August 4, 2009

Jason's letter:

Subject: That's it!

Hello Everybody!

After 2 years, I'm coming home. I've asked and asked for an extension, but they always make some excuse about visas and passports. Ha! They probably just don't want me around anymore.

Well, I've got some good news as well. Ana Caroline (Carol) said that she wants to be baptized! She's already been going to church for quite some time. Her older bother, Marcelo, is in the Elders' Quorum presidency, so that'll be a good support for her.

More good news! Carol's brother-in-law, Orlando, that was a little hesitant on baptism now accepted it firmly. I think finding out that he wouldn't be baptized alone gave him the courage to go through with it. Marcelo will baptize both of them this Saturday.

Even more good news! Sandro and Danilo are both preparing well for baptism not this Sunday, but the next. I won't be here, but Elder Young promised to send me the pictures.

Lucas is doing well. He's been coming to church regularly, but keeping the Word of Wisdom is being a little harder than he thought. I think within another month he'll be ready to go.

Aléxia unfortunately has asked us to not visit her anymore. It's sad because she was so excited for baptism 3 weeks ago. Suelen's mom still won't authorize it. It's funny how she'd let her participate in any inappropriate activity, but now won't let her go to church anymore.

Adalberto and Erik just need a push from the Spirit into the baptismal font. Both of them have passed that baptismal interview, but then started feeling hesitant.

On Thursday, one of the missionaries from the ward where where we are serving ended his mission. We were in the MTC together. This week another comes home.

On Friday, Presient and Sister came to inspect our house and do interviews. I'll have to say that the house was pretty spotless. Interviews with President are always great.

On Saturday, the Bishop took us to eat at a really fancy restaurant. We challenged my companion and he ended up eating pig tail, pig ear, pig shin, cow intestine, chicken heart, and chicken gizzard. After two years of experience, I stuck to the mashed potatoes, fried bananas, salad, beef, and of course- rice and beans.

Today we went to the Altino Aranted building. For over 20 years it was the tallest building in São Paulo. I bet it even gets close to beating the Rexburg Water Tower. It has a great view. I've never seen so many sky-scrapers. We could see only skyscrapers until the horizan in every direction. We met a Brazilian lady there that had been majoring in math at BYU-Idaho. She'll be heading off on her mission in a couple weeks, so I don't think we'll run into each other after I get back.

Book of Mormon reading:

English: I finished the Book of Mormon sometime the week before last. Now I'm doing a study on all the chapters on the Atonement.

Portuguese: I've been reading out loud in Portuguese. This morning I read one of the saddest parts. Teancum died. :(

Well, Goodbye for now!

Love you all.

--

Elder Jason Morgan Allred



P.S. I don't know if I'll have time to email home next week, seeing as how they're kicking me out of this place.