Photos from the Sao Paulo MTC

Sao Paulo Skyline

Streets of Sao Paulo

America Day (July 4th) at the Sao Paulo MTC

American MTC Friends

Pictures!

The two funniest kids in the MTC, my companion, Elder Anderson; and Elder Martinez, the Argentinean who learned good English from playing Pokemon

Elder Fernandes is the one on the left. He was the very heartfelt one that always bore his testimony. Elder Friere is the one on the right. He was so funny and ate like no other.

The shopping spree funded by Zac’s debit card for Elder Fernandes and Elder Friere 

MTC Roomies

Sao PauloTemple in Sao Paulo, Brazil

Sao Paulo Temple with companion Elder Anderson 

The Brazilians Zac lives with. Elder Galves (his companion), Elder Santos da Silva and Elder, Queiroz (two zone leaders) and Elder Cetraro

Campinas Temple Visit

Dear Family,
We are pleased to be able to send you a picture of your missionary´s recent visit to the Campinas temple.  The morning they enter as a group is a very sacred experience for them, and it is an experience that is always anticipated with much excitement. We know they will treasure this remembrance. It is a great honor to serve with each of these fine young people and to watch their growth as they learn more about their sacred calling of a missionary.  We have a great love and respect for each one of them.
Thank you for your support for them.  They love to receive emails and letters from you, and feel of your love.  We know that your family will feel the blessings of their service.
 Sincerely,
 President and Sister Degn

August 28, 2012

…Campinas (temple) was AWESOME. I loved it there. I might also appear on a cover of a magazine here in Brazil? Proselyting in Sao Paulo was awesome. Downtown was nuts. Really cool, but I only had 30 minutes. Handed out 5 Book of Mormons, it was crazy. The Lord definitely helped because half the people came to me and all were very super nice. A couple things, so my whole flight here and the district I am in now are aaaaallll Brazilians. So I guess the Mission President feels confident in me, which is good. But I’ll have to describe stuff another time, because I am experiencing like 50 technical difficulties and it is hard to trouble shoot on the computer in a different language and I still need to contact the Mission President, but things are good! Tudo bem!

August 7, 2012

   Whaaaatt!!?!?!? China caught back up?! I actually have been following the Olympics this week through the instructors, sounds like it’s been back and forth, nose to nose with USA and China! Crazy.... OH - and I should probably tell you I already have plans for the next summer Olympics. A bunch of us were talking about it since half our district is going to Rio. Since we are all going to be fluent, we were thinking maybe we could try to get jobs as translators down here for the Olympics and it would probably be a free trip down! =D Sounds like a good plan right? Look at me, I already have plans for my future... well at least one thing =P

   Jub Jub got sold eh?? That is good that you sold it... makes me wonder what I am going to do about a car when I get back! I'll miss good ol’ Jub Jub.

   So you are talking in church eh? Well that's awesome! I remember I liked writing talks, it gave me a pretty good excuse to study the gospel, heh =P.  Gosh I'll miss hearing you guys speak. I remember last time Dad talked it

was about tithing and he made me cry... about tithing!! I still remember what it was about though. That we should almost do a ceremony of gratitude every time we pay our tithing. Crazy how I can remember all your life lessons huh?

     I am leaving here to Fortaleza the 21st. So you guys could probably write me one more letter. I sure enjoyed all the letters I got last week from the Jenson family and Riley and aaaaallllll of them told me about how awesome the Dark Knight was and that was it. Awesome. Ha and just a lil’ funny.

     So what's up with me??? uuummmm I don't know this week went by quick. I finished my 1,200 verb dictionary the other night. Crazy thing is I remember most of the useful verbs so I almost don't need it. This last weekend was fast Sunday. I learned a lot about humility. I was sick, hungry and tired... but I have never felt so close to the spirit. I learned I should strive to almost be weak... or more like meek, and this way we will be closer to the Savior and the Lord will use us more as his messengers. Received new Brazilian roommates that will be going to our same mission!

Love you all and have a LEGAL SEMANA!

-Elder Cetraro

July 29, 2012

MAMA MIAA!!! =D =D me a lova you muito muito!! aaha... Today is a good day! I'm still a little giddy because today for lunch we had noodles of every kind and all sorts of sauces. I put on extra olive oil for Gpa Mike ;). AND we had a delicious dessert. Never is there a good desert AND a good meal. So yeah, awesomeness going on down here =)
[Editor's Note- Zac answers the question "Are you glad you left on your mission 6 weeks early?" in the paragraph below.]
And yeesss! Me and Elder Boehme who came early with me can't stop thinking about it. I can't wait to see the batch of kids who come in tomorrow. I wonder which one would of been my companion??! I'm happy I came down here though. Honestly there is nothing more fulfilling than preparing to serve the Lord. And I kind of love to study!! Just the little nerd I am. Everyone is starting to get sick of studying but I'm diligently still going on. Today I think I am going to finish my 1,200 word dictionary of verbs I've compiled. After all the long processes and editing I've been doing I think a lil’ portion of them have stuck. I am excited for the field of course! The Africans said they flew in through Fortaleza and it was sooo beautiful, and I ran into a person at the temple today who said the Mission President and Wife are the best! Good to know I'll have good mission parents =)
Speaking of the Africans.... they are gone =\ They seriously were amazing kids. Soooo fun. Soooo spiritual. We basically became brothers, and now they are gone! ='( Me and Elder Fernandes were especially close. He was always talking heart to heart with me and last night we all sang some of our favorite hymns together. I will miss them but I definitely think we gave them the blessings they deserved. I think if I could give to anybody, it'd be these boys who are definitely going to be giving their all for the work the next two years.
Olympics eh? That's pretty cool! My teacher fills us in on a lot of news. But yeah, keep me updated on anything cool on my Countries, ha. Oh and you asked about the sister. She transferred a week ahead, about the second week we were here so she could have a companion. She was very emotional about not having one, and you know when the woman is not happy, nobody is. So yeah they bumped her up. Now our district is just a bunch of stinky smelly boys ha.
So stories for this week. Had an eventful weekend. My companion rolled his ankle baaaad. He is on crutches and it looks like he has elephantitis it was so swollen. But we don't think it is broken, so hopefully it heals before he leaves. I gave him a priesthood blessing, which was very cool. We watched a Mormon Message about priesthood blessings afterwards, which brought tears to my eyes, then I read Taylor's letter which brought more, and later on we listened to an amazing conversion story which brought even more. It is a joyous life when you have tears of joy three times a day. =) Have a wonderful week and love ya muito!
-Elder Cetraro!

Pictures!

First day here in Sao Paulo airport.  (I feel ever grosser than I look!)

Me and meu otimo professor! Irmao Israel (last name is Martinez I think?)

The awesome view from my bedroom on the 7th floor (the side with less city buildings.)

My district gettin' some drinks.  Our favorite thing to do on P-Day :)

July 24, 2012

.....Being DL has been good. One of the first goals I set was an English fast that we just finished today. We started yesterday after lunch and didn't speak English until lunch today, which we had at a Rodizio! OOOMMMGG DELLLIICCCIOUSSNNESSS =) =) Had probably half a cow, even the heart! Which was the best =) (the chicken hearts sucked) But yeah anyways, the fast was good. Me and my companion did a real fast as well and I think it really helped my district. It was hard writing David & Laura's letter this morning because I was thinking in Portugese... here comes the Portugese dreams, right?

$400?!?!?!?!?! Ooooh my gosh, I started lol-ing when I read that? Is my car really that pathetic. I love my JUB jub... poor thing.... take Riley for a spin in that thing, so what if he crashes it! Ha, so sad. BTW driving down here is crazzzzy! And yeeeah, I did hear about the Dark Knight killer thing... reached all the way down to Brazil. My district has been teasing the crap out of me about the Dark Knight, sacrificing not seeing it and leaving early! I can't wait to see it! But don't tell me ANYTHING!
Yeeeup, hump day! Flew by quick, eh? Also has seemed like I've been a missionary forever too though.
Well, I love you muito and I'll talk to y'all next week!

July 10, 2010

Hey y'all! Tudo bom? tudo bem! Hope y'all's summer is going as well as when I left. My... winter? (it is like May weather) down here. The Sao Paulo MTC has been pretty "Legal" as they would say down here. (I guess Legal is cool in Brazil ;) Sao Paulo is a pretty city, and it's sweet because on P-days they let us out and let us wander the streets. It is a whole different world down here. The language is coming along really well and I've made a lot of good buds, especially with the Brazilians. Last night I had to say goodbye to my two cute lil Brazilian roommates =(. I have already been dubbed two nicknames. All the Americans call me C-tro and the Brazilians call me Moroni. lol Well I'm loving all the great things I'm learning and I'm excited to get out to the field! write me for more! ;)
America day was AWESOME!! We sang lots of American songs. And we got everyone to get up and sing the national anthem during lunch although I don't think we were suppose to.. (I think we started a new tradition though because they had the Argentinan's sing their anthem yesterday at lunch for their Independence day) and for lunch we had somewhat of an American meal.. hamburgers, hot dogs, french fries, and ICE CREAM! =) That night was the South American cup, Brazil's Corinthinans versus Boca from Argentina? Someone projected the game on a building and so we watched the game and oh my gosh we got our fourth of July fireworks.... ALL NIGHT!! Good stuff. 
Alrighty, well all is good down here I'll have to tell you about my 2nd TRC lesson all in Portuguese. It went AMAZING =) we really do get divine help. 
C’ya and love ya!

July 3, 2012

Heyy Heyyy!! It's been another long and starting to get repetitive week. But it's all good! muito bom! Things are good! I just finished writing back 3 of my missionary friends and you guys. This week has been interesting! We got a new companion. Elder Andres-Miller? We call him Elder hyphen. Yeeea, so now I'm finally in a couple. Fun stuff! The language is coming along good, I have been told by many teachers, Brazilians and other Elders that I am doing really good for being such a noobie! Ha, oh my gosh! I want to figure out a way that maybe you can watch my first TRC. It is where they videotape us giving lessons all in PORTUGUESE!! It was so funny because the investigators were members so they were helping us the whole time. Ha, and out of me and my companion, I did ALL the talking. Very slowly though.

The Brazilians are super fun. We have kind of made a little clique of Elders that all are on our floor and every night they come over to our bedroom and we talk and talk and talk. They are fun, and it's awesome how much fun we can have even though we can barely speak each other's language. Ha, at the same time too, it is a little annoying because we go to bed later than we are suppose to and I try to write letters and work out but they keep pulling me away. Speaking of working out... I have gained weight! Ha about 5-10 pounds I think... but it will definitely just be a phase here at the MTC I promise! We just get fed so much it is kind of annoying. Lunch is like at noon and its big and tasty and then we have dinner again at 4:30, and I'm not even hungry but I pig out once again! It's interesting food, gotta love it =)

I am definitely going to miss my 2 Brazilian roommates. They are leaving next week. They have told me I am their favorite American ;) one speaks (Elder Carlos Tomas I think... he is from Ceara, my area!) alright English and he loves dumb blonde jokes and the other one I just found out is from the Amazon, and he had to canoe to the airport to get here!

Anyways.... That's good to hear from you guys. Poor Keegan in her cast, oh well. Wow, and Camp Cetraro is this week! I was thinking about that! You can tell the Cetraros that I am really enjoying everyone calling me by “Cetraro”. It’s definitely sinking in now. It is weird to think that everyone I meet will know me by that name, it's awesome! Representing it down here in Brazil! Ha, it is funny though, the Americans can't say it down here, but most of the Brazilians say it with ease. I was dubbed elder C-tro last night by one of the Americans! Ha!

Well let me know how everything goes, I am psyched for "America Day" this Wednesday. I hear they try to feed us American food and a HUGE game is going on down the street. Brazil vs. Argentina that night so we will definitely get our fireworks! So yeah!

Gotta go get my Brazilian Cetraro jersey, so peace! Love y'all!

a letter from the mtc president

TEMPLE VISIT - BRAZIL MTC

Elder Cetraro and new missionaries at the Brazil, Sao Paulo LDS Temple

June 28, 2012
Dear Family,
We are pleased to be able to send you a picture of your missionary´s recent visit to the temple.  The morning they enter as a group is a very sacred experience for them, and it is an experience that is always anticipated with much excitement. We know they will treasure this remembrance. It is a great honor to serve with each of these fine young people and to watch their growth as they learn more about their sacred calling of a missionary.  We have a great love and respect for each one of them.Thank you for your support for them.  They love to receive emails and letters from you, and feel of your love.  We know that your family will feel the blessings of their service.
Sincerely, President and Sister Degn

june 26, 2012 (zac's first letter!)

Ooops.. clicked a wrong button... kinda weird keyboards here. Anyways...
This has honestly been the longest week of my life! In a good way though,
I can't believe its only been one week, its seems like 3. But you know me
the days are just long because I am constantly doing things, and that's
good! =)
That is cool though that is has been a year for Tay and Ty, flew by quick!
Times that by 2 and that's how long I'm going to be gone. Not bad eh?
There is some simple math for ya!
The MTC has been great. Sao Paulo is a pretty sweet city. I guess it is like
the world's 3rd largest city and I can believe it. I feel like I am in a valley of
skyscrapers because the horizons are just walls of beautiful white
skyscrapers, and it is so pretty. It is kinda like cloud city in The Empire
Strikes back ;). I live in the 7th floor so I've got a fantastic view! I can send
you pictures once I get to Fortaleza. I'd take more, but they have a weird
camera rule (along with many other weird rules) here at the MTC. But yes,
the Mission President is from Wellsville, I haven't talked to him much but
It'll be fun to see if we have any connections.
I am constantly with my district. It consists of the brother and sister from
Provo. A farm boy from Pleasant view, and I have a threesome
companionship with Elder (Christopher) Yost and Elder (Aric) Anderson.
Being in a companionship is HARD!!! I am so independent so I'm always
getting in trouble wandering off without them. It isn't bad besides that, but
I'm sure I'll get use to it.
One of the Coolest things about the MTC here is that half of the kids here
are Brazilian and therefore don't speak English. But everyone (even the
Americans) are super friendly. So I am constantly using and practicing
my Portuguese as I meet these people. I room with 2 Brazilians and they
are sooooo CUTE! They are little and I am always telling them "Eu Te
Amo" (I love you) and they blush up!
The Language is fun! The hardest thing is it is pronounced funny and stuff.
It is soooo much like Spanish though! Kinda good and bad. Because it
seems like half the time I use a Spanish word for something, they correct
me and tell me it is something different in Portuguese. and the other half of
the time I learn a word in Portuguese and its exactly the same as in
Spanish! and I'm like doh, I could of been using that word.
Alrighty it's P-day, so I get to go wander the streets right after this, I think I
might buy a customized Brazilian soccer jersey that will have my name on
it. I'm excited. I also went to the temple today and it was so cool.
Allright, Love y'all! Tenyam um bom semana! Eu Te Amo Muito!
-Elder Zac Cetraro
P.S. I'm not sure if my letter has gotten back yet or not but I actually did a
have a lil panic attack earlier when I couldn't find my slacks. It was more of
this is going to suck wearing the same 2 pairs of pants for the rest of the
summer. But magically the slacks started to appear as I started to pull out
new shirts off the hangar. Hahaha it is real funny now that I look back.

Zac’s updated MTC address:
Elder Zachary Cetraro
Box #24, District 25-A, Brazil MTC
Brazil Fortaleza Mission
Rua Padre, Antonio D’Angelo, 121
Casa Verde, Sao Paulo, SP
Brazil 02516-040
After 8 weeks send all letters directly to the Mission Home

a letter from the mtc president

YOUR MISSIONARY'S ARRIVAL AT THE BRAZIL MTC

Elder Cetraro with the new MTC arrivals and President & Sister Degn

June 20,2012
Dear Parents,                     
We are happy to send the good news that your missionary has arrived safely at the Brazil MTC.  What a great joy and privilege it is to greet each missionary as they come through the front door of the MTC for the first time. We promise to take good care of your missionary.
They now have companions and are settled into their rooms.  They are assigned to a district with capable and caring instructors for language and lesson study.  The branch presidents and their wives, will soon give them a second greeting.  These couples are rewarded in their callings through the love they always develop as they embrace and watch over the missionaries.
The MTC has a full time live-in physician to care for their health needs.  He is assisted by his able wife. We are also happy to report that the Cafeteria food is abundant and very good.
Your missionary will be able to e-mail home on Preparation Day after a morning at the Temple.  This will be either Tuesday or Wednesday, depending on individual assignments.
Your very important young person is about to make an eternal difference in the lives of others.  We hope you will be encouraged and comforted by this quote by President Lorenzo Snow: "There is no mortal man that is as interested in the success of an elder when he is preaching the Gospel as is the Lord who sent him to preach to the people who are the Lord's children."
Please accept our love,
President Ralph Degn and Sister Mary Ann Degn


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION . . .
DO not send packages to the Brazil Missionary Training Center.All packages must be sent directly to the mission where your missionary will be serving, not the MTC. If you have already mailed a package to the Brazil MTC and it arrives after your missionary has left for the field, please understand that the package cannot be forwarded to his or her mission and will be returned to you.
We strongly encourage sending handwritten letters. Please write your missionary´s first and last name. Your missionary will provide you with his district and box number. Also, please DO NOT SEND ANYTHING BY FEDEX, DHL, UPS, or other private carriers.  The cost to get this type of correspondence is exorbitant.