Now the neighbors can't dance in the police disco lights

June 7, 2010

Big news, guys: I was transferred again. After spending only six weeks in São José do Rio Preto, I was shipped off to a new city called São Carlos. It's insane -- almost everyone in the whole mission was transferred. I think my mission president wants everyone to get into new ares so that when the new president gets here this transfer (!), he won't have to move too many people around. That's my theory, anyway.

I really liked my last area, but I'm not too upset about leaving. I still hadn't really found my groove there or whatever. I hadn't gotten to know the members or the area very well, so it wasn't too big a deal to leave. And I've wanted to come to São Carlos ever since my first transfer because everyone says good things about it. I'm really looking forward to this transfer.

My new companion is an American. He's from Tennessee, which means that he's not from Utah, which is cool. He actually went to BYU at the same time as me, and we figured out that we even lived in the same dorm building. I didn't ever get to know him while I was at BYU, but I recognized him when I first saw him. Weird. He's going to hit a year on the mission in a few weeks, and I'm his first junior companion. That's exactly how it was with my last American companion, except now I speak Portuguese a little better. Even though I learned and grew a ton with my last two companions (Brazilians), I am definitely excited to be with a gringo again.

Like I said, almost everyone in the mission was transferred, including my new companion. We both arrived in our new area a few hours ago, and we don't know anyone or anything yet. This will be an adventure, for sure. I'm a little apprehensive about everything (but I always get nervous at transfers), but I'm excited! We're both going to have to fight just to keep our heads above water, and it's going to be awesome! And hard!

We had a good end to the transfer yesterday. There was a special stake conference broadcast from Salt Lake to something like 96 stakes scattered throughout São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. We heard from Elder Mervyn B. Arnold and W. Craig Zwick of the Seventy; Julie B. Beck, Relief Society General President; and Elder Christofferson of the Twelve. I didn't even know that those guys spoke Portuguese! It was cool to hear some general authorities give counsel and training directly to members living in Brazil; sometimes it seems, at least to me, like the Church is really located in the States. It probably has something to do with all the Church headquarters being located in the States, I guess. And the Church is comparatively weak out here. Anyway. It was a good conference.

And now I'm here in a new place with a new person and with new experiences to be had! Transfers can be discouraging because I always kind of feel like I'm starting over, but it's a good opportunity to try one more time to fight against my little insecurities and try my best to serve the people and the Lord. This transfer is going to be good because it has to be!

I love all of you! I hope you're doing well! The Church is true!

luv

booga

ps Winter's just starting up out here. I hear it's supposed to get pretty cold in this city. I'm looking forward to it -- it kind of feels like summer hasn't ended since it began this time last year.