We received a letter in the mail from Eric. Here is what he wrote:
I LOVE IT HERE! I love walking around Sao Paulo on my p-days and get to check out all the stores. The humidity is a killer but hopefully I'll get used to it. Everyone says that Recife is way hotter. Everyday i'm drenched in sweat and feel sticky all the time. We can take two showers a day which is good. In Recife I heard that they can take 3 showers a day. I love Brasileros, everyone is hilarious! So friendly and loving. They really like being taught English as well. Some of the native missionaries speak pretty good english because of video games and watching American TV shows. If you don't mind sending me a mosquito net, it would be greatly appreciated. I have only been bitten a few times but I'm not looking froward to the many more that will surely come. I started using the spray and cream and it works pretty well. The bugs/mosquito's here are bad! But I can probably find a mosquito net here, so i'll email you. My teachers are pretty sweet. Irmao Nasciemento is hilarious. He makes learning Portugese fun because he is always cracking jokes. He's insane because he is from Sao Paulo, didn't speak any english and served his mission in Japan. So he had to learn English in the MTC and then learn Japanese from the English he learned. It's insane that he was able to do that. I love teaching lesson's with my two companions. Between the three of us we can drag lessons on for 30-40 mins. Elder Carroll had the flu so we were quarantined in our room for a little over a day. I got to give my 3rd blessing while on my mission. It was pretty awesome! It would be really good if you could send me my pedigree chart, and ask Bishop for the Priesthood line of Authority please. I can't wait to get out into the field! At the same time...I can't imagine being there right now because my language skills aren't quite there yet. But I'm definitely getting there! The food here is great! Lot's of juice (which you know I LOVE). Tons of fruit, rolls, rice, beans, pudding, chicken and all kinds of meat, and some kind of milky porridge. Oh and they drink a lot of Guarana (kind of like Ginger-Ale). It rains about every other day here and we had the loudest thunderstorm i've ever heard in my life. We have to be careful when we walk around the streets in Sao Paulo. We can't be alone (with our companion) in remotely sketch areas or around alley ways. Two missionaries got robbed at gun point here on their P-day because they were in front of an alley and there were only two of them. They advise us to be in groups of at least 4.
Ian..I bet you are getting the jitters waiting to leave for your mission. In provo I had the opportunity to watch an MTC devotional given by Elder Bednar and it was only for the missionaries. I loved how he talked about the Spirit of Revelation and how his favorite time of the week is when he has the opportunity to see the faces of the missionaries and get an impression as to where they need to be for the next two years. I know that it IS NOT JUST where they need us to be, but it is where we are called by revelation from God through Prophets that determine where we will serve. Being on a mission is crazy and sometimes it still doesn't feel real. For a long time I didn't think it would ever set in. I really don't have much advice for Ian yet, but I will let you know when I do. All I can think of right now is the cliche- The mission is the hardest thing I've ever done thus far in my life. I wasn't used to having to study and learn and be in classes and meetings for 15 hours a day. I wake up at 6:30 a.m. everyday and come back to my room at 9:30 p.m. The first week was the hardest, but once Ian get's the schedule down, it get's a lot better. Also Ian, Never give up, or compare yourself to other missionaries. Everyone has their own special special talents and abilities. And always remember your commitment to give your all these next two years. When you wrote your acceptance speech to the first presidency, you agreed to do that. I remember when Elder Holland came to Provo and spoke to us on Thanksgiving. He said how when missionaries get home, everyone seems to ask them how it is being back in "real life." Elder Holland intensely and powerfully told us that "The mission IS real life!" We will grow closer to the Lord and and live more Christ-like lives than we ever will again in mortality. We are second to only General Authorities in the service and life we live these next two years. I also love how he said "When you feel like giving up, when you feel like you can't stay on the mission any longer, when you won't do it for your girl-friend, or your mom, or the prophet, do it for Jesus Christ. He gave you so much and you give so little." I'm always going to remember this and I know with the Lord's help I can get through any trial or struggle. Anyway, I miss you all! I am so proud of Ian for wanting to serve a mission and dedicate these next two years to the Lord.
I love you family! And Friends! I hope everything is good. I hope the ward is doing well. Please fill me in on world events...and the reign of Obama.
Email/Write me! Love Elder Kennedy
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