February 18

Dear Mãe (put that into google translate to hear the sound),

I feel old now. Emma will start high school next year and colby will graduate this year. I am no longer a teenager and will have a year on the mission in two months. Its all going by fast. Dont worry about the present getting here late its not a big deal. I dont need any presents. I thought i heard Colbys voice in the video. I wonder why he doesnt like singing. Trevor and Emma are very good about writing me every now and then. Trevor has told me with much pride that he has grown six inches since living in alaska and now wears a 11 shoe. He also told me he benches 135 now. He seems like he is doing very well. Emma is as silly as always of course.

You dont sound nearly as stressed as you usually do. It sounds like you are getting a handle on this manager thing. Congratulations im proud of you stealing my Job. 

So here in Brazil they have this tradition of making a cake on your head for your birthday. They break eggs and pour flour right on your head. It will be great. *sarcastic look* Im not too excited about that. You will be happy to hear that i am learning to cook. I am really trying to get recipes from the people here so i can show you guys a little of the culture. So the most tropical part of my mission is right on the coast. Brazil is a varied country that has several different climates. Not as many as we do but its still a few. Most of our mission is a arid/semi desert place. So in other words super hot temperatures with little rain. Yeah! Im gonna freeze to death when i get home. We should have more success here now. I didnt get along with my last companion very well. He annoyed the crap out of me. I like this new guy a lot better. Unfortunatley i will probably be transfered next week. Any way things are good and time is short. Love you mom :)

February 11

Dear Ma,

Dont worry about the present. Its not a big deal. I will however ask for my camera cord and a couple more ties. I wanted to know if you got a hold of that book i wanted you to read? You sound like your doing a good job at work keep it up. Thats too bad that the theater is switching to pepsi. On the bright side there will be mtn dew :)

A bug huh? I never thought i would ever see you in one of those. Your gonna have to let me drive that next year. That is if you dont wreck it first ;)

Good im glad that colby has decided something. I have really been trying to encourage him in my emails. But the stinker doesnt email me very much. So i asked him to do a few things and have been waiting for a response for quite a while now. Thats too bad about trevors sled. But with our egos we need a little humbling every once in a while. Im excited about the gym membership :) i have been dying to excercise. I can do some things. My muscle is a little weak thats all. Im taking it slow and stopping before it hurts so dont worry.

We moved houses on friday and saturday. Our new house is a lot bigger. We are a lot happier and its closer to everything we need now. We have a few good people to teach this week and a few possibilities for baptism in the next two weeks. President told me that i will probably be transfered on the 27th. He told me that i am also very ready to be senior companion and even a trainer. He says he will see what he can do with me. Im excited to go. Its always nice to get to a new area. Also i am very tired our area is very spread out and all the bike riding tires us out like no other. Weather is still hot and dry. It stopped raining again.

Sure Jimmy can write me letters. I dont have a problem with that. Hes a nice guy. I dont really know him that well but i do remember him.

Anyway not much else to report. Love you mom :)

February 5

Hey mom,

Yeah i also didnt know what to write. I just waited yesterday but nothing came. I had to send something else in today so i have just enough time to say i love you and thank you for all your support :)

February 5

Hey pops,

I am very grateful for the chance to stay and keep working. I have finally learned the lessons i need to to be an effective missionary i was really worried that i would have to leave and do something else. Fortunately the Lord corrected my mistake and let me stay here. As much as i would love to come home and see you all i need to be here. I have already recovered pretty well. I am able to lift things of light weights but i am not pushing it yet. My arm can extend without pain now so im going well.

Yes you have my permission to sign it i have no problem with that. As far as the tithing i might have made a mistake. Thinking on it now i believe that my slips have variations on the name such as putting my last name first and what not. Please complete the quantity that i should have paid according to what you think. Anyway i gotta run as usual. Love you dad :)

January 28

Hey mom,

So the books author is Grant Von Harrison. He is deffinitely lds he has been mission president 3 times and president of the MTC. It makes several references to the book of mormon. Good luck finding it and i really hope you can read it as a family.

Im trying to get colby encouraged in my emails but its a little hard to get him to do something as you know. I did get my pants along with a package from the griggs family. Im listening to the video that you guys made me. Unfortunately i cannot watch the video i just have audio. Thank you for doing that i appreciate it. 

I have not been transfered. I am still here but i am sure i will have more success here. We are really trying to animate the members so that we can have a team effort. Any way i dont have time today ive had some stuff i needed to do so i dont have money for a long letter. Love you mom :)