Um Ano Ja (One Year, Ya)

Pessoal, (people, or everyone)

This week was exceptionally difficult. We worked and worked and worked, and we saw little of results. However, we organized two family home evenings in members homes. We invited less-active members and investigators. No investigators came, but a bunch of people from the church showed up and we had good experiences. We also made a load of visits to less-active members. Some we met for the first time. A member named João, nicknamed Aranha (or in English: spider) accompanied us in his car on various visits to members in Piúma, and we also tried to visit the two inactive members that live in Marataízes, way far from Anchieta. Only one was home. Just look at a map and you will see the distance from Anchieta to Marataízes. However, it is a beautiful drive. One member comes from Marataízes to Anchieta twice a week. For church and to teach institute. It is about an hour drive.

We had investigators at church finally! The first time here in Anchieta. A couple named Benilda and Vantuil. They are married and she wants to be baptized. Church was really neat. The testimony meeting was excellent and full of good experiences and conviction. I played a tiny keyboard of horrible tacky quality, but it helped the members sing very well. The turnout was also fruitful, with forty-one persons in attendance. Including many that we visited this week.

This is truly a beautiful little corner of the world. Beaches, waves, and palm trees. Anchieta, Piúma, and Marataízes. And even better, the last few days have been quite chilly. A crisp and cool wind from the ocean and overcast skies. My companion who prides himself on being supernaturally macho was groaning (literally), shivering, and complaining about the cold and how it was hurting his hands. Good thing he didn´t pass half a winter in Georgia with just the clothes of a Brazilian missionary. He would be dead.

I think that I am going to buy a little cake at the store for R$3,50 and a candle on Thursday. Enough said.

All of the missionaries in the district except for us two are looking to have baptisms in the next two weeks before the close of the transfer. Joy!

I want to go to the Garoto Chocolate Factory in Vila Velha on Monday, next p-day. I am going to have to convince Elder Vieira. Wish me luck. At the end of the tour, you can eat as many chocolates as you want as long as you don´t take any with you or drink any water. The Sisters went two weeks ago and one sister ate 25 bonbons! I´ve heard of missionaries eating as many as 65 bonbons. Can you say ´´Food Pyramid´´?

 There is so much joy and relief in the gospel. Lives centered in Jesus Christ and his Atonement are free from the suffering and utter torment of self-inflicted pain via drugs, immorality, laziness, and confusion. The Church of Jesus Christ is a safe haven for all. There is literal protection within the walls of obedience to the commandments. I have met so many people with life stories so horrific, painful, and bitter because of a lack of knowledge of the Gospel. They just don´t know how to live. We have that blessing and have to take advantage.

 Have an excellent week all,

Elder Bodily