August 10, 2010

tudo bom family, 
tudo bom means "all good".  if you say it like a question you're asking "everything okay"? and you can respond right back with tudo bom.

i leave the mtc aug 31.

we did go proselyting. it was crazy. i was super nervous. i fasted before and then we went. we each had two book of mormons to hand out. elder andersen and i had 40 contacts and handed out 4 books, a pamphlet, and a couple of cards.

the area around the mtc is called casa verde. every friday elders go out and hand out book of mormons, so pretty much everyone has a book of mormon haha. the lady we gave our first book of mormon too was cool. she seemed pretty interested and i felt at peace while i was talking to her. there is a new lds chapel that is having an open house this week. we were able to invite people to that, which was neat. also the mtc choir is going to sing at the open house. it goes for the next four nights. our district all wanted to sing so we are doing choir this week. it should be really cool. the new chapel is really pretty. there were some people that i had no idea what they were saying during proselyting haha. it wasn't too bad with the language though. not bad for 5 1/2 weeks. we go again in a week and a half to a city square in downtown sao paulo.

this week on friday we have our first trc. im kind of nervous. practicing always makes me nervous. i should probably get over that haha. hopefully it will get easier with time.

i'm really enjoying being in the mtc right now. i cannot believe that i've been here for 6 weeks. it's gone by quick. 3 weeks seems super soon to go to the field. im excited but also scared out of my mind haha.

today was a good pday. went to the temple. the sao paulo temple will be closed for the next two weeks, which means today was our last time at the sao paulo temple. it is super beautiful. were hoping that we get to go to campinas next week our in two weeks. it's a little further away though.

for lunch today we went to the juice place and this time got hamburgers too. they were sooo good. we also went to a pastel place. they fry it right in front of you. i got a dulce de leite with bananas pastel covered with cinnamon and sugar. it was delicious.

tonight for devotional the area president is going to speak, pres ullyses soares. should be good.

sunday was really good this week. i had to speak on patience. what happens is we all have to prepare talks on a subject in pmg chapter 6 and then right at the sacrament is done he calls on 4 elders. ive been called on twice now.

we got a new district in our branch. we were alone for a week. this last week about 40 american elders came here. most from provo but some from home. i guess they all got their visas.

anyway sunday was good because they showed the joseph smith movie. i love that movie sooo much. every time i watch it i feel the spirit and my testimony is strengthened. joseph smith was a prophet of god.

i know that the lord is aware of us and that he loves us. thanks for the letters. i love you so much. stay strong and do the things you need to. keep me updated.
elder hawkley