Braden's First Letter

Dear Family,

I made it! Wednesday was the longest day of my entire life! The first week was super rough but it gets better everyday. Sao Paulo is huge! Buildings every where and it's exactly like the movies where they fit as many people and buildings into whatever space they can find. It gets pretty hot in the day but I am in class then it's not too bad in the morning and evening though. The humidity is bearable as well, I'm pretty much used to it now ( it also keeps my shirts from wrinkling). My companion is Elder Allen, he is a great guy from Sandy. He is going to the Sao Paulo Leste (east) Mission. He has been sick since the plane ride though, so it's been kind of tough. Don't worry though I eat my veggies, wash my hand and take my vitamins! I'm doing fine. My district is awesome, I seriously couldn't have asked for better! They are: Me, Elder Allen, Elder Robinson, Elder Cherry, Elder Gamez, Sister Anderson, and Sister Kane (who is going to Santa Maria as well). We have tons of fun and work real hard! I have only seen small bugs here so it's not like crazy or anything, I got a mosquito bite though.

Portuguese is tough, but i can already tell that the Lord is helping me with it! We taught our first "investigator" on Saturday, in Portuguese. It wasn't good by all means but I could basically get across what I wanted to say! The Lord really helps you out if you work hard and try your best! We went to the temple this morning, it was really neat (and in English thank goodness). I was soo upset to hear that Mason wasn't going to MC the Christmas Program, that news almost ruined my entire day.

The CTM, where to start. We have lovingly dubbed it the "spirit prison", it is very spiritual and very secure. We are surrounded by high walls with barbed wire on top, and they have an entire private security firm that works here. They have cool earpieces and everything! The food is not very good. I can hardly ever tell what I am actually eating, but I think yesterday was pig-part and bean stew. It was alright until I got a mouthful of cartlidge! Unfortunately our room is on the 5th floor. I get good exercise because we have to go up and down about 5 times a day!

The Brazilians are great! They love to party! We have two Brazilian roommates and they are so funny. They love to talk about gym and when they do they flex their muscles and point at them. So we will walk down the hall and see them and everybody starts flexing and saying GYM! So far I am the only one in district 48-A to receive any letters! That didn't make any of them very happy though. I love the letters though so thanks! I think that I get free cookies because you signed up for mission ties so I am excited to pick those up today. We get to leave the CTM on P-days and walk around a little bit! I know that I have not answered all of your questions, but the timer is blinking at me and I need to upload pictures! Nevermind I  can't do pics here but I will find another way!

I love you all so much and love to hear from you!

Muito Amor,

Elder Stringer