Didn't understand a thing! (6-27-13)

Minha Familia,

That means my family, btw.  It is the second day at the MTC and I am so tired.  And all we do is sit in the classroom all day it seems like.  But they are just shoving so much stuff into your brain that it makes you sore & tired.  The first day here was crazy, our teacher spoke nothing but Portugues.  I knew some languages did that, but I guess it is all of them.  I didn't understand a thing.  Most people have some Spanish background so they can pick up some stuff.  But I have a German background & there are no similarities.  The hardest part so far is the pronounciation.  I just killed that spelling.  It is just so foreign that it is hard for me, especially the nasal sounds, like nao which means no.  But I'm picking up quite a bit, which is good because we have a real investigator to teach tomorrow.  In Portugues.

My companions are super cool.  I have 2 because Elder Smith, we say it like Smich because that is how Brazilians will say it, had a companion but he never showed up yesterday.  My assigned companion is Elder Richardson, we call him Hicharson for the same reasons.  He is super nice & very enthusiastic about the gospel.  My district is super cool too.  There are 13 of us & most are going to Sao Paulo East.  4 are going to my mission & 2 are going to Santa Maria.  There are 2 sister companions & they are super cool, just like the Elders.

I am really learning a lot, especially in Portugues.  Pretty soon we will know enough to follow speak your language.  But my favorite phrases are Que Isso?  What is this? & Bem fildo...good job.  I know it is the Lord helping me with this.  And He knows I need it.

I am also super excited to get to Porto Alegre.  There is an Elder on my floor, Elder Canterelle, who is from Porto Alegre.  And that is where Elder Smith & Richardson are going to so he was telling us how much he loves that area & what to expect weather-wise and kind of what to expect from the people.  I learned that lunch is the biggest meal of the day there & that Nalgene water bottles are super expensive.  I am so wanting my visa to come soon.

Well that is all that I have for now.  I miss you all & love you all!

Elder Mackay