Oi tudos!

 

I hope everyone had a great conference weekend! If you haven´t watched conference yet, go watch it! I suggest watching Elder M. Russell Ballard´s talk on missionary work. We are in an exciting era of the Hastening Of The Work and time is more than ever for us to share the Gospel. It was a very inspiring conference and it gave me the comfort and direction I need to get through this time in my life that is even harder than I expected it would be.

 

So for those of you who don´t know yet, I´m in Brazil!!! I received my visa a couple weeks ago and am going on my 7th day in Rio. Out of the wave of 24 new missionaries (well at least new to the Rio de Janeiro mission,) I am one of the five lucky Americans that came this week.

 

My new companion is Elder Medeiros, and he is so legit! He has only been on the mission for 3 months (two less months than me!) and he is training me while taking on the responsibilities as district leader! He is an amazing missionary and I am learning so much from him. We are serving in the Ala Barelo in Barro Vermelho. I feel like I´m living the dream. I get fed the most AMAZING food and I can eat all that I want because by the time I get home from a long, fun day of hard work, I´ve already sweated all the weigh off! Yeah, doesn´t get much better than that! Rio is so pretty and fun and crazy and exciting! I have a feeling it will be hard to go back home at the end of my two years.

 

But great as this all is, Português is really hard right now. My companion is a Brasilheiro so we don´t talk a whole lot right now. And the people of Rio are so hard to understand! They talk a million miles and hour and add a "shh" sound to everything! Sounds like people are just telling me to be quiet. As slow going is the language is, I can´t help but to smile and be happy. One because that is about all I can offer right now, but I have so much to be grateful for right now! Through my patience and faith, I am witnessing God blessing me with the gift of tongues. I am so grateful for everything I currently can offer already as a missionary, and I look for to the rest of my time here in Rio!!

 

Because I am in the new mission now, here is my new address:

 

Elder Alexander James Hamilton

Rua Dois de Dezembro

78 Salsas 703/704

Flamengo, Rio de Janeiro-RJ

Brasil 22220-040

 

I love hearing from you all. So if you´d like, please write to this address, and I will right you back! Remember to use international stamps or 3 american postal stamps. While my email time is limited, also remember that you can always email me at alexander.hamilton@myldsmail.net.

 

Well I hope all is well! I love you all and godspeed!!

 

Amo,

Élder Hamilton

Missionário para A Igreja De Jesus Cristo Dos Santos Dos Últimos Dias

Barro Vermelho - Rio De Janeiro