Week 3's Letter

March 3, 2002

"Oi minha familia!

I have to apologize for my last letter. As much as I may not like my companion, what I said was a little...harsh. I apologize right now. He's a good kid...just annoying. I had to give him a blessing last night. He royally hurt his ankle, and they were talking about sending him home to serve state-side. Anyway, the Priesthood is real and it is amazing. What a blessing from the Lord! He's up and walking with a brace today. They'll check him again in two weeks.

Now I'll try and answer your questions:

I adjusted fine. After about three days, the heat stopped bothering me. It's still a little weird to sleep in wet sheets, though.

I'm not too worried about "getting verything done." The language is coming. There are Elders in my district who are cathing on fine, and others who aren't. Some study too much Portugues and not enough scripture. And vice versa. I think I'm balancing them OK.

I always try to follow the prescribed schedule, except that I usually get up early to shower. (Is THAT against the rules?)

Ummm...Kirsti's going into winter now, so don't let her complain about the "heat." Manaus is hotter all the time. I met some teachers who served with Alma Wolf the other day. They loved Manaus, but told me I'd probably end up serving as a Branch President or other such callings. They said Manaus was "muito quente." Very hot.

Jonas Anderson's Mission President in Belem gave a fireside last Sunday on "How to be a GREAT Missionary." (What else?)

Anyway, I took a chance and introduced myself. I asked him if he knew an Elder Anderson with a DEEP voic. He said "Of course!" I told him in Portugues--"Ele e meu amigo de Salt Lake." He's my friend in Salt Lake. Presidente Godoy told me this:

"Elder Anderson...he was the best missionary I had. ONE of the Best! Is he still single? Tell him I said Hi!" So, tell Jonas that President Godoy says "Oi!"

Umm...I have that picture of Mama and Papa. I glued it onto one of the cards she gave me. Thanks for the picture of the dog. Oddly, I've come to find that I miss him most of all. (hee hee heee).

Thanks for the scriptures and inspirational thoughts. I read everything as a missionary now. If you want to know what I'm doing in a couple months, read D&C 4 and 3 Nephi 5:13. By the time I get out of here, Alma 17:3 will have occurred.

My typical day is as follows:
6:15--Wake up
6:30--Shower
7:00--Read Portuguese Book of Mormon
7:30--Breakfast
8:00--Read Book of Mormon in English
8:30--Companionship Study
9:00--Class
11:45--Lunch
12:15--Class
4:15--Dinner
4:45--Class
8:15--"Service" (Cleaning the CTM)
9:15--Talk about tomorrow
10:00--Quiet Time/Journal Writing/Scripture Study
10:30--Bed

The days are long, but the weeks go by quickly. John Brown's already been here for six weeks now. Andrew McKnight leaves on Tuesday. The food's alright, but it's the same thing every day. At least I have P-Day. There's this great Italian Pizza Place up the street that we go to on Tuesdays. We get to go to the Sao Paulo Temple every week, but week five and week seven. Those are other fieldtrips. P-Day's too busy to write. I sacrifice my free time on Saturdays to write you guys. That's right--I could be napping right now! I hope you appreciate me. ;D

No splits here. Get to go tracting twice to get referrals for the "real" missionaries. Woopty Doo. There are tons of Brasileiros here. One of them, The Brazilian AP on our floor took me to make a contact with him when we got the Yellow Fever Vaccine at the busstop. We told him about our message and asked him about his family. But we had to go soon after. It seems like I may have written this to you before, so I'm sorry. But I really can't keep tract. (Ha ha. Freudian Slip!) Not much goes on in this Great and Spacious Building. So when something cool happens, that's all I remember. I'm getting cabin fever here. I just want to get out.

I'm the only Elder from Salt Lake in my District. Elder Clark is from Kanab. He likes Motocross, Kansas, KISS and the "Big City."

I need a haircut.

I figure, if my letters ever become dull, down and unfunny, know that something is wrong and pray for me. If not, and they still leave you rolling on the kitchen floor, don't worry about a thing. I'm doing just fine. At least I can laught at stuff. That's what I love about the Brazilians. They're so quick to laugh, smile, and joke. They're just so loving! Ha, I'm going to get spoiled down here. The Lord truly has His Hand over Brazil. I'm grateful I can be the intrument working under that Hand's guidance. Love you guys tons.

Tell Tim he's fat, tell Micahel he's retarded and tell Heidi she's single.

Your Favorite Son,
Eric


PS--Dad, I can access money from ATMs, but hopefully I won't need it here at the CCTM. I've been getting an allowance of 60 reais (Hay-Ice) per month (about 25.00 dollars). The transactions on my card will automatically convert the dollar to reais.

Just leave the money there. I'll tell you if I ever need more. 300.00 dollars can go a LONG way here.