Elder Tylor Houghtaling: Helena Maria Ward, Osasco - October 31, 2016 and November 7, 2016

Brazil, São Paulo West Mission
São Paulo, Brazil

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Elder Houghtaling's Email
Monday, October 31, 2016

Olá! I'm on and ready to speak. Are you ready to speak, or are you running to your car?

Happy Halloween! Yes, this holiday is arriving here in Brazil.

No, I have not received the package that you sent me for Halloween yet. I have not received my Absentee Voter ballot yet, either, and Election day is almost one week away.

The Zone Leaders said that they will wait until this Wednesday to go to the office for stuff. One of them, an American, said that its not really important to vote because it isn't an obligation. I almost gave those zone leaders a piece of my anger, but I don't want to be like that, and also it is good to work with your leaders. I don't think one specific zone leader cares much because he will be hugging his family in a few weeks.

I might receive the ballot tomorrow because I have an interview with the Mission President then. I will talk to him tomorrow about it. Also, I could receive it on Friday during our district meeting.

I was angry like you are because of this. You mailed the ballot to me early enough so there would be time for me to vote and send the ballot back in time for the November 8, 2016 Presidential Election. You paid a lot of money to expedite it and you emailed the mission president asking for someone to be at the mission office after 5:00pm to receive the ballot because the Correios kept trying to deliver this to the mission office after 5:00pm when everyone is gone.

Only in the zone of São Paulo the zone leader delivery system work just fine; elders there have the mission office bring them packages every week.

I'm doing fine, just waiting to change companions. Nothing much is going on other than we almost get into a fight once a week. But other than that we have two people marked for baptism but they aren't progressing (keeping commitments, or coming to church).

I try to avoid conflicts. But they eventually happen because "I do not talk enough or lead lessons like a pro", even though I should because I have six months in the mission.

You asked me if I was sick last week, which you said you had heard from Rose Dantes. I was not sick. A few weeks ago I was but I am fine now, and I have not been sick since. When I was sick it was because I drank a lime juice made with tap water. I didn't know the juice was made with that type of water though. But I learned my lesson.

What else is happening? Can you explain what is going on with my car? About what RPM level was the engine running with you pressing the accelerator? The lever near the break pedal that reads, "Press to Release" is the parking brake If it's on, the brake light on the dash will be on. I don't thing a five gallon bucket will damage any car. Judging the abuse I've seen with cars here. Especially the VW Combi. When you try again to move my car in drive and it doesn't move, try again in 3, 2, or 1. Does it move in R?

What time is it there? It looks like we have a two hour time difference.

Before next week can you send more pictures of my car to me, of your car, Dad's car, and the house? You can send the photos to me because I have a flash drive with 16GB and I can print them here.

I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!

Brazil, São Paulo West Mission
São Paulo, Brazil

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Elder Houghtaling's Email
Monday, November 7, 2016

Are you ready to talk? Because of the end of Daylight Savings in the states on November 6th, we are three hours ahead of the states!

So, I received my Absentee Ballot and Halloween package at the Mission Office on Tuesday, November 1, 2016. President Thomas said I could still send my ballot back. So, I voted and then expedited my Absentee Ballot that day. Thank you to Sister Rose Dantes for helping to contact you to find out where I should send my ballot, and also give you the tracking number so you can track this package. So, you said this package cleared customs in Miami at 6:33am today? Are you seeing this on the website of USPS or Correios? The Correios site isn't updated yet.

When we were at Rose Dante's house that day, I was able to give their son and daughter some of the glow necklaces that you sent in my Halloween package. She also feeds us very well.

November 1, 2016. Elder Srur and Elder Houghtaling having Dinner with Rose Dantes, Alves Dantes, and their Children. Photo courtesy of Rose Dantes.

You asked if I would like this scriptures cover, which is made by the man in Brazil. I think it would be cool to own this and I think it will work nicely with my triple in Portuguese.

About my car, what position was the parking brake lever in? Was it close to the floor or the door? If its close to the door, it's released. If it's close to the floor it's applied. If you have other questions, the user's manual is always a good option. Also, there is a light on the dash that says BRAKE, and if it's illuminated the parking brake is on. It would also be good to have DeNooyer look at this.

There is also friction in this companionship. I believe his view is that he is a perfectionist and I'm a new missionary in the field that needs to be controlled 100% of the time. I'm just praying for this transfer to finish up. The thing is, when I try to stop a situation from boiling over, sometimes he gets angry with me because I'm not doing the little stuff like staring at him all the time when he's talking with investigators. The Preach My Gospel manual says to do this. I just have to wait out the transfer. It is good to have Elder Adão to talk to. He is a missionary that we share the apartment with. He was here when Elder Srur was my companion. He is a friend to me.

About the baptism, his name is Moises Gonsalez Do Santos. He married a less active, but is more active now, member named Joyce.

Oh... Can you stop in Harding's and ask for Brenda's address? It's 330 or 303 Idaho Ave., Portage, MI. She is a cashier normally on Lane 4 and works Wednesday 8-4, Thurs. 9-5, and Sat. 8-12. I don't know her last name.

Also, I would like more photos of our cars.

I LOVE YOU!!!!!