Letter #101

Dearest Family,

I write to you one more time from the locura of traveling and now zone conference. We've had quite the time traveling, this week to Marília and back to Bauru. and now we're getting ready for zone conferences which start tomorrow. . .we got back last night and still had to close the month with its numbers. But I'm getting ahead of myself: )

LAST WEEK WE BROKE OUR MISSION RECORD, WITH 192 BAPTISMS AND 192 CONFIRMATIONS!!

That's just about the sweetest going away present I could have had, and also the chance to visit one more time all the zones during conferences. Last week was the epitomy of stress, as we were so close and it wasn't flowing as naturally as it had in past weeks because of the World Cup. Saturday we sent out a message to the all missionaries that we were 13 away from breaking the record, then 12, then 11, then 10, until about 9:15 p.m. That night we passed the record and could sleep soundly : )

Tuesday we received two new missionaries and CALLED a NEW Assistant to the President : ) Elder Jouinsse was called as my replacement and given a time with me so I could teach him the works of being assistant, working in the office, etc etc etc etc. He arrived Monday night, helped us receive the newbies and actually trained in my stead.

I opted to go to the doctor's but not because I was sick but to accompany the president as he received an injection in his foot. It was a bonding experience, and we also took the opportunity to do contacts with all the patients in the waiting room, parking lot and nurses : ) When we got back to the office, the training was finishing up and we went on to lunch one more time at the president's house, then on to the Rodoviária where we caught the bus to Marília for 3 1/2 hours. Bus=nap, extra study time.

We arrived in Marilia and the next day we had lunch in house. They give us $. There's a restaurant here called "Habib's" which is like an Arabian Red Robin. They sell 'sfihas for 50 cents a piece so we bought 40 : ) and ate 13 each! I spent the day in Nova Marília only doing interviews and BAPTIZING three. One of which was of special note, an elderly man, a friend of the bishop, who sat in interview with me two hours, after which we left fast friends and he, a newly baptized convert to the church.

Thursday we left early for Bauru. We arrived there a little before lunch and got right to work. I worked in almost all of the areas of Bauru this week but the best was once again Geisel with Elders Firmino and Barbre. 

We baptized three more and participated some in their annual Fest Juninha, which is like a celebration of country living and Catholic saints, except in the church's version there are no Catholic saints, just cultural fare and their version of square dancing, plaid shirts with jeans,beards painted on and freckles. Apparently freckles are caipira (redneck) : )

Saturday we had to stay in the house due to Brasil's game and we received bucko bucks for lunch so we bought snacks: açai, pringles, doritos...and enjoyed our momentary break. To be truthful it was a very anxious wait as we really wanted to be out on the streets due to the importance of the week.

Oh, I suppose there are lots of little details I could tell, but one really worth telling was my encounter with one recent convert who was found by Elder Alves (who I got to see) and baptized about a month ago. We struck up a fast friendship as well, and he helped us out a lot during the week, teaching inviting and going about doing good all at fifteen years old! Last week he baptized the rest of his family, which was special for him and for us. Just before we left yesterday he called asking us to wait and met us at the chapel where he gave me a soccer jersey. He's got a heart of gold and loves the gospel more than anything else in the world. His example taught me again that old lesson, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, might, mind, and strength." This is the first and great commandment.

Yesterday we had preparation day with the president and the zone of Bauru, as they had baptized fifteen the week before. It was EXCELLENT especially the game of dodgeball. I didn't have any clothes to play in so I went in, tie and all and we came off victor, 4-0. Simply put, Americans throw things better than Brasilians and catch better as well. We didn't divide by country but I think our majority American team helped us out.

We played some ping pong, took photos with the trophy and bandeira, and watched the film "Ephraim's Rescue" about the Martin handcart company. VERY COOL. I am psyched to get into family history work at home : )

Today was all day in the office! and tomorrow we begin to travel again, first to Maringá and then to Foz.

I'm thrilled with all the speaking engagements but I'll admit fear that I won't know any English. . . : ) Really! and I won't have any time to prepare basically until I get home : )

I love you all and am extremely excited that the end is near. There is no good way to leave a mission. It is a death, and painful, but just as death is not the end, and heaven is on the other side, I can't wait to run, or jump into your arms. The gospel is absolutely true, and I know that. Stay firm and faithful.

Love,

Tanner