Tuesday, May 17, 2011

May 16, 2011- It´s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas...in Brasil?

Hey everyone!
Wow, the weather here is starting to get biting cold, like really it´s crazy! I would have never thought that Brasil would get this cold and everyone here keeps telling me that I haven´t seen anything yet. They say during the winter here it´s usually anywhere from 5 to 8 degrees Celsius, and it´s not uncommon for it to drop below zero. Ya, pretty cold stuff needless to say haha. Other news, I didn´t get transfered, neither did my companion, so we are still here on the island which isn´t bad because they say the island has the warmest weather in all of our mission. Hopefully I don´t get transfered to the snow covered mountains this winter, but if I do then it will definitely be an adventure haha. We are doing well here tho and are enjoying our time serving the Lord and the people here in Brasil. Also, I got Nicole and Jason´s package this last week of cookies, that was super nice of them and the cookies were still fresh and good! And yes, I was impressed by their art skills haha. President Queiroz reminded us again this week to tell people back home that if they ever send a package down here to Brazil to never declare that the value of the items in the package are more then $7. Two reasons. First, it´s more likely than not that it will get stolen. Second, if it does make it here then I have to go to the post office and pay anywhere from $80-150 to pick it up. Just a note. Anways, the Portuguese gets better everyday, having one on one conversations with people isn´t tough at all but rather when we are talking in big group settings is where I really get lost. I´m so grateful I was able to learn Spanish in AZ, not because I love Spanish, but rather because it was quite a struggle at first but eventually I was able to get it down with help from the Lord. From that experience and struggle in AZ, I´ve had a lot of comfort in seeing my progress with the Portuguese language since I have already been thru a similar situation. I think this is one of the reasons why the Lord gives us trials so that we can have strength and confidence to take on new challenges. I love you all so much and wish you all the best! Give the babies some loves for me!!!
Love,
Elder Michael J. Neilson

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

May 9, 2011- Week of Dia Das Mães!

Hey everyone!
This week was pretty solid!! We had a few baptisms this week and have a few more lined up too so that´s good. We did find out that we are getting transfered since the mission is receiving 8 new Sister missionaries and they need nice areas to work in and our area is definitely a nice one so they are clearing us out of here. I´m excited tho, it will be great to see other parts of Brazil!! Hopefully I go really far inland!! Everything is great tho and it was so great to be able to skype the family yesterday!! Give the little ones loves for me!!!!
Love,
Elder Michael J. Neilson

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

May 2, 2011- Brazil is THE Greatest Place in the World!!!!!

Hey Everyone!!
Sounds like the sealing and everything went great!!! It was pretty cool because on Sunday we actually had dinner with this family that just adopted 3 half-white, half-black teenage girls so when I showed them my family photos they absolutely LOVED them! The area where I am serving right now on the Isalnd of Floripa just keeps getting better everyday! My comp and I are really working hard and have seen some great blessings come from the Lord. My area is pretty ritzy, we still have some mid-class, but we have a ton of pro athletes, musicians and all other kinds of rich people here. The beaches and houses are pretty incredible and the food is the greatest EVER. We have more spaghetti and pizza than anything else, like at least 4-5 meals a week that we have at others´ homes are either spaghetti or pizza, I´ved yet to have a bad experince with food here. I love this place soooooo much tho and don´t even like to think about returning to the States someday (except to see friends and family again). Hope all is well and give the little ones tons of loves!!!
Love,
Elder Michael J. Neilson