I got CAKED!

It’s the 27^th of May, 2017.  We are on our way to the chapel, to fill the baptism font for the baptism of Pricilla.  We are super excited; I’m super excited, because it’s going to be a great day.   So, this week was a pretty good week.  It was a whole week of exchanges, I was traveling a lot.  I left on Tuesday and got back this morning at 1:00.  I went and did some divisions with some people.  I got to a lot of new places that I’ve never been.  And I got back at 12:30, and when I got home they had locked the door.  Elder Barbosa thought that he would be funny and he locked the door so I couldn’t get in.  So, I had to climb up the wall on the side and jump through the window.  Then go around, grab the keys, open the door, and grab all my stuff.  Then I just went to bed , and woke up and opened the presents that mom sent me.  Which mom, I already solved the puzzle.  

It took me about 20 minutes, and I got it. (This was suppose to be really hard, and take him a long time to figure out! :( )

But thank you very much for the presents, and thank you for the pictures, it was very uplifting. 

Grandpa and Grandma Munoa

 Matt

 Mandy

 Korbyn, Kayden, Orrin, Anthony

 Fran and Emily

Baby John John

Lauren, Tannis, Kelly

Romona

Jordan and Katie

Genevra

Ryan and Lori....and Josh

Joey

Timberly

Grandpa and Grandma McKee

Josh being a sheep

Ryker

Brett and Becky

Rj/Kaycee and Kids

Hannah

The Bakers

From Mom and Dad

Our family

Then I was sitting there looking at the stuff, and I thought that everyone was waiting, but it was all-good.  Like, I was sitting on my bed, looking at all the stuff I had got.  I also got a tie from Sister Cunha.  She sent it through some elders through a division or something like that.   Then, all the elders in the house told me it was time to get out of my bed.  Then they showed me the eggs that they had.  Mom, remember how you sent me egg dye?  We didn’t end up using it on Easter, so it was sitting on my desk for a long time, and here in Brazil they have a tradition.  When it’s your birthday everyone throws eggs at you.  They smash eggs on your head, and sometimes they throw flour on top of you as well, like they are making a cake on you.  So, when I saw the eggs and that they had dyed them, and put all the sticky faces on them.  

They think they are so funny.  So I had to get out of bed.  They let me put a shirt on, and I grabbed my Taser.  Then it started.  It was 4 against me, because 1 guy was filming it all, which I’ll send the video to you guys.  It worked pretty well.  They got eggs all over my new shoes that I had bought.  Which were like Gaucho sandals, which were made of leather, but they got egg all over it.  But I got caked with eggs and flour.  And I was like, “Alright, calm down.”  I went and took a shower,  which it took me forever to get all the egg out of my hair, all those egg shells.  And then I came out of the shower and it started again.  They started throwing more eggs at me. 

Elder Barbosa and Jake

Elder Costa and Jake

  I didn’t’ get video this time.  But I got some pictures.  And I took another bath.  And tried to clean up the house but it smells like raw eggs, everywhere.  I don’t think that smell is going away.  It was like 15 eggs that they ended up smashing on my head.  But, Yeah, that was my day so far.  We are going to fill the baptismal font, then go to the lan house, and talk to our families. 

            This week I will stay in Santa Maria.  It’s the week of transfers.  My new companion is Elder Pereira Santos.  He’s a great guy. 

            Thank you for everything.  And all the support, and birthday package. 

I love you guys.

Elder McKee
Jake, Alefe, Elder Costa

Elder Marcelino, Elder Robledo, Jake

Elder Rasmussen, Jake

Baptisms

Jake’s email this week wasn’t very long.  Mostly it was about things he needs and things we need to do when he gets home.  He did send two videos of him getting shocked and falling to the floor.  Ha-ha.  He is very excited about his baptism today and next Saturday, which is his birthday.  We are down to 59 days.  Thank you for supporting and praying for him.  Here’s his very short letter this week.  Mama McKee

Hello family and friends,

          This week was very good. I got to see some old friends, and work in my old areas. It was great! But a lot of time on the bus! I got home about 3 hours ago after a week of traveling. I’m pretty worn out. But today we have a baptism, so it’s all-good!! 

            This next week I’ll be traveling again!  I love you guys!!

Elder McKee

Elder Santos and Jake working hard in the office.

 Elder Santos

 Camera screen broke and now people's heads are cut off.
Elder Benega, Elder Akeo, Elder Cruz, Jake

 

Mother's Day

We got this nice email on Mother's Day from the mission:

We would like to congratulate all the mothers and caregivers for the brave and courageous children who are serving in our beloved mission. We are very happy to have them with us!

 "Yea, and they did obey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness; yea, and even according to their faith it was done unto them; and I did remember the words which they said unto me that their mothers had taught them. (Alma 57:21)"

We know that it’s a very special date, and in the end who received the greatest gift was us, for having them here!

Thank you so much.

Kind regards.

ELDER PRATA

Secretário de Referências/Registro

Missão Brasil Santa Maria

Jake had told us he was calling at 6 his time, 2 our time.  We were waiting, and waiting, and waiting.  And finally looked it up and he is only 3 hours ahead of us, so it would be 3 our time.  About 3:10, the call came.  He looks so good.  And is so happy.  We were able to talk to his mission president and wife, President and Sister Louza.  And we got to meet his companion, Elder Santos.   Jake has a cute little accent, and kept forgetting words.  It was fun to have Joci there to translate for us and to listen to the two of them talk in Portuguese.  We asked Jake what he wanted to do when he gets home and he said Sky Dive.  And I asked him what the second thing was and he said, "beijo" and Joci blushed.  haha.  

Jake is doing great.  He is staying strong for the next 65 days.  He didn't want to talk about how short the time is left.  He bore his testimony to us in Portuguese at the end, and even though we couldn't understand a word, we could feel his strength and testimony.  We are so proud of him, and know he'll finish his mission the same way he has been for the last two years...Doing his very best to serve the Lord.  

The Bakers, minus Mark who was at church. Zac leaves two weeks before Jake gets home.  He is going to Japan.  They made plans for Jake to meet him at the temple.

 

 Braxton, Timberly, Ryker, Great Grandma Silcox, Grandma and Grandpa Mckee