The end of my e-mail 11-20-16
I LOVE you and I hope you liked the pictures I sent. You are an amazing missionary and your ability to befriend people is a wonderful gift. I think about you everyday and I am thankful that you chose me to be your mom. Remember to be obedient and focus on others and the Lord will bless you!
You make me sooo PROUD!!!
Love,
Mom, momma, mommy, momma, mom
Cameron: Thanks for that mom.
Mom: Your welcome. Tell me what you have been doing this past week.
Cameron: This week we had a bar-b-que at the church. There was a holiday like the 4th of July, it was a lot of fun. BUT, the next day Neves and I were sick and Carla's whole family came and they were all sick too. haha kinda funny!
Mom: What kind of sick were you?
Cam: I was stomach sick in the bathroom a lot...
Mom: Well, I guess you've been pretty lucky that you haven't had any stomach problems until now. What was the holiday called? How are you doing this week Cam?
Cam: I can't remember the name of the holiday. I am doing ok.
Mom:
1.Do you have anyone specific that you are teaching?
2.Do they celebrate Thanksgiving?
3.Do you read the cards I packed you?
4.They are departing with my package on December 1st and they said you would get it two weeks after that. That should be December 15th. The package weighed 25 pounds!!!
5.Have you got any letters or mail?
6.What's the Pizzeria you are eating at? What do you like there?
Cameron:
1. No, I don't have anyone specific we are teaching.
2. No, Thanksgiving here so eat a lot for me.
3. Yeah I have read some of them.
4. Geez, that is a big package! I hope that you didn't spend to much because I don't need anything.
5. I haven't got any packages or letters from you. Maybe there are some at the office. We are going Wednesday so maybe I will get some when I go there.
6. Pizza is just easier than cooking.
Mom: I didn't spend a lot on what is in the package but let's just say to get it there wasn't cheap. Your package is full of LOVE not expense and not just from me, so it's ok. So, is the next holiday Christmas that they celebrate? What are the traditions that they have or do for Christmas?
Cam: Yeah, but I don't want you to spend a lot to get it to me. I don't need it. Christmas is the next holiday. I don't know what they do but I guess I will find out.
Mom: The other packages I sent were small and still cost a lot and you didn't even get them. If I can send one package and know for a fact you will get it then that's worth all the other little ones. Plus, Grammy and Marge helped because they wanted you to have a Christmas too. It's not the gifts... It's the time and thought that went into things. You will feel so much LOVE and it was fun for everyone. We were able to put thought into a gift and that's how it should always be! You will see LOVE and THOUGHT from many loved ones.
Logan is going to Oregon for a little trip before he goes.
So, tell me if I am I right . Will you call us after our church? We only go to sacrament 10:30-11:30. So, you are four hours ahead which would be 3:30 your time. It doesn't matter. We can be ready whenever. Make sure you have it set up with some members or whoever. Do we just face time or what? Do we need passwords or anything from you?
Cam: Ok! You guys need to make a Skype account then I need to too and we add each other and yes after your church.
Mom: Ok, I will make one. Do you know how excited I am to see you and hear your voice? Are you being obedient and following guidelines? Is there someone that wants to get baptized? Is there anyone that's close? What is the girl/lady like that I have messaged on Instagram. She said the girls in the ward love you! Ha. It looks like the kids do too.
Cam: Yes, I am being obedient! There isn't anyone progressing right now but hopefully this week will be better.
Mom: If you do the work and are diligent those that need it will be open. Hang in there and you're doing one of the most important things. Being kind and friendly!!! I knew you'd be great at that. Did you get all the pictures I sent you? I need you to tell me more of what you did this week. I think everyday what you are doing and where you're at and if you're eating etc. etc. Yep, I'm still crazy. Did you read that I went with Amber? Send me some pictures.
Cam: We eat a lot at members' homes and Carla's. A new kid came to church with Karol (a girl that we are teaching) so that was good!
Mom: Tell me about Karol. Who lives at Carla's house? Where does she work?
Cam: I think we can baptize Karol soon, she is 15. Carla cuts hair. She lives with her mom and dad 3 brothers and her 2 sons.
Mom: What is Karol's family like? Will they listen and are they ok with her getting baptized?
Cam: Karol's mom likes us a lot and her parents are divorced. Her dad doesn't want her to but I think she will anyway. I don't think her younger brother Fernando will because his dad doesn't want him to. He still comes to church though.
Mom: That's hard because what a good boy for obeying his dad bu great that he still comes because he must obviously feel something there. What about the mom? Will she listen to any lessons for anything?
Cam: We have taught her. She was good about it but she is a member of another church, she works every Sunday so doesn't come to church.
Mom: We are so spoiled when it comes to church and living in that states, especially Utah. Did I tell you Val was 50 today? So, dad said a Sister Borges is coming to American Fork? Tell me about her. I'd love to meet up with her.
Cam: Sister Borges is an older woman in the ward she is pretty awesome and leaves for Utah today. She is taking her granddaughter and staying until January.
Mom: Dad told you about Eric? It is so heartbreaking. Dad was so upset when Brian called and I had to wake him and tell him... It made me sick. But, he seems to be doing better even though he's sad. He is just worried about Ellsworth passing away but also if he lives and his brain injury doesn't allow the real Eric back. It's nice they have the gospel...
Cam: Yeah it is so sad I love Ellsworth and feel bad for his little boys...
Mom: I know. I hate even thinking about it. What about the guy in the bishopric, do you still like him? Do you have new companions that live with you.
Cam: Yeah I like him a lot. I have new companions living with me that I like a lot. Neves is leaving in December...
Mom: What are the new ones names? Where are they from? Will Neves be there for Christmas?
Cam: The new elders are Vincente and Leite and they are both from Sao Paulo. Neves and I talked and he said, "I am not like every other missionary. I have no one, I have no house, no money, nothing. The way I have lived is playing volleyball because they provided a house, food, and money. So I can't have my knew hurting like this. I need my knee to live." It was so sad to hear. Both of his parents died and his brother lives in Sao Paulo. He planning to live with a friend.
Mom: What can we do to help him? How did his parents die? He can come live in the states. Is it hard for them to do that?
Cam: I don't know how they died or when. There isn't really anything we can do to help. It is hard for them to get a visa. and he is mad that Trump won because he doesn't know how it will be to get there now!
Mom: That breaks my heart. Well, if we can do anything and he can get here, our home is open. You know how I feel about things like this. I hope he likes his Christmas. I saw cuter beanie hats after we sent your package but I guess if he doesn't have much he will like what I sent. We pretty much sent him everything your getting!
I sent dad the email about Neves and he said he could live with us too. We would help him however we could.
Thank you son for changing my life son !
I LOVE YOU sooooo much!
Cameron: yeah I know it is sad. We stayed up till like 1:00 am that night talking. I felt so bad for him. I told him that he could live with us...
Mom: Dad said he is writing Neves an e-mail. I love that! Grammy said she stayed up the other night and emailed you and then wrote a two page letter and mailed it. They love this experience so much. We all miss you like crazy but it's crazy how awesome it is at the same time!
Why haven't you told me you love me? Have I done something? I know I can be overbearing and I'm trying really hard but still struggle a tad bit...
Cam: No mom you haven't done anything. I love you mom and am so grateful for you!
Mom: I know you are Bubba, it's just so nice to hear when you are so far away and I worry like I do. I wish I could make everything perfect for you and I can't.
Cam: I know! But just know that I love you!
Mom: Thanks Cameron! I Love you and want you to always remember that and chances are if you are struggling, I'm praying at that exact moment for you. I put your name in the temple along with all the other missionary friends. I'm going to set a goal to go at least twice a month. Weekly would be even better. Dee Hardy and all the Hardy's were at Logan's farewell. He ended by saying now I'd like to bare my testimony in Spanish. Then, he said just kidding maybe when I get back.... Ha!
Cameron: haha! Logan. How is Dee doing? So he is able to come to church now?
Mom: What does Neves think he is going to do when his mission is over? So, when is he going home? When would be his official day to really go home? How are your district leaders and when do you have meetings?
Cam: I feel bad for Dee missing Edna. Neves is going home in December. If he stayed it would be July. Neves is our district leader. We meet once a week.
Giovanna the sister of Ana that messaged you bought this for us... haha!
Cameron's group e-mail:
Hello everyone!! This week was a little better still hot hot hot hot. We got 2 more missionaries in the Colina Ward. They are both Brazilians from Sao Paulo. I am the only American at home. It helps with my Portuguese though to talk with them. There was a bar-b-q at the church Tuesday for a holiday. The food was good at the time but later made me, my companion, and 2 other families that I know about sick. So that wasn't the best. We had a 2 young men come to church that we haven't taught so that is awesome! Hopefully we will be able to teach them this week and hope that everything works out great. I hope that you all have a Happy Thanksgiving and be safe!! The two videos are from the ward activity with
karaoke. Everyone wanted me to sing in English. There is a picture of the horses that just roam everywhere. There are quite a few. The other photos are with investigators who love to take pictures on my camera and with me!! The kid in the stripes is Elizeu, Carlas brother. The kid in the orange I don't know, he is their friend.
Ok, I LOVE this! I am crying... I know it doesn't take a lot, but still. It makes my heart sooo happy to see how these people love you. It's just crazy that my son lives in Brazil and teaches the gospel everyday. I am such a proud mama! It is the BEST! But missing you is the WORST!!! Even those sisters miss you.
Do you have a dryer there or do you just hang the clothes out to dry. I didn't wrap all the Christmas. You can keep what you want give what you want. I didn't put any names on because you know the people and can decide. I sent some extra things just like Christmas PEZ candy dispensers etc. I wish I could be there so bad. The best Christmas gift ever will be to talk to you! Did you see how I put your picture in the center of our tree?
Ya! I did. Well, I have got to go... thank you for all that you have done! I love you so much! Have a good Thanksgiving I will be thinking of you!! love you!!
I will be thinking of you! I LOVE you and hope things just keep getting better and better. I LOVE my son sooo much! I'm proud to be your mom
