Week 2, Sao Paulo

This week was mostly learning and getting acquainted with what we will be doing as well as meeting a lot of people that we will be working with.  It's funny but learning the language and practicing it here in our office is a challenge because the Brazilians want to practice their English and the Americans want to practice their Portuguese.  It's coming along though and Mike especially is being blessed with the gift of tongues!

We went on a long bus ride to an Italian restaurant downtown to celebrate one of the senior Elder's (Kim Passey) birthday.  The place was called Mancini's and it was very authentic.  There were 18 of us seated at one very long table.  We are getting to know the other couples quickly and they are all such wonderful people.  We have a lot in common including our desire to serve the Lord, help others, and we all miss our kids and grand kids!

Quaint Italian street in downtown Sao Paulo, and below is the fatted calf at Mancini's!

This is most of our lovely group of senior missionaries and President and Sister Thomas, Sao Paulo West Mission President and his wife; the Sharmahds (Willa is taking the picture), the Thomas', Thackers, Us, Passeys, Whitings, Harris', and the Shumways.

I thought you would all like to see our apartment so here are some pictures.  It's small and humble but quite comfortable for the two of us for the next 18 months.

We found this in the store and had to buy it in honor of our Todd and his time at Ole Miss; Toddy chocolate milk powder.

My first attempt at a Brazilian meal down here turned out pretty good.

It was a good week and we are learning and growing a lot every day.  The Lord is with us in all we are doing and He is with you too!  Never stop believing in God and in yourselves and in each other!