Annual Review

This week we had our annual reviews. It was actually for Church employees, but they included us in it. But, to start out, we have some quick pics. When we got back from Gramado there was a new bookstore in the mall.

Our new bookstore

 Ezekiel 42 talks about measuring the temple. It seems it is still in practice today.

Measuring the São Paulo Temple

It is actually part of updating the sprinkling system around the temple and chapel.

New sod for the chapel

 So, Monday we had our performance presentations. We started with a small breakfast in the office. 

Breakfast (snack) time in the office

Everyone had 10 minutes to tell about the goals they accomplished during 2015. We didn't know we were supposed to set goals so we reported on each of our 11 responsibilities. Two weeks ago Paulo asked us to put together a book about the Leadership Pattern. We were able to finish it in time for the meeting. Paulo wrapped them like Christmas presents and put them under the Christmas tree in the office (yes, it was still up). Each person picked a present to open then gave the book to the person whose picture was on the front page. The back page was a picture of the Savior so that as we go through the Leadership Pattern we start where we are and end up more like the Savior.

Paulo explaining the books 

We even got a book for ourselves

 After a morning of meetings we all went to a restaurant at Makros (like a Cosco).

Lunchtime at Makros

Tuesday was a day for planning the new year. Emerson gave the team objectives for 2016. We actually got a lot of ideas we can use in our own work, even though it is different from the ICS team. After the morning meetings we went to the Golden Palace for a Chinese buffet lunch. The most common brand of soy sauce here doesn't have wheat in it, so I was able to eat more than normal. 

At the Golden Palace restaurant

The Area FM group decided to make a short training video on the new webcast so on Wednesday I helped train them so they would know how to make the video. We have had a leak in the extra bathroom. When we got home all the water was turned off and the curtains on all the windows were gone. We turned the water back on, but are still without curtains. It makes us feel a little vulnerable. We think they are getting them cleaned.

Thursday afternoon we were able to go through an endowment session in the temple. Diane said she could understand most of it in Portuguese.

Friday we caught up on a lot of work. After work we went over to the Shopping to get some goodies. One of the things we like are the R$2 ice-cream cones from McDonalds. I eat the ice-cream on top then give it to Diane to eat the rest of the cone.

Ice cream at McDonalds in the mall

As we were wondering what to do on Saturday we got a call asking if we wanted to go to the zoo. It sounded fun, so we went (and did have fun). We had been before so we were able to just wander around and see whatever we wanted to. 

The endangered Maned Wolf

The Great Kiskadee

Lunchtime for seniors

Two pretty flowers

Nice fishy! 

The hatchling

The lost world 

Welcome to Jurassic Park 

The endangered striped anteater

On the way back from the zoo we had a bus ride, three metro rides, and another bus ride. While transferring from the blue metro line to the green metro line we stopped briefly to check directions. By the time we got to the platform there was no train and no other people - we missed it and the other missionaries left us behind. Fortunately there was another train within 2 minutes and the other missionaries were waiting for us when we got off the train. We all made the yellow line together.

Elder Zaugg asked if I would be willing to help translate missionary applications. The member that was doing it passed away last week so they asked Elder Zaugg to fill in, but he has his own work to do as the Area Auditor and can't keep up with the number of applications. With several of us sharing the work we should be able to keep up our own work and the translations as well.