blogger stuff

Oh my! Time is such a crazy thing! We, as a district always set goals and things, and this week we were able to reach a bunch of our goals! Which sounds like such a little thing, but it was so rad! The most exciting was reaching our goal in baptisms! Its been so cool to see people so excited to receive the gospel.Things are changing quick around here. Next week our new mission president arrives, and our mission combines with a neighboring mission. Change is such a trip. There is always that internal battle- leave what you love to gain more? Or keep what you love and never see what else there is to offer?The mission really shows the importance of progression. Everyone loves the newly born phase of babies- but imagine if they REALLY did stay there forever! Someone was saying the other day that they saw on the news a girl whose body didnt progress at all. She was 28 years old and still had the body of a baby- but also only had the mentality of about a 4 year old. But yeah, i dont know if I believe it- it was a good source, but still, thats madness...Anyway, the point is, more often than not we have to leave our comfort zone to progress. Emotionally, Physically or Spiritually.Spiritually especially, because for instance:Someone who has never heard of the church and never had a habit of reading and praying and going to church is going to have to stretch themselves to do their best to .. cumprir.. these things! But as time goes by that person will have to work HARDER to still STRETCH themselves to reach a higher point of spirituality. Its a continuing progression.I lost my voice this week. The thought never crossed my mind that leaving something like my VOICE behind could help me PROGRESS! But in actuality, it has! Because its forced me to shut my mouth more, and forced my comp to open her´s more- so Ive learned a lot, and I think she has too! Its funny how we learn new things from the adventures of life. Anyway things are good. I miss you all!Happy Fathers day last sunday! I didnt realize it was until I got Christina´s blog.. so sorry I didnt send out those good wishes sooner! But I´m going to bite christina´s style and o shout out to: MY dad! Whom I love and adore! Thanks for being so wonderful Papi, you´ve really been such a big support to me. You´ve shown your love for me in a million ways, and it means so much to me! I miss you like mad!!!Also, to Russ! An amazingly patient and good man! thanks for being someone I can trust and confide in. I appreciate your sincerity and genuine concern for everyone around you. Your example has taught me so much!And MICHAEL! I´m so proud to have you as my brother- and when I see you playing with blake and taking care of your family, it inspires me to be a better person. Keep up the good work!Not to mention the upcoming dad IVAN! You´re going to be an awesome dad, I´m excited to see it all unfold!
As well as amazing father´s Ive had the opportunity to see in my lifeRick Rush!! I love your guts!!! You know you mean the world to me! Thanks for always being there when I needed you!As well as Ed liebing! Thanks for always making me feel like part of the family! You´ve been a great example to me as well.And Richard Dutcher! I miss seeing you be the amazing dad that you are to your kids! Watching the impact you had on your kids was such a rad and priceless experience, and I never will forget it!
I appreciate each and every single one of you!!!! Thanks for making the world a better place! Keep up the good work!!!
ok, until next week- though next week is the zone pday, so I dont know how much time i´ll have to write..
KLOVEYOUBYE

Hi!

Yeah, sorry about last week. We had some miscommunication with the girls (aka the other sisters in the zone) and somehow ended up not having enough time to email. I was really sad, but here I am still alive, so I guess it wasnt such a big deal.
So things are going as they go! My new comp is from Forteleza, and apparently they have pretty beaches there. That has nothing to do with anything, but i thought Id mention it. Tomorrow is zone conference and i´m stoked about that, theyre always good. and it´ll be the last with pres. frie, so that should be interesting.
I was studying about faith the other day and found a really cool phrase:
"True faith cannot exist without obedience. In the same way, true obedience doesnt exist without faith."
So, upon pondering this, I realized that striving to be more and more obedient is how one develops faith.
Sometimes we do the right thing for the wrong motive- but like it says in Alma 32, sometimes it starts out with just the DESIRE to know. Just the desire to do right. The desire to have the motive.
But the Lord is merciful and gives us everything we need. He gives us the very best. But it is VERY dependent on us doing our part. He is JUST. Perfectly just. something Ive learned here on the mission is that the Lord´s mercy ISNT Him MAGICALLY giving us what we don´t deserve- it´s Him giving us the tools and opportunities TO deserve that which we want and need. His perfection is incredible.
Anyway, things are going well here. The weather has been perfect. Slightly cold. Its fantastic. Everyone laughs at me when I´m wrapped up in my sweater and shivering because they all know that where I come from COLD is an entirely different story. But I´ve already adapted, so what can y´do?
oh, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Matthew this week!! And it looks like Chloe Dutcher had a birthday too! Oh my goodness she must be so big! Gwen! I miss your family, send me some pictures!!! xoxoxo
(lucas, i swear if i dont get a letter from you soon...)
Anyway, so yeah, life is good. I miss you all.
Até mais! -sb