to with his might, with the labor of his hands, to prepare and accomplish the things which I have commanded. And let your preaching be the warning voice, every man to his neighbor, in mildness and in meekness. And go ye out from among the wicked. Save yourselves. Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord. Even so. Amen." (D&C 38:40-42)

That we may so work, in mildness and meekness, with the bond of love formed in our eternal family, I pray,

Love,

Tanner