The best Halloween morning ever. Ok, maybe when he was little and excited about his costumes but to see his e-mail this morning as I pulled into school made my heart pretty full and put a smile on my face.
Cameron: Hey mom! How are you? Happy Halloween!!! This week was good. We had a bar-b-que with Carla and her family, It was really fun! Then yesterday was was the mom's birthday. They invited us over for cake and to celebrate with them. It was a lot of fun! OH YA and yesterday during the sacrament hymn a member of the bishopric came down off the stand an asked me if I could talk. Here I thought he and I were friends, just kidding we are and I really like him. I was sooo nervous. I didn't have anything prepared and to not know Portuguese very well... I was also the first speaker. I am so excited about Nicole. When does she leave?
Mom: I know he wouldn't have asked you to speak unless he thought you were capable. I'm sure you did great and be thankful for the gift of tongues. Cameron, remember I packed a bunch of cards and letters for you. There is one for Halloween. Do they celebrate Halloween there? I dressed up for school as Rafael the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle. You mentioned it rained a lot. Do you need a better jacket? The Craynors are crazy and buzy getting ready for the wedding in the barn. I'm not a lot of help but this time of year with conferences etc. is hard for me to stay afloat. I will take lots of pictures to send you. I told Cameron Green you asked how he was. I gave the mission homes address so anyone could write you. Nicole Leaves tomorrow! Keep her in your prayers.
Cameron:They don't really celebrate Halloween here. Rafael? That sounds fun! I don't think we will do much today except get caught up on things. I just use my umbrella. It is way too hot for a jacket. I am excited for Nicole and I am glad things can and will work out for her. Who is the new missionary there and what is he like?
Mom: I can't remember the new missionary's name but he is so funny. He hasn't been a member too long. He had lived in a lot of places. He went to Colorado to school and was working as a CNA while trying to get his EMT. He had a steady girlfriend and his whole world came crashing down. He never really said how or why. He worked graves with a 65 year old lady that was a non-active member of the church. She could tell he was lost and gave him bits and pieces here and there. One night she asked if he would want to come over the next day and talk to her brother, who was an Elder Quorum's President. So, this Elder agreed. When he went there were missionaries there. They explained what the do and he thought what dummies would do this for two years of there life. He said look at me now, I am one of those dummies. But, he was baptized. He said he was living of the world not in the world. He is sooo much happier. He did suggest that missionaries be more specific on teachings like prayer and fasting. He was a picture of a girl praying, kneeling beside her bed and a Book of Mormon sitting there. He thought that is how you had to pray. He didn't know until in the MTC that you can pray anywhere. He thought when they said no water when fasting, that meant no brushing teeth or showering! Oh, he is hilarious but sure has a testimony of the gospel. He was sooo awesome to hear. He had no idea what it was like to live with Christ being the center of all things and how this would bring such joy and purpose to his life. Pretty Awesome!!! I'll find out his name and how old he is. He has been out for like 13 months.
What are the bar-b-ques like in Brazil? What about family birthdays, are they like ours? Have you got any of my packages yet? I let Cuda out with dad home but hiding inside. I knew he would be ok and that dad would help if he needed to. I would never do it without dad being home.
Cameron: They have bar-b-que chicken, sausage, and of course rice and beans at their cookouts. There are other things that we don't have in the U.S. too. They have cake and the family get together like we do. Families are everything! I haven't received any of your packages yet... I hope they come because I want to give the footballs I asked for to the kids. I am not going to tell them because I don't want to get their hopes up. That is pretty brave you would let Cuda out!
Mom: I am sending you one through LDS Express that you will for sure get. So, is there something you want or need? This is a package you will for sure get. I was wondering if you could write a little each day or something and take a picture of it so I can know a little bit more about your week. I love you!
Cameron: I love you too mom! I will do something more to tell you about my week. I sent you some pictures. The one that has the shirt with his name is Fernando and we are teaching him. His parents are divorced and his dad won't let him be baptized. I would like if you could get me somethings to give Carla and her family. Not big or expensive. The mom of Carla really wants a U.S. watch and something for her husband, Then Carla is 24, Davi is 19 likes soccer, the twins are like 12 and they can have a football and then Caua is 5 years old. I would like a basketball to play with all the kids with. Send any balls and a pump if you can! If you can send me some of my old Box Elder BEES shirts too. Thanks mom!
Mom: Annie used you as an example yesterday to give an example of putting others first. We ask you what you want and you tell us floss and deodorant for companions/friends that want it. Balls and etc. that you think the families would like. I am so proud of you and I am proud of the young man that you are! I have sent double on all the things I have sent you. I don't write your companion's name so if it changes it's ok. I haven't gone over board... It's more of a package of LOVE!
So, in addition to the e-mail I sent earlier... It has rained a lot! It is still pretty warm like September though. There was snow up where dad hunted in the mountains but down here it really has been warm. The rain comes hard but doesn't last. Charlie finds everything and anything to play fetch with. Grandma Marge still works way too much but she gets tired of sitting home and Grandpa has the farm and mortuary. Your grandparents are very proud and it's fun to hear them brag or ask questions about you! Annie's phone screen shattered today and she can't use it. Your sisters love you and are just as excited to hear from you and e-mail you as we are!
Cameron's e-mail to everyone:
Hello everyone! Everything is good here, hotter than ever and getting hotter. How is it back home with the cold weather? The food here is good and I haven't gotten sick so that is a plus. My ward is awesome. I had to talk in church yesterday and had no idea until the sacrament hymn when a member of the bishopric came down and asked me. It went ok. I think... We have 2 new investigators. They are Valquiria and Dani and we are hoping to baptize them this Saturday if everything works out. Brazil is good! It is full of soccer, beans, and rice. I took a picture and sent it of the bar-b-que we were at. It was a lot of fun! There is a member who does graffiti painting. I took a picture in his house that I have sent. There are 2 soccer teams here CSA and CBR and in the picture I sent I am pointing to the CRB jersey at an investigators house. There is also a picture of Elder Neves (my companion) eating. We had subway when we went to the center to a job fair, to talk with people about the church. I hope you all have a good week!
Love,
Elder Jensen
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