Letter #50

Dearest Family,

This will be an interesting letter. How shall I begin? Let´s start with Sunday because that is always a very good place to start. Yesterday we had three baptisms and a packed baptismal meeting. It was a sweet and special way to end the week and the transfer. To boot, we even got the less active aunt of one convert, who is a member in another ward, to come watch the baptism . AND we made brownies to top it off. Yup. Everyone left spiritually filled and physically as well with a little break the fast action.

Wait, there's more! We received three member references yesterday, a first in the mission for me. We promptly visited them Sunday night and I expect that I'll write more on these families soon ; )

Still on Sunday, after lunch I received a call from my pal Elder Zioli, the man who can, the São Paulo surfer who doubles as my AP. (He´s pretty cool.) He advised me that come Tuesday I would be TRAINING! Rapaze! well, I'm pretty excited though I have loved and learned so much with Elder Leonardo. He´s been like my second trainer and the last six weeks were absolutely spiritual. He won't be going far, though, because he's being transferred within the district.

Which leads me to the next item of business. I've been called as District Leader! Double yikes! That's a "I'll take becoming senior, trainer, district leader all in one bite, please" moment. Needless to say, things are about to get busy around here : )

I don't know yet who my companion is but I will find out soon, tomorrow, I think. Which is super cool because the day after he gets here we will have another baptism, the cousin of our convert. He'll be getting here just in time to baptize, and let me tell you, there probably isn't a better feeling than that : )

One of the young men, after his baptism had a funny moment. The counselor in the bishopric, in his welcoming message, asked him what were the desires of his heart. Relying I think on both the feelings of joy he was feeling and a newfound fascination with the baptismal font, he replied, " A pool." Not exactly what the good brother was looking for, but he made the most of it : )

Hey, so that's all that's going on ; )

Quick Q/A section:

No idea where my package is. . .maybe you can track it?
Almost forgot the conference with president. . .get to that soon.
No rule changes.
Our new goal for baptisms is 231!!!
Elder Cummings is also going to train : )
Elder Beaudoin was called as district leader : )
MY companion stuck his shoes in the oven and. . .melted them. Glad to have some sunshine today : )

Alright. Conference with the new President was fantastic, with capital F. He's different than President Tavares, but I like him. I love the way he teaches. He is a teacher and a good one. His wife is also much more open with the missionaries, not so formal. They have a son, 19, and a younger daughter and they're ready to go! I'll get to know them better tomorrow when I head to the meeting for trainers.

Thought for the week: watch the video from the training entitled, "I'll go where you want me to go" and then reevaluate how we can be more centered around the sharing of the gospel : ) Homework : )

I love love love you, and am so glad you´re my family--forever : )

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