I’ll See you Next Year
Hey friends! Yes, I come home in 2027. August 2027. Let's not think about how far away that is and talk a little bit about this week, shall we?
The Update You’re All Here For
There's not much to say. In general things have gotten more tolerable, I don't know if that's because things have gotten better or because I am just used to it now. I think he’s getting better too. He’s a bit looser and ever so slightly more relaxed. Our days go well but I swear I am on a roller-coaster ride. Days are good enough to the point they are almost enjoyable. We work, we joke (a little tiny bit), we have some success. It's pretty good all around. Then we get home and I don't know what happens but it's like someone flips a switch. I either get my nightly rant or I don't see him until the next morning right before we go to work. Our communication is getting better though so that’s good. There you go, that’s the update.
The Holidays
New Year's came and went, nothing too special. I stayed up, I talked to my family, wrote a little bit, played some guitar but that's all. Even with all the holidays not much changed. Everyday was a normal work day. I’m going to be honest, for the past two weeks it was hard to want to work. It was very easy to look around at all my friends that had 2, 3, even 4 days off, and say, “If they aren't working why should I?” However, as much as it felt like a curse to have to work the Holidays, it was also a blessing. Since I was busy, I didn't really think about what I could be doing if I was home. It was literally just another day. Which kinda sucks to say about the holidays but it was true.
That was all during the day though. In the exact opposite way, at night, when the work was done, I thought a lot about what I could be doing. I missed the feeling of being on the court with a camera in hand. I missed the feeling of the crowd erupting around me while I focused on getting the shot. I miss the crazy post-game and getting posts out. I kinda had to convince myself I am doing the same thing here, just on a different court. God's court. I stand in the middle of a field with a book in hand, The Book of Mormon. My job is to focus on the peace and eternal joy that Christ brings as the word goes on around me. My crazy post-game is the 24/7 hustle of texting people and getting them to Church. I don't know about you but I like my analogy. Did it help missing the feeling of being on the court? Not really but it was fun to make the comparison. We keep on trucking.
Continental 2
Month 4 in Ala Continental has officially started and we are starting the year strong. We have 5 baptisms marked with at least 1 more to be marked. The area is more alive than it has ever been which makes me so happy. We have changed our finding method to contacts in public, which I hate doing with my undeveloped Portuguese but hey, when you have already tried everything that's all that's left. It is helping my Portuguese which is good. In terms of the ward, I love it here. It's my home and my family. I am the missionary that has been here the longest so I am everyone's familiar face. A lot of the youth are on vacation for the holidays which is a bit sad but it will be fun when they get back. We still get fed everyday which is a huge blessing. I have at least one more month here, I hope two, but we will see what happens.
The Random Things
Elder Allen (a missionary that arrived with me) came to do a divisão with my ZLs so I got to hang out with him
Walked a lot, a handful of the days I woke up with calf cramps. Do not recommend.
I had my first encounter with JWs and it was so funny. We were walking into the neighborhood just as two vans dropped them all off. My comp and I said “good afternoon” and walked past them all and they all looked at us and said “Ohh it's the Elders.” Had to beat them to the people.
Raced my comp up the steepest hill in our area. Why? Just to do it. Got a contact tho.
Ate some amazing Chicken with my bishop and laughed a lot
Ate some amazing chicken stroganoff with my Stake President
This week I will hit 2.5 transfers in the field and my ZL that I live with will hit 2.5 transfers left.
I ran into a drunk guy in the street that I will find in the next life. That’s all I will say about that.
Vocab
Finding - finding new people to teach and bring to Christ
Contacts - just talking to someone, maybe handing them a pamphlet and getting their number but not teaching
Ala/ Ward - the congregation of the church in a city/ town/ neighborhood.
Stake - group of wards in a city/ metropolitan area
Quotes
“I saw him… in a series” [Bishop, 12/31/2025]
God's Hand
A beautiful sunset on my Grandpa's birthday
I have started sleeping better
Energy as I walked a lot every single day
Marking baptisms and lessons with the Spirit
Spiritual Quote
“If we have faith as small as a mustard seed, the Lord can help us remove the mountains of discouragement and doubt in the tasks ahead of us as we serve with God’s children.” (Precious Gifts from God — President M. Russell Ballard, April 2018)
That's all I got. Thank you for the emails. I'd love to say I'll be able to respond to all of them but my brain is lowkey fried. I'll work on it though and if I don't respond just email me again. It makes me happy to get emails from you all.
I love you all and miss you so much. Let me know if you need anything!
Até Mais,
Elder Urbano
