30 May 2011 - email

Hey there!

So...we had another one of those weeks where at the end I can say that it was the most upliftingly depressing (yeah, that doesn't make sense) of the mission. So we had Estela and Camila marked for baptism and they were excited. Then on Tuesday Estela told us that she didn't want to be baptized; I'm still not 100% sure what it is, but I think it's because she doesn't really have any friends that she knows in the church and is relying on logic rather than praying to know if the church is true. We read through the baptismal interview questions and even she said that she was ready. Then Camila was the most perfectly ready, excited young woman I've ever seen...

Then when we had gotten both to pass the interview and Estela was feeling better about the baptism, the mom and dad got involved. The mom misunderstood that if her daughter gets baptized that she will not be able to visit her on Sunday anymore. (She seems to think that she has to be locked inside all day)

To make a long story short they weren't baptized. We are trying to talk to the parents and clear up the concerns. I have to go now, but I love you all. Bye!

Elder Page

Elder 'Skinny' Page - he has lost some weight (nearly 50 lbs.!)

David with giant Q-tip

Elder Page - after a fall in the mud

23 May 2011 - email

Family! (Oh, and you too.)

So, life is good here. I don't know if I've told you but Elder Meyers (the same Elder from the interior) and his new trainee, Elder Batschi (BAT-chee he's American) moved in with us. Elder Batschi came to the São Paulo CTM from the Provo MTC and then got here in the transfer. Elder Meyers received a call to go to the office with Elder Casuccio and we were told to cancel our appointments and clean the appartment. Reginaldo (the man that takes care of our apartments) showed up and we took out a ton of trash (broken beds and fans) and he brought new stuff.

Anyway we marked (set) another baptism this week. Tamires is a member's neice and she accepted the invitation!

Well, I have to go, but I love you!

Elder Page

16 May 2011 - email

David has missed sending much in his emails for the past month. We talked to him on Mothers Day and he sounds good and is in good health and very happy

Hi family,

So we marked (set) two baptisms on Sunday! There's a really cool member in our ward and he is living with his mom while doing surgery (Raul) and Estela (his mom) and Camila (his niece of 15) have been listening to the discussions. On Sunday they went to church and we talked to them and their baptisms are marked (set) for the 28th! They both said that they were planning on getting baptized when we asked, but the date worried them a little. We will be visiting them soon!

Elder Meyers' companion was transferred (he is my American friend from the interior) and now he's training and living in the same house as us (greenie American, but he speaks really well). My comp has gotten even more determined to learn English because of this.

Oh, and I forgot to tell you (or maybe I did...I don't remember). I've been teaching a physics and English class in the church on Tuesday nights. It's a little weird.

So life goes on and I am starting feel weird because I need to start showing new missionaries what the mission is, but I feel like I'm still learning. I feel like I've been here for about two months, but I'm quickly approaching 11. I don't want it to pass this quickly because there is so much to do!

Anyway, I'm feeling bad because of the lack of letters I've been sending. I need to get better at this. I also have a hard time with my journal, but I'm forcing myself to do that one. (I've heard of too many stories where wives met their husbands reading the missionary journal!).

Keep the faith and give a missionary a referral.

Elder Page