What a Trunky Week

85092 steps, 51.05 km. So, to start off the week, I got my flight plan to go home. Then, a sister misisonary from this ward got home and I saw her take off her nametag. Then I heard her homecoming talk. I was just thinking about when that'll be me, in 2 months. But, it was a pretty good week overall. It rained a couple days, which was quite needed and also helped to cool down the rest of the week. One other thing, a member gave me a physics book in Portuguese for me to study. So, I've been studying it for my language study and it's been quite fun. I've learned a lot. This past week, we've really just been trying to find good people to teach. One really cool experience: We went to visit a man (less-active) 2 weeks ago. He was drunk and being threatened by his wife with a knife. It was a kinda scary situation. This week, he came to church, dressed up with a tie and everything and hadn't had a drink for a week. He looked really happy. It makes everything worth it when you can see the difference you make in people's lives.

Love you all!

-Elder Michael Carlson

Queimadas!

111485 steps, 66.89 km. Well, this week was quite interesting. We have been trying to get this area off the ground but we ran into trials very early on. My companion got dengue and couldn't leave the house for 3 days. So I left with members every day. Which was quite good. Also, we've been trying to find people to teach but most everybody here is decidedly Catholic. It is quite hot here. Church was good though. Even if it was quite small. We were able to bring quite a few people to church and from what I heard they all liked it. To explain the photos: The first one is at a pizza buffet for my birthday. The man on the right is a member who helped us out all the time. On my plate is banana pizza. Who'da thought? The second one is us with the bishop of my past ward. He was pretty awesome. The third is a picture of a little lizard I found in the apartment. They're everywhere here in brazil.

Have a great week!

-Elder Michael Carlson

[Michael received his flight itinerary this week. He will arrive home on July 3. Woohoo!!!]

[We asked Michael about the ward in Queimadas. He said:]

Yesterday, the attendance was 58 people. It's a small ward. We meet in an apartment-style building. A lot of the leadership is from 18 year-olds. It's mostly the young people who are active in the church.

Yet Another Week in the Mission

84576 steps 50.74 km. Well, my 95% certainty that I would stay apparently wasn't enough. I got transferred. I don't know why. From all my areas, I've stayed in one for more than 2-3 months. And that one was in the United States. The past week was a hard one. We finished my birthday without much celebration, we saw a horse farm and watched a horse lose his man parts. Very interesting and quite gross. We went through the week, visiting with a bunch of people and letting Elder Hubbard say bye to them. Then, Sunday evening, against all odds, came the call that I would be transferred. I am now in a small city outside of Campina Grande called Queimadas, which being interpreted is "burned ones". It really lives up to its name. It is quite hot here. My companion, Elder Gonzalez is from Chile and has a year on the mission. I am also living with Elder Clark (from Utah) and Elder Loaiza. We live in a very small apartment with bunk beds and no water. I am loving my life...

Love ya,

-Elder Michael Carlson

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!

82136, 49.28. IT'S MY BIRFDAY! I have eaten cake and opened presents, so it's official. This past week was very full. One thing I must explain is the Brazilian way of celebrating Easter. The Easter Sunday isn't really that important, it's the entire passion week. So, all week long, nobody can eat meat, just fish. I'm not really sure why but it's a thing. And, everyone gets really drunk on wine instead of beer. Then, on Sunday, instead of having plastic eggs filled with candy hidden around the house, they just have one really big chocolate egg that they give to the children. Not nearly as fun. So, after much tribulation, we finally had Carla's baptism. We were going to have it on Saturday at 7 after the Conference sessions, but when we went to look at the water we had put in the font that morning, it was all gone! There was another Elder that had had a baptism between the two sessions and he had drained all the water. And, the water rationing had started, so we couldn't just fill it up again... The next day, we found out that the church has a very large water storage system, so we were able to fill the font. But then two other missionaries also had baptisms, but they hadn't prepared anything. So, instead of going with the program that we had already planned, they decided to throw it away and make everything up on the spot. It was very stressful and frustrating. But, now it's done. Conference was really good though. Talked a lot about marriage and how to avoid worldly fear. I learned quite a lot. One funny thing: When President Monson talked about his story of his mission interview, I thought to myself, "Have I had the ministring of angels?" The answer came quite rapidly: Just my parents!

Love you all!

-Elder Michael Carlson

[In a separate email, Michael told us what he was planning to do for his birthday today]

Tonight we're going to a pizza place and I'm going to eat their pizza buffet for free! (my favorite)

[We also asked him about transfers next week]

President made a rule that missionaries are going to stay in their areas for at least 6 months, so I'm 95% sure that I'm going to end my mission here.