Me!!!! With a bird! I forgot her name. 
My Ankle!!!!! It has improved alot!
Elder Te'O holding me like a baby and Elder Carpenter in back.
The gang plus zone leaders! They are going to Croatia I think.
The gang. Me in my sweater vest!Monday, February 21, 2011
MTC & Florida Pictures
Me!!!! With a bird! I forgot her name. My Ankle!!!!! It has improved alot!Elder Te'O holding me like a baby and Elder Carpenter in back. The gang plus zone leaders! They are going to Croatia I think. The gang. Me in my sweater vest!
Cameron's Letter Feb 21, 2011
For the last week it has been in the 70's! :) I'm soooo happy about that! And yes we are teaching the Foret's still. I left at a bad time! The Jazz don't know what to do without me watching! Great for BYU. They are going to go far in March!!!!! If you ever see Austin tell him I think it's great! And that I wish him luck! There isn't a particular length of time to be on the computer as long as it doesn't take up my day, but we usually only get on once and email for about 2 hours. We have to come to the local community college libray to use the computers. Ok, now I will tell you about my week!
On Tuesday (15) we did service for the family that ran a bird rescue (the Sorensen's.) We started clearing land, because they have I think 2 acres of land and about half that is what needs to be cleared. We put it all in a big pile and on Friday evening they had us over and we made a fire and burned alot of the wood! There is still alot more to by cleared and burned, but we will do more of it on Wednesday when we go back to do more service! It was alot of fun! Elder Adam said afterwards that he gets why bullies like to bring people down, because it is fun to tear things down! Then later we went tracting and ran into an Hispanic family that were being taught by spanish missionaries, but for some reason they had just stopped coming!?! So we asked if we could come back another time, and she said yes, but when we went back Saturday she forgot and was gone. :(
On Wednesday (16) We went to get Elder Adam's hair cut, but afterwards she told me she was just going to trim the hair on my neck line, but she went all the way to the top of my head, (this was a member who cut our hair) apparently the back of my head was puffy and it was REALLY bugging her haha I really didn't care, it was free, but it caught me off guard, like I didn't plan on my hair getting cut. Haha! After lunch we went to help the Leasure's move. We got there and we helped for about an hour, then we took a break and during the break the family lost motivation to move so we ended up playing with the 3 girls (Erika, Rachel, and Lizzie.) After that we had dinner at a members home and we had taco salad! It was pretty good! Pretty hot though. haha! After that we went to go see the Miscannon's (Donnie, and Dennis) Donnie was a less-active member and Dennis was not a member. She wanted us to teach her husband about the Gospel, and so we did. He told us that he had been searching for religion all his life and that he had had some bad experiences, like he went to a Pennacostal church and he really liked it and he was baptized by the preacher. And then 2 weeks later he wakes up to get ready for work and he turns on the news and there was the preacher getting arrested for doing something he shouldn't. Sooo yeah he has had a hard time finding the right church, but that's why we are here! To teach him more about it! After we taught him, he said that the things we said made sense and that he was going to read the Book of Mormon! It was AWESOME!!!!!! After that we went to the church to try and see if we could find someone who will let us teach them a lesson. There was mutual going on that night and they were doing speed dating!?! I wish we would have done that! And one of the girls from the Pace ward (we share the building with them) talked with us for a few mintues, and I swear that I have either seen or met her before and it's really bugging me!
On Thursday (17) we did weekly planning (wasn't very fun) Then we went and taught the Foret's again, it went well but it was hard to teach the lesson without an interperateur. After, we finished weekly planning, then we went to dinner at a members house. They had 2 big red dogs! I think they are Coon Hounds. The dogs were entertaining, always wanting attention! haha! Later we taught Robert, and he also has had a rough life, he has been in jail for a few years and then he got out on good behavior but he has a 15 year probation. And he is really trying to turn his life around right now, and it's just hard because he has made some dumb choices but he regrets it and when we taught him you could see the light in his eyes. But unfortuantely he can't be baptized until after his probation is done, (2026) I really feel for him and I wanna help him out as much as I can!
Then on Saturday (19) the Miscannon's took us to a dirt track out in East Milton to watch car racing! It was AWESOME!!!!! But also we got dirty from the dirt being kicked up when they came by, good thing I wasn't in my shirt and tie!! :) And that was fun! And that's pretty much all the fun exciting side of this week! Well that's all I have to say! Love you guys!
On Tuesday (15) we did service for the family that ran a bird rescue (the Sorensen's.) We started clearing land, because they have I think 2 acres of land and about half that is what needs to be cleared. We put it all in a big pile and on Friday evening they had us over and we made a fire and burned alot of the wood! There is still alot more to by cleared and burned, but we will do more of it on Wednesday when we go back to do more service! It was alot of fun! Elder Adam said afterwards that he gets why bullies like to bring people down, because it is fun to tear things down! Then later we went tracting and ran into an Hispanic family that were being taught by spanish missionaries, but for some reason they had just stopped coming!?! So we asked if we could come back another time, and she said yes, but when we went back Saturday she forgot and was gone. :(
On Wednesday (16) We went to get Elder Adam's hair cut, but afterwards she told me she was just going to trim the hair on my neck line, but she went all the way to the top of my head, (this was a member who cut our hair) apparently the back of my head was puffy and it was REALLY bugging her haha I really didn't care, it was free, but it caught me off guard, like I didn't plan on my hair getting cut. Haha! After lunch we went to help the Leasure's move. We got there and we helped for about an hour, then we took a break and during the break the family lost motivation to move so we ended up playing with the 3 girls (Erika, Rachel, and Lizzie.) After that we had dinner at a members home and we had taco salad! It was pretty good! Pretty hot though. haha! After that we went to go see the Miscannon's (Donnie, and Dennis) Donnie was a less-active member and Dennis was not a member. She wanted us to teach her husband about the Gospel, and so we did. He told us that he had been searching for religion all his life and that he had had some bad experiences, like he went to a Pennacostal church and he really liked it and he was baptized by the preacher. And then 2 weeks later he wakes up to get ready for work and he turns on the news and there was the preacher getting arrested for doing something he shouldn't. Sooo yeah he has had a hard time finding the right church, but that's why we are here! To teach him more about it! After we taught him, he said that the things we said made sense and that he was going to read the Book of Mormon! It was AWESOME!!!!!! After that we went to the church to try and see if we could find someone who will let us teach them a lesson. There was mutual going on that night and they were doing speed dating!?! I wish we would have done that! And one of the girls from the Pace ward (we share the building with them) talked with us for a few mintues, and I swear that I have either seen or met her before and it's really bugging me!
On Thursday (17) we did weekly planning (wasn't very fun) Then we went and taught the Foret's again, it went well but it was hard to teach the lesson without an interperateur. After, we finished weekly planning, then we went to dinner at a members house. They had 2 big red dogs! I think they are Coon Hounds. The dogs were entertaining, always wanting attention! haha! Later we taught Robert, and he also has had a rough life, he has been in jail for a few years and then he got out on good behavior but he has a 15 year probation. And he is really trying to turn his life around right now, and it's just hard because he has made some dumb choices but he regrets it and when we taught him you could see the light in his eyes. But unfortuantely he can't be baptized until after his probation is done, (2026) I really feel for him and I wanna help him out as much as I can!
Then on Saturday (19) the Miscannon's took us to a dirt track out in East Milton to watch car racing! It was AWESOME!!!!! But also we got dirty from the dirt being kicked up when they came by, good thing I wasn't in my shirt and tie!! :) And that was fun! And that's pretty much all the fun exciting side of this week! Well that's all I have to say! Love you guys!
Monday, February 14, 2011
My ankle is doing fine, it is healing (it has gone down in size and color) and we did get another brace for it. My apartment is like this, you walk in and to the left is the living room/bedroom, there are 4 of us living there and 2 beds and 2 mattresses on the floor, I am on the floor. To the right is the kitchen area and no I have not done alot of cooking, I have made some Top Ramen but that's about it, oh and I did make myself some mac and cheese but it was as good as others I have made (not strong enough cheese) :( I would love if you ever wanna send me some :) Then there is a hallway there pretty much right after you walk in and I goes down to the changing room and the study. :) I have a study!!! :) hahahahahaha! And then there are 2 bathrooms. I actually haven't used my bike, I have been told that there are about 5 areas in the mission that you can ride your bike in and I am not in one, it's just that there aren't alot of sidewalks. Elder Adam is from Ogden and he has been out for 21 months. And yes I got my packages (took forever though) I wanna tell you about something that happened while tracting.
So on Thursday or Friday we were tracting and we came to a house we knock and instead of opening the door and standing there, this man opens the door and comes out on the porch. We greet him and tell him who we are and he says he only believes in the Bible (which is good,) but that when he was our age he said that he was going to go to h-e-double hockey sticks, and that he read the Bible and prayed about it and got the feeling it was true. Then he said after he did that that God saved him from going to that place (sorry I just don't really feel like saying it, even though it would be faster than what I did.)
We proceeded to tell him that we believe the Bible is true and that we also believe in the Book of Mormon. Then he said we should not add, nor take away anything from the Bible. I have since investigating more by reading where it says that (Deut 4:2) and listening to Elder Hollands talk in one of the 2007 conferences about that same thing and how if that was true then why would we need the rest of the Bible? I really liked that. Anyways back to the guy. He kept telling us to read and pray about the Bible, and we kept saying we have, but he kept repeating himself. He probably thought we were lying. He also would not look us in the eye for more than a second, and we where there for about 5-10 minutes! I didn't like that. He then asked us about the 144,000. We paused for a sec and looked at each other, then said that we don't believe that only they will be saved and that he probably mistook us for Jehovah Witnesses, then he said you're one and the same.......
WE AREN'T THE SAME!!!!!!!! I later felt like that and thought that I should say that to him exactly like that, but alas I am a missionary and I need to maintain a higher level of conduct, but I really wanna go back to him and tell him all the things I have learned about it!!!!! I chance may come for someone else, but I will do it calmly and coolly(?? I don't know if that is a word or not) and yeah.
The Foret's (deaf) are teaching are coming along well, Tasha has had a sad last few years, her husband would abuse her, and she left him and he has since been in and outta jail, but he is the father of the 3 girls. She has not been able to file a divorce because it costs soooo much ($3000 she told us) and i think Kevin invited her to come live with him and Joey. And after that I am not completely sure about if Tasha and Kevin are lovers or if they are friends, Elder Adam and I have both heard different sides of the story, it's all confusing!!! :( So yesterday during Sunday School we told Tasha the bad news, I felt sooo bad! She really wants to be baptized but she has to get divorce figured out and either marry Kevin or move out and...... yeah it's sad. You could see how sad she was when we told her, but we told her to keep coming to church and we will help out with whatever they need.
Anyways that's life right now, we don't have a whole lot else going on right now :(
That's sad about Sloan quitting! And also about the Westlake games :(
Soo.... yeah that's all, oh! I'll talk to you next week! Bye! Love y'all!
So on Thursday or Friday we were tracting and we came to a house we knock and instead of opening the door and standing there, this man opens the door and comes out on the porch. We greet him and tell him who we are and he says he only believes in the Bible (which is good,) but that when he was our age he said that he was going to go to h-e-double hockey sticks, and that he read the Bible and prayed about it and got the feeling it was true. Then he said after he did that that God saved him from going to that place (sorry I just don't really feel like saying it, even though it would be faster than what I did.)
We proceeded to tell him that we believe the Bible is true and that we also believe in the Book of Mormon. Then he said we should not add, nor take away anything from the Bible. I have since investigating more by reading where it says that (Deut 4:2) and listening to Elder Hollands talk in one of the 2007 conferences about that same thing and how if that was true then why would we need the rest of the Bible? I really liked that. Anyways back to the guy. He kept telling us to read and pray about the Bible, and we kept saying we have, but he kept repeating himself. He probably thought we were lying. He also would not look us in the eye for more than a second, and we where there for about 5-10 minutes! I didn't like that. He then asked us about the 144,000. We paused for a sec and looked at each other, then said that we don't believe that only they will be saved and that he probably mistook us for Jehovah Witnesses, then he said you're one and the same.......
WE AREN'T THE SAME!!!!!!!! I later felt like that and thought that I should say that to him exactly like that, but alas I am a missionary and I need to maintain a higher level of conduct, but I really wanna go back to him and tell him all the things I have learned about it!!!!! I chance may come for someone else, but I will do it calmly and coolly(?? I don't know if that is a word or not) and yeah.
The Foret's (deaf) are teaching are coming along well, Tasha has had a sad last few years, her husband would abuse her, and she left him and he has since been in and outta jail, but he is the father of the 3 girls. She has not been able to file a divorce because it costs soooo much ($3000 she told us) and i think Kevin invited her to come live with him and Joey. And after that I am not completely sure about if Tasha and Kevin are lovers or if they are friends, Elder Adam and I have both heard different sides of the story, it's all confusing!!! :( So yesterday during Sunday School we told Tasha the bad news, I felt sooo bad! She really wants to be baptized but she has to get divorce figured out and either marry Kevin or move out and...... yeah it's sad. You could see how sad she was when we told her, but we told her to keep coming to church and we will help out with whatever they need.
Anyways that's life right now, we don't have a whole lot else going on right now :(
That's sad about Sloan quitting! And also about the Westlake games :(
Soo.... yeah that's all, oh! I'll talk to you next week! Bye! Love y'all!
Monday, February 7, 2011
Cameron's First Week in Florida
Cameron, President & Sister JensenThe plane ride was alright, I felt a little queasy, when I come back I will use that medicine stuff you gave me. We got in on Tuesday and met Pres and Sister Jensen! They are great! We went back to the Mission Home and ate food (after a tour, it looked like it was once a plantation!) That was great! Because we didn't get any breakfast or lunch!!! I was STARVING!!!!!! After dinner we had a little meeting where Pres Jensen talked to us about where we will be serving, who our companions are, and just stuff new missionaries needed to know. The weather was actually pretty good when we got to Tallahassee, it was about 64 degrees with a nice breeze :-) We spent the night in the Mission Home and left in the morning. So I lied to you family, I am not anywhere near Tallahassee, I am in Milton, FL which is about 200 miles west of Tallahassee and it's about 20 minutes east from Pensacola, FL. It was a long drive! I tried to sleep as much as I could because there was nothing else to do. We made 2-3drop offs before we got to my area, when we got to Pensacola it was very cold!!! It was mostly cold because it was very windy, and I packed my suit jacket in my suitcase because I didn't think that I would need it. haha. So I was very cold until we got in the car and left, OH! I forgot to tell you that they took away my shaving cream and tooth paste at the airport (In Salt Lake!!!) So we stopped at Wal-mart and got bedding, food, and those things and then went to the apartment. My companions name is Elder Adam and we live with 2 other Elders in out apartment.
After that we went and talked to some members for a while and then went to go do some service, but first we went and picked up a deaf member, (his name is Adam) so he could come be there with us to teach a deaf family. The Second Counselor in the bishopric, (Bro Hathaway) his trampoline had blown away in a huge wind storm! So we helped move it back into his backyard. After that Bro Hathaway joined us too to visit the deaf family. Their names are the Foret's (For-a's, it's French or something) There are 6 in the family (there are 3 adults and 3 girls) the adults are all deaf, there is Tasha, Kevin, and Joey. Tasha and Kevin are married and Joey and Kevin have been friends since they were kids, so they are living together. The 3 girls are: Savannah, Jamie, and Jada, they are 8,9, and 10 (I think.) It was CHAOTIC!!!! We had a very hard time communicating, and Bro Hathaway kinda took over and taught them some things, we didn't like that alot. The girls were very loud, which is a problem because the parents can't hear the arguing. I don't think they learned a whole lot in that lesson. After we left, we dropped Adam off then went to Mutual and met more members! I met a ton! Our Bishop here is Bishop Wilson. Then after we went home.
The next few days were basically visiting members or less active and teaching them and seeing if they have any referrals. They didn't :'( One family we visited was the Long's. They are a family of 7 (5 boys, the dad, 2 teens, I wanna say an 8 year old and a 4 or 5 year old, and 2 girls, the mom and a baby girl), the mom was once a member and had fallen away. We went back the next day because the 8 year old boy(his name is Gabe) had a guitar and it was outta tune, so Elder Adam tuned it up and I played with the other kids. It was mostly just a fellowshipping visit.
On Friday we went back to the Foret's, but this time we had an interpreter? (I think that's how you spell it) It went better, the girls had to stay in their room because they weren't very respectful. Joey was the only adult there at first so we waited for Tasha and Kevin to come home. Like I said it was better because we got to teach them a little bit about the Gospel, but the adults were all on different pages. Tasha is the most progressing, she has been doing homework and reading, Kevin and Joey read occasionally but they have a ton of time to play video games! And on Sunday they came to church and during the Sunday School hour we taught them the first lesson, so they are all on the same page now, they all believe that what we have been telling them is true, but Kevin and Joey don't think they are ready yet. Joey doesn't think he will be ready for about 10 years. Which won't be that long if I have anything to say about it. We are going to talk with them about the Word of Wisdom next time we go.
So guess what happened at Basketball on Saturday mom??? haha, I rolled my ankle. :( and again, no brace. My foot is like the size of a basketball! So I hobble around. The gym was carpeted so I think that that is what caused it.
So yeah that is pretty much my first week in Florida, oh we did have 2-3 dinner appointments which all were great, but no fried foods yet! :) Oh last night there was salad but no ranch, so I tried Zesty Italian, I didn't really like it, but I ate it with potatoes and corn, they (the Simpler's) fed us stake, potatoes, corn, salad, and chocolate pie! It was great! Well that's pretty much all I can think of to tell you.
Love,
Elder Williams
P.S. I actually rolled my right ankle mom, not my left again!!!! MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! just kidding about the laugh, but it swelled up enough to where my foot barely fits in my shoes. And I have been exercising it and heating and cooling it, for heating I have to fill up the tub. haha!
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Cameron's MTC Pictures
Cameron's DistrictTop row: Elder Teo Tafiti, Elder North, Elder Orgill, Elder Svedin, and Elder Horning.
Bottom row: Elder Carpenter and Me!!!
Elder Horning at Temple Sign!
Elder Teo Tafiti holding Elder Carpenter on shoulder.
Elder Horning wanting Elder Randle to hug him. (Elder Randle lives on the same floor as us).
Elder Randle being himself.
My Name Tag!!!! 
The room we are in most of our time (this picture and the next 2).
The room!
The room!
Us having some fun after Temple Walk.
Elder Barten, our friend from Scotland.
The Valiant Missionaries on bikes with no spokes! HAHA!
The room!
The room!
Us having some fun after Temple Walk.
Elder Barten, our friend from Scotland.
The Valiant Missionaries on bikes with no spokes! HAHA!Friday, January 28, 2011
Cameron's letter January 25, 2011
I have received packages, yes my suit is dry cleaned, I feel I am learning alot about the lessons and how to teach, it is hard for me to discribe the feelings I have been having. Travel plans I put in the mail today, so you will get them either tomorrow or the next day. Umm I haven't been able to print pictures because the machine has been broke, but it is fixed now and it would take 7 days to get the pictures back and I leave in 7 days before the bookstore opens, sooo no pictures yet :( I will do that when I get to Florida and the warm weather!!!!!!! How about this snow storm huh?!? It's crazy, Elder Teo has predicted the weather correctly ever since we have been here, he thinks that he will be a weather man! haha! I have become friends with an Elder, and the young women from his home did an activity to practice writing Dear John letters!?! And the one he got was pretty rude! It had the state of California were he is serving and below it is the state where he lived, and it said, "You are there, he is here. Enough said. Your Ex." That was very rude, even if it wasn't real!
Down the hall from my room lives a Scottish Elder who is going to California, he is awesome! I love the Scottish accent! And then there is an Elder from Austria, who came all the way here to learn Czech and then he will have to go all the way back there!
I know that this Gospel is true and I am thankful to be here on my mission! I love you all!
Elder Williams
Down the hall from my room lives a Scottish Elder who is going to California, he is awesome! I love the Scottish accent! And then there is an Elder from Austria, who came all the way here to learn Czech and then he will have to go all the way back there!
I know that this Gospel is true and I am thankful to be here on my mission! I love you all!
Elder Williams
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Cameron's Letter Jan 18, 2011
Hello Father!!!!!! I am here at the MTC and having a very good time :)
How is life going at home? How are sports going? Oh! before I forget my P-Days are on Tuesdays! I have just had a very spiritual experience here, it's very hard for me to put into words how I have felt these past 6 days. WOW!!!!!!! I have been here for 6 days! At times it feels longer, and sometimes it flies by! My companion is Elder Horning, he loves music: singing, leading, playing, and whistling! He also loves this Gospel sooooooo much! And he has a strong testimony! He is from Meridan, Idaho. It is outside of Boise, and he is a Boise State fan 1st, and BYU fan 2nd! We have had great times together and have gotten close.
Now for my district, there is Elder North, he is from Centerville, and he is a pretty good basketball player, Elder Svedin (Swe-deen, the Swe like in Sweden) he is from Melba, Idaho, and that is also outside of Boise, he is also a pretty good basketball player, and they are companions.
Elder Carpenter is from Orem, he is our District Leader, he is funny! Elder Orgill (Or-gill) he is from Hawaii, he loves surfing, his dad is the President of the Polynesian Cultural Center, he has met the Prophet and some of the Apostles, and he is also funny! Elder Teo-Tafiti, he is also from Hawaii, he worked at the Cultural Center before he came and he was a drummer there, he and Elder Orgill went to high school together in Hawaii, and those 3 (Elders Carpenter, Orgill, and Teo-Tafiti are companions.) Thats the District, we have spend just about all the time together, we have spent at least 35 hours of the time we have been here in a small classroom in 2M-209. But we have had some good, fun, and spiritual times in there! Our main teacher is Brother Beheshti, and he has taught us soooo much!
I live in 8M-407, top floor, right across from the bathroom, and on one of the top bunks!
Will you please post my address on Facebook and tell people to write me please!! I have seen at least 5 people here who graduated with me and they are all going to diverse places, they are going to Korean, Croatia, California, Mexico, and Kentucky. (I don't remember the others) But I am grateful at this chance I have to be serving a mission, I really want to get out into the field because I am that excited, but I haven't learned enough. I know that this Gospel is true, and I know that this Gospel was restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.
Love,
Elder Williams
How is life going at home? How are sports going? Oh! before I forget my P-Days are on Tuesdays! I have just had a very spiritual experience here, it's very hard for me to put into words how I have felt these past 6 days. WOW!!!!!!! I have been here for 6 days! At times it feels longer, and sometimes it flies by! My companion is Elder Horning, he loves music: singing, leading, playing, and whistling! He also loves this Gospel sooooooo much! And he has a strong testimony! He is from Meridan, Idaho. It is outside of Boise, and he is a Boise State fan 1st, and BYU fan 2nd! We have had great times together and have gotten close.
Now for my district, there is Elder North, he is from Centerville, and he is a pretty good basketball player, Elder Svedin (Swe-deen, the Swe like in Sweden) he is from Melba, Idaho, and that is also outside of Boise, he is also a pretty good basketball player, and they are companions.
Elder Carpenter is from Orem, he is our District Leader, he is funny! Elder Orgill (Or-gill) he is from Hawaii, he loves surfing, his dad is the President of the Polynesian Cultural Center, he has met the Prophet and some of the Apostles, and he is also funny! Elder Teo-Tafiti, he is also from Hawaii, he worked at the Cultural Center before he came and he was a drummer there, he and Elder Orgill went to high school together in Hawaii, and those 3 (Elders Carpenter, Orgill, and Teo-Tafiti are companions.) Thats the District, we have spend just about all the time together, we have spent at least 35 hours of the time we have been here in a small classroom in 2M-209. But we have had some good, fun, and spiritual times in there! Our main teacher is Brother Beheshti, and he has taught us soooo much!
I live in 8M-407, top floor, right across from the bathroom, and on one of the top bunks!
Will you please post my address on Facebook and tell people to write me please!! I have seen at least 5 people here who graduated with me and they are all going to diverse places, they are going to Korean, Croatia, California, Mexico, and Kentucky. (I don't remember the others) But I am grateful at this chance I have to be serving a mission, I really want to get out into the field because I am that excited, but I haven't learned enough. I know that this Gospel is true, and I know that this Gospel was restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.
Love,
Elder Williams
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