Terra Nova

Hey guys,

Well, it’s been another week on the mission, and went fairly well. We are still working towards a wedding at the end of the month and are trying to find a lot of good people to teach. Transfers go down in 2 weeks though. The 20th. So, if it turns out that I get transferred, I’ll miss the wedding that I marked and prepared and all that. So, I can’t really decide if I want to stay or not. I’m kinda getting ready for a little change up....but if I stay I'll still enjoy this area. I’ve already missed a wedding that I’ve set up and it’s kind of a bummer...but we'll see I guess. Whatever the Lord wants....

Lets see...what else is new...Tomorrow two other Elders will be moving into our house. They live in the middle of nowhere and are moving so they can work closer to the chapel and the people that live close. So, that’s how I’ll be spending all tomorrow. We've also marked a bunch of service projects for this week. One is with a way cool less active member. He goes to church like every 2 or 3 weeks. Way cool guy though. He was like a capoeira champ. its like some kinda dance-fighting thing. It’s hard to describe....but its legit. And in return he’s going to try to teach me how to do some stuff (I think he’s more excited about it than I am....) But should be a fun week....

Brazil’s loss...was a very depressing day here. I don’t think I’ve seen so many drunk people ever. I saw tears shed by grown men. Even teenage girls who "don’t like soccer.." were crying. It was an emotional time. I made sure to stay at home for an hour after the game...just in case some drunk mistook me or my comp for someone from the Netherlands. We also made sure to not wear orange ties.... Sorry dad about Germany. That was rough. I was cheering for Germany. But, for the win....I’m undecided who I want. It’s cool that neither of the teams have won a World cup championship yet. But I think I’m feeling the Netherlands. Not like I’ll watch or anything. I have church during the middle of the game...



So, today, we played soccer, of course. We played at a legit field though. The problem is that fields don’t really exist here. Open space doesn’t really exist. It’s just jungle. But, we had a good time.

I GOT MY PACKAGES!! Thanks for everything! The Red Robin seasoning was a nice touch. I was pretty excited about it. So, today we made BBQ burgers for lunch. The Brazilians were pretty impressed. I think BBQ sauce and the Red Robin seasoning blew their minds. Also, I told my Brazilian friend that you guys sent a Michigan hat for him. He’s saying if he knew English, and could call you guys, he would call you up and that you guys personally. So, yeah. Only prob though is that he’s on a little island in the middle of the Amazon, so I’m not sure how I’ll get him the hat...but oh well.

It’s weird I’m halfway done with my mish....I can’t really stop thinking about it. It really does go by too fast. Sometimes it makes me want to work harder, but some days I just feel like I’m broken and don’t have the same energy that I used to. It’s a weird feeling. I’m just trying to do my best and press on, even on those tough days. I really do love my mission though. I can see myself really missing it when I get home....

But that’s pretty much it for this week. Ty, not sure if your are reading this or not, but I’m remembering you in my prayers man. I’m praying for the best! Fam, love you guys, miss you, and thanks again for the package.

Love,

Elder Eric Stapley