August 29th letter

Oi família!

So we had transfers this last week and guess what? Both Elder Hill and I stayed! Neither of us thought it would happen. Generally after the 12-week training period it is switched up. But looks like God knows I have something more to learn from Elder Hill or Botucatu. I don't know what that is yet...

To respond to your questions [based on some comments in AJ's last letter]:

• Yeah, that was my first time at the Campinas temple. Unless you live in one of the three zones close to Campinas it's something that's really, really rare to do. Elder Hill hasn't even been inside the temple yet.
• The pizza in a cone is actually something they have here in Botucatu. It's a lot cheaper to buy a regular pizza so it's not very common in Brazil, so it's sort of a cool oddity thing.
• We actually had an English class going for a while, but less and less people were going and now we only have one kid interested (we just go to his house and teach him a little). I suggested to Elder Hill that we make something to advertise the class, but his experience has been that the class does very little to forward missionary work. So, we're going to suspend the class for now.

Ok, a few things. First of all today is my last P-day on Wednesday. Starting next week it will be on Monday. President Perrotti decided to change it [new mission president as of July].

I was trying to remember... how is condensed milk used in the US? Like, what kinds of things are made with it? I was wondering because I've noticed that condensed milk (and Creme de Leite, which I'm guessing would be like a heavy cream) is used way more here that in the US. It's put in juice sometimes, also in any type of creamy dessert. We've made a very simple version of mousse a few times already. It's just 1 part condensed milk, 1 part Creme de Leite, and some juice mix powder (Tang is the most popular one here - it's a different Tang than in the US), mixed in a blender and chilled.

I want to write real quick about 'I', an investigator.  We found him about a month ago. He is married and has two daughters, M is 6 and K is something like 7 months. The six-year-old reminds me of Ellie a little bit. During our visits she likes to play school and teach me new words in Portuguese. I get out my little notebook I use for writing down new words and phrases and let her draw and write in it - yesterday she was drawing a jogo de futebol [soccer match] with Corinthians versus Santos. She also gives the best prayers you ever did hear. I have to keep myself from laughing at times but her prayers are so sincere ("and thank you for sending these two guys to help my daddy quit smoking"). 'I' is working on quitting smoking and drinking, it's been a long process but we're getting there! Yesterday night he expressed his desire to, when he is baptized, continue on the path and never leave the Church. SO, he knows the Church is true! It's awesome. His wife is more hesitant, but she hasn't gone to church yet...she's planning to go this coming Sunday.

M's t-shirt with a bunch of 'ragefaces'...it's an internet thing

I included a picture of M (a different fellow) wearing a shirt that he and his class made. You guys might not understand why the shirt is cool, but I have some friends who do. It's interesting to note that pretty much all the internet jokes and cliches are as popular in Brazil as they are in the US.  Everyone uses Facebook too.

Like Dad said, the mission time is passing quickly...almost 1/4 of the pie is gone.  Eu amo vocês!!

Elder Bradford

August 22nd letter

Oi familia!

AJ, Elder Hill, W (being baptized), and M

First of all, we had a baptism this last Saturday! His name is W, who was baptized by M (for some reason, Brasileiros rarely smile in photos). He was a contact I made on the street about three weeks ago (I shouldn't say 'I' made it, but I was the one who stopped him and started talking to him). When we first met he smoked, drank, and took drugs. We worked with him, and he fell a couple times, but we kept on encouraging him and finally he was baptized. He's a pretty cool guy and really intelligent. Unfortunately, he lives with a bunch of bums who drink and get wasted all the time, so it was pretty hard for him and I think it still is now. He moved temporarily to his dad's house, and his dad is a really great guy. But he moved back to be an example for the others, he told us. I really hope he stays firm in the church after we leave!  His baptism (or rather the minutes leading up to it) was a really spiritual and intense experience.

AJ at the Campinas Temple

Also, believe it or not I'm in Campinas today, and guess where I went this morning? The TEMPLE! Elder Oliveira Souza had to go to Campinas for a doctors visit, and it worked out better for him to take me rather than his companion. It is a gorgeous temple. It's equally beautiful inside. So right now we're enjoying our P-day in Campinas!

So about piano lessons, I've actually been asked quite a bit about giving them. The problem is, it uses a lot of time. You don't know how fast P-day goes by (well, maybe Dad remembers)! Also, to teach someone who knows very little piano once a week until they are capable of playing even the simplified hymns would take months. It would also depend on whether they have the means or desire to practice! There is this one kid in our branch who can play pretty well, he can play through a few of the hymns. I was thinking of giving him a few piano lessons but he hasn't shown interest or called us back. He told me that he doesn't like to practice.

There's a few things I've learned on the mission about people - one of them is that unless someone has a real desire or outside pressure to do something that's possibly tiresome or inconvenient (like read the Book of Mormon or go to church), they won't do it. So, unfortunately as a missionary I don't have much opportunity to help people learn piano. Maybe in another area I'll find someone who plays okay and is willing to learn, practice, and apply what they learn. Huh, that kind of sounds like a golden investigator, doesn't it?

AJ enjoying pizza in a cone

Anyway, I also included a picture of us eating pizza in a cone. Yeah, it's awesome. Okay, tenho que sair. Tchau! [I have to leave, take care]

Elder Bradford

August 15th letter

Alô família!

First of all, HAPPY BIRTHDAY LEXI!!! I should have included that in the email I replied to her but at least it's here! Sorry, I wasn't able to send a card. Yes, I know I'm lame :-).

So you ask what's different about everyday life here in Brasil? I can at least tell you about Botucatu. First of all, lunch is the main meal of the day. Dinner is a light meal or sometimes just a snack. The kids either study in the morning, the afternoon or at night (I think it is selected randomly, maybe you choose, I don't know). A lot of the teenagers work too. Hanging out at home is a lot more common among the teenagers here than in the US, as opposed to going out with friends. Probably because there really aren't a lot of entertainment businesses like we have in the US. I think I might have seen a movie theater once, I haven't seen bowling but I heard they have one here. When teenagers go out, its usually to play fútebol [soccer], visit the shopping center, or sit around and do drugs.

What else?? When you go to buy a snack from a street vendor, they let you take the food and even try it before you pay. I'm pretty sure the vendor expects you to pay upon giving the food to you, but its interesting how the order is the opposite of that in the US. Same thing if you sit down at a bar or some place to buy a soda or a snack, you don't pay until after you finish the food.

Yesterday I listened to a few of the sacrament meeting talks you've sent through email. I liked them all, but I have to give a standing ovation to Addison Reeves. Isso aí! Queimou até o pó!! [That's it! He burned it up!] He's going to be an awesome missionary.

Unfortunately, we've stopped passing by M (that lady who I told you about). She told us a couple times that her husband will not let her be baptized or go to church or anything. She wouldn't let us meet in her house or talk with her husband. We told her God will help work out the situation. But she still insisted that it wouldn't work out. I personally think she hasn't talked to her husband because she's just scared of what he will think. But, there's really nothing else we can do, other than wait on the Lord's time. We met with her in the street Saturday, I told her to continue to pray for her husband and that we would continue to pray too. I'm hoping the next Elders will meet with her and find her in a better condition.

Mom, I liked that quote you included in your email regarding how the mission is my "great opportunity to testify of Christ". Not only by my words but also by my actions and character. I think that is a necessary perspective to have to be a successful missionary.

A baptism! I was the one baptizing this time! It was really cool. The other Elders actually found and were teaching her but they realized she actually lives in our area, so she got passed along to us. She was super excited and I know she will remain firm in the church.

Lastly, Elder Hill and I make cake for the baptism on Saturday! ... and for your birthday, Lexi!

Eu amo vocês!
Elder Bradford

August 8th letter

Oiii família!

First of all, HAPPY FATHERS DAY! Dia Dos Pais is the 12th of August here.

Cookies made from mix brought from home

Also, thank you very much for the recipes! I made the buttermilk syrup again last night, another elder has a waffle iron so we had ourselves a feast. I also made cookies from that mix I brought from home, they turned out well. We brought the cookies to a birthday party of M, P's older brother. They were all eaten in like 5 minutes! I'm going to make the cookie recipe you sent me for P's birthday party which is later this month.

Yes, please send the recipe for scones! They have a popular treat here called 'sonhos' (SOWN-yoss), which is also the word meaning 'dreams' - so that gives you an idea how awesome they are. It's basically a scone more or less with either a bit of jelly inside, or cut in half and filled with cream. And then it's covered in sugar. Apparently powdered sugar is hard to come by here so they just use normal sugar.

AJ, M, and Elder Hill enjoying treats

Today I want to write about one miracle. Yesterday afternoon we were walking across town to meet with W, one of our investigators. By that time we had walked some  distance to another investigator's home, but she wasn't there. We had been making contacts, but no one was interested in what we had to say. Elder Hill was getting a little frustrated, and I was more just like, "pois é, acontece" [Whatever, it happens]. We were walking by this one house, and we don't normally knock doors, but Elder Hill decides to clap at this one house [in Brazil, clapping is how you 'knock']. There's this lady on the other side of the gate and she answers, and she's holding her granddaughter. We introduce ourselves and get to talking about the church, and after some time Elder Hill asks, "You look sad. What happened?" She starts to cry and talks about how her family is having problems and some bitter feelings. Elder Hill goes on to promise blessings by living the gospel, and then he invites her to be baptized. She continues to cry and immediately accepts. Then she picks up her cell phone and calls her mom. "Guess what? I'm going to be baptized!" And then she started to cry again "Yes, I'm sure. God has touched me in my heart." It was an awesome experience. We don't know all the details of her life, but we know that she has been humbled and touched by the Holy Ghost, which must have come from recent experiences. I mentioned to Elder Hill afterward, it's funny how only the people with lots of problems are those who readily accept us and want to follow Christ. He mentioned back to me that everyone has lots of problems, it's just a matter of having that broken heart and contrite spirit, that attitude of earnestly seeking the help of God. So, I am really really hoping that all turns out well with her. Maybe we will baptize her family also!

I'm a little unsettled because we've had many baptisms fall through. I may have mentioned to you about K. His mom won't let him be baptized until he turns 18 (3 years from now). We were going to have three baptisms this last Sunday - a mom, her daughter, and her nephew. But the mom really didn't have any desire, so it didn't happen. We had another lady who we couldn't get to come to church.

Things move really fast here in Brasil in regard to teaching those that are truly interested.  When an investigator misses a few commitments, they're placed in the area book for some other Elders to pass by some day. We've been focusing our time with people who are really willing to make commitments.

Well, that's it for today! Boa tarde! Eu amo vocês!!

Elder Bradford

August 1st phone call & letter

A couple of weeks ago, AJ emailed his dad about working out a surprise. It consisted of AJ calling home as a birthday present to his mom. He got permission from his mission president as a make-up call for Mother's Day (he was in the Missionary Training Center and unable to make a phone call home due to the large number of missionaries). So, we were able to have a Skype call with AJ this past Wednesday (and yes, mom was a bit surprised). Unfortunately, we weren't able to 'see' him due to lack of a webcam on his side, but had a great conversation.  He provided an entertaining missionary introduction in Portuguese, which was great to hear.  He sounds like he's in great spirits and enjoying the work. We received the following brief letter shortly afterward...

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First of all, Happy birthday to mom! I won't have a lot of time to write because of the call but I will try to write as much as I can!

In response to your question about our daily missionary schedule, I am pretty adjusted to it - except it is still really hard to get up at 6:30. I also really get into writing in my journal, so sometimes it's hard to get to bed by 10:30. Other than that it's fine. There are some things about the culture I'm still learning. Brazilians tend to be really open to sharing what they have. When we have visits with families they will often offer bread, cake or at least something to drink. The Brazilian missionaries are open to sharing their food and clothing and sometimes they expect the Americans to do the same. I used to keep the peanut butter I brought and the other goodies sort of hidden in my luggage, but I decided to just leave them on the cabinet along with the other food.  Stashing away food is seen as a rude American trait in the eyes of some Brazilians.

In regard to colored CTR wristbands, I think they would be cool to hand out. Elder Hill has some CTR rings and the kids love them.

Ok, I need to head out! Love you! I enjoyed seeing you guys!

Elder Bradford