July 4th

Happy 4th of July! I remembered it today as I was walking to catch a bus with my companion and I broke out in song and sang the entire National Anthem. I remember last year and feeling so much pride, but so much hurt in my heart as well being away from all of you. Honestly, I don't feel pain today. I know that sounds rough, but I can truthfully say I don't want to be anywhere else.

I love Santana and I love doing this work. I love my companion Elder Galvão. We are both equal in our responsibilities. There is no senior or junior zone leader. He is definitely teaching me what to do. Today we had a zone activity where we played volleyball, ate hot dogs, and ate açaí. Açaí is one of the greatest creations ever. My bowl of açaí was huge, and with the hot dogs, it felt 4th of Julyish. Some of the other Sister missionaries in the interior came to our activity as well as another set of elders, so it was a blast with a lot of people. I was able to strengthen and create some new friendships, and that makes me so happy. I think what I love about missionary life is the simplicity. I was talking to Elder Galvão about what is it that makes us the happiest, and it's such little things. We bought TONS of fruit and vegetables, and have been making smoothies everyday for breakfast and it just makes me so happy eating natural foods. Friendships and smiles are a reason to be happy, but in our normal daily routine, sometimes these producers of joy pass us by without us realizing it.

This last week of work was great. I love my companion so much. Our conversations are so rich. We talk about things that are so important, we have religious subjects and questions in our hearts that we discuss and trade ideas. It's so great. The area is coming along, and we will have a baptism this next Sunday. The other Elders that were working here had some people progressing so we are trying to keep this work going. The work is a little bit more exhausting right now, so I really need prayers that I can receive physical strength from the Lord. Saturday I fell asleep and slept for 3 hours on my knees. I believe it was Thursday and my companion and I were walking in the street, and I felt a little tired. I didn't want to open my mouth, and I wasn't being super effective. I reflecting on this emotion the following days, and I thought a lot. I pray I can express this thought to those who read this, because it means a lot to me. Many times in my life, I don't live life to the fullest. I am doing one thing, but thinking about another. I am doing exercises, but thinking about scriptures. I am reading my scriptures, but thinking about leaving the house. I am walking in the street, and thinking about how excited I am to lay on my bed and talk to Elder Galvão and rest. But during my day, and all of our days, we have our daily routine. I have time to do my exercises, study my scriptures, work, and do all of these things, and every night I will return and talk to Elder Galvão resting at night time. All of these things will happen. Independent of where my mind is, I will do exercises, study my scriptures, work, and do all of these things. I have had days where my body was doing these things, but my mind was off thinking about a million other things. I studied scriptures without have anything really enter my heart. Taught a lesson without truly loving the person. I believe that the men who made a great difference in the world, were men who were very involved. They were very involved in all they did, including those ideas and desires they sacrificed to bring about.

In church yesterday, I listened to a talk yesterday of a man named Daurt. I could feel what he said. He was saying all of the right things, but I know he could feel them as well. I felt it in the words he said. He was without guile and the scriptures might describe him. His testimony was powerful, and the Holy Ghost touched my heart as I saw tears in his sincere eyes. I left with a great desire to be better. After lunch, I read in The Book of Mormon for a few minutes and I felt such a desire to share the gospel. I felt the desire to smile at all I saw, for I was happy. My heart killed me when people didn't understand. I wanted to correct them and make them understand, but I swallowed that passion, and tried to make a friend for the church.

We met with President and Sister Martins on Friday and I love them. He jokes around a lot, and has an incredible knowledge of the scriptures. I was so amazing by his knowledge. Sister Martins is a powerful woman, who is great in front of people, and used a private conversation with me to teach my true principles. They are very sharp people. Their daughter, Christina, is here in Brasil as well and is going to start her Junior year of high school online. My President taught us some awesome things about the devotion and faith he learned from his father when they were members of the Catholic church. He told us that we can't make a convert out of everyone we talk to, but you can at least make a friend for the church. He said the church needs more friends. He put to words things that I believe but haven't known exactly how to say. He and his wife communicated a lot of love to us. Sister Martins is like a sweet grandmother. I will see them at mission counsel on Wednesday.

Well I hope you all have a wonderful week. I have been praying for all of you in the struggles I am aware of. I hope that the surgery with Grandpa goes well, and I will be praying for him. I love you all. I'm grateful for our wonderful country. I'm proud to be an American. God bless the USA.