Oi! Tudo Bem?!
Everything is awesome here! Had a rough, and amazing week. A mix of both!

First, to start answering your questions. Today we are going out to go get a camera. We didnt have time last week but this week we are going out there and I am gonna get two things. I want to get a Brazil jersey for all my companions to sign. I think it would be a fun idea. And also I am gonna look and hopefully have a camera by the end of today!

My meals here... We either eat out, or eat at a members house. This week for dinners we always have rice and beans (which are a lot better then people make it sound out to be) and other stuf like lasguana (sp?) and other stuff. We even had potatos this week (which is not common) but the lady knows what an american washington boy (me) likes! haha. \And this week we went with an investegator to a churrasco out in the midle of the city. We were like, oh we could go to this place. But he insisted this place. It is called Limozini. It was SWEET! 40 bucks for food and they just keep bringing out meat galor! It was wonderful!!! I loved it. The meat was Delicious! I ate Lamb (which was my fav) and the heart of 3 different animals. It was good too! (surprisingly) But I ate so much I am pretty sure I broke... o palavra de sabedoria... or the word of wisdom. I like typing so much more in portuguese because spell check is for portuguese only here. Anyways... the food was BOMB! I love the food here. Not in the CTM though... ha.

So to start off... stories of the week.
1. We didnt play basketball afterall. We went to a park last week nearby where it was a wildlife preserve. We get there and no joke, over 100 monkeys randomly surounded us and just were jumping around in the trees and everything. It was no joke, awesome! I loved it. I got some pics but it doesnt do it justice. It was an awesome experience. We even got to witness a wrestling match 3 yards in front of us. It was crcazy. But it was awesome. That was a great time and getting to see the waterfall there. I hope while here I get to see the worlds largest waterfall in iguazu falls. That would be awesome.

2. I asked for water the other day... I got brown water. It was all they had and I dont know how people drink that stuff! It was nasty. haha. But I could drink it cuz we got filters yo! haha. It was funny though because when we left the house I dumped it out and got water elsewhere. haha.

3. Almost saw a lady get DECKED by a motorcycle. She was walking across the street when all of a sudden a motorcycle was coming down the road. Everyone tried to warn here but she was the one walking when it was red.... People these days... hah. But the m.c. came and the guy barely swerved out of the way.

Those are just yet again a few of all the good stories that are being formed here. Well this week has been really good. And really bad. The week started out good but then people started stop taking the lessons, people just wanted to bible bash, and we lost basically all of our investegators. We have been working with 2 girls and their dad though. The girls are 16 and 19 and it has got to the point where we are not going to go back because we think they only want us there for other reasons then the lessons. It happens all the time here just because we are american. But all in all, basically no investegators. But from one of the ladies we are teaching, Rosalina, her friend is now taking the lessons. GOLDEN investegator. She is awesome and has an awesome family. We hope that everything will turn out and work out. This week it also rained a lot, which I love! And walking around in it, turned to dancing in the rain. I loved it. haha. But it sucks because no one is out and no one wants to answer to us at the gate because when it rains, everyone sleeps. We tried our best though! It was fun though, and whenever someone asked me, you like the rain? I said YES!!!!!!!!!!! WIth this huge smile on my face. I told them all about the great rainy state of washington and they just look at me like I am crazy but it is great. The lightning is my favorite part. We were in church yesterday and the thunder was perfect timing... Right when Gustavos Wife was bearing her testimony, the biggest thunder you have ever heard hit. It made the moment that much more powerful. haa. But it literally shook the chapel.

But yesterday, just everything happening at home, and missing home, along with our little succes hit me. I just lost it when we got back home. No one came to church yesterday, we taught only two lessons (one of them though most interesting experience ever), and just had a rough day. But Elder Folland helped me out and helped me understand every missionary has that. I know that is true and I just want to get past it. After that convo we had I felt so much better. I might be homesick, but I remember why I am here. Just after we had this convo he got a phone call, and he is getting transfered this week. I am not even done being trained. But he is going to be a zone leader now in Sao Paulo. He is nervous but I know he will do awesome. But I get a new trainer this Thursday and have to know the entire area and get to sorta train my trainer. It is a weird feeling! But I am super excited to be able to have this opportunity to be challenged in other ways.

All in all, this week yet again, challenging yet amazing. I miss you all and love you so very much! I love the letters I am getting and trying my best to write back lots!

Te Amo!
Até mais!
-Elder Cameron Millett!

So this week... In all honesty wasn't all too great. Today I woke up and threw up immediately and it was no fun. I have been sick off and on all week. I laid down for a little while and now I am feeling way better. We cleaned the house, then went here to start our emailing. We are going to play basketball today and I am super excited for that. We got authorization from our president to play. We also have a contest going on for numbers this last week. If we won, we might get to play soccer as the prize, or he even mentioned PAINTBALL. How sweet would that be! haha. But I decided I am going to take a break from writing letters today. I feel just all too stressed out from this week in all honesty and will try and get to writing more letters here. I have a lot of people to respond to. Tell them all thank you so much for the mail! I love it all!

Anyways, my week started out great. Got bit by a dumb dog... haha. It made me laugh though. I was having the CRAPPIEST of days on monday but when that dog bit me, I go.... This is gonna make a great story. We were out taking pictures when this little dog came out of no where! It was so annoying just barking and growling. I went to go take a picture and that little dog runs up to me and bites my foot and it was like in the movies, where it hung onto my foot and I lifted my foot and it was still biting! Crazy! haha. But it was funny. Then later the dog bit a brazilian. The brazilian was not as nice as we were... We walked away from it and just went somewhere else while the other guy threw a rock at it. It in all honesty made me laugh... haha. That day I also bought my first soccer jersey. Those things bring a smile to my face. Who said money couldnt buy happiness! haha. jk...

I have lots of stories this week....
1. We invited the local drug dealer to church. It made me laugh. When we went into the house, I saw plenty of comfirmations that she was a drug dealer. But the family is so nice. The member that lives in the same favela didn't want to go there because he knows the family and didnt want to be near the drug dealer. haha. But nothing a Reeses peanut butter cup can't solve! haha When I offered one, he had no problem going. Brazilians will do anything for american chocolate! haha.

2. The buses are crazy here. They drive faster than cars in the United States. And when its super crowded on the bus its even worse. You are literally up against plenty of other people trying to hold on for your life. Its great. I gotta admit I love riding on buses though. Its a great arm work out too.

3. Kids pee wherevere they want here. In the middle of a lesson on the street, a kid just started peeing right there by my feet. It was really funny though. haha. Little things get me through the day.

4. The gross story of the week... Walking along this week I almost stepped on 4 dogs and 1 (sorry mom) dead kitten! They just throw the dead animals on the road and sometimes you just gotta walk with your head down and as I was walking, not paying full attention, I almost stepped on it! Yikes! Super gross but yet again, I laugh about the thought of it. haha. The kitten was the most sad though because I am not too fond of dogs anymore as I said before. haha.

I have plenty of more stories, but little time to share them all and some I will share when I get home! They are great though, I promise!

But this next week will hopefully be a lot better. I have noticed my portuguese is to a point where I can hold a good conversation. I got the comment from a lot of members that I speak better than people here for 12 weeks. Compliments make me big headed when they say that, but makes me feel better! I can have conversations with people in the ward now. Its great! I can understand them a lot more too now! I love it and love this country!

Also, I just started reading the book of mormon (O livro de mormon) and want to finish in no more then 2 months. I would like something I can print off and fill in as I read. Could you try and get me one though: That would be cool and I can print it off here! I am almost through 1 nefi and understand most of it! haha

One more thing, one thing we have been having trouble with here is people in the ward not helping recently. I beg you, help the missionaries lots in Puyallup! They need it! Its tough being a missionary without the help of the ward.

Well I gotta get going! I am excited to head off to play some ball! Super ready to get extra energy out and am very hungry right now. I love you all so much! Take care, and continue to write lots of letters please! I love them so much!

Smile always!

Elder Millich! 

Mother's Day Google Hangout!

Mother's Day Google Hangout May 13, 2012

I got a call Thursday afternoon, prior to Mother's Day, from the Londrina Mission office to inform me that Cameron would be on a Hangout at 4:30pm (which was 12:30pm for us).  I was so excited to know we'd get to actually do a Google Hangout and that Michelle and Matt in Wisconsin and Matt and Celeste in California would be able to join in.

We were home and ready to go at 12:30.  I wasn't sure if Cameron was going to start the Hangout or if we were supposed to do it.  We were all in a Hangout and just kept checking to see if he had started one himself.  It was almost 1:00 and we were worried we may have gotten the wrong time or date or something!  Then the phone rang and we had a call from Cameron.  He had forgotten his email and had tried logging in with a different one and couldn't figure out where all his friends had gone!  When I reminded him of his actual email address he was finally able to join the Hangout.  He was at the home of one of the families in his ward.  It was a little hard to hear him but we could see him!  It was so fun to talk with him.

Some of the things he shared with us:  When he left the CTM in Sao Paulo to fly to Londrina he had to be up at 3am.  They drove to the airport which was on the other side of the city and he said it took them over an hour.  He couldn't believe how big the city was!  They had to wait around for the airport to open.  When they arrived in Londrina they were met at the airport by the mission president and some of the Elders who yelled out a welcome to them.  His mission president does not speak much English so he had to do his best with the little Portuguese he knew to share with his mission president about his family.

He figures he must be getting the language when the other day he couldn't remember the English word for something in Portuguese.  Cameron said he used to make fun of missionaries who did that and now he is one of them.

None of the missionaries drive.  They do a lot of walking and taking buses,  Some of the members will drive them places or random people will offer them rides.

They eat a lot of beans and rice.  The main meal of the day is at lunch when they eat with members.  Most Brazilians eat their dinner at 8:00 so he said they generally just eat two meals a day.

All the missionaries apartments have washing machines and microwaves.  The former mission president was a millionaire so he took care of that before leaving the mission.

Currently all the letters to missionaries are sent to the mission home and they pick up their mail once a week.  Evidently some Elders don't pass on mail that comes to apartments once the missionary is gone.  I guess they figure if the mission home gets it they'll be sure the missionaries get their mail.  We are trying to send a package to a member's home who is right across the street from where Cameron lives.

His one big disappointment is that the Elders in all of Brazil are not allowed to play soccer.  Too many injuries!

What a great Mother's Day it was for me!  --Melinda

Me, Gabriel and Elder Folland

This week was great, and bad at the same time. We had 2 days in a row we just didn't teach anyone. It was terrible. A lot of people have been falling through recently which was really sad. We are working really hard and walking a TON and didn't get to teach a single lesson. We got blessed in the end though. We baptized a 9 year old of a less active member and he is so excited. It was really good for the family because it looks like they are going to attend more because the mom feels more of a responsibility to attend because Gabriel wants to attend church lots. The baptism was awesome too! Elder Folland did the baptism and it was a good learning experience of how they go. The spirit was really strong there, and all of his family was there. (cousins, brothers and sisters, uncles etc.) Most are not members so it was a good opportunity to get more references and have them learn a little about our church. 2 of them we are going to teach tomorrow which is awesome. They are SUPER interested. 

This is the life of me in the morning and night. Reading in Portuguese trying to translate, eating, drinking guarana and feeling very overwhelmed! I love being a missionary!

But I wanted to explain what a whole day is like for me here...

6:30 we wake up and excercise and I make my tiny breakfast at the same time.
7- Finish writing in my journal from the night before and get ready for the day.
8- study personal
9-11 we study together and Elder Folland just makes me teach all the lessons I have no idea how to teach so I can look like an idiot. He does it on purpose... haha. Its good for me though!
11-12 we study more of the language, and at this point I am restless from sitting.
12 lunch with a member until 1
1-9:30 we WALK WALK WALK everywhere. We have a huge area so we have a lot to cover. We will teach all of our investegators first and then tract for the rest of the night. It is so tiring but a good work out. My legs are getting stronger and stronger though! haha

Thats a day in the life of me! Just thought I would write it!

I have taught a lot of lessons this week more and more on my own. I get to talk about my family in every lesson because I do the part of the first lesson about how the gospel blesses families. So anything about how the gospel has blessed you all (stories) would be awesome! I would like that. Our mission president wants us to make the experience even better with talking a little more personally in our lives to better help the investegators know we are normal people too. Whenever we invite people to church people think it will just be them, and a bunch of missionaries... haha. Its really funny to picture. Its like the CTM basically... hah.

Lifes good though! Sorry this email was kinda lame, but I will try and make next weeks better! We have a lot to do this week! I love you all and take care!

Até Mais!
-Elder Millett

Life in Londrina...

First of, thank you so much for the pizza in sao paulo. It was so good and so good to have a bit of america! Super amazing! And two... The kitchen looks awesome! Its gonna be weird in 2 years coming home to all these things that are so different! Its crazy! But I absolutely love it. I think it looks great and I know you are probably super happy that it is all done. So how is everyone doing? I will get to talk with you next week! I have no idea about the details but I will for sure get to talk to you all! I am super excited and can't wait to see you (skype for sure, maybe even google plus!). That would be super sweet.

Anyways, My week has been pretty good. I realized a few more things this week as always. This week is that there is for sure opposition in all things. That was very noticable here this week when we had 10 people scheduled to come to church with us and only one came because another pastor went and said a bunch of anti mormon things to some of our investegators. It was sad to see them not coming but its all good. We had lessons with most of them last night and things hopefully will be back on track with all of them! The one lady, Rosalina, that came to church loved it! We spent a little while talking to her after and she is so excited to learn more about the church. She is always looking to learn more by reading, praying and doing all the things we ask her. Hopefully we can set a baptismal date tonight! We get to teach her tonight and I will probably have nothing to do with it. (since I dont know how to say a ton of the words from the lesson we are having tonight). I officially taught the full first lesson on my own and my comp said it was good. He was probably lying but we committed him to a baptismal date. So I must have said what i needed to say I guess. His name is eder (pronounced like elder, so you can imagine the fun convo we had with him.) haha. Anyways, our church is super small and there is like barely any members when I compare it to home. There are 4 class rooms, a bishops office, and a room for nursery. Super little building. Very old too. But it was fun getting to meet all of the people there and they are all working with me with my terrible portuguese and its getting better slowly. I also got to be a part of a confirmation this week. Luciani and her Mom Maria de fatchAma were set apart as memebers of the church. It was a cool experience being able to be a part of that.

So this week also, I got to see wild monkeys! It was super fun! We got a picture with them and spent a little time feeding them. It was crazy because 10 of them hopped out of no where and thought they were bout to kill us. Monkeys are very smart animals. That is for sure. It was a lot of fun and we got a contact from it. (so we weren't wasting time I promise!) I also sanitized my hands right after we fed them because I remembered about the whole losing hair thing from the monkeys. haha. Along with monkeys, we have been running into some crazy drunk people. One heard  us speaking english and he wanted to be a part of it. He only knew how to say one sentence that he kept repeating, my name is jose. Over and over. It was funny. His breath was so strong I felt a little woozy after talking to him. Crazys...

So you need to look up some more of the brazilian juices they have here. I have had some amazing juice here and its super different then anything I have ever had. All fresh too. I think you might enjoy making some of those and would really love drinking them. I am starting to love brazilian food more and more. There is a member here also that owns an ice cream shop (across the street from us) and we ate there this week. After feeding us they told us to just dish up and we had ice cream here. It is the healthiest ice cream ever apparently and is SUPER GOOD. He makes it himself and is a health fanatic, and has basically no fat. I dont know all the details but I know it was probably pretty healthy because the dinner they served us, they served us with this drink that cleanses your body. It tasted like dirt... But I downed a cup of it, then he asked if I wanted more.... Yeah. I just asked for water instead. haha.

This week also a funny thing happened. I challenged someone to read the book of mormon but my portuguese led me the wrong way in saying what I wanted to say... haha. Instead of saying.... will you read the book of mormon tonight? I said... You are going to read the book of mormon tonight, telling them they were going to do it. I used the wrong verb and she just looked at me funny. Good thing my companion was there to save me! He always is there to save me. And he always springs things on me too. Like yesterday at dinner he goes, you have the spiritual thought (2 minutes before I gave it). Freaked me out. But I gave one on faith. It was simple and straight to the point. And I know those words a little better then other lessons and all. Its good for me that he does that but I still hate it! Love hate situation... haha

Well all is good here. Things are going great and I am working hard. My shirts are slowly starting to get a red tint to it from the red dirt here, and I am almost brazilian (not really) when it comes to my tan! haha. I love you all! Quit slackin on the letter writing mom! (jk, I am okay if you forget). hehe.

Ate Mais!
Elder Millett (Mill-ICH... that is what they call me here, but its growing on me) haha.