Aldeia Indignea

Today I had the most rewarding experience to visit an “indian reservation” here in Brazil. Few people are even aware that there are still Indians living in the state of Rio de Jeiro. We hiked about 3 miles up a steep mountain to this amazing reservation. The people of the village didn’t speak Portuguese but Guarani. They performed for us with their traditional dance and song. They showed us their village and their church. I even got to play soccer with a little boy, I guess soccer is the universal language. The purpose of this visit was to increase our knowledge about diversity. It was so interesting that we couldn’t communicate and how we tried our best to communicate with hand motions and pointing. I know it is cheesey but I felt so much love for those people, I love that they are working so hard to preserve their culture. As I was there I felt really blessed to feel a bit of the love that Heavenly Father has for all his children. They live in literally the middle of nowhere and Heavenly Father knows right where they are, and he speaks their language perfectly!

Weekend Fun

Wooh…what blast! Friday night our ward managed to get tickets for the local theatre where we got to watch a ballet production of Romeo & Juliet When I first got to Rio, I took a tour of the theatre but I never imagined I would be able to watch a performance. The theatre was beautiful and the dance even better! The next day I went my friend Danielle and her family to a bbq( Churrasco). I must say that the Brazilians know how to barbeque. Things needed for a churrasco: 1.) lots of meat 2.) loud music and 3.) more meat!

Happy Holidays

Here is our decorated door and a pumpkin pie, proof that we have not forgotten the motherland and we are doing what our forefathers would want.

I Love to See The Temple

I had such a great experience this weekend to go on a temple trip. It was an experience that I always wanted to have when I was on my mission and I feel so blessed to get to do it! We left Friday night at 10:00 after a special devotional. It was so fun traveling on the bus with all the members of my ward and stake. I felt like we were all united in a righteous cause. We got to the Campinas Temple at about six in the morning and spent the whole day at work. We had lunch, and left in the late afternoon, and were back before 10:00 Saturday night. It was a quick trip but it was so good to be rejuvenated spritualy, and to get to spend the whole day in the temple. It also makes me appreciate living in the only city in the world that has two cities…South Jordan. And I promise to take more advantage of those temples.

Visitors Welcome

Considering the fact that I am living in a different country I have still had quite a few visitors. Recently, my best friend Vicki came to stay. Some best friend huh? Vicki served her mission in São Paulo and was so excited to come back. I got to show her and some of her friends from work around Rio. I must admit it was fun to not be the tourist, and watch them see Rio for the first time. I of course took them to the Cristo, Pão de Acucar, Copacabana, and Leblon. They eved stayed at a hostel in a Favela which they loved. Vicki left on Sunday and on Monday came Veronica. Veronica is my “Brazilian mom”. I met Veronica when I was serving as a missionary in Fortaleza. Veronica is one of the most amazing and incredible people I know and I was so excited to have her come visit. Bruno Goulart, who also served in Fortaleza also knows her very well. So the two of us did our best showing Veronica the city. One of my favorite stops was the zoo. The bird area was my favorite. I saw colors that I only knew existed on pictures. The toucans and parrots, and macaws were breathtaking. It was so good to see Veronica again and I cannot wait till I get to go to Fortaleza to visit!

Let Me Take You To Rio

So, today was my day off so Abbie and I decided to take trip into the city and see what we could see. We were fortunate to find the national library as soon as we got off the metro. I love riding the metro. We ate frozen yogurt as we walked through the park, it felt like a dream or at least a movie I once saw. We had lunch, took a tour of the national library, and visited several musuems. There was a museum with a special exhbit of RIO the movie…I found blue!

You give me fever...

I was thinking things were pretty boring around here since I came back from Sao Paulo, until I woke up Saturday feeling awful! Why didn’t want things to be boring anyways? I just got worse and Sunday, I had to go the hospital with a fever of 104. The doctor diagnosed me with a throat infection, which I think is strep throat. He gave me medicine and luckily I am feeling much better. Guess I should just learn to be content!