Week Twenty Four

Sent: Wed 1/19/2011 9:02 AM

Hi Mom!

I hope youre doing fantastic, and that everybodys all safe and sound. Its just been hot here, so theres nothing to worry about on my end.

I'm so behind everything; we use candy bar phones here and can only call missionaries in our district, zone, the assistants, secretaries and President and Sister Cordon. But I dont keep the phone with me, so Im not too worried about it. We use payphones a lot, but almost all of them are broken here.Im really learning patience with everything, and I think Im improving. These last few days have been tough, but Im working on it. And were doing well, teaching a lot and have a baptism this weekend, for sure!! Ill send you pictures next week. Im so excited!! Love you!!!!!


Love, Eric





Hi Dad!


I´m staying dry, actually, we haven´t had rain in over a week, and it´s been HOT. Makes it tough to be on the street, especially because my new companion likes to go from one bairro (neighborhood, but it´s a little more involved. I´ll explain it better later) on one end of the city to another on the other. I´d say we´ve been walking an average of 8-10 miles per day, minimum, but I´m used to it. And I´m down to 89 kilos! I think you guys might have a hard time recognizing me when I get back! I think it´ll slow down soon though; my goal for the mission is to be at 75 when I get home. We´ll see what happens, but if I walk like I have been it isn´t out of the question! My pants are already loose and I´ve had to cut some of the material off of my belt to use it.


On a more spiritual note, we have a baptism this weekend, for sure! Her name´s Sônia Mara, and she´s really great. Elder Barbosa and I had been trying to teach her since my second day in the field, and we finally managed to do so a few days before Christmas, which tells you something. But, after 15 weeks of chasing her, she´ll be entering the waters, and with any luck I could be the one doing it! It´s been so great to see how this gospel changes people; her husband was an abusive drug user, and she was living in what she described as hell for months until she moved into a little house with her and her 2 year old son. When we started teaching her for real, we found out she was jobless, and I prayed for days to find something for her to support herself, because she was still depending on him at that point. Then, one day, we were leaving the house when I saw a sign asking for waitresses at a pizzeria. I told her about it, and at first she rejected it, but later she told me she took it, and now everything´s going great for her! She told us she wants a new start for her life, and that´s exactly what she´s getting. I love this gospel and now have an even stronger testimony that God answers prayers. If you need anything, ask with a sincere heart and He´ll give it to you in His time. I know that better than ever, because I pray for this woman almost every hour of every day, and the Lord has given her what she needs. I love you dad, and I hope you guys have a great week.



Love, Eric