How strange it is to hear about Thanksgiving plans at home when it's so
hot here. Summer in Brasil has just begun and every time I see a Christmas tree
set up in someone's house, or Christmas decor in the stores, I think it's the
most random and tacky thing ever. Then I remember that Christmas really is on
its way and these people are serious. I wish you could all see the contrast
between the hot beaches with their palm trees and the people walking around in
Santa hats, along with their short shorts and bikini tops.
Mussurunga (Sorry, I keep changing the spelling because I swear its
spelled different every time I see the name) neighbors the airport, and every 5
minutes or so (sometimes more), an airplane flies overhead so low that one would
think we're on the tarmac. So this is how our lessons always go:
"Joseph Smith wanted to know which Church he should join, and
so....." AIRPLANE!!!! "... and today we have The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-Day Saints." Needless to say, we really have to rely on the Spirit to
convey our message.
Things I learned this week:
I have a crinkle in my forehead which creates a trail for sweat to drip
perfectly into my left eye. I spent quite some time trying to furrow my brow in
different ways to create a new trail, but to no avail. I'm currently working on
plans to build a dam. I'll let y'all know how that goes.
I learned what it really means to sweat. I'm really ok with people
seeing me look my worst now, because there's simply no way around it.
There's a family here who feed us quite frequently and the dad remind
me of my dad. I miss you, daddy! This Brother was looking at pictures of my
family the other day and he said, "Your dad is Steve Martin?! Tell him I want
his autograph!"
Yesterday, we ate dinner with some members who kept putting more food
on my plate and filling my cup. Just when I thought I was going to die, I took
my last bite of food and, resisting with all my might the natural urge to throw
up (not because the food wasn't delicious-- it was! But because there was so
much of it), determined I would throw my body over my plate if they tried to
give me more. Then the husband brought out dessert. I was about to pop, but I
couldn't refuse them when they were so happy to make me eat. I don't know how I
did it, but I turned off my brain and made myself eat that dessert. Then the
wife, smiling brightly at me, said, "Comer mais!" (Eat more!)
"Não, não," I tried to tell them,"não posso!" (I can't)
But, not the least bit deterred, the husband took my dessert bowl away
and returned with it completely full again!
I ate that, too.
I'm learning that right when we think we've taken more than we can
bear, we can always take more. And I'm not just talking about food. I wrote a
poem about it. It's called "Sister, Comer Mais":
The first taste of Bahia is a yummy treat,
Fruit juice and meat with a mild spice.
I smile as to me they entreat,
"Sister, comer mais!"
Farinha, alface, acáraje, and always
Beans and rice.
I've hardly taken my last bite, when:
"Sister, comer mais!"
I'm stuffed now, I really am.
I can't take another bite.
"No, no, you can! Of course you can!
"Sister, comer mais!"
I try, I sweat, I do my best
In the sun, the rain, the lice.
And just when I think I can have a rest,
"Sister, comer mais!"
Who'd have known it would take so much
To melt my heart of ice?
To swallow my pride, eat humble pie.
Sister, comer mais.
Did not His cross weigh so much more
Than my flimsy little pack?
Especially with the added sting
Of stripes across His back.
Spat on, mocked, scorned and torn,
Honor stripped at roll of dice,
No murmuring word escaped His lips
When the Savior paid the price.
His cup to drink, my plate to eat,
With naught but God's will to entice,
Through blistered feet and Bahia's heat,
Senhor, eu vou comer mais.
Yeah, it's a little rough, but who has time for editing around here? And
ok, no, I don't really have lice, but it rhymed and we do have a lot of tiny
bugs all over our apartment. They aren't bad, though. I'm healthy and happy!
This language is really challenging, and sometimes I just want a break from
trying to understand it, but I know one day I'll be gratetful for this full-body immersion. And someday I will understand these people when they speak! I can
understand Sister Rosado sometimes now, which is good! There's hope for me
yet.
I would love, love, love to hear other peoples' mission
language-learning experiences! (AKA, PLEASE tell me that there are other people
out there who have experienced what I'm experiencing now! Any words of
encouragement for me?)
Funny story of the day:
For P-Day, my zone got together for some brincaderas (volley ball,
water balloons, etc), and our volleyball got stuck in a tree. All the Elders
tried throwing things at it to get it out, and finally they pulled out a ladder.
One of the Elders climbed up with a broomstick and a few minutes later, tons of
HUGE bats flew out of the tree! I've never seen bats so big outside of the zoo!
It wasn't until they'd all cleared away that I realized I was the only one still
standing under the tree. Everyone else had run away and hid! Sister Rosado
laughed at me because, apparently, I'd been smiling at all of the bads in
wonder, as if all of my dreams were coming true. Silly! It was pretty cool,
though. Elder Duncan, my District Leader, nearly wet his pants from
fright.
Well, in the words of Porky Pig, "Dee da da lee blee, That's all
folks!"
-Sister Whitaker
P.S. Family, I love every single one of you so much it hurts and I miss you
more than I knew it was possible to miss people!!
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