quickie

So, this one will have to be quick. We are going on an adventure to see some really pretty fall and the bus leaves at 11:00 (it´s 10:30 now) so this will be short and sweet.

Thanks Mom for being so spectacular! I did send Dad a birthday letter, but it will arrive late, so let him know in the interim that I love him. Also, happy birthday to Marah--she´s already two, crazy. Mom, it is true, you can buy nylons here, but if you want to wear them more than twice, it´s nice to have nice ones from the states that don´t run on the first day. They are easily enveloped if it is easier to send them in those global envelopes.

This week we had investigators in church!!!! Joaquina, Miguel and Rui were at church and they loved it. Also another investigator Maria Manuel got up and drove to church, but she couldn´t find it and so she turned around and went back home, we´ll help her find it this week. Other great things...the fleas are dead, or we haven´t had any bites to indicate otherwise. Our mission conference was really awesome. I´ve decided that they get better every time, and it isn´t them that changes, it is me. We are helping both Joaquina and Maria Manuel to stop smoking and they are doing wonderfully. We had an awesome family home evening last night with Joaquina, Miguel, and Rui in the home of a stalwart member Catarina and then we had Carla and her daughters Sophia and Catia who were given a ride by Vasco. It was a party and they all really liked it. It is fun to teach fun lessons. We are really working hard to have at least 1/3 if not 1/2 of our lessons every week with members. That means that we have fewer lessons, but they are more powerful. It is so important to have them meet real people who are living in the same community, even if they are not the best teachers. The testimony that comes from a real person living and loving the gospel with the hardships that everyone faces and the trials of daily life is so powerful. I love bringing this happiness to the people of the world. That is what the gospel is all about, it is the plan of happiness here and eternal joy to come with all of our families. Oh, and we had district meeting in the bat cave. It really looks like a bat cave and it is even accompanied by this rustic bridge...pretty cool, I´ll send pictures when I get them back. We also found a wonderful restaurant that serves real Portugues food and that is always full. If any of you come to Portugal it´s a must eat type of place. So, time´s up. Love you all, the gospel is true and the Lord does miracles every day. Keep up the good work! Love you all (especially any missionaries named Elder Thompson in Brasil)

ellen

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