Close of week and Transfers

That´ll put a little sadness into my day knowing that BYU got slaughtered by TCU. Even worse now that the U is still on top... sob, sob…

So P-day is still on Wednesday, we just get to use internet today as many people will have to travel. We still don´t know about transfers yet, as the Zone Leaders haven´t told us yet. They said that we should have known by last night but of course it never happens that way. I´ve learned by now that if they say Sunday night, the soonest that you can expect results is usually Tuesday afternoon, so we´ll see. As of right now, it looks like Elder D. is leaving, as the Zone Leaders called last night and said “When Elder D. is in his new area…” then quickly switched to a new topic as if he didn´t say anything. Ha!

Transfers are like are really twisted version of Christmas morning: You´re excited for what could happen, and fearful at the same time. I´d really like to stay, as this ward here works really well and the people are very nice. I guess we will see what the Lord´s will here is soon though.

On a happier note, M... got baptized yesterday! It´s been a long and involved process, but finally she felt ready enough and had the desire to be baptized. It was way cool. She managed to overcome her doubts and challenges with coffee and other things and really commit to following Christ, so it was a special day yesterday. We had the baptism and confirmation right after church, and there was a good amount of people there to watch. Me and Elder D. were pretty happy, as we´ve been teaching her since July. Thanks for all the prayers family.

Now as always, the challenge now is integration in the ward. Unfortunately, the Relief Society is completely devoid of any women under the age of 35, except for one girl who leaves for a mission soon. Luckily, M... has already made some friendships with some of the other age groups (one of our tasks that our bishop suggested was that we try to get the priests more involved with the work and helping us with appointments and the visiting of new members. As of yet it´s still moving along pretty slowly, but the bishop predicted that that´ll soon pick up with M´s baptism. I guess whatever we can do to motivate the priests quorum will do…heh heh…) and enjoys the company of the ward. Horray for integration!

Other than that, just a couple miscellaneous side notes. My beard now grows at a faster rate than before. Last year at the MTC, I only had to shave every two or three days. Now, it´s daily or I look a bit scruffy. It´s awesome! Manhood has come to me! and I am unable to fully enjoy it for a while! Looks like summer of 2010 will be the “Summer of the beard” there in Provo. Prepare yourselves!

And as a closing side note, Brazilian women usually do the kiss hello and kiss bye-bye thingy, which means we have to be constantly defending our cheeks from this roving band of lips. So this week, Elder D. was finishing up a contact on the road with some girl and her Mom (I estimate the girl to be 14 or 15) and the girl gives him a handshake to say goodbye. Then suddenly…bam... she plants one right on the cheek then leaves. I´ve never seen somebody turn so red before, ha ha.

Gotta be careful here on the mean streets of Ponta Porã.

Welp, ´sall for now.

´till next week!

-Me