Feb 4, 2013 "From One Soap to the Next"

Sorry, this entry is going to be a little shorter.  Life is good - how can it not be? (Dur!)  We’re walking a lot (like a lot!  See the picture attached if you don’t believe me), the time is going by so fast (I say that every time, huh...must be true!).  You have no idea how fast...).   It’s crrraaaay-saaaaay! (yes, that was a Miriam and Brady reference). 



Portuguese is going well, (but English? Ha Ha -  the Brazilians here know more about English than I do.  They’re teaching me my own grammar...).



Sao Paulo street awash in rain water

 I’ve been kinda sick this last week.  It flooded again in the streets because of the rain, and we kept working out in the cold wetness.

I left my coat at the mission office when I was first
assigned to the Osasco area, and when it suddenly
turned cold, this was the only coat in the apartment.
It's ugly, and has been through many generations of
missionaries, but it kept me warm. 

A big thank you to Mom, Emily and Rosemary for your letters.  Congrats to Rosemary who will serve in Brasil.  And my twin sister has left for her mission!  She’s probably loving it, crying every day (’cause I practically did, Baha), and busy learning Spanish!  I’m so proud of her!  It is so cool she is serving.  For those of you who weren’t lucky enough to hear her farewell, I heard it was awesome.  Also, I know Shane McQuarrie is back from his mission in Chicago, Illinois.  Hey Shane, doing good?  Good.  J  I know it’ll be me in no time.  Ah, I won’t think about it.  I still have 18 more months.

Soap

Well, the work is continuing—just living one soap to the next, day to day.  The most recent work has been with people who have particularly serious challenges (like alcoholism, drug addiction and abandoned family members).  These people, plus a bunch of other people, all need the Gospel.  Remember, my friends and family, how blessed you are, how blessed we are.  God is always ready and waiting to help us.  All we have to do is follow the Savior and live the commandments. 

[See Alma 37: 44 and Matthew 11:30.  Seriously, they are good scriptures!J ]

Hey, I love you. Pray always.  Keep me updated on how life is treating you.

Until next week-- Love, Elder David Bean

P.S.  A funny moment:  A convert asked me this week “Why is the Holy Ghost hot?”  Porque Esprito Santo e quent?  And after thinking for a second, I responded  Melhor quente que frio!  “Better hot than cold!”  J  Baha.