Week 16

This week was kind of rough. We did a lot of walking, but not a whole lot of teaching, and I was kind of discouraged because of my numbers (My goal was to talk to 150 people, but I actually only talked to 88.) 

I had a small miracle this week. One day, I lost my ID pouch, which carries all of the things I need, but after a few prayers, we received a call from someone who said that they had found my ID pouch. It was great because we went and got my pouch and then taught them the first lesson and they listened to us. 

Right now, the weather feels like October-November in Utah (just today and yesterday) and I am reminded of what it was like there.

We did meet a lady this week to teach. Her name is Antonia and she asks the perfect questions. We are hoping to teach her the Plan of Salvation this week.

Keep telling me how things are.

Love you guys. Have a great week.

Sincerely,

Elder Jardine

Erika's Baptism

Who knew Burger King could taste SO good?!?

Week 15
This week was good.  We are now working on the kids of our baptisms. Thawani, the 21 year-old daughter of Erika, and Pedro, the 10 year-old son of Danilo. They both need some work; Thawani needs to change her work schedule and stop drinking alcohol and coffee (she works in a bar, so she has to test the drinks before she gives them) and Pedro just needs to get a desire to be  baptized. 
This week, we did a lot of walking with not much success, but we are going to try new areas this week. So pray we have success. 
Also, last Monday, I had my most American meal yet... Burger King.... ohhh yeah! It was good, especially when I had two soft serve ice cream cones and shortly thereafter went into a food coma for three hours. This week was good.

It is always good to hear how your weeks are. Keep me posted on things and keep having great times.

I love you all so much and I pray for you continually.

With love,

Elder Jardine

Week 14
This week was great. It was a pretty normal one with not too much excitement other than the fact that we had another baptism. His name is Danilo and his wife was a less active (now active). Pictures are attached. 
Also, I had an interesting experience that looks promising for me in the language department. We have a member in our ward named Edison, and he wants to learn English. He is also one of the people who we try to visit at least twice a week. This week, with my companion's permission, I could speak English with him or at least I tried. I couldn't really speak too well. I kept slipping into Portuguese. It was hilarious. I actually had to think about how to speak English. I am at the point where Portuguese is my default language and English is my secondary language that I don't speak.
I am well, continuing to work and find new investigators. We are now teaching Erika's 21 year old daughter, Kawani and she seems very interested. She is reading the Book of Mormon and praying about it. The only difficulty she has is work; she works Friday nights, so it is a bit difficult for her to attend church but she tries. 
So, that was my week. It is always good to hear about your weeks and all the success you are having.

Keep me informed.

Love you guys.

Sincerely,

Elder Jardine

Good thing Nathan spent the last few years in the Pacific Northwest...

A little bit of rain never hurt anybody...

Transportation.

Elder Jardine's first baptism-Erika.

Week 13

This week was great! It is good to hear about all of your weeks. This week was a bit exciting for me. I had my first baptism!!!!!!!!!!! We baptized a widow named Erika who we had been teaching this whole transfer so it was very good to baptize her. I will send you some pictures. My companion is Elder Santos da Sylva. He has one transfer left and is an excellent trainer even though I am his first and last trainee. He is a really calm, cool guy and I can joke with him and he helps me a lot. I am very blessed to have him as my first companion out here in the compo de missionario (mission field). 

This week was pretty normal. I am still working on talking to 30 people a day. The weather is crazy; it will be blasting hot in the morning and, if we are lucky, it will be overcast in the afternoon, although it is always a coin toss whether or not it will become a complete downpour. 

We are still working on our only two investigator's baptisms. We just need to get Danilo to live the Word of Wisdom and have his 10 year old son, Pedro, come to church with his parents (his mom, Patricia, is a less active member). But ya, my weeks are starting to go by fast and my Portuguese is progressing.

I love you all so much and I hope life continues to improve for you.

Sincerely,

Elder Jardine

Pics of Elder Jardine