The CRAZIEST week I will ever have in my life....

Baptism of Claudio! Was super awesome!

This week was absolutely a roller coaster... It was the worst, and best of the times I have had here. Well first... we only worked for 3 days this week. The other days we stayed inside or were other places feeling like we did nothing but we ended up teaching over 35 lessons this week. Which is sweet. But to start off... I am safe and always will be here remember mom :) [hmmm, makes me wonder what he isn't telling....but I know he is being watched over.]

1st thing that happened this week. Pday last week was awesome. I wrote 9 letters and got them all sent out. It was pretty much a relief getting to spend the whole day writing and sleeping. It was a relaxing day. Today we are gonna go play basketball with other areas.

Tuesday- We went and had my very first zone conference. It was an all day thing and it POURED down rain all day. It was crazy how much rain there was that day. It was a crazy day. Then Wednesday came around....

Wednesday I got bit by a dog. It freakin sucked and hurt really bad. We were helping by giving service to an older lady in the ward and we were carrying a big dresser and the dog kept barking at us. I didn't do anything to get it away and the son of the lady (who is lazy and wasn't even helping nor getting the dog away from me) didn't do anything. The dog then randomly ran up to me and bit me. It hurt like heck! So I spent all that day at the doctors doing checkups and stuff to see if I had rabies. The dog had never been vaccinated so I had to. Orders from Sister Tavares. After 4 hours there, found out I was good. I had a HUGE bruise for a good amount of time and then the next day it went away. The doctor said to me everything is all good. I got bit on my calf, which was better too. The doctor said this too which made me laugh.... "Good thing you got bit on your calf, because those things are huge and the teeth couldn't penetrate them!" Made me die laughing. The lady spoke English and was so excited to use it with us. My comp laughed at me after I got bit too so he bought me a PassaTempo (cookies) and soda which made me happy. haha. But my leg basically hurt all day. So after this... Thursday was just a normal day of teaching.

Friday came around- We got news that there was going to be an emergency transfer. You can guess what happened... Or maybe you can't... haha. Cuz no I was NOT transferred. haha. I am so glad. Instead we got another comp. Elder Kozikas! He is freakin awesome. I love the guy. He is from Sao Paulo and he arrived here the same day I did to Londrina. We got him on Saturday. Saturday was the craziest day of my life though.... One... Friday we went to go visit Claudio our baptism that fell through and hadn't been there since Monday. He had not drank since Monday! We scheduled his baptism and he was so excited because he did it without our help! His daughter Luciani helped him a lot it sounds like. We scheduled the baptism for 1 on Saturday and he passed his interview. So Saturday we had the baptism which was awesome! I got to baptize for my first time. There is a funny story behind this that I will tell you when I get home. But after we went out to eat and had one of the craziest things of my life happen. I will also get to tell you this when I get home :) haha. The rest of Saturday though we were not allowed to work. It was another day, basically a pday with a bapstism. haha. Was very interesting... .

Sunday- I gave my talk. I did really well! I barely even looked at my paper the whole 10 minutes and everyone said they could understand it! I was so proud. The weird thing is I was not even nervous at all. It was great. It didn't make any sense because in English I am always nervous also! Doesn't make any sense! I am getting a lot more comfortable with my Portuguese now. I like to speak Portuguese more than English now too. I am finally making it somewhere with my language skills! Haha. Eu estou muito feliz por causa isso! [I'm very happy because of that! Thanks Google translate!] haha. Also during church, while I was passing the sacrament, a lady just answered her phone. It was super funny because I was trying to give her the sacrament and she didn't realize what was going on cuz she was TALKING on the PHONE! Just sitting there like nothing was going on... haha.

But anyways, I don't have much more time. I can't wait to tell you everything that happened this week when I get more time. I wrote it all in my journal though so you can read! You will love it, I promise! Lets just say, the craziest week of my life. And I could really use a Mountain Dew here.... So whoever sends me my next package, how about you send a mountain dew! That would be lovely and you would be my favorite person in the world! I love you all so much! Still missin home like crazy but in all honesty, this feels like my home now. I am finally hitting this stage! YAY! Home is more of a memory now and doesn't feel like real life. The more people write me though, the more I feel like I remember! Take care everyone! Write lots of letters! It is always REALLY appreciated!

Até Mais!
Elder Millett

Easter came again this week!!!

Thought this would be fun!  And yep, that's my senior companion ...and the district leader.

So... Our baptism fell through this week. It was such a let down. He stopped drinking all week until the day of his interview! It was so SAD!!!! I was so bummed but we just gotta keep working. And why Easter came early... well let me explain this funny story. The day after the interview we went straight to his house first thing that day. He was there and you could tell his was bumbled, and back to drinking a ton. We asked him if he had any boos in the house and he told us no but his wife knew he had some. So we basically got permission and got to search the entire house for some. It was seriously like an Easter egg hunt and was a lot of fun! I loved it and my comp especially loved it. He was smiling so big the entire time and said he felt like a policeman. haha.

I realized something that a mission really does to you... It's started to just make me numb to the bad things that happen in life. I find bad news all the time but start taking it less and less of hurt. I am pretty sure that is a huge part of the mission. haha. It just makes me laugh because my comp is very very numb to the things of the mission. He has had so many bad things happen to him while being here though which makes me sad. His sister even died while he was gone but he is still out here serving diligently. Its a huge example to me in all honesty. I also noticed another thing. I don't feel normal when I am not progressing. I have felt like I have progressed so much these past 3 months and it is crazy. I feel like I see the church at a whole new light now from when I left. I just don't feel normal when I am not progressing now. I am on a constant search to progress and that positively was not me when I was at home... I can already see the mission making me a different person, and I hope it makes me only better. I feel like I am also getting less and less homesick too. I am starting to feel that here is now my home. I love it here!

Well yesterday to end the week it ended really good. We had a miracle happen yesterday, in all honesty. We only had 3 people we could have come to church from when we invited them. It was a huge bummer with how much we worked and how much we had taught that week. We got to church and found out, 11 investigators were there! It was awesome! Pres Tavares was also there and he was so happy with everything. We also had the highest numbers this week in our zone too. I still feel like we could teach more though. We didn't even have a baptism either which was really sad. Our lunch also fell through yesterday and it was looking like we weren't going to eat. Sister Tavares had then after church invited us to the mission home to eat with them. The food is always so good there! I loved it! I was so excited because the food there is always wonderful and he is just inspiring to listen to. I felt re-pumped after that. But another cool thing that happened. We found an inactive family that isn't quite a whole fam I guess... the parents aren't members, but the parents don't really teach the kids much good it doesn't look like. It makes me very grateful to have the parents I have. But they are 17, 12, and 8. We got talking with the 17 year old and they all went to church this week and the week prior. He is wanting to serve a mission now and we go by here and there to see how they are doing and just help him with whatever they may need help with. He is an awesome guy, and those kids go crazy for Starbursts!

I go crazy for them too! haha. I got the package on Thursday you sent and it was AMAZING!!! It came fast too! It made my day so much better and we also ordered a pizza that night for Elder Delgadillos 1 year on the mission mark. He also when he gets home wants a Google shirt. He thinks they are so cool. Speaking of this... Connor's Google shirt is sweet! I want one of those with the droids on it! That's sweet! And if you do buy one of them, buy in xl because Google shirts I swear run small. haha. But anyways, the candy is loved and appreciated greatly! I gave some to all of the investigators and my mission pres even loves it. Dulce Americano!

I also got a TON of letters this week. I didn't even have enough time to read them in 2 hours I got so many. I am spending all pday today writing I am thinking and enjoying this rain that is falling. We also this past week rearranged our apt. It looks really good and we cleaned everything up including the tiles, and detailed the kitchen. We have inspections this next week sometime but I just wanted a clean house. And when I mean detailed cleaning, I mean cleaning with a q tip detailed. Elder Delgadillo went crazy with cleaning and spent 3 hours just on the stove, with qtips and all. It was so funny and made me laugh quite hard. The guy is crazy and I love him.

So fun story, we got our McDonalds on this week! I had to go to see how it was. It is ten times better then the US... I will be honest but a little more spendy. It was also funny because Brazilians were obviously making fun of us 2 Americans eating McDonalds. Us fattys... haha. I am pretty sure that's what they said. haha.

So last thing I wanna tell ya before I go. One, I have an hour on the computer every week. Thought I should answer that real fast. haha. But Cheio. I love the word! CHEIO! It means uncle. But this little girl kept calling me that and it means that they feel really close to you and respect you a lot. I have decided that instead of Dantzel, (and future nieces/nephews) gotta call me this. I would love that! haha. So please, start training Dantzel now! haha.

Well all in all, this week was wonderful! Got a lot done and have a lot to look forward to next week. 2 years is not a lot of time and time is flying by. I am gonna be home before I know it and it hits me like that every week thinking wow, there is a lot of time ahead of me, but the last 3 months I don't even remember! Well I do, but it went so fast I feel like I didn't even live it! haha. I love Brazil! Its wonderful! I haven't been this happy in a long time and my smile doesn't leave my face! (especially with Elder d being as crazy/funny as he is). haha. I love the mission! Take care and keep sending letters! I love to hear about life back at home!

Até Mais!
Elder Millett

I almost got knocked out this week...

Thought I would make the title interesting... haha. But its true. I almost did because as I was walking I almost got knocked on the head by a avocado that fell from the tree! It was crazy and that thing was HUGE! We always walk around here and fruit is just falling off like crazy! But it had hit my backpack, so close call!

Questions first...
1. I did get my camera fixed... well sorta. I will have a camera in 2 weeks because the part is being shipped in from the US. It was a lot cheaper to fix instead of buying a new one. The cheapest a camera is here is 120 US dollars. And that's a pretty crap camera... haha. So it will be all good when I get mine back. Its worth the wait because the camera I have is over 800 reais to buy here. Crazy spendy.

But 2... haven't gotten letters because we didn't go to the mission office recently. That's because the mission office was under construction. But I did splits with the missionaries there (the secretaries) and that was nice because he was able to get two letters that came straight to the church building. So the others are waiting for me and I get them this Tuesday at zone conf. But it was sweet getting to go on splits. I got to be in Centro with all the crazy people (worse then Seattle). But it was a lot of fun! I enjoyed it a ton. The missionary that I was with Elder Neal is from Portland too. He is our new secretary for the mission it sounds like.

Well this week has been SO COLD! I loved it! It was freezing in the mornings though and I am glad I had sweats and blankets. But didn't think I would need them til I woke up and literally couldn't feel my feet. haha. But It was even a bit chilly outside today and days before that I wore a sweater. Yeah I rocked the sweater like a boss too! haha. But I liked that sweater a lot. It was even pouring down rain a lot too while we were out but it just makes me feel like I am at home. It rained every day last week! Loved it!

So another thing... a couple we were going to be able to baptize this week ended up not being married. So we had to figure out how they could get married so basically me and my comp played the wedding planner. haha. They are getting married tomorrow actually and all marriage here is a signature. That's it. So we walked into the place they do weddings and it was so funny.... you ever seen two missionaries walk in and say.... how much for a wedding? The face on the lady was priceless! haha. We then explained it wasn't for us, but for others. It made my day though. haha.

Other weird story... we were going out to eat with a member this week but were waiting for them at the restaurant. We sat in front of the place and we were just talking in English, (because we could there) and this big group of girls came up towards the place to eat also. I said, Oí, Tudo bem!? Which is Hi how are you (simple enough). One of the girls just looked at me like what the crap.... haha. But come to find out the last three girls in the group were speaking English. Come to find out it was a group that came from Florida and they didn't know any of the language so that's why I got looked at funny. We talked for a bit because its always fun to get to speak in English, and it was so weird explaining why I am here in English. Normally it's.... Nos somos missionarios (cont.) but this time I had to say it in English. It sounds so weird in English. I also tried giving my first prayer in English last night with my comp and my English is so funny! It was so hard to speak in that prayer!

Anyways, no church this past week. I don't speak til the 24th. So I got some time now. We had the special chance to see the dedication of the Manaus temple! So awesome and was such a powerful talk given by Quinten L Cook. One of the things that he said was in the respect of testimonies. It was super powerful what he said... We cannot live with God on borrowed light, but rather we need to have our own testimony that we have built through prayer and fasting to know if the word of God is true.

I loved that and made me think a lot of my life and how my testimony has grown so much more with the experiences of being here on my mission. To answer Michelle's question though from a letter I got our church meetings are pretty similar to home, just a lot less people. We have first Priesthood, then Sunday School, then we have Sacrament just as normal! Just thought I would answer that question!  haha. I also found out that our church building was actually built by hand a while back by the members of this ward. That is dedication... I was impressed after I heard that.

So this week, one last thing, we have what looks like in the next 2 weeks 4 people going to be baptized. One in particular is Claudio, the dad of Luciani (who is a super awesome strong convert for 2 months) and his wife Maria De Fatima. He has had a drinking problem... But with blessings and praying and working with him he is not drinking anymore! We are so excited because we get to complete a family and give him the chance to go with his family and be sealed in the temple. I am so excited for them! We go over to his house at 6 every morning, including today, and work with him. He is doing awesome!

But I gotta get going! We are going to play ping pong and pool today at the President's house with his son, Vinicious. I am so happy and had an amazing week. I am working hard I promise, and miss you all like crazy! I love you!

Take care! and keep reading the BOOK OF MORMON! Connor don't be doubting them! I know you can all do it! I am in Jacó now (Jacob obviously) haha. But I am pushing through the language barrier!

Até Mais!
Te-amo!
Elder Millett!

Women Talk so Much!

So the title of this email is so true this week. We had over like 5 different women that we spoke with that seriously didn't let us talk and had a convo with us when they spoke for 45 minutes straight! Wow they talked our ears off. haha. It was funny though.

So first questions... I get about 100 dollars in US for a whole month to cover food, stuff for the apt, hair cuts, and just stuff for the mission in general. Its really not much but its enough.

When I flew to Brazil there were 3 people out of Seattle that flew with me, then we met up with over 20 elders and 5 sisters. It was basically only Mormons on that plane. Seriously though.... We sprawled out because it was huge plane and barely anyone on it.

And yes the weather is cooling down.... to about 85 daily. It's so humid right now though. It was 9 at night and we we sweating walking home last night. It was bad. But I love the rain here. Our power actually went out this week because it was raining so hard. And the thunder woke me up at night. But I didn't mind... until the next day when I was SOOOO tired....

Anyways, this week was pretty sweet. Our numbers sucked this week but our turnout was great at the end of this week. I have a new comp named Elder Delgadillo. He is from Cali-Sacramento area. He is pretty awesome and a lot more laid back with his teaching style. It's nice to be able to learn two different trainers teaching styles because it helps me pick out the good things of both. But I loved it... this week we pulled out the lists of members and went around visiting them. By next week we are going to visit all 350 of them. Over 250 inactive. I was so hapy to hear that he likes doing this because I hate missionaries that baptise when a person is knowingly not going to be firm in the church. But we are going around to try and invite people back to church. This week we got 5 inactives back. (including a family!) I was so excited. We only had 2 investigators but I loved to see those inactive back. It was awesome to see all in all. And we also had a fast this weekend (of course fast Sunday) to find more solid investigators. The lord blessed us like crazy though! We (after ending our fast) got 5 solid investigators that one will most likely be baptised this Sunday. Her husband though needs a little more attention though. It was crazy that we didn't know these people before, then after our fast... BAM! HAHA. But seriously, this mission is just growing my testimony more and more of the church and its trueness. (don't know if that's a word)

But I also got to be a charrasco chef this week. ha. The investigator that loves us so much (but can't yet be baptised) had us over for a HUGE dinner that night. It was so freakin good. We had so much food yet again and the food here is ten times better then the US... I gotta be honest. hah.

So I got asked this week to give a talk in church... lets just say I am freaking out. haha. But I can do it! I just gotta probably write down every word before I go up though. And I will probably just have a very long testimony... haa. It will be a comedy section in the middle of the sacrament meeting (is what one of the members said) ha. He speaks English so I couldn't give him a hard time about knowing English... haa.

So stories this week....

1. A guy we were talking with (who actually ended up teaching us because he talked so much) wanted to start a church with us. The name of the church would basically be... church against women. This guy was crazy but so much fun to listen too. hah. I love the people here and some of the crazy things they do.

2. I got called fat 2 times this week! The picture that I have in my thing of our family does make me a little chunky. But I also got called a stud (basically) because of that soccer picture you sent of me. I told the lady (65 some odd years old) she might just be a little to old for me... haha. But they said I have lost a lot of weight. I have lost about 5 kilos here already. Which is a lot but I work out every morning so I still do have muscle! So don't be saying I am just losing muscle! haha.

3. We took directions from a blind woman this week. She actually knew her way around too and it got us right to the place that we needed to go. It was crazy. I doubted it at first but she got us there. CRAZY! I was so amazed to be honest. hah.

This week was a really good one all in all. I love the new comp (he is literally crazy) which is why I love him. We are getting a lot done and I didn't have a single day this week I was upset or homesick. I just feel so good this week and all because of prayer. I feel so much better everyday when I say more meaningful prayers and it's just awesome. There is a lot going on at home too with all you have told me! Keep me updated! Sorry no pics this week btw because my camera is getting fixed. I found a guy who is doing it because he knows a guy in the ward for only 60 US dollars. So its pretty chill. But I probably won't have it til 2 weeks from now. I will try and borrow a camera for the week from a member because my comp doesn't even have a camera because he got robbed 2 times in his last area. Not on the streets though don't worry! They broke in and stole because that area is known for that. But I miss taking pictures... Anyways... Gotta get going! I love you all and take care!

Tchau tchau!
Elder Millett

PS... I need ideas from EVERYONE for ideas for activities. Ask everyone because this ward needs a good fun activity!

and PS... I haven't gotten letters in 3 weeks because they haven't been able to get them to me but they told me I have like over 30... I am so excited for tomorrow to get them! haha

Keep sending more!