Friday, August 14, 2015
Thursday, August 13, 2015
AUGUST - final two emails.... :)
On Monday 10 August 2015 Elder Kamilos wrote:
Dear Mom and Dad,
LAST ONE! I hope nobody expects a really long, elaborate message today. I thought it best to keep it simple, due to the fact that I´ll be home this week and I´ll be able to tell all about this last week and any other stories in person. Really, the only big news is that everything went perfectly with Laryssa´s baptism!! Her brother and sister were present, and a few other close member friends were there. It was very simple, and one of the most spiritual baptismal services I´ve been to. She actually ended up being baptized on Friday morning, and so I was able to confirm her on Sunday! She truly is one of God´s elect, and we knew that right from the beginning. And the great thing is, I was able to give my last talk in sacrament meeting, and all of our recent converts were there! I´ll still be around during these next few days, but it was good to be with all of them in one place at one time.
I know this work is of God, and that the truth has been restored on Earth. I know Christ lives, and that he loves us more than we can comprehend. God is our loving Heavenly Father. I don´t know how many times I´ve testified of this during these last two years, but no matter how much time goes by, the truth will always remain the same.
I pray that I will be able to take all of the experiences, lessons, and miracles back home with me and apply them in my life as I take the next step in this mortal journey. I have a much deeper understanding of the Plan of Salvation, and this will make all of the difference in my life and my future. I pray that the work continues to accelerate, and that I will still be an instrument in the Lord´s hands for the rest of my life.
I know these things are true. I´ll see y´all in a few days!!
Love,
Elder Kamilos
On Monday 3 August 2015 Elder Kamilos wrote:
Dear Mom and Dad,
Once again, it seems like these last weeks and months have just flown on by! But the great news is that I will be ending my mission with a baptism!! Yesterday was Paulo Henrique´s confirmation, and Laryssa has accepted to be baptized on the 9th! She is truly one of God´s elect, and it has been such a great experience and privilege to teach the restored gospel to her. And I say that humbly, because I know that I am simply an instrument in the Lord´s hands, and that the true teacher is the Holy Ghost. She originally had told us that she wouldn´t be able to come to church yesterday, but about 2 hours before the meeting started, she called us and said she would be coming! On the way to church she told us that she had gone to a concert the night before, and while she was out with her friends, she bought a beer, took 2 sips, and then she just lost the desire to drink (we had taught the word of wisdom just a few days earlier). She also mentioned that she hadn´t drinken coffee since that lesson, at first to prove that she wasn´t addicted, but then she told us that she wanted to do what is right. After the meeting, we asked her how it was for her, and she said, "you know how you have those moments when... you just know something? That´s how it was for me today. I was expecting an answer from God in the form of a dream, or vision, or something obvious, but as I was listening to the testimonies, I just felt that... I now know." She absolutely loves reading the Book of Mormon. Her experience reminded us a lot of Parley P. Pratt, haha. She said she just felt no desire to eat or sleep when she started. She just wanted to read, and read, and read! I´m pretty sure she´s already past 2 Nephi. Anyway, I´m really excited for her baptism on Sunday!
As for the suit, it´s in... decent shape. The problem is that it just hasn't been cleaned in a loooong time. It has a good deal of mildew. But I´ll do what I can to clean it up a bit, at least to get the smell out. It really needs to be dry-cleaned, but I just don´t know where to find one around here, haha. It´ll work out. Other than that, it´s in pretty good shape, I think. The problem is that I just hardly ever use it.
So I guess that´s it!! I´m very excited to go to the temple next Saturday! Bro Nock sent an e-mail confirming the 15th.
Until next week! I´m sure I´ll have at least one more chance to e-mail before I get back.
Love,
Michael
Dear Mom and Dad,
LAST ONE! I hope nobody expects a really long, elaborate message today. I thought it best to keep it simple, due to the fact that I´ll be home this week and I´ll be able to tell all about this last week and any other stories in person. Really, the only big news is that everything went perfectly with Laryssa´s baptism!! Her brother and sister were present, and a few other close member friends were there. It was very simple, and one of the most spiritual baptismal services I´ve been to. She actually ended up being baptized on Friday morning, and so I was able to confirm her on Sunday! She truly is one of God´s elect, and we knew that right from the beginning. And the great thing is, I was able to give my last talk in sacrament meeting, and all of our recent converts were there! I´ll still be around during these next few days, but it was good to be with all of them in one place at one time.
I know this work is of God, and that the truth has been restored on Earth. I know Christ lives, and that he loves us more than we can comprehend. God is our loving Heavenly Father. I don´t know how many times I´ve testified of this during these last two years, but no matter how much time goes by, the truth will always remain the same.
I pray that I will be able to take all of the experiences, lessons, and miracles back home with me and apply them in my life as I take the next step in this mortal journey. I have a much deeper understanding of the Plan of Salvation, and this will make all of the difference in my life and my future. I pray that the work continues to accelerate, and that I will still be an instrument in the Lord´s hands for the rest of my life.
I know these things are true. I´ll see y´all in a few days!!
Love,
Elder Kamilos
On Monday 3 August 2015 Elder Kamilos wrote:
Dear Mom and Dad,
Once again, it seems like these last weeks and months have just flown on by! But the great news is that I will be ending my mission with a baptism!! Yesterday was Paulo Henrique´s confirmation, and Laryssa has accepted to be baptized on the 9th! She is truly one of God´s elect, and it has been such a great experience and privilege to teach the restored gospel to her. And I say that humbly, because I know that I am simply an instrument in the Lord´s hands, and that the true teacher is the Holy Ghost. She originally had told us that she wouldn´t be able to come to church yesterday, but about 2 hours before the meeting started, she called us and said she would be coming! On the way to church she told us that she had gone to a concert the night before, and while she was out with her friends, she bought a beer, took 2 sips, and then she just lost the desire to drink (we had taught the word of wisdom just a few days earlier). She also mentioned that she hadn´t drinken coffee since that lesson, at first to prove that she wasn´t addicted, but then she told us that she wanted to do what is right. After the meeting, we asked her how it was for her, and she said, "you know how you have those moments when... you just know something? That´s how it was for me today. I was expecting an answer from God in the form of a dream, or vision, or something obvious, but as I was listening to the testimonies, I just felt that... I now know." She absolutely loves reading the Book of Mormon. Her experience reminded us a lot of Parley P. Pratt, haha. She said she just felt no desire to eat or sleep when she started. She just wanted to read, and read, and read! I´m pretty sure she´s already past 2 Nephi. Anyway, I´m really excited for her baptism on Sunday!
As for the suit, it´s in... decent shape. The problem is that it just hasn't been cleaned in a loooong time. It has a good deal of mildew. But I´ll do what I can to clean it up a bit, at least to get the smell out. It really needs to be dry-cleaned, but I just don´t know where to find one around here, haha. It´ll work out. Other than that, it´s in pretty good shape, I think. The problem is that I just hardly ever use it.
So I guess that´s it!! I´m very excited to go to the temple next Saturday! Bro Nock sent an e-mail confirming the 15th.
Until next week! I´m sure I´ll have at least one more chance to e-mail before I get back.
Love,
Michael
Monday, July 27, 2015
On Monday 27 July 2015 Elder Kamilos wrote:
Dear Mom and Dad,
As you now know, my time for internet is pretty short now, but I do have enough time to let you know that Paulo Henrique was baptized yesterday!! It was a greatly anticipated baptismal service for
everyone, especially because our ward is in desperate need for good and active youth. The baptism was amazing, and was even better because we had an investigator, Larissa, present.
Cool story about Larissa! Thursday night, we were at a lanchonete (a place that sells snacks. I don´t even remember the word in english) that we go to often, and there was a young, college-age woman in front of us. She gave us an interesting look, and then asked with a big smile, "have you ever seen The Other Side of Heaven?" (that Disney movie about Elder Groberg). We said that we had both seen it, and I mentioned that I had actually met him in real life at a youth conference a few years back. She said that she had been looking for movies online in the religious genre, and had watched that movie. She really liked it, and became very interested in learning more about the "mormons". So when she saw us, she decided to ask! We marked a visit the next day, and we taught about the restoration after answering some questions about our missions. Turns out, she is truly one of God´s elect that He placed in our path, literally. She comes from a good catholic family, but she never considered herself really active. She had some questions and doubts, and when we taught with conviction and with the Spirit, she was completely receptive to everything! She's commited to read the ENTIRE Book of Mormon, and in the moment she is ready, she will be baptized. She has a lot of questions (which, by the way, is my favorite way to teach. We usually challenge our investigators to find a question that we don't know how to answer or how to find an answer). She's very intelligent as well. She's currently studying law at the University in João Pessoa. That also gives me some confidence that she won't have too much difficulty with reading, haha.
Anyway, that's just one more testimony-building experiences that God truly does place those who are prepared in our path. There are many ways he can do this. This time it just so happened to involve a Disney movie, two hungry missionaries, and a tiny snack shack in our neighborhood, about 10 minutes before the end of proselyting hours. Anytime. Anywhere. We must always be prepared to be missionaries.
That´s the news this week! And before concluding, I have a few things to ask. First, I´ll need new garments when I get back. I hope that a few weeks is enough time to order online. If not, I´ll hang on to few pairs to get me through the first few days or so. Just the regular, cotton
material (or if they have that mixed material, that´s good too) with the normal collar, medium-tall shirts, and medium bottoms (if it´s with a number, 30 should be just right).
Secondly, Brother Nock sent me a message and mentioned that Tanner will be receiving his endowment in the second or third week of August. I replied that I´ll be arriving about noon on Friday, August 14, and that I´d be happy to go to the temple the very next day. I´m sure he´ll respond next week, but if they decide to mark it for the 15th, I´d really like to attend the temple with them. I don´t know if there is anything important marked for that day, but if not, I´d like to leave it open to be able to do this with anyone else in the family who would like to go as well. If not, I can always ride with the Nock´s. Or maybe you already have plans to go as well? Any way, just let me know how it´ll work out!
That´s about it, as far as I can remember. The Church is true, see you in two (weeks!)
Love,
Michael
Dear Mom and Dad,
As you now know, my time for internet is pretty short now, but I do have enough time to let you know that Paulo Henrique was baptized yesterday!! It was a greatly anticipated baptismal service for
everyone, especially because our ward is in desperate need for good and active youth. The baptism was amazing, and was even better because we had an investigator, Larissa, present.
Cool story about Larissa! Thursday night, we were at a lanchonete (a place that sells snacks. I don´t even remember the word in english) that we go to often, and there was a young, college-age woman in front of us. She gave us an interesting look, and then asked with a big smile, "have you ever seen The Other Side of Heaven?" (that Disney movie about Elder Groberg). We said that we had both seen it, and I mentioned that I had actually met him in real life at a youth conference a few years back. She said that she had been looking for movies online in the religious genre, and had watched that movie. She really liked it, and became very interested in learning more about the "mormons". So when she saw us, she decided to ask! We marked a visit the next day, and we taught about the restoration after answering some questions about our missions. Turns out, she is truly one of God´s elect that He placed in our path, literally. She comes from a good catholic family, but she never considered herself really active. She had some questions and doubts, and when we taught with conviction and with the Spirit, she was completely receptive to everything! She's commited to read the ENTIRE Book of Mormon, and in the moment she is ready, she will be baptized. She has a lot of questions (which, by the way, is my favorite way to teach. We usually challenge our investigators to find a question that we don't know how to answer or how to find an answer). She's very intelligent as well. She's currently studying law at the University in João Pessoa. That also gives me some confidence that she won't have too much difficulty with reading, haha.
Anyway, that's just one more testimony-building experiences that God truly does place those who are prepared in our path. There are many ways he can do this. This time it just so happened to involve a Disney movie, two hungry missionaries, and a tiny snack shack in our neighborhood, about 10 minutes before the end of proselyting hours. Anytime. Anywhere. We must always be prepared to be missionaries.
That´s the news this week! And before concluding, I have a few things to ask. First, I´ll need new garments when I get back. I hope that a few weeks is enough time to order online. If not, I´ll hang on to few pairs to get me through the first few days or so. Just the regular, cotton
material (or if they have that mixed material, that´s good too) with the normal collar, medium-tall shirts, and medium bottoms (if it´s with a number, 30 should be just right).
Secondly, Brother Nock sent me a message and mentioned that Tanner will be receiving his endowment in the second or third week of August. I replied that I´ll be arriving about noon on Friday, August 14, and that I´d be happy to go to the temple the very next day. I´m sure he´ll respond next week, but if they decide to mark it for the 15th, I´d really like to attend the temple with them. I don´t know if there is anything important marked for that day, but if not, I´d like to leave it open to be able to do this with anyone else in the family who would like to go as well. If not, I can always ride with the Nock´s. Or maybe you already have plans to go as well? Any way, just let me know how it´ll work out!
That´s about it, as far as I can remember. The Church is true, see you in two (weeks!)
Love,
Michael
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
On Monday 20 July 2015 Elder Kamilos wrote:
Good morning!
This week has been a lot of work, as we´re searching diligently for families to teach. This past week was one of the best weeks I´ve seen in the zone in terms of marking investigators to be baptized in the next couple of weeks. We´re seeing a lot of growth not only in the zone, but in the entire mission.
This week we´ll be having a baptism of a young man named Paulo Henrique, who is the younger brother of an active member who is preparing to serve a full-time mission. He´s been coming to church for awhile now, and has made the decision that he is ready to become a member, and take upon him the name of Jesus Christ. He really is a giant, physically and spiritually. You´ll have to see him in next week´s picture!
As for me, I continue to do well in my last weeks. You know, it´s strange. I don´t really feel any different. I´m just carrying on and working like normal!
Also, I heard Tanner Nock got his mission call! Where is he going?? I´m crazy to know. Bro. Lawson said he´ll be leaving about 2 weeks after I get back. That´s cool! I´ll have to get him all pumped up before he goes out.
That´s about it from me for now. Love you all!
Elder Kamilos
Good morning!
This week has been a lot of work, as we´re searching diligently for families to teach. This past week was one of the best weeks I´ve seen in the zone in terms of marking investigators to be baptized in the next couple of weeks. We´re seeing a lot of growth not only in the zone, but in the entire mission.
This week we´ll be having a baptism of a young man named Paulo Henrique, who is the younger brother of an active member who is preparing to serve a full-time mission. He´s been coming to church for awhile now, and has made the decision that he is ready to become a member, and take upon him the name of Jesus Christ. He really is a giant, physically and spiritually. You´ll have to see him in next week´s picture!
As for me, I continue to do well in my last weeks. You know, it´s strange. I don´t really feel any different. I´m just carrying on and working like normal!
Also, I heard Tanner Nock got his mission call! Where is he going?? I´m crazy to know. Bro. Lawson said he´ll be leaving about 2 weeks after I get back. That´s cool! I´ll have to get him all pumped up before he goes out.
That´s about it from me for now. Love you all!
Elder Kamilos
Tuesday, July 14, 2015
On Monday 13 July 2015 Elder Kamilos wrote:
Hi Mom and Dad!
Unfortunately, I don´t have much time to write today, but just to let you know I´m doing well, I´ll send a brief message. I love you so much! And yes, I´m doing all that I can to make this last month the best of my mission and my life. My comp is just great, I love him a ton. I´m happy:)
Hopefully next week I´ll have a little more time!
Love,
Michael
Hi Mary!! Sorry I´ve been bad about sending personal emails to you and everyone. There have been some issues with internet usage in the mission, so now we only get 35 minutes on p-day to use our email. You may have noticed that my recent emails have been a bit shorter, haha, because on top of writing to mom and dad, I have to write to Presidente, and I have to do zone leader stuff (spreadsheets with baptisms and confirmations and all that jazz) which leaves me with about 10 minutes every week to write to the family. But thanks for keeping me in your prayers!
I´ll see in you in a month!! That´s crazy!
Love you!
Mike
Unfortunately, I don´t have much time to write today, but just to let you know I´m doing well, I´ll send a brief message. I love you so much! And yes, I´m doing all that I can to make this last month the best of my mission and my life. My comp is just great, I love him a ton. I´m happy:)
Hopefully next week I´ll have a little more time!
Love,
Michael
Hi Mary!! Sorry I´ve been bad about sending personal emails to you and everyone. There have been some issues with internet usage in the mission, so now we only get 35 minutes on p-day to use our email. You may have noticed that my recent emails have been a bit shorter, haha, because on top of writing to mom and dad, I have to write to Presidente, and I have to do zone leader stuff (spreadsheets with baptisms and confirmations and all that jazz) which leaves me with about 10 minutes every week to write to the family. But thanks for keeping me in your prayers!
I´ll see in you in a month!! That´s crazy!
Love you!
Mike
Tuesday, July 7, 2015
On Monday 6 July 2015 Elder Kamilos wrote...
Dear Mom and Dad,
Okay, first off, I am SO HAPPY to hear about my camera being miraculously discovered after so much time has passed!!!!! That camera has almost all of my pictures from Utah! And just to let you know, I did buy a new camera at Walmart the week before coming to Brasil, so I have been taking pictures. But that really makes me happy. That truly is a blessing. And speaking of the mission, you said new mission office of the Logan Mission?? Was a new mission created there? That´s really exciting if it did!
As for the mission, I´m really doing all that I can to enjoy these last weeks of my mission. Surprisingly, I don´t really feel any different. The work continues to go well, and I´m working hard with Elder Voorhies to make these last weeks the best of my mission.
News of Pres. Packer reached me yesterday during sunday school when one of the american sisters serving in the other ward informed me of his death. Of course, I was sad to hear of his passing away, but I know that he has really endured to the end. It truly was his time, and with our knowledge of the Plan of Salvation, we know that he is now in the paradise prepared for the righteous spirits of God´s children, awaiting the resurrection. I am so thankful for having such a broader and deeper understanding of this perfect plan.
My times about up for now! But I´ll bring more good news next week about our progressing investigators!
Love,
Michael
Okay, first off, I am SO HAPPY to hear about my camera being miraculously discovered after so much time has passed!!!!! That camera has almost all of my pictures from Utah! And just to let you know, I did buy a new camera at Walmart the week before coming to Brasil, so I have been taking pictures. But that really makes me happy. That truly is a blessing. And speaking of the mission, you said new mission office of the Logan Mission?? Was a new mission created there? That´s really exciting if it did!
As for the mission, I´m really doing all that I can to enjoy these last weeks of my mission. Surprisingly, I don´t really feel any different. The work continues to go well, and I´m working hard with Elder Voorhies to make these last weeks the best of my mission.
News of Pres. Packer reached me yesterday during sunday school when one of the american sisters serving in the other ward informed me of his death. Of course, I was sad to hear of his passing away, but I know that he has really endured to the end. It truly was his time, and with our knowledge of the Plan of Salvation, we know that he is now in the paradise prepared for the righteous spirits of God´s children, awaiting the resurrection. I am so thankful for having such a broader and deeper understanding of this perfect plan.
My times about up for now! But I´ll bring more good news next week about our progressing investigators!
Love,
Michael
Monday, June 29, 2015
On Monday 29 June 2015 Elder Kamilos wrote....
Dear Mom and Dad,
Well this week was a powerful week for us in the Santa Rita Zone! We ended the month with all but one companionship having baptized during the month. We're certainly moving forward into the next transfer and month, and speaking of transfers, it turns out that I'll be spending my last transfer here in Bayeux with Elder Voorhies!!! It's funny, actually, because almost nothing changed in the zone, which is really great. I'm hoping to end my mission with fire!
Speaking on the new decision of the US Supreme Court, I don't find it all too surprising. Recently I've been digging into the scriptures and reading a lot of prophecies concerning the last days, and it´s amazing how vivid it becomes when we come to understand what the Savior and the prophets and apostles of the scriptures all warned against. I started reading the book of Isaiah last week, and I actually studied that exact chapter (chapter 5) on Saturday. I marked this scripture, and kept pondering on the present condition of the world. The second-coming of the Lord is swiftly coming. The signs testify of that truth. I've come to know and recognize what "apostacy" really means, and I am so grateful for the Restoration of the Gospel that continues to be realized.
As for me, I´ve never been happier or more content on my mission! As I look back at all that has happened, I realize just how much that I've experienced. These have been the best and most productive years of my whole life, and I'm going to miss Brasil so much. But I still have six weeks to make the most of it!
I love you all!!
Michael
Well this week was a powerful week for us in the Santa Rita Zone! We ended the month with all but one companionship having baptized during the month. We're certainly moving forward into the next transfer and month, and speaking of transfers, it turns out that I'll be spending my last transfer here in Bayeux with Elder Voorhies!!! It's funny, actually, because almost nothing changed in the zone, which is really great. I'm hoping to end my mission with fire!
Speaking on the new decision of the US Supreme Court, I don't find it all too surprising. Recently I've been digging into the scriptures and reading a lot of prophecies concerning the last days, and it´s amazing how vivid it becomes when we come to understand what the Savior and the prophets and apostles of the scriptures all warned against. I started reading the book of Isaiah last week, and I actually studied that exact chapter (chapter 5) on Saturday. I marked this scripture, and kept pondering on the present condition of the world. The second-coming of the Lord is swiftly coming. The signs testify of that truth. I've come to know and recognize what "apostacy" really means, and I am so grateful for the Restoration of the Gospel that continues to be realized.
As for me, I´ve never been happier or more content on my mission! As I look back at all that has happened, I realize just how much that I've experienced. These have been the best and most productive years of my whole life, and I'm going to miss Brasil so much. But I still have six weeks to make the most of it!
I love you all!!
Michael
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