September 1st

I'm having more mixed feelings about the CTM now. While I'm still having a ton of fun, I just really want to get out there and teach real people. We have our fake investigators but its definitely not the same. And everyone says the north east is super friendly and receptive to the gospel so I'm just excited. Once I  actually get out there I'll probably be wishing I was back here though. We get to proselyte tomorrow so I'm really pumped for that. It'll also get to see how my Portuguese is doing in the real world. 

There's not much to talk about this week though. The days are starting to all blur together because we do the same thing every week. I've been really trying to set goals. They tell you over and over again to set goals because if you don't then you wont do it. One goal I've had is to focus on one Christ-like attribute per week. This week I worked on charity and love. Its been a huge blessing because I've learned a ton. When you focus on something like that throughout the week, you start to relate all the things you learn about and do to that thing. I've also listened to the wise words of Trina and have been writing down a few things I'm grateful for every day. At first I was really broad but as you keep doing it you are forced to get really specific which is good.

Now for the more crazy/funny stuff that has happened...

The new brazilians came this week and theyve already started teaching the missionaries the term "Rei Delas" which pretty much translates to king of the women or womanizer. I think they find it pretty funny when all the Americans start using that phrase. It is a pretty great phrase not gonna lie. Its also pretty funny to use it around our teacher cause she gets all (fake) mad at us. Another funny experience was when Elder Walters decided to show us how to spin around on a chair. Its probably one of those things you need to be there in person for, but he basically wrapped his legs around the legs of the chair and started rocking around in circles and so him and the chair started spinning around. Just that alone was funny but then the chair leg snapped and he ate it. It was awesome.

I think the whole lock your hearts thing got to us after we listened to a talk about it too. But since we were thinking about it, some of the elders in the district spent a solid 20 minutes just explaining all the different types of hugs you can have. In lots of detail. Im pretty sure at least 10 minutes was spent going over whether the girl should have her arms above or below your arms. Not only am I learning about the languuage and gospel, but im also learning how to hug better. The mish is great. We also got in trouble for singing some TSwift too lound in the showers. The windows in the bathroom open right into the middle of the CTM so everyone could hear us. I think we sounded pretty awesome so Im not sure why they told us not to sing. Pretty sure the other missionaries enjoyed it.

Anyways thats how my week has gone. Love you guys. Seems like its been forever since i last saw everyone but im enjoying everything. only about 2 more weeks and im out of here. Time is so slow and fast at the same time! Talk to you guys next week. 

Elder Odom