So that amazing family i wrote about last week, who we have been teaching and teaching and I thought for sure they were going to be baptized. The are having second thoughts, I think I spoke too soon. It really hurts ,we have been working so hard with them, I know they felt the spirit so strongly, they all believe in the Book of Mormon, yet for some reason, they are hesitant to be baptized now, even though they know its true. They just don't want to commit, I feel like they aren't ready to give up their other obligations for church, the beach, fiestas, and the worst part of it all the two boys got invited to another church, A church that teaches you how to play guitar if you join. I guess that's pretty enticing when your 13 "This church I have to sit and be reverent, this church I get free guitar lessons." They Have stopped drinking coffee as a result of us stopping by which is good, I have faith they will come around cause they are such a good family. Just not ready yet.
Ok so, Mom, I don't think me eating all those meals you cooked, That I complained about (sorry) would've prepared me for this. I'm laughing right now because of how disgusting some of the food is. I know you always said" I'd like to see you on your mission when you have to eat everything the people serve you." Well lets just say I will not be picky when I get back. I wouldn't even say I'm picky, I'm just plain when it comes to food. I like to keep it simple eat what I need and I also like it to be clean and hairless.... that's right hairless. I have not had a member cooked meal yet with out a hair in it. I don't know what it is about hair in food that is so gross it just is. I try and stay composed but I think my face turns from happy to sad. And they serve you so much here! Man. I have worked out a system though, I build my plate in such a way that makes it look like I have a lot and then I eat rrrrrrrrrrrrreeeeeeaaaaaaaalllll slow. Smart? Yeah I got really sick of finishing my meal, full to the brim, and then someone sloshing some more food on my plate saying "you hardly ate anything" anyway I do Like the fruit and the granola here. SO GOOD anything that has to do with fruit here is good. How are you guys liking my weekly food update?
I have a quick question? A couple weeks ago I sent home an email about a bat... this bat nearly bit my face of, not one person mentioned a thing about it.
It's really cool to see all my previous preparation having results. As a result of all the shots I received before leaving on my mission, my health is staying pretty good...if that wasn't the case, one of the many vultures that hang around our house would have carried me off by now. They other night we were teaching a lesson in a house on the floor, and they have a disease here called Dangi carried by mosquito and the mosquito's fly really low. So we were sitting on the floor of this house teaching with about 300 mosquito's flying around us, I was thinking, good thing mom got me 40% deet. And then the thought came to me, crap, I didn't put on any repellent today . The lord blesses those who serve him, I didn't get one bite I was so thankful. It's funny walking down the streets because there are little kids running everywhere...it reminds me of The Jungle Book for some reason...I don't know why.
So It is the end of my first transfer, President told me to survive the next 6 weeks, I have a few more days but I think I've got it under my belt, there are only 15 more of these, and I can honestly say it went by fast I'm going to miss Elder Nielsen, But I'm excited to see who my next comp. Will be I'll tell you about that next week. I think I'll be living with nothing but Brazilians.
Well, Thanks for all the Emails once again. It is so good to here from all of you, The language is coming, I feel comfortable talking on my own to people in the streets, I have to repeat myself a lot and have them slow down a bit but I really feel progress each day which is sweet. Um, jokes in English do not translate well not that I'm much of a joke teller in the first place, But so far from my experience they are not funny. I for sure don't understand everything that is going on but I catch a lot of it.
Oi, Lisa! Good to hear from you , I'm glad you are doing well and Easton is using the toilet. I love you all.
Mom thanks for the email. I'm glad the sleepover worked out well. Send Grandpa and Grandma my love, on both sides and, and tell Grandpa Williams I better hear from him soon.
Dad, I'm still thinking i love you.
Tawny! thanks for the email! so so good I Have 2 minutes util this computer explodes, not really but it will shut down I love you thanks for everything I´m gald you are loving it there, enjoy your 26th!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Sep 17, 2008
So, I've been thinking and I got a little bit worried that my Emails are sort of negative in the way I talk about the gross stuff here, I just want you all to know I'm loving it, and when i complain, if it sounds like I'm complaining, I'm just being sarcastic, With that being said. The elections here are getting a bit ridiculous…24/7 there are people driving up and down the streets blasting their slogan music to get people to vote for them. And I wake up to this crazy guy who is in the mood for some forró rather early in the morning, I'm actually up anyway,but who just does that? blasts music at 7 in the morning? I can't call it music, it's American music transformed into weirdness. It's fun to figure out what American song they stole though.
Mom you asked what season it is down here, If you are ever wondering, I'm on the opposite schedule you are on, you guys are moving into the cold months, we are moving out of the "cold" months, it is pretty stinking hot, 70- 90 all year long sounded nice, hmmmm well it's the hottest I've been in my life and it's still "cold" people complain of how cold it is, maybe it has something to do with my black pants, dress shirt and tie, I get to wear everyday, I'm sure I'd be cold too if I wore some of the outfits they wear here... just now the kid on the computer next to me is playing the forró version of " nobody wants to see us together but it don't matter no, cause I got you" I don't know the name of the song but I'm sure at least Lauren knows what I'm talking about.
So the past week, well three weeks I just haven't said anything yet, we have been working with a sweet family, a perfect family, a family that needs the gospel. The father of this household works too much to quit to go to church, but he loves having us over. anyway, he has a wife and three kids. two boys and a girl. one of the boys is 9 years and the other is 12 and the girl is 17. we have been teaching them, And they have all received an answer that the Book of Mórmon is true, we challenged them this week to stop drinking coffee, and alcohol. and they committed right on the spot, the coffee took a little bit of hassling. but we went to the market up the street and bought them some ceveda which is like coffee without caffeine. It's pretty good, the members serve it a lot, anyway they have been doing everything perfect and have committed to be baptized! isn't that so cool? I don't know if it will work out but Elder Nielsen won't take no for an answer which by the way reminds me, mom you asked when he is coming home? and where he lives, he comes home the week after next, and he lives in Riverton. I'll have him stop by ok? we have become good friends.
Lastly, you have to be careful on the buses here…they stop for 5 seconds but leave their doors open for 15 seconds because they are on such a strict schedule. The other day I found myself jumping out of a speeding bus (very carefully as to not get injured) which was something I've always wanted to do...I can check that off my list so I don't have to do it again. That's about all.
Lauren Thanks for the email. good luck on your talk, I'm sure you'll do great, I hear the" Miracle of Forgiveness." is so good, and I bet it'll help you come up with some ideas.
Mom, I hope your overnight retreat, is that what old women call sleep overs? hmmm have fun, and you aren't old. I love you so much thanks for everything.
thanks so much for all the support!
Tawny! I got a letter today, with some hilarious pictures prom night sounded sweet, and you sound like you are loving Vienna! can't wait to really hear about it. I love you, I bet you are learning a ton and having fun. guess what, we might have a similar lifestyle I don't think the buses here are anything like there but I ride them, often, I never feel quit right when i get off though, is it the same there.? Thanks for the Tuesday mail.
Love you all.
Christensen's, How long are you in London for? just taking a trip, thanks for the update, love hearing from you guys.
tchou
Elder Williams
PS sorry if there are any spelling errors this keyboard is really sticky, and I have had trouble thinking ever since the Portuguese has been smashed into my brain.
Mom you asked what season it is down here, If you are ever wondering, I'm on the opposite schedule you are on, you guys are moving into the cold months, we are moving out of the "cold" months, it is pretty stinking hot, 70- 90 all year long sounded nice, hmmmm well it's the hottest I've been in my life and it's still "cold" people complain of how cold it is, maybe it has something to do with my black pants, dress shirt and tie, I get to wear everyday, I'm sure I'd be cold too if I wore some of the outfits they wear here... just now the kid on the computer next to me is playing the forró version of " nobody wants to see us together but it don't matter no, cause I got you" I don't know the name of the song but I'm sure at least Lauren knows what I'm talking about.
So the past week, well three weeks I just haven't said anything yet, we have been working with a sweet family, a perfect family, a family that needs the gospel. The father of this household works too much to quit to go to church, but he loves having us over. anyway, he has a wife and three kids. two boys and a girl. one of the boys is 9 years and the other is 12 and the girl is 17. we have been teaching them, And they have all received an answer that the Book of Mórmon is true, we challenged them this week to stop drinking coffee, and alcohol. and they committed right on the spot, the coffee took a little bit of hassling. but we went to the market up the street and bought them some ceveda which is like coffee without caffeine. It's pretty good, the members serve it a lot, anyway they have been doing everything perfect and have committed to be baptized! isn't that so cool? I don't know if it will work out but Elder Nielsen won't take no for an answer which by the way reminds me, mom you asked when he is coming home? and where he lives, he comes home the week after next, and he lives in Riverton. I'll have him stop by ok? we have become good friends.
Lastly, you have to be careful on the buses here…they stop for 5 seconds but leave their doors open for 15 seconds because they are on such a strict schedule. The other day I found myself jumping out of a speeding bus (very carefully as to not get injured) which was something I've always wanted to do...I can check that off my list so I don't have to do it again. That's about all.
Lauren Thanks for the email. good luck on your talk, I'm sure you'll do great, I hear the" Miracle of Forgiveness." is so good, and I bet it'll help you come up with some ideas.
Mom, I hope your overnight retreat, is that what old women call sleep overs? hmmm have fun, and you aren't old. I love you so much thanks for everything.
thanks so much for all the support!
Tawny! I got a letter today, with some hilarious pictures prom night sounded sweet, and you sound like you are loving Vienna! can't wait to really hear about it. I love you, I bet you are learning a ton and having fun. guess what, we might have a similar lifestyle I don't think the buses here are anything like there but I ride them, often, I never feel quit right when i get off though, is it the same there.? Thanks for the Tuesday mail.
Love you all.
Christensen's, How long are you in London for? just taking a trip, thanks for the update, love hearing from you guys.
tchou
Elder Williams
PS sorry if there are any spelling errors this keyboard is really sticky, and I have had trouble thinking ever since the Portuguese has been smashed into my brain.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Oi
Hello to All,
I would just like to start off with a big THANKS for all the e-mails. I received 15...a lot more than I was expecting. It made my day!
Mom you asked If I get to see the two boys often, the answer is yes, I see them about everyday, they actually came up to me yesterday and gave me a huge hug and told me they weren't going to be at church this week cause something was going on, they were so sad about it, good examples. So yes I see them about everyday running around in the streets. I don't know if I have told you but the whole family is baptized! I just need to send pictures the kids here are so cute.
It seems as if a few of you are wondering if I get mail every six weeks? Well that should be true, but I just happen to live with the AP's and I get Mail every week or so, on Monday, but eventually it'll be every six weeks. But I'm anticipating staying in this area for a few months, probably as long as you are in Vienna, Tawny! Mom you asked about the Pastor man... correct spelling? well he is doing great, he looks SO GOOD wow Elder Nielsen and I don't teach him he is in the other area, so we referred him to other missionaries But we saw him this morning actually and we see him around town sometimes (I'm in a small town I see the same people over and over, It is so cool.) the thing about his conversion, I think, He was looking for help, He wanted to change, It's been three weeks? He has attended church, is preparing to be baptized and to my knowledge has not used drugs since the missionaries found him. They check on him daily and are just such good friends to him.
So the other night it was just my comp and I because the others had to go on a trip. Elder Nielsen fell asleep, while I getting ready for bed. so I tried to sneak in quietly but I still aroused him because Those flip flops you gave me mom the black ones, are the loudest things in the world I don't understand it, like nails on a chalkboard almost… anyway he rolled over and fell asleep again, I finished praying and he was for sure asleep by this time, I was just about to fall asleep when I hear," BAPTISMS!" then some crazy Portuguese I started laughing and said "what do you need to do with the baptisms?" sarcastically, he lifted his head Looked at me and said" nothing. "About 74% funny 26% creepy. He didn't remember it in the morning but I thought it was so funny ha this is probably one of those stories I'd have to explain in person to be funny, but I got a good laugh out of it.
Food Update: Well...there is everything you can possibly imagine here. Every fruit, except nothing looks perfect like it does in the United States. People are driving around selling Abacxi (pineapple) and meloncia (watermelon) by the truckload. The watermelon here is about double the length and lighter green in color on the outside. The oranges and bananas, too, are light green when ripe which is really weird. They sell the bananas by the stalk here... they are still attached in massive clusters...pretty cool. Fruit is dirt cheap. A pineapple is 75 cents and an ice cold coconut is also 75 cents...they hack off the top and put a straw in it so you can drink the milk. The meat in Maceio is really nasty but tastes fine...they just have it hanging by hooks, not refrigerated, and they sell huge blocks of fat to people...I don't know why. I drink more soda here than water just kidding but I'm pretty sure I don't worms...they have grapette and fanta uva (grape) and laranja (orange) and guarana...most are sold in the old 1L and 2L glass bottles...pretty different. Every meal is served with beans and rice and a salad of sorts. Most people have a meat product of chicken with it and they have something called farinha here which is like eating pebbles...it's some grain but it's rock hard!
Well first, Congratulations Tyler on your baptism! That's so sweet way to go. Lisa, Sorry About the sickness, I´m grateful Easton was there to care for you though. I love you, keep me posted! And Ace. You too. And Easton. Mom, I'm glad all is well in Lehi! You seem to be loving it thanks for your weekly words of wisdom. Lauren I Love you I got the package with all your friends nice notes in it, By the way thanks so much for that I love Granola! And the notes from the fam.
Tanner not once in your life have you been called a wuss by me. Ha that's sweet you went on all the rides though.
Dad sorry I didn't get a chance to do a personal mail this week, we are ponedon time I love you so much though.
Tawny! You made it Wow I was worried, that was a nice text you sent to your mom, so detailed! I can't wait to really hear about how everything is there and thanks for the address! I had actually already looked up how much it would be to send letters there thanks so much, I was at the post office a few weeks ago and thought i'd ask. I got your family picture turned out great. I love you I'm sure you are dealing with the change just fine.
Love,
Elder Williams
I would just like to start off with a big THANKS for all the e-mails. I received 15...a lot more than I was expecting. It made my day!
Mom you asked If I get to see the two boys often, the answer is yes, I see them about everyday, they actually came up to me yesterday and gave me a huge hug and told me they weren't going to be at church this week cause something was going on, they were so sad about it, good examples. So yes I see them about everyday running around in the streets. I don't know if I have told you but the whole family is baptized! I just need to send pictures the kids here are so cute.
It seems as if a few of you are wondering if I get mail every six weeks? Well that should be true, but I just happen to live with the AP's and I get Mail every week or so, on Monday, but eventually it'll be every six weeks. But I'm anticipating staying in this area for a few months, probably as long as you are in Vienna, Tawny! Mom you asked about the Pastor man... correct spelling? well he is doing great, he looks SO GOOD wow Elder Nielsen and I don't teach him he is in the other area, so we referred him to other missionaries But we saw him this morning actually and we see him around town sometimes (I'm in a small town I see the same people over and over, It is so cool.) the thing about his conversion, I think, He was looking for help, He wanted to change, It's been three weeks? He has attended church, is preparing to be baptized and to my knowledge has not used drugs since the missionaries found him. They check on him daily and are just such good friends to him.
So the other night it was just my comp and I because the others had to go on a trip. Elder Nielsen fell asleep, while I getting ready for bed. so I tried to sneak in quietly but I still aroused him because Those flip flops you gave me mom the black ones, are the loudest things in the world I don't understand it, like nails on a chalkboard almost… anyway he rolled over and fell asleep again, I finished praying and he was for sure asleep by this time, I was just about to fall asleep when I hear," BAPTISMS!" then some crazy Portuguese I started laughing and said "what do you need to do with the baptisms?" sarcastically, he lifted his head Looked at me and said" nothing. "About 74% funny 26% creepy. He didn't remember it in the morning but I thought it was so funny ha this is probably one of those stories I'd have to explain in person to be funny, but I got a good laugh out of it.
Food Update: Well...there is everything you can possibly imagine here. Every fruit, except nothing looks perfect like it does in the United States. People are driving around selling Abacxi (pineapple) and meloncia (watermelon) by the truckload. The watermelon here is about double the length and lighter green in color on the outside. The oranges and bananas, too, are light green when ripe which is really weird. They sell the bananas by the stalk here... they are still attached in massive clusters...pretty cool. Fruit is dirt cheap. A pineapple is 75 cents and an ice cold coconut is also 75 cents...they hack off the top and put a straw in it so you can drink the milk. The meat in Maceio is really nasty but tastes fine...they just have it hanging by hooks, not refrigerated, and they sell huge blocks of fat to people...I don't know why. I drink more soda here than water just kidding but I'm pretty sure I don't worms...they have grapette and fanta uva (grape) and laranja (orange) and guarana...most are sold in the old 1L and 2L glass bottles...pretty different. Every meal is served with beans and rice and a salad of sorts. Most people have a meat product of chicken with it and they have something called farinha here which is like eating pebbles...it's some grain but it's rock hard!
Well first, Congratulations Tyler on your baptism! That's so sweet way to go. Lisa, Sorry About the sickness, I´m grateful Easton was there to care for you though. I love you, keep me posted! And Ace. You too. And Easton. Mom, I'm glad all is well in Lehi! You seem to be loving it thanks for your weekly words of wisdom. Lauren I Love you I got the package with all your friends nice notes in it, By the way thanks so much for that I love Granola! And the notes from the fam.
Tanner not once in your life have you been called a wuss by me. Ha that's sweet you went on all the rides though.
Dad sorry I didn't get a chance to do a personal mail this week, we are ponedon time I love you so much though.
Tawny! You made it Wow I was worried, that was a nice text you sent to your mom, so detailed! I can't wait to really hear about how everything is there and thanks for the address! I had actually already looked up how much it would be to send letters there thanks so much, I was at the post office a few weeks ago and thought i'd ask. I got your family picture turned out great. I love you I'm sure you are dealing with the change just fine.
Love,
Elder Williams
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Massayo
How about I start with a short summary,
I've woken up to ants all over me more than once, its ok though, these aren't the puppy size giant ants i talked about earlier, these are the little black baby ants, that mind their own business. I haven't been bitten.
I caught a firefly! i had never seen one of those before, neat.
2 times well 2 and a half times i've had close calls with the crazy bats around here.! oh man the other night elder neilsen and i were walking home and I was telling him a story, I don't even remember what story, but it was dark and you know when you see something and you just can't tell what it is so you squint a little bit? well, that's what happened to me. I was in the middle of a story and I stopped to look at what seemed to be a small trash bag floating towards me. It wasn't a trash bag. it was a BAT! this happened pretty quick and within 2 seconds it was inches away from my face. I'd like to tell you all I kept my cool and just ducked or stepped out of the way, but that'd be lying, I screamed panicked it was similar to the pet detective. My comp laughed and said, " that's normal." normal? i didn't believe him, but it has occurred more than once. and the 1/2 time well I was getting ready for bed elder Neilsen said, woah, just woah, not WOAH! as it turns out there was another bat... of course.
Let me tell you about some more important stuff, We baptized two boys on Saturday, i forgot to bring the photos, It was my first time baptizing someone aside from the one time Tawny and i went to the temple which I'm grateful for the practice. It was a really neat experience one was a 10 year old named Marcio and one was 12 named Marciello and to me the names sound the same but to the trained ear there is a huge difference, so I was a little bit nervous about mixing those two up, but I didn't all went well. During the opening prayer, said by Marcio he got about halfway through and decided he didn't like where it was going so he started over, pretty funny. I was going to send photos but i seem to have forgotten my camera sadly, you'll see them someday.
also this week we met a man who speaks English! It was nice to not sound like A complete idiot for once. I don't think he is really into the message but it was just a good experience.
The language is coming, but I still speak slow, even when I don't speak slow, I think i have the worst accent ever because it's almost a guaranteed laugh when ever i say something I say things that make sense but know one says it the way I do so it's funny, and if they don't laugh they smirk and if they don't smirk, they are just grumpy. I'm loving it here though I have a lot of work to do. a lot. I m very grateful for everything I've learned so far and I'm excited to really grow on this mission.
Mom In that package could you include my Camera charger for my cannon and burn a few copies of my CD I do have a chance to play and the kids here love American music and just toss some in there. thanks for the email, and good luck with chad, if you guys happen to see this before you leave tell chad i love him, and to know that it gets a fahillion times better.
Lauren thanks for the email! I'm glad you have some sweet friends, i don't know about those boys though.
Lisa? I hope pregnancy and all is well for you. I love you Ace and easton
Dad I love you very much thanks for everything.
Tawny! i don't know how your feeling but you are leaving so soon! i love you, your in my prayers have a safe trip, I don' t know what else to say you are awesome. hows that? good luck! good luck! i EXPECT a letter of your safe arrival
thanks for all the support! love Elder Williams
I've woken up to ants all over me more than once, its ok though, these aren't the puppy size giant ants i talked about earlier, these are the little black baby ants, that mind their own business. I haven't been bitten.
I caught a firefly! i had never seen one of those before, neat.
2 times well 2 and a half times i've had close calls with the crazy bats around here.! oh man the other night elder neilsen and i were walking home and I was telling him a story, I don't even remember what story, but it was dark and you know when you see something and you just can't tell what it is so you squint a little bit? well, that's what happened to me. I was in the middle of a story and I stopped to look at what seemed to be a small trash bag floating towards me. It wasn't a trash bag. it was a BAT! this happened pretty quick and within 2 seconds it was inches away from my face. I'd like to tell you all I kept my cool and just ducked or stepped out of the way, but that'd be lying, I screamed panicked it was similar to the pet detective. My comp laughed and said, " that's normal." normal? i didn't believe him, but it has occurred more than once. and the 1/2 time well I was getting ready for bed elder Neilsen said, woah, just woah, not WOAH! as it turns out there was another bat... of course.
Let me tell you about some more important stuff, We baptized two boys on Saturday, i forgot to bring the photos, It was my first time baptizing someone aside from the one time Tawny and i went to the temple which I'm grateful for the practice. It was a really neat experience one was a 10 year old named Marcio and one was 12 named Marciello and to me the names sound the same but to the trained ear there is a huge difference, so I was a little bit nervous about mixing those two up, but I didn't all went well. During the opening prayer, said by Marcio he got about halfway through and decided he didn't like where it was going so he started over, pretty funny. I was going to send photos but i seem to have forgotten my camera sadly, you'll see them someday.
also this week we met a man who speaks English! It was nice to not sound like A complete idiot for once. I don't think he is really into the message but it was just a good experience.
The language is coming, but I still speak slow, even when I don't speak slow, I think i have the worst accent ever because it's almost a guaranteed laugh when ever i say something I say things that make sense but know one says it the way I do so it's funny, and if they don't laugh they smirk and if they don't smirk, they are just grumpy. I'm loving it here though I have a lot of work to do. a lot. I m very grateful for everything I've learned so far and I'm excited to really grow on this mission.
Mom In that package could you include my Camera charger for my cannon and burn a few copies of my CD I do have a chance to play and the kids here love American music and just toss some in there. thanks for the email, and good luck with chad, if you guys happen to see this before you leave tell chad i love him, and to know that it gets a fahillion times better.
Lauren thanks for the email! I'm glad you have some sweet friends, i don't know about those boys though.
Lisa? I hope pregnancy and all is well for you. I love you Ace and easton
Dad I love you very much thanks for everything.
Tawny! i don't know how your feeling but you are leaving so soon! i love you, your in my prayers have a safe trip, I don' t know what else to say you are awesome. hows that? good luck! good luck! i EXPECT a letter of your safe arrival
thanks for all the support! love Elder Williams
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