Não é de sua conta

The subject of this email means, none of your business, I don’t know if anyone really remembers but I used to say that phrase a lot.” Phhhh none of your business,” well here it's extremely offensive…. Not funny, I said it last night at a ward activity and I just kind of got this look, the sort of look where you know you said something bad, I guess it’s a little bit funny because there was a short pause and then a lot of laughter, except for the person I said it to, It’s a pretty severe “burn” from what I understand when you are the one being told it’s none of your business, that person was pretty sad until I explained myself.
On Saturday, Elder R. Marinho and I had a job to fill up the baptismal font. Not a hard job, turn the water on, wait for a bit turn the water off. So we turned the water on. My senior companion said, lets go to lunch and come back and shut it off, I was a little unsure, I suggested waiting until the font filled up and then leaving, but, He said, It’ll be fine, we’ll go eat real fast and hurry back. Tudo bem
Well during lunch, every little bit I would remind him about the water, and how it was STILL ON! He would hush me and I would wait a little bit to remind him and get hushed again. We were eating at a member’s house and he was enjoying the conversation I guess, finally, we left the house after about an 1 and 20 minutes! I was on the way back I was saying, I think it might be overflowing, but he reassured me and told me they take forever to fill up. Nonetheless, he seemed to be a little on edge, and we walked pretty stinking fast back to the church, but yet still confident that it wouldn’t be overflowing. We got to the church and unlocked the gate. Ran to the door and unlocked that as well, entered, everything seemed normal, and then we turned the corner. There was about a quarter inch of water… everywhere. I don’t know why but it made me laugh, I ran in to the font and was reaching to unplug the plug but I have short arms and bad depth perception ,I thought I could reach the plug, But I couldn’t as I was trying my companion ran in already stripped down to his garments and pulled the plug. This was also pretty funny, considering how bad this situation was. Luckily the church is almost completely tile which made things a lot more reassuring, I feel like they were prepared for this though cause as I went into the cleaning closet to find something to use to get that water out of there I found at least 30 of those squidgy brooms. After some time we got it all cleaned up. The baptism turned out just fine and when the members got there they were commenting on how clean the church looked.
I feel about 300 times more confident in the language, It’s really helpful having to speak it almost all the time, I get to teach my companion every morning English which I’m really enjoying, and throughout the day. But he doesn’t really know anything yet and when I hear him talk with his accent I get a pretty good Idea at why I get laughed at so much, things are getting better though. I’m grateful.
Conference! I got to see the Sunday session. I was really missing those cinnamon rolls.(WOW this guy just sat down next to me, I think he went a little overboard on the aftershave) And I watched the whole thing in Portuguese, I loved the hymns, a lot. Yeah I'm pretty sure I'm smelling some old man aftershave mixed with goldfish… my time is up though. Thanks for all the words of encouragement.

Mom could you send me The addresses of grandparents, on both sides?

Love you all,
Tchou
Elder Williams

Oct. 1st!

you know the phrase" i'm just trying to work up a sweat"? Is that even a phrase? I feeel like it is for sure. Well here that means nothing to me. IT IS SO HOT. Man, breathing makes me sweat. I guess its a good thing though cause I feel completely exfoliated when I come home each night.
Yesterday I got a new companion, he is really cool, and really Brazilian. He does not know English, and i live with two other Brazilians as well and for some reason last night there were two more Brazilians sleeping there. That makes 6 Brazilians, nope 5, I'm American. It's really good for me though.
yesterday there was a little confusion in the transfer which resulted in me being alone for some time, and the last words from my senior companion were stay here until your new comp arrives, he said that he should be getting to my house around 9:30, 3:00 rolls around and I have no way to call or do anything and I'm companion less. I got a lot of reading done, so that was good. (Tawny, I´m on chapter 17.) But eventually i just decided to walk up to the church and there he was with 2 members trying to figure out where he was going. He had only been there for about 10 minutes though, so don´t think he was waiting all day, it was me waiting.
Nonetheless, things are not easy, mostly because of the weather. During the middle of the day, of course, it is really hot and no matter what you do nobody wants to get off their hammock to come to the door and talk...but I can kind of understand given the circumstances. The Portuguese continues to get better, especially the understanding part. At first when I arrived here the words were coming so fast that I couldn't even keep up with what was going on, but now it's starting to make sense and I can actually talk back with intelligent answers.
Thanks for all the supporting e-mails, Owen! Good to hear from you/ your email was pretty stinking funny, and I'm taking your advise thanks.
Mom I got that package last night the one with the water bottle which I love already, thanks. Lauren please be careful, I knew you didn't know how to ride a bike. I love you though. Lisa and Ace, I love you guys too. Dad have you made a decision yet? Let me know, I love you a lot.
grandpa! thanks for that email really, so good to hear from you.
Tawny! Thanks once again for the uplifting email, I got a package from your mom with more letters in it! Love those, thanks and Kristen If you are reading this thanks. I still find it hard to believe you are in Vienna, and traveling all over, you sound great I love you, be safe!

The end of my first transfer

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!

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.

Hey

I don't know how much time i have so this might be cut short and the computer is being weird. you asked about my companion. . .Elder Peck lets just say he is from the smallest town in Idaho, 13 kids in his graduating class and he hasn't had too much social contact. he is a good kid though i like him, but when you are with someone you aren't used to and the only thing you have in common is that you left on a mission the same day it can get hard but I'm sure it's hard for him to get along with me too, it's just kinda awkward sometimes because he doesn't ever get my jokes. Like for example, I'll say something like, "how about we skip class today and go out for a night on the town. . ." response, "i don't think we should do that elder." i don't know. I love him.

I'm learning a ton! everyday they just cram more and more into you. I went to the Campinas temple today, so pretty. The language is tough, I'm understanding it but there is quite a process to it, hmmm I was blessed with a really cool district though all the kids i came with said they met you at the airport mom, did you go a little crazy? I bet you did, but they were happy to meet you, elder plazier is in my district but he was only my flight companion, he is super funny once he opens up to you . I love the Brazilians, They are close talkers and always want to have a good time, i'll send some pictures. one of the boys in my room is from the amazon, he and his mom were just recently converted and they are working on the rest of his family.

well mom, i would absolutely love my i pod and those speakers and a charger. leave mine and Steven's music on it and if you could maybe give it to tawny and she could put some church music on there, and just leave anything else that's pretty on there ok? I love you all so much. sorry this is kinda short i got wasted on internet time but you are all in my prayers. thanks for all the support. thanks for the stories Lauren, I'm glad the wedding was wonderful. sorry i couldn't help move> the Christensen's were so sweet to help tell them I'm grateful. Dad i expect another letter, i love you. I'll fill you in more next week.
Elder Williams
ps these shirts aren't wrinkle free, and i really miss your cooking mom. as Linda would say peace love and chill

Thanks for the Alarm!

Well, i made it! It´s been a good slow first week, I get up every morning at 5:45. . . make up for the time difference and that's about when i used to go to bed! but i get up at that time to go run then i get ready, study and pray, go to a long day of class and eat, read and pray some more. It,s crazy only a week has passsed by, i feel like i have been gone forever. I can see how it flies by though, it is going faster and faster each day. I had a neat experience yesterday, I had the chance to give an elder a blessing in my district, it was a very straight forward and direct blessing, i promised him things that i myself couldn´t possibly promise. he wanted a blessing because he felt un worthy. it was strange that he trusted me so much to tell me how he was feeling, cause im not even his comp. but i talked with him for a bit, he didn,t go inot detail cause we aren´t supposed to but i got the idea of what he was trying to say. i didn;t have any answers he had done some bad things, but i gave him a blessing, and in the blessing i had the impression to promise him that he would be able to serve an honorable full time mission, not in those exact words but something like that. anyway (tawny if you are reading notice the lack of s) he had an interview with the President, elder Makey is staying, i think they had to call a higher authority and it was a pretty big deal but the lord knows that he has truly repented in his heart. I think you have to be so brave to confess something like that on your mission! he is a great kid. Mom, i hope you are doing alright with out me. i wrote up a letter for you guys today but i can,t send in i dont have your address. i am having a hard time trying to find the apostrophe key. lauren, i hope the move to lehi wasn´t too much of a shock for you, i bet you miss me so much! thanks again for the letter in my suit pocket pretty cute, let me know whats up with besser. Lisa Ace and Easton i hope you guys are all well and i expect some sort of communication from you three in the next couple years i feel like you guys have a tendency to forget about me. Dad send me some letters, i miss you and i love you, and i hope to hear from you soon. I love you all so much and i am praying for you.


love love love
Elder Williams

ps i need steven and ryan´s addresses as well.
pps the alarm doesnt work, i never wake up to it! my roommates hate me.
ppps its very windy at night.

The Call...