3.25.14

Hey family,

 

So this week was pretty cool. We have changes today. I am, surprisingly, going to be transferring to Rivera and E' Mar is going to stay here to train. He has been here for forever, so I was totally expecting to stay. But when Pres. called me he explained why, he told me that I'd be opening up a brand new area in Rivera. He said that the bishop there asked for two of his best missionaries- missionaries who know how to work and know how to make a ward explode. Here in Artigas, we (God, E' Mar and I) doubled the attendance in the branch from 50 to one hundred and something, baptized more in this area since the time that Pres. Smith was there, and have 100% retention (the converts that we converted are all active and going to church every week since 2013). Pres. told me that he wants me to do the exact same thing in Rivera with E' Running. I hear that Rivera is a lot like Artigas; people speaking Portuguese, beautiful Brazilian men and women, and cheap (food, soccer jerseys, etc.) I'm pretty excited to head over there.

 

I've been living in a four-person house and E' Lopez (my zone leader that told me that I was basically his companion the entire time) and I were talking about college. (I know I shouldn't be talking about that, but it’s a little tough when everyone in your house is dying -finishing their missions- in the next 4 months) He was talking about how he couldn't get into BYU so he said he’s going to just go to UVU with his younger brother. When we were talking about that, I was thinking about how awesome it would be to be going to college with Gavin when I got back. He needs to graduate early so that we can do that!! I was also trying to explain something to my companion and couldn't find the right word, so I just said ´´bescana´´. Gavin will understand what that means and it just made me laugh thinking about all the funny stuff that Gavin would do.

 

The work is going really well though, and I managed to play soccer three times this week. I hate not playing every day...If I have any time to think about something, besides for working, I'm thinking about soccer… going through games in my head and all that. Well, I can't write much more...I have to go pack. You know how I hate packing. I am always just terrified that I’m going to forget something because I'm retarded. Bye to all of you who pay attention to my beautiful emails!!! (Mom)

 

E' McRae