Craziest Week Yet...

27-06-12

      Well, I am really starting to get the hang of being Senhor now, it feels natural. I have been doing work here in Paraíso! The elders before us left this area a mess. The area books were totally out of order. It was a greater apostasy than that which proceeded after the death of Christ. (Well almost) But my companion, the leader of the work, and I re-enacted the story of Mormon and compiled all the books and papers into one. I received a list of all the members (active and less-active) and marked every member that was baptized alone, without their families. My purpose was to pass by every one of them and try to convert the families, because we all know that this Gospel is centered on families. I was also able to find, with the help of the Lord, 5 new investigators this past week. Everything seemed to be going well. But remember when I once mentioned that right when you start to feel comfortable, the Lord switches things up for you? Well, last Thursday I was thrown into a storm of events. Let me explain.

     Thursday night I received a call from the president that I needed to head on over to the mission office as fast as I could. I would be making a division with an Elder there because his companion was sick. I quickly took my companion and headed over to the mission office, picked up new temporary companion, left Elder G. Almeida at the Office and headed back to my area to try to teach more people before the night was over. We arrived back in our area just in time to teach a few lessons and receive a new investigator. This temporary elder (Elder Lustosa) was awesome, he teaches like a boss. I learned so much in just a few hours of teaching with him. He then slept in my companion’s bed that night and the next morning we headed back to the Office. When we arrived at the office I received news that my companion (Elder G. Almeida) was not supposed to be with me. There was a mix-up when assigning companions. My companion was supposed to be Elder De Almeida (remember "De" in Portuguese sounds like "Gee"). So we quickly headed back to our house, picked up all the baggage for my companion, and headed back to the office. Once there I picked up my companion, Elder De Almeida, and we headed back to Paraíso. Once we were able to understand each other’s teaching tactics we worked with each other well, finding 4 more investigators this week. BUT, last night I received a call that there would be an emergency transfer again, but this time with me. My mission president told me that I would be serving in Montes Claros (about 9 hours away by bus) and my new companion would be Elder Szpikula. He has one year and a half on the mission but I will be senhor again. It’s weird, I hope that this doesn't raise conflicts, me being senhor and him having 3 times the amount of time than me on the mission. I am not sure exactly how my area will be. I heard that it is hot there. But I will miss Paraiso. It’s awesome here, the perfect combination of city and favelas. And the people are awesome! This ward is strong and it reminds me of an American ward . Definitely nicer than my last area. And the food is actually REALLY good here. Not just rice, beans and chicken every day. Still rice and beans but there are other dishes here that are really good. I will miss it here.

      Happy birthday Nana Raine!!!! I hope you have a fantastic birthday and that you will be able to water ski as well. That picture of Pops and dad was awesome. I am glad that they had a good trip. But nobody said anything about if they caught a Great White or not. I wouldn’t be surprised if the other thing they were able to catch was a gold fish.

      I don’t know how different it will be in Montes Claros but I hope that there will be a post office close by so that I can continue to send letters home. I finally received the tapes!!! I’m so glad because I don’t know when will be the next time I will receive mail, since I will live so far away from the office. 

      Well, a miracle happened this week. I ate at McDonald's this week. Walking in the city I saw the golden Arches and just couldn't resist its beauty. I bought myself a Quarter pounder and a McChicken. The food is a bit more pricey here than in the states. A dollar menu doesn't exist. I had my doubts that the burger would be as good, but those doubts vanished and I was in HEAVEN while eating it. I wrote a poem for you guys about my experience. 

                          Quarterão

Feeling the warmth of you in my hands

is just like before, but in different lands.

As you are brought to my lips,

I can only hope one thing.

Though while on the grill you did some flips,

I desire that my taste buds may still ring.

As quickly as my fears here came, 

taking that first bite they quickly vanished.

Even though you have a different name,

Your degree of Glory shall never be banished.

Quarterão, I have three words for you,

"I love you"

I do

I do

God Speed!

Elder Smidt X

Paraíso

20-06-12

Hello family!!

     Teriks email was awesome! I would really like to receive his weekly emails every week if possible. It’s awesome to see the progress that he is making. Well, my camera started working again miraculously. I don't know how long though it may be until it really breaks down for sure though. Are you sure you couldn't send a camera through the mail? I heard of a missionary who received an iPod though the mail. And are all packages sent though a machine? Because this missionary that received his iPod though the mail, said his mom hid it in a macaroni box. It was also good to see that picture of myself, I had forgotten how awesome I am. Haha, just kidding, but seriously...

     Mom, could you do me a favor and ask Diana if Craig has gotten any of my letters? I have sent two now but have not gotten a response. Also, if you ever pass one of those LDS book stores, (I forgot what they are called) Could you buy another temple recommend case for me? If it’s cheap of course. I promised Elder Severo, my last companion that I would ask you if you could send one for him. He said to ask for one with a really awesome Scripture on it. If that's too much to ask for though, don't worry about it.

     Well, we are in the latter days... with our mission president, only ten days left in his mission. I will pass by the Mission office today to pick up more materials and see if I have any letters there. While there, I want to give him one last hug. By the way, I am very sad because during the transfer last week I picked up a letter that was from mission-ties, but while arriving at our new house in Paraíso, I lost the letter somewhere! Maybe you guys can figure out which letter it was, The last letters that I received before that letter were from Dad and Coley, sent on May 29.

     Well, this week I went for a jog for the first time in 6 months. NOOOSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!! (Oh my!) It felt quite strange. But luckily it didn't take me long to get my running form back. But geeze, the first ten minutes it felt so foreign to me. It was also the first time that I went out in public in just shorts, tennis shoes, and a t-shirt in 6 months. I almost felt normal. The only thing that kept me from feeling normal was the fact that my legs were whiter that Snow White’s legs. But man, how I missed that burning feeling in the lungs.

Things are actually going pretty well as Senior companion. I'm finally starting to feel relaxed. I never really understood how much easier it is to be the Junior companion until now. 

There are so many hills here, I sweat buckets. The other day we decided to climb to the top of the highest hill here and then started making our way down the hill knocking on doors. But while at the top, I took a picture for you guys :)

Well, I gotta go and do churchy stuff. but I love you guys!! 

God Speed!

Elder Smidt X

Happy Father's Day!

Fathers Day!!!!!

13-06-2012

Dear Family!

This past week has been crazy! I have been transferred to "Paraíso" (Paradise). My new companion is Elder J. Almeida. He is from Curitiba and he seems really friendly, and I have been called as a Senior companion!! I am extremely nervous right now because I am not even fluent yet and now I am in charge of all the people in my area and my companion. This will be that part in my mission that will make me bald. It’s also weird because usually Americans on this mission aren't called as Seniors until they have at least 6 months in the field; I'm just arriving at 4. Anyways, I don't know the Area yet and neither does my companion. This should be an adventure. "Just give it your best and the Lord will do the rest."

Well, I got two packages yesterday! One from you guys and one from the Howard's. I loved every part of both packages. Right now I'm wearing the Tie that was given to me and I look GOOOOOD! Thank you for all the treats, foot powder, toys, and notes. As much as I love packages, I started to think that I would rather that the money be kept for yourselves. I really love the treats that I receive but it’s not worth it for you guys to spend all that money just to send me some candy. Or if you feel that you must share your generousity with me with presents, maybe you can put the money towards something for my Chest back home. For example, a real life Batman suit. If that's too much to ask for, a few Twinkies will suffice.

Also, thank you for the letters from Coley, Britt, Jayden, Spencer, Bradley and you guys (Mom and Dad). I loved hearing from every one of you! Now that I am relatively close to a post office I will try to send more letters by mail. Also, I won’t be able to send more pictures home until I resolve this problem that I have with the camera. 

Mom, could you do me a big favor? It would be awesome if you could write a lady in my last area in Justinopolis (Lourdes). She became like a second mom to me. I feel like this is my first transfer because I became attached to all the members in my area in Justinopolis. It was hard to say good-bye. But anyways, this lady is the one that gave me a tie for my birthday and she gave me another tie right before I left, which was probably not easy for her. Anyways, it would be awesome if you could type a letter, thanking her for everything, then copy and paste it in google Translator. Then print it out and send it to her. But if you do that, don't include words like: it's, couldn't, haven't, I'm, or you're because google wont translate it. Every word has to be separated, not combined. Her address is: 

  

     Lourdes Dos Santos (Her name)

     Avenida Prefeito

     José Ramos Gomes # 73

     B: São Miguel

     CEP: 33900-506

     Ribeirão Das Neves - MG

Also, I would like to give a shout out to you dad! Happy Fathers Day!!!

I have many good memories from my childhood, but the best memories are from you dad. And many of the memories that I have may seem insignificant to you but each and every one has played a huge role in my life. Remember that one time in the Brick house when you moved a mattress into my room to sleep next to me? I don't remember why you did it, I just remember thinking how cool it was to have a Dad that wanted to have a sleep over in my room. I also remember one weekend mom went out of town, and that Friday night we went to Hastings, rented a bunch of action movies (primarily Jackie Chan) then we watched the movies from your bed while eating popcorn. I still remember you saying: "Mom said we're not allowed to eat in the bed, so don't spill the popcorn." It’s these types of events that may seem insignificant to others but I cherish those memories, because clearly I have an awesome dad. But our relationship goes far beyond that of just "Father and Son". We are best friends. All of my best memories include you dad. I only hope that someday I can be the same kind of father and friend for my children. I took a picture of a journal entry I wrote back in March that I will include in this email.

I love you all! Happy Fathers Day! Pray for me!

Love,

Elder Smidt

MMMMM.....pizza

6-6-12

Hello Family!

      It’s so crazy to think that Elder Smidt IX will be John again tomorrow. But I just hope that as he moves on in life to make big bucks and win all the hearts of those many fillies in CDA, that he won’t forget to keep writing me. I have I feeling that throughout my mission I will continue to have many questions for him. Besides, his letters never fail to make me laugh. This month I would like to pay homage to Bryan. This month on my calendar is filled with pictures of the man that changed my life by showing me the many miracles of Horkley's, lacrosse, green bandannas, and Crazy pizzas from little Ceasar's. Thank you Bryan, you are an example to those that have no life. Also, happy birthday to Pops Ralph! I'm sorry I forgot! I hope your day was filled much happiness!

      We had a stake conference this last week, but it was a different kind of stake conference that I have ever seen before. Every stake in Brazil received a transmission straight from the Church Headquarters and was specifically just for Brazil. This broadcast included the talks of President Monson, Elder Anderson (who spoke in Portuguese), an Elder from the 70 (also spoke in Portuguese), and the General Relief Society President. It was really neat and a huge boost for the members. Also, this Sunday there will be a temple dedication in Manãos, which is about 4 hours away from here, but that is a huge blessing for the people in Belo Horizonte! Many members will now have the opportunity to visit a temple for the first time in their lives!

      I'm happy to hear that Dan and Tiffy are doing well and that the family finally arrived in Boise. Que Bênção!! This past week I saw my first Monkey!!! It was pretty small (about the size of my forearm) but it was really close, maybe only ten feet away before it jumped away to a different tree. I wasn't able to get a picture of it. Shucks. Also I forgot to say thank you to Coley for the Birthday card and the stickers. I now walk with the ducks touching my heart, as I put a sticker on the back of my name plate. I'm also very excited about that pizza promise you made for me, but you might regret it! Last night I had a dream that I was surrounded by an endless amount of American Pizza and as I was reaching for yet another piece, I woke up and my hand was lifted in the air above me. Then I wept realizing it was just a dream. You might regret making that promise, because I will be craving pizza a lot when I get back. But I try not to think about things like that. They say that an excellent missionary doesn’t count how much time he has left in the mission. It’s a good thing I'm not counting that I have  18 months, 8 days, 11 hours, 46 minutes, and 44, 43, 42, 41 seconds left in my mission.

       Well, this might be my last week here in Justinopolis. Next P-Day will be transfers. The President always calls the Monday before transfers and tells you where you are going. I love it here and the members of this ward. I've spent 4 months with the people of this ward. I have grown close to many of them! But at the same time, I feel like I need to change playing grounds; it might not make sense, but I feel stale here. I need to start new. I really hope I get transferred.

       I don't really have anything exciting to share. I have included a picture of My kingdom (or a very small part of it), Eating an Avocado with sugar (that's the only way Brazilians eat Avocados) and a picture from the Zone Conference. I hope all is well with the family! Have fun in Spain mom and dad!!

Love you all! God Speed!

Elder Smidt X