Dear Family and Friends,
Here we are again in Brazil with the weather about like in Utah, except for the snow. One day it is so cool 60-65 degrees and the next back up to 80 and rain every other day. Had a great Easter. On Saturday the 23rd baked 60 cupcakes, (as did 8 other Sisters) with Cream Cheese frosting and little jelly beans on top for 309 missionaries and staff at the MTC here. Rick didn't get to the Area Office where we check out the car on Wednesday. We forgot about there being a Presidents day Holiday on Thurs and Good Friday the next day so no car to get to the MTC on Sunday. Everything was closed. Oh yea and Easter on Sunday. Sooo we pack all our Cupcakes. Sister Hill had 60 too, and hired a cab at 6:15 Sunday morning to get us there. We had put them in cut off cardboard boxes with saran wrap around them. The way the driver drove we were just holding our breath. When we got there safely, we gave the driver a cupcake too. The Elders just loved them. Some of the Brazilians didn't even want to try them, because they were afraid they wouldn't like them. They kept saying they were scared. It was fun to see their faces when they tasted them. They couldn' t thank us enough.
Rick and I also spoke that day and then got to help with orientation for 13 new Elders and Sisters. One of the new Sisters was very sick and we were glad the Doctors were there to see her that day. These young missionaries are so great. They are so excited about where they are and so anxious to learn the language. They will be with us for 8 more weeks before leaving to their missions. They are so different, one is a bull rider, one is in voice and piano performance in college, one is a rock climber, one of the sisters that came from Pittsburg Penn. was a nanny. Great young people. We have Mission Conference this Sunday so don't have to speak again until next Sunday.
We had a wonderful Experience on Monday. It was the Area Conference for all the Mission Presidents and their wives at a beautiful 5 star Resort in Campinas, about 50 miles from us. The AMA's (Area Medical Advisors) and their wives were invited to present their program to the Miss. Pres. wives conference and then visit with them afterward and answer questions. It was a beautiful place and it was even better to meet the sweet women who are the ones who e-mail and call Rick and Elder Hill about the problems of their missionaries. I and Sister Hill send the Wives the dictated reports of what the Dr.s recommend. So we got to visit a little with them in person this time. One of the Brazilian Sisters, Sister Pavan wanted to show me her English skills, so hugged me and said "I love you my darling." I was so excited I told her in Portuguese that we loved her too. She and Sister Prieto even gave us little gifts. I am putting some pictures on with some of them. What wonderful people. I have gained such a huge respect for the many problems that they face as Mission Father and Mother. And they should also be considered scout masters and girls camp leaders too. They could all write books on their experiences. They get this retreat every year and lasts for 3 days. Elder Neil Anderson and Elder Todd Christopherson of the Twelve Apostles came to speak to them and we also got to have dinner with them all too. What a treat. Elder Anderson's wife spoke too and she is so tiny.
Rick got the gripe or a cold last week and passed some of it on to me, but now other than the silly cough in the morning we are doing really well. Can't believe that Steven R. is 16. and big Steven is 29???
Jared, Emelia, Sam and Jess are 12 too.
Still spending a couple of hours a day on language and trying to speak to new people. Ugh. wish it would come faster. But everyone here says that it is a hard language to learn. I am also crocheting hot pads. wooo.
There are so real down times. So trying new recipes on Rick and the neighbors and going to the temple once a week. This last visit I did it all in Portuguese with some help from the veil workers. Over Easter weekend they said every session was completely full. Lots of them come and trade babysitting the kids while others go in. It is fun to come out and watch the little ones playing one the temple lawn. The membership is growing, and such interesting stories about the wards came from the Mission Presidents as they visit them.
Well today is egg salad sandwich day for lunch and then off to make a crystal Salt Lake Temple. Crafts with Sister Hill. She is going to keep me busy no matter what. I love her. She is very type A and he is just fun. Isn't it good we all go together so well. Though I would rather organize a group to go sing at nursing homes and orphanages or Seniors groups. We could even sing in Portuguese, because I have some really fun songs of the Brazilian people. But then there are really busy days that we need to be here. It is so hard to schedule much.
I love you all and hope this finds you happy and healthy and doing your duty. Have a great week and maybe I'll get the next one done sooner. If you want to get on a really fun blog go to our good friends the Kelson's on a mission in Hawaii. It is just a kick to read Sister Kelson's blog. They are proselyting missionaries there.
Jim does reactivation on a marlin fishing trip and Valerie gives cookies and copies of the Book of Mormon out of the trunk of their car in Malls. I fits them to a tee.
Abracos todos
Sister Sue, Mom and Grandma.
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