Hey Everyone, 

     I am still doing well out here in Utah. I would like to take a moment to let everyone know about a great guy who is no longer with us. Nick Nadeau is a wonderful person from my home ward. He has always been such a thoughtful, insightful man who can make anyone laugh and put a smile on your face, even if you don't know him that well. He's just that kind of guy. I know that he is doing good work on the other side and watching out for his family. I hope you will think of them in their time of need in your prayers. The spirit world has gained a powerful missionary.

     Somehow I almost forgot how powerful and beautiful music can be, since the music missionaries can listen to is very limited. Last week while I was doing the language learning program, I went on lds.org and listened to "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" and "Come, Come Ye Saints" by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. It was so beautiful and powerful! You should definitely go look them up either on lds.org or YouTube. It was such a powerful testimony. I sing all the time! I was having a hard time memorizing things like scripture masteries and the purpose in two languages, so I started making songs for them. It's so much more helpful. Sister Hansen probably remembers when I did this during seminary. It helps me sooooo much. MUSIC IS A BEAUTIFUL GIFT FROM GOD!

     Tonight we have our Tuesday night devotional, and guess who is speaking? The Apostle Elder L. Tom Perry! My roommates and I are in the choir, and the meeting will be broadcasted to all of the MTCs worldwide! Woah! It's amazing that we'll be the ones who are actually there in person! So I guess it's pretty much a good thing that I am in Provo and not Brazil. I know it's where I am supposed to be at this time.

     I think my mom told people to write me using Dear Elder.com while I'm in the MTC. This is a great idea. It's for free! and I will get the letter the same day you send it.

     One really weird thing that's been a little bit of an adjustment here (but not too bad) has been the meal schedule. My district (the group of missionaries I have class with...the ones in the picture) has breakfast at6:30 am. That's great. Lunch is at 11:00 am...a little early....and dinner is at 4:00pm. Lights out is at 10:30 pm... sometimes we are a little hungry before bed (we were ravenous for the first few days), but usually we are just ready to sleep.

     We have a great relationship as a district (just the right amount of love, sass, sarcasm, and caring) and one day one of our elders walked into the classroom and said this: "It smells like sisters in here. It smells like vanilla and cherry blossoms and flowers." We really love our elders and all of their quirks. They are truly spiritual men of God. The sisters are amazing too. Four of us share a room (I am so neat! My part is always clean!), and the other two are in a room by themselves. We wish we were all together, but we just leave our doors open, so they know they're welcome. 

     My companion and I can now pray, bear testimony, and teach in Portuguese. It's the small talk that trips us up, so we've made a goal to speak "normal" Portuguese whenever we are walking from place to place. We also have to pick five "normal" words to learn each day.

 We are improving, but not as quickly as we improve on our lesson material. The gift of tongues is real. There is no way that my brain is capable of learning Portuguese this fast. It just doesn't happen that way without divine help.

     I love you all, and I know that the Lord is watching over you and your families. God bless. 

Love,

Sister Arthur