July 5, 2011

Ah! i wish I could have been there for Fourth of July! yesterday was alright. kind of Cold here yesterday. I wore a sweatshirt all day. But they decorated the cafeteria and had hot dogs and hamburgers and ice cream. Was cool. ice cream was bad. and hot dogs here are really weird. And the hamburgers weren´t like they are in America. But twas good. Oh I wanted to tell you about Prosilyting! So we went to Avenita Paulista. it was crazy. It´s like crazier than the busiest street in New york. So many people. My companion and I were freaking out. We had no idea what to do. We walked around for like 40 minutes before talking to anyone. But it was really strange for me because ever since I got here I haven´t been scared to talk to people. But that day I was freaking out. I guess I was just intimidated. I dunno But anyways this is the cool part. I had been fasting that day for prosilyting to go well and to be able to be more in tune with the spirit and stuff. Anyways so after walking around for 40 minutes and feeling down about not talking to anyone, I said a prayer in my head saying ``Lord I need help, I can´t do this without your help.´´ and then a thought came to my mind really clearly. ``have the faith to act, talk to someone, do your part and the Lord will help you.´´ It came from nowhere and was really distinct to me. So after walking for another couple of minutes I finally went up to this woman sitting outside a store doing nothing. talked to her and got her to accept a book of mormon and committed her to read it and call the missionaries after reading to talk to them more about it. Was really cool. After that, I had so much fun, I started talking to lots of people. Sadly I only gave out one other book of mormon but it was still really cool. Spoke alot of portuguese, tried to walk and talk with people. Got rejected alot, it was awesome. It was a really good day. Had alot of fun doing it. it seems to me that I am happiest when I go to the temple, prosilyte, or I teach people I don´t know and are not members. Which hasn´t happened much yet but I really am alot happier when I am. But I feel that Rio will be cool. I´ll be happy most of the time if teaching makes as happy as it does. I think it´s more about the spirit though, as to the reason why i am so happy afterwards. But anyways, We didn´t have any fireworks here their independance day isnt until like september. And i have been informed that on new years day Rio has a big fireworks show. so that will be cool. Sounds like you all are having fun up in Idaho. but anyways not sure when I´ll write next since I´ll be going to and will be in Rio next Tuesday. So yeah. hopefully I can get you all some pictures by then if not I don´t know what I´ll do about it. I spent the last of my money today so I´ll probably wait until I get to Rio to get any from the bank. Unless I don´t need it. In whichcase I probably won´t. but anyways, tah tah for now, I´ll write you next week! hopefully!  Love Elder Bender

FUN FACT:  Rio Weird fact: The city's rich elite like to dress their pampered pets in shoes, hats, and even full outfits. Poodles are the most popular dogs in Rio high society, and some have a different outfit for every day of the week.

I couldn't find any of the "poodles" in everyday dress, but there were a couple pictures of dogs dressed up for carnivals! LOVE THE SHOES!!!!!  I almost need a dog just to put the shoes on it! LOL!