Hello again.
Last week I was finished shopping, eating, and sending emails by this time and so I had time to exercise, take a short nap, and tidy up the apartment. Today, it is already almost 1:00pm and I am not done with most of the things I need to do. This is primarily because we were on the last computer slot today. Last week we were first. There are only three computers and there are 8 missionaries as well as the other people from the complex who want to use the free Internet on these computers. I like being here in the clubhouse however, it is cozy with big couches. I have been writing letters and I played a game of pool with a stranger. I lost. Both times. Anyway.
We had some progress this week. We taught Fatima and Luca several times. Luca is helping out at home. Fatima said that one day this week she came home exhausted, but to her surprise the house was all clean and he was there to surprise here and hug her! He is ten years old, you see. This is not regular ten year old behavior. He said he greatly enjoyed doing it. He is excited about church. He brought his friend yesterday to church. Fatima has also told us that he has been a lot happier in general since we have started teaching. It's pretty miraculous especially when I can tell that it is not us that are making the difference. Fatima had an absolutely great time coming to church and Luca really enjoyed Primary despite admitting boredom during Sacrament Meeting. We had two confirmations (Tania & Edilberto--who were baptized two weeks ago) that I got to participate in. Also, there was another Portuguese baptism. A 21 year old named Isabella. It was a great Sunday. We had a record number of 47 at Sacrament Meeting! Another baptism and Isabella's confirmation slated for next week. The mission president also came for Sacrament Meeting and the baptism. It's exciting to see such progress, especially after having exerted such incredible work and hours to keep the ball rolling. It's a good feeling to be in a group of happy people, who despite having imperfect lives and multitudes of personal concerns, are united in their committment to follow God.
In the news, Brazil inaugurated their first female president ever on New Years Day. Hopefully she likes giving visas!
I had a delicious dinner with a member family that is worth making mention. It was bowtie pasta with homemade alfredo sauce and real parmesan cheese sprinkled on top! Lovely. Simply lovely. Mmm. Also, perfectly steamed brocolli and delicious garlic bread. And root beer floats for dessert! The family had a lot of young children and they all wanted to play with us, so it was kind of reminescent of home. The six-year-old especially reminded me of Jake. He was crazy and funny and very hyper. (He also ended up getting sent to his room before we left...you see, it is possible to be a little too hyper).
We had a New Missionary Training Meeting. I am not exactly too new here anymore, but we flew into Georgia one week after the last such meeting. It was nice to drive to Lilburn again. The meeting was both spiritual and informative. I also got to see one of the Athens missionaries. Everyone sleeps on the way there and back except for me and the driver so it is beautifully peaceful, and I got even better views of downtown Atlanta because the weather was clearer than last time. We drive right by a pair of buildings called the Concourse Corporate Center in Marietta that are kind of neat too. We nickname the King and Queen buildings. If you look it up you will see why.
I forgot to mention that we had a lesson with Fatima with a member of the Portuguese Group who is a native Brasilian. That was especially awesome, because well, simply, a Brasilian woman can relate to another Brasilian woman better than can a nineteen-year-old missionary from the States can. Plus, they became quick friends and the Sister was able to show Fatima around church and such. When things actually work as a missionary it is just excellent. Joy.
We had dinner with a member family on New Years Eve. They were really nice. They fed us on what was probably my third day in Marietta as well. They tried to make dinner especially cool in honor of New Years Eve. We all wore party hats and had noisemakers, and we lit off some fun little fireworks on their driveway after eating and having a scriptural discussion. We weren't allowed to proselyte the night of New Years Eve, so we came back to the apartment and I caught up on my journal writing. I had plans to wake up just before midnight to briefly celebrate the official New Year, but the cell phone alarm that I set didn't go off. This is because our phone is, hmm...how does one say it? Ridiculous. Yes, that's it. But, in the end I was exhausted and got a good night of sleep that was uninterrupted. That's the news. We found a new Portuguese speaker and a new English speaker. We have some appointments this week. Things are looking well. Onward.
It rained all day New Years. I brought my umbrella around all day and had actually had fun in the rain. It was unexpected.
It seems like we meet a lot of people who are not very happy. In general. I hope that we can all find time to appreicate, embrace, and enjoy life ACTIVELY in this new year. It's been clearer than ever to me here on a mission that happiness must be sought out! It doesn't come in consequence of laziness, selfishness, or indifference. Sit on the couch with some hot cocoa and calm piano melodies, have a conversation with someone you love, really spend some time thinking about someone you could help out and how. Then do it. Be creative. Mix things up and have a good time with life. And don't forget God in the process. He's the one who wants us to be most happy of all, and has more than shown us how. Happy new year. For real. Get out there and make it happen!
Tchau folks,
Elder JOSHUA BODILY
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