Dec 3

Hello, Marvelous family!!!
So, things are going very well here in paradise. Guess what, Spence? I do know both of those friends of your trainer. Elder Winegar is my district leader and Elder Perry I practiced a lot with in our trainings this last zone conference. I´ll tell them E. Prince said hi the next time I see them and I´m sure they will say hi back. 
First, the sad news. My camera (from sending those pics at the beginning of the mission) got 2 viruses on the memory card. Now, I can´t print off any pictures at the print place and can´t save them onto a cd. Any bright ideas of what I could do?
Other than that, life is good. Did I tell yáll that I take cold showers every morning and night? Truly, Southwestern was inspired!!  Hahaha!
Dad—I asked Pres. Milder about giving English lessons cus some people were asking about it but he said that you said it wasn´t a good idea. May I know your reasoning behind that? I just thought it´d help people get accustomed to the church through a different way and help strengthen the members more.
I forgot to include in last weeks email: THANK YOU so much for everyone´s help with the farewell open house. I really appreciate everyone being there and all my sister´s and sister-in-law´s help with the food, etc. You are so wonderful!
Becky—I have not received your package yet. I have a hunch it already arrived, but the office elders have something against us. They say nothing´s there when it really is. I´ll let you know when I finally get it. I´ll probably get it next week at possible zone conference and definite transfer. Thanks for thinking of me!
Mick—I´m so excited for you!!! When do you repor t to the mtc? Send me an email when you get a chance. I miss hearing from you, cuz!
I have a question: How do I get toned arms? Kev, Nat, I need your help! I don´t have any weights or anything. I only have 3 times a week in which I use an elastic band to do arm exercises. Any ideas of what I could do in that 30 minutes to get rid of these relief society arms? Thanks!
Grandma—I didn´t know you played the organ! How cool is that?!! Joy has that calling now in her ward. I know she´d appreciate any advice you could give. I´m sure the ward would appreciate your help in playing and inviting the Spirit in the meetings again. And now, it wouldn´t be so difficult for you because all the meetings are together on Sunday! Que coisa boa! What a blessing, huh?!
So…life is good. I love my companion and all the members and investigators. Monday night we did a family night with the family of Irmão Rudolfo. He´s the first counselor in the stake presidency and apparently Dad and Mom ate there one time when they were here in Cuiabá. Their family is so sweet. They have two twin boys of 14 years and a younger boy of 12 years. Unfortunately, they don´t really get along that well as friends and brothers. We were inspired to give the lesson on service. We made brownies with them and had scriptures in all the ingredients for them to find and look up and say what they understood about service. At the end, they all made lists of what they would do this week to show love for each family member through service. Irmã Ana was really grateful for the lesson.  I also shared with them how Mom used to always sing Love At Home whenever we were fighting! Then, I told how we always gave each other a hug and a kiss after family prayer at night and said I love you. She liked that too and they started it that night! Hopefully, the things we shared with them will help unite their family more. They are such great young men and I know they are going to be great leaders in the church. But, before they can serve others, they just need to learn to serve their family.
I love the opportunity to be here giving all my time and energy to strengthening families and testimonies of Jesus Christ. Every day is an opportunity to draw closer to our Savior, if we but organize our time by putting the things of the Lord first. I love you all so very much!
Love, Sister Ellis III

P.S. I never heard what everyone was for Halloween! I expect an email from all the siblings telling me what their kids were and in Darrell´s case, what he was for Halloween too. I know you all get on the internet to check the family web site all the time, so don´t try the excuse of no time! :) Love ya!
Plus, what did everyone do for Thanksgiving? I only heard about Mom and Dad´s. I´m still waiting...:)