This week was kind of rough.
It seems like in the mission field, every once in a while you have one of those days where nothing happens. Like, you don't get rejected more than usual or have any really negative experiences -- you just go from the beginning of the day to the end, and when you get there, you don't really have anything to show for the last 24 hours. We had four of those in a row this week. Somehow we just kept having days where nothing happened. It has been so hard to try to get things moving in this area again.
Things are all right, though.
We had zone conference on Tuesday, which was wonderful. It gave me that spiritual boost, at least for a little while, that I needed to come back to Birigui and work. The assistants showed us a really cool video that shows the step by step process of making a vase out of a lump of clay, with the point being that we need to be flexible in the Lord's hands and allow Him to shape us. The mission leaders really know how to get you excited about missionary work.
Also, we found another rat in our house; actually, I think it was a mouse. My companion and I bought rat poison a few days ago to try to kill it gently, but that didn't work. We ended up killing it by force! I went out behind our house to wash one of my shirts, and my companion had left a blanket in the basin out there. When I pulled the blanket out, I saw some rate droppings in the sink, along with a little piece of the rat poison. Knowing that the rat had to be around there somewhere, I gave the blanket a good shake, and out fell the rat. Of course, I started screaming like a little girl as the rat scurried under our washing machine. My comp ended up killing it because it got stuck under there. So, yeah. It was pretty nasty. I could send you a picture of it, but I don't think that's necessary. I'll show you guys some other time.
Some of you guys sent me some questions to answer, so I guess I'll just answer them in here since I never have anything interesting to say. Here we go:
What is the best and worst thing about having companions?
The best part about having a companion is that you always have someone around to help you out when things get rough. That includes when you're going through a rough patch emotionally, when you're in the middle of a lesson, or when you just want to talk to someone. Actually, that's also kind of the worst part about having a companion: you always have someone around, even when you just want to be alone. I've gotten lucky with my companions though, so I can't really complain.
Are you able to wear short sleeved shirts in the hot weather?
Yeah, we only wear short sleeved shirts. I gave one of my long sleeved shirts to a 17-year-old recent convert here so he could go to church in nice clothes. He hasn't been to church since I gave it to him though (sad face). Also, if we had to wear long sleeved shirts in this weather, I would die. From melting.
Do you need/want anything American?
American deodorant is the best thing in the world. And I like American candy, crackers (Cheez Its!), and cereal. But I don't need anything, Brazilian or American.
What is your favorite gospel principle to teach or study?
I love studying about the Atonement and various Christlike attributes. I usually read a lot of Chapter 6 in Preach My Gospel (it's the one about Christlike attributes) when things are getting rough. Also, deep doctrine.
How do you like being in a leadership role ALL THE TIME? Is it becoming more second nature? (Does it ever get easier talking to strangers?)
I still feel like I haven't gotten used to being a district leader. It really hasn't been that different than being a senior companion, which probably means that I'm a pretty lousy district leader. I don't know. I like having the opportunity to talk to other missionaries and try to help them. I usually can think of multiple experiences from my mission that could help them out, which makes me realize that I actually have had strengthening experiences out here, which makes me happy. I like it. And yeah, it does get easier talking to strangers. At least, it does in Portuguese.
Do you have cars, bikes or just your legs for transportation?
I have ridden in a car a handful of times on my mission, but it's usually been in situations where members drove us the rest of the way as we were walking to church on Sunday or something. We don't have cars or bikes. No one in my mission does. We just have our feet! Also, because of my toe, I walk with socks and sandals now. Que chique!
Do you, like most missionaries I have talked to, have issues with sister missionaries?
Sisters are cool! Sometimes!
Do you ever get to go to the temple?
No. There isn't a temple in my mission, so I haven't been to the temple since I was in the CTM over a year ago. I miss going there.
What is your favorite Brazilian thing?
I don't know if any of you have heard of guaraná, but it's the best thing in the world. It's a soda that we drink all the time out here, and it has the flavor of a native Brazilian fruit called guaraná (duh). Every city has a different brand of guaraná, practically. My favorite brands are the national ones, though: Antarctica (probably the only brand you'll find back home), and Kuat (Coca-Cola's brand). Suuuuuuper good.
I also love natural fruit juice, which you can get in a lot of places out here. Like, they toss some fruit in a blender with sugar, ice, and a little water, blend it up and serve it. So good. I'll make you guys some guava and orange juice after the mission.
How do Brazilians handle sarcasm? Do they have any form of it?
Yeah, people are sarcastic, but I don't think it's as common as back home. Now that I think about it, I think American culture kind of encourages sarcasm and cynicism. Sometimes I say things sarcastically to my Brazilian companion and he looks at me like I'm an idiot. So...
How well do you speak Portuguese by now?
I can get by all right. There are still a bajillion things that I don't know, and there are a lot of other Americans in the mission who speak better than me, but I can understand everything that people say (except for a new word here and there), and I can usually get my point across when I need to. I have dreamed in Portuguese quite a few times, so there's that. Sei lá, cara.
Have you had anything particularly freaky to eat lately?
Lately, no. Being in the state of São Paulo means that the food we eat is usually pretty mild. Did I ever tell you guys about when I ate liver? I probably did since I never eat anything that weird.
Have you ever bashed with a minister/leader of another church?
We did lose about an hour this week because this old Jehovah's Witness wanted to chat with us. I have contacted some pastors before,and I kiiiiiiiiiiind of bashed with one a few months ago. It's kind of a waste of time, though, so I usually try to avoid it. A Catholic guy got pretty mad at me and my comp the other day because we talked a little about the Great Apostasy. He was kind of out of his mind.Well, those questions made my email super long this week. Sorry if it got boring! I love you guys so dang much! The Church is true!
luv
boooooga
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