Local Art?
And the clean freezer award goes to Elders Webb and Afonso. They explained that since there isn't anything much in their refrigerator anyway, they just turn it off every night to save energy. Whatever ice buildup there is melts into the drawer below, they dump it, plug it in next morning and voila, no ice! Wow, why didn't I think of that. When I see the empty refrigerators, I wish I'd brought along some ice cream, some food to give them. Ed reassures me that nobody in Brazil eats much breakfast and they eat one big meal at members houses so they really don't need much food stocked up.
We had an interesting experience visiting an apartment last Friday. It's easy to get lost here, which we do regularly. We had been to Jardim America's apartment one time before with President Emerick so we thought we could find our way there this time, but sure enough, there was a detour, lots of traffic, no street signs, and we were totally lost and late for an inspection. With a prayer in our hearts we kept going, turned right, turned left, and wandered here and there. Believe it or not, we ended up at the apartment, and still don't know how we found it. Well, yes we do know. It was a miracle.
We are receiving 10 new missionaries this week and 14 are going home. It should be a really busy week. Today was the deadline for last months baptism forms to be submitted. We processed in the last month 200 baptisms/confirmations in our mission. The wards have a real challenge fellowshipping so many new members each month.
We came home from the office today in a brand spanking clean car to a brand spanking clean apartment and feel grateful. There is a man who has a car washing business on the end of the block where the office is. He drums up business from the workers in the area and washes the cars by hand in the street for about 4 bucks. Does a wonderful job. Our rent includes a weekly thorough cleaning of our apartment which is really helpful because we don't have a lot of time or energy at night.
Last Friday was our 44th wedding anniversary. Where have the years gone. We have yet to celebrate it. Maybe we'll save up this years and next years celebrations and do something wild when we get home. For some reason, even though we weren't able to see you really often before our mission, there is something about being 10,000 miles away that makes us especially homesick for family and friends. We love hearing from you.
