August 21, 2017

Hello Everyone,

This week was great we had a great conference.  President Taylor and his wife talked about Christ like attributes.  I personally loved it.  I learned how Christ loved every single one of us no matter who we are.  Elder Costa talked about conversion and how we can help people convert to the gospel of Christ.  This gospel is perfect and I am thankful for it and the part it plays in my life.

So this week is transfers, I will be transferred to the other to the state of Sergipe.  I will be a dad!!!  In the mission we say when you are training someone you are their dad.  So, I will be training and I am so excited for the opportunities I will have!

 My friends from my old ward

My Brazil Parents

My companion Elder Medeiras burning his pants for 18 months on the mission.  Me burning a shirt for one year on the mission!!!

A bat got in our house and I got the broom and cracked a home run and I killed the guy... ha! ha!

mom and Cam e-mails"

Cam,

Soooo?  Where are you going and who is the new companion?  You will do great wherever you go and any companion is lucky to get you.  It will be hard once again to those you've grown to love, "see you soon" but imagine how every transfer has touched you and those people.  Heavenly  Father knows where he needs you!

Today is the first day of school.  If I don't e-mail back and forth you'll know why.  That doesn't mean you are not on my mind.  I rarely make it a week without a few crocodile tears from missing and worrying about you.  I am very happy you are doing what you are though.  I want so much for your future and family to be the best it can and you are already making sacrifices for them.  

Church was great yesterday.  Jenny had all the young women meet together and she gave us a speech about making this school year great.  She reminded us that kindness matters and to put a smile on our face.  Katie got her young womanhood today.  They let the other girls do her projects.  I seriously have never seen Katie glowing like this.  She smiled and laughed.  After Jenny talked to us we went to the tabernacle to get pictures with the temple in the background for Katie.  She was darling.  When I walked out of the yw room she said, "Nicole I like you and want to go with you."  Of course I let her and then when we got in the car after the temple she looked at me with the most sincere smile and said, "Oh Nicole I Love you, you're my favorite"!  I leaned over and hugged her and cried.  She will be leaving yw now and boy that girl has taught me a lot.  I love her and I am thankful for the opportunity I had to server her.

Dad gave us all blessings today.  We thought about last year before your mission, how you gave us a blessing.  I of course cried but felt this surge of energy because you're over half way now!!!

The fair was fun.  Hot, busy, and crazy people.  Annie, Cooper, and Tristan's pig didn't make it.  UGH!  Just Halle and Bennett Ellsworth.  Bennett got $950 and Halle got $900.  Can you believe it???  This was the highest year yet.  Premium meat bought Bennetts and Shane Holmgren bought Halle's.  Bennett loved his blue ribbon and his $6.  He would've been happy after the show on Thursday to be done.  Dad let them stay over in the trailer two nights.  Even Oliver the 3 year old.  The girls helped but still pretty brave.  I had them from 1:00-11:00 yesterday too.  Janica rode out to the show with me Wednesday and told me a lot of people offer to help but us just coming and taking the kids has been a great blessing and help.  It made me feel so happy to hear know we have helped somehow.  I told her the boys were a blessing to us too and I couldn't wait for them to meet you.  We tell them about  you all the time and Ollie will say things about Cameron.  You will love that kid!

I was at school and the fair all week and I am exhausted.  I think it will be easier for school to start. ha! I am excited for my new spanish teacher BreAnne Driesel.   Then, Alison Montgomery that is BreAnne's same age and they go to the singles ward together and she was there the last 2 years. Aimee Wells is the other 2nd grade teacher and that makes me so happy!!!  

It was the Bear River game Friday night.  We LOST!  The first time in 7 years.  It was so bad Cam... Dad and I sat by the Earnests and Dicksons.  Jackson wrecked on his bike!  Cameron has been in a car wreck his companion driving.  Dad just laughed and shook his head.  Travis is doing great and told his dad that he has never smiled so much! 

Grandpa John, Marge, and Leon came to the show Wednesday.  Grandpa john helped luke with his Eagle project. Brenda and Claire came up.  Dad and I took the boys and went out and had a bite to eat with them last night at the fair.  Annie came with us but then we left her and Seth gave her a ride home.  Halle went to the rodeo and when dad went to get the truck and the trailer he picked them up.   I am glad she started volleyball because she is expanding those wings.  

Sara got a new car...  I am not sure if she can drive it yet or not.  Idaho is a little weird.  I don't talk to them hardly ever (totally my fault too) but I try to text to remind them I love them.

Cara Dailey has been ill but will go to work tomorrow.  I am not sure what but something with medicines.

We have new missionaries but we haven't met them yet.  We saw Remfrey with his companion.  It was so good to see him.  Him and Mergens are both in Tremonton but have different companions. We told Remfrey we would take him and his companion to dinner before he went home in November. We saw Mergens at the fair with his companion.  He asked to extend his mission by three months and he got a month and a half. It was good to see him.

I am starting to read the Book of Mormon again tonight.  Jenny told us to make a spiritual, educational, and social goal.  I am going to read the book of mormon 5 out of 7 nights a week at least.  I am going to set a goal to pick two students that can progress and show progress by November.  My social goal is to worry about myself and making the right choices and not others who don't and to just be kind.  I thought if i share them with you they will become more concrete.

Next Monday is Labor Day so I will be home to e-mail you, if I don't get to today.  I am like 3 weeks behind on your blog and people have asked me.  Monday night I actually think I can have an hour or two to catch it up.

Did you get your package?  I found a guy in SLC on the missionary mom page that goes to Brazil a lot cheaper than the lady I had bring your package at Christmas!  So, i will send one for your birthday and Christmas.  If you don't get this other one i will need to send that stuff again but hopefully you do!!!  Make a note of what else you or others need.  You can always e-mail me too.

Don't forget a letter for Becky Bown.

I LOVE you and I don't think you have any idea how a mom loves her children but it is 100 times more than you could ever imagine.  I love you and would do anything for you.  I am always thinking and praying for you.  Smile and do the work.  There are people waiting to hear from you!

If your sad about leaving that is normal and o.k.  Just remember you were sad to leave Carla and the boys and look what the transfers have brought you.  You got this!  We will be talking again in just a few months and i can't wait.

LOVE YOU BUBBA,

MOM

Cam: So, I am going to Sergipe another state. The area is Estancia. It is a branch. I will train a new missionary. I will see who it is tomorrow. I will be district leader.  I am glad it was a good week and fair for you.

Mom: Wow! That is awesome Cam...  I am so proud of you.  I wish you could feel how much.  District leader is an honor and you are a leader.  Let me know who your new greenie is and how it goes.  I will pray for you. Summer is over and I am teaching in a few minutes.  I am sorry that I can't continue e-mailing.  I love you! Good luck tomorrow and I am thinking of you.  I love you son!

Cam:  Thank you.  Have fun!  I will talk to next week. Oh and look at Sister Taylor's Facebook page.  Her name is Patty Taylor and the Mission President if Mark Taylor.  Also, can  you send the branch president a 2XL Utah Jazz shirt and some jerky with Phillip?

Mom:  I will for sure look.  Do you like them?  I will send that stuff with Phillip or a guy I found in SLC that is a better price than the lady I used last year at Christmas.

Cam:  Thanks mom for all you do!  I do like them a lot... Love you.

Mom:  I love you Cam! 

August 14, 2017

Elder Jensen's group e-mail:

Hello everyone!!! The last couple weeks have been pretty good.  I have just been working. We have a lot of investigators progressing that we are looking to baptize soon. So this week we are having a conference with Elder Joaquin Costa he talked in the last conference about how he was dating a girl and she said she would only marry in the temple so he started receiving the missionary visits. It is a great talk, look it up. He is the second counselor of the Brazil area authorities. It will be great to have a visit from him and be spiritually fed!!!! Yesterday we had 10 investigators at church which was so great. We are looking at a baptism this week if everything goes as planned. Today we went and visited a waterfall which was awesome! There are some photos below.  One year tomorrow!!! I am so grateful for the opportunity that I have to serve and spread the happiness that this gospel brings. I am happy for the year I had and excited for one more!! 

Mom:  Oh my Happy HUMP Day!  I love that tomorrow is they day.  I hope you like the pictures we did.  Shad and Tyson stopped by and visited last night.  It was so fun to chat with them.  I just text Devin to see if he had your release date and he said August 7th of next year but it may change.

Cam:  I already know it is different because of a 5 week transfer. It should be July 31st but we will see.  I  checked Utah State and next year and it starts August 27th. Can you get what needs to be done taken care of?

Mom:  That just made my day/month/year!!!  I will take you as early as I can get you.  There is a total eclipse today.  It can be seen at like 95% here.  Places in Idaho it is close to 100%. The traffic is horrible and people act like it is the end of the world.  It is cool but oh my....

Cam:  I hope I can work for a little bit to get some money before school starts.  That is cool.  Is it going to get completely dark? I haven't heard anything about it here. 

Mom:  I know Chris misses you and would love to have you. Especially since Tristan will probably be gone on his mission.  I will try to take some pictures of the eclipse and send to you.

Cam:  I want to come back for Valmir and Edivana's sealing but I don't know if it will work with school and work.  I hope.

Mom:  I didn't know they had this as a goal.  I would love for you to be there.  Your knock on their door changed their lives. So, tell me are you glad you chose to serve a mission. What is the most important thing you have learned on your mission this far?

Cam: I am glad I chose to serve and the most important thing is family! I have liked seeing how it has changed Edivana and Valmir's family.

Mom: That is so very awesome...  Their marriage, conversion, temple  makes your whole mission!  Amazing. Is Karla still active or how are things there? Neves got a letter from a college in Illinois to  take to the consulate that offers him a scholarship etc.

Cam: No, she has stopped going.  I hope Neves comes.  He will be like the brother I never had but always wanted.

Mom:  He loves you too and acts like he has been in the family forever. I love you and I hope you have a great week.  Thanks for opening up and talking with me.  It helps my momma heart.  Be careful and know I love and miss you.  

Cam: Your welcome!  I love you and have a good week.

August 7, 2017

I hope that you all had a great week. This week was great. I spent it just working and having fun. We had district meeting Wednesday in Maceio which was great.  We talked about how we can close our people that we have to baptism. It was a great meeting. After me and my comp had the great opportunity to watch Jose Wanderson (junior) get set a part as a missionary. The mission president asked me to to share a few words with him. In our house we have a poster that says lose your self in the work and put your hand out and help those that are tired and need help, from president Gordon B. Hinckley. So I shared this with him to lose himself in the work and help those that are needing the help. After we got to have interviews with the mission president which was great he is a great man and example to me. The rest of the week was just work. 

3 nephi 14:7

7 Ask, and it shall be given unto you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

I was reading this in my personal study this week and read this scripture. So today I wanted to share it with you all. This is talking about prayer and telling us that if we ask it will be given to us. This is a great thing for us to remember. Our father in heaven is always there for us and wants to hear from us. We are his children. This doesn't mean that we will always receive answers the way we want but he helps us in they way we need.  This is something we need to remember. He we will always do what is best for us.

This Picture was Posted on FaceBook 7/2/2017

What a blessing it is you knocked on this door.  You helped them to get married and then to baptize them.  This family is so thankful for you!

July 31, 2017

mom: What a week!  The trek was great and testimonies grew. Dad really enjoyed it, in fact they asked him to speak.  He did amazing.  I sent you my journal entry so you could read about it.  I love you.  My school life is starting to begin... meetings etc. Marti, Tracy, Sara, and JD are in Cooperstown for baseball.  Mal was in an accident last night but she is o.k. Andrew stayed here while we were gone. The first day Charlie wouldn't get out because she didn't know him.  Bott said she relaxed the next few days.  Reese stayed at Grammy's house.  I sure love and miss you!  Thinking of you got me through 25-30 miles of trekking.

Cam:  I am glad it was a good experience. It sounds like a lot of fun!  Where did the little Burts stay?

mom: They had a girl come stay at their house.  We laughed so hard over the few days we were there.  Dancing was a blast... You should've seen dad in his red flowered pirate looking shirt.  It was the best experience ever!  Everyone felt that way too...

Cam:  I love my new president.  It was nice to go to Maceio.  I went and saw Carla.  The little boy recognized me and I thought he would have forgotten me.  He kept tapping on his mom and then pointing at me and smiling!  

mom: aw!  That makes me cry.  I am glad you get to go back there a lot.  What about the baptisms you were working on?

Cam:  They have their answer and admit they do but say they want more time.

Mom: That's o.k., they'll come around. Don't pressure them but allow them experiences to feel the spirit confirm the church is true to them.

Cam: Yeah, I know and the zone leaders piss me off.  They just want numbers and want us to make them be baptized.  So,  I just told them off and told them I wasn't going to force the church on someone because if I do they will end up falling away.

Mom: Good for you!  The numbers are great but only if they stay. It is a competitive world and it's everywhere.  You have integrity and that's more important!

Cam:  Can you send me a pen drive in my package too?  Thanks mom for all you do for me.  I love you a lot and hope you have a good week.  Talk to you soon.

Mom:  Goodbye Bubba.  I Love you!!!

ELDER JENSEN'S group e-mail

Hello everyone, hope all is good. The last couple of weeks have been great. We got to play basketball with the zone and have a bar-b-que last p-day, it was awesome. I have a new companion, Elder Medeiros, from Curitiba, Brazil. We have been working and having a good time. he is a good fun companion. We have some investigators that we are working with.

spiritual thought 

In my personal study I was reading in the Book of Mormon in the book of Helaman and I read in Helamen 5:12 that says:
 12 And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the ^arock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your ^bfoundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty ^cstorm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.

    It says that we need to build or foundation in Christ. In our homes the foundation is the strongest part that keeps the house standing and our foundation in Christ is the same. Our foundation is what keeps us standing and going everyday. Satan will send things into our life to try and knock us down but if we have a strong foundation in Christ it will not shake us. So how can we have a strong foundation? We can have a strong foundation by doing basic things; reading the scriptures, praying and going to church. Doing these things will make a strong foundation for us and when the devil sends his winds we will be unshakeable.

    If you haven't read the Book of Mormon read it!!!! I know that it will bless your life how it has blessed mine.

 

Have a good week, 

Cameron

The "Suit Squad" at church

A family from the branch

 The Zone

The area I serve in

Me and the new companion 

 hair cut by the comp and açai with a cheeseburger 

açai with a young man leaving on his mission this week 

The area I serve in