Nesse Frio!?

Well it is truly winter here in Sao Paulo and with winter comes THE END OF ALL THINGS as far as any brasilian is concerned. i am still more than grateful for the cold because it more than beats the alternative. I find it humorous that there are so many things that cannot occur due to the cold or "nesse frio" (in this cold) every lunch we go to is without salad because you simply cant eat salad nesse frio. You must eat black beans nesse frio. How can you wash clothes nesse frio? and most importantly, ness frio, its hard to attend church. I mean its cold. Too cold to leave your blankets or your home.

But alas! We are back in the game with the Jose, daniol and Altamera family. We left them alone for a week or so because they werent trying to go to church or read or anything. Last week jose and danilo came to church and jose was mad and said we deserted him. So we went back and asked them why they thought we hadnt come to visit. They got the picture and this sunday All 3 of them were at church, together! Altamera never goes because shes satisified with catholicism and doesnt see the need to change. We talked about re teaching the lessons so she could see the difference and now shes making great efforts to learn. It was SUCH a surprise and a wonderful miracle!

Speaking of miracles, Raimundo, a less-active member. He is making such strides. I am so so happy for him and so grateful we got to help him on his journey back to the church. He hasnt gone to church for 40 years. 40! But now he is consuming the Book of Mormon. He calls and tells us thats hes in alma etc etc. And the book is changing his life, without a doubt. He doesnt have a desire to do the things that are inorrect anymore. We went there last week to teach him the word of wisdom and he told us that earlier that week he felt really alone and decided to go to the bar he always frequents with all of the friends he knows. When he got there he knew this wasnt where he needed to be, he knew it just didnt feel right so he went home and continued reading the Book of Mormon. We didnt even have to commit him to stop drinking, the Book of Mormon already did that for us. I have know doubt that he is back in the church for keeps. And what an example he will be for his family. Were working with him now so he can recieve the priesthood. He is so so great and well really miss him.

Today was a great day! Happy 4th of july, I celebrated at a churrascaria with most of the distict and our ward mission leaders family. It was a rodizio which means they bring huge skuirs of meat to your table and then slice you off the pieces you want. BBQ and 4th of july, how american. Afterwards we vistied this really beautiful lake and it made me miss good old folsom. It also helped me remember that brasil really is gorgeous even if JD mirna is... ya know.

Transfers next week and I think there is a good chance sister fonseca will be leaving which means ill be showing the area to someone. Probably a brasilian someone. Haha, wish me luck!

I guess thats all for today. I love you all!