A Week of Hospitals

84042 steps, 50.42km. Well, this past week was very full. On Tuesday, I got sick again, and since I already would pass by the hospital because of a district meeting, I went and try to fix me. They gave me an IV and told me they don't know what I had. Then I went home. I got better after sleeping for quite a while. Then, I worked normally throughout the week. One funny thing that happened: As we were walking one day, we passed by two girls and after we passed, one of them shouted, "What beautiful eyes!" So we turned around and invited them to church. It was pretty great. Also, yesterday, Vania was baptized, which was great. Then, to explain why I'm emailing so late: Yesterday, I got really sick. I had a really bad fever and I was all sore. So, after the baptism ended at 8 PM, I went to the hospital. It's just that we had to wait for someone to take us there since the busses had already stopped. We had to wait until about 11 PM for him to take us. So we got to the hospital at 11:30 and they gave me 3 IVs. I was finished about 1 AM, so we had to sleep there at the hospital. We slept in some arm chairs with the lights on all night. It was pretty horrible. I did not sleep well. Then, in the morning, I had to do a blood exam. So, they took my blood and I waited for the results. And I waited and waited and waited. Then, after 3 hours of waiting, they told me that their machine was broken and the results would only come tomorrow. Then, we went and saw a member that works close by the hospital. When we got back, we tried to send emails but all the places were closed. So, we went to the apartment and I took a nap. It was very nice. I slept very hard. Then, we passed by one of the places to send emails and then after half an hour the guy had to leave, so we had to go somewhere else in order to finish our emailing. It was a very crazy week overall. But that's the mission. Also, there was transfers this past week, but everyone with whom I am living is staying. There wasn't any changes. I'm sad and happy about it. I am happy that I didn't leave.

Love you all!

-Elder Michael Carlson

[In a separate email, Michael told us about a family he's working with]

One family that we've been working with (that we found this past week) is a mother, father and boy of 14 years. The mother has been looking for the true church in order to stay in it and she feels very strongly that it is this one. They're a great family with a lot of potential.

[We also received some pictures from the mother of Michael's previous companion]

Butterflies and Flower-Kissers

88551, 53.13. So, to explain the subject, there are lots of butterflies and hummingbirds here in Queimadas (I've just forgotten to say anything until now) and the literal translation for the word in portuguese for hummingbird is flower-kisser. This week was pretty good - kinda normal. We did have a zone conference where we talked about how all we should do is baptize. Then, I went on an exchange with a missionary from my MTC group, Elder Anderson. It was a pretty great exchange, he's a good missionary. And in the middle of it, the AP's said that they were going to do an exchange with us. So, I went with one and wandered around trying to find people to teach. It was pretty nuts. We also went to a really far away birthday party (45 min walking), that was pretty fun. They had a barbeque and everything. Also, for some reason, I got really, really sick on Sunday. I have no idea why. I had a fever and pains all over the place. But then I took some drugs and it was all better. And now, today, I don't have any more symptoms. I guess it was some nasty food poisoning. One more thing: This is the last week people should send mail if they want to be certain that I will receive it. All mail is very appreciated.

I hope you all have a great week!

Love you all!

-Elder Michael Carlson

Sunset in Queimadas

The city of Queimadas

Happy Star Wars Day!

80204, 48.12. So, I am convinced that the mail system here in Brazil is directly controlled by God. He holds back the letters for exactly when we need them. This past week, I was the envy of all the missionaries, receiving a grand total of 16 letters! I was in much need of that love, so it was very good. Also, Matt sent me a talk titled, "Is It Worth It?" Which, not only did I need to read but an investigator that we have really needed to hear the message it contained. Another funny thing that happened: I got a bit sick. It was a nasty cold, so I went to the hospital, like Sister told me to. When I got there, I had to wait over an hour just to talk to the doctor. I told him my symptoms, runny nose, headache, weakness. He told me that I had a virus and I would take an IV, then take a day of rest. It was the first IV of my life. They're kinda obsessed with them here. They say, oh you have a cold? Take an IV. Oh, you got hit by a car? Take an IV. Your son is sick? Take an IV. It wasnt too bad but it took a while. Then the day after, I had to stay inside, which was pretty weird. I think its one of the only times I've stayed inside because I was sick. It was a very full week.

Also, HAPPY 30TH ANNIVERSARY PARENTS!

-Elder Michael Carlson

[A note of explanation: We have a family joke on the 4th day of the month saying 'May the fourth be with you' instead of 'May the force be with you'.]

[Michael shared a couple more things with us in a separate email. The first was that he had a good meeting with the mission president this past week and that he 'enjoyed it quite a lot'. One of the things his mission president told him was that 'The more difficult your mission is, the more blessings you will receive afterwards.' Michael also told us about the young man who is the Ward Mission Leader in their ward. He's preparing to serve a mission himself so he helps the full-time missionaries quite a lot.]

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.