And our ashes will fly in the aeroplane over the sea

Hi everyone.

My second week in the field went much faster than the first, which may have been the longest week of my life. I think I'm starting to get the hang of things out here. It is still really difficult to communicate with people, but my companion is a really strong speaker, so he hops in when I struggle.

I have been trying to pretend like I have confidence. It's easier when I'm around members because they understand better why I'm out here. I don't have to worry as much about saying things correctly because they will be friendly and understanding either way. The Church is small out here -- we only have a branch, and we hold our meetings in a house -- but the members are strong. I think the branch president is a cool guy. I say "I think" because I can't always understand him. Man, it would be nice to know how to speak Portuguese.

My companion and I are working hard. He is consistently diligent and ?I try to follow his example. We spend a lot of our time walking. We work primarily in two neighborhoods that are on opposite sides of the city. There are times when I wish we had a car, but I don't mind walking most of the time.

We have had investigators at church for both of the Sundays that I have been here. It feels really good to see people keep their commitments. Most of them get lazy or change their mind when we try to bring them with us on Sunday morning. People have some weird ideas about religion out here. Most of them just go to the church that's closest to their house. Many of them think that God is in every church. It's hard to explain why they need to come to this church instead of that one, and it's REALLY hard to explain it in Portuguese.

But I am glad that I'm here! I am learning a lot and growing up a little. I try to remind myself to keep a positive attitude all the time. It gets tough, though. I notice that my mind usually wanders when my companion is having a normal conversation with someone. I am definitely getting better at understanding people. But I space out when nothing makes any sense and I think about home and music and stuff.

But I'm aware of it, and I'm fixing it. I memorized in Portuguese Joseph Smith's account of the First Vision this week. I took a part of it each day and repeated it in my mind while we walked. And whenever I thought about what all of you were doing at that moment, or what my friends at BYU might be doing, or any of that, I made myself repeat my daily portion of the First Vision. I memorized it, so I guess it worked.

Sorry for rambling on; I usually have a few notes of what to write about, but I didn't do that this week.

Mococa is a nice place, and I am happy. I feel exhausted at the end of the day, but I'm not sure if it's from working hard or walking a lot. I am trying to figure out the difference between the two. I am learning how to stretch myself and take responsibility. It isn't easy. But I am growing and having fun and being Brazilian. The gospel is true. I am thankful that I can serve the Lord for this time. I love all of you very much, and I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving.

okay bye

booga