It’s hard to believe that today I complete 7 months in the mission. Time really has been flying by. I really have been taking to heart what Pres. Monson has said. Learn from the past, live in the present, and prepare for the future. I feel like as I look back on these first few experiences I have had on my mission, I take heart that I have learned so much about myself and others and about my Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ. I look forward to learning even more!
I love the quote from that wise old turtle from Kung Fu Panda. ¨The past is history. The future is uncertain. But the present is a gift. That’s why it’s called the present.¨
Well, things have been going pretty good here in our ward in Montevideo. Barrio Libia is doing very well, and the members continue to love and support us. We have a baptism this weekend. The first of what we hope will be three in this wonderful family. Her name is Raquel, and she was so ready and prepared to hear the gospel. Seriously, all she had to do was see us pass by. She is such a sweet woman and I’m so happy for her and hope that the rest of her family will continue to follow her wonderful example. The members are getting all excited. It’s going to be such a sweet and wonderful baptism.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Monday, January 4, 2010
A Happy Birthday and A Happy New Year
Well, it was kind of a slow week here in Montevideo. The New Years Eve Fireworks display was even bigger than Christmas. Seriously I was scared that one was going to ignite our house or tree on fire! It was CRAZY! It’s like being in a war zone.The people here REALLY like to party for New Years and needless to say, the day afterwards was pretty much DEAD. There was no one in the streets. Everyone was at the beaches, or too hungover from the night before to answer the door. It was kind of tough, but oh well. Gotta work right? It was ok anyways. Although I still get frustrated from time to time, I feel like my patience has improved a whole lot out here.
My Birthday was...well... very special... and different. Though I of course missed seeing you all (one of the blessings of having my birthday right after Christmas) it was a very special day. I sure do miss you all, and it gets tough from time to time, but I just have to remember why I’m here and these feelings leave. Luckily I have friends here who have begun to be my family. We had lunch with a family called Echeveria. They cooked us gnochis and this stuffed meat that was so good. My companion told them it was my birthday and they went out later and brought us cake. The members here are so sweet and kind and have such great testimonies even though the Church is relatively new here. Almost all the members are converts to the Church, even if they’ve been in the Church for most of their lives. They sang happy birthday to me in of course, Spanish, English, Italian, and Vasco (an archaic language that almost doesn’t exist anymore). It was a great day. So know that even though I wasn’t home for my birthday, I still felt close to you all, and the wonderful brothers and sisters of this area are taking good care of us.
I finally get to go to the Temple this week! I’m so excited! I haven’t been since I was in the MTC. It will be wonderful to go in. I’ve had many questions and thoughts on my mind lately. I really need a little bit of time sometimes to just sit and ponder. I know I can’t be perfect. I can just do the best I can. I love all the lessons I’ve learned out here. I hope I can remember them all!
Everyone remember to keep looking for those opportunities to share the gospel. It really is the best gift we can give to someone.
My Birthday was...well... very special... and different. Though I of course missed seeing you all (one of the blessings of having my birthday right after Christmas) it was a very special day. I sure do miss you all, and it gets tough from time to time, but I just have to remember why I’m here and these feelings leave. Luckily I have friends here who have begun to be my family. We had lunch with a family called Echeveria. They cooked us gnochis and this stuffed meat that was so good. My companion told them it was my birthday and they went out later and brought us cake. The members here are so sweet and kind and have such great testimonies even though the Church is relatively new here. Almost all the members are converts to the Church, even if they’ve been in the Church for most of their lives. They sang happy birthday to me in of course, Spanish, English, Italian, and Vasco (an archaic language that almost doesn’t exist anymore). It was a great day. So know that even though I wasn’t home for my birthday, I still felt close to you all, and the wonderful brothers and sisters of this area are taking good care of us.
I finally get to go to the Temple this week! I’m so excited! I haven’t been since I was in the MTC. It will be wonderful to go in. I’ve had many questions and thoughts on my mind lately. I really need a little bit of time sometimes to just sit and ponder. I know I can’t be perfect. I can just do the best I can. I love all the lessons I’ve learned out here. I hope I can remember them all!
Everyone remember to keep looking for those opportunities to share the gospel. It really is the best gift we can give to someone.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Wow, What an amazing Christmas!
Wow, What an amazing Christmas. This has been one of the most memorable Christmas’s I have ever had, or I think I will ever have. I felt so close to the Savior and why we celebrate the birth of Christ with so much enthusiasm. They LOVE the partying part here in Uruguay. We went tracting on Christmas Night, and people were OUT. It was pretty funny. We at least got to sing some Christmas Carols.
Well, I guess I’ll start off with Christmas Eve, or Noche Bueno. It was such an AWESOME day! I’ll admit it, I was a little discouraged if people were actually going to let us in or talk to them, but we decided to just go out and share the message of Christmas. We sang carols, shared scriptures of the first Christmas with investigators, less actives, and people we met. When we got back to our house after dinner with Bishop Profetti, the fireworks started. People LOVE to shoot off fireworks here. It was CRAZY! SO MUCH LIGHT! It was like and air raid or something. I grabbed my chair and me and my companion watched from our patio and a couple of our neighbors came by to wish us a Merry Christmas. It was so amazing. I felt so good having brought the spirit of Christmas to a few of my brothers and sisters. It’s amazing how the spirit of Christmas, even though the other parts are enjoyable and add to the fun of it all, really brings smiles and joy into the lives of others. And I felt the joy as well.
Christmas day was pretty much just opening up the AWESOME package you sent me, listening to Christmas Music, trying on the Snuggie, it fits perfectly by the way. One size fits all you know... reading my new Spanish bible and also enjoying all the love that was packaged up inside. Thank you so much everyone. I feel so loved and blessed. Sometimes too blessed. Don’t worry; I’m sharing all the treats with my companion. He loves his new tie by the way and says gracias. I got the blue one and he got the purple one. We LOVE them.
Well, I’m almost 20 years old. I don’t feel like it. I still sometimes feel like I’m a teenager and then I realize what I’m doing and who I’ve become. The Lord has really shaped me during these experiences I’ve had here. I’ve had to have a lot of patience with myself and the Lord. I feel like I’m starting to understand at least a little bit more and more how he works and how he expects us to grow and develop. He loves us so very much. When ever we find someone who for the life of them will not even let us shake their hand, I feel sad that they are rejecting this offering to understand this love a little bit more too. However, I can’t let myself get discouraged. There are other people out there who are ready, and some we’ve already found!
We saw a Christmas miracle this week, well post Christmas miracle. We have been teaching this remarkable woman. She is so receptive, and read what we left her over and over again. Her husband has started to listen and already wants to be baptized. I know that the Lord prepares people. We just have to be ready to listen and not give up. I’m so happy for them, and hope they will get sealed in the temple some day.
Well, I guess I’ll start off with Christmas Eve, or Noche Bueno. It was such an AWESOME day! I’ll admit it, I was a little discouraged if people were actually going to let us in or talk to them, but we decided to just go out and share the message of Christmas. We sang carols, shared scriptures of the first Christmas with investigators, less actives, and people we met. When we got back to our house after dinner with Bishop Profetti, the fireworks started. People LOVE to shoot off fireworks here. It was CRAZY! SO MUCH LIGHT! It was like and air raid or something. I grabbed my chair and me and my companion watched from our patio and a couple of our neighbors came by to wish us a Merry Christmas. It was so amazing. I felt so good having brought the spirit of Christmas to a few of my brothers and sisters. It’s amazing how the spirit of Christmas, even though the other parts are enjoyable and add to the fun of it all, really brings smiles and joy into the lives of others. And I felt the joy as well.
Christmas day was pretty much just opening up the AWESOME package you sent me, listening to Christmas Music, trying on the Snuggie, it fits perfectly by the way. One size fits all you know... reading my new Spanish bible and also enjoying all the love that was packaged up inside. Thank you so much everyone. I feel so loved and blessed. Sometimes too blessed. Don’t worry; I’m sharing all the treats with my companion. He loves his new tie by the way and says gracias. I got the blue one and he got the purple one. We LOVE them.
Well, I’m almost 20 years old. I don’t feel like it. I still sometimes feel like I’m a teenager and then I realize what I’m doing and who I’ve become. The Lord has really shaped me during these experiences I’ve had here. I’ve had to have a lot of patience with myself and the Lord. I feel like I’m starting to understand at least a little bit more and more how he works and how he expects us to grow and develop. He loves us so very much. When ever we find someone who for the life of them will not even let us shake their hand, I feel sad that they are rejecting this offering to understand this love a little bit more too. However, I can’t let myself get discouraged. There are other people out there who are ready, and some we’ve already found!
We saw a Christmas miracle this week, well post Christmas miracle. We have been teaching this remarkable woman. She is so receptive, and read what we left her over and over again. Her husband has started to listen and already wants to be baptized. I know that the Lord prepares people. We just have to be ready to listen and not give up. I’m so happy for them, and hope they will get sealed in the temple some day.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Miracles in barrio (ward) Libia, estaca (stake) Maroñas.
December 15, 2009
The work is exploding here! We’ve found so many new people here, and the members are so willing to fellowship each and every one of them. Our Ward Mission Leader is such a stud too. Every week we meet with him once or twice with a few of the ward missionaries to coordinate what it is we need to do. They frequently visit the investgators and invite them to activities and call them. It’s soooooo nice to have the support of the members. It’s much easier to focus on improving other things. It’s a beautiful thing to watch one of our investigators, excuse me, brothers or sisters, anxiously engaged in a discussion with one of the members with bright faces and smiles. I LOVE THIS WARD!!!!
I’ve been thinking how strange it is too, how fast this year flew, mostly because I’m on my mission too I guess. I’m almost 20 years old too! GAH!! I’m so OLD!!!! Just kidding! I love this work so much. Although it gets really hard to focus once in a while and sometimes my feet hurt and such, and I just have a Laman and Lemuel attitude, I remember the testimony of Nephi. I receive strength and determination that aren’t my own, and we are tools in the hands of Heavenly Father to bring to pass miracles. It’s so awesome! Maybe some of these miracles wouldn’t mean much to others, but to a missionary with very little experience they mean everything. Whether it’s finding a family prepared to hear the gospel, a very open person on the street, or even just a very interesting spiritual insight during personal and companionship studies, the hand of the Lord is in this work. How else could kids go out and teach the world the truth of the Restored gospel?
The work is exploding here! We’ve found so many new people here, and the members are so willing to fellowship each and every one of them. Our Ward Mission Leader is such a stud too. Every week we meet with him once or twice with a few of the ward missionaries to coordinate what it is we need to do. They frequently visit the investgators and invite them to activities and call them. It’s soooooo nice to have the support of the members. It’s much easier to focus on improving other things. It’s a beautiful thing to watch one of our investigators, excuse me, brothers or sisters, anxiously engaged in a discussion with one of the members with bright faces and smiles. I LOVE THIS WARD!!!!
I’ve been thinking how strange it is too, how fast this year flew, mostly because I’m on my mission too I guess. I’m almost 20 years old too! GAH!! I’m so OLD!!!! Just kidding! I love this work so much. Although it gets really hard to focus once in a while and sometimes my feet hurt and such, and I just have a Laman and Lemuel attitude, I remember the testimony of Nephi. I receive strength and determination that aren’t my own, and we are tools in the hands of Heavenly Father to bring to pass miracles. It’s so awesome! Maybe some of these miracles wouldn’t mean much to others, but to a missionary with very little experience they mean everything. Whether it’s finding a family prepared to hear the gospel, a very open person on the street, or even just a very interesting spiritual insight during personal and companionship studies, the hand of the Lord is in this work. How else could kids go out and teach the world the truth of the Restored gospel?
The Power of the Book of Mormon
December 7, 2009
Time is flying! I CAN`T believe I’ve almost been out 6 months. It really doesn’t feel like it. I love being out here! I know this might sound funny, but I’ve been having scary dreams of being at home, and all of a sudden realizing NO! I need to be on my mission! Why am I at home!!!! They’re kind of funny. Don’t worry. Of course I miss you guys and home every once and a while, especially right now during the Holidays, but I repeat... I DO NOT WANT TO COME HOME!
This past week was exceptionally busy. We had an interesting goal this week as a district to share our testimonies of the Book of Mormon each time we do a contact. It’s been interesting. Also, we have a mission rule to do at least 140 contacts every week. This coupled with the Book of Mormon have brought about many interesting experiences and spiritual insights. It’s amazing how many people you find who have actually never talked to missionaries (despite the fact that the children scream "HUEVOS" at you... (Eggs)) Or even more amazing how many people have never heard of or seen the Book of Mormon. Though at first it was kind of weird to start talking about the Book of Mormon so directly, we quickly found that our contacts became more meaningful and the people more personal. I love the Book of Mormon. It really is the best weapon in the missionary arsenal. I think there is a quote by Elder Wirthlin when he says that we should NOT underestimate the power of the Book of Mormon. Though I’m still studying the New Testament (I’m in Luke, perfect for Christmas :)) I think I’m going to try and read the Book of Mormon once every month fully. It really does have all the answers to the questions of our souls.
Time is flying! I CAN`T believe I’ve almost been out 6 months. It really doesn’t feel like it. I love being out here! I know this might sound funny, but I’ve been having scary dreams of being at home, and all of a sudden realizing NO! I need to be on my mission! Why am I at home!!!! They’re kind of funny. Don’t worry. Of course I miss you guys and home every once and a while, especially right now during the Holidays, but I repeat... I DO NOT WANT TO COME HOME!
This past week was exceptionally busy. We had an interesting goal this week as a district to share our testimonies of the Book of Mormon each time we do a contact. It’s been interesting. Also, we have a mission rule to do at least 140 contacts every week. This coupled with the Book of Mormon have brought about many interesting experiences and spiritual insights. It’s amazing how many people you find who have actually never talked to missionaries (despite the fact that the children scream "HUEVOS" at you... (Eggs)) Or even more amazing how many people have never heard of or seen the Book of Mormon. Though at first it was kind of weird to start talking about the Book of Mormon so directly, we quickly found that our contacts became more meaningful and the people more personal. I love the Book of Mormon. It really is the best weapon in the missionary arsenal. I think there is a quote by Elder Wirthlin when he says that we should NOT underestimate the power of the Book of Mormon. Though I’m still studying the New Testament (I’m in Luke, perfect for Christmas :)) I think I’m going to try and read the Book of Mormon once every month fully. It really does have all the answers to the questions of our souls.
I LOVE DOING THIS
November 30, 2009
Well, this week went by much better than the last one. We’ve been working harder to schedule more of our appointments by telephone, which is working out a whole lot better now that we know the area and have talked with more people. It’s kind of rough starting a White wash, but it has been such a great experience. I love just talking to everyone. Sometimes I get nervous and it takes us a while to really get going. But when we just go for it, the Lord truly is on our right and left hand and before our faces. I really feel comfortable here now.
Well, Thanksgiving passed and I thought of you all and the family I’m thankful for. Seriously, every time I share my family pictures with families (they can’t get enough pictures here) people always comment on how beautiful our family is. I’m not saying that to boast. Just, to show you how thankful I am to have such a wonderful family! YOU GUYS ARE GREAT! WOOOO!!!
Anyways, the weather has been a little weird lately. The other day, it was pretty hot. However, it started to pour rain on us and we got soaking wet. Fortunately we knocked on a guy’s door and he offered us jackets. He was really nice, and now we have an excuse to go back and talk to him. But seriously, the people here are very awesome, although sometimes they can be a little feisty when they see your white shirt and tag, but that’s true no matter where you go. I love it! But as I was saying, the weather has been a little weird. There have been serious floods in the interior of Uruguay, but it looks like everything is calming down now. It’s sunny again and as far as I know, (which means looking at the sky) it looks like its going to get hot again.
This is going to be one awesome Christmas! I can’t believe it’s already coming! Time flies by way too fast. I hear Christmas in South America is, well..., not like anywhere else in the world. LOTS of fireworks. I’ll call you and tell you all about it on Christmas Day. Let’s see... oh yeah. The Uruguay political elections were yesterday, so we had to dodge all kinds of banners and flags (just kidding it wasn’t too bad) especially since it stormed last night. I’m so glad it’s over. I was getting a little tired of hearing so much propaganda, music and such.
On Saturday night we were planning, and this big flying cockroach flew through our window and started running all around. It ran across my bed, and Elder Gonzales and I started freaking out! I know it’s nothing like other parts of the world where bugs are like pretty much your carpet, but still... We had to move EVERYTHING in the apartment to find it again, and when we did, the hunt was on. I finally killed him with my planner. He was feisty.
SCORE Misioneros 1 Cucaracha 0
Well, that was my adventure for the week. I know it wasn’t much, but there you have it.
I can’t believe how much the Lord has blessed us while we’ve been here. I haven’t counted a day when we didn’t see at least one miracle, whether it be finding someone who gave us all their information to pass by later, a VERY spiritual lesson, having the spirit teach ALL of us, the list goes on. I know that this is where I need to be. Though I haven’t had a baptism yet, I know that it doesn’t matter. I just need to keep doing what the Lord wants me to do, and follow His commandments. I was happy to hear at the zone conference last week that many of the people we taught in our last area are making plans to join the Church and follow Christ. I’m soooooooooooo happy for them. I LOVE doing this! I am so blessed. I have learned so much about myself and others, and I hope I never forget.
Well, this week went by much better than the last one. We’ve been working harder to schedule more of our appointments by telephone, which is working out a whole lot better now that we know the area and have talked with more people. It’s kind of rough starting a White wash, but it has been such a great experience. I love just talking to everyone. Sometimes I get nervous and it takes us a while to really get going. But when we just go for it, the Lord truly is on our right and left hand and before our faces. I really feel comfortable here now.
Well, Thanksgiving passed and I thought of you all and the family I’m thankful for. Seriously, every time I share my family pictures with families (they can’t get enough pictures here) people always comment on how beautiful our family is. I’m not saying that to boast. Just, to show you how thankful I am to have such a wonderful family! YOU GUYS ARE GREAT! WOOOO!!!
Anyways, the weather has been a little weird lately. The other day, it was pretty hot. However, it started to pour rain on us and we got soaking wet. Fortunately we knocked on a guy’s door and he offered us jackets. He was really nice, and now we have an excuse to go back and talk to him. But seriously, the people here are very awesome, although sometimes they can be a little feisty when they see your white shirt and tag, but that’s true no matter where you go. I love it! But as I was saying, the weather has been a little weird. There have been serious floods in the interior of Uruguay, but it looks like everything is calming down now. It’s sunny again and as far as I know, (which means looking at the sky) it looks like its going to get hot again.
This is going to be one awesome Christmas! I can’t believe it’s already coming! Time flies by way too fast. I hear Christmas in South America is, well..., not like anywhere else in the world. LOTS of fireworks. I’ll call you and tell you all about it on Christmas Day. Let’s see... oh yeah. The Uruguay political elections were yesterday, so we had to dodge all kinds of banners and flags (just kidding it wasn’t too bad) especially since it stormed last night. I’m so glad it’s over. I was getting a little tired of hearing so much propaganda, music and such.
On Saturday night we were planning, and this big flying cockroach flew through our window and started running all around. It ran across my bed, and Elder Gonzales and I started freaking out! I know it’s nothing like other parts of the world where bugs are like pretty much your carpet, but still... We had to move EVERYTHING in the apartment to find it again, and when we did, the hunt was on. I finally killed him with my planner. He was feisty.
SCORE Misioneros 1 Cucaracha 0
Well, that was my adventure for the week. I know it wasn’t much, but there you have it.
I can’t believe how much the Lord has blessed us while we’ve been here. I haven’t counted a day when we didn’t see at least one miracle, whether it be finding someone who gave us all their information to pass by later, a VERY spiritual lesson, having the spirit teach ALL of us, the list goes on. I know that this is where I need to be. Though I haven’t had a baptism yet, I know that it doesn’t matter. I just need to keep doing what the Lord wants me to do, and follow His commandments. I was happy to hear at the zone conference last week that many of the people we taught in our last area are making plans to join the Church and follow Christ. I’m soooooooooooo happy for them. I LOVE doing this! I am so blessed. I have learned so much about myself and others, and I hope I never forget.
THANKFUL
November 23, 2009
This past week has been a little bumpy and rough, we’ve hit some hitches and snags, but still I feel blessed to be here. I’m still getting accustomed to life in the city. It’s so loud and noisy here, it’s hard to focus sometimes and listen to the spirit. I’ve come to treasure those moments I have in the morning to study and focus on bettering myself through reading the scriptures and reflecting on their message.
Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve came and spoke to us at a joint conference of the two Uruguay missions. There were about 400 missionaries, and the spirit truly POURED out of the heavens as all of us learned and were taught by the spirit.
I’m truly thankful for all of you, my family. As I said, this week was a little tough, but truly I feel your love and support. Thank you so much! I am so blessed to be here, to have these covenants that have brought me even closer to know my Heavenly Father and His son. Also, to have all of you as my eternal family, I wonder sometimes WHY? Why am I so blessed? What thing do I have not to be thankful for? I better give it my all this week, and the rest of the weeks that follow. But ESPECIALLY this week of Thanksgiving.
This past week has been a little bumpy and rough, we’ve hit some hitches and snags, but still I feel blessed to be here. I’m still getting accustomed to life in the city. It’s so loud and noisy here, it’s hard to focus sometimes and listen to the spirit. I’ve come to treasure those moments I have in the morning to study and focus on bettering myself through reading the scriptures and reflecting on their message.
Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve came and spoke to us at a joint conference of the two Uruguay missions. There were about 400 missionaries, and the spirit truly POURED out of the heavens as all of us learned and were taught by the spirit.
I’m truly thankful for all of you, my family. As I said, this week was a little tough, but truly I feel your love and support. Thank you so much! I am so blessed to be here, to have these covenants that have brought me even closer to know my Heavenly Father and His son. Also, to have all of you as my eternal family, I wonder sometimes WHY? Why am I so blessed? What thing do I have not to be thankful for? I better give it my all this week, and the rest of the weeks that follow. But ESPECIALLY this week of Thanksgiving.
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