E. Patterson: 532 Cockroaches: 0. E. Patterson: 0 Crazy Black Birds: 1 Nov 24, 2015

I decided that this email is going to be pretty quick because I only have time to write a quick email :) ha. Yesterday we had our zone pday and some of the elders are staying at our house and our little internet place was full so me and Medina decided to let them write and us today. So that is why I am writting on Tuesday.

So I hope my title of the email makes sense, If not, I will write it again to make it more clear:

Elder Patterson:532    Cockroaches: 0

Explaining this one is quite easy... We live in Brasil. We live in Tocantins. And we live next to a wood factory. So that results in tons of cockroaches (that have developed how to fly short distances here) in our house! Every time we come home we (I) end up killing about 20 or so. I believe God has put me here to learn how to kill these gross bugs in preparation for marraige... I have definitely learned how to kill unwelcome bugs that like to sleep in my house. So, when my wife is screaming or crying because of a spider or cockroach or whatever thing, I will be prepared. #beprepared #scoutsinbrasil

Elder Patterson: 0     Crazy Black Birds: 1

So explaining this one... Yeah, this morning we had our zone/district meeting and one of the chapels here. I had the keys and I went first to open up the church. Walking up to the door I noticed about 10 black birds chilling all over the place. Then they started flying! It was madness, they started swooping from all directions! I ran to open the door and one got me from behind! It attacked and clawed my head! It about knocked me out, but I was able to mantain consciencenous and open the door for the sisters and elders behind me. The freaking bird clawed me! Can you believe it? It cut me a little bit and had a little blood, but nothing fatal. ha. Needless to say, I am lucky to be alive.

Now, to summarize our week, we spent the week visiting Eloisa and her family in preparation for baptism. AND Eloisa was baptized Sunday! E. Medina baptized her and it was super special. All of her family was there that we are teaching and that are also recent converts. Also, her son Mateus ordained his little brother a teacher and he started getting emotional and so did I. It was super spiritual. Incredible to see this family progressing more and more each day.

We also thought about, prayed, and fasted for help this week with a few of our other investigators. We have this young girl, 15 years, that has been going to church for 6 months but her mom has never let her get baptized because she is a drinker. She has always shut out the missionaries and its been difficult for Tamiris because she wants to be baptized. So we thought about it and ended up passing by her house and we took a Liahona to give to her. When we went there she let us right in and gave us chairs to sit in! (which has never happened). We told her that we had a gift for her and gave her the liahona. She loved it and then she just opened up to us telling us how her husband left her because of her drinking problem and that she is trying to change her life. She even started talking about Tamiris baptism without us mentioning it! We are going to go there today with a baptismal paper and see she will sign it this time :) it has been awesome to see progress with this little family.

We have stake conference this week here and Elder Costa is coming! I am super excited for that. He spoke at the last general conference and is the Pres. of Brasil. So I am really waiting to see him again. Should be great :)

Also, I hope all of you have an amazing Thanksgiving this week. I definitely haven´t forgotten about it. And I want all of you to know that I am going to be celebrating Thanksgiving and you don´t have to worry :) Remember last year when we ate thanksgiving with Elder Seth in his area because his dad sent all the goodies to make a real thanksgiving? Well, I talked with that same family because now I am here in the area and we have already planned a dinner together. We aren´t going to do an original thanksgiving because there is no way to really do it, but we planned the next best thing that exists here and that is a BBQ! Woohoo! So we are going to eat and eat and eat. So don´t worry about me, I will be enjoying it just as much as the rest of you. I just want to end and say that I love all of you and am so thankful for the family that I have. I am so thankful for the Savior and this gospel. I am so thankful for my mission as well. It is that BEST mission in the world and I am so thankful I am here learning and growing closer to Christ everyday. I love you all and hope you all have an amazing thanksgiving!!!

com amor, Elder Patterson

Oh, and I was with Elder Anderson this last week. Good times :)