April 30, 2012

answer to Mom

Sooooo this week has been real interesting. I'm feeling pretty bad. I've had a lot of stomach pain and been EXTRA tired. My whole body is really sore and just worn out. So on Saturday was the dedication of our new chapel. We had the whole Zone come to our new chapel and we sent most of them out to do contacts and promotion for the dedication while the rest did tours in the chapel. It was really cool. But I started feeling worse and worse as the day went on. After taking everyone to their lunches and dropping them off (they all ate at different members houses) we got to our lunch and I couldn't even eat. I drank a little goiaba juice (a really good fruit they have here) but then I went running to the bathroom to uhh.... throw up. That was fun. I felt better for a little while after like you always do. Just long enough to make it back to the chapel and be miserable there. I just laid around the chapel while others were preparing things. It really stunk. I've been waiting for this dedication for months now and I didn't really get to help out with anything. After a while I called Sister Tanner to ask her what she thought I should do. She said I should just go home, rest, and drink lots of water. So we got a member to drive me home and I stayed home with one of the Elders from the Zone, because Elder Perrell was in the choir. So I missed the dedication, President Tanner and Sister Tanner were both there and spoke. But oh well. Then I didn't sleep very well that night but I went to church and felt a little better. I went to lunch where I didn't eat a ton, but lucky it was basically a chicken broth, which I think helped. I was able to work the rest of the day with a little trouble. Then we got home and I was just entirely worn out. And today I'm not feeling good still. WOOOOO fun stuff. I might call Sister Tanner again today if it doesn't get better.

I don't know if the senior couple has gotten here yet. 

So I haven't gotten the package yet. Still waiting. But just a couple requests, pretzels and dessert recipes.

Well that's all for this week. I'm not feeling so great right now so I'm gonna go. Until next week.

Elder Cameron Bruce

answer to Dad

That sounds like a fun weekend. At church on Sunday the bishop here used a slide show too. It made me think about how you were probably doing the same thing. He taught about taking care of our chapels. (We just moved into our new chapel here). It is definitely getting colder and wetter. Today is pretty miserable. Elder Perrell and I were all wrapped up in our sweaters and jackets and blankets this morning then Elder Perrell looked at his thermometer and it was still like 65 degrees. It's strange how cold it feels. He has a friend that is serving a mission in Michigan and she was complaining about 80 degree weather. We both laughed because during the middle of summer it would be around 100 if not higher here. MMMmmmmmmmm IHOP......

Well I'm going to go read mom's email now. Tchau.

Elder Cameron Bruce

April 23, 2012

Answer to Mom

The meeting with Elder Cook was awesome!! I learned a ton of neat and useful things. Like did you know that he and Elder Holland were missionary companions? Also Elder Cook was the Executive Director of the Missionary Department when President Hinkley asked for Preach My Gospel to be made. So he worked with Elder Ballard, and is one of the principle creators of the book. He shared some very interesting insights. The main reference sources for PMG were the Doctrine of Christ (which can be found in our purpose on the first page of the first chapter) and also section 31 of Doctrine andCovenants. He basically just went through section 31 with us breaking it down. He told us that verse seven is one of the most important scriptures thatexists. You should study it a little, it was interesting to see how he described it to us. He didn't speak Portugues which is actually kind of nice because he spoke English and had a translator so I got to hear it in my native tongue. His wife also spoke who is very cute, and animated. She had us sing Hymn 168 in the Portugues Hymnal. I can't remember what hymn it is.  I think he came to just visit the area and decided to talk to us too. I'm not sure though.

So those are the three areas. Embaré, Santos. Ponta da Praia, Santos (only for 2 weeks but still). Eldorado, Diadema. I haven't been able to find a map. If you could send one that would be awesome.

I still haven't gotten my package yet. I don't know what is taking so long. They also didn't bring very much mail to the meeting with Elder Cook because they didn't want us hanging around and opening letters and packages. So maybe it's in the office waiting for me. As far as requests I do have a few: any church films, as long as it has The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on it I can watch it on P-Day or maybe even use it at family nights. Joseph Smith the Prophet of the Restoration would be a special request. But as many others as possible would be cool. Also more music is always great. Do you remember the Nashville Tribute to Joseph Smith? That is a good one. And any others are welcome too. Oh and one more request, a pedometer. I want to see how much I'm walking around here. That's all.

Yes the withdraw was when I went to the big shopping center. I didn't even use it all. So I'll save it up for a later trip or something.

Elder Perrell and I are doing great together. We found out last night that we will be staying together in Eldorado for one more transfer. Remember that this last transfer that just ended was only five weeks. We are working hard and really excited that we can both see and help with the opening of our new chapel!!

Woo Candon is on the mission. Tell Lisa that time flies. And that there is practically no better place than the MTC. I miss it a little. Will Candon be staying 9 or 12 weeks? And you had my address to give to Aunt Pam right?

Lindy is getting married? To Travis right? Are they going to the temple too? That's great! Tell them both congratulations for me.

The senior missionary couples name is Stout and they are from St. George. That's all I know about them. The house looked great. I couldn't believe that missionaries were living there before, it's huge for just one companionship. It was really dirty though, but we got it all cleaned up. I'm excited to see what they will be called to do.

The Skype plans are coming along. Basically all I need is to mark the hour with someone and everything will be good. Next week I'll give you the details. What time is good for you?

Well that's all the news for this week. Te amo. Até mais. 

Elder Cameron Bruce

Answer to Dad

As far as the language goes. I don't know if I dream in Portuguese. I also don't know if I dream in English. I do day dream in Portuguese though. Sometimes when I'm remembering or imagining a situation people that don't speak Portuguese talk in Portuguese. And then I realize it like 10 seconds after and go wait a minute, they don't speak Portuguese. It's a strange experience. I feel really comfortable with the language. I don't translate or anything anymore. It's just normal to talk and listen. With Elder Perrell I speak Portugles Portugues+Ingles. It's funny that we sometimes use Portuguese grammar in English. 

The weather here is starting to cool down. It still throws in a hot day every now and then. But overall it stays in the low 70s now. Which strangely enough feels pretty cold to me.

Well that's all. Have a nice golfing day. Until next week.

Elder Cameron Bruce

April 16, 2012

After all the attempts at trying to convince you to get an iPad, you're finally giving in, mwahahahaha. I'm excited for you.

 

So does Candon seem nervous? The MTC is pretty awesome. After 7 weeks there I got pretty tired of it, but now when I look back I kind of miss it. Oh well. It's all a part of the mission. By the way, I passed 7 months two days agooo wooooooo!! It's almost more exciting than 6 because now you're not a little greenie celebrating 6. It's a strange sensation to explain.

 

So the package has arrived, I just haven't been able to get it yet. I know that it's in the office, so I'll get it either on Thursday or on Saturday. On Thursday, President invited Elder Perrell and I to go up to the office to help with a service project. We are going to be preparing a house for a senior couple to arrive. I feel pretty special that we were some of the few Elders that were called up to help. And on Saturday, Elder Cook is coming. We found out who it was because on Sunday at church they announced that he would be doing a fireside in an undisclosed location and that it would be broadcast to the other chapels. Elder Perrell and I laughed because we already know the "secret" chapel.

 

The weather here is still crazy. It mostly is just really hot. But you never know when or how it's going to change. So far the trees haven't changed and I don't think they will. People say it does get down to the 40s or so. So maybe they will.

 

In the photo, I was holding out the name tag of the Elder next to me. We were all messing around taking each others and he didn't notice. So I held it to the camera so he would see it when he looked at the pictures. It was pretty funny. And those pictures were at Ronaldo's house. He is a recent convert that loves the missionaries and always has them over when someone is getting transferred.

 

So Ivani didn't get baptized. The pastor at her church talked with her and told her a lot of things and she decided not to be baptized. It's strange, because she seemed like she was progressing real well. Something sad is that one of the worst things that can happen with an investigator is when they believe in the missionaries just because we look like we know what we are talking about. They just trust us. I mean, yeah, we are not lying about anything, but people need to gain a testimony of their own. I have realized how common that is now. People don't quite understand the importance of prayer.

 

But still we have found a lot of new people to be teaching. We are working on completing the Bishop's family, and another recent convert family. Bishop has like 15 siblings and he is helping us try and baptize them all. And this other family is really excited about the gospel and is trying to help all their extended family join the church too. So the work is going well.

 

So as far as the Mother's Day phone call home works, I'll have to do some research on that. I don't know how I'll be calling. Probably with Skype though. Enough members have computers here. I'll let you know better in the weeks to come.

 

Well this is how Diadema is. Today we went to 25 de Março to do some shopping. I bought some jerseys and some ties. They were super cheap. It was pretty crazy. Shopping is way more exhausting here because you barter for all the prices. Which is cool and annoying because some people are so stubborn and rude. Oh well. Life in Brazil.

 

Until next week. Te amo.

 

Elder Cameron Bruce

Forgot to mention. We won the cleanest apartment award in our Zone. Which means we get to order a pizza for free!!! Woot. You would be proud mother. 

April 9, 2012

Before I forget, you don't need to send that map of Brazil. I'll keep searching for one here. Everyone says that there should be one pretty easy to find around here. Maybe I'm just not looking in the right places.

 

Oh and another thing to add to the package would be the chocolate chip cookie receipe. I would like to take a stab at that and see how they turn out here.

 

So the Easter package hasn't arrived yet. A little bit of a bummer since Easter already passed. But there is a tradition here of having a giant chocolate egg on Easter and we got a few presents from members. Also we had lunch at a members house, she prepared ham, and a million other types of meat, and of course it was all accompanied by rice and beans. It was sooooo good. Especially after a fast Sunday. I think I ate my weight in meat.

 

The weather here is bi-polar. Somedays its soo cold I wear a sweater to work in. And the next day it'll be soooo hot that you step outside and you're sweating. But then ten minutes later I'm questioning if God broke his promise to not send another flood. It's interesting.

 

I'll send all of the photos that I have on CD's. I don't know what to tell you about the photos I sent. I'm really limited here with how I can send stuff. Sorry. I'll try and send those CDs real soon.

 

The inspection was great. Sister Tanner was very pleased with our apartement. I had some time to talk to her, and turns out that she is childhood friends with the new Relief Society president, and President Tanner is childhood friends with the first councilor. It's crazy, they know everyone.

 

The interview with President was fine. It was about 5 minutes and we didn't really have much to talk about. He thinks the work is moving well here, and I don't have any problems. I did get the feeling that Elder Perrell and I will stay together another transfer though.

 

So I don't know if I sent you the email that said another General Authority is coming to our mission. There are rumors of an Apostle, but the problem is just that, that they are rumors. So we'll see. The whole mission will be at the meeting which is always really fun.

 

Tell Candon good luck and Kylee Parabens! (Congratulations)

 

Te amo. Até mais.

 

Elder Cameron Bruce

April 2, 2012

So things are still going real well with Elder Perrell. We still get along really well. And I'm learning a bunch of things working with him. We are still in the process of restarting our teaching pool. Conference really slowed down the work this weekend. We got to watch all the sessions including priesthood at 6 in the morning on Sunday. I don't know why they did it like that, but whatever. Also all the Americans got to go to a separate room in the Stake Center and watch all the sessions in English. Even though I would have understood it in Portugues, it was really better to watch it in English. My favorite talk would have to beeee, let’s see, I like Uchtdorf’s as well, I wish I had my notes here to look, and the other favorite would be Elder Evans. I really enjoyed his talk. Oh and President Rasband was good too. Very emotional. One of the themes I really picked up is that I should get married and start a family. It seems like everything you hear as a missionary directs you towards those goals. It's strange, and trunky.

I did see David Archuleta, as a matter of fact I was the one who yelled and pointed it out to everyone. But you don't need to send conference talks. I'll receive the Liahona here in a few weeks and I'll just read them from there. But thank you. But while we're on the topic I do have a few requests: a black sharpie (the normal ones), sour skittles, Goldbond powder, deodorant (same as last time, I may have given a few away that's why I ran out so quick), this request is a little different and specific, a small leather notebook with an elastic band to close it. I mean small like you could stick in a pocket small. Some Chapstick, whatever type will do as long as its in a stick. So I thought it would be easier for me to find a map of Brazil in Brazil, but turns out they don't exist. I have looked and asked everywhere for one and no one has one. So do you think you could send one? Just like the US one you sent. That's all. Thank you.

Another neat thing from conference. You know the director of the MTC choir. I know him. I met him at the MTC and we talked a few times. He was always the conductor at all the meetings. He is super cool. 

So I won't send the SD cards, but I'll send CD's again, I think it's cheaper than buying pen drives. And I don't have to worry about losing all the pictures.

The new Chapel will open on the 15th of April. I got to go in the other day with Bishop and look at it. It's super nice. Everything is brand new and clean. Chapels here have quite a different feel to them inside. Like carpet, doesn't really exist in Brazil. But when it opens that will really help with the work around here. Everyone sees it and is interested in going in.

So as far as contacts go, I like knocking doors way more than street contacts. I think they are way more effective. Here you just clap your hands and yell at the door or gate and people come talk to you. Usually one door opens up to like 5 house stacked on top of each other, so practically every time you knock a door someone new will come answer it. In Santos everyone lived in apartment buildings so you couldn't knock doors. But here everyone lives in houses stacked upon houses upon houses. I'll send a picture for you to see. Our house has a garage door that has a gate in it. I'll have to take a picture and send it next week. 

So the lady will be baptized this week. We marked a firm date with her and we are talking to her everyday now to help her. President goes to baptisms all the time. Missionaries are always inviting him. I send an email every week and he always replies but it usually doesn't have anything substantial. He will come inspect our apartment this week so we'll get to talk a bunch.

I haven't grown any taller but I think I put on like 5 pounds. But I put on the five pounds like 4 months ago and haven't changed since. Nothing works, oh well. 

Other than that everything is great. Thanks for everything. Te amam.

Elder Cameron Bruce