Hey guys!
Yes i got both letters. They take about 12 days to get to me. I was so happy to receive them. Dont tell Will but i dropped my little Jesus statue while moving something and he lost a hand. But he is still good, i mean the real Jesus still has a perfect body so its alright. We went teaching last saturday. Sooooo intimidating, but awesome. People think my broken portuguese is so funny and are more willing to talk to me just to here me screw up grammer than actually hear about the Book of Mormon. We were on Paulista Avenue (which is in my mission!!) And it is like the times square of Sao Paulo. There were a ton of embassys and large buildings. The city is very dirty but also very nice. Its a strange mix. I get to go again this upcoming wednesday and then again two saturdays from now. So stoked. No pics this week... disculpa. Got new Brazilian roomates, they are very quiet. I got to hear from the Area authority yesterday. Elder Aida Kaitis and he was awesome. I didnt understand all of it because i tried listenning without english translation but what i got out of it was awesome. My teachers are awesome. they know so much and have really strengthened my testimony. A bunch more of my favorite Brazilian missionary friends left this week. Elder Lima is my favorite. He really took me in and taught me how to teach in the language better every meal. I had a really difficult struggle with pride since i arrived. I wrote all about it in my journal, but to keep the story short. Pride is of the devil and it is such an easy avenue into contention. In fact all contention is caused by pride. This week i worked so hard to humble myself. I have been blessed and the lord has softened my heart a little. I now get along with everybody in my district and love them so much and my favorite part is that i can feel the influence of the spirit more. I had an amazing mock lesson this week. I felt the spirit so strong while i testified and taught about Judgement Day in the Plan of Salvation and how Jesus Christ will be right beside us. I love the temple. It was awesome today.
I realize how much i engraved Justin Timberlake songs into my head back home. In the shower, when i´m doing laundry or playing volleyball those tunes just break out in my head. When i get home i am gonna bump to all his stuff again in the marquis. I love hymns though. Portuguese hymns are great and powerful but i definitely have a special place in my heart for English hymns. My whole district loves to sings and we all harmonize so well. I LOVE it!! We do such a great job with the primary song "I feel my Savior´s love".
So many people are going home sick from this MTC recently that this week the mission president set a rule to no longer shake hands or anything. Its really bad. Some sisters got rabies from a bat in their room at night, and a bunch of people are getting Chicmugnunga (i know i butchered that spelling). I´ll be alright though. Not too worried (dont worry about me getting sick dad). The american districts are the cleanist. I think i have bed bugs because i itch all the time and lotion is not getting rid of the bites. Only a couple weeks left, i´ll survive haha. I have gained 6 lbs... I´m trying to gain more. There is so much food here and i´m trying to get as much out of it as possible.
I love the Book of Mormon. I have made a rule for myself to get over my mornings because, if you didnt know, sometimes i´m not the most enthusiastic morning person, I make myself smile right when i wake up and then i think about the fact that i am here because of the sacrifices made to preserve the Book of Mormon. (oh and last week i made a mistake, my mission president didnt translate the BOM, he translated the entire King James Version of the Bible from English to Portuguese. still pretty amazing). I gave my first portuguese talk this past sunday. It was about Prayer and the commandment we have to pray frequently and the promised blessings that come from that. It went well, i think i used correct grammer. I love how planned out missionary life is, i love planning my lessons with such detail, it just works with my personality.
David, that scorpion stuff sounds Crazy! Here is a little portuguese phrase that means the same thing as "thats freakin awesome". It is "pegando fogo" which literally means "catching fire"! I use it all the time! That sounds intense hunting for them. Mom keep on bumping, thanks for the letters, dont worry about the charges on my card. Its all for the Lord! I ruined a shirt with ink... sorry mom. Dad love ya. Thanks for the letters again and the pics of the house and the dogs. They are so freaking cute. I´m just about out of time. The MTC is the same thing over and over. I love it but cant wait for the field. Only three more weeks!!! Oh and ya´ll enjoy the 4th of July, none of that stuff here! I will wear a patriotic tie or something. I talked to an elder that i met from my mission at the temple today and he said he obtained complete fluency in 4 months.
I pray for all of you every night. I am so grateful for prayer... it has become my best friend. I want all of you to take the time to go and read the entire bible dictionary definition of prayer. The last two paragraphs changed my entire perspective on how i approach my daily communication with the Lord. He hears and answers our prayers. I know that Jesus Christ lives and i know that through him hearts can be changed and souls can be brightened instantly!
Eu amo voces,
Elder Sanchez