I'm [glad] they called me on a mission!

E ai Belezas?!!!! (that means; whats up beautifuls?)

Another great week in Sao Paulo!!!! This last week we had a record number of strange food choices. I don~t even know what half of them were, but most of them were good. We ate some orange stuff today at lunch that one person thought was carrots, another thought was squash, and my companion was positive they were plantains. I thought they were potatoes with cheese....but who knows what they were....it will always be a mystery. Last weekend I was so excited to see they had popsicles for our dessert. When I sat down I realized they were corn flavored popsicles. the variety of food down here is endless. Luckily the corn popsicle was fabulous and I wish we had them in the U.S.!

So guess who is coming to the CTM on Friday??!!! ELDER SCOTT and a member of the presidency of the 70....I forgot who. Anyway, an apostle only comes once a year and I feel so privileged to be here when he comes! Better yet, Friday is also Sister Gricius's birthday!!! I~m so glad she is going to shake hands with an apostle on her special day. I'll tell you all about it next week!!So tomorrow it will be officially one month since I left the U.S.A! Crazy how time flies! I have a month left from this Saturday....which excites and scares me. Thanks for all the letters and support. I LOVE getting letters and every letter I get I cherish...so thanks for sending them regularly. I~m trying to answer back as quickly as possible...so be patient with me!!!So mom you~ll be happy to know I joined the CTM choir....I actually joined it about 2 weeks ago and it is way fun! It really helps out with the portuguese pronounciation!

This last week has been so much fun mostly due to the fact I have made friends with a Brazilian sister from Fortaleza who is a SPITFIRE! Oh my goodness we have so much fun together. Don~t worry, we aren't irreverant or break rules, but we definitely have the loudest table at all the meals. She will try to joke with me in english and I joke with her in portuguese. As a result the languages are coming a long great for both of us. I absolutely love portuguese. last night I talked with this sister for a good 20 minutes without messing up too much.

Since I'm away from my family for 18 months, my district has become my family...and boy do I love them! We have the BEST district in the CTM and I~m not just saying that. Several people (missionaries and teachers) have told us that it is true. So this past Monday our district was teaching the 1st lesson in portuguese and one elder (Elder Omer) quoted the first vision. One part says: pairando no ar....which means above me in the air. Elder Omer accidentally said parirando no ar...which means freaking out in the air....then another person said ´parirando no ar....which means to give birth in the air...which is bad enough by itself, but considering the next words are: behold this is my beloved son...it could be taken wrong. Every day something like that happens and we get quite an ab workout laughing until we cry. My district is great though...we all help each other out with the language and work as a team on everything...its awesome.So I set a CTM record for the most flashcards any teacher has EVER seen. I have about 1800 flashcards and hope to have 2500 by the time I leave the CTM. I carry them around everywhere and constantly am studying them. They~ve really helped out quite a lot!!

My first week here I was given this quote that I thought you might enjoy: Many young women are serving missions. Many are preparing to serve. Not because they aren't married or have nothing else to do; but because they have a desire to serve and therefore are being called to the work. The reason so many are going is because in the next generation, Heavenly Father will be sending His Priesthood Army to earth and wants to send them to mothers who have been properly trained and taught in the gospel. What better training can a young woman have than that of serving a mission.~~Pres. Hinkley. Cool quote huh?!! This mission is definitely shaping me into a better woman and person!

Oh and just a suggestion. If you are out of ideas for what to do on monday nights for FHE....maybe you guys should start doing the Preach My Gospel lessons! They are simple, yet awesome!!!

K, my time is up. I love you guys so much and miss you, but I am so happy I'm hear. Last night at the devotional the member of the 70 who was speaking had us all sing: i hope they call me on a mission. I remember when I used to sing that in primary and can't believe I'm here. What a dream come true. The Lord truly answers prayers, the gospel is true. Have a wonderful week and keep the letters coming!!!

Love y'all,

Sister wood