Week Sixty - New Companion

Sent: Wed 9/28/2011 11:39 AM

Hi Mom!

This week´s been good, but there´s been some changes: Elder Pinho was transferred, and Elder Lima Santos is my new companion. Elder Pinho was called to train a new missionary and open an area in Ponta Grossa that´s been closed for quite a while. Elder Lima Santos is really cool though; he´s only got about 10 months on the mission, but he´s a really great missionary. He´s from Maceió, too! That made things kinda crazy for the end of the week, but we´re getting stuff figured out.

I guess being busy´s good, but I hope you´re not getting too tired out! There´ve been a few days when I´ve come home just exhausted, but we´re doing all we can, and we can really feel it. The zone´s been having some difficulties, but we´re working hard so that they don´t get discouraged and still have the faith that it´s possible.

The banks went on strike yesterday too, not sure if you heard, but we´re still able to take money out, which is good. Otherwise, we´d be in some pretty tight spots here on the mission.

I know that the Lord loves us, and that He blesses the obedient. We´re watching so many people change their lives, from quitting smoking to getting married or coming to church, and it´s really going great. I love being a missionary!

I hope you have a great week! Love you!!!!!!!!!!
Love, Eric




Hey Dad!

What happened to your knee? I hope there aren´t any complications this time, at least. I know it´ll all work out though; so much stuff has happened on the mission that I know we just need to have faith and keep working, and it all turns out right. In my last area, there was a girl in the ward that was really really sick, with an infection in the vains in her lungs. They asked us to give her a blessing, and I offered it. The first day after the blessing, she said nothing had changed and that they might have to operate, but the next day we passed by and the infection was completely gone! I know that God´s capable of doing great miracles because of people´s faith.

Sounds like you´re heading into basketball season, any coaching on the agenda? You guys never stop, do you? But I´m sure it´s better that way. Days always pass faster here when we´re busy, and they´re so much more gratifying that way, too. We´ve been really really busy lately, with our investigators and the other missionaries´ too. We´ve got to do interviews all over the place! But the busier we get, the better that means the work is going. We´re all giving it our best, and I´m doing my best to motivate the missionaries to keep going, even if it´s tough. I´m not exactly the best, but I think I´m getting better. I´m going to keep trying, at least. What do you do to keep people motivated? You always seemed to have everyone committed to do their best.

I know things will work out for sure, it´s just strange to be in a leadership position like this. I´ll get used to it soon, though. I´m working as hard as I can, and we´re seeing lots of great things happen. Every day, we find new people to teach and help, and it´s more and more satisfying each time. The Lord is blessing us in so many ways! I hope you´re doing great Dad, and try to stay warm! Love you !!!!!!!!

Love, Eric