Among the Gaúchos: Highlights

Baptism Day
8/10/2015

Answer to the puzzle :)

It was so good to see all of the family and special guest Spencer at the skype session yesterday! Just a few of the high-lights from the conversation to keep everyone filled in. The answer to last weeks puzzle is that probably I'm going to be home for Christmas! (using the lyrics to the Christmas song (I'll be home for Christmas) President Parrela will probably send us home on the 23rd of December which means that Ill arrive on the 24th on Christmas Eve! Elder Sargent (MTC companion, we are the only two Americans who have this visa problem and will be leaving at the same time) as I said is the executive secretary of our mission so he is in charge of buying all of the passages for people going home etc so he is keeping me in the know with the situation and so this is the most likely thing that will happen he said.

We bought pizzas one night when it was Elder Belleville´s (behind me)

sister's first night in the MTC here in Brasil.

Also I'm doing great here in Santo Ângelo. We had a baptism this past week of a young women named Ana Paula whose been waiting a long time to be baptized. Her parents came too which was an awesome support for her and the baptismal service went smoothly. The sisters from our ward and I sang a special musical number at the closing that went great. This week on Friday we get the news if anyone will be transferred. It's super weird to think that I only have 3 transfers left on the mission and if they pass by like this one has then já era! (its already over)

traditional after baptism xis

Us, the missionaries in Santo Ângelo ward

And here are the lyrics and a rough translation of our mission hymn that I sang:

Do coração do Sul (From the heart of the South)

Ao Rio Uruguai (to the Uruguay River)

Com saudades lembramos os pampas sem fim (We fondly remember the rolling hills without end)

Sob o céu deste Sul do Brasil. (under the sky of South Brasil)

{ Refrão }

Não há, não há noite mais azul, azul (Theres no night more blue)

Do que as noites do Rio Grande do Sul. (than the nights of Rio Grande do Sul)

Não há, não há noite mais azul, azul (Theres no night more blue)

Do que as noites do Rio Grande do Sul. (than the nights of Rio Grande do Sul)

Se ouve ao longe o vozear do multirão (You can hear in the distance the voices of the crowd)

A gauchada toda canta uma canção. (a bunch of gaúchos all sing a song)

Desce a garoa como um véu no coração, (the mist falls like a veil in your heart)

Todos se apressam acender o seu fogão. (Everyone hurrys to stoke the fire oven)

Eis que a grande obra já começou. (Behold a great work has already begun)

Fé, esperença, caridade e amor (Faith, hope, charity and love)

Fazem-nos prontos para a ceifa de Deus, (prepare us for the harvest of God)

E salvação trazer aos escholidos seus. (and salvation bring to his chosen)

{ Refrão }

Não há, não há noite mais azul, azul (Theres no night more blue)

Do que as noites do Rio Grande do Sul. (than the nights of Rio Grande do Sul)

Não há, não há noite mais azul, azul (Theres no night more blue)

Do que as noites do Rio Grande do Sul. (than the nights of Rio Grande do Sul)

Nós soldados do Senhor (We soldiers of the Lord)

Batalhamos sem cessar (battle without stopping)

Reunindo o rebanho do Salvador (reuniting the heard of the Savior)

E a luz ao gaúcho levar. (and to bring the light to the gaúcho)

Santa Maria,

amada Missão, (beloved mission)

Nos ensina a alcançar exaltação. (you teach us to reach exaltation)

But yea that's about it haha I'm excited that the next time I see everyone it'll be in person! So have a great week everyone, hugs and love from down here in Brasil.

Elder Pierce

Brasilian Father's Day (Skype Pics):