President Gordon B. Hinckley
Luke and the missionaries in his District. 
Luke and his companion Elder Moraes.So first off, we had P-day changed for just this week only because we had a Mission Conference, yesterday. President and Sister Leal came down and gave us instruction, it was pretty good, and I actually understood most of what was going on. I’ve had a couple of missionaries tell me, “You understand what’s being said long before you’re able to respond,” and I’m finding out that that’s true.
During the meeting, we found out that Pres. Hinckley had died, which was very sad. Pres. Leal teared up when he told us, and I think that everyone was a little emotional. I mean, he’s been the President of the Church since almost before I can remember. It was sad to find out, but it’s good that he’s with Sis. Hinckley, again, and, age 97, wow. Pres. Monson is next in line, right?
On a happier note, we got to watch a clip from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade during Sister Leal’s presentation. It was the finale when Indy has to go thru the three challenges to get the Grail, remember? The Breath Of God (Only the Penitent Man May Pass. I learned a new word that day, cuz everyone kept repeating it in the film, penitente, penitente...ha ha!). It was pretty cool, watching Indiana Jones in the chapel in a different language on a mission.
Sorry about the pic. situation again, I remembered to bring my camera and all that stuff this time, but the place that we’re at is being stupid and won’t let me put them on. Again, there’s always a next time, sorry! [Thanks to Elder Moraes who took the two pic's above.]
Lastly, thank you everyone for the mail that I received, even though I bet not everyone reads the blog. I will attempt to thank everyone that I can remember, and I will do my best to respond in letter form as soon as I can. I’ll do my part, and then pray very hard that the Brazilian mail system comes thru for me, heh, heh.
Now for fun stuff, Packers lost, huh? That’s sad, I hate the Patriots.
Oh, by the way, while I was in São Paulo I bought a Jersey, only 20 Real’s pretty good. My Soccer team that I support is The Corithians (Cor-inch-ee-ens in Portuguese). I know very little about them, but my teacher Irmão Silva really liked them, and he served in Londrina, so I figured I would adopt them. Some people think it’s cool when they see it, and some don’t like it, depending on which team they support. The 3 main teams here in the state of São Paulo are São Paulo (Red, Black and White), The Corinthians (Black, Gold, and Red), and Palmairas (Green and White). Palmairas are The Corinthians rival, so nobody cheers for them.
I’ve found out that liking The Corinthians is kinda like being a LA Raiders fan. They’re apparently so bad that they got demoted to the 2nd division this year, and their players have a rep. for being a little rough. But this is my team, so boo-yah!
I sorry if I don’t remember everyone, but here are the thank you’s to those who I can remember:
- Talisa (I got those two packages, and thanks for that notebook from Festivus.)
- Steve (Frankfurt, Germany, woo!)
- Caitlin,
- Debra,
- Corryn,
- Ilse (Muito Bem, not Muto Boen, ha!),
- Kamelei (who writes like a 6 year old),
- Steve and Tanya (Spidey toothbrush, woot! thanks!),
- Becca (who is great with child),
- Lacey (who will be great with child, someday. Married already, wow! Things change fast),
- Stephilnie and Philphanie (need I say more? Thanks for the pic, Stephil and thanks for the note Philphanie)
- Grandma and Grandpa (I got the peanut slab package, thank you very much!), and
- Mat6t and Kamelei (Thanks a lot for that Newspaper thingy about you Mat6t, that was hilarious! And, Kamelei, I hope that your collarbone heals soon, as well as your sense of feeling.)
And, if I have forgotten anyone, my apologies!
We have 3 investigators. I’m still trying to learn their names myself, so not much information for you guys, yet. Are closest to baptism is Irmã (Sister) R., who just needs to get married to the guy she lives with. She really is into the Church, but it’s harder to get her husband to change. He’s a really nice guy and seems to like us a lot. He’s just usually at various degrees of drunk when we come over to teach. I can’t understand a word he says normally, and he likes to ask me a lot of questions, to which I usually just nod and smile, or say I’m not sure.
Sorry, I don’t have the name of my stake, ward, or the address. I’ll get it next time.
Also, if it’s not too much trouble, could someone find the sheet music for "Army of Helaman-As Sisters in Zion" medley, and send it when you send the pic’s? It’s just that I played in Stake Conference on Sunday (lots of people, about the size of our ward at home, which is pretty huge here) and played the opening and closing hymn. But the ward choir needed help with as they were performing "Army of Helaman-As Sisters in Zion" medley and the only guy that could play it is the choir director. Unfortunately, I couldn’t play it without practice, so I was unable to help. I felt terrible, and now I want to learn that song.
Usually, before district meeting once a week, there is about a half-hour that I get to practice while we wait for everyone to show up for the meeting, so I could practice then. If you guys could get that to me, I would greatly appreciate it.
To summarize, a mission is quite hard. The schedule, learning and stuff is and can be brutal, but I think that I’m becoming a better missionary and worker thru it. My testimony is growing, and thank you all for your help and prayers. I’m still trying to adjust and be the best missionary that I can, I know that I’ll do well...
... it sounds like from Rob’s letters that he’s having a ball over there in Russia, and I take great courage from hearing that. I hope that I can be as good of a newbie missionary as he is.
I’m doing well. Thanks again to Grandpa and Grandma. Again, it’s a hard adjustment here, but I feel like I’m getting better. As soon as I get a good handle on the language, it should be a lot better. Not easier, I know, but better.
It’s quite different, where my only sources of council are usually my companion (when I can get him to understand me), myself, and the Lord. It’s a bit lonely sometimes, but I’m learning how to depend on the Lord for everything that I have. I’m also seeing that the way that I’m most happy is when I work the hardest and put forth the best effort.
Well, times up. So ´till next week.
Elder =w= Heperi
