Happy New Year everybody!! I can certainly say that i grew a lot this past year. From welding at Caterpillar, to being Troy Bolton, to taking the AP Calc test, to graduating high school, to becoming a full-time missionary in Brazil... it has been a journey! I will be transfered on teusday. It is a wierd feeling. I have been in this area for 6 months. These roads are the only ones i know in this country and i know them by heart. Its hard to fit everything in my bags. My new area is in Zona Ferreira. I dont know the name of the area because i didnt understand very well the portuguese of my american mission president. I am entering deeper into the city of São Paulo. I dont know yet but i think my area will be filled with apartment buildings and business. A HUGE cultural change from this area. I will be having the priviledge to train again! A Novinho (new guy) fresh from the CTM in Brazil. I will meet him on tuesday and then find out how to arrive in my new area. I hope it has a good area book and at least the address of the Ward Mission Leader or Bishop. My companion, Elder Pittella that i just had the opportunity to train, will be training a novinho too in Catanduva! I am so happy for him. The have some amazing families to teach and help right now.
I have made some goals to be more grateful this year like writing in my journal. But my biggest overall goal is to become a man in my work-ethic, attitude, happiness, obedience, portuguese, and my purpose as a missionary. I love a what one the assistants to the President said in his last weekly letter. He said that faith is not based upon the past but is based upon the blessings, truths, and occurances that in the future will be effective in our life. Faith always points forward to the future.
Love, Elder Sanchez