Cameron's Mom
Spoke (posted) too soon - here we go. Yay!
So first let me explain why I'm writing today. Yesterday was a normal day of work and today was our P-day since we got to go the temple. It was a great experience I loved it in Portugues. And the best part was that I understood everything. I barely needed any help with anything. But it took up our entire P-day. So we have permission to do a few things throughout the week like wash clothes and the clean the apartment and such. We also have Zone Conference this week. That slow the work down even more this week. When you have lots of events like this it's really nice because it breaks up the routine, but it also seems to slow time down. And kind of kills my rythm (is that how you spell it).
As far as the email process there are about 3 lan houses (internet cafes) within 10 minutes of my apartment. We pay 2 reais (just over a dollar) for an hour of time. Which usually comes out to be just enough time. The live emails are fine I just end up running out of time after a few emails. Don't worry, not breaking any rules. And yes I can open and look at photos.
Curitiba is a place I really want to come back and visit. There is so much more to Brasil than what I'm seeing. I really want to visit all parts of the country.
The discussion of the mark about the dark skin has come up many, many, many times already because there are quite a few missionaries that have dark skin. We've come to the pretty much the same conclusion. And if you read the second Article of Faith, it's clear that it's no guilt of their own. By the way the quote page is great. I loved the one you sent. It's nice to have something different to read. Speaking of things to read I bought a Portugues bible today at the church store by the temple. It was 30 reais, but it is a nicer quality than the one they gave us. The one I got in the MTC is falling apart already. The bible here is very different. It doesn't have all the footnotes and helps in the back. This is because the Catholic church still has a powerful influence over religion here and they won't let the LDS church print a version in Portugues.
I don't need another blanket. There are always blankets in the apartments that some missionary bought and left. So when you show up, you just wash it and use it.
I should get at least one package on Thursday this week. I haven't sent one yet because I haven't had the chance to go to 25 de março which is the big shopping area where I want to buy a few "things" to send home. Your patience will be rewarded. But all the packages I have gotten so far have been in perfect condition. Nothing broken or stolen.
Sometimes I do miss the direct contact with technology. It makes things so much simpler. I hope for future missionaries that the church starts giving iPads to all the companionships. I heard they are already testing that us in New England and such. Don't know if that is really true. I heard from a friend of a friend of a friend, you know, that really reliable source.
I'm still waiting for the photos of my new niece. I hope everything goes well with the trip to Jeremy's. Show her pictures of me and repeatedly say, Uncle Cameron. I expect those to be her first words.
So with the water we usually have a culligan type thing in our apartment. But as strange as it may seem, a bunch of 20 year old boys with a limited amount of money have trouble buying new ones all the time. I always use the water bottle with the filter. You can drink the tap water pretty safely, but if I have a filter why not use it. We drink a lot of soda in members houses. Lots of juices too. I have only had real handmade juice a few times. But even their juice from packets (they call it juice in dust) is super good. Maybe I'll send a few home for you to test out.
Leap day will a very special day. We'll be teaching people about the Gospel!! But other than that. Nothing special will happen. Just another day.
As far as investigators we have one man (20 years old) that is progressing towards baptism the week after this one. He is living with a returned missionary so it was only a matter of time. But there is a big problem here of people not recognizing that we are preaching of THE church of Jesus Christ. Everyone's response is, "sure you can come talk with me, all churches that teach about God are good." And yes all churches are teaching good things and bringing people closer to our Heavenly Father and our Savior, but it's really hard for people to really comprehend our message. Eldorado is a very simple area, in terms of money and education. The people are really nice and receptive though.
That's all I can think of for this week. Até proximo semana. Te amo.
Elder Cameron Bruce
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