Dearest family and friends,

Bad news! Our phone does not work. I am dying!
I could not talk to Evan all day long.

He and I have bad tummy today. We did not eat anything bad but I guess it happenes often according to Tim.

Evan went to Baptism for Dunovia's grandpa. If he comes home before 8:00 then we will go to the temple but me having tummy problem. I am affraid to go. I don't want to leave the scession every 10 minutes.

It was a nice warm day. Evan was worried that he could not get a hold of me on the phone all day.
Pray for us that we will have our phone service right away.

I miss and love you all!!!

Hiroko

Dearest family and friends,

It is cloudy today but not too cold at all.
Tonight we are going to the temple with Patty and Daniel. They cannot make it until the latest session so I did not go to the office to rest.

We sure are lucky to be so close to the temple.
My legs have been quite painful but.... what can I do about it.

I love and miss you!!!

Hiroko

Dearest family and friends,

 It was another beautiful day! Hard to believe that we are in Winter!

I helped Perpetual Education Fund Dept. Amazing what church does.

Nothing special happened today.

So I think I am going to get ready to go to bed.

Tomorrow is temple day. The temple here is not that big but it is so beautiful. I like to go to the temple everyweek same day. That way I get to meet so many familier faces.

Evan got his hair cut today. He is right across from our apt and such a sweet old man!

I miss and love you!!!

Hiroko

Dearest family and friends,

 Yes, the Elevators have been fixed!!!!!!

It is so hot today. I don´t even know what season we are in now.

Today will be the same day helping two departments.

We don´t know who but one of the sister missionary had stroke and is getting ready to go home. I hope it is not serious.

This coming Sunday is our Stake Conference then following Sunday is  Video presentation of Manaus temple. We have to have Temple recomend to get in to see the video presentation.

I might go to the temple tonight or tomorrow. We will see. I can´t wait to go back to Reno temple and see all the sisters on Wednesday. I hope they don´t think I became inactive.

I love and miss you all!

Hiroko

Dearest family and friends,

Bad minor news! Our elevator at the office is not working and I am having hard time going up with painful knee.

Other than that everything was find. I helped PEF (Perpetual Education Fund) Department and Financila Dept. Not my favorite but keep telling myself that HF needs me to do this.

Yesterday our new return missionary came to oour ward and he served the mission in Japan and He knew Elder Ryan Grahm!!! They sure do speak well! Amazing!!!

Weather is still perfect!!.But we are not winter yet.

Everybody in our office is coughing so I hope I won't get it. I am using On Guarde!!!

I miss and love you so much!

Hiroko

Dearest family and friends,

It is another beautiful day. Not too cold and not too hot. But winter has not come yet. They said July is the coldest.

Luckily Carol picked us up and took us back home from church today. I was so glad because my knee is sti,, hurting and it is not easy to walk outside, even side walk.

As soon as I leave our front room (where TV is), Dad goes there and turn soccor game~.
No I still do not like it. I much rather see Animal planet or National
Geographic.

At church, our friend, Yuki, brought us delicious percimons. I absolutely love it.

They were showing Pomelanian on TV and I can't believe how much they look like Punkin. I was glued to the TV. I sure miss her. I hope she won't forget me!!!

I miss and love you!!!

Hiroko

Dearest family and friends,

Another beautiful day.

We were invited to our friends birthday party this afternoon but since Dunavia asked us to go to her church first, we did not go.
Around 3:30, they came to pick us up but I did not go. My leg has been so painful. I don't know why.

It is Saturday!!!! So Evan got our favorite potatoes and chicken!! They only sell them on Sat and Sunday.
They are so good.

I spent all day knitting and tried not to walk around.
I am sure nothing serious and it will be fine. I am using Deep blue cream!!!

Well I am going to eat that potato!
Evan got that strange looking pork skin but I did not eat it.
I took video of how it looks like. So you decide if you will try it if you were here. They really looks horrible.

Well I hope all is well and I miss and love you!!!

Hiroko

Dearest family friends,

I slept like a baby last nigth abut when I woke up my hwole right let was in pain. I don´t know what is wrong. but I could not even get out of the bed.

Last night brotherne took me through the veil was Brazilian but somehow I figure it out. Only Portuguese I spoke yesterday was good morning, good afternoon, good night and good bye and
 congratulations. How sad!!

today is clouday and are expecting rain. But overall it is a beautiful day.

Sadly I had not found gardinia lately. I guess I have to wait until this coming Spring!

Well I just got to the office so nothing is going on here. I guess I am helping Magie(Financial dept) with Evan this afternoon. I really like to work with Evan.

I hope tomorrow will be more exciting!

I miss an love you!!

Hiroko

Dearest family and friends,

We went to 8:30pm sesion and just got back. I am so tired so I will write more tomorrow.
It was so nice to be at the temple.
There was a guy who went through for himself. It was so neat. So I said congratulations to him in Portuguese!!!

Well, good night and I mss and love you!!!

Hiroko

Dearest family and friends,

It was a beautiful day!!! I hope this will last throughout winter.

Once again, I was busy helping Sister Sucadden and Magie,Financial department. And little bit for Evan. But over all it was a slowday and I don't like it. I like the day I am so busy.

I really don't have anything to write today.

Hope all is well back home.

I really miss you all so badly and love you tons.

Hiroko

Dearest Family and friends,

It was such a confusing day.
We were up until4:00am this morning and both of us were so tired. Evan went to the office on time but I stayed in bed. During the lunch, he called me and told me that he will come by to pick me up.
So I put make ups and got ready even thogu I was still tired.

He told me he will pick me up around 1:00 but he did not. He and I promised each other that I will never walk to the office by myself. The side street is so rough and I already twisted my anbkle twice and cars and bikes show up from no where.

So I called him and waited and waited. I finally called other elder and he told me
Evan is in the meeting. Evan could not pick me up due to the meeting!.Everyday is new!

Well so that was the exciting thing today.

I miss and love you tons and tons.

Hiroko

Dearest family and friends,

It was another beautiful day. Not bad for November!!!

Today was another busy day helping two departments. They send me to wherever they need extra help. I just have to keep telling myself "Somebodfy has to do it and this is a missionary work!!"
Today They had lunch for May birthday people and Evan went of course but I didn't. But they still have dessert left so I tasted. It was the best dessert I ever ate in Brasi. One of our office worker, Japanese, made it.The sister who fixed meal told us she will bring left over meal to night but I know how Brasilians are now.
So I go ahead and ate dinner.
That was a right decision becuse it is alreay8:30 and she has not shown up. It is 8:45 and she just came to brind dinner.

Tomorrow will be the same thing for me. I am doing whatever they need help.
My job is strecktly office job.

One of the sisters in our ward, Carol, who speaks perfect English has been so sweet.
She or her husband pick us up on Sunday and take us back home. She also told me that there is a big book store which might carry
English books. Evan is taking me there this Saturday. Can't wait!!!

I miss and love you.

Hiroko

Dearest and familieas and friends,

It was cooler but not so bad.
i had a breakfast and got sick and had a headach so I could not go to the church. I felt bad but I am glad that I read the lesson manuals.

i think I ate too greasy stuff today. I am getting like dad and get sick so easlily.

I am looking forward to leaving tomorrow. two sisters needed me to work and I hope I can work with
Sis Scadden. i do not like to do the other one because it is so confusing!

next Saturday Donovia wants us to go to her church at night. I really do not want to go. I ti Primary kids performance and it is not interesting gor me to go when mine is are not performing. We will see if I go or not.

We only got to talk to Joey and the Starleys. Tim, Amy did not answer. I really miss is when I don't see you guys.

Jowy told me that Punkin is 8 pl and I am so worried about her. She should be somewhere around 3-2/1.

Appearently she was eating cat's food and dog foods.

Well I hope all is well.

I miss and love you very much!!!

HIOKO

Dearest family and friends,

It was a perfect day weather-wise.

We went to the temple and it was so wonderful.
But evan and I were so sleepy tired!!!

Evan had a short nap then Elders called and asked Evan to come to the Baptism.
He was so excited but I sure hope he can take the right bus to come home since he never took a bus at night and took wrong bus home from our the church twice already!!!

I cannnot do two things in one day so I did not go.
I think I will get ready for bed and go to sleep early so that I can wake up tomorrow .Family, please let ue know what time is the best time to call.

I miss and love you!!!!

Hiroko

Deareswt family and friends,

It was a long day for me. I helped the finance department copying all the invoices.
It was a easy job, but you know when it is easy, you start doing so fast and loose the place where I was working. I really am not for the office work. But I help wherever help is needed. But the computer I worked on was very old and small and kept messed it up.


Today Evan went to lunch with one of the workers, Marcos. We really love him. they went to one of the Brasilian lunch place. But I did not go because I already had lunch before Evan told me.
He really loved it, surprise!!!!. So he got the same fish dish for dinner. It was good but they put bean sauces and that ruined it.

Evan really wants me to go there with him some day keep saying there are so many Brasilians are eating there.But I am not ready and it is not a good sign for me. He wants to go to the small reswtaurant around the corner and there are always tons of Brasilian eating. But the smell kills me. I hope he won't force me to go. Becuse he does have tendency to force me to eat what I don't want to.

30 minutes ago, Patty and her husband called and wanted to go to the temple at the last minutes. It was for 8:30 session and it was already 8:00. So he hurried and got ready to go but I did not. I asked
Evan to take me to the temple tomorrow. He better take me!!

Have a wonderful weekend!!!

I miss and Love you!!!!

Hiroko

Dearest friends and family,

I should have known not to eat that Pizza last night.
I got sick and could not go to work.
My tummy has been so sensitive and certain cheese they use make me sick.
On the way to work, there is a Pizza restaurant and everytime I pass by, I get sick feeling.
I miss Plain American pizza.
They use different kind of cheese here. I don't know what! But not motzzelella for sure.

So there is nothing to report to you guys today.
I had cup needle today and they tasted wonderful!!!

I miss and love you!!!

Hiroko

Dearest family and friends,

Good news. Evan went to the doctor and she removed the bump on his head but told him there is nothing to worry about. She is not even going to perform biopcy.!!!!
so he is OK. He said that it does not even hurt.

After we ate lunch at home we went to the office. Evan was so busy all day because there was a huge flood in Manaus area and had to take care of what the church can do. So while he was doing that I was working with Sister scuddan.

Evan was sneezing all night and kept woke me up so I was so tired. He is doing fine today.

It has been cold today!! Tim and Jen, make sure you guys bring lots of warm clothes!!!
Remember we only have one tiny heater here at home.

Evan bought one piece of pizza this evening and it was not good at all. So greasy and they use different kind of cheese and they use olive with pits!

Well hope all is well and I do miss you all so much.

I love you!!!!!!

Hiroko

Dearest family and friends,

Today Evan went to see the doctor because he has a small bump on his head.
He went to the hospital and they told him to come back tomorrow for consultation. They charge about $300 for concultation. I wonder how much they charge for biopcy. I hope we have a good church insurance but Evan does not know.
I told him to keep it on his head a a gift from Brasil.

He is getting cold, I think. He sneezes 100 times a day. Poor guy! Carrying toilet pepers wherever he goes!!

Today I was supposed to help finance office and I did not like it. Because they only speak Portugues.
Thank goodness their computer and printer did not work so I just sat there doing NOTHING. I have to go back and help tomorrow but I hope the computer does not work.
I much rather work with Evan!!!

I feel so helpless without Evan and I hate that I have to count on him on everything.

Well I miss and love you.

It is getting cold!!!

Hiroko

Dearest family and friends,

Last night after I went to bed, Donovia and her friend came by to give me hand made flowers, necklace and beautiful goldish orange stone necklace and earrings.
I have to have my ears pierced when I go home.

They are the one came to our house before and had dinner with us.
She is so sweet and loves that boy but she does not know what to do.
Becuause she is planning to come to US.
They are such a perfect couple to me. They sang Hyme to us!
They asked me to play the piano and I could not do well.

Today is cloudy and cold. Evan came home for lunch and told me to stay home because there are nothing I can do today.

I hope he will have something to do tomorrow.

I hope all is well and I miss and love you so much!!

Hiroko

Dearest family and friends,

It never happened before but Evan over slept this morning so I could not go to church.

It is Mother's Day but it is the same day as ever.

I really miss you all and love you!!

I watched my program until 4:00 the Evan has been watchin Soccor game right now. No I am not. I am getting another headach watching the game!
So I am going to take a nap.

Hope you guys had a more exciting Mother's Day than me.

I love and miss you!!!

Hiroko

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers!!!
Have a great day!!

Dearest family and friends,

It was Saturday today.
And I did absolutely NOTHING!!!

The weather is very nice and it did not rain even though they were expecting to rain.

I had a long nice nap. But had a horroble dream.
 I fell and I was stuck under the table(It is a dream!!)
So I was calling Evan over and over and he did not hear it. I panicked but fell aleep again.
I hope I can sleep tonight.

Tomorrow is Sunday and I hope our translator is going to be there! It is meserable when she is not there. I have to sit not knowing what is going on!!!

Evan bought me a beautiful tall rose and one delicious chocolate for Mother's Day. I was very very happy!

I miss and love you!!!

Hiroko

Dearest family and friends,

Beautiful beautiful day!!

We went to the temple lat night but Patty wanted to go 8:30 session. So I was quite tired when I got out. In the waiting room there was a old lady sat next to me. I told her I do not speak Portuguese but she kept talking to me for about 10 minutes until Evan came to help me. I asked  few questions and that was a big mistake. I had no idea what her answers were. Maybe I should learn how to say "Please stop talking to me!"

TGIF!!! We might go to the book store where sells English books. I hope so.

Dearest family and friends,

I want to wish you Mothers "A very happy Mother's day"

Evan is so lucky that he still has mother!!!

It was a beautiful day today. Not so busy but I was able to help Sister missionary with her paper. Prints were so small that I got headach.

Today when we were crossing street, Evan pulled my right wrist so hard and twisted. It is hurting so bad!
Nice to get old. My both knees hurt, right wrist hurt and left shoulder hurts!!!Well I can go on and on!

We have no plan for the weekend as always.
I might go to the book store which sells English books.

Wish you all a very happy weekend!!!

Miss and love you!!!

Hiroko

Dearest family and friends,

Another day I did not feel good. We think that smell of paint is making me sick. They are painting the stairs and hall way and it smells horrible.
And also headach.
It is not too cold today, So Evan opened windows and feel better.

We are going to the temple this evening with Patty and her husband at 8:00 so I'd better take a nap!! So that I can be alert!!!

This build9ing is 40 years old so they are repairing somewhere all the time. For few weeks we only had one elevator! But I think they fixed it few days ago.

Well I better get ready  for the temple that Make sure I have everything.

I miss and love you so muuch!!!

Hiroko

Dearest family and friends,

Finally Evan got the right plug for the microwave oven. Yes, it is working!!! I was so happy!!!

But I got sick today and could not go to work. I even had to call Evan to come home to be with me.
I don't know what is wrong with me. I am nausiated and headach.
I am so sick of not feeling great.

It is a beautiful day today. But I was at home all day. I sure hope I will start getting feel better!
I sure hope that I can go tomorrow.

When I don't feel good I miss my family more than usual.

I do miss and love you tons.

Hiroko

Dearest family and friends,

Yes, I finally got our microwave oven tonight. But I am more mad than ever. Their plug does not fit. There are so many different shape of plags here. So stupid.
So I am still really mad.

Yes, missionaries have right to be really mad as long as I dont swear, right?

It was so tiring today.Things do not go smoothly here in Brasil.

Now Evan has to find the correct plug and hope he can find it!!!
Yes, I am still really mad!!! We have different plug for the heater.

But at least our kitchen sink is running smoothly. Miracle!!

I really miss you all.

Hiroko

Dearest family and friends,

Of course we did not get our micro weve oven! They said they will bring it tomorrow but we will see.

I had a headach so did not got to the office.

after the dinner, Donavia called us and wanted to come over. I was not feeling well but I said yes. She is going through hard time right now and I am so glad we were here for her. She is such a sweet girl.
She was here more than 2 hours just talking and I really love here.

She just needed us to listen. She is only 27 or 8 but I feel very close to her. She writes me a note all the time. She writes "Kisses and rugs"

I sure hope that we will get the micro wave oven tomorrow!!! Pray for us.

well, good night and have a wonderful week!!

I love and miss you so much.

Hiroko

Dearear family and friends,

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo microwave oven. I better get it tomorrow! We might just buy it ourself. Tired of waiting.

one of the sister in our church, Carol, came to pick us up. It was so nice.
I was so tired and took a long nap.

Someone is at the door so I have to go.

Hope I can talk to my kids today.

I love and miss you all!

Hiroko

Dearest family and friends,

It is Saturday and as I said, I did nothing all day.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
No microwaveoven yet. I am really mad!!!

Since we had heater, we had to be so careful not to use other electricity.

Patty and Daniel call this afternoon and asked us if we can go to the temple.
But by then I washed my hair and it was completely wet and could not use hair dryer so I could not go but Evan did go. He still has not come home yet!!!

I finished Lily's yellow scarf! I am adding more length to Tay's one right now.
I made purple one for Zoe but I am out of yarn so it might not be too long. Sooooooory.

Carol in oour ward was supposed to call us to arrange what time she will pick us up to the church but she has not called us yet.

I really learned I have to be patient with Brasilians.

Well, I am going to eat dinner now. No idea what!
Maybe top ramen.

It was not that cold today. We never know how to dress up!

Well good night.

I really miss and love you so much!!!

Hiroko

Adriano and Danubia after dinner. We're hoping they get married soon. 

Dan n Helena

Eidilandia (I've NEVER seen her without a smile!) n Dan. 

fun, pretty flower. It's fun to pull off the green stem part.

really thin shoe string potatoes

mini mart close to home--lots of good things.

the best fruit and veggie store, a lot like our old Produce King in Pleasant Hill

They have mom's favorite oatmeal and the best cans of tuna

after dinner in our apt.

Jose, our banana vendor.

banana trees in someone's backyard

here's a banana tree right on the sidewalk where I pass to go to the stores.

banana tree in a backyard

here's a close up of the banana tree right on the sidewalk where I pass to go to the stores.

big, long avocados

lots of the fun flowers everywhere

really teeny leaves

Beesh--white grape juice!

Photos

Dearest family and friends,

We still did not get a new microwave oven.We might not have to get till Monday!!I am so mad!!

Weatherwise it was a great day. The heater in our office room is working also.

One of the Senior missionary just stop by and gave us a Brazilian doll. I was happy but I thought it was new Microwave oven.
Too bad.

We have no plans for the weekend as usual. I am going to sleep all day and do some knitting.

Evan just got back from the bread store and got some fresh rolls. They are so good. They bake at 5:00 so he always leave right before 5:00.

Well time to get ready to go to bed soon. I am so sleepy tird!

Kids, we are looking forward to talking to you all on Sunday!!

I miss and love you!!!

Hiroko

dearest family and friends,

One good news and one bad news. Evan got a small heater and it works really well. The size of Brandon's head!
Bad news, We still don't have microwave oven.

We just got back from the temple and were looking forward to getting new one. But it did not happen.

Danuvia wanted to eat at the temple before the session and bad mistake. I was nausiated for whole time. Something about chicken makes me sick.

Well no more news! Pray for us that we will get a microwave oven tomorrow!!! Please!!!

Today I saw old Brasilian looks just like Russel Fonoimoana! I really miss his family!!

Well, hope all is well.

I love and miss you!!


Mommy

Dearest family and friends,

It was another cold day but luckily we had a small heater in our office and it worked.
Evan went to Walmart to buy our heater but they did not have it. We cannot buy the one use tons of electrisity.
During the whole winter we have to be careful not to use microwave, dryer and shower when heater is on.

Brandon we have a TV program " Bob Esponjya" Can you tell what that is?

We had lunch at home then went to the office. Nice to see them all since most of them had 4 day holiday..

It is cold tonight so I am going to bed early.

Our microwave oven is broken so they are bringing another one tomorrow.
You don't know how inconvinient without it.  I hope they will bring the one that works!!!

Life in Brasil is hard. I miss hot bath (we have no bath tub) and shower! The shower here is so different and so hard to adjust the temp.

Well, I miss you guys and love you!!!!

Hiroko

Dearest family and friends,

It is a day off so we were busy cleaning our apartment becuase we invited Donouvia for dinner.
We are trying to do English-Portugues lesson. But today we did not do anything. We just ate. She is going to UA sometime in Aug and is quitting work at the office in June.
I am really going to miss her.

It was a really cold day. Yes, I am complaining that it is too cold. I had to wear so many layers to keep me warmer. We don't have heater!!!! We are going to buy one tomorrow for sure.

The summer in Sao Paulo was not bad at all, It really felt like we were in Hawaii.

I am so tired because I was doing  cleaning and fixing dinner and all. It was our first time to have people over for dinner. Actually we bought roast chicken and that yammy potatoes. and I made stir fryed vegitable and salad. So it was not bad at all.

It is May today!!! We have been here for 5 month on 5/17th and have been on mission for 5 month on 5/5. We had family homevening yesterday just two of us. That was so nice.

I really miss and love you!!!!

Hiroko