listen to our message

Hey mom! So I left my planner at the house... and it has all the stuff that I wanted to put in my email.. Hmmm, So this week, lets see if I can remember all that happened. Well, I remember in one of my lessons. We were teaching a man called Carlos. And we showed up at his house, and theres music blasting and a bunch of guys drinking, watching soccer. So we get Carlos and bring him to the front porch and start to teach him. And It was hard for us to hear him or for him to hear us. And like halfway through my comp gave me a scripture to read. I think it was moroni 10:5 or 6. And when he gave it to me I felt prompted to read this scripture as loud as I could. So I did. And when I finished reading. The music turned off in the house and everyone in the house is just staring at me saying stuff like, ahh, very true, very true. And we got 3 other men to come out of the house from drinking to listen to our message. And they all have baptismal dates! They just need to quit drinking.. But I know they will.

This mission has a new rule. and has been a rule for a while now. Were not allowed to baptize anyone under the age of 18 unless we baptize them with their parents. or their father. So its a challenge now. But very rewarding when we do baptize a family. So thats our main fasting and prayers, are to find elite families that are ready for baptism. Were preparing a handful of families for baptism. Those should be sweet photos :D

Hmm, I remember I was at a members house eating lunch and I was sitting at a table with the wall of the house to my back, and my comp was like Elder theres a spider behind you, and I have the biggest fear in the world how everyone knows. So I was just like, dude, I dont want to even look at it, just thinking that it was a normal spider the size of my finger nail or something, so just kill it in one hit please. And hes just sitting there laughing and freakin out, So I turn around and mom.. This spider was as big as my head. I almost tipped over the table trying to get out of there. And everyone was just laughing haha. I could have died! I hate those things.

And at a different house for lunch. I got to hold 3 parrots at one time, The colors of them were amazing. But of course I didnt have my camera on me. They were all talking to each other, It was a pretty sweet experience.

Hmm, Last week we went to Belem. It was great, President and Sister Campos are so cool. And I got to see all my friends. Elder Looper has been my best friend from the beginning. And Elder Skabelund is another American that im pretty tight with. And the rest of my friends are brasilians. its great getting to talk to your old comps too. Seeing how your old area is. and that sort of stuff! Ahh, But the highlight! I wasnt expecting a package! My comp is like cara! You got a huge package! Ahhh, Sister Burton! ha! I was starting to think I would never see peanut butter again! And she threw in a life supply of ranch!! Definitly doesnt exist here! My comp loves it! haha. But hes using wayyy too much on this stuff haha. Anyways, she also gave me a bunch of little toys to give to the kids here. I keep one toy in my bag to give to kids when they go crazy during one of my lessons. Its GREAT.

 Destinee is in show choir?? I didnt know that! And she got second place? Siiick! Steve is getting married? whhhhaaaaaaaaattttttt?? Did he renew his eharmony account? haha jk. Congrats. Oh, and the only other thing that I can think of is I dont remember how to say it but, a razor machine for shaving!! If you can, You dont have to if ya dont want to. But a nice one, not a cheap one that will mess up my beautiful face :D. Im not taking as many pics as I was at the beginning of the mission. Sorry. Ill try harder. And the next time ill be able to send pics is when I get that card reader ha. So lets see how much more skinnier I can get by then!

Keep up the prayers and the letters and the packages! :D hehe, I love you guys. Love you mom! fala por jimmy que ele é uma fubecka por nao escrevindo! E agora eu sei como sentindo quando sol tem uma email por P-Day! Te amo cara! Ate proximo segunda feira! Tchau!

Elder Arroyo

I know this Church is True without a doubt.

Hey mom! Alrighty ill def read those scripts. on the bus! Cause were taking a bus ride to Castanhal today (3 hours) sleeping with the ZLs and then going to Belem in the morning for zone conference (and other 3 hours) oh, the life of this area..  soo, this week. hmmm. My shoes are looking pretty cool. Theyre getting super worn out. But theyre not destroyed. Theyre super strong. but there is one problem.. There are ants here that eat the bottom of my shoes.. so at night they just feast on the bottoms of my shoes and now that I know that this is happening i spray them with bug spray every night... strange I know. I dont know if you remember last week when I said it was raining. well... The raining never stopped. It has been raining for 4 days straight. and everything flooded here. We had to cancel some of our appointments cause the river got too high, and well, it wasnt safe to adventure out to the river dwellers. But today is super sunny. and humid. When theres no sun theres no washing clothes.. so I dont know if its been cold these past couple days or just not as hot. But at night I had to use my sheet to cover me. Normally Take a shower and dont even dry off all the way. Just put on my clothes and lay down in bed for the fan to cool me. And the showers have been abnormally cold these past couple of days for the lack of the sun.. So just think waking up in the morning, your cold. now go take a freezing cold shower. Definitely turning into a more stronger person. So there are still indians living! no doubt. They still practice the same culture. and same things.. me and my comp were walking past a part of the area with just huts. and there were like 5 indians sitting in a circle. With red faces. smoking..  There just very peaceful. It feels like they have no idea whats going on in the world. was super strange to see this in real life. But im pretty much famous out here. I get stopped on the street people just asking where im from, or what I do. Perfect oportunidades  to make contacts. So yea, i still look american. And im hitting my 8 month mark tomorrow! So if you send me a package, or if you are working on sending one. I would looove some ole spice. and photos of my fireman profile pic. annnnd a Football! Real one. Real size! But that is just a wish. I would love ole spice and my photo of fireman. Im so glad im out here serving the Lord. And im so lucky to be in Para. I know this Church is True without a doubt. I love you guys, and miss you a lot! Going to attempt to send photos! It betta work!! Tchau!

But I love you mom. Im having the time of my life! Have a great week! Hugs for all! 

Tchau, Elder Arroyo

I was called SENIOR!/ Missao de milagres!

Ahh man, Its soo crazy thinking that jimmy is home. How is his enlgish? I cant imagine, Im at the point where I dont know a word in portuguese and english. Portuguese is taking over. Help him adjust back into the real world.

Mas this week guesss what!! I was called SENIOR! About time! 4 months here in brasil and im rolling the ranks here. :D Im hoping next transfer I get to train. Portuguese is definitly no longer a problem for me. It feels wierd to think that I never knew this language 8 months ago.

Ahh man, remember my marine haircut.. ahhh I have the biggest sunburn possible on my head. And starting to go down but ahh, its soo itchy. The sun is way too powerful here. Did the letters on jimmys tag turn yellow? Or wear off? lemme know. 

We had a good baptism, on Saturday. He was definitly ready. Im so happy now that this area is baptising. Just needed patience and faith. Just like it says in the Book of Mormon...  hmm what else. Im still getting ripped out here. Im the only one that does exercises in the morning in this house. And I just look like Rocky Balboa haha. Anyways, My emails are getting lamer because I use to write down cool experiances in my planner when they happened, but ive been slacking. But i promise that ill start back again. We are taking a trip again to Castanhal (3 hour bus) for our zone meeting. We just pack a bag with clothes for 2 days and our hammocks and sleep in the zone leaders house. And next week I think next week, were going to belem for a conference. (6 hour bus ride) (or river boat) I love conferences! Get to meet up with all your buddies!And of course your receiving blessings mom! Youre raising children to serve missions. I wish I could hang out with jimmy but I still got a long trip ahead of me! :D But give jimmy a hug for me! And dont forget to send me a package! :D I love you guys! going to attempt to send some pics! Tchau Tchau!

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the computor is not picking up any of my pics......... ohh brasil.... sorry mom. Maybe next week..

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Well, Just to let you know how it is right now. Its raining buckets of water. And I have 3 minutes left on the computer.. Im hoping for it to stop. But its been raining all day.. 3 hours on a bus in the rain is the worst.. Wish me luck. Only the strong serve in the North!! Missao de milagres!

everyone has seen my butt..

Hey mom. So this week.. So im just going to start off with a once (hoping once in a life time) experience... ha.. So last week there was a red thing about the size of a nickel on my left booty cheek haha. and I just thought it was something normal, and would go away in a couple days.. But with more days it got bigger and really red, and I couldnt even sit down anymore. So I showed my comp and the other people in my house (awkward).. and Lets just say its not normal... and my comp called Sister Campos and she told me to call the American doctor in Sao Paulo. So I called him and he told me that if it doesnt get better in a day go to the hospital. So it didnt get better, and I went to the hospital, and the doctor looked at it and said that its called something Amazonian. I dont remember. But he told me not to worry and gave me some medication that ive been taking, and its getting better. But its going to kill whatever is in there.. Anyways, everyone has seen my butt.. haha.But yea, thought I just just share that with you guys haha. Dont worry though. Hmmm, Nothing really happened this week. Our baptism bailed out on saturday cause he drank the day before, but that just means we;ll have more this saturday. Transfers are here, and were all staying here in Braganca. I havent received any letters. I dont know whats up with the mail. But my photography is good? thanks!! I have a lot of photos on my camera of me just messing around with the scenery and exotic fruits and things here. Ill share those with you when I get back. That would be sweet to work with photography. Tell Aunt Miriam, im totally up for it! And my hip is doing better. and my stomach is great. I cant wait to show you guys how to make a real shake or smoothie! I hope they have a lot of the same fruits back in walmart hah..I got my haircut today, and ahh man. I look like a marine.. haha he cut a 1 on the sides and a 2 on top. But it will grow back. Im going to start running tomorrow, with the other brasilian in the house every morning. But its kind of hard to run in the skate shoes that you sent me (cough cough) (hint hint). But whatevs. How is the ward doing? Any new baptisms? How are the missionaries? Are you excited for jimmy to come home? Dont forget about me when he gets back! Sorry for the lame email today, ?Next weeks will be better I promise. PS. I didnt bring my camera with me. I love you mom! Keep up the good work! Tchau Tchau, espera que Jimmy vi ten um boa viagem em a aviao. Nao sei se todo de isso é correto, tenho muitas problemas escrevindo em portuguese. Por Favor fala com jimmys que eu te amo e para ficar firme em o mundo verdade. tem muitas difficultades la, E eu tenho minha placata haha. Muito obrigado! te amo! Tchau tchau!
`~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Ok,  have another 15 minutes. So when we go shopping here, Its no walmart, haha. Everyone brings in their crops vegetable fruits meats, everything natural that you can imagine and more. and they set up little booths. And you walk down this huge main street with what seems like thousands of people and cattle, and you just buy what you see. And what seems the freshest. Im getting pretty pro at picking the best fruits. The people start selling their stuff early in the morning, and pack up there things and go home or to a different city around 1 o clock. It makes buying fruits and food fun, I think haha.  I dont know how to explain it, But Ill take a picture of it next week. I love you guys, just thought I should add this in cause my email was pretty lame.. tchau thcau