Email from Elder Shepard 1-6-14

Dear Mom and Dad,
                                This week was pretty good. We are working for the new standard of the mission. Because of Christmas and New Year, a lot of missionaries relaxed and thought a little more about home. We didn´t do as well as we could have but were are keeping our goals pretty well. We baptized a woman named Katharina. He has been dating a member and we taught a few times in the week. She then decided to be baptized and she is already firm in the church.
   So It turns out that I´m going to Terezina. The hottest place on the mission. Darn.(The warm season lasts from August 31 to November 15 with an average daily high temperature above 98°F. The hottest day of the year is October 8, with an average high of 99°F and low of 77°F.)
   The local leadership here are all working hard, but they have to learn how to work together. I had hoped to work more with them, but Elder Correia will do well here. We have worked really well together and I hoped to stay here a bit longer but I´ll serve where the Lord calls.
  I love you all
                     Elder Shepard