Letter #77

Dear Family, 

My what a time we've had this week! Baptisms, meetings, lots of pondering, deadlines, more pondering, and plenty of food. Not to mention a package each from the Lozadas, the Bachs and home. Today we will eat pancakes for lunch and my companion voluntarily bought bacon and eggs. It's going to be good. Good to have a break : )

Last week we killed our p-day to prepare for the leaders counsel and to have a war council with president. All in all, we will be doing many different things because that's what it takes to reach new levels. Already we've begun to see some results both good and bad. For example, our efficiency this week in terms of what we said we were going to accomplish with what we actually accomplished was spotlessly perfect, but with some of the new rule changes, going into play this week, what we accomplished was a little low. But I'm very optimistic with the results, and am very excited by the growth available to us in our mission. There are stakes to be created, cities to open (that will open!), and lots and lots of families to find and baptize, bringing them into the fold.

The brother of the young man who is leaving for his mission in April and who has been a member for ten months, was baptized this week, along with his wife. They had gone to church for the first time last week. How they have changed in six days! They have riveting testimonies and are bold to share them. We had a very successful turnout at the baptism as well, with more than fifty present, some investigators and lots of family and friends. 

Two young men who were baptized three weeks ago, also were interviewed for the priesthood and came to church in white shirts and ties.

Also this week we had our leaders counsel. The word for this one was material. Lots and lots of new material and rules, and work to pass on. We took a break in the restaurant which as you saw, I enjoyed. This is one quality buffet! I ate there again this week when we returned to the city for my eye exam. . . Speaking of which I went to the doctor for the first time ever in Brasil and it was interesting. Try filling out technical terms in English with a Portuguese doctor.

All in all there was nothing third-world about the visit, except that they dilated my eyes about 10x the necessary dilation which turned me into a very cartoonish missionary, which is not a problem. You can always break the ice with this :) but it was a very, very sunny day and they didn't have those disposable sunglasses we so often take for granted at home. Sooooooo, I held my companion's arm for ten blocks until we got to the mission office, effectively blind and in some pain. Note, we can't bear glory as Moses learned, without first being transfigured. I had a little too much glory in me so I passed out in the office for a couple of minutes until my eyes returned to a more normal level, allowing us to continue our journey. My companion took advantage of the pause to update numbers on the computers. Beware the eye doctor.

Good news from this you may ask? My vision has improved GREATLY in the mission, from 20/50 to 20/25, almost eliminating the need for glasses at all. With glasses I was seeing like 20/10 or better. This explains why wearing my glasses during the day was giving me nausea or tiredness, sometimes headaches. They were way too strong. This is one trend I hope continues. Also, I will be able to drive when I get home having received my new drivers license.

Having to change in some part the way we're working has led to a greater effort to work with members. What was before giving more headaches than glasses is becoming slowly but surely a blessing as we learn to work as one. Our greatest incentive is to follow Pres. Costa's advice who advised us to help the members invite friends and family to Family Home Evenings in their homes. We did this, helping them make invites, a cake, then delivering the two together. He promised significant results if we did this. We have five Family Home Evenings marked for this week, and I'm excited to see how this first wave of efforts turn out.

We also had to take care of some disciplinary things this week resolving problems between some elders. Not too fun. But I testify that the Lord helped me to resolve them and guided me to bring peace to the mission. That we have the right to this revelation I have no doubt and I was thankful for His divine help in my hour of need.

Not much news I know but this week will be great and I'll have plenty of things to share. I think we'll travel during the week, probably beginning with the zone of Elder Maguire. . .in Cascavel. Going south, baby!

LOVE YOU,

Tanner

P.S. Haven't gotten the Duncan's box yet, but I look forward with anticipation as I expect to finish my journal in two weeks or so.: )