8/1/2011
Oi familia e amigos,
Como vai: Eu estou muito bom. O trabalho esta muito bom tambem. So this week has been exciting. I think the timers are broken again today because the printers are broken, but I'm not sure on that so we'll see I guess. We'll start out with the less spiritual things. I took a picture with Martha today and I've also run into Elder Bryant many times. He has class on the floor above me. Very exciting to see him. He seems to be doing very well. I thank you all for the wonderful letters. They are very encouraging and supportive. We missionaries love the mail. It's everyone's favorite thing. Cartas! That is in no way correct, but we enjoy yelling that a lot more than saying it correctly.
We now speak in somente portugues. Some of the Elders in our district were struggling so our teacher told us we needed to stop responding unless they spoke to us in portuguese. So far it is definitely helping all of us. I now know all the tenses in portuguese even if I don't use them correctly. We learned the subjunctive this week which was confusing at first, but we're getting the hang of it. also this week we received 24 new elders into our branch. Their portugues is terrible and they can't understand us. It's crazy to think that I was there myself a mere few weeks ago. They'll learn quickly.
We just had a district get reassignments for their waiting period. 3 left for Fort Worth, Texas today. One is going to Orlando, Florida whatever mission that's in, one to Los Angelos, one to St. George, and the most exotic to South Dakota. His name is Elder Lyman and he is huge. He is also the Leifer's (from Highland) cousin. He's really cool and nice.
We also celebrated Sister Rick's birthday this week. She is 22 now. A few days younger than our teacher. Thursday is our teacher's last day. Anyways we held an exciting party and we had cupcakes and party stuff her sister sent her. There are pictures for all to see. Funny story. Earlier that day I was an idiot. There is this rope fence thing everyone jumps. I did it all the time. You see where this is going. I caught my back foot after running full speed and now I have many a scabs and rope burns to show for it. My chin, knee, bruises, a rope burn in my elbow pit from the rope after it. I basically face planted it into cement. Very funny and surprisingly it didn't hurt. I learned my lesson and yes I will be better. It made a great story for our whole building though and everyone watching. There are pictures of this too. I am completely fine and it's pretty much healed now. Once again for my mother's sake I am fine I promise. I share this story merely for the humor of it all and to explain the pictures. [His mother/parents are grateful that he didn't hit his eyes, since his implanted intacs (or even the loss of his glasses) could have caused him serious problems.]
On a happier note Elder Head did his online portion of his visa this week. No idea how long he'll have to wait. I'm already positive I'll be reassigned which is sad, but I'm fine with wherever the Lord wants me. He knows best. Another exciting announcement our other investigator Emanuel committed to being baptized! Very very exciting. He is 17 and doesn't talk too much. He wants to be a singer so we sang hymns with him which he enjoyed. We are very excited about that.
I am half way done with the MTC as of yesterday. Because of this we Elder Head is no longer district leader and I was asked to be the new one. It's very nice because we are still in charge of the mail. I just have more meetings to attend on Sundays and I get the oppurtunity to serve my district. My district is the greatest. We all get along great and we are really close. It's strange being down to 9 though. This week Elder Chavez (from Bethel, Alaska--yes he and Elder Head knew eachother even though they were 100's of miles apart) was sick. He was throwing up during gym time on Saturday. Very sad. He's doing great now which is good.
We got to go to the Temple today which was an excellent way to start off P day. We were there at 6:30 this morning. It was Elder Head and Hutchins second time. They both very much enjoyed it and we're looking forward to next week already. We see people from the outside world at the temple which is always an adventure. So on Wednesdays during drop off time is when I have gym time. So sometimes when we go to the field we run into people hugging their families goodbye at their cars. Very sad.
Elder Head just read a funny story from his parents. They have a small plane and his brother has his pilot's license. His younger brother was on a campout for scouts so they went up in the plane with a tub of ice cream wrapped in lots of bubble wrap in a box to drop in on their campout. I thought it was funny. We had an italian sub this week. I talked to her and apparently she taught Isaac Healey when he was here. She loved Isaac. She said he had lots of personality.
Portugues mishap of the week: obras means works. ombros means shoulders. Elder Manning/Homenindo said to his investigator that we will be judged after death by our shoulders. We all had a good laugh about that.
Yesterday we watched FInding Faith in Christ after the devotional. Both were exceptional. I always love watching Finding Faith in Christ and seeing all the wonderful miracles Christ performed. The greatest of all being the Atonement. I almost just typed Expiacao which is portuguese. Because of the limitless love of Christ we have the oppurtunity to return to live with God and with our families forever. Our church knows this unique message and we need to share it with everyone. I know that Christ lives and that he loves each and every one of us. He tests and tries us in different ways, but it is to make us stronger and so that we can know true happiness. I love you and all and I miss you terribly, but I'm having a blast at the MTC and I cannot wait to get out of here. 4 and a half more weeks. August 30th.
It is my sister Emma's birthday on the 7th. Happy Birthday, Emma! I love you! and I miss you more than you know too. I appreciate all your emails. Well I've taken enough of all of your time. Eu amo voces e a igreja e verdadeira.
Com muito amor,
Love you too,
Elder Reeve Sudweeks
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