WORLD CUP 2010

On your mark get set, GO! We are getting geared up for the Brazil games in the World Cup. As you can see the stores are selling all sorts of yellow/green items so that you can be patriotic when Brazil is playing. We even bought a package of Peanut M&Ms that had only yellow and green M&Ms.

Where do your loyalties lie? I'd say Italia is a little out-numbered here.

We have asked our Missionaries to decline any invitations to go watch the games at the homes of members, and use the time instead for studying or for District Meetings. This is causing some discomfort for a few of them. They are trying to decide if they will be obedient, and experiment on the promise that Sacrifice brings blessings.

ARRIO DOS RATTOS

We have a fun city here named Arrio dos Rattos, which literally translated means: River of the Rats. It was settled many years ago by a German family, (Ratte.) There is also a beautiful River running by it. It seems that the city is trying to change it's image. They have a watermelon festival every year, and the last few times that we have visited we noticed these new decorations that the city has purchased. Above you can see one of their new Bus Stops.

-Garbage Recepticle-

-Fancy New Sreet Signs-

I love the new look, but I really think they need to change the name.

BRAZIL the Land of Beautful Produce

When we have interviews in Pelotas sometimes they fall on Wednesday which is the day for Feira (market.) This is the street market that fills the street in front of the Princesa Isabel Chapel in Pelotas. Feira is also the word they use for days of the week. Monday/(2nd)Segunda-feira, Tuesday/(3rd)Terça-feira, Wednesday/(4th)Quarta-feira, Thursday/(5th)Quinta-feira, Friday/(6th)Sexta-feira, Saturday/Sabado, Sunday/Domingo. I always get mixed up and call Sunday Sabado (because it reminds me of the word Sabbath.)

I love to see all of the beautiful produce.

We have a Sister, Anna in Pelotas who cooks amazing lunches for us every Zone Conference, which is every 6 weeks. She always has very colorful foods. One thing she enjoys in particular is dying eggs (you can see the green ones here.) She dyes the egg itself, not the shell.

Bom Apetite!

We LOVE baptisms!!!

We love to attend baptisms anytime we can.

This is the baptism of Eloe. Her husband Alfonso was re-activated

their son Leonardo was baptized, and then Eloe was baptized.

Two of our wonderful Sisters taught them, Sister Badger, and Sister Ruzzene.

Alfonso, Eloe, and Leonardo are members of our home ward. Curt challenged

them to set a date to go to the Temple next year to be sealed.

Celso, Eloe, Leonardo, and Alfonso.

We are often invited to baptisms at the Chapel near our office.
Here we are at the baptism of Maria. She was taught by our Assistants:
Elders Valeriano an Pourre on the left, and Elder Xavier on the right.



Bispo Isaias Santos likes to play his saxophone at the baptism services.
We've heard him play "I'm Trying to be Like Jesus," and
"How Great Thou Art." It is very sweet for the new
members to receive this gift from him.

A day at the ocean:

In May we drove out to Torres (towers) to spend some time at the beach.

Here is a one of the towers we saw. There is some great wind for para sailing.

Curt getting some R & R

We looked and looked for creatures in the tide pools.

There were some good waves for surfing, and surfers in the water,

but we didn't see anyone catch a wave.

Back home again - here is one of the many beautiful sunsets
we see from our Dining room window.