Elder Alexander Baker

November 7, 2011

HELLOOO

Soo I am wondering if you got the BIG package or the little tiny one. It just had a tape in it, but the huge one had a bunch of crap in it. I am gonna get you both a present today and send it off today or tomorrow. I am excited! I am bring M. Santos to be able to tell what is authentic Brazilian or not. It´ll be cool.

But, one day I was walkin down the road and a member ran up to me and said, ``do you know Elder Fitts?`` Hahah he was Fitts´s companion on his mission!! It was pretty cool, I am going to go over there sometime to see all the viedos and pics that he took with Fitts. Speaking of Fitts I hear that he already got back surgery and that he is going to back out on the mission in 3 weeks!! I don´t know if you remember what happened to him but he had to go home to get back surgery.

But on Wednesday was transfers and like I said I had a lot of people passing through my area, so I had to coordinate it all. It was probably the most stressed I have ever been ever about paperwork. I had to organize everyone´s rides, coordinate what member would pick who up at which time. It was tough!! But it all went down smoothly. And, my comp was transferred. But there were a few problems that came up that were UNEXPECTED. One, the assistant called me and said that there was a new missionary that had gotten lost in the transit (got the wrong bus or somethin) and he was somewhere in Northern santa Catarina, and I had to find him! hahaha but luckily a member called and said he had found the elder lost and brought him home. What luck! But the other one was that a sister that was going home accidentally took the house keys with her, and the sisters called me scared to leave their house and scared someone would murder them so I had to find a way to go to Balneário Camboriú to give them the keys. That also went down smoothly, and on the way home the member took the beach route. We got to see all the beaches of Itajaí and of Balneário Camboriú. Look up that city and google. It is suuuch a cool city!! But, transfers went well, and now my comp is a 23 year old red head from california. He is really cool and we get along pretty well.

It is tough to be relied on to plan for the day when I don´t know where I am or any investigators!! So we have been tracting a lot. Its been good. My Portuguese is actually improving with my american comp because no one understands ONE WORD that he says. ahaha poor guy, he can´t roll his R´s. But the sun is so hot and I am outside so much that I am black now, at east my face and neck until the collar and my arms as well. Hahah I don´t think I have ever been this dark!! But my back is really white, Mike and Dad know how it is. We have AT LEAST 4 baptisms this month which is cool since I didn´t do anything. The Lord just put them in our path, literally. They are all member references. I showed up to church the first week and they all came running giving me references!! I think they were waiting for a good elder to pass by. But Dad, did you ever consider going on splits with the missionaries somewhere?? I think it would be fun to see how the work has changed. Also, you guys should have the missionaries for dinner again!! Maybe for thanksgiving at grandma´s house! That would be hilarious.

So my house is slowly receiving more and more new stuff. We have a new washer, a new fridge, a new stove and really good huge desks. The next step is a new clothes closet thingy (how do you spell armwa?) and new matresses. And I need to buy a pillow, my neck hurts. But on Thursday I went to a wedding in the chapel. They are so weird here! Just imagine a wedding where Creed is playing while the bride is entering the room. Hahah creed, sum 41, its so strange!! But, it was a good wedding. The chapel is really crappy but it was still a pretty ceremony. They do 2 here cuz they cannot do a civil marriage in the temple.

I think I told you about the really spiritual pesson I taught to the old man with cancer and said that he liked the message but wasn´t sure about the baptism?? I guess now he wasnts to be baptized!! Even the oldest of people with the catholic-ist of tradition can be changed by the gospel.

Well, thats about all!! I miss you all and Mom, HAPPY BIRTHDAY ON FRIDAY!! Olivia as well. But, MOM, (edit this part out) what do you think about everyone´s christmas presents?? I want to buy something for everyone and send it to you all. I was thinkin Havaianas (those flip flops that everyone loves from Brazil) but I dunno everyones size. What do you think would be good??

But, I am glad you had a good anniversary, I am thankful for the example that you show of enduring to the end. I am trying to see how I can be able to attend Elder M. Santos´s wedding, which will be the 10th of november. Next year. But, did you ask the stake prez about if I can be released still over the phone??

LOVE YOU ALL AND MISS YOU!!!!!

Mike, seen any good ski movies??

Love Elder Baker