September 25, 2017

Cameron:  Good morning.

Mom: Before I forget, what do you want in your birthday package?

Cameron: Ties, the horse shoe tooth floss, candy, jerky. Just stuff.  I don't need anything, I am fine.

Mom: How are your shoes holding up?

Cameron:  I think I will buy shoes here in a little bit.

Mom:  We are buying Neves a ticket a.s.a.p. He is great with the idea of working at the dairy. He said he can't be picky, he just needs to earn money.  Aunt Karen is here and her, grammy, Annie, and I went to the General Women's Conference at Grammy's ward. It was so good!

Dad and I went to Elba, ID for Sharlene's funeral.  That is grandpa's sister.  Brenda and Claire rode with us.  It was a very long day.  Colby and Candace came and Bubbs and family.  Steve and Ann, Todd, Greg & Paige, Mitch and Allison, Cheryl, Reese and Dion.  Granpa Leon said the opening prayer and Marge said the closing.  They were pretty emotional.

Annie got put in as 2nd councilor in Laurels today.  Gracie is the president.  Halle got put in Mia Maids as 1st councilor.  Addie Bingham is the president.  Dad was there for them to be set apart.

Andrew came over tonight and said I can't wait for  Cameron to be home.  I said me too!  I told him I need his help with Neves.

Betty Claybaugh, Kort's grandma died.  So sad!

I love you Cam! So much!  Thank yo for making me a proud mom!!!

Cameron: I love you!

Mom:  On facebook Valmir added he was married and lots of pictures showing him at church.

Cameron: Yeah, he got a calling.  I am way happy. Are you excited for Neves?

Mom: Excited and nervous.

Cameron:  Why nervous?

Mom:  We are going to have a new boy/man living with us that needs a job, $, to get into school, can't drive...  It's a lot!  Don't get me wrong...  I am ready and willing!


Mom: How are you? Tell me about things.  When are transfers again?  I got the new I phone 8.  Mine had swam in the toliet and was cracked.  It gave a good life.

Cameron: I am Great! Transfers are the 10th of October.

Mom: That is the first time you have told me great.  Did you see the dessert Dr. Olsen gave us? It is called mousse de maracuja!

Cameron: That was so nice of him.  It is fun to be a trainer here in Estancia, Sergipe. We are opening up the area which is a lot of work but I love it!!! This last week we had 3 baptisms which was so great. The first for meu filho!!! I am also a district leader for 4 other missionaries, 2 sisters, and the zone leaders which is great. 

Mom:  Wow!  Tell me about your gym you created to lift weights.

Cameron:  ha! It is so ghetto, but it is good.

Mom: Tell me about the people you baptized.

Cameron:  There were three.  I baptized 2 of the 3.  There is Bruno 17, Edgar 15, and Irlaina 8.  They are brothers and sister.  The mom is divorced and still deciding if she wants to be baptized.  We found them knocking on doors the first week we were here.

I love you, I have to go.

Mom:  I love you to Cam!

Cameron:  

This week was great! So, this week we were coming home and it was pouring rain. There was a kitten in the street crying so we took it home. We gave it a bath fed it. ha!ha!ha!ha!ha! the next day we let it go because we couldn't keep it and no one we could find would take it. Later in the day I saw it and a kid had it so I was happy.  

We had 3 baptisms this week which was awesome. We found them our second week in this area. They are happy and know this is the right thing to do. 

This week with it being General Conference everyone has a great opportunity to watch it and pay attention.  If you do this, it will bless your life!

September 18, 2017

Cameron's E-mail

Good morning everyone!! This week was really good. We worked hard and a lot. Friday we had conferences with the mission president that went really well. The spirit was so strong and great. We talked about how we can help the people here receive the light of Christ and follow his example. I learned a lot and love this gospel!

Dear Elder Jensen,

I guess you probably already know but NEVES got a visa!!!  You need to pat yourself on the back because you asked me to please help him SO I messaged him and asked him what needed to be done.  He was just waiting for money to go to the embassy. I just figured he’d ask.  That just shows you that he is a humble kid.  I told him we would pay.  I wanted to know how to get the money to him safely and securely.  He told me to fill out the application for him and make the payment.  Let’s just say I worked by rear off filling out papers on this cute boy that I didn’t even know his birthday.  Now I know it is October 4, 1995.  Anyways, about 8-10 hours of work got us the application filled out and it never asked for a payment.  So, then he/we thought it is because I still needed to make an appointment.  So, I made him an appointment and still didn’t ask for a payment.  I text him and showed him pictures of the screens, I googled for hours…  He tells me what his friend that did it had to do.  I finally out of just looking around find a place to pay.  WELL…  Dad’s or my debit card wouldn’t go through. UGH!  It was after bank hours so I told Vitor and he said he felt bad and didn’t want to be a problem and it had to be paid so many days before his appointment.  I told him I would call the bank the next day.  I got a hold of the bank and they said the transactions weren’t even hitting the bank.  I asked if an actual credit card would be better.  They said oh no, they’re all the same.  But, couldn’t tell me what to do except get a hold of them.  I had tried to call them too.  I called dad from school and just got the credit card just for giggles and it declined but it was different and as soon as I did it I got a fraud e-mail.  So, I knew it was hitting the bank.  I called again and they looked and said it was because of the international lock.  They took it off and BINGO it went through… I have never been so relieved.  I asked everyone to pray and to keep Neves in their thoughts.  He was going to Recife for volleyball with his team and wasn’t going to have to pay travel and that’s why he really needed it then.  I was so nervous they would say no again.  I don’t know if we could keep paying if nothing was going to change.  So, Friday I sent him a message asking if everything was o.k.  because his appointment was at 7am and another at 9am.  He left me a voice recording telling me they said YES!  He was crying and said thank you, thank you, I love you!  I knew then why you felt so strongly about this.  Thank you Cameron for reminding me what is important in life and that serving and helping others brings more joy than anything materialistic or $$$.  This boy’s life is going to be forever changed by meeting you.  I am so thankful to be your mom and be able to do something for Vitor.  I am not sure when he is coming but I think it will be soon.  Chad said he could come milk cows. It may be a little tricky with his visa and language but…  I will work with him and his English.  I will research and educate myself on how to help him.  I guess my master’s degree in English Language Learning will be put to use…  I think there are classes in the community he can attend too.  That would be good for him.  I will have him go to church with us for a bit and after the culture shock and/or homesickness is gone I will get him to the single’s ward.  I will ask someone to take him that we know.  Maybe Tyson would come home a weekend and do that for me.  Do you think I should have him stay in your room or make him a little place upstairs? I hope this makes you happy and I will do what I can to help him become successful and able to attend college.  Hopefully finding a way for him to stay in Utah.

 It was Homecoming week.  We got slaughtered.  We played Bountiful. Annie got true bee’d but I will let her tell you about it.  I don’t know about all that but I guess she is a good and old enough girl to make these choices.  We took the Ellsworth boys to watch her powderpuff.  She had a good catch and some good plays.  She went to the dance with Ronnie Smith.  They went hiking to the “Wind Caves” for their day date.  Then, they went to pictures, Maddox, and the dance at city hall.  She looked beautiful!

I hope you send BUG an e-mail today.  She is feeling very sad that you hadn't e-mailed her.  She had two volleyball games this week.  She lost to Bear River but it was sooo stickin close!  They beat Ridgeline!!!  She went to the State Fair with FFA and had a lot of fun. I had her volleyball team over Monday for a pasta party.  They are all such cute girlies and it was a lot of fun!

Grammy had surgery Friday on Grandpa John’s birthday.  She has struggled with allergies and breathing and dry mouth.  I guess she had polyps on her sinuses they took off through her nose.  She said it hurt when they took the packing out but today she looked darn good.

We went to Val’s and cooked hamburgers for grandpa John’s birthday.  I made a yummy peach dessert that everyone loved.  It was just us, Val, Mark, Luke, Cody, Krystal, and Luke besides grandpa and grandma.  It was fun.  Dad came in uniform because he was working. 

Dad got called to a hit elk out west today.  It was Jeff Adams out there that called it in.  They were happy dad took the call.  He told Jeff they could have the meat.  Jenny said, “your husband is in trouble.  The day I get my son to come to church, Jeff calls and tells him to get out there for this elk”. HA! I think Jeff and Justin were very happy.  Jenny? Not so much…

Janica Ellsworth is engaged to her brother-in-law Mike Ellsworth.  It sounds weird but it is actually a beautiful love story.  They had a hard time even accepting their feelings but Eric was up there with his hand in this pushing them together.  Who else would be better to raise your kids than your brother.  My thought is that in heaven there isn’t jealousy.  It is about love and we all know he would want his wife and children to be taken care of and loved while here on earth.  Mike struggles because he never has married and set his goal for the temple.  Everyone has told him that Heavenly Father would never punish a man for marrying a widow and loving and caring for her and her family.  It will work out somehow.  It is hard to wrap our worldly brains around but I have faith!  The boys will probably stay here and we will get them to school for a few days and then it is UEA.  I may take them hunting/camping but I don’t know yet.  I told Janica and she was all for it but she needs to make sure that’s what the boys want plus she has a lot of family that may want to help also.

I love you Cameron and I am so proud of you! Tell me about your week and investigators etc.  I want to see some pictures of your house when you get a chance.

Love you to the moon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MOM

Cameron:  Good morning.

Mom: Did you talk to Neves?!

Cameron: Yes I did! I am so happy!!! I am so happy for Neves when will he come?

Mom: I don't know when he will come.  He has been in Recife for volleyball and I haven't talked with him again.  He cried and said thank you soooo much and I love you!  It made me cry and smile!  I will have to see what we can find him for employment.  I probably could get him on as a reading aide in Spanish. Ha!  We will find something...  I don't know if he has to wait for school to end or what but whenever he is ready we will get a ticket.  Where should I have him sleep to be most comfortable? Upstairs or in your room?

Cameron: Just ask him.  He speaks good English. With him hearing it all the time and having to speak he will learn quickly.

Mom: Ya, he does pretty good.  He was excited to tell you the news and I told him to get a hold of you.  He said, "you want me to hold him?" ha! Have you had baptisms or have any scheduled?

Cam: We are working on some baptisms!

Mom: It is so nice to hear you happy and not homesick.  Don't get me wrong, I want you to miss us... HA!  BUT, live a missionary life while you can.  The worldly life is just that.  ENJOY living and thinking about good things!

September 11, 2017

Cameron,

This week was of course crazy just like all the other ones.  It was Peach Days this week.  So, you know Brigham was crazy and there were crazy people everywhere.  We went to the pageant Thursday night and there were only seven dollars girls running. Markee Brooks won the queen and a ton of other awards.  She won the best interview, she won an essay contest, and some other one.  Anyways she was awarded like three awards before she got crowned queen.  An Ellie Brailsford took 1st attendant.  She was darling.  The next attendant was a Hart girl that had also won the talent award.  It was fun!  Just so small but still fun to watch the talent and beauty in Brigham.

Friday night we went to the Box Elder vs. Pocatello game.  We beat them, thank goodness!  The cheerleaders have asked Hansen Chev to support them.  They said they would give $1000 if the girls would sponsor the half-time by Hansen and advertise for them. Annie had to cheer on a mat since the track wasn't done. It was fun having them have a mat to do more things than usual on.  

Saturday Halle had to be at the high school at 8am.  She had a volleyball tournament that B.E. sponsored.  I have no idea why they would schedule this on Peach Days.  Annie had to be at her parade spot at 8:30.  She was number 34 in the parade.  Dad was going to meet me there since he was working.  He got called to an accident so he didn't come.  I went up to Peach City and sat for a little bit with Grammy, Grandpa John, Mark, Val, and Luke.  I ordered some onion rings and a peach shake and watched Annie.  She was on the road again doing stunts.  She stopped right in front of us and did a stunt that looked awesome!  After I saw her I drove down by Grandma Balls house and waited for her and then gave her a ride to her car.  Then I went straight to Halle's tournament and watched all day until 6pm.  Then dad and I went to Justin Adam's wedding and up to Peach Days for a bit.  I had a Peach pastry treat and dad had a slushy drink.  We talked with people and gawked at all the weirdos and came home to bed...

Wednesday after school I ran over to Sky View to watch Halle play volleyball.  It was my turn to take the lunch.  I bought subs in Logan because the girls have been having that and really like it…  Adrianne Nessen helped me and she did chips, drinks, fruit, and a drink.  I think they enjoyed it.  They played 5 matches to this team .That night I had a cheer meeting for Homecoming Week, which is this next coming up week.  Monday night they bash a car and then there is dinner at the Hardy Party Barn.  They will be having Costa Vida.  Tuesday night is a movie on the field, Wednesday is beef cake volleyball, Thursday is powder puff, Friday the game, and Saturday the dance. 

Monday I finished squirting the back of the house off and finishing school work.  Very eventful…

Tuesday Halle had a team dinner at Elena Olsen’s house and an ortho apt after volleyball practice.  Clark Anderson got hit on his bike again.  He is in a neck brace and lucky to be alive. 

Friday was a good day.  We had a football game here.  We played Pocatello.  Plus it was Peach Days.  I can’t believe Box Elder scheduled a volleyball tournament. Dad and I went to the game.  It wasn’t the most outstanding game but it is just fun to go and enjoy the atmosphere. 

Hayley and Britton talked in sacrament today.  They did a good job.  Chance and Kyra came over.  Chance really is ready to go back out.  I think the last week of September or first week of October.  They just went to Navoo and Latisha got a kidney stone while they were there and she had to go to a scary ER but it turned out ok and she was better to tour all around the next day.

I love you so much and want to hear more about things there.  I want to get to know some of the people through you.  Fill me in.  So, many people ask about you and care.  I got a text from a new missionary out there’s parents.  His name is Elder  Flake.  The mom and dad were really nice and asked lot of questions. 

I helped Neves fill out his Visa application and paid for it.  Now he makes an appointment and will go when he is in Recife for volleyball with his team this week.  Then, he doesn’t have to pay for travel because he will already been there.  Pray so hard Cam!  It took us many hours to get this all done.  I am thankful we have that “Whatsapp” so we can communicate.  I get good vibes from Neves and I hope we can make this work. 

I love you son and I am so proud of you!  Be a good boy!  Choose the right          

Love you,

Mommmmmm, mommaaaa, mommyyy, MOM

Cameron: Thank you for helping him.  It sounds like a great week.

Mom: How was your week? Dad said you had 5 set for baptisms?

Cameron: Yeah we do for the 23. The kid that is going to Ogden, his mom calls me here american son.  They are going to come visit me and bring me stuff in November.

Mom:That is so nice.  Tell me all of their names again.  She is probably the one that comments on all your pictures and says she loves you!

Cameron: Her name is Gardenia the kids are Gennison, Genilson, Gariela, and Gabriel. Her husband is Genivaldo.

Mom:  I am excited to meet them sometime.  How are you Cam?

Cameron:  I am good!

Mom:  I am so glad to hear this!  Who are the five set to be baptized?

Cameron: There is a family; Josefina Bruno 17, Edgar 15, Italo 11, Irnaina 8 that we are going to baptize, and a woman Cidalia who is married to an inactive has accepted to be baptized.

CAMERON'S GROUP E-MAIL
Hello everyone!!! This week was great so September 7 is Brazil Independence Day. So we had a bar-b-q with the branch that was really good. This week we worked really hard looking for new investigators since we are new here in the area. It was a really a successful week. We saw a lot of results. It was so great. We found a lot of people really interested in the gospel. We will work more with them. Last week we played basketball with some branch members and man it was great to play some ball. 

This is a family we did FHE with

August 28, 2017

Hello everyone!!! This week was good. Tuesday was transfers. I am now training a missionary. He is from Ponta Grossa, Paraná. We are in the state of Sergipe in the city Estancia. It is a branch but the branch is really strong. It is a great area. This week we got to know the area and have been looking for investigators to teach. In our area we have 4 missionaries; me, Elder Nascimento (my comp), Elder Davis (my companion from the mtc), and Elder Ayala from Urugauy. It is way fun. Wednesday we had a long bus ride to our area. It was 7 hours. It was a great experience, that is for sure. ha!ha!ha! I showed the comp açai and acaraje!!! So yeah, pretty cool. ha!ha!ha! 

My son

We are making a ghetto gym so we are taking this support and carrying it home

The trainers and their sons

açai with some young men 

Cam: Good Morning.  So, I am in Sergipe. It is another state of the mission in the city of Estancia. It is a smaller town. My son is good. He is from Parana, Brasil. He is opening up more and more. We get along pretty good. I like Elder Ayala a lot and he is also in our house.  Elder Davis is in the house too, remember he is my comp from the mtc..... So far I like being a district leader but it hasn't been too long. ha! It sounds like you had a good week. Neves told me life is hard for him.  He doesn't have work and he misses his mom. He said she could always help him and life is sucking without her. 


Mom: He sent me a message the other day. Dad and I will see about getting him some money to go to try again for a visa now that he has a college acceptance letter.  Will that help?  

Cam: Yeah, I think it will.  He said how he loves us and how we have helped him so much.  

Mom: Are you out in the country or what? Are you on the coast?

Cam:  It is a small city. It is a little better income though. There are a few more cars here than Vicosa. There is a beach about 30 minutes away.

Mom:  What is your companions name.  Who else is in your house?

Cam: His name is Elder Nascimento. Elder Ayala from Uruguay and Elder Davis are also in the house.  Elder Davis is my comp from the MTC...

Mom:  Are you doing o.k. with Davis?

Cam:  Yeah, I am.

Mom: Will you go to Maceio a lot now since you are the district leader?

Cam: No, because I am 7 hours away.

Mom:  yikes! Did you get there by bus?  Have you gotten my package?

Cam:  Yes, it was a long ride.  They called and said my package was in Maceio.  I will get it next week.  Thanks for sending that mom.

Mom:  I am so glad it is there!!!  I would be sad if that got taken. Let me know as you think of what you want for your birthday package.I will give it to Phillip to mail when he comes to Brazil in October. Was Ralmir so sad that you left?  How were/are you Bubba?

Cam:  He didn't understand.  I cried and it was hard but I am doing good.  I really don't need anything for my birthday. I gotta go mom. Love you! 

Mom: I love you too.  Have a good week Bubba!

Cam: Can you ask President Ferry about me being released as a missionary here and you guys picking me up?  There was a kid in Sao Paulo that is from Maceio and they face timed to the stake president and was released so he could swim and go in normal clothes to sight see.

Mom:  Really?  O.K.!!!  Have a great week and kick butt as a dad and district leader...  I love you to the moon!

Cam:  I love you too.