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. 

December 26, 2016

The e-mail was a little later today and after I read the first one I realized why.

Cameron:I am getting transferred.  I am so sad, I have cried all day.

Mom: Oh Cam! I'm so sorry... Remember we are going to visit them all.  Don't say the word 
(good-bye). Remember to just say, "see or talk to you later".

Cameron: Yeah, I just finally felt comfortable and now I have to start all over again.

Mom: Unfortunatly, It wouldn't be any easier six weeks from now.  I am praying so hard for you... I loved our family prayer yesterday.  No gift in the whole world would beat my son, the missionary... skyping us!  You have touched their lives Bubba and they have touched yours. There are others who need you somewhere.  Take that smile and that personality and go win some hearts.  They need the gospel Cam.  I've went without it and it is the worst.  A person needs it in their life.  What about Neves?  Look what you've accomplished...  This is nothing. Where are you going?

Cameron: I am transferred to the ward of Tabuliero.  It is close so you can send stuff with Sister Borges and I will go get it.  I prayed today asking for help and bawled the whole time. Then I took a shower and bawled.

Mom:  Crying is ok Cam.  Who is your new companion?  What about Neves?

Cam: He is leaving too.  There will only be two in this ward again.

Mom:  Cam prayers are real and they are answered.  It may not be the answer we seek or when we want it.  It ALWAYS works out if we have faith.  I remember losing 2 babies and struggling to get pregnant.  I thought Heavenly Father was punishing me for my previous choices in life.  Now I have you three kiddos!  What a blessing!  Other hearts need you.  Let yourself be open to them!  I am so proud of you and it is ok to be sad.  We wouldn't experience joy without the sorrow!  You've got this! Remember we are going to see  them.  I need to meet these cute people but there are more out there to add to the list.  Are you going to be ok?

Cam:  I don't know. I am so sad right now.

Mom:  Just think, you left us and were ok.  Change is always hard.  I hurt every time you do BUT, I experieince joy when you accomplish things.  Cry and then decide what some steps are that you can take to go forward.  It is Heavenly Father's will!

Cam:: ok, I will.  Thanks

Mom: Remember, I can do things that are hard, YES I can!

Cam: I can do hard things...  Love you

Mom:  I am excited for you to meet your new companion and tell us all about him.  Is Neves ok with the move?

Cam: Yeah me too.  Neves is fine.  He has done it a lot so he is used to it.

Mom: Remember how sad Remfrey was?  He was so sad an now he is fine!  TIME!  Neves is ok because he has done it a lot and is used to it.  So, remember you will get to that point. Plus you have something he doesn't have and that is a family waiting for you.

Cam: yeah, I know...

Mom:  Do you leave first thing tomorrow?  Who comes to get you? I'll be praying for you. We LOVE the videos you sent!  Seeing their faces made the package we sent more worth it. They were so happy to get those things and it was so fun to give to those people you love and to prepare your package.  It was my favorite part of gift giving/receiving.

Mom:  Is there something else I can do for them?

Cam: They are ok mom.

Mom: Do those people that are not LDS honor Christ and his birth during Christmas and the season?

Cam:  No, they just cook, eat, and hang out drinking.  It was nice to talk to you and see you yesterday.

Mom:  So the people that become church members or become more involved are giving up a lot of habits? We were so lucky to finally get you through Face Time. I hope! I hope it didn't make it harder for you! Halle is so proud of you to her little friends. Annie is also pretty boisterous about you. She shared in the joint young women's how you asked for things and we thought they were for you and you gave them away. Pretty touching. 

Mom: Do those people that are not LDS honor Christ and his birth during Christmas and the season?

Cam:  No, they just cook, eat, and hang out drinking.

Mom: Do your friends and the members of the ward know you are being transferred?

Cam: No, I will go visit after I am done e-mailing.

Mom:I am excited to hear from you next week. You'll be ok and it is ok to be sad. I know Heavenly Father will bless you and all those you touch! You have blessed us here! 

Cam: Can you pray for me mom?  I am really struggling right now.

Mom: I know, I'm your mom! I'll pray every second I can and don't you forget to. Also, remember to do your part! Shad and Tyson were right when you leave there it will be like leaving your home. Your heart and love makes that and right now you'll be in the right place for that. You are my special missionary that I love more than you know

Cam: Talk to you soon!  I love you!

Mom:  I love you Cam, talk to you soon...

Cam: I love you so much mom, you have no idea.

Mom: I love you Cam! We got this!  You've got this!

Cam: I love you!

Mom: and I love you...

That was the end of the e-mails. Cameron could've told me he loved me a million more times and I would have never got sick of it. 

We sent a package to Cameron and his Companion Elder Neves.  Cameron asked for a bunch of things and as I was preparing he said something to  me to make me come to the realization that these things weren't for him.  He was asking for things to give to Karla and her children, her brothers, and her mom & dad.  It made me so proud and I am so thankful we had an opportunity to help him make their Christmas so happy.  Cameron is a Utes fan.  Halle found this little t-shirt in Seagull book for $3ish dollars.  We sent it for Kaua the baby.  Karla communicated with me through FaceBook to say thank you.  What a beautiful little boy and what joy it gave me to feel a part of something Cameron was doing for others!  True meaning of Christmas!!!

CHRISTMAS 12/25/2016

Well, this was a very different Christmas...  It hurt my heart not to have Cameron home but it also made it feel so full of pride and happiness.  I don't know that I can explain it.   If you are or have been a mother of a missionary you understand.  I was more focused on Christ and Cameron devoting two years of his life to help others this year. These factors made the traditional Christmas a little different. We woke up and usually the grandparents come out to watch the kids open Santa gifts.  This year we decided since it was a Sunday we would have them come to our ward since it was earlier.  After church we went home and changed and started getting the computer set up.  I looked at my phone and Cameron had sent me an e-mail saying he was ready whenever.  I was beside myself with excitement. We tried and tried to get skype to work and Cameron could hear us but we couldn't see or hear him. He was on a pretty old computer and just said we would have to hang tight until he could use another one.  Then, a nice guy from the other ward let him use his I-pad.  We ended up doing it through Facebook and Cameron had to call Annie's phone that had its number linked to a smaller I-pad.  So, here sat the computer hooked up to the big t.v. and instead we all huddled around a little I-pad.  It didn't even matter.  It was Cameron's face and his voice.  It was so fun to talk to him and see him.  I wanted to jump through the screen and just squeeze him.  A member of the other ward bishopric came and had Cameron translate what he said to us.  He told us how wonderful Cameron was and how thankful he was that we would share him with the people of Maceio.  He told us how he was preparing his own son to serve a mission in a few years.  He laughed and teased a little too. Cameron was forgetting English words as he was translating.  He said that when Cameron gets home he will have forgotten English and that if we want to talk to him we will need to learn Portuguese. He told us that Cameron wouldn't go hungry in Maceio.  They like their rice, beans, and meat!  Cameron said they eat a lot of pasta too.  His face looked fuller to us but his clothes fit the same.  He told us how he got robbed.  He had previously told his dad but not me.  Jason debated whether to tell me but did tell me.  I asked Cam why he didn't tell me and as he told about the robbery and I gasped etc. he explained that was why he had kept it from me.  It made me so sick to my stomach when he told me they had a gun and had actually cocked it.  They took their phone (which was a very old  and outdated phone for us Americans) but they never asked for wallets or anything else.  I know that Heavenly Father is watching over Cameron.  This made me feel so worried and as prayed I knew that it could have been so much worse and that Cam was going to be ok. We had the grandparents come out at the first along with Cam's friend Nicole.  They left after a bit and then it was just our little family.  We talked and laughed etc.  We had some gift exchanges to do with him that we had waited to do while face timing. We asked him about the package we sent and he told us how much he enjoyed sharing his package with others.  We got a video of Karla's family getting some of the items.  It was as if they had won a million dollars.  They immediately started throwing the football with Cam and hugging him.  They were jumping around shooting the nerf gun at everyone and everything. Grandma Marge had sent some watches because they had asked for one from the U.S.  Karla's mom had the bag with them in it and she was jumping around and kissing the bag.  It was so rewarding to see things we take for granted mean so very much to someone.  I am so glad I could get that to Cameron so he could gift them before he was transferred.  He has sure grown to love the people of Colina Ward.  As the I-pad started to die Cameron got up and stared to walk.  He tried to tell us the computer was dying and began to cry.  I think this SEE YOU LATER was harder than the airport or maybe this is just fresher on my mind and heart.  We all cried and said our I LOVE YOUs.  Jason told Cameron he wanted to pray so we all bowed our head as Jason prayed for Cameron and our family.  It was so nice to have a family prayer all together again.  I am so thankful to be Cameron's mom and to be able to witness him be a mature young man.  We all said one last See you Later... and Cam shut down the facebook. WOW!  I think I could've cried an ocean.  This is the hardest thing I have ever done and then I think if it's hard for me, it has to really be hard for him.  So, I need to be strong and supportive to help Cameron be successful.  As we were getting ready to go to Grammy's house for Christmas Jason noticed a new e-mail on my phone.  It had just came through from Cameron just minutes after saying SEE YOU LATER.

It read:So this is for the family...  I love you all.  It was great talking with you today.  Thinking of it, it didn't seem long since the last time we talked in August.  It will go by fast.  Love you all.  Thank you for the support.  Merry Christmas! Love you all.

I replied:  We love you Bubba! We can do this...

Monday, December 19th

Hello everyone, this week was good. Nothing special happened. We had our ward Christmas party Saturday night and it was awesome to get together with the ward. Sunday was the primary program and it was great! The kids were hilarious.  One little kid had a lot of parts and when she got up another little boy said, "Ugh, not again". Everyone laughed. I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and all stay safe and keep warm. 

Love,

Elder Jensen 

photos:

I had a bat under our patio cover type of deal and I was elected to get it out. So... this was me preparing. It left on its own so that was nice. 

My companion and I bought us soda for 7.0 that is imported from the U.S..  I had Dr. Pepper which was greatly missed. Then it was this girl in our wards birthday and we had cake with them yesterday. 

Then it was this girl (Ana) in our wards birthday and we had cake with them yesterday. 

Cameron and I discussed skyping which is in 6 days! I set up his account and mine and made sure it worked by skyping Latisha!  We both learned a little and hopefully can put this into action for our boys this Sunday! We planned for us to go to church  from 11:30 to 12:30 and then skype at 1:30. Cameron wanted to know if I was still doing the Christmas Eve Party and when the Gundersons were going to Maddox for their traditional Christmas Dinner. It made my heart hurt to think he was thinking about what he was missing.  I told him that the best part of Christmas would be talking to him and the other celebrations wouldn't be the same. Cameron told me not to worry about him and to have a good time.  I explained that I would enjoy the family and the time but that he is my son and I will always care and worry about him.

I told Cam that Tyson and Shad came out Sunday.  They were in their church clothes and visited for a while.  It was nice to have them.  They both said that they weren't dating serious...  They were both headed to the BYU game in San Diego tomorrow.  Not together though.  Tyson was going with his brother and his grandparents.  Shad was just going with friends.  They said Nicole was moving to Logan but they didn't know about work or school really yet.

I told him the ward party was on Tuesday and it was the usual crazy dinner with kids running all over the place.  Fun though. 

I told Cam that Michelle said she sure misses Logan and hopes that it gets better and she asked me if it got better.  I said yes but no.  It is the hardest thing ever but worth it.  I am sure that she missed her other boys too but where Logan has basically been the only child for them for a long time and to have such a quiet home now.  UGH!

I reminded Cameron how it was Chance's b-day the 16th and cute Isabelle still misses and is in love with the boy.  They were hoping to finish Shad and Chloe's house by the beginning of December.  They are still working on it but the wedding is the 29th and they will be done by then.  So exciting.  I told him how Latisha and I were going to try to skype each other so we are pros at it.  HA!  Old ladies trying out technology...

I ended with: I LOVE YOU.  I will e-mail more but I want to practice skyping so I can for sure see you in 7 days!!!

Love you, MOM

The ward gave the missionaries a gift for Christmas... They all look very happy!  Cameron told us they call him galego which is cracker in Portuguese. By looking at this picture I'm thinking I may know how they came up with this! Ha!

December 12, 2016

Cameron's group e-mail:

Hello everyone this week was good! We had a meeting for the trainees and trainers. One thing I liked from this training is what the assistant talked about. He compared a mission to growing up. When we are babies or little we start crawling but by the time we have fully grown we are able to run.  So, we will be running.  He explained how at first it is hard but we will learn and soon will be walking and then start running!!! This week was good. However, we didn't find anyone new to teach.  My English class was fun, hoping this week is even better. We had a baptism! Mateus who is 13 and his Uncle Allison in our ward baptized him. It was a great experience to bring another person to Christ and the gospel!!

my zone

English Class

 my zone

 coconut milk with Elder Vicente

 my zone

 my zone

 my zone

Cam:  Hello, I am here...

Cam: mom?

Mom: Hey Bubba, how are you?

Cam:  A member in the ward sent a video to Annie of Neves and me.

Mom:  When?  Annie hasn't said anything.

Cam:  It was like Wednesday.  Oh dang, maybe it didn't go through... Hey mom, if I give you my information can you make sure that our Skype accounts are ready to go?

Mom:  Of course. I am on this computer now.  How are you?  Did Mateus get baptized yesterday?  When do you go to the mission home again? I am thinking your package will be there!  I can't wait...  Have you got anything else?

Cam: Yeah we had his baptism!  Allison his uncle baptized him and it was awesome!!! We have a Christmas conference with the whole mission the 20th, so I'll get any mail or packages then. No, I haven't got anything else.

Mom: Is Allison the one in the bishopric?  Send some pictures.  What do you do at the Christmas Conference? You will get your package this week for sure!!!  Well, it will get to the mission home.  How was teaching English? Did you do it 2 days?  How many people showed up?

Elder Jensen, Mateus, Brother Allisson

Elder Neves, Elder Jensen, Mateus, Brother Allison

Cameron: So, the Christmas conference will be a spiritual devotional of some sorts and then we will have lunch. After that we will just hangout and have a talent show. Ha!  So the package should be there when I go to this conference next Tuesday. The English class was good but I hope more people come this week. 

Mom: You sound good this week.  I am so proud and happy to be a missionary mom.  I can't wait to Skype! Do know where you are going to Skype from? Did Nat get mugged?

Cam: I am about the same but it was a good week.  I don't know where I will Skype from.  What do you think about the grandparents coming at the first and then just finishing off with just our family?

Mom: Whatever you want is fine with us but that sounds great to me. Who else are you e-mailing?

Cam: you, dad, Annie, Halle, and Bayleigh right now. How are Bayleigh and Cameron with being your interns?

Mom: They are good.  Mandy is training them tomorrow to do some reading we do with the kiddos.  Then, hopefully it will add a little more excitement.  It will to me because I can use help finding the time or manpower to do this...  HUGE thing for me!

Cam:  I am sure they are both good. I love talking to Bayleigh. She is so awesome!!!  She's also sooo pretty! In Brazil they have tiny Christmas trees. I don't know about presents or any of that. We will see what Christmas is like in Brazil.  Can you send pictures of the dogs? A member in the ward wants to see them and she was mad I only had pictures of Charlie. Oh, and will you send pics of my baptism?

Mom: Yes, I will send you those pictures. Did you read my letter and  read about the $ the neighbors wanted to make sure you got?  Also, Brother and Sister Hunt.  They are so cute about you and she made the stocking herself.  She said what a kind boy you always were and that you are the only one she got a "Thank you", from out of all the boys she helped to prepare for a mission. These are just a few of the people that I know of that you touched this week.  I can see by the pictures that the people in Brazil love them Elder Jensen?!

Cam: My time is up. I got to go, love you, talk to you (soon) next week...Love you!

Mom: I LOVE you!  You're my favorite son and in my prayers... Talk to you son!

This week I told Cameron that he sounded better than last week.  I asked him to be honest and tell me how he felt.  He said he was about the same.  I am not saying he isn't as homesick but he seemed to really be having a better week.  He was very happy about Mateus getting baptized by his uncle Brother Alison (12-10-16).  He likes teaching English and hopes to get more people to teach. He told Jason some of the members that he really likes and is close to are Ana 17, Giovana 13, Marcos 11, Allison the 1st counselor in the bishopric, Bishop Davi, Carla and her family. Sister Borges an older lady he likes is in American Fork right now because her daughter is having a baby.  He got her cell phone number for us and we are going to meet up with her to talk with her and send some things back for Cameron. His first baptism was Valquiria.  Annie asked Cameron what food he missed the most and he said just mom's cooking.  I am not a bad cook but I am not a fix a huge wonderful meal every night either. Sometimes we have things like grilled cheeses and tunas.  It just made me so happy to know that he appreciates some of those things that were done for him.  I LOVE my son very much and there isn't much I wouldn't do for him.  I miss him like crazy but I would never want him anywhere else.  Cameron is meant to be in Maceio right now and I have faith the blessings he/we will receive will be worth the tears he, Jason, I and the rest of the family have suffered... The GOSPEL is true!  I am thankful I have always had a TESTIMONY!