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

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

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

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