So much has changed in the past week. President Pickett has come to end of his mission. He and Sister Pickett are flying back to the United States after one year as President of the Rio de Janeiro North Mission, and the first two years of the Vitória Mission. There was a grand fireside in Cariacica last night. The first time that I have been to Cariacica. It was very spiritual. They will leave everyone here missing them very much.
As for transfers. Elder Wilson went to the boondocks of the mission in Nanuque, way in the north of the mission. I stayed here in Serra-Sede. I also turned senior. This means that from here on out, my companions will have less time and experience on the mission than I do. In other words, I am in charge, I have a lot of responsibility, and I carry a little more stress.
My new companion is Elder Salvador. Or translated, Elder Savior. He is from Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul way in the south of Brasil. Where it actually snows sometimes. He has a heavy southern Brazilian accent. I don´t understand everything that he says the first time that he says it. He is my first Brazilian companion. He is awesome though. This is his second area on the mission. He misses his first area a lot, but I was able to comfort him a lot because I suffered when I left the Athens 2nd Ward way back in December. He is a really neat person. He is hard-working, has a passion for the missionary work, and he has a lot of patience with me. He practices English words with me in the street. He has particular trouble pronouncing the words ´´contact´´ and ´´hymn book´´. He does not speak English. Virtually nothing. I sat on my bed the other night and just thought, there is not a fluent English speaker (with whom I am acquainted) in my area. It is a twenty five minute trip to the nearest American elder, my zone leader, and I don´t even know him. Now, at last, my brain is starting to think almost purely in Portuguese. Basically, because I have no choice.
I feel alone sometimes, but I know that I am not.
My companion from the MTC, Elder Anderson, found out this week that his 18 year old brother passed away. I don´t know any details. He just turned senior as well, and he went to a new area very far from here. I know he is passing through way more than I am.
I am so grateful for the things that I have in my life. I am grateful for my family, my friends, and for my knowledge of the Gospel. I know that nothing is impossible or too hard with the help of the Lord. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is exactly what it is named: the Church of the Savior Jesus Christ here on the Earth in these last days. Greater peace and happiness cannot be found outside of the safety of obedience to the commandments and the security of covenants well-kept.
Thank you again for all of you who make an effort to write me. I love you. Know that I treasure your letters and hold very dear to me your words of comfort and encouragement.
Fiquem firmes na fé, (Stay Strong in the Faith)
Elder Bodily
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