Hamann and Rich Baptism & Co

Man, these past 2 weeks have been great! Well, if I'm being honest, they've been weird and full of emotions. First off, sorry I missed a week...I have a lot of photos this week and hope it will make up for it! Soooooo, to start off, last week we were teaching someone regularly and we went to their house one day and her husband said she decided to travel (out of the blue) for the holiday. The holiday that's happening right now, São João. I have no clue why people celebrate this holiday and neither do they because I actually asked a lot of people... So, we had to find more promising places to bring people unto Christ. The next week (or this past week) we talked with over 100 people...making contacts...and we found some good people to teach, so we were all excited to teach them! BUT, we found out that the area we were working in WASNT OURS! We had a lot of references for our buddies though, so its all good and they were really thankful, so it all worked out! It was kinda funny actually. but it also sucks cause we have to find a new group to teach. But, at the end of this week, we met with some less active members and we are going to marry them and baptize the husband (in a month but still, YAY!). Also on Sunday, we started a mini MTC for the youth in the ward where we talk about how to be a missionary and how to help the missionaries. The first meeting held was awesome and i recognized something really important. Not all of us have the same opportunities in this life. In our class, we had our Bishop who never served a mission because he was baptized in the church when he was older, so he couldnt serve like I am. As he was talking, I almost felt the regret about his missed opportunity, but he was elated when we talked about serving a mission as a married couple. I am so thankful for my experience out here and am loving every struggle and every difficulty because i have the chance to grow and change to be more like the Savior. I hope everyone reading this email will look at the opportunities that the Lord has provided for them and, to quote Robin Williams in the Dead Poet Society,  "Carpe Deim! ​...Seize the Day!" Hope you all are well and know that I love you! HAVE A GREAT WEEK!

The photos are mostly of what people do this holiday and the video is of a presentation of the youth in the ward! They have huge fires in the road and launch fireworks throughout the day. The photo of the group was our mini MTC!​

Nova Area Nova Me

Man, oh man! What a week! We had transfers and I am in a new area! Cidade Nova with Elder Hamann! He is awesome and is from São Paulo. I also had a baptism this week which was awesome because of the hard work of the people before me. I love it here so far and can't wait to share more next week!​

Transfers!!!

Man, this past week has been full of good times and tons of memories! Tuesday, we went over to an investigators house who has been going to church for 8 months. Her son was on a mission and had come home like a month back. Well, we finally got the interview for the baptism done. Her son, Borus, had the opportunity to baptize his mom, which was an amazing experience for me to watch and feel the spirit. Everyone from the ward that could be there was there supporting her because she was already a part of the ward. She had been going to the ward for almost a year! Everyone brought food to the baptism. We had something like 5 cakes, some drinks and someone even brought a pizza! It was amazing seeing this family be completely in the church. I love my job!

 Its strange because we have transfers coming up and I am being transfered to a new area (which is awesome)! All the people you grew close to and have helped are all going to stay. I just want to bring everyone with me and have everyone move to my next area. Its crazy how fast I grew close to the people that live here in this ward. I´ve been here for 4 1/2 months and I feel like I have my own family membera in the ward. There is one little girl, her name is Biatriz, who knew that I was going to be leaving, so she drew me a little picture with me and her (the flying person in the photo is God). I almost cried (to be 100% honest) when she gave it to me because she was actually sad that I was going to leave. But after I explained that I have to help other people in a different area and she understood. Its sad, but I guess you gotta move on eventually! I'm excited to see what its like in Cidade Nova and for my new comp! It'll be the first time that I get a new comp in the mission after 5 months lol! Hope you all have a great week! 

Tchau! Eu amo vocês