It sounds like Thanksgiving was a real blast for y'all and I'm so glad!
It's strange to hear about and see the pictures, because it's truly the middle
of Summer here. Good thing, too, or I'd probably die of homesickness. Thank you,
blazing sun!
I spent Thanksgiving as I spend every day here: climbing hills, teaching
people about the restored gospel, sweating, and marveling at the beauty of
Bahia. As I was climbing up the millionth hill of the day (Mussurunga is
literally built into a land of rolling, steep hills. My legs are going to be
incredible by the time I'm done here), and thinking about how grateful I am for
my sandals that were designed for climbing mountains, I realized, "By golly gum,
I do believe it's Thanksgiving Day!" And I was right. And so, in honor of the
holiday, I tried to explain it to my companion. I don't think I did very well.
All she understands now is that Americans are crazy and like Indians. Next, I
wrote a list of what I'm grateful for. My shoes, my family, this awesome
opportunity... there's just so much to be grateful for right now! But most
especially, as I'm missing my family during this Holiday season, I am SO
grateful for the knowledge that my family is eternal and that, though I'm away
from them for this short time, I will be with them for the rest of eternity! How
amazing is that?! There aren't words to describe my joy! Not in English, not in
Português.
This last week sure was exciting. It started off with a man going on
and on about the blood and water that gushed from the side of Christ when He was
crucified, and how that blood and water makes me unworthy to be a missionary. He
really liked describing the gushing and using big hand gestures. Don't worry,
he's reading the Book of Mormon now.
We're also teaching a beautiful family with 4 teenaged boys who are all
so sweet and good-mannered. They absolutely love learning about the gospel, and
coming to church, and Marcos (one of the sons) devours everything we give him to
read like Delilah with a piece of Thanksgiving turkey. The members in our ward
here are amazing, too! They scooped these boys up immediately and Sister Rosado
and I found them in the chapel after church one Sunday, where all the young men
were eagerly teaching them how to pass the sacrament. Amazing! It's moments like
that that make me love being a missionary.
We're also teaching two sisters, Dandara (13) and Larisa (11), who
melt my heart. They are so sweet! Larisa reminds me of Risa so much that my
heart aches. She lights up every time she sees us, and rushes to hug me and hold
my hand and sit by me during the lesson. Now we just have to get them to come to
church. They're mother says she's all for it, but she keeps coming up with
reasons why "next sunday would be better".
The longer I'm here, the more I love these people and the more I wish
I understood what they're saying. I know I'm learning all the time, but I get so
impatient with myself. It will come. It will come. It will come.
I like it when people have a pet dog. I realized this past week that
the dogs and I understand each other. Neither of us know what anyone's talking
about, but we're just happy to be there, greet everyone, and then settle into
our corner for some silent observation.
Speaking of dogs, Sister Rosado has SIX back home! She has a photo
of each one and every time she shows members and investigators her photo album,
they get to look at 6 sets of droopy, light-reflected red eyes first. It makes
me laugh. And it makes me miss Bowser. He would wet himself if he could meet the
dogs here.
I love you all more than Thanksgiving, Christmas, and all the other
holidays combined! Be happy and write to me about all your adventures!
-Sister Whitaker
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