FINALLY IN BRAZIL!

Dear Mom and Dad,

You probably emailed me this week, but for some reason I didn't get it. But just to let you know, I am now in João Pessoa!! And I am LOVING it! It is very very hot, haha, but thats okay. I can't really understand people when they talk, but I will! My trainer is Elder Gilliam, and he is way awesome! He is from Washington and this is actually his last transfer on the mission. He is super obedient and he takes his calling very seriously, but he is also a lot of fun! He has 11 siblings (9 brothers and 2 sisters) and he is the 2nd youngest! He told me that my training will be more intense than any other missionary that he has trained, and I told him that I am ready! We are also white-washing our area, so we are ready to light it on fire! Our area is called Mangadeira 2, and it is in the middle southern part of João Pessoa, so I get to experience the city life!

By the way, our p-day is actually on Mondays, except for on transfer week when it is on Wednesday. Just so you know when to send your emails :) I will be honest, I was a bit scared at first, and I am still pretty nervous, but I already know that I love the people and they wont judge me at all when I am not able to communicate very well, haha. Brazilians seem so easy-going, and I can't wait to get to know everyone here! My mission President--President Nogueira--is very cool. He has only been out for about 8 months or so, so he will be here for my whole mission, which I am very happy about!

The weather is hot, I am always sweating, I don't speak the language, but none of that can possibly hold me back from loving this place and the people here. I am going to do all that I can to learn the language, and (more importantly) share the Gospel and serve the people of João Pessoa. The time has come for me to stand a little taller and be a little better everyday. I am essentially a greenie again, but that is all good! I want to stay green my whole mission, because green means growth, and I never want to plateau and stop progressing.

I love you all! I hope you are staying warm still! If not, you can have some of the heat from here, haha.

Love,
Elder Kamilos

FINALLY GOING TO BRAZIL!

Elder Kamilos wrote on January 7, 2014:

Dear Mom and Dad,

Sounds like your weather is worse than ours! It's been in the teens and 20's lately, and we haven't gotten any more snow, although I think we're expecting some later this week. The weather here honestly hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be, the only major difference is that it accumulates here because the weather stays more consistently cold. It's kind of funny when we go to dinner sometimes because it's pretty common for people to ask me if I've ever seen snow or if it ever gets cold in Arkansas. My usual response is something like, "Well... we get just about everything," haha. But from the e-mails and what I've seen on Facebook, I'd say you're having a much harsher winter than here in Utah.

I haven't received any letter with the health insurance card. I'm wondering if they're holding it at the office for me. I'll be leaving from the office as far as I know. Writing "do not forward" is actually a good idea, because then I can just grab it at the office before I leave. The area I'm in is only about 20 minutes away from Ogden also.

Hooper is doing really well! I've come to really love the people, and as of yesterday we'll be having a baptism on Saturday, so I'll be leaving this mission on a really good note! Her name is Patricia, and she's the grandmother of the girl we baptized a couple of weeks ago. She's so sweet! She asked me if I would give one of the talks at her baptism and I just said, "of course! I'd be more than happy to." It made me feel really great that even though I've only been here for a short time, she wanted me to have a part in the baptism service.

Everything is going great here! Next time I e-mail I'll be in Brazil! Unless they may give me a chance to e-mail before I leave. But who knows!

Love,
Michael

Dear Mary,

I'll be in Brazil in a week! woooooah! Things are going by so fast, it's kind of scary, haha. I've been out for 4 months! What?! I'm excited, but to be honest, I'm really sad to leave Utah. I love the people so much, and this has been the greatest experience of my life. But I know I'm needed in Brazil, so I'm ret-to-go! I just like to think of it like I have two missions for the price of one :)

That's great that you're dedicating more time to reading the scriptures and studying! I started really reading the Book of Mormon in Portuguese on New Year's Eve, and although I have a limited understanding of what I read, I can get enough of it that I'm going along pretty fast! I just hit Mosiah yesterday, so I'm hoping I'll
have it done before my birthday. Speaking of which, I'm gonna be 20! That's so weird! Mom and Dad are gonna have 6 "kids" in their 20s! Don't tell Mom I said that though, she doesn't need to be reminded, haha :P

Thank you for all of the prayers and support! I love you all, and I hope you're staying warm! It sounds like y'all are having a harsher winter than out here, haha.

Anyway, take care! Love you!

Love,
Michael

Elder Kamilos wrote on December 31, 2013:

Happy New Year's Eve!!

And that's crazy! I haven't actually seen the itinerary. They haven't sent it to me yet. But it sounds like I'll wake up, fly to Brazil, get off the plane and then start the day again! That's going to be pretty tough, haha. But I'm excited!

I wish I could've seen Leah and Tyler, but at least I got to hear them! It was great to skype with the family! It sounds like you're getting a lot done with the bathroom and kitchen! I probably won't even recognize home when I get back (a loong long time from now, haha). It's crazy how fast time is flying. I've already been out for almost 4 months!

As for things I need, I think I have everything I need! I'll plan on sending a box of winter stuff home that I can keep for after my mission.

Hope you're all having a good Christmas break! And Happy New Years!

Love,
Elder Kamilos