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