I'm okay. No building damage or anything. All in all, it was a pretty fun ride. Kind of like driving a Buick on an unmaintained county road back home.

I was released from my calling as Ward Mission Leader today. It was one of the best callings I've ever had. It's hard for me to express how I feel about it or what it's done for me and to me. The people were the best part. I had a reason to talk to anybody, anywhere. And I felt God directing me, prodding me to give a kind word here and a hand of friendship there. My memories of sitting with Scott to talk about the gospel in my apartment are priceless. And the other Scott, a vet who served in Iraq, talking about horrible memories as we sat at a picnic table at the Veteran's Memorial Hospital. His baptism was so joyful. And to see Leslie be baptized, and Torben, and Kim. And more. I've seen miracles in the last year.

AND I got to speak portuguese again which is always awesome. It was so funny hashing out the differences between the mother tongue and Brazil's severely altered pronunciations. His english is great, but we did learn that "humble girl" sounds a lot like "hamburger," only one of which you'd want to marry.

Best of luck, Gaston!

This year's ward film festival was fantastic. The decorations were phenomenal and set to resemble Bruce Wayne's manor. As part of the intermission entertainment, I was asked to play the part of The Riddler. Along with Joker, Poison Ivy, Penguin and Cat Woman, we captured Batman and Robin (after they repelled in from the ceiling) and sealed them up in a giant tithing envelope. Later, Alfred (aka Bishop Eastland) came along and broke the seal on the envelope to let the caped crusaders free. They defeated us handily. To help defeat me, they gave me a giant wedgie.

I made the costume from a jacket I bought in the women's section at Goodwill (apparently, I'm a size 12) and a pair of black shorts I found in a bag by a dumpster (don't judge me, I'm resourceful). I've had the glasses in my props case for a couple of years but never had the right opportunity to wear them. They've finally fulfilled their purpose.

It was a fantastic evening, filled to standing room only in our building's gym. The 20+ short films were awesome. My short film was very well-received and the star, Esther Rawlings, got the Best Actress award for the evening.

As for viewing my short film...it's not quite ready for you. But look for a post soon about where you can watch it. It's called Danger Dancer and is about a crime-fighting dancer. I play the part of the villain.

Apparently, some of you have been a little confused. Let's clear something up while we have these pictures here: Her name is Laura Kelly. She's my sister. Done and done.

I miss those people. Sometimes, I close my eyes and fly myself back there. Back into their houses, back into their lives. I wonder how they are, where they are. Some of the kids must be so big now. I hope Fabricio went on a mission. I hope he took the shoulder bag I gave him, the one I bought in the MTC. He was such an example. And Maria and Antonio, are they well? What about Pedro? He might have died by now. Roberta, we've kept in touch by email--you're the only one. But your father died. I wish I could have been there for you. Danielle. Both of you, in different cities. Are you still going to church? Erinaldo, are you still married? Pablo, companion, do you have a wife and kids? What do you do?

My Brazil lives in my mind.
I'd like to return
to find what I would find.
Volte a mim, Brasil!
Ou pelo menos permaneca ao meu lado
com carinho
nas memorias que me tem dado.

Naturally, I can't tell you too much about it right now. But you can watch the debut at my church's film festival on July 19th. I'll post it online not too long after that. Ohhhhhh, the anticipation!