May 11, 2010-Loved Talking to You Guys

Brasilia Mission with Elder Russell M. Nelson

President & Sister Pizzirani and Sister & Elder Nelson


President & Sister Pizzirani, Elder & Sister Mazzagardi,

Elder & Sister Nelson, Elder & Sister Soares, Elder & Sister Costa

Mother's Day Message

Dear Family and Friends,

It was a really good Mother's Day and I really enjoyed talking to everyone. It's crazy how fast 45 minutes can go.

These past few weeks have really slowed down, but we are still trying and we'll just try to make every day a little better.

I have some not so happy news. Fernando is no longer living in his house. We think he is living down in Dnocs, our little favela. He had a fight with his mom and she said some things about drugs and he took off. He was having a really hard time fighting them. His mom was drunk and they were both yelling and so he packed his stuff and went down there. We haven't found him since. One of the investigators the other Elders are teaching told them that Fernando, whom she knows, was begging for food yesterday. He said he had sold all of his things for drugs. So it's really hard.

(I asked him if the older sisters try to hug and kiss him and if his personal space bubble has changed. This is his answer.) The Brasilians are actually really good about the whole hugging thing-the members all know and none of my investigators have tried. I don't really feel a big change in my personal bubble. All the guys at church hug, so that's normal now, but that hasn't really changed. It might also be that Sobradinho 1 is just like a U.S. city for the social part.

To be honest, I already said everything on the phone call. I'm trying to think if there is anything this week worth noting.

It is getting really, really hot. It is overcast today and it is still 30-34 degrees.

This morning we played basketball with some of the young men. It was really fun, especially because I am terrible at basketball. And the youth we played with are taller, so I didn't have much of an advantage. But I loved it, even if I don't shoot so well.

I love Day of Preparation because once we do all of our chores and shopping, we clean house and then write letters, read or sleep. I still can't nap, so I write. But I love it, because I get to hang out in my footeball jerseys. I was going to send pictures of them and also of my shoes but this computer is not wanting to work with me.

I love you all!

Elder Barton