Is it Really My Best? August 12, 2013

Dear Everyone,

Italic comments by Marie, Missionary Mom!

1. Have you gotten the box with the deodorant (among other things)? It made it to Londrina on July 16, so I hope so. Yes, I got the package!!! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!! It was excellent!!! Thank you again!!
2. Do you need a shoulder bag? We happen to have picked one up from one of our missionaries. I don’t need the shoulder bag, I’m fine thanks!!
3. What is Brazilian ice cream like? Different from U.S. ice cream? If so, how is it different, and do you like it? Brasilian ice cream is almost the same as American ice cream, just that it is not quite as creamy, and the flavors are more artificial.
4. Are you still working with your young converts’ parents? I know when they were baptized, you mentioned they were not married but you were hoping it would happen so that they could be baptized. The parents said that they would go to church these past 2 weeks, and we stopped by there Sunday morning and they said that they were getting ready and would be there shortly but both weeks never went, so we are going to work a little less with them. I passed it on to the Primary President to visit them and we will pass by like once a week, but they are not making any progress at the moment unfortunately!

So this week was not a good week for dogs here in Cascavel, we saw/witnessed 2 get hit by cars and another dog of a ward member got a brain virus and had to be put down...

My lunch last Monday. Are you impressed? Yes, I ate all the bananas!

The work here is really slow right now, we are having great difficulty bringing anyone to church right now. We are calling everyone, passing by Sunday morning and arranging rides but still no one is going, we only had one 10 year old who went to church this week. Pray that he can be baptized this coming Sunday and also pray that I won't get too trunky (ready to leave) because transfers are this next Monday and I have been here in Cascavel a long time!

That is a great quote that Sister S. sent! Wow!! (So great, that I’ll repeat it here!)

"There might be a more exciting time to go on a mission, but I don't know when that would be....you all must have done something right in the council in heaven." He also told us that the prophets from the other dispensations knew that they would fail, that ultimately the gospel would be lost from the earth and that the people would enter into apostasy, but that they could keep preaching, they could keep singing praises to our Father in Heaven because they knew that we would not fail."—Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

From a recent zone conference
(gotta love how the elders are all goofy and the sisters are smiling sweetly)

It looks as though the kitchen project is coming great!!!

Jason, I have had a change of heart since last week about UVU when I said I didn’t think you should go there. I wrote you one letter, but then I decided to start over, putting aside my BYU Superiority Syndrome. UVU would be great for you, BYU for me is a perfect fit, maybe UVU is this perfect fit for you. My main concern is that it will be a little bit more costly because you will pay out of state tuition but other than that UVU is fine (BYU is better of course…ha ha…). And, it would mean that you would be a lot closer to me at BYU and you could come over and hang out at my apartment, or go to BYU sports and other BYU activities with me. So, that’s a big plus! Pray about it and follow your heart/follow the Spirit. Pray a lot about whether you should go on a mission or college first! Forget yourself and do the will of the Lord. Good luck! Love you! GO COUGARS!!! BYU!!!

And, speaking of BYU, that is so odd what BYU is planning to do with putting those slogans on the jerseys! Either have the names or put nothing. You will have to let me know what people think once it happens.

Like I said, not a whole lot happened this week. Sorry it´s kind of short, it seems like each week I have less and less to share and also less and less time to do it!! I’m doing my best, but at the same time, I’m not sure if it really is my best. I want to continue to contribute, and to keep climbing the ladder so to speak, but I’m not sure if I am ready yet. At least it isn't me that has to know, or make the decision, luckily the One making all the choices knows everything!!

lots of love!

Elder Cummings!

P.S. Thought you’d be glad to know that I am no longer in the country “illegally.” My visa expired 6 months ago but it is all taken care of now. (I don’t know that he was ever in any sort of trouble; this is probably pretty much how it goes for all American missionaries in Brazil. At least that is what I tell myself to not worry)