I can change things and it doesn't matter if I'm the brand new greenie.

So remember that week I had in the CTM where I talked about having kind of a turnaround with the district? This week was kinda similar.

 
I'll start back on the last P-day. We stayed at the district leader's house for the weekend for general conference and p-day. After emailing last week we went back and everyone wanted churrrasco, but no one knew how to cook it.  I claimed I did (I know how to make Texas barbecue not Brazilian) so I was dubbed the churrasco boy. I just want to claim that I am the Grill Master. That stuff straight up tasted like Fogo!! I was surprised at myself. That's what I do a lot of times. I act like I know what I'm doing when in all honesty I don't. Kind of like when I cut the entire district's hair in the CTM the last week. Oh - and my haircut in all the pics for the last 5 weeks. Yeah, I did that myself and told an elder what to do for the parts I couldn't do. I'm a haircut master too. You taught me well, Obi Wan.

Then Tuesday we had a district meeting and after we went on splits. I was with another elder for the next 24 hours. I was pretty excited because I got to be the leader and do most of the talking with the investigators. I was also slightly nervous because I got to be the leader and do most of the talking with the investigators. With a lot of prayers and just going for it, it was one of the best days on the mission!!! I extended a baptism invitation, taught the plan of salvation to another visited a lot of the investigators to check with them and share a small message. It was by far the most talking I'd done and it went so smoothly. (I also got a mommy package with peanut butter, candy and toothpaste.  That upped the cool factor as well.)

Shout out to Ashley for sending me honey!  Nothing better than peanut butter and honey toast!

  The next day we did the companion switch. Let me take two seconds to whine about how much I hate the bus. I get sick every time, there are always WAY too many people, and its just not fun. Throw expensive in there too. But anyways, my comp was back and it was a normal day of work.

 

Elder Little and Lucas

  The day after that we went on splits with two members to do some finding. I had gotten pretty sick that day and felt like I was dragging my face through gravel all day. After knocking a few doors Lucas (the member that got home from his mission in Curitiba South 4 months ago) sat me down on a bench to talk and rest for a minute. He said he noticed how happy I was with the other elder that one day, but that I was a lot quieter and didn't look as happy. I then talked about how frustrated I've been lately with the lack of adherence to the rules. It's hard for me to fix things because I didn't have the confidence or the words to really be firm and tell him we gotta get our butts moving and change some things. Lucas helped me out a ton by just listening and telling me I just gotta be firm. We talked a while and I really felt a ton better afterwards. I went back to knocking doors after that and really felt good. I made the best contacts I've ever made. We got into one home and taught the restoration and will be going back soon.

  The next morning I was the only one awake until 8:00 and I started studying like normal. I studied straight through companion study hour, greenie training hour then moved on to language study. At 11:00 I was pretty frustrated. I opened an Ashley letter labeled "when you need an inspiration".. It had a note from everyone in the family for me. I was out behind the house in my little sanctuary reading these notes and crying. I felt super good after wards and there will definately be a lot of things changing in the coming week. It was a good week for me to just realize that I can change things and it doesn't matter if I'm the brand new greenie. I need to take charge if things aren't going like they should ( stay tuned for next weeks episode....)

Texas skies in Brazil!

 A week of a lot of ineffective time usage and when I look back on the week, I can see how ineffective our work was. We taught a lot of lessons, we found new people, we had little miracles, but we did not have any moments where it really  felt like we were changing lives and magnifying the calling. That comes through exact obedience and an effort to always do the extra. We didn't have that this week and it shows. 

   Our investigators are really doing well and we have some new ones. One lady came out and called for us to come pray for her because she was confused about religion!! She has a lot of doubts but is showing tons of faith and progressing well already. My language is getting so much better. I've been putting forth a lot more effort to be a part of conversations and not just be lost in the blur of fast slang filled conversations.

  I'm really grateful for this week because I learned a ton. Everything happens for a reason, and as frustrated as I was this week, it's good it happened here at the beginning so I can learn fast. 

Also, I just want to let everyone know that if you drive outside my house with a loudspeaker announcing " 3 pineapples for 5 real" I will chase you down with money.

Gotta go now! Love you tons and have a happy birthday!!