It's hard to believe it's been a month, time is just flying by here.
All the packages and stickers and such have arrived. Thank you for everything. The Martinellis was vastly enjoyed and so was the bread.
There weren't any traditions of things to do at the half way point. I'll try and take more photos but we can only take them on Monday and Sunday at certain places and times. They want us focused on the work.
Oh and by the way it's Irmaos (Brothers) and there is a squiggly over the a which makes it nasalized.
I've been feeling great. There was one day where my nose wouldn't stop running but I bought some claritan and was over it the next day. It was kind of miserable because I couldn't focus because I had such a headache, Elder Egan really carried me through our appointments that day.
They won't tell us if we are being reassigned or not until the week before we leave or so. Up until this last week no one was really getting visas, but a lot more are coming through now. So I'm hoping I will get mine before I take off. But I think it would also be kinda sweet to get to say that I served my mission in two places. A LOT of missionaries that are supposed to be in Brazil are stateside right now, but things are looking up now. I think that there is a pretty good chance I'll get mine soon. But who knows?
It's wonderful getting letters from everyone, the Mulks sent me a Dear Elder too and it was so nice to hear how things are going back home and with Billy. There is a scripture in Proverbs I believe it's 25:25. All who read this email/blog should look it up. If it's the wrong scripture then oh well. But I think you'll know.
I haven't worn the big coat yet. It was sort of cold for about three days and everyone here freaked out. They have us wearing our suit coats at all times now, except when you're in class. But it's ridiculous. It's been back into the 70's for a while now and they turned off the AC in our classroom. We are dying in there. At last nights Fireside, they graciously let us take our coats off. I was already sweating when they finally gave us permission.
There are so many Elders here, I don't know what everyone does for their service. We clean our own building, like vacuuming (with a sweet back mounted one so you feel like a Ghostbuster, it's probably my favorite job), cleaning toilets (I haven't done it yet, we're always there first and bring bagels to the people in charge so we don't have to), and other odd jobs around the building. I'm sure other Elders are cleaning other parts of the MTC and doing other things to help out wherever they are needed.
I've heard a lot of RM's from Brazil say that you'll see monkeys all over the place. I'm kind of excited for that.
As far as Christmas gifts, I don't really know. More ties? It's cool here to have lots of ties, and then we trade with others. It's a nice way to have some memories of friends and companions. I have been trying to strike up a deal with Irmao Peterson, one of our teachers. He has the sweetest ties.
Although I have some things I would like to ask for now, kool-aid singles packets. Elder Hill has them and they are the best. I get kind of tired drinking water fountain water all the time. It's not the best quality. The sugary goodness of kool-aid hides the low quality of the water quite well. Also I have been thinking that I probably should have you send me my retainer...... whoops. And if you find any talks you like you should send them. They're great to read. Oh and don't send the October Ensign. They gave that to everyone because it was a special copy and Elder Nelson spoke at a Devotional about it a month ago. So I have one.
I don't really know how they select the Host Companions, I hope I get to be one at some point. It's usually pretty close to when you leave, so November 2 might happen.
That's great to hear that Tim gave a talk. Odds are he will end up in Brazil too, there are SO MANY missionaries headed there.
I don't know how much I've changed. Here I just am constantly surrounded by the gospel. I'm learning so much about it. I'm learning just how important it really is. I wish I could come home and share this message with everyone.
I've been writing in my journal every night. Lot's of the entries are pretty boring though, since we practically do the same thing every day. But I enjoy it. I also right next to the date how many days (I used two years exactly although that probably won't work out perfectly) are left. We just dropped under 700 left. I tried to think of it as I only have 700 more days left to serve so I better get to work.
A couple other things have happened around here. I ran into a Crandall. I don't know her first name. And we were doing an English fast (where we only speak Portugues at all times) so I couldn't talk to her too much. But she recognized me as Katie's little brother.
Oh and Elder Spencer Wise arrived last week. You know my good friend from BYU? It's really interesting to see where he is at and how he progresses, to see how I used to be. His class is right across the hall from me and he lives on the floor below me so we have plenty of time to chat.
Well that's all I really have for this week. Thanks for all the letters and messages. Keep them coming. Remember Proverbs 25:25. I love to hear from anyone.
Te amo. ( there are about 10 different ways to say I love you)
Love,
Elder Cameron Bruce.
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