The Great Wall

Dear Family,

Today Elder Smith and I spent about an hour or so cleaning one of the walls in our kitchen. It needed it. We'll probably be going through and cleaning some of the other walls in the coming weeks. The problem is it kills our arms but I guess that's the price you pay for a good looking house.

Last week I went to Praia for another meeting. It went well. Presidente Neves talked to us about finding new investigators. Elder Smith and I returned to Mindelo ready to talk to everyone and we did. Unfortunately, no one wanted to talk to us. Of 35 contacts 4 people let us in and we were only able to teach 2. I'm sure this is what a lot of other missions are like all them time, but jeepers. I don't know if I'd be able to make it in a mission like that.

In better news, this weekend one of our investigators got baptized. Awesome! The reason my comp and I are both in white is because he baptized an investigator from his old area which just happens to be right next to ours. So, cool stuff.

Elder Canute

A Clean Home is a Happy Home

Dear Family,

My new companion came in like a storm. I kept my house pretty clean. But it was mostly just a surface job. Sweeping, mopping, wiping down, all in the visible type spots. With Elder Smith we have been going in and doing some deep cleaning. We've rearranged our room, got rid of a lot of clutter in our house and have just made it a nicer cleaner happier place. And we just got started. The goal is to make our apartment more than just a place we stay for a transfer, but to make it our home.

This past week we also had our District Conference here in Mindelo. The Madrid Temple Presidente and his wife (pictures attached) were there and spoke. But they spoke in Spanish. I was surprised at how well I understood the Spanish. It wasn't 100% but I got enough to be edified by their talks. I also spoke. It was a little nerve wracking to speak in front of so many people in Portuguese, but the Spirit was able to do some good with me. Because of the Conference we had a few Elders from another island staying at our house for the weekend. We tried to be hospitable and offered some of our food but they stretched the limits of our hospitality by eating all of our food. Apparently they didn't realize that we didn't get extra money for having them over. Oh well, we're not starving yet.

The work is coming along. and it will continue to do so.

I did get the beans and package from home sent in February, so thanks a bunch.

Loves to all,

Elder Canute

Pi Day

Dear Family,

Happy 3.14 day. And I was thinking the other day and the phrase 'beware the ides of march' concerning Ceaser's betrayal and murder came to my mind. For some reason I thought the 'ides of march' may have been the 14th. But don't quote me on that. In fact, if I'm wrong, correct me. I don't want to be making incorrect references while trying to sound smart.

This past week as, i mentioned in my last email, was Carnaval. We spent the day in our house with the other Elders in our District. We made a ton of food and played card games all day. Most of us had stomache aches for the following few days because we ate so much. But it was good. Surprisingly the days following Carnaval passed without incident. Normally here any holiday is followed by at least several days of after parties. But apparently not this time. Although I have been awoken at least twice this week by bad techno at 4 am. Not my favorite.

This week was transfers. Elder Olson went to Praia and I'm am now serving in my same area with Elder Smith. He's a cool Elder from Cedar City Utah. I'm looking forward to this transfer.

I would like to thank Mom for making a paper letter writing assignment list for the fam. And thank those who have already sent them. I have received several to my delight.

Thanks to all for writing and such.

Elder Canute

MANDINGAS!!!

Dear Family,

This past week has been a good beginning of the month of March. Which is funny that I should say that because all of a sudden I can't think of anything to write. So I guess I should explain the pictures.

The first one is a group shot of soccer this morning. Nothing too special.

The other ones are pictures of Mandingas. Every year in Cape Verde there is a festival called Carnaval. I think it originated in Brazil, which also has very large Carnaval celebrations. In fact, there may be similar things throughout Europe, but I can't say for positive. What I can say is that here in Cape Verde Carnaval is basically just a massive country wide Mardi Gras. I'm not sure what it's supposed to be celebrating, but there are all sorts of parties, parades, activities and such. Unfortunately for us, Cape Verde's Carnaval celebrations are largest here in Mindelo. And more specificially in my area. Yesterday during our proselyting we spent quite a bit of time avoiding parades and partyers and even ended up going through quite a bit of it on the way to our appointmens, all of which fell through. And Carnaval is actually on Tuesday. So I figure it will only get worse until then. But basically there are people that get together and dress up all tribal like and cover themselves in oil and go around in groups beating drums and stuff. These are called Mandingas. We ran into a couple of groups of those yesterday. The picture with 2 we took last night as we and they were headed home. The picture of just one we go a few weeks ago. Oh yea, and the Mandingas have been getting together once a week for the past several weeks in preparation for Carnaval. It's a pretty big deal. Tomorrow we're going to be staying in our house all day. Joy.

In other news I'm alive and well. Dang I really don't have anything else to say. Sorry.

Elder Peterson