Into the Amazon

 Monday, January 1, 2024; Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil: Feliz Novo Ano!!! Happy New Year!!! I hope you all had a good party last night, maybe watched some fireworks    This past week was ok. It is, however, one of the busiest weeks of the year for many people, what with Christmas to New Years.  A lot of people didn't want to do lessons this week, so that was fun.  We did, however, have a few awesome lessons.  One of those awesome lessons was with our friend Anderson. He talked about some of his problems that he is trying to get over, and we talked about the principle and process of repentance. Repentance isn't a bad thing, and it can help with anything from addictions to bad behavior, any imperfection. Through it we can become better with any part of our life. Anderson then came to church with his wife. He said he really enjoyed it and will keep coming, which was super cool.  We had interviews with our Mission President. We got there a little early to find...

 Monday, December 25, 2023; Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil: This week, three of our friends-Lucas, Eraldo and Letícia-were baptized! It was awesome to help them with that important step in their lives! Baptism is an awesome start to the most important path in life. It leads to what's most important: returning to be with our Father in Heaven.  On Sunday, for Christmas, we had a special Sacrament Meeting. Both of the Wards [congregations] meeting at our chapel met together. During that meeting, our friends who were baptized, received the gift of the Holy Ghost.  On Christmas Eve, Elder Schmidt and I went with 4 other Elders to be with some members in the other Elders' area. There we talked for a little while, ate an awesome dinner, and then returned home. We had to be home at normal time, by 9:30pm.  Also, Christmas Eve, from 6pm until about 11:45pm, there were frequent fireworks going off, combined with the occasional super-loud motorcycle zooming around the block.  Ri...