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