Monday, September 23, 2013

Semana Farropilha

Rain, rain, rain.

This week was a holiday here in Rio Grande do Sul.

Apparently a long time ago, the south of Brazil, Paraná, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul wanted to separate from the rest of Brazil and be their own country, much like Texas. And apparently had a little mini war. But they ended up staying with Brazil. This holiday is called Semana Farropilha. Everybody walks around in their tradition `Gaúcho` clothes, eat barbecue, riding on horseback, dancing traditional `Gaúcho` music, and drinking Chimarrão.

But the rain pretty much destroyed the merriment.

Emerson was confirmed and received the Priesthood yesterday but it looks like he´ll get married and will move back to Canoas with his ex-girlfriend and be a member there. It’s great that he´ll be happy and get married and keep the commandments but...sad that he´s leaving.

We had the opportunity to work in another area last Friday and while we were knocking doors, we found a little old lady, who will turn 80 next month. She offered us food and shelter from the rain. She revealed to us that much of her family are members of the church and that she isn't. She also was very sad about her son-in-law who is dying of bone cancer. We shared with her how our families can live together forever and the importance of baptism. She readily accepted the invitation to be baptized and said that she would call a relative to baptize her.

It’s neat how the gospel cures us emotional and spiritual, if we let it.

I love you all.
Eat your vegetables,

Elder Willard

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