Letter from Sam - Week 10

Hey Dad!

How was your trip! Did you do a lot of hiking? You’ll have to tell me how it all went. I heard that your car got egged. Ha-ha I guess I’m not the only cursed person in the family. What’s the damage on it? Is it really bad?

I’m in Santa Maria right now but I’m not at my area yet. I need to wait a couple of hours to take a bus to my area. Everything went well on my plane ride here. After the plane ride I had to take a four hour bus ride to the Mission president’s home. He’s a really cool guy. He doesn’t seem too strict. I think I’m more scared of his wife. We ate dinner at his house and it was very nice to have a home cooked meal. It reminded me of mom’s cooking. Then we took another bus to go to the AP´s house where we stayed the night. We had a training meeting for 4 hours and at 5:00 I’ll be taking another 4 hour bus ride to my area. (A lot of 4 hour bus rides).

Hey I’ve got a question. The one thing I regret is not taking a cd player and some speakers. How much would it cost to send me some sometime? Electronics are expensive here but if it would cost too much to send some that’s ok. I’ve been missing Beethoven lately. Also I heard someone singing Holst´s The Planets at the CTM and I miss that too. If you could send me a package you’d have to make me some cds of your favorite music.

My new companion is really cool. His name is Elder Soares and he’s Brazilian. He speaks a little English but not enough that I can have a conversation with him. I guess I’ll have to learn Portuguese a lot faster.

Well I’ve got to go. Have a great week! Oh and how’s work going? Still just as busy as you were before? Let me know how things are going at home. Talk to you later. I love you!!!

Elder Fowler



Hey Mom!

Well I’m officially in Santa Maria right now but I’m not at my area yet. I need to wait a couple of hours until I take a bus for 4 hours. I’ll arrive in my area at 9:00 tonight hopefully. Well where do I begin? It was very hard to say goodbye to all my friends at the CTM and my teachers. They’ve all been so great and helpful. Elder McLeod was able to go to the São Paulo North mission! He wasn’t able to go to Santa Maria with us but he had the option of going to the mission where the CTM is at so he can have close access to the doctor and psychiatrist. He still has a long way to go to get better but I’m glad he’s staying.

I had to wake up yesterday morning at 5:30. Everything with the airplane trip was ok this time. We arrived in Porto Allegro and then took a 4 hour bus ride to Santa Maria to the Mission President’s home. We ate there just like Rachel said she did. It was very nice to have a home cooked meal. We then took a bus to the AP’s house where we stayed for the night. I have a Brazilian companion that is so awesome. He’s shorter than me and speaks a little English but not much. I’m going to have a lot of good memories with my new companion- his name is Elder Soares. So far all everything is going great and I haven’t forgotten anything.

I am sooo happy that you won those prizes for your writing!!!! You are such an amazing writer! I’m so happy for you. I bet that you’re glad you listened to your patriarchal blessing. Those blessings are amazing. I’ll make sure to keep reading mine. I’m glad you had such a good trip. Could you send me that polar bear poem? I’d love to read it again.

Well I guess I’m not the only cursed person in the family when it comes to the Durango. That’s too bad that it got egged. What’s the damage on it? Does it need a new paint job? I’m sure dad wasn’t too happy about that. I’m glad Thomas had a fun time on his date though. Those are always good memories and a lot of fun. It’s also too bad that my car’s clutch died. That poor car... how much will that cost to replace?

My address is: CP: 0339
CEP: 97001-970
Santa Maria- RS

This is the address for paper mail that goes to the mission office and then they send it to me wherever I’m at.

I’m having a lot of fun here. I can’t wait till I can get to my new house. My companion said that where we live, there aren’t any closets so I’m going to have to be creative on how I’m going to hang my clothes. Well I’ll talk to you next week and I’ll have some more to tell you about Santa Maria. Have a great rest of the week! I love you infinity!!!!

Elder Fowler