Hey! It Finally happened, my life was sucked out from under me, I got transferred, moved to senior companion, and don't know what in the world I'm going to do. Can any one spell the word inadequate? Yeah. I'm the definition of that word right now. My new, new companion is Elder Da Silva, he is a great kid. He talks really fast and quietly and is extremely smart he is always happy, at least he as been happy for the day and a half I've spent with him… and he looks like the singer from queen. I am excited to work with him and I hope I can be a good example.
My new area is called gurguri, if you put some water in your mouth and gargle you'll get it right. It's really pretty. And it's huge. It's been a good week, it was hard to say goodbye to all the people in tabuleiro I stayed there for a long time, and a lot of the members were really close to me. I'm grateful for the time I had there.
Thanks for all the Emails. I'm sending home a disc of pictures and some of the funniest videos ever caught on tape.
I love you all
Elder Williams.
Tawny I sent that letter 14 days ago still hasn’t arrived? I hope it didn't go to new guinea or something. I am glad the show went well. Really, thanks for still confining in me I'm sorry.
love Elder Williams
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
January 28, 2009
Its got to be another quicky today. But I'd like to thank everyone for the supportful emails.
This last week has been so busy, I guess I made all of you think transfers have already happened but they haven't quite yet. next Monday I'll find out. we'll see what happens.
Teaching English weekly has really really been helping my in the Portuguese I think that the class is almost more for me than for the people learning.
I have just a little story. We baptized a young man Named Tiago, he lives in a house with nothing. and Monday when we visited him I noticed something about his prayers, never have I heard him ask for something for himself he is always blessing others. I can learn from his example . much love Elder Williams sorry so short...
This last week has been so busy, I guess I made all of you think transfers have already happened but they haven't quite yet. next Monday I'll find out. we'll see what happens.
Teaching English weekly has really really been helping my in the Portuguese I think that the class is almost more for me than for the people learning.
I have just a little story. We baptized a young man Named Tiago, he lives in a house with nothing. and Monday when we visited him I noticed something about his prayers, never have I heard him ask for something for himself he is always blessing others. I can learn from his example . much love Elder Williams sorry so short...
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
oi
Sorry about my email last week, I wrote it all, and then my computer shut off and I was out of time, the Internet shacks here aren't too snazzy. It's alright though because last week I got to hear from you guys. I have a few things too say from last week I can't believe Lisa had a baby! goodness and his name is Tyson Hart Casper It's a keeper. I loved the pictures; I hope all is still going well. I'm sure mom is taking care of things.
So I really do have bad eye sight. The other night I was walking home, with my companion Elder Vaz, and we were walking fast because it was closing in on our hour. I don't know if I've mentioned but I'll mention it now there are a lot of puddles here that are run off from houses, needless to say it's not the kind you want to go puddle hopping in. I'd say these puddles probably cause more than have the deaths of small to medium sized animals in Tabuleiro. Anyway, usually there is a means provided to cross the puddle, stepping stones, a block of wood or just skip right over. The other night though the stepping stone was made out of cardboard and due to my bad eyesight I mistook the cardboard for a rock. I hopped and landed perfectly on the "stepping stone " and then sunk to my knees in nastiness ha and the only thing that came to mind to say was this is bad ... it was bad but it was funny too, and I'm clean now.
Things are going really well here next week is the last week for this transfer. I will be speaking next week in church on missionary work. I do need to brag about something, I think I have left about three more lunch givers in the relief society in this area I've been in for six months.
All my love Elder Williams
Tawny, I have to answer a few of your questions. Yes I do print emails when conditions are good, but a lot of times the places I go don't have a working printer. Brazil does opt out of daylight savings. Marilucy is doing swell. She nor Branca have been baptized but they will, I 'm certain she still is recovering from her surgery and will be baptized when she is all better, Branca loves the missionaries, refuses to be baptized just yet but I think she is going to wise up, I still see both of them all the time. I have written you letters about my comp. and yes I got mail from you! Two packages on Monday thanks so much ! I've got to go, love you , school sounds sweet thanks for emailing me really thanks so much! tchou i'm sending a letter today!
So I really do have bad eye sight. The other night I was walking home, with my companion Elder Vaz, and we were walking fast because it was closing in on our hour. I don't know if I've mentioned but I'll mention it now there are a lot of puddles here that are run off from houses, needless to say it's not the kind you want to go puddle hopping in. I'd say these puddles probably cause more than have the deaths of small to medium sized animals in Tabuleiro. Anyway, usually there is a means provided to cross the puddle, stepping stones, a block of wood or just skip right over. The other night though the stepping stone was made out of cardboard and due to my bad eyesight I mistook the cardboard for a rock. I hopped and landed perfectly on the "stepping stone " and then sunk to my knees in nastiness ha and the only thing that came to mind to say was this is bad ... it was bad but it was funny too, and I'm clean now.
Things are going really well here next week is the last week for this transfer. I will be speaking next week in church on missionary work. I do need to brag about something, I think I have left about three more lunch givers in the relief society in this area I've been in for six months.
All my love Elder Williams
Tawny, I have to answer a few of your questions. Yes I do print emails when conditions are good, but a lot of times the places I go don't have a working printer. Brazil does opt out of daylight savings. Marilucy is doing swell. She nor Branca have been baptized but they will, I 'm certain she still is recovering from her surgery and will be baptized when she is all better, Branca loves the missionaries, refuses to be baptized just yet but I think she is going to wise up, I still see both of them all the time. I have written you letters about my comp. and yes I got mail from you! Two packages on Monday thanks so much ! I've got to go, love you , school sounds sweet thanks for emailing me really thanks so much! tchou i'm sending a letter today!
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
My Week
This last week has been so good, Fast Sunday was especially good. I don't think I give enough details in my emails, but, All of Marilucy´s kids that Live with her have been baptized. She is the one with the two boy's who wanted to learn guitar. Marilucy Just had surgery and can't be baptized until late February or early March, But she said she will. She has given her word. Her Husband isn't interested but he'll come around.
Anyway the best part of this story is, the two boys who are baptized are the sweetest kids ever! This last Sunday with a little over a month in the church they both bore their testimonies, They didn't have anyone tell them to do it or anything, all on their own. Rosolvo is the older brother and he has been working a lot lately, he is only 13 but he has been working a lot last week he had to miss church because of work we saw him the Monday after and he said nothing is ever going to stop him from going to church again! He is top notch, I have grown close to that family I met them with Elder Nielsen and we've always been stopping by to make sure they are reading, getting ready for church, all the above and now they are starting to do it on there own. I don't know how many times I'll be able to see the whole process like I have in this situation but I'm so grateful to have had this opportunity to watch them grow over the months.
Last night we met with a young man we have been teaching his name is Adriano; The Assignment we left with him was the same we leave with everyone. Read the Book of Mormon and ask if it's true. He got a sweet answer, I'm not going to lie, normally we have to ask what happened during the day after their prayer or during the prayer we ask about the feelings they got and show them what their answer was, But with Adriano, he told us how his prayer was he told us he knows he needs to be baptized and that while he was reading he felt like crying, he reread a few times and continued to feel like crying. Then He prayed and said he just cried and cried. While he was telling us this story he emphasized how he never cries. He then told us he knows he needs to be baptized, he is scared though, because he feels like he has to serve a mission, we told him that it was his choice but he might feel the desire to serve once he has more time in the church, but then he stopped us and said he's not scared because he feels like he'll be forced to serve, he is scared because he knows he has to, I think Heavenly Father has quite the plan for him, he is 18, and we met him through one of the girls in our ward who is his girlfriend. He is really really cool, i'll send a picture of him home after his baptism which is this Saturday! I think it's soooooooo cool that he is already feeling the desire, the necessity, of him serving even before he is baptized.
I love all of you, I got to head out, I have a pretty funny story I was going to tell I'll tell it next week. Tchou
Tawny! Thanks for the Emails, To answer your question no I haven't gotten any mail from you in Utah yet, but I have still receiving emails so fret not Thanks so much for all the support, and I think I'm going to get my hands on that tape this next conference. Have a great week! I'm very grateful and not a failure, complete success thanks so much
love Elder Williams
Anyway the best part of this story is, the two boys who are baptized are the sweetest kids ever! This last Sunday with a little over a month in the church they both bore their testimonies, They didn't have anyone tell them to do it or anything, all on their own. Rosolvo is the older brother and he has been working a lot lately, he is only 13 but he has been working a lot last week he had to miss church because of work we saw him the Monday after and he said nothing is ever going to stop him from going to church again! He is top notch, I have grown close to that family I met them with Elder Nielsen and we've always been stopping by to make sure they are reading, getting ready for church, all the above and now they are starting to do it on there own. I don't know how many times I'll be able to see the whole process like I have in this situation but I'm so grateful to have had this opportunity to watch them grow over the months.
Last night we met with a young man we have been teaching his name is Adriano; The Assignment we left with him was the same we leave with everyone. Read the Book of Mormon and ask if it's true. He got a sweet answer, I'm not going to lie, normally we have to ask what happened during the day after their prayer or during the prayer we ask about the feelings they got and show them what their answer was, But with Adriano, he told us how his prayer was he told us he knows he needs to be baptized and that while he was reading he felt like crying, he reread a few times and continued to feel like crying. Then He prayed and said he just cried and cried. While he was telling us this story he emphasized how he never cries. He then told us he knows he needs to be baptized, he is scared though, because he feels like he has to serve a mission, we told him that it was his choice but he might feel the desire to serve once he has more time in the church, but then he stopped us and said he's not scared because he feels like he'll be forced to serve, he is scared because he knows he has to, I think Heavenly Father has quite the plan for him, he is 18, and we met him through one of the girls in our ward who is his girlfriend. He is really really cool, i'll send a picture of him home after his baptism which is this Saturday! I think it's soooooooo cool that he is already feeling the desire, the necessity, of him serving even before he is baptized.
I love all of you, I got to head out, I have a pretty funny story I was going to tell I'll tell it next week. Tchou
Tawny! Thanks for the Emails, To answer your question no I haven't gotten any mail from you in Utah yet, but I have still receiving emails so fret not Thanks so much for all the support, and I think I'm going to get my hands on that tape this next conference. Have a great week! I'm very grateful and not a failure, complete success thanks so much
love Elder Williams
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
The New Year
Can anyone believe that tomorrow is a New Year? I sure can't I'll be going to bed at 10 thirty, I might just get out of bed and look at the fireworks around midnight though, I hear they have a big show down by the beach, Elder Canduta, kartchner, Vas and I are making Brownies! American Brownies! I hope you guys have some fun plans.
This last week was so good, I wished the phone call wouldn't have fallen so many times and that I could've gotten a little more personal time. But none the less so good to chat a bit, how can I say none the less? That's sounds too casual, I loved it. after my companion told me to hang up, we sat there staring at the phone for two more hours until we figured he gave the wrong number to his family, he still hasn't talked to them yet, I feel really bad for him, the phone call is the most looked forward to thing here, I'd say peanut butter is in a close second. Was Christmas good?
Christmas here was a lot of obnoxious music, Drinking, and food… not much different than a normal day, normal day times five. Christmas was fun, We find a lot of different ways to have fun.
My companion told a little girl who was just recently baptized not to believe in Santa…, We were walking the with the little girl and She asked me If I believe in Santa, I said yes of course, she's little, 9 years old I think. My companion heard and said some thing to the extent, "you really believe in those things?' Mirelly is her name and she said yeah! My mom tells me all about him, and then elder Vas told her, these things don't exist it's fun to joke about but you've got to know it's only a story. As he said this I was trying to talk loudly over his voice. She still heard him But I succeeded in re-convincing her that Santa is real. I love how easy it is for kids to just believe in something. Lauren… Ignore Elder Vaz Santa is real.
We Have met a few sweet families this week, One of the families is made up of 5 kids and a mom and a Dad They have a 16 year old boy named Tiago, and he is going to be baptized the 10th. And the rest of the family will follow as soon as they get married, this week we are going to be rebuilding their house, and they are so excited about it. I plan on taking pictures I'll try and send them next week.
In the meanwhile know that I love you all
Elder Williams
Ps. Is everyone home safely yet?
And I didn't know the babe was so stinking close! Holy! Maybe you should name him Spalding…
Just kidding
Tawny Happy New years! I have a question? Where are you learning all this Portuguese? I really am loving those titles. Another Question/ comment. Did you get my Christmas letter? I hope so. Also thanks so much for the Emails. Really.
Happpy happy New Years Love Elder Williams
The other day I heard someone Yell Jesse… I turned, It wasn't for me it was for a girl actually but it was strange to hear the name. did anyone say my name on the phone? I don't think so, strange to hear
This last week was so good, I wished the phone call wouldn't have fallen so many times and that I could've gotten a little more personal time. But none the less so good to chat a bit, how can I say none the less? That's sounds too casual, I loved it. after my companion told me to hang up, we sat there staring at the phone for two more hours until we figured he gave the wrong number to his family, he still hasn't talked to them yet, I feel really bad for him, the phone call is the most looked forward to thing here, I'd say peanut butter is in a close second. Was Christmas good?
Christmas here was a lot of obnoxious music, Drinking, and food… not much different than a normal day, normal day times five. Christmas was fun, We find a lot of different ways to have fun.
My companion told a little girl who was just recently baptized not to believe in Santa…, We were walking the with the little girl and She asked me If I believe in Santa, I said yes of course, she's little, 9 years old I think. My companion heard and said some thing to the extent, "you really believe in those things?' Mirelly is her name and she said yeah! My mom tells me all about him, and then elder Vas told her, these things don't exist it's fun to joke about but you've got to know it's only a story. As he said this I was trying to talk loudly over his voice. She still heard him But I succeeded in re-convincing her that Santa is real. I love how easy it is for kids to just believe in something. Lauren… Ignore Elder Vaz Santa is real.
We Have met a few sweet families this week, One of the families is made up of 5 kids and a mom and a Dad They have a 16 year old boy named Tiago, and he is going to be baptized the 10th. And the rest of the family will follow as soon as they get married, this week we are going to be rebuilding their house, and they are so excited about it. I plan on taking pictures I'll try and send them next week.
In the meanwhile know that I love you all
Elder Williams
Ps. Is everyone home safely yet?
And I didn't know the babe was so stinking close! Holy! Maybe you should name him Spalding…
Just kidding
Tawny Happy New years! I have a question? Where are you learning all this Portuguese? I really am loving those titles. Another Question/ comment. Did you get my Christmas letter? I hope so. Also thanks so much for the Emails. Really.
Happpy happy New Years Love Elder Williams
The other day I heard someone Yell Jesse… I turned, It wasn't for me it was for a girl actually but it was strange to hear the name. did anyone say my name on the phone? I don't think so, strange to hear
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Oi OI Oi
hmmmm I bet you are all wondering why my letter is so late today. well I'm wondering that same thing too Today has flown by and I don't have much time.... this last week we had a Christmas party, mission tour with Elder Sores, and a zone activity... It was a lot of fun. I have a lot to say but the lan house is closing! who closes a lan house at this hour? geeez I have to go anyway. I do want to say I sent of a package with a chip in it with a ton of photos so if you go to las vegas maybe ask a neighbor to pass by and grab the package. I got a lot of great emails. thanks so much!
I love you all next week will be better... I don't know what I'll do about the phone or when I'll be calling yet I'll give the info next week, All sounds well though thanks for the emails,
I want you all to know that I can honestly say I love being a missionary.
Tawny! you are home! I don't believe it . I'm glad you are safe though all the fog and delays. I was concerned yes
love Elder Williams
I got 2 packages Mom and Kristen and I loved them and I'll thank you guys more next week but know I got them.!
I love you all next week will be better... I don't know what I'll do about the phone or when I'll be calling yet I'll give the info next week, All sounds well though thanks for the emails,
I want you all to know that I can honestly say I love being a missionary.
Tawny! you are home! I don't believe it . I'm glad you are safe though all the fog and delays. I was concerned yes
love Elder Williams
I got 2 packages Mom and Kristen and I loved them and I'll thank you guys more next week but know I got them.!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Vou ficar em casa no natal si somente em meus sonhos
This last week has been interesting, there was an emergency transfer 2 weeks before scheduled, one missionary has gotten really sick and two were just being sent home. My companion was transferred because of this. We were both thinking I would be leaving in two weeks. I really am beginning to think there is some one here I am supposed to meet, like my ticket to leave and if I don't meet that person I'll be here for my whole mission I have been here for so long! I don't have a problem with that though I do feel like I know everyone in Tabuleiro and, things just keep working out in a way that I end up staying, so I'm done guessing when I'll be leaving or not.
I was a little bummed about Elder R. Marinho leaving, we were a good team. And taught well together, my new companion is a good missionary, I will learn a lot from him, His name is Elder Vaz exotic, I know. He is very serious, elder Marinho and I tried to get into homes using the humor approach, which was working well, he uses a different approach, which almost makes me feel uncomfortable. I have got to get over that though. Yesterday was the first day we worked a full day together, I'd go as far to say that it went well.
So far my first 3 companions have been completely different which is good. I am a little bit nervous about the families we were working with before he got here, He is a get in get out kind of guy, where as Marinho liked to build more of a friendship. I don't know I'm excited to work with him for at least two weeks and we'll see what happens at transfers.
Yesterday we met a nice guy, for a second I even thought he was my ticket. He warmly received us for about 10 minutes, then I don't know exactly what went wrong in the conversation but, one minute he was smiling and the next minute he was telling me to repent and stop preaching this blasphemy. I am getting pretty used to the occasional hysterical person. I told him I do repent, I try to repent daily but why would I have to repent for testifying of Christ? This made him raise his voice even more. turns out he is the Pastor of the other church, The one of the family I told you about last week that has joined the church and fallen away in the last four months. The Assembly of God is the name of the church. I guess we are stealing his customers.
There is some significance to this story. We met another family who left that church, for this exact reason that a lot of them testify of the falseness of our church and other churches. I am grateful for a respectful church, and how we do not condemn other religions. I was reading in Jesus the Christ I don't remember where but One of the Apostles said to Jesus a man was testifying of him with out authority. Jesus replied not in these exact words but with the same meaning, if he is for us then he is not against us. I believe anyone that testifies that Jesus is The Christ is doing good, they just don't have authority. I ended up telling him almost exactly this that I believe his teachings are good they come from the bible and I believe in the Bible, I told him he just doesn't have the authority. Which made him more angry. Meanwhile we stayed calm.
I have met a lot of other Pastors this was the first to get angry, also the first that I was that bold with. I did say everything in a respectful way. So the two significances of this story are, it's a small world ( I met the man I've been hearing so much about), and how sweet it is that our church will ONLY testify that it is the ONLY true church.
At the end of our conversation I told him it was a pleasure to meet him at that he is always welcome in our church, I said it as sincere as possible and he responded kindly.
Ok sorry sorry I hope that story made sense I was kind of rambling I have got to head out. I do want to say one thing, I'm stinking excited to talk to who ever is home, is anyone going to be home? Hmmm if I only get to leave a message somebody is going to get it 6 months from now when I call again.
One more thing, Linda! I'm trying to stay warm thanks for the concern, and the scripture and everything.
One more thing Kristen thanks for the address,
One more Tawny travel safely please!
Oh and ps Love you guys
I was a little bummed about Elder R. Marinho leaving, we were a good team. And taught well together, my new companion is a good missionary, I will learn a lot from him, His name is Elder Vaz exotic, I know. He is very serious, elder Marinho and I tried to get into homes using the humor approach, which was working well, he uses a different approach, which almost makes me feel uncomfortable. I have got to get over that though. Yesterday was the first day we worked a full day together, I'd go as far to say that it went well.
So far my first 3 companions have been completely different which is good. I am a little bit nervous about the families we were working with before he got here, He is a get in get out kind of guy, where as Marinho liked to build more of a friendship. I don't know I'm excited to work with him for at least two weeks and we'll see what happens at transfers.
Yesterday we met a nice guy, for a second I even thought he was my ticket. He warmly received us for about 10 minutes, then I don't know exactly what went wrong in the conversation but, one minute he was smiling and the next minute he was telling me to repent and stop preaching this blasphemy. I am getting pretty used to the occasional hysterical person. I told him I do repent, I try to repent daily but why would I have to repent for testifying of Christ? This made him raise his voice even more. turns out he is the Pastor of the other church, The one of the family I told you about last week that has joined the church and fallen away in the last four months. The Assembly of God is the name of the church. I guess we are stealing his customers.
There is some significance to this story. We met another family who left that church, for this exact reason that a lot of them testify of the falseness of our church and other churches. I am grateful for a respectful church, and how we do not condemn other religions. I was reading in Jesus the Christ I don't remember where but One of the Apostles said to Jesus a man was testifying of him with out authority. Jesus replied not in these exact words but with the same meaning, if he is for us then he is not against us. I believe anyone that testifies that Jesus is The Christ is doing good, they just don't have authority. I ended up telling him almost exactly this that I believe his teachings are good they come from the bible and I believe in the Bible, I told him he just doesn't have the authority. Which made him more angry. Meanwhile we stayed calm.
I have met a lot of other Pastors this was the first to get angry, also the first that I was that bold with. I did say everything in a respectful way. So the two significances of this story are, it's a small world ( I met the man I've been hearing so much about), and how sweet it is that our church will ONLY testify that it is the ONLY true church.
At the end of our conversation I told him it was a pleasure to meet him at that he is always welcome in our church, I said it as sincere as possible and he responded kindly.
Ok sorry sorry I hope that story made sense I was kind of rambling I have got to head out. I do want to say one thing, I'm stinking excited to talk to who ever is home, is anyone going to be home? Hmmm if I only get to leave a message somebody is going to get it 6 months from now when I call again.
One more thing, Linda! I'm trying to stay warm thanks for the concern, and the scripture and everything.
One more thing Kristen thanks for the address,
One more Tawny travel safely please!
Oh and ps Love you guys
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
My Luck With Dogs
I just received the best news from Kristen Christensen; The Jesperson's are going to be mission Presidents! If anyone has their address I would greatly appreciate it in front of my eyes, all I want for Christmas.
This last week has been bitter sweet, I have been here for a little over three months. When I first got here we met a family that was so excited about the Church. They were members of another church called the Assembly of God; it's pretty popular here, lots of screaming, loud music and some strange looks every time I walk by. It's a lot of looks because I swear they have one on every corner. This Family is elect and the whole ward conducted service projects to give them a better home. In the family there is one boy, who didn't accept this message. He won't leave his other church. After some time, he started learning how to "prove" our church is false. And He started inviting the Leader of his church to re-teach his family the truths of Mormonism… They told us they don't want it anymore. To see a Family Enter the church and fall away so fast is unreal to me, its been 3 weeks since they've gone to church. We are really racking our brains to figure out what exactly to do. Preach my gospel is golden I have faith Heavenly Father will help us work out the problems.
But I can't forget my blessings; this week we met two families that are so cool. One is a family of 6 they have a daughter who is special, but, so reverent, she'll sit and listen to us and just smile. I heard one time People who are special were made that way because Heavenly Father Didn't want them to suffer the pains of the world because they were such powerful people in heaven. Where did I hear that? I believe it and I think it's beautiful. Anyway after we taught, we came back the next day started teaching again and the Mother of the home asked how she could join our church? And if she could? I cant describe the feeling I get when people ask to join our church. We just respond of course! She told us how peaceful her home was after we left, the parents' aren't married, and they have a few other problems but I'm real excited to work with them.
And yesterday we were teaching A young man. We started and invited his mom to listen but she didn't want to, she was making dinner in the kitchen which was really the same room with a curtain separating the two spaces. I am sure she heard our beginning prayer. We taught the five principles of the gospel and the word of wisdom. She at that moment was making coffee. But she was listening attentfully through the sheet. We told how Jesus was baptized and invited her child to be baptized. She poked her head through the curtain at that moment and asked if only teenagers can be baptized… once again I got that same feeling she committed to obey the word of wisdom and is preparing for baptism. We ran to the store and bought a drink called ceveda, has anyone heard of that? Does it exist in the US? It tastes exactly like coffee but it's not bad for you, I like it. We give it to people to replace coffee.
I have one more story, this falls under the bitter. I'm hesitant to share this one but I'm sure at least it'll give someone a smile, I know Lisa will find it funny because of my luck with dogs. Friday we were knocking doors, we met a lady who wasn't interested, but she had two dogs. That seemed to be interested in me. As I was standing and talking to her they peed on my leg! I didn't notice until after she shut the door but I couldn't believe it, (I wonder if she saw it happening and just let it go.) well for the rest of the day I had dogs going crazy over me… and there are a lot of wild dogs here, a lot. Three more tried after these two and one succeeded! He came howling down the street and got me all over. DISGUSTING! Later that night I went to Branca's house ( a woman we have been working with) and she laughed and told me I shouldn't worry about it , in fact I should be grateful, because it's good luck! I told the story to a few more people and they told me it was good luck too! Crazy… I guess I'm full of luck. I do have a 4 leafed clover… I hope somebody is smiling because of this. It was a pretty classic day, I came home dirty and tired and wet…
I hope Everyone knows I love them.
Tawny, I got a letter this week with some chocolate things inside I haven't eaten them yet But thanks thanks thanks, I am happy to be on the postcard list, is it kinda like a fav five?.. and for the Talk, I've read it a few times now and I'm certainly digging it. I hope you have a great week and I have a lot more to tell you but I'll stick it in a letter that you will receive in a few weeks… is that annoying? Hope you're laughing.
Tchou
Mom I would like to ask you for a book in English, its called defendance day I think it's about two missionaries who hmmm just ask seagull book if they have it. Let me know. also if you send another package toss one of my harmonicas in there one of my good one's in the key of c, but don't send another one for a while, and you too Kristen and Tawny goodness I get too much stuff I'm grateful.
ps Can i get Linda and Craig's Address and Uncle Grant?
This last week has been bitter sweet, I have been here for a little over three months. When I first got here we met a family that was so excited about the Church. They were members of another church called the Assembly of God; it's pretty popular here, lots of screaming, loud music and some strange looks every time I walk by. It's a lot of looks because I swear they have one on every corner. This Family is elect and the whole ward conducted service projects to give them a better home. In the family there is one boy, who didn't accept this message. He won't leave his other church. After some time, he started learning how to "prove" our church is false. And He started inviting the Leader of his church to re-teach his family the truths of Mormonism… They told us they don't want it anymore. To see a Family Enter the church and fall away so fast is unreal to me, its been 3 weeks since they've gone to church. We are really racking our brains to figure out what exactly to do. Preach my gospel is golden I have faith Heavenly Father will help us work out the problems.
But I can't forget my blessings; this week we met two families that are so cool. One is a family of 6 they have a daughter who is special, but, so reverent, she'll sit and listen to us and just smile. I heard one time People who are special were made that way because Heavenly Father Didn't want them to suffer the pains of the world because they were such powerful people in heaven. Where did I hear that? I believe it and I think it's beautiful. Anyway after we taught, we came back the next day started teaching again and the Mother of the home asked how she could join our church? And if she could? I cant describe the feeling I get when people ask to join our church. We just respond of course! She told us how peaceful her home was after we left, the parents' aren't married, and they have a few other problems but I'm real excited to work with them.
And yesterday we were teaching A young man. We started and invited his mom to listen but she didn't want to, she was making dinner in the kitchen which was really the same room with a curtain separating the two spaces. I am sure she heard our beginning prayer. We taught the five principles of the gospel and the word of wisdom. She at that moment was making coffee. But she was listening attentfully through the sheet. We told how Jesus was baptized and invited her child to be baptized. She poked her head through the curtain at that moment and asked if only teenagers can be baptized… once again I got that same feeling she committed to obey the word of wisdom and is preparing for baptism. We ran to the store and bought a drink called ceveda, has anyone heard of that? Does it exist in the US? It tastes exactly like coffee but it's not bad for you, I like it. We give it to people to replace coffee.
I have one more story, this falls under the bitter. I'm hesitant to share this one but I'm sure at least it'll give someone a smile, I know Lisa will find it funny because of my luck with dogs. Friday we were knocking doors, we met a lady who wasn't interested, but she had two dogs. That seemed to be interested in me. As I was standing and talking to her they peed on my leg! I didn't notice until after she shut the door but I couldn't believe it, (I wonder if she saw it happening and just let it go.) well for the rest of the day I had dogs going crazy over me… and there are a lot of wild dogs here, a lot. Three more tried after these two and one succeeded! He came howling down the street and got me all over. DISGUSTING! Later that night I went to Branca's house ( a woman we have been working with) and she laughed and told me I shouldn't worry about it , in fact I should be grateful, because it's good luck! I told the story to a few more people and they told me it was good luck too! Crazy… I guess I'm full of luck. I do have a 4 leafed clover… I hope somebody is smiling because of this. It was a pretty classic day, I came home dirty and tired and wet…
I hope Everyone knows I love them.
Tawny, I got a letter this week with some chocolate things inside I haven't eaten them yet But thanks thanks thanks, I am happy to be on the postcard list, is it kinda like a fav five?.. and for the Talk, I've read it a few times now and I'm certainly digging it. I hope you have a great week and I have a lot more to tell you but I'll stick it in a letter that you will receive in a few weeks… is that annoying? Hope you're laughing.
Tchou
Mom I would like to ask you for a book in English, its called defendance day I think it's about two missionaries who hmmm just ask seagull book if they have it. Let me know. also if you send another package toss one of my harmonicas in there one of my good one's in the key of c, but don't send another one for a while, and you too Kristen and Tawny goodness I get too much stuff I'm grateful.
ps Can i get Linda and Craig's Address and Uncle Grant?
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Feliz!
Mom How did the sixteenth treat you? You didn't mention anything to me about your Birthday!
Well this last week has been good. I want to share something really quick that i think is funny. There is a lady in our ward called Sister Rosa (hosa) , she is A woman who likes to get her laughs out. She is the type that hits when she laughs if you are the one that makes her laugh or if you are near her, you are a goner. The last three times we've eaten there I've been the one sitting next to her. And me just being American makes her laugh. So every time we eat there I don't know how ,exactly, but I end up next to her. I get the occasional shove, hit which is fine but this last week I don't know what I said but i had her laughing pretty good. And she was hitting me to the point where I was almost falling out of my chair. My companion got a kick out of it, I didn't know what to do. I hope you guys can use your imagination and picture this cause I'm not painting a great picture. She was laughing because of something I did, and elder R. Marinho and I were laughing cause I was getting wasted. It reminded me of something off the office, if only someone had been filming.
She builds houses out of cement which I did this last week and I honestly think it was the hardest thing I've done in my life. I didn't use gloves either, my hands felt like sand paper and after the cement dried on my hands i think the skin shrunk around my bones i had cuts everywhere luckily i have been supplied with all sorts of lotion.. I have decided the people here are a lot tougher than us wimpy Americans. yesterday I saw a little boy learning how to ride a bike, he couldn't have been much older than 5 or 6, and he was doing it by himself and on a bike with broken training wheels, down a dirt hill that I'm not even sure I would go down on a mountain bike. I would, that's an exaggeration but it was still steep and I was worried about him, I was talking with him for a sec. I really didn't want to see him fall but i watched him go down the hill like a maniac and then made sure he would practice on flat ground for a bit before he did that again.
This week was zone conference. And President had a huge lesson planned. to start off the meeting. He began by reading the first Vision, and began to cry. He said he prepared this lesson but doesn't feel like that's what he was supposed to teach. All he did was bare his testimony. I feel like I need to be better at following the spirit like that. I'm learning but when I have a plan I stick to it. He is a great guy. I really love him and support him as my leader.
I got the package from São Paulo, it was so cool to get that one. I have been walking around with that tape recorder everywhere I go, I feel pretty professional. the floss!
I really am so grateful and Kristen thanks for setting that all up and taking the time to get Tawny's blog to me I loved that. Thanks to all who where involved in that from the bottom of my heart.
I'm doing well, health is well. All is well,
Tawny, thanks for the time you take to write me. I can't believe the things you are doing. I love how well you are keeping me posted. Thank you
Love Elder Williams
Well this last week has been good. I want to share something really quick that i think is funny. There is a lady in our ward called Sister Rosa (hosa) , she is A woman who likes to get her laughs out. She is the type that hits when she laughs if you are the one that makes her laugh or if you are near her, you are a goner. The last three times we've eaten there I've been the one sitting next to her. And me just being American makes her laugh. So every time we eat there I don't know how ,exactly, but I end up next to her. I get the occasional shove, hit which is fine but this last week I don't know what I said but i had her laughing pretty good. And she was hitting me to the point where I was almost falling out of my chair. My companion got a kick out of it, I didn't know what to do. I hope you guys can use your imagination and picture this cause I'm not painting a great picture. She was laughing because of something I did, and elder R. Marinho and I were laughing cause I was getting wasted. It reminded me of something off the office, if only someone had been filming.
She builds houses out of cement which I did this last week and I honestly think it was the hardest thing I've done in my life. I didn't use gloves either, my hands felt like sand paper and after the cement dried on my hands i think the skin shrunk around my bones i had cuts everywhere luckily i have been supplied with all sorts of lotion.. I have decided the people here are a lot tougher than us wimpy Americans. yesterday I saw a little boy learning how to ride a bike, he couldn't have been much older than 5 or 6, and he was doing it by himself and on a bike with broken training wheels, down a dirt hill that I'm not even sure I would go down on a mountain bike. I would, that's an exaggeration but it was still steep and I was worried about him, I was talking with him for a sec. I really didn't want to see him fall but i watched him go down the hill like a maniac and then made sure he would practice on flat ground for a bit before he did that again.
This week was zone conference. And President had a huge lesson planned. to start off the meeting. He began by reading the first Vision, and began to cry. He said he prepared this lesson but doesn't feel like that's what he was supposed to teach. All he did was bare his testimony. I feel like I need to be better at following the spirit like that. I'm learning but when I have a plan I stick to it. He is a great guy. I really love him and support him as my leader.
I got the package from São Paulo, it was so cool to get that one. I have been walking around with that tape recorder everywhere I go, I feel pretty professional. the floss!
I really am so grateful and Kristen thanks for setting that all up and taking the time to get Tawny's blog to me I loved that. Thanks to all who where involved in that from the bottom of my heart.
I'm doing well, health is well. All is well,
Tawny, thanks for the time you take to write me. I can't believe the things you are doing. I love how well you are keeping me posted. Thank you
Love Elder Williams
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Motorcycles?
This last week has been good, I am staying! For at least one more transfer. My Roommates told me I wouldn't be though because they know the transfers before everyone, they told me I was leaving. I could tell I wasn't though because they would've been way more sad… I clean, cook, make sure they take their medicine they will be in tears when I leave... just kidding, but we are all really close friends.
This next transfer is Elder Abrão's last transfer and Cunduta will go after that, I've been with Elder Cunduta the longest of them all. I'll miss him, and as for my comp. he is cool too we'll see what happens as for now I have six more weeks with these guys.
This last Sunday I was at church, like I am every Sunday, and I was saying to my companion how funny I thought It was they call on him to do everything… I can speak alright now but they know I'm still new so I'm usually just relaxing with the investigators we bring to church. Our church has air conditioning by the way, I love church. Anyway, about 1 minute after I finished telling him how funny I thought that was, a counselor of the Bishop came to me and asked me to speak… not so funny anymore, I guess its about time. I am pretty sure Heavenly Father was listening to my conversation and saw that I was becoming too relaxed. It went well, and it wasn't that threatening because I know everyone in the ward, and all the investigators. I even used the word supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, did I spell that right? My LDS mail doesn't have spell check, it's the word off of Mary Poppins , but Mostly just funny because I was rubbing it into Elder R. Marinho's face how church is so relaxing for me.
I'm learning a lot, working a lot, I am so good at waking up mom…. I have been meaning to tell you, I wake up to my watch alarm… that's a weak alarm. Especially compared to the green siren, that wouldn't even get me to budge, which is broken now by the way. Jason! The big day is approaching, I'd like to thank you for your example to me, I really appreciate all the help you gave to me. I wish you the best.
Tawny! Did you look at the date on the first Page or the last? I think I can send more right? I think your calculations are wrong or I sent it the slow way, there is a faster way I'm sure I can do one more. I can't believe you saw Cade! Hmmmm a little jealous that's so cool! I can't Imagine. I wish I would´ve been in the London England mission for the time period you were there. That's so nuts!
All my love Elder Williams
p.s mom, I have been meaning to ask you… what happened with my motorcycles?
This next transfer is Elder Abrão's last transfer and Cunduta will go after that, I've been with Elder Cunduta the longest of them all. I'll miss him, and as for my comp. he is cool too we'll see what happens as for now I have six more weeks with these guys.
This last Sunday I was at church, like I am every Sunday, and I was saying to my companion how funny I thought It was they call on him to do everything… I can speak alright now but they know I'm still new so I'm usually just relaxing with the investigators we bring to church. Our church has air conditioning by the way, I love church. Anyway, about 1 minute after I finished telling him how funny I thought that was, a counselor of the Bishop came to me and asked me to speak… not so funny anymore, I guess its about time. I am pretty sure Heavenly Father was listening to my conversation and saw that I was becoming too relaxed. It went well, and it wasn't that threatening because I know everyone in the ward, and all the investigators. I even used the word supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, did I spell that right? My LDS mail doesn't have spell check, it's the word off of Mary Poppins , but Mostly just funny because I was rubbing it into Elder R. Marinho's face how church is so relaxing for me.
I'm learning a lot, working a lot, I am so good at waking up mom…. I have been meaning to tell you, I wake up to my watch alarm… that's a weak alarm. Especially compared to the green siren, that wouldn't even get me to budge, which is broken now by the way. Jason! The big day is approaching, I'd like to thank you for your example to me, I really appreciate all the help you gave to me. I wish you the best.
Tawny! Did you look at the date on the first Page or the last? I think I can send more right? I think your calculations are wrong or I sent it the slow way, there is a faster way I'm sure I can do one more. I can't believe you saw Cade! Hmmmm a little jealous that's so cool! I can't Imagine. I wish I would´ve been in the London England mission for the time period you were there. That's so nuts!
All my love Elder Williams
p.s mom, I have been meaning to ask you… what happened with my motorcycles?
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
November 5, 2008
I hear we have a new President, how does everyone feel about that? It's nice that I at least caught wind we had a new President even before I checked my email this week, I'm not completely shut off from the world am I?
I have two of those swirly things in the back of my head, ( I know the word, but I don't know how to spell it... cow lick?) swirly is better. Anyway, 2 swirly's give you quite the headache in the morning when you are trying to decide what side to part your hair on.... how do I have two? The only other person with two on this planet is Easton.
Transfers are on Monday, I really hope I stay here for a bit longer, I'm loving it here, there are some sweet sweet people we are working with and last night, we met a guy who was just sitting by the church, actually this is kind of a cool story I'll give some detail... Last night we had an appointment to go to just something we had planned the night before, the person we made the appointment with didn't know we were going to pass by there. We were right next to the house of the investigator, but we both felt like tonight (which was last night) wasn't the night we should pass by the house of the investigators house. We felt like we should grab a new kid in the ward who just moved in and take him to the church to make some friends and know where the church is. Anyway we dropped him off at the church, introduced him to some of the other boys and as we were leaving we spotted a young man named Jose, We both thought he was a member already. He was sitting by the church by himself and we started talking with him, he has been going to church a lot and always comes to the activities. He is 19 and i asked him when he was baptized he said he had been going for a couple years now off and on to church but wasn't baptized yet. You got to be kidding me! Long story short he is getting baptized this weekend I haven't shared enough of these stories but I find that we are in the right place at the right time so much here.
All my love, Elder Williams
I have two of those swirly things in the back of my head, ( I know the word, but I don't know how to spell it... cow lick?) swirly is better. Anyway, 2 swirly's give you quite the headache in the morning when you are trying to decide what side to part your hair on.... how do I have two? The only other person with two on this planet is Easton.
Transfers are on Monday, I really hope I stay here for a bit longer, I'm loving it here, there are some sweet sweet people we are working with and last night, we met a guy who was just sitting by the church, actually this is kind of a cool story I'll give some detail... Last night we had an appointment to go to just something we had planned the night before, the person we made the appointment with didn't know we were going to pass by there. We were right next to the house of the investigator, but we both felt like tonight (which was last night) wasn't the night we should pass by the house of the investigators house. We felt like we should grab a new kid in the ward who just moved in and take him to the church to make some friends and know where the church is. Anyway we dropped him off at the church, introduced him to some of the other boys and as we were leaving we spotted a young man named Jose, We both thought he was a member already. He was sitting by the church by himself and we started talking with him, he has been going to church a lot and always comes to the activities. He is 19 and i asked him when he was baptized he said he had been going for a couple years now off and on to church but wasn't baptized yet. You got to be kidding me! Long story short he is getting baptized this weekend I haven't shared enough of these stories but I find that we are in the right place at the right time so much here.
All my love, Elder Williams
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Elder WILL EM EEES That's How They Say Williams
This last week I cut my hair... this time I didn't have help from Tawny and Ace , just from a tired Brazilian.... I think I need to start paying the 2 reais for a "professional" wow, at least it's within the boundaries of missionary standards, that's all I need. But for some reason every time I look in the mirror I think of that movie "MARS ATTACKS" I'm sure by next week it'll pan out a little better if not I'll buzz it again.
I keep getting questions of what laundry is like here. To answer that, Picture a bucket of water... with a thing in the middle that spins and then the water drains and then you rinse your clothing in none soapy water then hang it up... everything is a little weird though... I don't feel like it's really clean, it smells almost fine, and my house has the BEST machine thing so I'm grateful.
Everyone in my house is getting fat... fast. I have been trying to tell them it is because of the plate size hamburgers they eat right before bed might have something to do with it. I am not a huge fan of the Um Burgers, that's how they say it here, so I don't eat them but I'm sick of hearing them complain of their fatness so instead of me waking up and jump roping on my own I wake everyone up and we go on a nice morning run. Yesterday WE were running and there is a lot of cobble stone / hills dirt and rocks. Well i was running down one of the paths and was looking behind me for a second talking to Elder Abrão and I went down tripped on a stone.... pretty funny I am fine I went down rolled a little bit and kept going I can't really explain exactly what happened but the point of the story is I fell...
The work in this area is going well I know a lot of people. I hope i get one more tranfer here, sorry for the lameness of this email. Next week will be better, but in the mean time my English is getting worse and my Portuguese still gets laughs but i understand great.
Tawny- Marilucy, Branca . I'm so excited thanks!
Love Elder Williams
I keep getting questions of what laundry is like here. To answer that, Picture a bucket of water... with a thing in the middle that spins and then the water drains and then you rinse your clothing in none soapy water then hang it up... everything is a little weird though... I don't feel like it's really clean, it smells almost fine, and my house has the BEST machine thing so I'm grateful.
Everyone in my house is getting fat... fast. I have been trying to tell them it is because of the plate size hamburgers they eat right before bed might have something to do with it. I am not a huge fan of the Um Burgers, that's how they say it here, so I don't eat them but I'm sick of hearing them complain of their fatness so instead of me waking up and jump roping on my own I wake everyone up and we go on a nice morning run. Yesterday WE were running and there is a lot of cobble stone / hills dirt and rocks. Well i was running down one of the paths and was looking behind me for a second talking to Elder Abrão and I went down tripped on a stone.... pretty funny I am fine I went down rolled a little bit and kept going I can't really explain exactly what happened but the point of the story is I fell...
The work in this area is going well I know a lot of people. I hope i get one more tranfer here, sorry for the lameness of this email. Next week will be better, but in the mean time my English is getting worse and my Portuguese still gets laughs but i understand great.
Tawny- Marilucy, Branca . I'm so excited thanks!
Love Elder Williams
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Ants!
These last few weeks we have been teaching a woman named Maria. She is hilarious! she is about sixty, her nickname is "White" I don't exactly understand why. She drives a motorcycle, she has one grandchild, and she is the 'cool mom' on the street that all the kids like to hang out with. There are always some teenagers at her house just chatting with her. She wants to know everything about the Church, she is progressing so well. She is faithful in her commitments and knows all that we are teaching her is true, she's stopped with alcohol and coffee. But for some reason every time we invite her to be baptized, she says she's not ready... She wants to know EVERYTHING about the church, there is no way we can tell her everything about the church. She is afraid. We have tried EVERYTHING in preach my gospel. I want to figure this out so bad to help her the way Heavenly Father wants us to. But I just can't seem to find an answer. for the last week I haven't been able to stop thinking about all the times I see "fear not" in the scriptures. Or don't be afraid. Same thing. I find it strange that a hip old woman who loves the adrenaline rush of a motorcycle would have a fear of something she knows is true, she has a testimony of the church, but just wants to know EVERYTHING first. I try and put myself in her place, I feel like it would be hard to take that step of baptism, we are praying she will lose her fear, We just don't know what else to say to her. we pass by regularly and visit with her I Hope hope hope she'll come around.
This last week, I directed a baptismal service of A boy named Everton, I am still so surprised that people understand me when I talk and grateful I still have a lot to learn though I have been told i have quite the accent a Mexican one they say which I have a goal to lose, He is so cool he doesn't have the sweetest life, But he is just a great kid. Even before we met him he with living his life right despite all the lack of examples around him. He is going to grow into an amazing person, He is 15, I gave him one of those really hot shirts that I avoid wearing cause they are thicker than cardboard and we had some extra pants laying around the house. That were new, who knows who's they were. But we got him all dressed up and clean cut he looks so good.
I already said this but I have been making everyone take their vitamins, I'm really cracking down. My companion hates vitamins or any sort of medicine. But I'm still making him take them. Because I'm concerned for their health, and mine. the first time Elder R. Marinho took a vitamin he chewed it, I need to be more clear on my instructions cause this has happened before. I told him to take this vitamin. I need to say swallow. My bad. I gave Him the vitamin in the morning, he said he would take it that night. I reminded him a few times throughout the day. Then forgot about it. That night I was laying on my bed and he ran in and was pacing back and forth and telling me how much he hated medicine. I had no idea what he was talking about, It took me a second to catch on. He just kept saying how nasty it was. I noticed him chewing something and asked him if it was the vitamin i had given to him. He nodded with a sour look on his face and ran into the bathroom spit it out and started brushing his teeth. . I felt a little bit bad for the mistake but it was so funny.
The ants have found a way into the fridge, they get in there and die all over everything I hate them. I think my front left tooth is going to fall out (mom can you send me some glide floss, I sound like a girl but the floss here is like fishing line.) I think it is going to fall out because at lunch a few days ago, a rock, no, a pebble made it's way into my spaghetti! I saved it. Nobody noticed but i took a few bites and i bit something hard i spit it out ,secretly, but it hit my glass plate and made a sound i didn't see it fall but I thought for sure it was my tooth, It killed, It hasn't fallen out I don't really think it will and if it does i guess it's ok cause that tooth is already fake.
Mom, you asked If I'm used to the heat. I'm used to it but I don't like it, no one does. and if I have dreamed a dream in Portuguese? last night, Not even kidding, it was the first time and it was so weird, I woke up and then realized it was all in Portuguese.
Things are great with me, I'm learning a lot. Thanks for all the support.
Love Elder Williams.
P.S Ryan Graham how are you?
Tawny Enjoy your Domingo
This last week, I directed a baptismal service of A boy named Everton, I am still so surprised that people understand me when I talk and grateful I still have a lot to learn though I have been told i have quite the accent a Mexican one they say which I have a goal to lose, He is so cool he doesn't have the sweetest life, But he is just a great kid. Even before we met him he with living his life right despite all the lack of examples around him. He is going to grow into an amazing person, He is 15, I gave him one of those really hot shirts that I avoid wearing cause they are thicker than cardboard and we had some extra pants laying around the house. That were new, who knows who's they were. But we got him all dressed up and clean cut he looks so good.
I already said this but I have been making everyone take their vitamins, I'm really cracking down. My companion hates vitamins or any sort of medicine. But I'm still making him take them. Because I'm concerned for their health, and mine. the first time Elder R. Marinho took a vitamin he chewed it, I need to be more clear on my instructions cause this has happened before. I told him to take this vitamin. I need to say swallow. My bad. I gave Him the vitamin in the morning, he said he would take it that night. I reminded him a few times throughout the day. Then forgot about it. That night I was laying on my bed and he ran in and was pacing back and forth and telling me how much he hated medicine. I had no idea what he was talking about, It took me a second to catch on. He just kept saying how nasty it was. I noticed him chewing something and asked him if it was the vitamin i had given to him. He nodded with a sour look on his face and ran into the bathroom spit it out and started brushing his teeth. . I felt a little bit bad for the mistake but it was so funny.
The ants have found a way into the fridge, they get in there and die all over everything I hate them. I think my front left tooth is going to fall out (mom can you send me some glide floss, I sound like a girl but the floss here is like fishing line.) I think it is going to fall out because at lunch a few days ago, a rock, no, a pebble made it's way into my spaghetti! I saved it. Nobody noticed but i took a few bites and i bit something hard i spit it out ,secretly, but it hit my glass plate and made a sound i didn't see it fall but I thought for sure it was my tooth, It killed, It hasn't fallen out I don't really think it will and if it does i guess it's ok cause that tooth is already fake.
Mom, you asked If I'm used to the heat. I'm used to it but I don't like it, no one does. and if I have dreamed a dream in Portuguese? last night, Not even kidding, it was the first time and it was so weird, I woke up and then realized it was all in Portuguese.
Things are great with me, I'm learning a lot. Thanks for all the support.
Love Elder Williams.
P.S Ryan Graham how are you?
Tawny Enjoy your Domingo
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Pretty Funny?
This last week has been great, Not only do I get to come home to a gigantic Moon every night, But, I'm not sick… I bet that sounds weird but I am so grateful I'm not sick. I don't understand why I'm not sick either. Everyone in my apartment has something wrong. One Elder has got the fevers, He can't sleep and he has to take cold showers throughout the night. And one has a cough. That is so terrible. One of those coughs that doesn't even sound like a cough at all, it sounds more like he is throwing up. That's gross sorry I said that, I'm not going to delete it though. I guess I shouldn't say this last week has been great, But I'm GREATful big time. I think they'll get better though I'm making them take vitamins everyday and We got some pure water.
We met some kids skateboarding a while ago, not kids actually, people my age, we met some PEOPLE skateboarding… if there are 2 things in this world that I'm good at, It's skateboarding and Halo. I hope that doesn't sound prideful, It's OK to brag about 2 useless things right?. Anyway, we got to talking with them and they asked if we knew how to skateboard. I know how to skateboard. I played a little game with them where one person does a trick and the other repeats it. (I really hope someone appreciates this story.) We played and It was so fun/hot in these clothes. I probably looked pretty funny in these clothes come to think of it. Well, they are coming to church. I don't want to brag anymore so I'm not going to say who won.
I really love this area and it's a good thing, I assume this will be the area I'll stay the longest out of my whole mission. I have a few funny videos and a lot of pictures I'll be sending home on that chip..
This last week we had testimony meeting and When I went to bare my testimony I made a joke. I got a few pity laughs, It went over about good as my so called "joke" I said in my farewell talk. You know the one where I read off all the things a missionary NEEDS to be and then said… "the only thing I have left to do is cut my hair." Was about as funny as that…
(Some fergie is playing in this Internet shack.)
I don't know if I have already mentioned this but everything of mine is changing colors, I'm pretty excited to see what it looks like when I get home. My pants, my bag, I think I remember talking about this already one time. So never mind about that. But I'm almost positive I haven't mentioned anything about how many stinking Jokes Have been played on me! Ha I deserve it, I have done my share of practical jokes. Countless times my chair has been pulled out from underneath me, they took a part from my bed so when I sat on it I fell through to the ground. Pretty funny. I don't know how many times I've been splashed with water. I guess I'm an easy target. I really love these guys though, we get along well. I'll be with them for another 2 months.
I am the only one who cleans anything around here. Picture how dirty my car was and times that by 26. nasty. And I'm the only one who thinks it's gross so I am the only one who cleans. Cleaning is good for me too though. I need to learn to be more organized.
Thanks for all the Emails.!
All my love Elder Williams
Lisa.... please? pretty funny! my my my. I'll try and have some funnier experiences for you so we can lose the pretty funny and you can just come right out and say Jesse. elder Williams, your stories are funny.
I love you, thanks for the updates, give ace a big hug and a kiss for me. don't forget to give easton my love too and as far a bolzon, that's what you are going to name him right? bolzon.
All the love a brother has for his sweet older sister.
Elder Williams
We met some kids skateboarding a while ago, not kids actually, people my age, we met some PEOPLE skateboarding… if there are 2 things in this world that I'm good at, It's skateboarding and Halo. I hope that doesn't sound prideful, It's OK to brag about 2 useless things right?. Anyway, we got to talking with them and they asked if we knew how to skateboard. I know how to skateboard. I played a little game with them where one person does a trick and the other repeats it. (I really hope someone appreciates this story.) We played and It was so fun/hot in these clothes. I probably looked pretty funny in these clothes come to think of it. Well, they are coming to church. I don't want to brag anymore so I'm not going to say who won.
I really love this area and it's a good thing, I assume this will be the area I'll stay the longest out of my whole mission. I have a few funny videos and a lot of pictures I'll be sending home on that chip..
This last week we had testimony meeting and When I went to bare my testimony I made a joke. I got a few pity laughs, It went over about good as my so called "joke" I said in my farewell talk. You know the one where I read off all the things a missionary NEEDS to be and then said… "the only thing I have left to do is cut my hair." Was about as funny as that…
(Some fergie is playing in this Internet shack.)
I don't know if I have already mentioned this but everything of mine is changing colors, I'm pretty excited to see what it looks like when I get home. My pants, my bag, I think I remember talking about this already one time. So never mind about that. But I'm almost positive I haven't mentioned anything about how many stinking Jokes Have been played on me! Ha I deserve it, I have done my share of practical jokes. Countless times my chair has been pulled out from underneath me, they took a part from my bed so when I sat on it I fell through to the ground. Pretty funny. I don't know how many times I've been splashed with water. I guess I'm an easy target. I really love these guys though, we get along well. I'll be with them for another 2 months.
I am the only one who cleans anything around here. Picture how dirty my car was and times that by 26. nasty. And I'm the only one who thinks it's gross so I am the only one who cleans. Cleaning is good for me too though. I need to learn to be more organized.
Thanks for all the Emails.!
All my love Elder Williams
Lisa.... please? pretty funny! my my my. I'll try and have some funnier experiences for you so we can lose the pretty funny and you can just come right out and say Jesse. elder Williams, your stories are funny.
I love you, thanks for the updates, give ace a big hug and a kiss for me. don't forget to give easton my love too and as far a bolzon, that's what you are going to name him right? bolzon.
All the love a brother has for his sweet older sister.
Elder Williams
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
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
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
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
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!
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!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
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!
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 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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