Dear Family and Friends,
I am doing well. I love it here in the CTM, although I have been having a tough time. I have been working a lot and the language is coming, although not as fast as I had hoped, but everyone says that after this week it will take off like a rocket. I have lost 9 pounds since I entered 3 weeks ago. Do not worry about me Mom I am eating a lot; I have been working out 50 minutes five times a weeks. I am losing it the correct and healthy way.
Like I said I was having a difficult time, nothing that would keep me from striving to do the work which I have been called to do, but I felt lonely in heart. Having prayed a great deal I received an answer while at Sunday School class. Our Branch president, President Van Orman, quoted scripture from 1 Nephi 20:10 which states, ´´I have refined thee, I have chosen thee from the furnace of affliction.`` I knew right then all the lonely feelings which I had been feeling were only to create me into something better than I was at the time, and those feelings went away and I was filled with great feelings of joy. Like the millstone that was around my neck came off.
On a more lighter not I did make a huge mistake with the language the other day to answer Erynn´s question. While in line for food they were serving chicken so I was excited because the chicken here is some of the best I have every had. I yelled out Galhna!!! (I am not sure if I spelled that correctly) then said to the lunch lady duas galhnas por favor!! Galhna is a live chicken to come find out, and in Brazil calling a woman a galhna is like calling her the village bike or a slut, so I asked for two sluts. The cooked meat of a chicken is frango. I know now not to make that mistake twice.
Also to answer your question Seth, Elder Sam Matthews in my roommate. He is a great guy. Funny, full of life, well that was until he got sick and has been pretty miserable other wise, but he is feeling much better. I have never felt better physically. The guy I work out with is Elder Kayma. We call him the flyin' Hawaiian. He was studying to be come a work out trainer or something to the effect and he works me out hard. I feel great.
Alyson, so your new car is cute... how fun. I hope you really like it. I sure you a Kris are loving it. I would have thought you were going to get a minivan or something like that.
I would love to get letter from you all. They are nice and make the days a whole lot better. Also you can send me stuff to the CTM. Just not after my 6th week here. There is a good chance by the time it get down here I will be in Santa Maria. That day cannot come soon enough.
Dad, thank you for fixing my car. I hope you two are getting along. The city is huge. It is a great contrast of prospective's. The rich and the poor live with one another. Their housing bump. Tall rich apartment towers next to shanty towns. The traffic is the worst I have every seen, but everyone is so friendly about it. People wave each other in all the time. No one is ever nasty or mean about being cut off. It is a weird system which works well.
Today I had to go visit the police to register with them as a legal foreigner.
The São Paulo temple is beautiful. It is in the middle of the city almost. There is a large gate around it. It also shares the same plot of land as a stake center and Church Head Quarters in South America. They call Brazil the Second Nation of the Church because there are more members here than anywhere else save it be America.
The food is good. More or Less anyway.
Again I love you all, I miss you, but I know what I am doing is something worth while on a grand prospective which cannot be denied.
Love always,
Elder Caleb S. Carriere.
ps Eyrnn I do remember being taped to the box. I giggle every time I see that picture.
pps Seth Forward this email to all the family if you would. Also tell everyone in the ward that I love them and I got some of there letters I am assuming there are more to come.
psss. I will have to mail you guys the photos they are not wanting to load onto the computer. They will be forth coming.
6 pounds lighter...
Dear Family and Friends...
How are things going with you? Everything is going well here in Sao Paulo. It is my 3rd week since I entered the CTM and I really still love it. I am enjoying every minute of it. It has been difficult adjusting to the life style of a missionary but I know that I will be bless for doing so. I hope that you guys got my letter and the email that was sent by the MTC presidency. If not here I am safe and sound.
I am doing well. The flight was long and I did not sleep much so by the time that I went to bed the next night I had been in the same suit for 36 plus hours. But right from the git go I know that this is where the Lord wants me to be and I know that I am doing a good work and I cannot come down for anything.
My companion and I get alone just fine. My companion is Elder Evan Hyde. He is from Smithville UT, which is right outside of Logan. He is really great. I love the kid to death. He is excited about the gospel and I know we can do a lot of good together. We have our rough moments, but nothing that is difficult to manage and comes from being around someone for every waking moment of ones day.
I am in class almost 10 hours a day. I am learning a lot about the gospel and the language. Although my companion and I have found out we do not know the language nearly as well as we thought we did. Which is sad because we are the stars of the language in our district. But I digress, it is the Lord humbling me for my vanity. I spend most of my day in class learning from Preach My Gospel and learning Portuguese. Both are coming alone well. Although it was nice today being able to get out of CTM and visit the temple, and wonder the streets of São Paulo. Do not worry mom, I am only a few blocks away from the CTM. I am sitting in an internet shop writing this email.
I have lost 6 pounds since entering the CTM. My pants are really lose on me. I am eating well most of the time. Some of the food is either hit or miss, but alot of it has been really good. Oh well, such is life.
I love the Brazilian culture and people. I have made a lot of Brazilian friends. There is a elder two doors down from us, and he is a crack up. His name is Elder Sousa. His first name is Caio. He has been helping my companion and I learn the language and we've been teaching him English which he knows a lot already.
I love it here. I am truly bless of the Lord for being here.
thank you for your love and support of me coming here and serving the Lord.
Sincerely,
Elder Caleb S. Carriere
P.S. Unless you guys object I will only email you guys. I can only email my family and the cost of postage limits me. I will have ´pictures next time.
How are things going with you? Everything is going well here in Sao Paulo. It is my 3rd week since I entered the CTM and I really still love it. I am enjoying every minute of it. It has been difficult adjusting to the life style of a missionary but I know that I will be bless for doing so. I hope that you guys got my letter and the email that was sent by the MTC presidency. If not here I am safe and sound.
I am doing well. The flight was long and I did not sleep much so by the time that I went to bed the next night I had been in the same suit for 36 plus hours. But right from the git go I know that this is where the Lord wants me to be and I know that I am doing a good work and I cannot come down for anything.
My companion and I get alone just fine. My companion is Elder Evan Hyde. He is from Smithville UT, which is right outside of Logan. He is really great. I love the kid to death. He is excited about the gospel and I know we can do a lot of good together. We have our rough moments, but nothing that is difficult to manage and comes from being around someone for every waking moment of ones day.
I am in class almost 10 hours a day. I am learning a lot about the gospel and the language. Although my companion and I have found out we do not know the language nearly as well as we thought we did. Which is sad because we are the stars of the language in our district. But I digress, it is the Lord humbling me for my vanity. I spend most of my day in class learning from Preach My Gospel and learning Portuguese. Both are coming alone well. Although it was nice today being able to get out of CTM and visit the temple, and wonder the streets of São Paulo. Do not worry mom, I am only a few blocks away from the CTM. I am sitting in an internet shop writing this email.
I have lost 6 pounds since entering the CTM. My pants are really lose on me. I am eating well most of the time. Some of the food is either hit or miss, but alot of it has been really good. Oh well, such is life.
I love the Brazilian culture and people. I have made a lot of Brazilian friends. There is a elder two doors down from us, and he is a crack up. His name is Elder Sousa. His first name is Caio. He has been helping my companion and I learn the language and we've been teaching him English which he knows a lot already.
I love it here. I am truly bless of the Lord for being here.
thank you for your love and support of me coming here and serving the Lord.
Sincerely,
Elder Caleb S. Carriere
P.S. Unless you guys object I will only email you guys. I can only email my family and the cost of postage limits me. I will have ´pictures next time.
Frist Letter Home
Dear Mom & Dad,
I am alive and well in the MTC. I really love it here thus far, but don't quote me on that just yet. I have only been here for about 5 hours or so. My Companion is great. His name is Elder Hyde. He is from Logan, Utah. We seem to get along well. My roommates are really great as well. So far, there are 4 of us in our dorm room, but I've been told I should expect a Brazilian Companionship.
I am loving it and I am glad that i made the choice to go. The view from my room is great. I can see the Sao Paulo skyline as well as the rest of the MTC. I am on the 6th Floor, which is the top floor, room 613
The food is alright, nothing special thus far, but I've been told that today isn't the best day for food.
I will write you again soon. So, until then, Goodnight, God Bless and have a pleasant tomorrow.
Love Elder Caleb S. Carriere
I am alive and well in the MTC. I really love it here thus far, but don't quote me on that just yet. I have only been here for about 5 hours or so. My Companion is great. His name is Elder Hyde. He is from Logan, Utah. We seem to get along well. My roommates are really great as well. So far, there are 4 of us in our dorm room, but I've been told I should expect a Brazilian Companionship.
I am loving it and I am glad that i made the choice to go. The view from my room is great. I can see the Sao Paulo skyline as well as the rest of the MTC. I am on the 6th Floor, which is the top floor, room 613
The food is alright, nothing special thus far, but I've been told that today isn't the best day for food.
I will write you again soon. So, until then, Goodnight, God Bless and have a pleasant tomorrow.
Love Elder Caleb S. Carriere
Tuesday August 11th- Saying Goodbye
This is the last time that I will get to hold babies for 2 years... Ashton and Ameila will be almost 3 years old the next time I see them.
Momma and her Baby Boy... So cute
Thanks Mom and Dad!!!
Am I a big enough "TOOL" yet?
Leaving for the Airport.I flew from Indianapolis to Dallas. In Dallas I changed planes and flew to Sao Paulo, Brazil.
13 hours later I entered the MTC and began the next two years of my life.
Monday August 10th- Set apart as a Missionary
This globe of the world is at the Tippecanoe Zoo... Pretty cool
I was set apart as a Missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints today at 7pm.Here I am, at this point I have been a Missionary for about 5 minutes.
President Connelly set me apart. My Dad, Brother Seth, and Brother-in-Law Kristian assisted in the blessing. My Mom, Sisters Aly and Erynn, and Nephew Ashton were there to see it happen. My Niece Ameila, Sister Amy and Brother-in-Law Chris wanted to be there but it was Ameila's bedtime.
How do I look?
So far so good....
I really really hope they like me in Brazil.
Called to serve in the Santa Maria Brazil Mission
Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Municipality of Santa Maria Município de Santa Maria | |||
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| Coordinates: 29°41′0″S 53°48′0″W / 29.68333°S 53.8°W | |||
| Country | Brazil | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Region | South | ||
| State | Rio Grande do Sul | ||
| Government | |||
| - Mayor | Cesar Augusto Schirmer (PMDB) | ||
| Area | |||
| - Total | 1,823.1 km2 (703.9 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 113 m (371 ft) | ||
| Population (2006) | |||
| - Total | 270,073 | ||
| - Density | 151.8/km2 (393.2/sq mi) | ||
| Time zone | UTC-3 (UTC-3) | ||
| - Summer (DST) | UTC-2 (UTC-2) | ||
| Website | Prefeitura de Santa Maria | ||
Santa Maria is a municipality in the central region of Rio Grande do Sul, the southernmost state of Brazil. In 2007, its population was of 263,403 inhabitants in a total area of 1,823 km2.
Importance
It is known for the Federal University of Santa Maria and a number of other private universities and colleges. Because of the large number of college age students, the city has a relatively young population. Santa Maria is also known for its military contingent - the second largest in Brazil.
Santa Maria is also known in the region for being the host city of an important Roman Catholic festival dedicated to Nossa Senhora Medianeira, called "Romaria da Medianeira" (Medianeira is a name of Our Lady that was created in Venice, Italy). Every year, hundreds of thousands of people from all over Brazil join in the celebrations.
Santa Maria is the location of a Brazilian Air Force base, the Base Aérea de Santa Maria, which in 2005 had the following elements:
- 1° Esquadrão do 10° Grupo de Aviação (1º/10º GAv), Poker Squadron, reconnaissance and attack unit with RA-1A e RA1-B (AMX) airplanes.
- 3° Esquadrão do 10° Grupo de Aviação (3º/10º GAv), Centauro Squadron, with attack planes A-1A e A-1B (AMX).
- 5° Esquadrão do 8° Grupo de Aviação (5º/8º GAV), Pantera Squadron, with H-1H (Bell UH-1H Huey) helicopters.
The base also had a T-25C (Neiva Universal) and two L-42 (Neiva Regente) for administrative functions. [1]
The city is the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Santa Maria.
Santa Maria also has two soccer teams: Inter-SM and Riograndense-SM.
Population
In the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Maria is the fifth largest municipality, after Porto Alegre, Caxias do Sul, Pelotas, and Canoas.
It is the largest city in the central region of the state, concentrating 36.40% of the region's population. During the period between 1981 and 2000, Santa Maria had a demographic growth rate of 1.86%.
The municipality contains 10 districts. The city of Santa Maria itself is located in the urban Seat District (Distrito Sede), which is divided into 8 regiões administrativas (administrative regions), and further subdivided into 41 bairros (neighbourhoods). About 95% of the municipality's total population is concentrated in the Seat District.
Economy
The economy is based on services, light industry, government services, and agriculture. In 2006, there were 934 transformation industries employing 6,344 workers. Commerce employed 12,180 workers, public administration employed 4,783 workers, the health sector employed 3,799 workers, and education employed 6,362 workers. In the agricultural sector, there were 2,335 establishments employing 7,000 workers. The main activities are cattle raising with over 100,000 heads in 2006, and growth of rice, corn, soybean, and wheat. [2]
Transportation
Santa Maria is a major highway and railroad hub. The city has a strategic location in connecting Brazil to other Mercosul countries, mainly through the following highways:
- BR-158 - connects Santa Maria to northern and southwestern Rio Grande do Sul, allowing access to Uruguaiana, in the Argentinian border, and to Rivera, Uruguay.
- BR-287 - east-west highway, connecting the city to the capital of the state, Porto Alegre.
Railways are used for cargo transportation, mainly of agricultural products, automobile parts and food.
Santa Maria is 110 km far from the River Terminal of Cachoeira do Sul, which allows ship transport until the port of Porto Alegre through the Jacuí River, and from there to the Atlantic Ocean, through the Lagoa dos Patos.
The city has a domestic airport located 12 km far from downtown, in the neighborhood of Camobi. It has capacity for large airplanes and offers daily flights to Porto Alegre, Florianópolis and Curitiba. [3]
Highway Distances to Other Cities in the state
- Santa Maria—Porto Alegre: 286 km.
- Santa Maria—Pelotas: 337 km.
- Santa Maria—Cruz Alta: 135 km.
- Santa Maria—Uruguaiana: 365 km.
- Santa Maria—Passo Fundo: 293 km.
- Santa Maria—Caxias do Sul: 307 km. [4]
Health and Education
In 2005, there were 113 health establishments, comprising 8 hospitals with a total amount of 866 available beds. In the educational sector, there were 112 primary schools and 34 secondary schools. Six higher education institutions enrolled approximately 20,000 students. The most important are the Federal University of Santa Maria - UFSM, the Franciscan University Center - UNIFRA, and the Methodist University of Santa Maria - FAMES.[2]
Climate
Santa Maria has a humid subtropical climate and its annual average temperature is 18 °C. In January, the warmest month, highs rarely surpass 30 °C with the average low dropping to 19 °C. In June, the coldest month, highs reach 19 °C and lows usually go below 9 °C, reaching up to -5 °C, but snow is a rare occurrence. Rainfall is distributed evenly throughout the year with a monthly average of 140 mm. [5]
Nicknames
Santa Maria is often referred to as the "heart of Rio Grande do Sul" (from Portuguese: "cidade coração do Rio Grande"), because the geographical center of the state is located in a rural District of Santa Maria called Passo do Verde. Santa Maria is also given the nickname of "culture city" (Portuguese: "cidade cultura"), mostly because of the local universities, which host a large number of students and young adults who engage in many cultural and political actions, social entrepreneurs, and a number of academic researchers of international reputation.
History
The first inhabitants of Santa Maria were the Minuano Indians, who lived in a region of the municipality known as Coxilha do Pau Fincado, and the Tapes, who lived in the hills.
With the arrival of Spanish and Portuguese this border region was a witness to innumerable battles between rival groups. Finally in 1797 the border between the two colonies was established by a commission (1ª Subdivisão da Comissão Demarcadora de Limites da América Meridional). This commission set up camp on the site of present-day Santa Maria.
The camp was known as Acampamento de Santa Maria, later adding Boca do Monte to the name. 1828 saw the arrival of the 28th Battalion of Foreigners, made up of hired Germans to fight against the inhabitants of present-day Uruguay in the Cisplatine War. After the war many of the soldiers decided to stay in Santa Maria beginning the cycle of German colonization.
Santa Maria was elevated to the condition of Vila, separating from Cachoeira do Sul, in 1857. The municipality was created on 16 December 1857 and installed on 17 May 1858. [6]
Quality of Life
According to the United Nations (PNUD 2000), Santa Maria ranks 45th in quality of life in Brazil and 9th in the state. According to data from 2006, from Fundação de Economia e Estatística - FEE, life expectancy at birth is of 74.01 years and the demographic density of the municipality is 145.4 inhab/km².
The level of atmospheric pollution in Santa Maria is low, since the urban area, for the most part, is composed of retail commerce and services, without polluting sectors. [7]
Paleontology
The city is the birthplace of Paleorrota and paleontology in Rio Grande do Sul and Brazil. In 1902, a Rhynchosaur was collected in Santa Maria, on what is considered to be the first fossil to be found in South America. Llewellyn Ivor Price, a Santa Maria-born paleontologist and one of the first Brazilian ones, collected a Staurikosaurus, the first Brazilian dinosaur. The city is located on a huge deposit of fossils, with more than 20 Paleontological Sites.
Paleontological Sites of the City
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