December 17, 2012

Answer to DAD:

Feliz Aniversario!!!!!!! (Happy Birthday) I hope it was an enjoyable day. You should come to Brasil. Everyone will think that you are younger. People here with that age already seem to be falling apart. I'm often shocked by how young some people say they are.

We had a baptism on Saturday too, the stake president performed the baptism and I confirmed for the first time. It went smoothly. I was a little worried since her name is enormous (Amanda ____  _____  __ _____ _____) that I would mess it up, or forget a part. But no problems. The ward is really excited with the two baptisms that we have had and are really starting to pick things up. I hope that by the time I leave here that there will be a Chapel in the works. That's my goal. Which means we need to get the frequency up from 60-70 to at least 100. And that will have to be maintained for a few months. We had over a 100 people in church one week since I got here and it was the Primary presentation, but that means its possible.

On Christmas we will have District meeting in the morning. Then we will go to lunch and I was planning on calling from there. I was thinking 3 or 4 here which would be 9 or 10 there. Would that work out? The English is fine. But the funny thing is when I speak English here I speak with the Missionaries that know Portugues so they understand some of the mistakes that I make. We'll see how it goes talking with you guys. Shouldn't be a problem though.

Well I shalt read the email from the mother now. Tchau tchau.

Answer to MOM:

The week was fine. Still a little annoyed by the cold and sore throat, but nothing too bad. I was able to get out and work everyday. It has been rainy all week. Which really stinks. It makes the work harder in just about all aspects. But oh well. 

And no. It doesn't really help cool off at night. It just makes everything more humid. Oh how  I miss an air conditioned house. 

Amanda is doing great. She is super excited and dedicated already. She took her sister to church on Sunday and we are teaching her too now. She has a date to be baptized this month too. Hopefully that continues to go well. Fabio is doing alright, he went to church this week and seems to be progressing but whenever we talk about baptism and that sort of stuff he says he still has doubts. Sometimes its really hard to figure out what an investigator is really saying or needs.

And no, they weren't the couple that got married, that was another couple. Only the husband got baptized. The wife isn't very interested. We still try and teach her and all and she likes us, but she just doesn't have much desire to go to church. Don't know why in that situation either.

The ward Party went well. The ward brought a bunch of non-members and we are excited to teach these people now. We are marking family nights and trying to get the members to follow up with these people. The food was alright, nothing too special. And I didn't have much time to eat. I was talking to people and trying to get people integrated the whole time. But all in all it was good.

Alright. The glasses should be fine. I don't know why, I think it must be the pollution here, but using contacts is a little harder here. I really need some glasses.

Oh and before I forget, I think I'll be needing a new pair of shoes. Just one pair should be fine I think. These eccos have been great, but they are just getting old and starting to open up in a few places. If you could send a pair just like the ones I have would be great. The traditional style in size.... it only has the Europeon number of 42. Should be like a 10 or 10 and a half.

Yup get me all signed up for school. We'll have to rush around and get everything ready in a week. Yay for no time to relax.

Skype will work. Have faith mother. But if it doesn't I can call collect from the members house. No, no testing or anything will be done.

I heard about the shooting. It's quite tragic. And really sad to see so many young kids too. At least we know that they are all going to a place that is a lot better than here.

Well I always pray for the health of the Grandmothers and for sure Bryden will be on the list now. Tell him hi for me, if you see him.

Sure I'll speak some Portugues for you. No problem. 

Well that is all that is happening on this side of the world. Thanks for all the emails. Tchau tchau, até semana que vem.

Com amor,

Elder Cameron Bruce

December 10, 2012

Well this last week was quite interesting. First off we had two DOWNPOURS. Literally all the roads turned into rivers. The first one happened while we were teaching someone so we stayed in there house until it passed. The second time we were returning from the Zone Leader's area by bus. The bus had to stop because the rain was so strong. When we had to get off, we tried hiding under the bus stop thing, but the rain was coming practically horizontal that I was still getting all sorts of wet, so we had to cross the street and run into a snack bar. All in all 10 second in the rain. After the ten seconds in the rain, we were both drenched already. We waited there a little until it lightened up. 

Also this week on Friday, we were headed to the cartorio (I don't remember what you would call that in English, the registry?) to perform the wedding of an investigator. A member offered to give us a ride. His car had recently been fixed, and as we were entering onto a freeway, the car died. And wouldn't start. We had to get out and try and push start it. But it didn't work. Imagine two Elders, pushing an old beat up car on the edge of the freeway, I was super funny. Once we realized it wasn't going to start, a truck that carries those big container things, stopped to try and help, but the cord they had wouldn't fit on the car. While they were trying to figure something out, luckily a taxi passed by and we sent the couple and the members wife in the cab to the cartorio. Soon after a transit truck came and pulled the car off the free way and left us on a little road, from there we had to push the car until we found a place to leave it, which is hard in Downtown Santo André. Then we had to run to the cartorio because we were already late, and the member had to be there as one of the testimonies of the wedding. We got there five minutes before the Judge was going to leave, just in time to get them married. And everything worked out in the end. I think that is all that happened in the story.

Also on Sunday Amanda was baptized. She was VERY happy with everything. The ward was great too, because we have to baptize in the Stake Center since we don't have a font. I was honestly a little surprised to see so many people there. I think part of the reason might be that there was a training right after the baptism about the new youth curriculum. But all in all it was good. Elder F. Oliveira baptized her. I was going to do it, but yesterday I was kind of sick. I don't know why on the mission I'm getting sick more often. I honestly feel like I'm doing everything more healthily now. But oh well. The water was really cold they said, I don't think that would have helped my cold. Amanda's husband went, he has become a little less interested. We don't know what happened with him, because he was progressing pretty well for a while and then he lost interest. We are going to keep working with him clearly. 

Tonight will be our ward Christmas activity. I am excited because it will be an all you can eat buffet. YUM. 

The packages arrived. Thanks a lot. The candy is always great. They just don't have the same things here. The candy here isn't that great I think. 

That's great that Grandma is doing better. What will happen with the other tumors then?

Oh I forgot to talk with Sister Tanner about glasses. I think the best thing would probably be for you to send me the same glasses that I have.

Well that's all for this week. Next week, same time, same place.

Com amor,

Elder Cameron Bruce

December 3, 2012

Answer to MOM:

Next Sunday is going to be super busy. Unfortunately Fabio and Amanda weren't baptized this week. It is a long story, but they were both interviewed and we thought Amanda would be baptized yesterday but she came to church in the morning and said she is going to wait a week and see if Fabio can prepare himself, if not she'll be baptized alone next week. And next week we will also have a training at 5 in the afternoon and the Christmas Devotional at 7. Also we don't have a baptismal font in our chapel since we are in a rented building so I'll have to get everything organized real quick. Oh and here since lunch is the big meal everyone goes home after church for a big lunch that takes like 2 hours. THERE WILL BE NO TIME NEXT SUNDAY.

Haha. Sheesh took a long time for the letter to get there. I know I need to write a letter to you. I haven't been writing very much. I got the letter from Katelyn too. Still need to reply to that one too. And write the Activity girls. Alright. I'll write them all today.

I'll see what I can do about a Brazilian nativity. I don't remember anything very specific to Brazil about the nativities I have seen but maybe your trained eye would pick up the differences. As far as tradition here. I don't think there is too much for Christmas. Lot's of people go to the beach or have BBQ. Ya know since, it's super hot here on Christmas.

By the way I am now listening to the Mormon Channel Christmas music. Awesome. Oh and speaking of music, Elder F. Oliveira is teaching me how to play the recorder (not too complicated) but it's awesome. I'm going to buy one, and we will play a few songs when we do the choir in downtown Santo André, it's going to be awesome. 

Yes I made pumpkin pie. I thought it was relatively simple, it was quite popular and delicious if I do say so myself. Your surprise at this made me laugh. I have learned how to cook a little here. One of my favorite things here is Stroganoff, but it is nothing like the stroganoff that exists in the States. I'll make some when I get home. Also just rice and beans I have learned how to make, the rice here is made a little different then the rice at home, it's a little more flavorful. Oh and they use tons of garlic in everything. 

So we will also baptize Odair on the 15th of December. The work is continuing to grow here. The ward is having a little bit of trouble with the Christmas party. They wanted to do something different, and it's becoming a little harder than they thought it would be. We offered to help but there is really nothing that we can do to help. 

Oh and lasagna here is different too. They put ham in it. Like slices of ham. It has the same basic design just a few different things inside the whole mix, and other types of cheese.

The first Christmas package arrived yes. But the others I should be getting this week. The zone leaders have a meeting today where they can grab them, and someone had already told me that I had two waiting for me there. I don't know what the second one is though?!?!?!

As far as I know there is nothing more to ask for.....nope. Thanks for all the many packages.

Yes you should tell all the Sisters that they have received the greatest gift off all having the opportunity to know the truth about Christ and his mission and that during this Christmas season there is no better way to please our Heavenly Father and Savior than to share the gift that all of us have been blessed to receive!

Always have to relate it to missionary work. ;)

Did I tell you I gave a talk the other week. I talked about Charity and sharing the Pure love of Christ. I told a story about a dark room where you can't see anything until you realize that you have a candle in your hand that illuminates. And then you can see all the people around you in the darkness, and how we need to pass the light (or love of Christ) that we have to others in order to brighten the room. I spoke in more detail and such but it was cool. It was the first time that I gave a talk without writing anything down. Just using scriptures I remembered and what I was thinking about. Neato.

Well that's all for this week. Até mais. Tchau tchau.

Com amor,

Elder Cameron Bruce

Answer to DAD:

Christmas music is also playing in our house. Unfortunately I don't have an iPad to use for my music. Still hoping that catches on for missionaries. It could honestly be an awesome tool for missionary work. But oh well. 

Next week will have a baptism. At least one. Hopefully two. And after them next week will have one more, then we don't have anyone too firm. But we will keep working with some other people we have. 

Haha. I don't think I will have hardly anytime in Washington any way. I am going to talk with President about school and such, but there is a rumor going around that there will be 3 transfers of 5 weeks this year (normally there is only 1). Apparently they need to do it so that the time in the MTC (which is being reduced) and the transfers will match up. If the rumor is true, I will get home two weeks earlier, in August, which would be perfect to be able to go back to school and all, but I need to talk with President about this anyway.

Say hi to all the people that said Hi to me. 

Tchau tchau

Elder Cameron Bruce

November 27, 2012

First off thanks for the packages. I have started the decorating of our house and also the Thanksgiving Dinner was AWESOME. We did it at a members house with a bunch of investigators and less actives, and everyone loved it. We left just a simple message about gratefulness and everyone shared a little about what they are grateful for. It was awesome and delicious. I made the pumpkin pie alone and it was quite a hit. We had to improvise a few things but in the end it was all good and tasty. The members where we had the dinner added you on facebook. They wanted to say thanks personally.

All the Skype stuff will be easy. Tons of members have it. What time do you think would be best to call?

The work is really picking up. Amanda and Fabio have their date marked for this weekend and they will be interviewed on Saturday. Amanda is 100 percent ready, and hopefully Fabio will feel the same way.  And there are a few other people that are progressing but won't be baptized for at least a few weeks.

Vila Humaita is the Ward. I live in Vila Guarani.

I haven't gotten the glasses repaired. I don't think they are repairable. A few people in stores have told me so. So I don't know what to do. I don't know if I can buy new ones?

Black Friday hit Brazil for the first time this year. The US has a big influence on this country.

Oh about mailing chocolate. Unfortunately, Junior Mints can't handle the trip anymore. They came all melty. I still ate them but it was a little messy. so I guess they will need to be taken off the mailing list. bummer.

Amelia got baptized WHAT? Isn't she like 3 still? That's crazy.

The Mission does one special meeting for Christmas, where we will sing a few hymns and hear some messages. Always great. While there I will talk to President about the whole school thing. I might ask him to come home half a transfer early to get  back in time for school. But I'll see what he thinks about that too. And yes we get to watch the devotional. But I think it is rebroadcast a week later here. So don't spoil the ending for me.

Oh and we are going to go caroling for sure. I made the suggestion and am basically forcing everyone to go. Haha. It was so awesome last year that we have to do it again. And on Christmas we are told that we can spend the day visiting members but the curfew is the same. So yeah.

Oh and two Brazilian Sisters were wondering if you would be willing to send them two little English hymnals. I said I would see what I could do.

Well sorry for being so late, we went to the temple at a later session today and caught HEAVY traffic on the way back. It was nuts. SOOOO many people here in Sao Paulo.

Até mais. Tchau tchau

Elder Cameron Bruce

November 19, 2012

I'd be down for 44 degrees and rain. It's pretty hot here. I'm not so bothered by it though. Oh big news, transfers came in, and........ nothing changed. I'll stay at least one more transfer with Elder F. Oliveira. He was really worried he was going to get transferred.

 

Before I forget, would it be possible for you to send two pen drives of 16 GB? I will use one to send you all the pictures I have, because CDs and DVDs would end up being kind of expensive for me.

 

That's so weird to think that Kasen was baptized already? Is he really 8 years old already? Sheesh I'm old. I'm happy everything went smoothly. And it is really awesome that Jeremy could baptize him. That rarely happens here. The father oft times, is inactive, unworthy, or not even a member.

 

I will have a dog when I have my own house. Finally my plans will come to pass.

 

Yet again Katie is being a fubeca (slacker, maybe one of my favorite words). She didn't send an email this week either. Her transition period ended last week.  But oh well.

 

So I still don't know anything about the Thanksgiving package. Hopefully someone will grab it for me at transfers. But I don't even know if it is in the office.

 

I'm excited that Christmas is so close already. It seems like it was just yesterday. I feel so old in the mission talking with Elder Oliveira about what happened last year in the mission. He doesn't go home until 2014, ouch. He'll make it home before the world cup. Which is a huge deal for all Brazilians.  And yes we will have a special zone conference before Christmas. I'm excited to eat Sister Tanner´s cookies or brownies that she always brings. yummmmm.

 

Philippines? Bummer, could have been Brazil. No one is getting called to Brazil anymore? No new Americans have gotten here in months. Crazy. But that is awesome that she already got her call. (Nichole's sister Whitney, age 19 got her mission call)

 

Yeah in that press conference that Elder Nelson, Elder Holland, and Elder Evans did they said that they would be permanently reducing the time in the MTC by a third. Nuts! You already leave not knowing how to talk, imagine even less time.

 

(Reply to a mention about the conflict between Israel and Gaza)  SECOND COMING!! Recently I have been studying a lot about this (just finished Isaiah last week). This is possibly one of the signs. And it's one of the signs that means it's CLOSE. I know it's wrong to hope that a war happens but if I'm hoping for the war just because it means the second coming will happen is that wrong?

 

So did I tell you about Amanda and Fabio? Well it didn't work for this last week so we will move their date to this week. They are super solid. Moreso her than him. But he is still moving along real well too. We also have another family (kind of family, involves one woman her three kids, her sister and brother and a cousin), that is getting ready for baptism too. Also a man that has been going to church for like 12 years will finally get married in December so he can get baptized too. Things are looking pretty good here in Vila Humaitá.

 

Thanks for everything. Te amo.

 

Elder Cameron Bruce 

 

November 12, 2012

Cold and rainy sounds nice. As long as I don't have to go out on the street. It's getting pretty hot here, but for me it hasn't been so bad. I don't think it compares with Santos last year. Weird that I can say that now. Last year. But my companion, who is from the south of the country where it is much cooler, is struggling. He has a little bit of a weight issue too. He is trying to start a diet but isn't very dedicated. I try to help, I even stopped buying soda for the house. But he likes to find little excuses. It's hard to blame him. I don't think I would be able to handle a diet, especially on the mission. The irmãs that serve lunch don't really like it if you don't stuff your face full of food. Oft times he is guilted into eating more.

 

I heard about the elections. Bummer. Everyone here was rooting for Romney too. Do you think that he will run in 2016 for President? I feel like he could have a pretty good chance. Question: Did that whole health bill thing with Obama pass? I feel like I wasn't home when that happened was I? Missed that.

 

The elections are finished here. They were only elections for Mayors this year. Here in Brazil elections are very different. There aren't two dominant parties. There are a bunch. Like 10. But everything is all wrapped up. Thank goodness.

 

I got the letters yes(from the Activity Day girls). Very cute. Haha. I let me companion try and read them, he speaks English a little, but he couldn't understand much. Tell them thank you very much. I guess I should send a thank you letter. I might just send one for you to read to them all. The Thanksgiving package hasn't arrived but I sure am hoping that this week it comes.

 

The ward members are really improving here. We brought a young couple, Amanda and Fabio, to church and everyone was super friendly. Two families already marked a family night with them and everything. PERFECT. To be honest a person needs to feel the spirit at church and also needs to feel wanted by the people there. Very often a person might feel the spirit but because they are shy or don't feel very welcomed they don't want to come back. But Amanda and Fabio are both really excited. We have a goal with them for this Sunday. But I think it might take one more week. Kind of a bummer for my companion, since I think he will be transferred this next week. But we are all on the same team.

 

We don't knock doors at all here. We only do contacts on the street. Here the majority of people don't have cars so they either walk or grab the bus so there are always a bunch of people on the street. Every once and a while we knock a random door. I think we might have to knock a few more doors because when you knock a door you can enter into the house right then, but if you do a contact on the street you have to pass by another day, and they might not be there, or they might have given a false address. But we'll see. Maybe I'll have to go back to knocking some more doors.

 

I haven't spoken yet here. I have given class twice in Gospel Principles but that's normal. I wouldn't be surprised it I do speak pretty soon here though. Oh wait, I lie, I bore my testimony on fast Sunday. But that was my choice.

 

The reason that the Nephites had a Utopia, was because they loved the Lord. I read about that the other day. It all comes back to what Christ taught, the first and great commandment, Love the Lord. Nothing more important. This has been a theme recently in my mission. In zone conference President talked about the WHY we serve and that it needs to be because we love the Lord. Charity.

 

Oh by the way, my glasses broke. The frame above one of the lenses broke. Unfortunately they will have to be replaced. I will go to a store today and try and find some options and see some prices. But I don't know what to do. Hopefully I can just move the lenses into some other frames.

 

No Katie did not send an email. I'll excuse her during this transition period.

 

Well that's all I can think of for now. Agradeço por todo o amor e apoio, tchau

 

com amor,

Elder Cameron Bruce

 

November 5, 2012

Answer to DAD:

Well I'm doing really well here in the new area. Since the area basically had nothing going when I got here we have been really working on getting things going here. More than anything that involves getting the ward excited, because if I do 140 contacts (which is our weekly goal) I usually find 2 people that actually let us teach them and normally they don't progress. Referrals are really the way to go. So we are planning all sorts of activities and such with the ward. Last Saturday we had everybody go out with us and give out pass along cards. I think that really helped everyone get the missionary spirit.

 

But we are teaching a few families, the only issue is how far they live from the chapel. It's difficult to get people to church here. As far as what we are teaching, it's just the normal stuff in Preach My Gospel.

 

Wow Kasen is going to get baptized already? Yeesh. He doesn't want to wait 10 months?

 

I can't think of anything for my Christmas list. Another calendar would be cool. Peanut butter is always nice too. But nothing special.

 

I'm going to go read Mom's email now. Tchau tchau.

 

Elder Cameron Bruce

Answer to MOM:

More Spanish speakers........... boo. Just kidding, Spanish is alright. I just hope they know that when they pray in Spanish the answer will come in Portuguese. But that is super cool that they are both going to places so far away.

 

I haven't heard anything about more missionaries, but I can only hope. I want to train an American so bad. It would be so much fun. I want to see how I was when I got to the mission.

 

I'm really glad to hear that Grandma Bruce is doing better. And that your mom is handling things well. They are both always in my prayers.

 

Nothing really happened for Halloween here. Some members had a family night but we didn't go because we had another family night marked already. I was a little bummed but not to big a deal. They saved some cake for us.

 

I'm still waiting for a puppy. I will get one for Christmas someday. I know it.

 

Well I saw a tiny bit about Sandy at a members house. Looks like it was pretty bad.

 

How's the election? Is it this week? I'm sure everyone will talk to me about it.

 

Well that's all I got for this week. Thanks for everything.

 

Com amor,

Elder Cameron Bruce

October 29, 2012

Yup. It seems nothing like Halloween weather here. It is getting HOT HOT HOT. I handle it decently though, but my companion is struggling a little. He is from the South of Brazil where it doesn't really get this hot and humid. It doesn't seem as bad as last year, but I'm not in the Baixada so that is probably why. I feel bad for everyone down there. And I only use an umbrella when it's raining.

Woo hoo. So a family said that they would be willing to help me out on the whole Thanksgiving dinner thing. So now I have an Irmã who will actually know how to cook and stuff to help me out. They are a really great family. They always have us over for family nights where they invite non member friends.

So yesterday was stake conference and to our surprise President Tanner was there. He and Sister Tanner both spoke. Sister Tanner spoke without a translator!! It was great. She did read most of the talk but still bore testimony and a few other things without reading. She spoke about true conversion and how it comes through each of us having our own Sacred Grove experience. It was simple but great. President spoke about fruits. He talked a lot about how fruits in Brazil are so great, and how they have so many here. Did you know that the Pineapple originates from Brazil? And that people in the US loved it so much that you can find all sorts of paintings and sculptures and other art in New England about pineapples? He spoke about how we have the fruit of the gospel that is the sweetest of all fruits and how we need to share it. Great talk. Next house inspection I'll be sure to have a bunch of fruit in the kitchen, especially pineapple.

Back issues (for Mom). Sounds painful and annoying. At least now you have an excuse to lay around a few more hours everyday. I hope everything heals quickly.

I don't know anything really about my last area. I just know that Milton's kids are still going to church but haven't been baptized still. Here things are picking up. We have a few good people that could be baptized at any moment. Just have to find the missing piece of the puzzle.

I hadn't heard anything about the hurricane. Most people here don't really understand that kind of stuff since they have never seen a natural disaster here. I think that natural disasters have very positive results for a country. Here they aren't prepared for anything. Houses don't need to built to any code or anything. A real strong wind would destroy a lot here. As a matter of fact that happened last year in Rio. We need to be happy and learn from our trials. Maybe I'll use that in my homecoming talk.....

Elder Perrell is doing good. I did a division with him last week. It was cool to be able to go out and work together again. It was funny how much both of us have changed since we were working together. Hopefully for the better. The package probably won't be sent for another few weeks. We are still looking for stuff here and there to send in it.

I think that Hannah and Stephen will come to Brazil. Stephen is going to go up in the north and Hannah is coming to the same mission as me. We are hurting for sisters in our mission right now.

WHAT,  NOW THERE IS GOING TO BE A RED ROBIN IN LACEY?? I don't think I'm completely understanding where these things are being built. Is it behind the Goodwill? That sounds awesome.

Agradeço pelas ocrações e mensagems. Até semana que vem.

Com amor,

Elder Cameron Bruce

October 22, 2012

Answer to DAD:

(Dad told him that 298 people attended sacrament meeting on the Primary Program Sunday.)

298!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! What? I can't even imagine that anymore, the most I have seen in a ward since I have been here is like 150 at a ward conference. Very different.

 

Last night we had a meeting with President Tanner, his councilors, all the Bishops, all the Stake Presidents, and all the Ward Mission Leaders. I got a ride their with one of the Mission Councilors, he drives an 06 Honda Accord. You don't see Accords here very often. It was a VERY surreal experience. VERY trunky. But he also gave some great advice. He was a mission president in Recife, up in the North of Brazil, he had a ton of success and even brought a Temple to the city.

 

Is McChord going to be a significant change in driving time to the clinic or not so bad? Is it closer to the Golf Course up there?

 

Well sounds like it just isn't meant to be BYU's year.

 

Off to mother's email. Tchau tchau.

 

Elder Bruce

Answer to MOM:

Before I forget, I was thinking about Thanksgiving and I would like to make a big dinner, could you send some recipes and stuff to help me out a little. I completely forgot about it last year and this year I need to make up for it.

 

I'm doing really well. The area here is difficult, it has only baptized once in the last 6 months. The ward has an attendance of 50-70 I think. But we already have some people that are progressing and should be baptized here shortly. We just need to work. That reminds me of an experience in our District meeting last week. The Zone leader asked if anyone had any questions on how to improve and I jokingly asked "yeah, how do you baptize more" he then opened Preach My Gospel and read a quote from President Benson I think, that talks about how the biggest secret in missionary work is often the work. He says if we work we will have success. But even then Preach My Gospel says that our success isn't measured by numbers of baptisms and lessons, but on our effort to find, teach, baptize and confirm. I'm currently re-reading Preach My Gospel in my personal study, I think that after the Book of Mormon it might be the most correct book on the Earth.

 

The church is a rented building. Not so nice. Bigger than the one I had in Diadema for a while but still a little incommidating. Also they have a fair (like a farmers market kind of) right in front of the chapel so there is a bunch of noise coming in. But all in all the ward is good. Just small.

 

I'll be doing a division with Elder Perrell tomorrow, we are putting together another package to send home. I'm mostly going to send home books and stuff that I have collected on the mission. I want to have a bunch of things in Português when I get home. And maybe a few gift type items too.

 

Being Senior companion isn't too different. You just feel a little more responsibility. Elder F. Oliveira didn't have a very good trainer so President asked us to do the training program. I hope that maybe this is a sign of things to come. But since I'm new in the area I still depend on Elder F. Oliveira to make a lot of decisions and show me around and stuff.

 

I'm thinking we might steal the 40 day fast idea. Our new Ward Mission Leader wants to excite the ward and feel like the fast could help quite a bit. Also we are going to plan an activity/training for the ward on how to share the gospel with friends.

 

Well I haven't heard about any new missionaries coming. The age limit was already 18 for boys here, but I'm expecting a massive amount of sisters to be coming in. I wouldn't be surprised if Santo André turns into an only sister zone. There are already 3 companionships of sisters and its a nice safe area so the sisters could go everywhere here.

 

If Hannah and Stephen both leave soon that'll mean like 3 and a half years at least till we see each other. Bummer. But still that will be sweet to have so many from the family in the field at the same time.

 

They have a holiday on November 2nd. The Day of the Dead. But it's not real strong here and nothing like Halloween really. I don't know if I will do anything for Halloween. Maybe I'll go knock some doors. (ba dum tish)

 

Of course I remember Ben. He was my big brother on trek when we first moved to Washington. His sister is in our ward? Older sister I assume since he had a sister younger than me and I hope she doesn't have a little family yet. She can't be more than 18.

 

Wait a Popeyes close to Goodwill? Isn't there a KFC right there? That could be dangerous. I can already see the popcorn chicken wars that are bound to come.

 

Well I'm doing great here. Working, tired, but happy. Agradeço por tudo. Amo vocês.

 

Elder Cameron Bruce

October 15, 2012

Answer to DAD:

Well here I am, in Santo André, right next to Mauá. I can literally see my old zone from on top of some of the hills in our area. Our area borders Mauá. So I didn't go to far at all. But it's very different here. A little bit more well off here, but it still has it's favelas. And my new companion is Elder F. Oliveira. They had to put an F in the front because there are so many Oliveiras in the mission. Our zone has a W. Oliveira, N. Oliveira, and F. Oliveira. He is from Rio Grande do Sul. It's the very bottom of the country. He's cool though. He has 6 months on the mission so he just got out of being a greenie, but he is a good worker. He has already been here 3 months in the area so he knows it pretty well.

 

The NFL sounds like everything is wrong. Wasn't the NFC west the worst division in history two years ago?

 

Well I shall go read the Mother's email now, até mais.

 

Elder Cameron Bruce

Answer to MOM:

So as I said to Dad. I'm in Santo André, and am currently without any mission funds. Haha. That's why I had to use the card here. Our allowance was supposed to fall for us today but hasn't. Luckily the lan house guy knows the missionaries and trusts us to pay tomorrow.

 

The area here is MUCH bigger that the last. It's really nice though. I think I needed a change of view. Lots of new area to work in now. So we got the call about transfers about 5 minutes after we left the lan house....... but we did go to a chapel that is always used for missionary meetings and the transfers were read by the mission secretary and we all had to find our companions and then leave. It was very different. Pretty cool though. Everybody was laughing and yelling stuff and having fun hearing where people were going and who would be there companion. I don't really understand why President did it like that. He wasn't even there, since he was doing orientation for the new missionaries. But then we were off. Basically Santo André is like Olympia to Lacey. We got off the train one stop before Mauá. The house is nice, it is two stories, with a little kitchen and bathroom downstairs and the bedroom and study upstairs. Oh funny story, Elder Perrell got transferred to Santo André too and he is my District Leader. So we have now been in the same zone since March. It's pretty cool and now we can do divisions together since he is my leader. Everyone thought that was pretty funny. My companion is Elder F. Oliveira. He's a cool guy and has a family that is very old in the church for Brazil. It's actually pretty rare to see a missionary that was born in the covenant.

 

The weather here is strange, it was super hot, but then it was cold and rainy and today it warmed up again. I'm not exactly sure what's going on here.

 

I'm eagerly waiting for all the letters. And I haven't thought of anything for my Christmas list. Sooo just whatever. I still have the stocking and hat. No need for another. And I still use the pillow case haha. Obviously it gets washed and such, but it is used just as much as the other two I have. I actually was using it when I got transferred and I just carry my pillow in my hand since it doesn't fit anywhere and a few people commented on it in the metro.

Yeah I don't think that Mormon Times would show the real fashion here. Not so modest. Yes there is a very large amount of Evangelicals here. And a lot of them do dress modestly to go to church. There are some that are very strict, requiring women to always use skirts or dresses, not cutting hair, and no make up or jewelry. Usually I can identify what church someone goes to by what they are wearing and their age. By the way that Universal Church is one of the biggest in Brazil. Let me just say that I think there are certain verses in the Bible and Book of Mormon that refer to this church.  Let your mind wander on what I'm trying to say. All in all the evangelical experience is very strange, they kind of brainwash people into giving us responses that don't really make any sense. Most of their meetings consist of lots of yelling and shaking and falling to the ground and convulsing......... different. But as far as the fashion really being that popular. Ehhhhhhhh more or less.

 

Well everything is going great here. Thanks for everything. Até mais.

 

Com amor,

Elder Cameron Bruce

October 8, 2012

Answer to MOM:

Conference was awesome. Always one of the best weekends of the year. I think my favorite talk might have been President Uchtdorf's about taking advantage of the moment and everything. I found it very applicable to a mission life, where we only have two years to enjoy. I also enjoyed President Monson's with all the stories about answering prayers of others. It seemed like a mini theme in conference to me, I noticed a few people mentioning similar topics. And there were definitely a bunch of other good ones too. Everyone came up to the Elder's after Elder Nelson's talk and said, "Hey I've got some questions for you"

The new age for missionaries is insane!!!! It's going to change soooo much. First off there will be thousands of more sisters now. THOUSANDS. I think that was a far bigger change than the move to 18 for the boys. Here in Brasil it was already 18. One thing I thought about is that BYU is going to be completely different now. Just crazy. The congregation didn't react too much, but all the Elders freaked out a little bit. It was pretty crazy to hear. Also we watched the press conference after the session where they talked about the changes. It seemed as though Elder Holland suggested to that fact that in the future we should be expecting changes in the lengths of missions too. Probably not for a year or two though. 

We will get the Liahonna pretty soon so there is no need to send talks yet. I think. If not I'll ask here in a week or two.

I got the package WOOT. The only thing is I got it one week before transfers so I had to pound out the candy. I still have a little left over, but quite a bit is gone already. It was quite delicious, and I laughed out loud at the pumpkin seed tic tacs. 

I feel like I had thought of something to ask for for Christmas but I forgot. Oh well no big deal.

Here in Brasil they don't give much credit to Columbus. I don't remember the name of the guy they always talk about. He was Portuguese, surprise. That's all I remember. Oh and another thing that they say is different is that the Wright Brothers weren't the first to fly, they think it was some Brazilian guy. When President Uchtdorf talked about the Wright brothers I nudged the Brazilian Elders and gave them a little wink.

So the wedding didn't happen this week. The lady didn't have all the right documents when we went with her. Actually we were just going to mark the wedding, it won't happen until 30 days after the day we go get everything cleared. Soooooo yeah. 

The elections here are sooooo crazy, and annoying. Constant cars blasting music. Yesterday was election day. The only problem is that in Maua no one won. Two candidates will run again against each other. You have to win by a certain majority and neither of them reached it. BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

I heard that Romney did well in the debate. Very nice. How do the polls look?

Why is Isaac wearing a Braves hat?

The District!! We have those DVDs and use them in our study and trainings. Haha. I have them all memorized. Did you watch season one or two? I actually met one of the Elders in the MTC in Provo, he is a teacher there. Just so you know, some of the things those Elders teach is done poorly. They have those in there for us to learn too. It's also very different from English to Portuguese.

So they decided to change how transfers work so we won't know until sometime today if we are being transferred, and they won't tell us where we are going or who will be our companion. I understand a little of what they are doing, but it is also making it really difficult, because now I don't know if I need to spend P-day packing my bags or not. It's the first time they have done it like this so they haven't perfected it yet. Oh well. Hopefully the Zone leaders call while we are sending emails so I can let you know. We'll see.

Obrigado por tudo, te amo, tchau.

Com amor,
Elder Cameron Bruce

Answer to DAD:

My little calendar actually told me today was thanksgiving day in Canada and it's Columbus day, so you're not working, yay. President Uchtdorf was my fav. I think all the new dorms will just have to be used by the MTC to hold the tons of new elders and sisters that will be going after this next school year. I think the year away was good, but if the option had been presented to me I think I would have gone right after high school. I feel it really would make college a better experience instead of splitting it up. It sounded like that and the ability to have many more missionaries were some of the biggest reasons for the change. Forty day fast, interesting idea. Sounds like the sisters are trying everything they can.

Well sports sound like they are heating up. Next playoffs I'll be home. Yay baseball.

Bem, até semana que vem, tchau tchau.

Com amor,
Elder Cameron Bruce (son)

October 1, 2012

Yeah everyone goes to the temple every three months. Unless you are in the Baixada, then it's only every 6 months because they have to rent a bus for the missionaries.

So unfortunately the baptism didn't go through for this weekend, and it will probably have to wait until after conference. Which means that it will be after transfers too. I also think that I will be transferred. Oh I hope I stay, but I don't think it's possible.

The work is still going well we are actually going to marry a couple this week so they can be baptized. Also there is another couple that will be married and baptized here in a little while. 

But the problem is that his "wife" works for a candidate for mayor here in Mauá. So basically here the world goes insane for like two months before the election. They have cars that drive around with giant speakers that just blast music about the candidate. Also there are millions of banners around, and people that walk around hand out a ton of little pamphlets. So that's what that lady is doing. Her hours are literally the only time that the place that does the weddings is open. Marriage works very different here, at least the whole process of it.

General Conference will be in the stake center and we'll get to watch it in English. I'm pumped.

I haven't gotten any mail in a little while but this week the zone leaders will be picking up the mail. I hope I have something. We'll see.

Well this week was pretty uneventful other than that, just work as normal. Well until next week. 

Com amor,
Elder Cameron Bruce

September 25, 2012

I actually was thinking that was probably what happened. I knew there was no way that you would have forgotten. Oh and by the way, we went to the temple today so that is why I am emailing a day late. P-day got traded.

It was a great experience as always at the temple. This time I really noticed how much my Português has improved because they use a really old form of Português and this time there was absolutely no problem to understand. It really made the whole experience a little cooler. But now I'm exhausted, I don't know why but to ride the train and metro is very tiring. No idea why, you either just stand or sit around for basically an hour and a half, but when I have to walk all day it isn't so tiring. 

We went to a Subway that they have nearby the temple for lunch. I told Elder Simpson that my parents wouldn't believe what I was eating. You know when you go through the line and tell them what you want on it? Nowadays I actually ask for stuff. Haha. Very different, I have grown to love Subway quite a bit. 

Then after Subway we stopped by the Wal Mart that is across the street from the Temple. Wal-Mart just isn't the same here. First off, they're a lot rarer, and then you go in expecting to find American things but there was nothing American at all. But good news a member showed me a new supermarket that currently is selling Milky Ways and Snickers for 1.50 reais!!!!!!!!!! I was so excited, because normally if you find anything American the prices are through the roof, but this is the same price as the US, needless to say I bought a few......10.......... you never know when they will run out or jack up the prices.

The work is going well, we had the Baptism on Thursday, everything went as planned. Unfortunately the baptisms for Sunday didn't go through. We are trying everything to help Milton's children make this decision but it seems like they just don't want too. I'm not sureif there is much more we can do to help them. 

But we do have a few other people that we have marked for this Sunday that I feel are a little more solid. We'll pass by this week and make sure everything is good to go.

So as far as pictures, I'm currently trying to find the best way to send home the next load of photos. I am thinking about sending another package home with some more stuff. We'll see about that.

That fireside sounds like it was really special. I am a little bummed I didn't get to see it. I really do love live performances like that. And especially "Come thou Fount" - such a great song. 

Glad to hear that people remember who I am still. Always nice to be remembered.

Question: Who is President Weaver?

Well that's all I have for this week. Até mais. Tchau

Com amor,
Elder Cameron Bruce

September 17, 2012

So mom didn't send a full email. That leaves me a little worried.       ( PS from Mom: I sent the email to his old address, arrghh!!! He only got a link to an Ensign article from me.  I re-sent the email and was hoping to hear he got it. But I have not heard from him.  Rats! )
So everything went well last week. I burned an old shirt that I found in the house. I burnt it at a members house, and we just hung out there for a little while telling mission stories. Nothing too special. No injuries or anything. Nothing to be worried about. And no more burning for me for another 6 months. 

This week we baptized Julia, who is a daughter of a in active member that is returning to activity. Her brother who is a very active member but in a neighboring stake performed the baptism. It was really great. I think this family will really turn into one of the strong members of the ward.

On Thursday we will be having another baptism. A little strange but it is because her daughter-in-law works and travels a lot and that is the only day for a month that really works. She is an older lady, but is very firm. She is already asking how she pays her tithing. Always a good sign for someone to stay active.

Milton is blessing the sacrament every week now. It's really awesome to see. And also there was a stake activity for the men, which the missionaries were invited to. CHURRASO!! or Brazilian BBQ. It was very delicious. Milton helped prepare the food since our ward was in charge of the BBQ. He was singing serteneja (brazilian country) the whole time with the stake president. He is going to be a leader here in the near future. But while we were there it just so happened to be that the Zone Leaders were in division (or doing splits) with the Assistants. So I grabbed the assistant and had him talk with Milton's son, Guilherme. Before I knew it they had dissapeared. Little did I know that Elder Torres (the assistant from Peru) had taken him into the chapel to do an impromtu interview. So now Guilherme will be baptized next Sunday. The assistants are assistants for a reason. He also went with us to do some other interviews and it was kind of amazing to see how he talked to people and everything. He really knows how to talk to people.

Well that's about all for this week. Tell mom to hurry up and send an email. Until next week.

com amor,
Elder Cameron Bruce 

One Year

Congratulations Elder Bruce!

One year of missionary service today September 14, 2012.

September 10, 2012

Answer to MOM:

So I'm doing great. Nothing too special happened this last week. We didn't have any baptisms but this next weekend we have one for sure, maybe two, and then during the week we will have another one. So the work is still going well and I'm enjoying working with Elder Simpson.

As far as health goes I am doing great. I'm just really tired because the last few days it has really heated up and it has been harder to get to sleep recently.

So the package got here, thank you very much. The rain jacket is perfect and all the candy is deliciously trunky. Also all of the 1 year supplies will be used on Friday. I plan on going to a member's house at night to commemorate a little. Nothing to much. Just so you know, burning a shirt. I found an old one in our house to burn.

I'm really excited for conference too. I hope that we can watch it in English like last time. It's just better hearing it in your own language.

Wow, I think I'm really tired so I'm not remembering anything that I wanted to say. Well I guess that is all that I got for this week. Tchau tchau.

com amor,
Elder Cameron Bruce  

Answer to DAD:

So I'm pretty sure that I am actually going to get transferred next time, which will be october 9th. I don't know why I think that, just a feeling and guessing based on how much time I already have here and such. 

We have district meeting every week, but since our zone is so small we actually meet together with the whole zone, but it is not a zone conference. Zone conference is usually a few zones together and President comes, we only have those every three months or so. Also in December we will have a special Christmas Meeting with President. Those are all the regular meetings. 

Sounds like Tiger will just finish in the top 5 for the rest of his career. Oh well. 

So yup, that's all. 

Com amor, 
Elder Cameron Bruce 

September 3, 2012

Oh yeah, Labor day. Forgot that holiday existed. But happy labor day!

I'm doing great. Only Val, Milton's wife, was baptized. This is a very strange situation for pretty much any one that has heard about it. You almost never hear about a father getting baptized first then the wife, and then the children later. It's almost always the opposite, if the father even gets baptized. The baptism went really well though. The whole family was there. Lots of ward members came, and then she was confirmed on Sunday. We still are working with the kids, but honestly I don't even know what more to do. I have asked for advice from EVERYONE, we have taken people to visit them, we have had family nights in member's houses, they have tons of friends in the church already, Guilherme already goes to institute with a bunch of the guys from the ward, and we recently discovered that one of Carol's best friends is a very active member. I don't know what more to do. They are what we call membros em pó (literally, members in dust, but that's what they call cake mix, you know, where you just have to add water). 

Also we are working with some other families that are part member. Turns out that our ward is actually the closest to dividing, because we are the only ward that is even close to having enough active priesthood holders to divide. So what we are trying to do is focus on getting some men to either come back to church or get baptized so that there will be enough men to divide the ward in a year or so. We marked a baptism with someone for this next Sunday, he is actually the son-in-law of our ward mission leader, he has already gone to church a bunch and his wife has been a member basically her whole life, she just went a little inactive for a while. 

Oh and sweet news, if Milton and Val keep progressing in the church and everything, they will be able to go to the temple to be sealed on September 1st, which would be the LAST Sunday on my mission. I don't know if there would be a more perfect ending to a mission than to go to the temple with someone you baptized. I already told the bishop, home teachers, and visiting teachers that I am putting my trust in them now to make sure that they get to the temple in a year. 

The weather has been warmer lately yes. But I'm not liking it. It's going to be HOT again, which is not so much fun. I haven't gotten the package yet, but this week we should be getting mail so hopefully it's already in the office waiting for someone to just bring it here. And actually it hasn't rained in a while and everyone is complaining, because obviously they need it for plants and such, but also because the rain cleans the air up a little, it's VERY polluted here. When you look at the horizon you can see very clearly all the pollution.

The sun sets about the same times as in the US. I don't think I'm technically in the tropics.

Our study isn't scheduled. Just the time when we need to study is scheduled. At zone conference President did challenge us to try and finish the Book of Mormon by the end of the year. Since I'm almost done in English I'm taking the challenge for o Livro de Mormon, where I'm still in Alma. I always study both and currently I'm also studying the Old Testament. I'm only in Joshua, with so much to read it seems like progress is really slow. Also I am reading the institute manuals for all the standard works, they are VERY useful and really make things a lot easier to understand and give a whole other level of understanding. And of course we are always studying Preach My Gospel, but I usually use that more in companionship study than in Personal study. And the only memorization that I do is just a consequence of reading the same scriptures in lessons and stuff. I don't spend much dedicated time to memorizing scriptures.

 Bem, foi tudo que eu pudia dizer por essa semana, até semana que vem. Tchau tchau.

Com amor,
Elder Cameron Bruce