Oi todos!
To respond to your question real quick [about his boarding having a mold problem] - President Tanner already knows about the mold issue - it was one of the first things he told us about the house when we were over at his place two weeks ago. I think I'll need to wash some of the place a little better today. We've contacted a member of our branch who works in real estate - he is working on finding a better house for us. Our only option so far is an apartment quite a long ways from the church building.
Haha, the stove works fine [we asked about the (propane?) tank connected to the stove, pictured in the previous post], we always have the windows open so it's not a problem. Sometimes I look at the conditions we live in and try to remember that I will return to the conditions I'm used to in a couple years. But it's also important to remember that millions upon millions of people deal with the same conditions or worse for their entire life, and that I have it pretty good compared to some other missionaries! Heck, we have a hot shower, plumbing and everything.
Pretty much all the food that we've had with the church members has been amazing. Always beans and rice, lettuce and meat (usually chicken or pig). Sometimes we get potatoes or pasta also. There's this one dish called feijoada. You cook black beans with pork and various stuffs, and then you pour it over rice. It's very good, except some people like to stick bones and big strips of fat in there. It probably makes the overall stew taste better though.
All the church members are very friendly. My companion makes a lot of conversation with them. We had an exchange two days ago - Elder Hill went to São Manuel, and Elder De Oliveira came here. He is sort of the quiet type and it was way different at the house we went to for lunch because neither of us were really into conversing with the members - me mostly because I can't understand what they're saying.
It's funny to hear that both Elder Espiritu and Elder Childers have both been bitten by dogs! There are a lot of dogs here in Botucatu. At least half the houses here have one or more dogs. How the houses work is they have a gate or doorway at the sidewalk, and past that you have the yard or driveway and then the actual house. It's why we have to clap at the front of peoples houses instead of knock doors. It's annoying because you'll be walking down the street and all these dogs will be barking at you from the other side of these gates. Some pretty vicious dogs too. However, whenever weve been inside peoples homes they calm their dog down and they just slink off.
Also, there are a lot of stray dogs and cats here. In one day walking around you'd probably see 10 or so stray animals. One time we were sitting in a large, covered bus station and there must have been 6 stray dogs walking around or sleeping under benches. Its really sad! Its also a hard problem to fix. Of course the stray dogs are never aggressive, since they rely on food from humans.
Finally, Happy Fathers Day!!! Just so you know its kind of cool going through a similar, life changing experience that you had, Dad.
Eu amo vocês muito!! Thank you for all your support and love!!!
Elder Bradgefordge (how they pronounce it here)
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
First Week in Botucatu
Alô todos!
I don't even know how to describe the experiences I've had this week. So I'll start by answering your questions so far!
Elder Hill is pretty cool, he has the language pretty much down and he is fantastic at getting to know the people and becoming friends with them. He is constantly emphasizing to me that I need to be more energetic, more animated when talking to people. I've never even considered improving in that way before my mission, but I can see now where I need to improve. I thought my Portuguese was decent when I left the CTM, boy was I wrong. He is teaching me to slow down when I talk and focus on matching the genders in the words, because I am trying to speak quickly and slurred like the Brasileiros but no one can understand me! Sometimes when we do contacts, I give our introduction and ask if we can pass by their house sometime - when I'm done sometimes they just stand there and look over at Elder Hill, and then he rephrases it and they understand. One time I gave the prayer in this investigators house, and when I finished she said "Amém. Não entendi nada, mas Amém!" [Amen. I did not understand anything, but Amen!] Elder Hill emphasized to me that it is more important to be able to communicate through the Spirit than through Portuguese, but sometimes its very hard to remember that!
About having an American companion, Presidente Tanner actually told me in my interview that I was going to be with Elder Hill, although I had no idea who he was. He said that they used to always pair Americans with Brasileiros, but he recently decided to change because he found that the transition was a lot smoother for the new American missionaries who are paired with Americans. I was actually hoping for a Brasileiro mas, tudo bem! [but okay]
We're not sure why the other Elders were transferred out of the area (I don't even know why its strange, but everyone else I've talked to seems confused about it). We are serving in the Botucatu 1st Branch. In effect, Elder Hill and I reopened the area. He knew nothing about the area also so we spent some time this last week getting to know the area and the people. Our branch president is President Gabriel, who is awesome. He is a very spiritual and emotional man.
This last Sunday we didn't have our normal meetings because of the dedication of the Manaus, Brazil Temple. It was very cool. We went to our chapel and watched it live on the projector screen. Elders Cook and Uchtdorf were there and both spoke. We were actually asked to attend two sessions, and each were a little different. It was kind of funny when they went to spread the mortar or concrete or whatever it was on the cornerstone, because President Uchtdorf would make little humorous comments and us American missionaries would be laughing throughout, but the Brasileiro members had no idea why we were laughing because the translator was only able to pick up and repeat in Portuguese an occasional phrase. Anyway, for next week both of us will be speaking for sure, and I think I'm playing the hymns but I don't really know yet what's going on with that.
Almost every day we have lunch with members, and they do not hesitate to feed us bastante! [ample] As for breakfast and dinner, we have to take care of it ourselves, but we stick with really simple things so there's no problems there. We've only had to cook so far eggs, french toast, pasta and hot chocolate (not that you really cook hot chocolate).
Yeah, it was a long ride from the mission home to our area - I think about 3-4 hours, compared to the hour or so from the CTM to the mission home. We basically get a debit card to pay for our food, some personal items, utilities and I think rent. I don't know, so far Elder Hill has taken care of the utilities and rent.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELLIE!!!! I cant believe you're 10 already!! We were just talking to a young lady yesterday who was 10 years old, and I thought about you. I sent a card for you about a month ago, I was hoping it would reach home by now. Hopefully it gets to you soon!
In regard to prayers in my behalf, I need help leaving my comfort zone and just talking and opening up to people, and help with Portuguese. Those are the two things I'm struggling with most, and the things I don't want to face but I have to! Being out here is all about picking yourself up and continuing on. I pretty much slaughter Portuguese everyday, and being the perfectionist I am, I don't want to mess up so I hesitate to talk to people. But like you said, I need to get these thoughts out of my head, and not hesitate to talk about the gospel! Thank you for your spiritual thoughts by the way! They are such a huge help!
Eu amo vocês! Atê,
Elder Bradford
I don't even know how to describe the experiences I've had this week. So I'll start by answering your questions so far!
Elder Hill is pretty cool, he has the language pretty much down and he is fantastic at getting to know the people and becoming friends with them. He is constantly emphasizing to me that I need to be more energetic, more animated when talking to people. I've never even considered improving in that way before my mission, but I can see now where I need to improve. I thought my Portuguese was decent when I left the CTM, boy was I wrong. He is teaching me to slow down when I talk and focus on matching the genders in the words, because I am trying to speak quickly and slurred like the Brasileiros but no one can understand me! Sometimes when we do contacts, I give our introduction and ask if we can pass by their house sometime - when I'm done sometimes they just stand there and look over at Elder Hill, and then he rephrases it and they understand. One time I gave the prayer in this investigators house, and when I finished she said "Amém. Não entendi nada, mas Amém!" [Amen. I did not understand anything, but Amen!] Elder Hill emphasized to me that it is more important to be able to communicate through the Spirit than through Portuguese, but sometimes its very hard to remember that!
About having an American companion, Presidente Tanner actually told me in my interview that I was going to be with Elder Hill, although I had no idea who he was. He said that they used to always pair Americans with Brasileiros, but he recently decided to change because he found that the transition was a lot smoother for the new American missionaries who are paired with Americans. I was actually hoping for a Brasileiro mas, tudo bem! [but okay]
We're not sure why the other Elders were transferred out of the area (I don't even know why its strange, but everyone else I've talked to seems confused about it). We are serving in the Botucatu 1st Branch. In effect, Elder Hill and I reopened the area. He knew nothing about the area also so we spent some time this last week getting to know the area and the people. Our branch president is President Gabriel, who is awesome. He is a very spiritual and emotional man.
This last Sunday we didn't have our normal meetings because of the dedication of the Manaus, Brazil Temple. It was very cool. We went to our chapel and watched it live on the projector screen. Elders Cook and Uchtdorf were there and both spoke. We were actually asked to attend two sessions, and each were a little different. It was kind of funny when they went to spread the mortar or concrete or whatever it was on the cornerstone, because President Uchtdorf would make little humorous comments and us American missionaries would be laughing throughout, but the Brasileiro members had no idea why we were laughing because the translator was only able to pick up and repeat in Portuguese an occasional phrase. Anyway, for next week both of us will be speaking for sure, and I think I'm playing the hymns but I don't really know yet what's going on with that.
Almost every day we have lunch with members, and they do not hesitate to feed us bastante! [ample] As for breakfast and dinner, we have to take care of it ourselves, but we stick with really simple things so there's no problems there. We've only had to cook so far eggs, french toast, pasta and hot chocolate (not that you really cook hot chocolate).
Yeah, it was a long ride from the mission home to our area - I think about 3-4 hours, compared to the hour or so from the CTM to the mission home. We basically get a debit card to pay for our food, some personal items, utilities and I think rent. I don't know, so far Elder Hill has taken care of the utilities and rent.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELLIE!!!! I cant believe you're 10 already!! We were just talking to a young lady yesterday who was 10 years old, and I thought about you. I sent a card for you about a month ago, I was hoping it would reach home by now. Hopefully it gets to you soon!
In regard to prayers in my behalf, I need help leaving my comfort zone and just talking and opening up to people, and help with Portuguese. Those are the two things I'm struggling with most, and the things I don't want to face but I have to! Being out here is all about picking yourself up and continuing on. I pretty much slaughter Portuguese everyday, and being the perfectionist I am, I don't want to mess up so I hesitate to talk to people. But like you said, I need to get these thoughts out of my head, and not hesitate to talk about the gospel! Thank you for your spiritual thoughts by the way! They are such a huge help!
Eu amo vocês! Atê,
Elder Bradford
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Arrival in Campinas Mission and Botucatu area
Oi!
So this past week has been an adventure! We left the CTM Tuesday at around 11:30am, took a mission vehicle for about an hour to the mission home in Campinas, which was gorgeous. We had lunch, and an orientation with the assistants to the president, and interviews with the mission president. President Tanner is a cool guy and has a great sense of humor. Sister Tanner was really nice too. After the orientation, we all rode the mission vehicles to the mission office and received an orientation from the secretaries. With my little Portuguese knowledge, I was able to understand the majority of what was said during the meetings - we will have another one in a few weeks.
Then we got our companheiros! Okay, so my companheiro is Elder Hill. He is from Farmington, Utah. All else I know about him is that he's a cool guy, er, Elder. Today is our P-day so we haven't taught any lessons yet; however, we're meeting with three investigators later today and doing contacts! I don't know what to expect - all I know so far is that I can barely communicate with the people here. Anyways, we were running late so we missed the bus to our area after the meeting of the companions, so we ended up staying at the mission home last night. We got to talk with Sister Tanner, President Tanner was gone at a meeting for most of the time.
The next morning President Tanner drove us over to the bus station, which is huge! It's like a mini airport. We met up with some other Elders and took a huge charter-like bus to the city Botucatu. Then we hiked (literally) to the home of the Elders we were with, stayed there a while, and then left and took the public bus to our mission area (Botucatu 1st Branch). I think the bus had square tires...I didn't look. At some parts it was literally like riding a roller coaster. Which is fun, unless you're standing and trying to stablilize four pieces of luggage.
We got off the bus and hiked some more and found our humble abode. I sent some pictures [see below]...it's really not as bad as it looks. The previous missionaries left a total mess throughout the house so we are going to clean it up. Anyways, I'm here safe and sound, and realizing this is the real deal - I am actually doing what I've only read about or seen on TV.
OK, that's all for tday. Eu amo-os todos! [I love you all!]
The following are pics AJ provided from his last week at the MTC...
So this past week has been an adventure! We left the CTM Tuesday at around 11:30am, took a mission vehicle for about an hour to the mission home in Campinas, which was gorgeous. We had lunch, and an orientation with the assistants to the president, and interviews with the mission president. President Tanner is a cool guy and has a great sense of humor. Sister Tanner was really nice too. After the orientation, we all rode the mission vehicles to the mission office and received an orientation from the secretaries. With my little Portuguese knowledge, I was able to understand the majority of what was said during the meetings - we will have another one in a few weeks.
Then we got our companheiros! Okay, so my companheiro is Elder Hill. He is from Farmington, Utah. All else I know about him is that he's a cool guy, er, Elder. Today is our P-day so we haven't taught any lessons yet; however, we're meeting with three investigators later today and doing contacts! I don't know what to expect - all I know so far is that I can barely communicate with the people here. Anyways, we were running late so we missed the bus to our area after the meeting of the companions, so we ended up staying at the mission home last night. We got to talk with Sister Tanner, President Tanner was gone at a meeting for most of the time.
The next morning President Tanner drove us over to the bus station, which is huge! It's like a mini airport. We met up with some other Elders and took a huge charter-like bus to the city Botucatu. Then we hiked (literally) to the home of the Elders we were with, stayed there a while, and then left and took the public bus to our mission area (Botucatu 1st Branch). I think the bus had square tires...I didn't look. At some parts it was literally like riding a roller coaster. Which is fun, unless you're standing and trying to stablilize four pieces of luggage.
We got off the bus and hiked some more and found our humble abode. I sent some pictures [see below]...it's really not as bad as it looks. The previous missionaries left a total mess throughout the house so we are going to clean it up. Anyways, I'm here safe and sound, and realizing this is the real deal - I am actually doing what I've only read about or seen on TV.
OK, that's all for tday. Eu amo-os todos! [I love you all!]
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| The Campinas mission office as captured from Google Maps street view |
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| Botucatu is located in the west portion (left side of map) of the Campinas Mission. The mission boundaries are outlined in blue above. Click on the picture for a better view. |
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| The kitchen at AJ's new place -- nothing like cooking with gas! |
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| Good thing he brought clean sheets with him! |
The following are pics AJ provided from his last week at the MTC...
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| As AJ explains it: "This is a bag of bacon flavored fried chip things I bought at a snack store. I don't like them...I think I ended up giving them away to another Elder. Elder Norman thinks they might actually be dog treats." |
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| Picture of AJ's roommates at the MTC |
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| AJ's district at the MTC. From left to right: Elder Doggett, his twin brother Elder Doggett, Elder Bradford, Elder Reed, Irmão [Brother] Vilas Boas, Elder Justisen, Elder Illum, Elder Conner, Elder Maughan, Sister Leal, Elder Norman, and Sister Hazelden. |
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Final Week at the Brazil MTC
Hi everyone!
Yes, I am excited, nervous, anxious, etc. [regarding heading to Campinas]. I still love the CTM but I do want to get out and start working my butt off. It's difficult (for me at least) to really work rigorously here. There's so many distractions. But I'm learning what I can and hopefully my Portuguese will be adequate by the time I leave. I have no idea what to expect in my first area - except that I know I will be giving a talk on my first Sunday there, in Portuguese of course...that might be the thing I'm most worried about.
So, as far as I know I will be leaving Tuesday (June 5th) in the late morning or something. I'll be on a bus with around 7 or so Americanos and I don't know how many Brazilians. Actually probably a mission vehicle. We might stay the night at the mission home but I'm not sure how that will work.
So real quick, some stuff you might think is funny. There is a church here in Brasil that worships on the beach. They have like a surfboard as their podium and a shack as their chapel. Remember the story in the Bible about Jesus walking on water? Their explanation, and what they actually believe, is that he was surfing. Yeah. Also, Winnie the Pooh here is Ursinho Puff. Also, there is a funny phrase in Brasil, see if you can translate: "Mulher de bigode, nem o diabo pode" [Google translate indicates: "Women with a mustache, nor the devil can" -- we'll have to find out more about this one later]
Eu amo voces!!!,
Elder Bradford
To commemorate AJ's last week in São Paulo at the Brazil MTC, we decided to order him a 'Big Cookie' at Mr. Cheney Cookies, which is across the street. Here are pictures they sent:
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Yes, I am excited, nervous, anxious, etc. [regarding heading to Campinas]. I still love the CTM but I do want to get out and start working my butt off. It's difficult (for me at least) to really work rigorously here. There's so many distractions. But I'm learning what I can and hopefully my Portuguese will be adequate by the time I leave. I have no idea what to expect in my first area - except that I know I will be giving a talk on my first Sunday there, in Portuguese of course...that might be the thing I'm most worried about.
So, as far as I know I will be leaving Tuesday (June 5th) in the late morning or something. I'll be on a bus with around 7 or so Americanos and I don't know how many Brazilians. Actually probably a mission vehicle. We might stay the night at the mission home but I'm not sure how that will work.
So real quick, some stuff you might think is funny. There is a church here in Brasil that worships on the beach. They have like a surfboard as their podium and a shack as their chapel. Remember the story in the Bible about Jesus walking on water? Their explanation, and what they actually believe, is that he was surfing. Yeah. Also, Winnie the Pooh here is Ursinho Puff. Also, there is a funny phrase in Brasil, see if you can translate: "Mulher de bigode, nem o diabo pode" [Google translate indicates: "Women with a mustache, nor the devil can" -- we'll have to find out more about this one later]
Eu amo voces!!!,
Elder Bradford
To commemorate AJ's last week in São Paulo at the Brazil MTC, we decided to order him a 'Big Cookie' at Mr. Cheney Cookies, which is across the street. Here are pictures they sent:
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| The cookie reads: "We love you...and yeah". When this was ordered, our family received a confused reply from Mr. Cheney Cookies - they we were wondering if they received a complete quote. We assured them that AJ would get it. Our family has an inside joke about ending sentences using the phrase '...and yeah'. |
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| Elder Norman and Elder Conner (who arrived recently from the Provo MTC) enjoyed the cookie with AJ. Elder Conner will also be serving in the Campinas mission. |
Monday, May 28, 2012
May 23rd letters
Oi! Tudo bem com vocês?
I'm actually able to read the Portuguese Livro de Mórmon much faster, but I still have to take it word by word. I need to work on applying the new words I find to my lessons, so I can use them in speaking instead of just being able to read them. Irmão Mauricio said that the language in the Livro de Mórmon is not far different from the Portuguese spoken by people today - in fact, he said there are some people who speak exactly in that manner.
He also said that the outskirts of Campinas are total redneck territory. Yes, they have rednecks here, called caipiras. They have a funny accent, plaid clothes and everything.
Real quick, I have like a minute left, here's a quote from a talk given by Elder Bednar (translated into Portuguese and back into English): "The gospel of Jesus Christ serves to comfort the afflicted, and afflict the comfortable." :P interesting, huh? I'll follow-up later today with a missionties letter.
Love yall!
Elder Bradford
The following is a letter received later that day (click on it to view):
.png)
I'm actually able to read the Portuguese Livro de Mórmon much faster, but I still have to take it word by word. I need to work on applying the new words I find to my lessons, so I can use them in speaking instead of just being able to read them. Irmão Mauricio said that the language in the Livro de Mórmon is not far different from the Portuguese spoken by people today - in fact, he said there are some people who speak exactly in that manner.
He also said that the outskirts of Campinas are total redneck territory. Yes, they have rednecks here, called caipiras. They have a funny accent, plaid clothes and everything.
Real quick, I have like a minute left, here's a quote from a talk given by Elder Bednar (translated into Portuguese and back into English): "The gospel of Jesus Christ serves to comfort the afflicted, and afflict the comfortable." :P interesting, huh? I'll follow-up later today with a missionties letter.
Love yall!
Elder Bradford
The following is a letter received later that day (click on it to view):
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