all of you guys sounded exhausted and sad that christmas was over. To be honest- i hardly saw it coming, and it was here so fast, that things are just back to normal again. I think that the video is of our ward party last week, so that is our ward. Then some pictures of my area.
Well, like you know, we were at my bishop’s house for christmas lunch. It was good, but by that time i was still filled from churrasco the night before. So we ate enough to be polite. (which in brasil is TWO PLATES FULL- i thought i would explode. Any less than two plates means that you didn’t like the food, i guess, because they ALWAYS say, “pega mais elder, pega mais... voce gostou? Entao, come mais!” (take more, take more, you liked it right?, then eat more.) it is one of those tricky situations that we have EVERYDAY and is why i will probably come home fat. :-)
Anyway, after lunch, elder everton REALLY REALLY has been wanting to go to this “waterfall” in our area. I didn’t want to go because there are always people swimming there, and swimming in brazil means brazilian swimsuits- which are DISGUSTING- both for the men and women. Also, it would mean a long bus ride, and i wanted to write a few letters during p-day. Well, i relented, as a part of the “learning to love my brother as myself” campaign for this week. So we went. We got way out there, and all the other people got off the bus. Elder everton asks the bus driver if this is it. He says, YEP, this is it. So we get off. And there it is, the anticipated ... creek. It is this little river that runs over the rocks: think slide rock. So here we are. We look at it for 3 or 4 minutes and decide that this was a waste of time and money. I take a few pictures to record the lameness of the trip, and then we return to the bus stop. All this takes place in about 20 min tops. We didn’t know the bus schedule there, and it turns out the it only comes EVERY TWO HOURS. So we waited FOREVER (1.5 hrs) , before we gave up and started walking home. The walk would be about 2 hours. We got to the next city and started to wait for the bus there, hoping that it ran more frequently. Then this purple van stops in front of us and asks if we want a ride to Correas. “Uhmmm, sure.” So we get in and the man says: do you remember me? “uhmmm, yeah...” he looked familiar, but the answer should have been no. Turns out he was just this contact we made one day, and somehow he recognized us in “civilian” clothes. So, we got a free ride home, and got home much faster.
So I included a picture of this place, it really wasn’t all that lame, but seeing as how we can’t swim, just look, it got old fast.
Mom- about charity. I don’t really think there is a secret. I have to study something different everyday to help me with Elder E. One thing that helped me this week was a couple of entries in true to the faith. (see adversity and charity) the article on adversity really helps a lot. But the truth is that like Cap. Moroni, the same tactic doesn’t win every battle. You’ve got to be creative and have something new everyday to win. “The only thing that is constant is trust in God” really, read the article, i really liked it.
Dad- thanks for the thoughtfulness, and not getting me sick. Sick as a missionary would be miserable. Remember, no TV, comfy couch, ice cream for me. Tell, grampa to “get better!” for me. .... i also sent them a letter, i hope they get it soon.
Police- WHAT!!!!!!!!!! Skiing?! AWESOME! Have fun with that. Take pictures and now you can SEND ME some.
Well, i loved talking to guys yesterday; it was a bunch of fun. I didn’t really get trunky at all. Well, i got to go, but i will write a little more later today
Love elder helland
Adam’s e-mail to Pres. Brinton
Merry Christmas!
president, thank you SO MUCH for the help and support during interviews. it really helped a lot to feel the spirit there testify to me that whatever the trial is, it is for my good. (d&c 122:5-7) one thing that i studied the next day in personal study, that has helped me a lot in working with elder everton, was the article in "true to the faith" under adversity. [smile], i know that sounds a little severe, but it really, REALLY helped. it had five questions to ask myself whenever i felt down or stressed because of our companionship. the truth is that things have gotten harder since then, and without the strength that i felt with you and in personal study, it would be tougher. elder everton thinks that the end of his mission means obedience isn’t important, but i am working with him to be more obedient. i am also working with our new district leader, elder wilson. (who, by the way, is AWESOME)
anyway, thanks for the help, love, and prayers. I AM SO HAPPY to be a missionary, and this happiness comes because i am in the service of others, and NOT because of exterior conditions. you told me to do ALL that i can do to have the spirit with me ALWAYS, and it has changed my perspective and helped me a lot. now i have TWO constant companions. (D&C 123:...the last verse, i think, really was great. so was that part about, "waste and wear out our lives")
love elder helland
This is the waterfall they visited:
This must be Petropolis
The second counselor's little girl - they spent Christmas Eve as their home
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