Friday

Friday January 30. The work week is finally over. The people who work here are more laid back than I am used to. They love their meetings by way of zoom. We had to attend one from 10:00 until 12:00, and. They spent the morning waiting for it to happen.

I understood most of it, but still sort of zoned out during parts of it. Each head of the groups for education, family services, self reliance, and humanitarian reported on the monthly progress, and as it was January they mentioned yearly numbers also. They focused also on helping with retention for returning young missionaries and teaching about the law of the fast. I found multiple copies of English to Portuguese dictionaries and grandma likes her new pocket edition.

After the meeting it was lunch time. This hour long break usually lasts closer to two hours, then we did some file work and headed home by way of Sam’s Club which is directly across the street and almost on the way home. We bought hamburger so we ate hamburgers and fries for supper. I like the hamburger from there the best and I think it is better than hamburger at home. We waited up and called Jordan as it is his birthday. Love to all.

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Quiet day

Thursday January 29. Today most of the people in the office were working from home. We were going to be sitting and waiting for a while so we took the opportunity to attend the temple.

It was warm at 9:30 when we walked over but hot when we returned. It was nice to enjoy some peace and calm today. There were quite a few young missionaries attending they seem so happy and enthusiastic. We returned to work in time for lunch.

After lunch we were given files to update. We also received a call from the Brazilian MTC assigning us to start attending Sunday services there in one of the branches. That should be fun. We finished up our work and headed home. We ate the last of the stew I made. It tastes so amazing. I have no idea why. Much better than what I make at home. Love to all.

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Grandma goes to the police.

Wednesday January 28. Today was grandma’s turn to go apply for her blue card, or permanent residence permit. We left early in a taxi. I really enjoy the travel to the federal police station. 

We arrived and we. Went right through all the stations and soon we were waiting in the huge waiting room. They have a large television where we sat and I watched the news. The police had arrested 26 moto drivers and were loading the bikes on trucks. On the way home we were slowed down to pass by and saw all 3 trucks full of motos. So 1 picture has 1 of the trucks. We saw a lot more favelas, those ramshackle slums. I kind of think they are ingenious. Free housing. There is this huge concrete rhino I have no idea what it represents. Lots of traffic and cool skylines. No particular order. 

We arrived back home ate lunch then headed for work. We had work to do today. We kept busy until 5 and headed back home. Good day. Love to all.

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Hit and miss

 Tuesday January 27. Sometimes we don’t have so very much to do. Today was one of those days. Arriving at work we waited until lunch with nothing to do. The main boss came through and talked to us and I told him we needed more. I hope he understands. We ate at KFC. It was really good. A pleasant surprise. We bought a few items for our lunches the rest of the week. After lunch was a quarterly birthday party for the employees. 

When we went back to work we had some things to do. We got some wrong and had to reorganize them but did okay. This one worker comes to our office regularly and grandma thinks he looks like Tod Shawver. 

It turned dark outside and rained and blew for a little while then cleared up nicely. Oh the way home I got this picture.

Moroni looks good though the trees. We called John really late for us as it is his birthday. Love to all.

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Missionary work.

 Monday January 27.

Sometimes being a missionary is just showing up and working. Today was one of those days. We went to the office on time and for the first time everyone was there. There was a lot of talking and planning and none of it was for us so we remained sitting waiting. The little vacuum unit came through. It plays music softly usually from the tabernacle choir . The lights move around like eyes and when I walked towards it it turned out of the way. We need these in every church.

We did some file work in the afternoon then FHE. Good meeting by a couple going home next week. Love to all.

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Sunday walks are peaceful

 Sunday January 25. I am beginning to like going to church at 10:30. It gives me time to go for a walk in the early morning and still have time to get ready for church.

This morning I made 2 loops out several blocks and around and back. I am just getting to know the area and decide what to see. The terrain here is very steep and constantly going up and down. If you are careful you can stay on the ridge line some of the time. There are places where you come out on areas where you can see a long ways looking out to the horizon of tall buildings with patches of jungle mixed in. Right now this time of year the flowers are pretty but fall is fast approaching and they are already loosing petals similar to how trees loose their leaves.

Since it is my fault grandma doesn’t have enough dresses I am watching for a clothes store to take her shopping in.

There are lots of restaurants, barbers and hair salons, and veterinarians in the neighborhood.

The one with the huge chimney is either a barbecue place or a crematorium. It’s a barbecue spot. But the dark blue is a combination funeral home and a paint store. When I say lots remember I probably circled 20 to 50 thousand people. There are lots of new buildings going up to

house thousands of more. The steak house where you buy meat to take home had a treagor smoker. 

There was a nice jeep.

They have apartments for sale just down the block for a one bedroom with access to the roof starting at $53,150.

I finished my walk and we left for church. The traffic is a lot less on the weekends especially Sunday, but it also allows more room for the speeders. The busy 6 lane road we cross has cars and motos going by over 60 mixed in with the the normal traffic going 30. Timing’s everything. The first speakers today were the 2 young sister missionaries assigned to our ward. Being American and thus having a more limited vocabulary they were easier to understand. I tried to remain focused throughout the entire time at church as I sometimes just let it go above my head thinking I will do better next time. I should keep studying and improving my language skills. More skills. Grandma is having problems with her knee and was limping when this car pulled up and offered a ride. The people here are nice and seem to be aware. I made tacos for lunch. The expensive cheese grandma had me buy tastes like sharp cheddar so it was good. But it smells strange. So as you take a bite the smell is off but the flavor is good. We called the kids and listened to Angela’s talk from sacrament meeting. I asked her to take the phone and take us for a walk. We have a lot of fun with this. When we called Logan’s family I had Tucker take us for a walk he had to show us the whole house and even the garage and outside. They have moved into our house so it’s fun to see. John called us and we had a nice visit. Fun to not need any help with our devices. Late at night we called Jordan as his meetings get him home after 8:00 our time. This was the best Sunday we have had so far. Love to all.

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