January 30, 2016


Cam:  Hi mom, I am here.



Mom:  Hi Cam, How are you?
Cam:  I am doing ok.
Mom:  What is new this week?
Cam: Luis and Christina are back together.  They really want to be baptized and are doing great.
Mom: I am so glad.  My heart was so sad for Luis.  Why did she leave?
Cam: No, they are all separate. Fernando is 8 and Gostavo is his friend that lives by him. Claudiana's daughter is a member and referred her.  Algosto was a contact.  Rone's mom is also a member.
Me, Lucas, and his dad Fernando





Cam:  I don't know but they are both way into reading the Book of Mormon. Christina read the chapter we left her twice before the next day when we came. They came to church then went to lunch with us at a member's home. It was good. They got a house and this month we are paying for them to fix it up because they don't have any money. Then, the ward is getting some food together for them.
Mom: WOW!  That must feel good to help people like that.  I live for Mondays and hearing from you.  I wish I was home and not at the school.  This is the first time since Christmas that I haven't been home since snow days etc.  Cameron Earnest started his mission papers!

Cam: I heard that.  I am excited for him, that is so awesome!

Mom: I guess Logan is pretty homesick from what Michelle said.  You should send him an e-mail and give him some encouragement.  I don't know how you can prepare anyone to do what you missionaries go through.  I think you're all awesome though.  Especially my son! Did you hear about Annie's cheer and her date?

Cam: I did hear.  I will e-mail him but I don't know if I am the one that can help him very much since I am still homesick.

Mom: You have made it bud and you are doing good things! What strategies have you learned? Choose to be positive and happy!  Focus on the good!  I believe in you! I am just trying to help you and words and prayers is what I can offer.  It is hard for me too.  If you only knew and one day when you're a parent you'll understand.  I know it is hard but it is going to bless your life if you let it. You are just getting to your sixth month.  Most people say it took six months to even feel o.k. with things.  You are accomplishing that!  We can do this a week at a time.  You are my Elder Cameron L Jensen and you can do hard things!  

What are some other cool things this week?

Carla sent me a picture saying she missed you!  Think if you wouldn't have met them.  Look at the impact they made in your life and you in theirs!  There are people like her and Luis and Christina that need what you have. You are planting seeds and may even get to watch some grow!

Believe me it isn't the same here.  Ask those that are here.  Things are different.  Everyone but a few have gone their own ways.  It is hard.  I hate changes but it is good for us.  We would get discouraged and bored if we didn't have changes and growth to challenge us.

Do you know how much I love you and pray for you?

Cam: Yes, I know mom and thank you for all you do to support me. Since you love me can you put beef jerky, Sour Patch Kids, pistachios, Flamming Hot Cheetos, and Reeses Fast Break candy bars in a package for me, oh and that stain removal thing in the picture last week?

Mom: Yes, except beef jerky won't make it through customs. I think that is why your other packages didn't make it... Brody Wells has asked his mom how you were in his last couple e-mails.  Aimee told him you had homesickness and he said he prays for you.   Latisha put your name in the temple.  There are so many people praying and thinking of you.  You are truly an example to all of us and we love you more for the sacrifice you're making.  I know it isn't easy!  He said there is a lot of witch craft and voodoo in the Philippines. He said people get possessed and it is scary.  Apparently his apartment is haunted.  Eggs will break, they hear footsteps at night, lights will randomly turn off and on.  He thinks it is funny.  His companion is scared out of his mind.  He is going to buy a witch cutout figure and put it in the bathroom in the night. Ha! Aimee is just dying.  

Cam: Dang it!  I really wanted beef jerky but just send a lot of candy or what you can.  Oh Brody... Ha! He is so funny!

Mom: Ok!  I will get it ready tomorrow and send it. I will make the box and purchase the stuff today so I can mail tomorrow.  Ok? When are the next transfers?

Cam: Thanks mom! Transfers are next week, so pray for a new companion!!!

Mom: ok!  But remember prayers aren't always answered in the way we want.  We have to be open to him and trust him.  He doesn't want to see us hurt but he does want to see us grow.   Please tell me about your week and all the good that has happened.  I sure love my CAM! How is cute Lucas?  Does he love you as much as Carla's kids?

Cam: I know Lucas likes me but he just bites me...

Mom: I can't wait to come to Brazil.  It is what keeps me going besides your e-mails. Who else are you teaching?  

Cam: We are teaching Fernando, Claudiana, Algosto, and Rone.


Mom:  Tell me about them.  Are they all one family?  How did you get them as investigators?

Cam: I love you have a good week. Love You!

Mom: I love you so very much and will pray every second for you. Keep your chin up and give yourself credit for what you are doing!

GROUP E-MAIL:

Hello everyone, this week was good.  Our 2 investigators Luis and Christina are progressing and want to be baptized. We will have some work to do with them like getting them married but they are reading the Book of Mormon and going to church so that is good. Not much else happened this week. We did a split with some of the young men in the ward which was fun. 

Lucas with my name tag 

January 23, 2017

Cam: I am here.

Mom: Good morning/afternoon Cam! School has been delayed 2 hours because of the crazy snow, so I'll be able to e-mail you for a bit.

Cam: Dang, the weather there is crazy.

Mom:  The first snow day was fun and now the snow is pretty but can be somewhat of a pain. What was your week like?

Cam:  It was OK.  I had a split with Elder Batten and it was way fun!  We just get a long way good!

Mom: I love getting a positive from you!  That's good and just think you will find that again.  What about the peeps you were teaching that didn't come to church?

Cam:  Well, Christina (Luis girlfriend) left drunk and hasn't been back for 6 days.  He has been freaking out...  I hugged him and he just cried yesterday.

Mom:  Were they having problems?  Have they been together a long time?  That's what alcohol can do...  That makes my heart hurt.  What about the others?  Did you see the pictures of Karla's boys I sent?

Cam:  Yeah, I miss that family so much.  They seemed to be doing good.  I don't know how long they have been together.

Mom:  Maybe she'll come to her senses and maybe this is what is best?!?!  I'll be excited to meet Karla too. How is the biter Lucas?  Annie thought it was a dog until she saw the video.  How are the others you taught? Did I tell you Grammy's brother, Bud died?

Cam:  The biter Lucas is crazy.  He's a fireball!  The others are fine but still didn't come to church. Yeah, that is sad about Bud.  How is Grammy?

Mom:  So can you still teach them since they didn't come to church?  Grammy is OK but pretty sad.  I took her to the cheer competition with me Saturday just to get her our.  Marge is doing good, just stir crazy from being in the house since surgery. When are transfers again?

Cam:  We can still teach them but after a while of them not coming we stop because they aren't progressing.  That is sad for grammy.  I will pray for her.  Poor Marge.  Transfers are in 2 weeks.

Mom;  Do you think you'll stay with Natan and in your same area?  Have you talked to Neves at all?

Cam:  Yeah, I think we will stay. President hinted to me that I will stay in this area for awhile.

Mom:  Oh really?  What did he say?  So, I guess you better make yourself comfortable.  I fed Charlie a few times when dad was gone. She's funny and sure wants to play.  The roads to SLC Saturday were treacherous!!!  I' ready to come to Brazil.  I love the snow but I wish it could be like 60 degrees.  Ha! Tell me something new.  What was so fun about Batten?

Cam:  He just made it sound like I will be here for awhile.  I have got to be good friends with the stake president and his family.  I LOVE them!

Mom:  That's good news.  Tell me who is in their family, names and ages. You sound good Cam!!!

Cam:  I am OK.  There is Genivaldo the dad and the mom Gardenia probably both about 41.  Then there is their son Generson 17, Genilson 16, Gabbi 12, and Gabriel 8.  I am way close with the 16 year old and tel him he is my brother-in-law and is going to marry Annie.  Ha Ha we went to a river with him and Gostavo today and walked through like a jungle and saw monkeys.

Genilson is a member and my good friend

 

The way to the river and the river

Mom: You should send a picture of them.  What is the burger place that you like called and what do you get there?  Are you being kind to your companion?

Cam:  Yes I am being kind.  The burger place is called Marios.  I get a bacon burger. Have you sent a package lately?

Mom:  Dad sent one last week.  I'm sending you a Valentine one with the Plan of Salvation stuff this week.  Do you need something?

Cam:  I sent a picture of some Spray n' Wash stuff, lots of jerky, and lots of peanut butter!

Mom:  I'll see what I can do.  I sure miss you and I'm glad to hear you are doing better.  I love you and miss you very much!  Go do the work you are meant to do and remember I am praying for you!!!

Cam:  Thanks mom.  I love you!  Have a good week,  Talk to you soon!

GROUP E-MAIL

Hello everyone! How are you all? I hope that you are all enjoying the snow for me because I am here sweating to death. This week was an ok week. I went on a split with the zone leader, Elder Batten from Oregon and it was great. He is way cool and I learned a lot from him to help the people. We weren't able to contact Roni one of our investigators so we are hoping we can this week. Luis is good but his girlfriend left and hasn't came home for 6 days so he has been worried and sad. We are teaching a mom of a member and she is good but she didn't come to church yesterday which was a disappointment. Today for p-day a couple of young men took us to a river it was awesome. We walked through like a forest to get to it and seen some monkeys so that was awesome. It sucked not being able to swim with them due to rules of the mission. 

SNAIL MAIL RECEIVED 1/14/17 and Cameron it was postmarked Dec 26 (not to mention he had written it before then).  Thank goodness for e-mail!!!

Dear Mom,

     How are you doing?  How is your class this year?  Do you like them?  Here in Maceio it is really hot everyday!  The sun is super hot!  Today I found out that Trump won president!  That is not good. World War III will be happening soon...  He is sooo crazy!  Well I miss you guys so so so much! I cannot wait til I can be back with you guys! I am especially excited to have you guys in Brazil to show you around and meet the people that I've grown to love!  I am doing better, it gets better with time, but some days are just hard!  I read a thing that said, "realize that homesickness means you are fortunate enough to have a fantastic family, so be grateful instead of mournful."  I love that a lot so thank you for being a great family that I love so much! This is hard but will bring so many blessings to mine and our families lives! Thank you for being the best mom and all you've done for me!  I love you so very much, I know I didn't show it, but I love you and I am grateful for you!

Love,

Elder Jensen

Mom,
     Hi mom, how are you doing?  Today is December 15, only 10 more days til skyping!  I cannot wait!  How is your class and school this year?  How is everything going with that?  That is awesome that Cameron and Bayleigh are interning for you.  They are both cool, so that is fun.  How is Cameron with the students?  Do they like him?  You said Bayleigh is there when the students aren't. So, what does she do? Neves and I are helping for a baptism this Sunday.  Her name is Karol.  She is 15 years old.  She keeps changing her mind about it, so hopefully she can realize that this is the right choice and will be baptized.  Carla is doing good.  I wasn't sure if she'd stay active after me and Neves left, but she reads O Livro de Mormon every night.  She says how she loves it and how interesting it is.  She writes down questions she has and we answer them and help her understand.  Right now her oldest son Caua is with his dad and could be there until February cause it's summer break.  So he'll stay til he wants to come back home.  I miss him!  He is the funnest!  Right now it is Spring going into Summer and it is already so, so, so, hot.  I hope that you guys will be able to come and pick me up!  Love you so much and thank you for all you do!

Love,

Elder Jensen

January 16, 2017

GROUP E-MAIL

This week was good. We had good lessons and all, but none of them went to church so that was a disappointment. We will work with them this week and if we can't get them to church we will have to start finding new people to teach. It was announced that Elder D Todd Christoffersen of the twelve is coming to the mission in March so that will be awesome! It was also announced that we are getting close to getting tablets in the mission, so we will see if that happens!

Me, Elder Cruz and Bernardo as super heros.

 Me and Gostavo (he is a member) behind his house.

 Me and Lucas.  He is crazy and likes to bite...

Cameron:  Hi, mom.  This week we had good lessons but none of the people we taught went to church.  We even stopped by and no one was home. So, it is their last chance this week and if they don't go we will have to stop teaching them. Keep them in your prayers.

Mom: That has to be frustrating but remember you are still planting a seed.  Remember to be positive Bubba and with that smile you'll make connections.

Cameron: I have a new friend Gostavo that is a member.  He is cool!

Mom:  You mentioned him last week right? A teenager?  So, do you thing the people you taught felt the spirit?

Cameron:  Ya, he is a teenager.  I thought we had really good lessons and they said they fill the spirit.

Mom;  How is the ward?  Are they still helpful?

Cameron: Yes, they are good. I had an interview with the president this week and it was good.  I talked to Carla last night. Elder Batten who I talked to before I left stayed at our house Friday night.  I am going on a split with him this Wednesday.

Mom: How is Carla?  Refresh my memory on Elder Batten.

Cam: Carla is good.  She hasn't been going to church because she works on Sundays.  Elder Batten one that I talked with before I left on my mission.  He is way cool. 

Mom:  I guess I didn't realize there was another beside Neves.  I am glad you like him.  It's good Carla has a job but a bummer she works on Sundays.  I hope she holds to the rod.

Cam: I talked to 2 Americans and Neves before my mission. They were in Maceio already when I found that they were serving in my mission I e-mailed them.  Batten goes home in June.  He is my zone leader.  Oh, some other big news is D. Todd Christoffersen is coming in March.  The president also told us we were close to getting tablets here in this mission, so they gave us a rule book.  Time will tell...

Mom; Okay so Batten is American.  Where is he from?  That is cool news.  I bet the spirit will be strong in that meeting. What is the plan to find new people to teach this week? I sure LOVE you!

Cam: Love you. We will get some help from members and meet people in the streets.

I am going to go.  I hope you have a good week.  I love you!

Mom:  I love you too!!!  Smile because your mom loves you and chances are I'm thinking about you and praying for you whenever you feel down.  But, we put smiles on our faces and one foot in front of the other and do good things there.  Remember we are coming to see you in Brazil, so do a lot of good there. 

Cam:  Thanks mom and I love you!

January 9, 2017

*Before this e-mail I did reach out to Cam and share with him my thoughts and feelings about him struggling with homesickness.  I had a friend share a letter someone they knew wrote their son along with a story when he was struggling. Long story short there were these settlers in search of a new land to settle. They found this territory and had packed all of their belongings to be able to make a home. One of the settlers went and burnt all their boats.  The other men asked why he would do that and now they were stranded there.  He told them they weren't stranded unless they thought of it that way; yet if they would leave everything they knew before behind and give all of one's self to settling here they would have success. The letter went on to tell the Elder that if we don't burn our boats on a mission and eliminate all possible retreat, we will always have something to fall back on in the back of our minds...

I shared some other words and things people had shared with me.  It has humbled me to see how many people truly want these missionaries to be successful and will do anything to help them.  So many friends that have recently returned from missions and even return missionaries that are parents to Cam's friends.  They let me know that it is hard, very hard, but that Cameron can do hard things.  I found comfort in everybody's words.

I asked family and friends to fast on Sunday that Cameron may find the strength to find where he was lacking happiness and/or comfort.  Today's e-mail was sooo much better.  Don't get me wrong, Cam has some work to do but he is convinced to do it.  I have been so proud this whole 4+ months with the determination my son has had even when he has felt low.  As I had some of those return missionaries share words and thoughts with me, it truly made me realize that unless you have done it you don't realize how leaving your family, friends, country, language, and anything you know is so difficult!

Thank you everyone!  Continue to pray for Elder Jensen and all of those who are serving missions.  It is such a selfless act of service and it takes an enormous amount of strength and courage.  I do believe our Heavenly Father wants all of his missionaries to succeed and grow.  I am so thankful at this time for my faith and testimony.  I am also very thankful for an awesome support system!

As a mom I felt the vibe that though he isn't totally himself, he is going to be ok and he is where he belongs...

The e-mails...

Mom:  I sure wish I was in Brazil.  This place is a  mess with beautiful snow but now rain that is freezing everything. This is our second snow day which is fun but then they also sent a notice saying they'd let us know when to make these snow days up...  Poor dad in all of this.  They even sent out emergency calls saying to get the snow off your roof.  Some spots measure 20 inches.

Church was good yesterday.  I loved fasting and focusing on you.  Everything from Jed's opening prayer praying for missionaries to Sharon's testimony on faith through trials with missionaries... It is as if the testimonies and messages were meant for me.

So tell me about your companion, ward members, and investigators.

Cam: We have a family of 4 that we contacted in the street who want to be baptized.  A family of two and his mom is a member and she took us there yesterday.  Then we also had two separate men from a contact.

Mom:  Awesome!  Tell me the names and approximate ages of the families so we can include them in our prayers. Also, tell me about the mom that took you to the family to be taught.  Is she in your ward or how did she hookup with you?

Cam:  There is Luis and Christina that are 35ish, Lillian 15, and Myuni that is 12. Luis is out of work right now and we have asked the ward for some food donations for them.  Agugsto is 26, liked church and we teach him tomorrow. Cicero 45, Edivaldo and his wife 25.  I know the mom from my ward.

Mom:  There are some reasons right there why you got transferred.  What about your house and ward?

Cam:  The house is nicer than my other one and the ward is good, they help more.  But, I still like the Colina Ward more.

Mom: You will grow to love them too.  You just got attached to Colina Ward and are now in a new place.  I don't know maybe Colina will end up always being your favorite in the end?!?!

I am excited for the Earnest, Travis, Jaxon, and Bayleigh to get their mission calls.  It seems so far away but then again close.

Are the homes and economy the same as Colina War?

Cam:  It is nicer here but close to the same.

Mom:  Tell me about Natan and his family etc.

Cam: He is ok.  He is better than I thought but still a little weird.  His family isn't members just him and his sister.

Mom: Wow!  He may be a little weird but he's brave...How did he and his sister get to be members? How are his parents with him serving a mission?

Cam:  They were taught by the missionaries and he said they are fine with it.

Mom: How old was he when he was converted?  What religion was he before?

Cam: He was 15 and he was Catholic.

Mom: It amazes me that he was converted not too long ago and his family members are not members yet; he devotes two years of his life to being a missionary.  I think you're lucky to have him as a companion (weird or not).  Heavenly Father is there for me, you and everyone that has the faith.  I have always been jealous of those that have served missions and had that extra experience to contribute to their faith.  Now I have a son that is a missionary and I see the huge sacrifice for the elder and his family but I believe in the blessings that will come.  I'm going to record Earnests opening their calls and anyone else that invites me. I love having Cam and Bayleigh come to the school.  They look up to you a lot and it makes me proud.

Cam:  Yeah, for sure record them and whoever else.  I would love to hear them open their calls.

Mom:  Ok, tell me about some of the members.  Whose house have you eaten at? What is the bishopric like?

Cam; The bishop is way good.  He is young and wants to help us a lot but he works all the time.  The members are all old.  There is this one kid named Gostavo.  He was baptized a year ago and is preparing to go on a mission this year.  He helps us a lot.

Mom: What is the bishop's name?  It is nice to know the bishop and ward are so helpful.

Cam: His name is Bruno and he is like 27.

Mom:  Remind me what the names of the other missionaries in your house are.  Were you able to take take your Christmas tree or at least some of the pictures?

Cam:  I kept the whole tree.  Elder Natan (my companion) and Elder Cruz and Gorsegner. You know how I told you I met my future wife that one Sunday?  This is a picture of her.

Mom: Grandpa John and Grammy are going on a two week cruise with the Grovers to the Southern Caribbean. It is to places we have never been.  Tell me something you haven't told me.

Cam:  That sounds like a lot of fun! So Luis (the dad of the family of four) wants to get baptized.  He wants his family to also.  He isn't married to Christian the mom of his kids so first off they need to get married. Well Luis was drunker than a skunk Saturday and kept hugging me and kissing my hand saying thanks for bringing this spirit to his home. Unfortunately he didn't come to church the next day because he had a hangover and she was sick too.

Mom; I love you!

Cam:  I love you!  I will talk to you next week.  Have a good week.  Love you!!!

Mom:  I love you so much Bubba!  Have an awesome week. I will continue to pray for you.

Cam: Thanks!

Mom: Thank you...

Cameron's group e-mail:

Hello everyone hope that everyone is doing good, staying warm and safe with this cold weather and snow. It is crazy to think how cold it is there and I am sweating to death here. This week was good we found a lot of investigators. There was Luis and Christian and their kids. They want to be baptized but aren't married so we will have to get them married first. There is Cicero he is a good guy and he is 45 and pretty receptive. The hard thing is that he usually works Sundays. Then, Augusto was a contact Saturday night and we invited him to church the next day and he came and said he liked it. We have an appointment with him Tuesday. Edivaldo and his wife were a reference from his mom who is a member in our ward. They are really good and interested but not married. So once again more work to get them married.

Photos:

 We walked through a farm and took pictures with the Book of Mormon.

Here are some pictures of mine and Elder Natan's area.  There are horses everywhere in random places doing random things such as eating garbage...

We were at the stake presidents house visiting people with him and his son was playing volleyball so we played to get trust and to talk to his friends. 

​

January 2, 2017

Cam: I’m here.

Mom: You should see what I am driving in.  It’s insane.  Then I thought you would e-mail later or I wouldn’t have taken these kids to the ski bus.  Bug is e-mailing for me. How is your house? Is it worse or better?

Cam: My companion is from Curitiba, Brazil. His name is Elder Natan and he has been out 9 months.  He is really weird. It’s close to the same here but a lot of condos, residential areas, and apartment type homes.  We are further inland. Our house is better.  The ward and ward members are good.

Mom; Well, it’s a new year.  Put a smile on your face and I promise it will be full of many blessings.  Love you.  You can do it. Why is your companion weird? How are you this week?

Cam: Things are ok I still have been struggling… This week we just got to know the area and members and tried to find investigators by making contacts in the street. My companion will just say random things and I’ll ask him what he said and he just says that it’s his own language.

Mom: Your group e-mail said you talked in sacrament.  Tell me about it.

Cam: My new Bishop asked me and my companion to talk in sacrament on Sunday.  I talked on the scripture D&C 18;10 Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God.  I want to do good mom but I’m just struggling so bad.  You don’t know how hard it is.

Mom: You’re right I don’t. But, I want you to think of everyone that has struggled. I don't think there is anyone that said they didn't when they served a mission. Yet they don’t say that or reminisce on that unless we ask them if they were homesick or struggled. When they get home they are glowing and just want to remember the joy they had. I saw joy when asking you about things on Christmas. I also have heard joy in your emails. There are people needing you more than we need you right now. I take that back, we need you to serve that mission you accepted and do it with all your might, mind, and strength. Think of this scripture you talked on.  You are an instrument for Heavenly Father to let some of these people know their worth.  You have amazing work to do Cam. I love you!

Cam: ok, I love you!

Mom: I know you need to be there. You will truly never forgive yourself. You have Cooper, the Earnests, Tristan, Shawn, and many others looking to you for leadership and example. The adversary is only as strong as you let it be. You know I love and miss you but you also know where you need to be and what you need to do! I believe in you Cam and so does Heavenly Father. Colina Ward believes in you! I do know that it's not harder than what you can do. You would be so down on yourself here. It's sad to say but it's not the same. Your buddies are out putting their best foot forward just like you. Seriously you need to think of how blessed and lucky you are.  Promise me you will have a good week and you will try your hardest to focus on what the Lord needs you to do.

Cam: : I know mom, I think that too.  I will try.

Mom:  Do more than try. You need to make lots of friends because I'm coming to Brazil to get my son and I want to meet these peeps. I love the jersey! Who gave it to you? Just think if you wouldn't have gone on a mission or served in that area. Heavenly Father places you where you're needed. I believe that.

Cam: Karla’s brothers.  Their names are Elizeu and Elias. Thanks mom and I love and appreciate you more than you know.

Mom: Actually I do know but it is so nice to have it said and I love you for that.  You are a great missionary and touched so many hearts in Colina Ward.  Now you have been placed somewhere else and you need to find those that need you there and leave them with a little piece of Elder Cameron Jensen’s smile and love of the church!

Group e-mail:

Hello everyone. I hope that you all had a Happy New Year!! Everyone make goals for this upcoming year. Every day we need to work to be better and without goals we have nothing to reach for or to work for. Every day we need to become more like Christ, through living this gospel and following the example of Christ we will be happy. I am in the Bendito, Bentes Ward, it is good and the members are all nice. My companion Elder Natan from Curitiba, Brazil and I are both new to the area so we both know nothing and no one. So, we worked with some members to get to know other members and talked with a lot of people in the streets to find people to teach.  We both had talks in sacrament yesterday that went well so that is good. 

Pictures from my new area:

A family that had us to their home for a New Year's Celebration, me and Elder Natan in our new home.

pictures:

Saying goodbye to my last area. They gave me a jersey of a team here to remember them.