Meet the Mormons

Hello everyone! I hope that everyone's doing well! I had a super fun week. To start it all out, I bought these GIANT bananas! I was in the store and saw them and mistook them for another type of banana they have here in Brazil that is larger than a normal banana like we have in the US. However, I then noticed that these are normal bananas! The same species that we eat in America, just abnormally large. I couldn't resist buying a couple and taking pictures. I've included my impersonation of a tauntaun with my letter.

The next greatness that happened is called Dr. Pepper. Some other Elders had to pass close by, so they stopped in and bought some soda. They had Dr. Pepper!!!! It tasted so good. I was pretty happy.

From there, I went road tripping! I went to help out with one of the zone conferences we were having in Sorocaba, a city that I'd worked in before coming here. I got to see lots of good friends and help out by giving trainings and assisting with various parts of the conference. It was fun! There was a surprise for everyone, as President Farnes had asked (and received) a voice-overed copy of the new movie Meet the Mormons!! We're the only people that have it in all of Brazil, so it was even cooler to see. The movie tracks the lives of 6 Mormon families and gives 15 minute glimpse on a Bishop, a football coach, a women's boxer, an aged pilot, a humanitarian, and a missionary's mom. They movie was great and provided great outlook to those not of our faith or who may have misconceptions of who we are. All the missionaries there were crying pretty much when we watched the segment about the missionary's mom, especially when it showed the missionary leaving from the airport! I also shed a tear when the football game started though. The band came out, it showed the American flag and the jet flyover, and then showed a football game and it was all very emotional. I just kind of realized, dang I miss football!!

I got to go look at houses this week and have some other adventures along with sharing the gospel with some very special people. It's so great to be here working! Unfortunately, as I've said before, President already said that I'd be leaving the office on the next transfer date, which happens to be this Tuesday! I'll know where I'm goingtomorrow morning! I'm excited! I'll miss it here, but I know that I'm ready to have other learning experiences as well! I hope that everyone has a good week! With my area change I shouldn't be able to write until next Monday, as my preparation days will switch back to that day. So until then everyone! Have a great week and work hard!!

Elder Ashford