Walking in the Rain - Expo Natal

 Dec 13 Saturday

We awoke to another rainy day.  The temperature is warm/mild and there is no wind, so walking in the rain is pleasant, until it pours . . . and it did!  It was good that we carried our guardochava (umbrella) with us.  Our destination was the Expo Natal a couple of miles up the hills.  On the way we stopped at the home of Ademar Pinto, Branch Mission Leader, who just came home from the hospital (diabetes complications).  He is one of the first members in the area.  We met one of his daughters and grandchildren (Victor and Victoria and their cousin, Noah); Ann teaches Victoria piano lessons. His daughter was washing the furniture outside, and the rain washed the suds away.  Ann said that most of the people live humbly but very clean.   We marched on up the hill and past the entrance to a park and the water treatment plant, and then we arrived at the Expo Natal – a large building with everyone selling their wares (clothing, shoes/purses, art, crafts, food, household goods, etc.)  We purchased a nice frying pan and two skirts.

In the afternoon, Ann and I took the bus to Gramado for a singing practice for the Gramado Branch Christmas party on Friday.  Eleven branch sisters came to learn the 12 Days of Christmas with words changed to relate to Relief Society.  I played the piano and Sister Copa led the music.  These sisters were silly!  It will be interesting to see how it all sounds when they perform.  Came back to Canela in time to attend the wedding and then baptism for a couple – Darci and Jaqueline Krewer.  His family is from one of the German colonies in the area (white), and she is morena (dark Indian/native).  Presidente Anderson preformed the marriage, and the missionaries conducted the baptism (with David and Merl as witnesses).  I played the piano for the service.  Walked  back down the hill and to bed.