March 25-March 31

All the days just seem to melt together. Life just drips away here. Learning the same stuff; seeing the same people, you start to get drowsy, dropsy...tired. I'm so pumped for the field! O Campo de Missao!

They told us this week that we've learned all of the grammar rules that Portuges has to offer. I don't know if I've learned them or not. Actually, I think they're lying. I feel like I'm treading water in jello when I talk to people still.

Went to the old folks home (Asylum? Scary name for an old folks home: note to never get sick and/or old in Brazil...) The experience was awesome. Even the old people here are happy! One of them told me I have beautiful eyes. Another one of them studied at Cal Berkley for five years. Another played professional soccer six years. And yet, here they all sat. Mostly alone, desperate for attention, loving as any grandparents.

I think it's a universal sin--the elderly are not appropriately appreciated.

Had kind of a breakthrough today (3/30)

I feel as if I didn't write it. I was studying the Gifts of the Spirit and just started writing this:

"The message we bear is greater than us.
Broken Portuguese, halting Spanish, stuttered Japanese. None of that matters. The Spirit is what teaches and converts, not the missionaries. We are commanded simply to open our mouths, and have the promise of the Lord that he will fill them. It is my testimony that rather than words, we should look to and BEG the Lord to fill our mouths with the perfect Love & the perfect Spirit of the Message.
Testimony is witness of truth
Truth is everlasting and unchanging
Everlasting principles can only be taught with love and by the Spirit. Words are a vain attempt to break down and decipher truth in a way so that our imperfect minds may attempt to comprehend perfect things. Every "thing" in this life serves the purpose of God. When seen with an eye of love and with our spiritual eyes, the purpose of God is plain: Our Eternal Happiness."

Remember the Peace of God and Smile.