Letter #69

Dear Family, 

What a week! It seems like a year went by in seven days but then again we put some serious miles on the travel log. 

My new companion is Elder Arnaud, my former zone leader. He's great and from Natal, Brazil. He speaks with a slight French accent and likes to play piano more than I do. He also was a professional volleyball player here before the mission. 

The beginning of the week was spent in sending everyone off in grand style to their respective new areas or receiving those that were arriving. As zone leader you get a print out of what is going on in your area and have to arrange for everyone to get picked up or sent off, and also make sure no one is left alone. It was a very fun diversion planning transfer logistics! : ) 

Then we headed down to Londrina for the counsel meeting with the president. We had a beautiful night sunset bus ride going southwest to Londrina. It was great to see the area where I had served and loved only six weeks earlier too. We arrived in the bus station and said hi to lots of people before I was whisked off to sleep in Riveira with Elder Bailey. 

We bought an awe inspiring pizza but sadly most of mine got left in the fridge as we didn't have time to eat it. More buses and we got to the meeting which is held in the institute building above one of the chapels. It is a very beautiful building with lots of paintings I had never seen in church buildings before. The counsel mostly focused on the new group of zone leaders that were coming in and what they would have to do. We were well fed, something that is happening frequently here : )

We got back Wednesday and went to work in some blinding heat, which was lessened by some free milkshakes form the bishop. But we found lots of people and really put our shoes on the pavement which felt wonderful. Sunday morning as you know I went to assist in baptismal interviews. When Sister Halpin called me I was waking up from a nap on the bus and a little groggy. I remember saying that I was living the life but I admit English was not coming naturally to me so I may have seemed a bit distant. It was great to talk to them though and it really almost felt like talking to my own mom : )

Our investigator Elder Carrell and I were teaching Vitoria was baptized here and I baptized in Assis. 

One of these days I awoke to the sound of my blood being sucked by a nasty tick. Pretty sure I got it all out with the old credit card trick but I think this was the worst tick attack I've ever experienced. They're after my precious O - blood!

 

Next week we'll have a very special conference with Elder Costa the president of the Brasil area so everyone is getting super excited for that. Oh, I also received two splendiforous packages at the counsel. Thank you for your love. I feel it every breakfast and also late brunches. I will try extra hard to write lots of letters today. I have a stack that has not been sent to the post office yet as well. My mail train is surely appearing more burrowish than modern but I do love you . I am having the time of my life and I love the gospel with all my heart. The Lord gave us the gospel to save His family and I am so glad to spread abroad this rescuing message of joy. 

I LOVE YOU All, be sure to help the missionaries! I know you do : ) That brings me comfort on the hottest of days!

Love,

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