Beberibe and President Nelson

"Therefore, hold up your light that it may shine unto the world. Behold I am the light which ye shall hold up—that which ye have seen me do." (3 Nephi 18:24)

 I'm not sure if it was before or after President Nelson spoke to the missionaries about starting investigators reading the Book of Mormon in 3 Nephi 11 that this struck me. We hear/talk often about "letting our light shine" but here is a clear instruction on just what that light really is. Pres. Nelson reviewed all the wonderful doctrine that is included in the chapters of 3 Nephi where Christ is teaching. Sister Nelson also mentioned 3rd Nephi and how studying it helped in her work as marriage and family therapist, finding in the Lord's example ideas like use a soft voice, commend in public, make the first minutes positive - (first of morning, first home together, etc). Wish I could take notes faster, there were probably more, up to me to study and find them I guess...

Local zone of missionaries ready to hear the Prophet (hard to see, but sisters got the front row). I'm going to miss those big windows. I was slightly distracted from the General mtg Sunday by absolutely gorgeous golden sunset in the rainclouds.

President Nelson came to Brasil last week and we were privileged to hear him twice, once with all the full-time missionaries in Brazil (broadcast from Brasilia) and once with all the membership (from Sao Paulo). The main gathering had a choir of 800 members! The venue held something like 37,000 and is the largest gathering he has spoken to outside of the U.S. There are 5,300 missionaries in Brazil, second only to the U.S. It's exciting to see third and fourth generation member families that are often the backbone for the wards growing so fast with new members finding the pathway to happiness.

We went to Beberibe, one of the barrios or neighborhoods of the greater Recife area, to inspect another apartment. You can see we are not in the central city with tall buildings anymore! This photo was taken through the grid of the window in the stairwell. Like laundry rooms, each floor is open to the air but had some sort of grate or grille. The middle picture below is the "kitchen" with the light from the left coming from the window opening decorative grille in the laundry area,which is just enough space for a little washer and a sink. No screens as we know them, but rarely any flies.
Mosquitoes, on the other hand, are certainly around. One was biting my arm as I cooked the other day-- I had to smash it with my head because my hands were stirring and holding things.

Some of the apartments are extremely basic. These photos show the whole thing except the bath.

You weren't there if you didn't get a selfie:

It was quite the uber ride to get there. Only a few kilometers but took over half an hour and we were whipping around, in and out, all sorts of winding ways. At least one road was two-way but narrow and with cars parked, so there was a lot of taking turns. We went home by taxi and by way of the haircutter's - only our second visit but hugs all around and everyone asking where were the "girls" that took us there before? I still am startled by the lack of warm water for hair washing.

Transfer week again! A big group coming in that was cut down by two at the last minute - had not gotten visas yet (which likely means the next group will be even bigger - maybe - we've been getting more sent to the Provo MTC because they haven't gotten visas in time for Sal Paulo. I hope they take advantage of the Lucky Charms and Pizza nights.). And as usual, airports caused two missed flights, everything gets delayed, but eventually everyone will be arrived, safe, and somewhere. And eventually we will get everyone trained and set.
Meanwhile changes continue in the office, an elder has arrived to train to take Sister Chambers' job as she is heading home next month. She will really be missed, she does an excellent job with references and records. She also is one of the best at watching for and welcoming visitors at church, talking to people on her way to work about the gospel, and feeding the elders in our area super yummy food.

Seems like I have read or heard something about chemical reactions that cause blue salt, all I know for sure is it gets pretty damp, and is definitely showing some blue. 

Some feijão carioca (which are not as common here in the northeast as black beans), along with white beans, butternut squash, green pepper, and other deliciousness. So I guess since I got up and cooked early in the morning it won't be delivery pizza for dinner after all.

Next door on Dia dos Pais, Jessica (front) made the mustaches for all of us. She got a good pic holding one in front of the dog but I don't have access to it. 

Many of the juices are fairly indistinguishable, but this one stood out as more strongly flavored and fruity - except I think it is like "overripe to the point of spoiled" fruity and it is the first one I would say I dislike. In case anyone doesn't know, this fruit is the one that cashew nuts are from, you see them there in the picture. The nuts require special processing to be edible because of caustic oil in the shell.