March 1, 2013

So yes you will have to learn how to read Portuguese. haha just kidding. i am just trying to fala minha lingua, speak my language. it was cool this week we got to here elder Ballard on Tuesday. you know the apostle. not really that big of a deal! but seriously it was super awesome and i got to sing in the choir for him. we sang consider the Lilies. dad i thought you might want to know that since you listened to that one album by motab consider the lilies just about a million times. it was pretty cool. Elder Ballard talked about how we had been prepared for our calls ever since primary. he was sure that if he took out any of the missionaries out into the hallways they would be able to answer any question about basic doctrine. he especially assured us if we knew that Jesus Christ is the redeemer of the world and is the son of God then we will be effective missionaries. it comforted me a ton. I always have this constant internal struggle of will i be good enough or will i measure up to the bar that the lord has set for me, and i doubt myself alot, mas eu se que Jesus Cristo e minha redentor e salvador. i know that Jesus Christ is my savior and redeemer. And, i need to stop doubting whether i am good enough because that is not faith. i need to be patient in my afflictions and he will be there for me. i know that is true. he also promised that we will be able to be closer to the savior than we can even imagine. So that talk was a great comfort to me. in other news, so my companion got his visa and one other from our district got there visas and are now in Brazil. they are elder Turley, the other one, my companion Elder Pane. so now Turley's companion elder Young from Burly Idaho is my new Comp. oh and this last Sunday we were made Zone leaders. it is pretty Legal (cool). ha it was a little intimidating because we have only been here for 2 weeks but it is okay. I have been prepared. also we are now teaching 2 investigators in our classes and that is kinda difficult and i still need to use notes, but it is really otimo (awesome)! um things that i need... well i would love another suit cause mine pretty estinky. i am fine on toothpaste and all of that. i would really some ice breaker duo mints. the strawberry kind since we can't chew gum here. and yes mom short sleeves are okay here. also some of my sweaters that i wear to church so i can give my suit a break. the other thing i definitely need here are some heavier sweats like you can send my Tye dye ones or just some thicker ones, some more t shirts cause we have gym everyday and they get really stinky fast. packages are just fine to send. you can send whatever else you think i need. i love to hear from both of you in letter and email. obrigado por sua amor e forca. thanks for your love and strength. i am glad to hear you are over the flu. eu amo voce. i love you. Elder Bell.

it is great to hear from you too! aww i love hearing stuff from just about anyone but especially fam! i  never new that i would be so excited to get mail and emails! i love it hear! you are right big bro! the spirit is very strong here! i have gone to Provo temple twice so far and it is pretty awesome. i just love the temple! my favorite part about it here though is my district. they are just all spiritual giants and that is when i feel the spirit the strongest is when they have born their testimonies in class. it is pretty legal (cool) praying in Portuguese too! but yes i have cut back on ranch cause i can make fry sauce everyday. the mtc food is really good, but it does destroy my bowels though. i think i have gained 4 pounds since i have been hear. ha. and yes on the whole splitting mission thing, i have no idea.  obrigado irmo. eu amo voces. you both are awesome! thank you for your help!  Love, Elder Bell