Three months out - but who is counting?

Entering the coastal town of Ponta de Pedra on a P-day recently.

Some answers to common questions asked of us in emails:
I am happy to report that bugs have not been a problem. Once in awhile we have a few tiny ants in the kitchen but if we clean up after each meal they are pretty much not around any more. A few flea bites (I think from the beach so near). We have a fairly new apartment so even cockroaches are rare. Boy, my first mission they were big and in abundance. We have no screens (45 years ago I asked the same question Why? no one knows - they just do not use them). Fortunately very few flies and any other bugs at least in our apartment. We have A.C and so keep the windows closed most of the time and that helps a lot. - The Elders love to visit both the office and our house for that reason. They suffer the humidity 24-7 except at church. We have great buildings here and they all have A.C. in the chapel and the cultural hall. I would join up just for that reason alone! We visited some Elders today in a pretty run down area and hands down the LDS church was the best most beautiful building in town. The church has spared no cost in building somereally nice facilities. We also have a beautiful Temple here that is in my opinion the most beautiful building in Recife. Also right next to the temple is a large building with dormitory rooms (with air) and a very large kitchen area where families can cook and stay up to a week in the rooms. Only requirement is that they attend the temple each day. These are people who come from the interior and stay in what for many of them is the nicest place they have ever stayed in. The temple to some of these people surely is like being in heaven on earth. It is pleasing to know that the most humble of members can experience such wonderful facilities.
We have felt very safe here. We are most likely a little naive but on the other hand there has not, to my knowledge, been a mugging or a Sister or Elder having been bothered. We are warned to use good common sense. No flashy clothes or costly jewelry. Even my Mickie watch stays home on walk days. The mission office is located in the heart of a hospital district. We are told (Jessie visited one of the sisters in the hospital) that the medical service is first rate. Notwithstanding, I am not anxious to try it out. The one thing that is sort of is a trial to my soul is the lines everywhere. The store, the bank,and everything you want or need to buy - you wait in long lines and they seem to move ever so slowly. Jessie reminds me that we are talking about more than 4 million people living in the greater Recife area and that is more than the entire state of Utah. Of course there will be lines! People are very friendly and eager to help you out and they are patient with our lack of good (sometimes no) Portuguese. We miss certain items that just are not here - like good milk that is not powered and peanut butter and mapleine for syrup. Small sacrifices indeed and over all the food is just fine. Ice cream is good. We do have to buy water for drinking and cooking and toothbrushing, but it is delivered. Usually by a guy on a bike with up to four five gallon jugs on the front and back.

Driving is a real kick - picture a school of fish that moves fast but almost never runs into each other. That's what we drive in. Anything goes - no rules ( at least that anyone pays attention to), get in and go for it! For a guy pushing 69 years old I am keeping up with the guy next to me even if he turns in front of me and makes a left turn from three lanes over! I have not learned any Brazilian swear words yet and intend not to. The potholes are something else and you hope not to disappear in one when it is raining like all get out. We have not run out of meds yet but we found out that medicine can be purchased without a prescription from the drugstore over the counter. It sometimes is not the same type or quality of medicine we buy in the states though.

The office Elders were over yesterday for lunch and some of Jessie's famous homemade chicken noodle soup and hot biscuits and it was fun to see how they loved it and just how much they can put away!

The language is still a huge source of worry for both of us but we try to remember that we are doing our best and must leave the rest up to the Lord. Sometimes I will hear someone give a talk in church and say to myself, "wow, I understood just about 100% of that talk" - then the next person will get up and with a heavy Recife accent, talking a mile a minute and I will be lucky to catch 50% of what he said. I am getting better at bluffing through a conversation - like yeah, I am getting all this stuff and I smile and shake my head in agreement - inside I am saying - what the heck is he talking about anyway!!! All in all life is good and as long as we have each other and the help of heaven - we will enjoy this wonderful experience and appreciate each day.
Abraço a voces.
Elder and Sister Ivey (Grandma and Grandpa, Mom and Dad)