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!