Email received 1/1/09

Email received January 1, 2009
3rd area: Mossoro- Costa E Silva
5th companion: Elder Kittler



happy new year to everyone and i hope all had a great christmas. it was really great to talk to all of you, it really did make me happy to hear you guys and all the kids voices. i am still in shock that roxy can communicate the way she does and she is just a little woman now like ellie. yes i did get transferred but first to explain the pictures [see post below], these are from before i left cidade verde with some of my best friends in the ward, and the baptism of fernando with me and elder sammy which was awesome. i am so grateful for the oppurtunity i had to help this man to the waters of baptism cuz i have seen an amazing change in him.

about transfers, i have really been wanting to go to joão pessoa, especially cuz we found out that elder quentin l. cook of the 12 apostles is coming to our mission at the end of january but he is only gonna be able to talk to the areas in JP cuz thats the majority of the mission. so they called me monday morning and told me that i was transfered to joão pessoa, i got really happy. as i was sitting at the bus station waiting with all my luggage, something wierd happened. one of the other missionaries told me that presidente fernandes wanted me to call him immediately. so i went to a pay phone and called him and he informed me i would not be going to JP, but instead, to Mossoró. (which is the hottest area in the whole mission) and it happens to be the hottest time of year. i was a bit discouraged but pres explained to me that he changed my transfer cuz the elder there that would be my new companion needs a LOT of help. i was really confused but i took the 4 hour bus ride here and arrived here in my new area, Mossoró - Costa e Silva. i got here and met my new companion, and it didnt take me very long to see what pres was talking about.

his name is elder kittler, he is a brazilian with a year and a half and absolutely no motivation. he is the most negative person i have ever met and is anti-anything to do with the US. he has told me almost every day since i have been here that he basically hates me and doesnt wanna be my companion cuz i am american. to describe him a bit: he is a heavy guy, smells bad, and not a minute of the day goes by that he is not picking his nose, burping, farting, or scratching himself, even in public. he is a lazy slob and doesnt like to get out of bed or work. if you know me, you know that i like to have everything neat and clean and very organized. he is the opposite. he leaves all his dirty smelly clothes, trash, food and dirty dishes all around the house. oh yeah the house- its an actual house, but it is half the size of a normal appartment. its very small and theres no washing machine so i´m back to doing all my laundry by hand. everyone at the zone meeting was laughing and asking me "how´s the house" cuz they all say its one of the crappiest houses in the whole mission. and i think its been at least 6 months since anyone has cleaned it.

we dont have anyone to teach but i am gonna work hard to find some people this week. its just very very difficult with him and with everything right now. its even more stressful cuz the president is expecting a lot out of me right now. the area is insanely hot and far away from any big city or civilization and stuff like my last area. there are no grocery stores or anything so its kinda depressing and its always kind of uncomfortable getting in a new area where you dont know anyone or anything. but one thing about the mission is you are never allowed to be in your comfort zone. if you ever happen to slip into it the lord is sure to pull you right out. but all these things will be good for me to learn and grow and hopefully find the people in this area waiting for the gospel.
until next monday.

elder sherwood