Merry Christmas

Hi People,

I'm in Brasil

I've been here for almost 5 months

This feels really weird

Time is flying away

Just flying away.

It just feels so strange.

But now I'm starting my third transfer, we started it off with a bang and unfortunately ate at McDonalds. Dang, I think it's strange that the last time I literally ate at McDonalds in the USA was when I was about 6 years old... or something like that. Now, I think I've eaten there at least once every transfer... I still haven't figured out why Brasilians like that place. It doesn't make you feel that good. But the fries did taste pretty good, also they have fruit drinks there, I got pêssego or more commonly called, peach.

So I'm here... in Sobradinho 1... for one more transfer and I'm going to love it. I already know my companion and the area. Everything is chill. I was expecting to leave this transfer because I think when you get too comfortable on the mission, that's when you move. I love this district too. Wow. I really love this place and these Elders here.

I'm sending pictures and I hope they can be put on the blog. I'm just sending them like I always send them. They are of "Christmas" or more commonly called "When I actually opened my presents before Christmas" and I like to call the last ones "The only mini cooper in Sobradinho 1 and I'm sold on buying one sometime after the mission (and notice that I said sometime after the mission and not directly after the mission (which also means like maybe 30 or 40 years after the mission))

Então, este lugar é muito legal. I love it a lot. People here are really more open then in the United States. In the good ol' USA, it's really awkward to talk about religion. Or by what I've experienced, it's pretty awkward. But here, it's totally de boa (or chill). But with what I've heard too, Sobradinho is pretty closed about it too. I can't wait until I can got an area where everyone just loves to talk about religion. It will be awesome.

So I think it's funny, I have heard more American music here than Brasilian music. It's pretty funny because here Brasilians sing American songs, because usually they don't know what they are saying. They just like the beat. But I guess it's the same for me here. I hear something with a good beat and I'll keep singing the melody... come to find out... that song isn't all that good... so I think I'll change. That might be good. .

Um... I don't know what more I can tell you... except I got Peanut Butter and Beef Jerky for Christmas. That is exciting. I going to have to hide them... but everyone in the house I'm in is Brasilian (Again) so I don't think they even know what it is exactly... but just to make sure... I'll eat when they are taking showers and stuff like that... actually... sharing is caring... I don't know... Peanut Butter is precious here. Man, hard decisions of the Missionary part one... To Peanut Butter or not to Peanut Butter... that is the question.

So I just would like to pass along the amazing story of Alma (The older) and the people of Alma (who ran away from King Noah). They are so amazing because through all the trials they had they accepted everything with patience and long-suffering. We all need to have patience in our lives. In every aspect. With family, friends, reading, school, mission and children. Wow. I just can't stop thinking of all the blessings we will receive when we do that. So Endure to the End

Singing Out
Elder Barry

December 14 letter

14 de Dezembro

Oi meus Amigos, Oi minhas Amigas, Te Amo.

So this past week has been really good. But honestly I don't know what to say about it. Me and my companion have been working really really hard. We started working in only three Quadras in Sobradinho 1. These Quadras are really far away so not a lot of missionaries worked there. But we walk about 45-50 mins to get there and about 35-40 mins to return... it's more to get there because it's uphill. But we have been working really really hard in this área and have been just tearing apart those Quadras. It's been really fun to start in a new place in Sobradinho 1.

So I have a word of warning for all my friends going on missions... STAY OBEDIENT AND NEVER BE A SLACKER!!! We have had problems in our mission for the last two transfers that have just barely surfaced and it's affecting the whole mission. We have had horrible numbers and really really low numbers and we found out why just this week. So honestly follow all the rules. They are there for a reason.

Enough of that downer. So I'm learning to work through my trials... like with patiences. I really wish I could work on other attributes but all I'm seeing right now is patiences. I probably need to stop and reevaluate what all of this means. I'm sure I'm working on other attributes as well.

So now for pictures.
So these are bugs and things in Brasil.

Oh so we have so many ants in our house. Like a whole but. My study usually is distracted by little black specks running around on my desk. Sometimes I'll play with them... which basically means I'll terrorize them. But not really terrorize. Just play.

So I love this work. Really Endure to the End helps. One day we were knocking doors on one street and we were getting nothing. But we kept on going. Then at the last house. Literally the last house. We got in and this girl was a golden investigator. We have been working with her but she can't get to church because she works with her mom on sunday. Finally we couldn't get a hold of her because she worked so much. Twas sad. But honestly endure to the end. It's that important.

Endure to the End

Signing Out
Elder Barry

December 7th letter

Hello, from Brasil (I feel like i always open with that but it's true)


So this week went pretty well. Twas pretty fun. We worked hard. I guess I could end this letter right here. But I wont


So I'm going to relate something I did last transfer that I thought was really really funny. So in this mission we have to do at least 10 contacts everyday. Sometimes we would forget so we would hurry and invite people to church. But one night we were walking and we were going past a bus stop. Well there was a couple there. They were all huggin and being all cute. Well as we drew nearer and nearer they got closer and closer. So being who I am and wanted to have some fun. I stopped and started talking to them... I thought it was really funny because they were about to kiss or make-out or something. I don't know. But I stopped it right before it happened. I thought it was really funny. I invited them to church. Told there were it was. What time it started. Testified a little... and said bye. I thought it was really really funny afterwards... and still do.


So something about Brasil. Things that would be really really awkward in the USA isn't awkward here. Like making-out in public. But the one that really is awkward for me is women breast feeding in public. It's just something of this place. I think i've seen more women breast feeding walking down the street or causually here than I ever did with my family in the USA. We were even in one lesson and the mom started breast feeding her child. Just right there... it was really really awkward. Luckly my companion was teaching at the time so I just looked at him as he taught the family.


So with those two awkward stories out of the way. I have something really really funny. As you can see in the picture... I'm praying... but what you don't know is I'm actually asleep. I was so tired. The Brasilians in the house took a picture and video taped me for a little bit and this is one of the pictures I got... yes... I was so freaking tired that day. When they woke me up I thought I was still praying and I felt offended that they woke me up in the middle of my prayer... but now as I think back... right before they woke me up... I think I was dreaming about flies or something... man... what a weird prayer. This picture looks funny... but thinking about the prayer now is even more funny.


So Segunda-Feira (Monday or yesterday) usually I remember that the next day in P day and I'm all excited. But yesterday was the first time that I didn't remember. I think it's cause we worked so hard... It was a cool feeling to get lost in the work. The time just flew by yesterday. So I learned time flies when you're having fun or when you love working... which basically makes it fun.


So if you have time and want a 'light' read... start reading "Jesus, The Christ'. Ok so it's not really a light read. But it's an amazing book. It goes all throughout the life of Jesus and explains almost everything. When you read it, you need to read all the notes at the end of the Chapters as well. It all is so good. Ok now if you want a light read. Read "Our Search for Happiness" That book is full of goodness, doctrine and everything try it some time. It really is worth it. These two books are really really good.


So i want to put one more little thing in this letter. If you have a Patriarchal blessing. Pull it out and study it. I have been studying mine... Wow. I would tell you what I've been learning about myself but it's kinda personal so I wont. But the one thing that I really like is faith. Faith has a major part in our lives. I will share a small brief part of my blessing. Well a summary. Basically it says that all the blessing in my bless are sealed by the priesthood and will happen ACCORDING to my faithfulness. Honestly. Everything in life is according to our faithfulness to the things we learn. One way to show your faith is to teach. Because when we teach, we learn more and more. So I want to challenge you to teach something you've learned about the gospel.


I love you.


Endure to the End


Signing Out
Elder Barry

Mission Post (Point and Laugh)

This is me posting a post to the posting future. Futurific post. This is also me laughing at you because Lets say it's December 20th 2010. In Utah it's probably a balmy 20 degrees with snow covering the ground and who cares. Well in Brazil It's a freezing 90 something degrees and oh my gosh, It's so cold right ;) Basically I'm making fun of you cause i'm probably in the best weather ever. This is me just saying also that i'm not blogging on my mission so don't worry. I made this post on June 20th 2010. This schedule thing is pretty much brilliant. I guess i'm having the time of my life. Oh, and definitely i need to make fun of the friends in Idaho... A warm 15 degrees with a wind chill of 30. So it feels like a summers day -15 degrees. Man. You must be living the life. Live it well. Live it good.

Stay Strong. Smile. Don't Do Drugs. The Church is true. Hope you like my future posts. There will be plenty to read for the next to years of these future posts and of I send my mom to put on this blog.

Signing Out
Elder Barry