June 4, 2012

Dear Family and Friends,

I will have reached the year mark this week.  That is crazy!  Things are turning around for me.  I am getting in a better mood gradually and having a better attitude about things.  The mission president made a challenge for me that I cut-down completely on the English (except of course to you guys) and now do everything in Portuguese.  I guess what he is saying is that I will only have Brazilians as companions for the rest of the mission.  I guess I need to start learning the culture.

Speaking of the culture, my companion and I have had a little conversation about the difference between the United States and Brazil.  Here in Brazil, it is completely normal and expected to take two showers a day.  One in the morning, one at night.  America is not like that.  Elder ******'s brother went to Las Vegas, and learned our way of life and came home and only took one shower a day. He was considered a pig.  Also we had a debate about cleanliness.  I guess it's just me but I think my companion has a bit of OCD.  Or I am just a messy person.

I lost weight on my mission.  I lost ten kilos, don't know what that is in pounds, but It was significant.  Although, I am now eating a lot of French fries for dinner, because it is very cheap.  So I am learning how to cook hamburgers on a stove using a pot.  It is quite messy.  I don't think I will ever learn how to make pasta sauce.  Looks complicated.  Maybe I will, who knows.

I have terrible insomnia as well, and if I don't go to sleep the same time or sleep during the day, I can't sleep well at night.  Also, I am a extremely light sleeper and if I have a companion that snores, like I do now, I need to fall asleep before he starts or I will not get to sleep for a long time.

That is all for this week.  The Bishop here is really awesome, and has made it a challenge, along with the Stake President that the members have to have Family Home Evening with the missionaries, so that this month we can receive 16 referrals.  I have a testimony that the gospel is true, and that Heavenly Father loves us no matter what.  He will always love us and is so happy if we are doing are best, no matter what our weakness is.

I love you,
Elder Kevin Brady

[Kevin wrote to Tess too and she shared it with us so we could share it with you . . . any extra mission details are appreciated!]

Hey Tessa,


It is great to hear everything is going so well for you guys.  That is crazy that you guys are eating healthy.  I am too.  I lost ten kilos being here on the mission.  Probably that's because fast food is extremely expensive.  But they do have meat restaurants that serve unlimited amounts of meat.  They are called Rodízios and they bring meat around on giant swords and serve people while they are sitting at a table.  They do it with pizza restaurants too. The pizza is healthier here as well.


Great to hear jobs are going well for you both.  What's a gymboree?


I still hate vegetables... don't tell mom :)


Well I am sure things are starting to turn around for the better.  I love hearing from you and I can't wait to catch up when I get back.  It is crazy that I have already been gone for a year.  Time goes by fast.  And I was actually thinking about living in Florida since a ton of Brazilians live there.  and I am guessing Spanish speakers as well. 


I love you and you are in my prayers.


Love,
Elder Kevin Brady