So this is gonna have to be short today because we are on a tight schedule, but here it is... Transfers have come and as I expected... I´m staying. Ha! And I will be training E l d e r B y w a t e r. I'm super stoked! Ha! This week has been really good and I owe it all to the Lord.
Something awesome that was taught in Zone Meeting was this... So you all know Lionel Messi, right? Like the best soccer player in the world and he is from here in Buenos Aires. They talked about how he is suuuuper short but he is still the best! He doesn´t look at other players and think, "they are bigger and stronger than I am". They just think about what he can do to win and be the best he can be. And, no matter what team he goes to, he makes it the best! We likened that to Missionary work. We can't compare ourselves. We can and are the BEST and no matter where we go, we can make that area the BEST! I really liked that.
E l d e r S t o c k i n g is leaving tomorrow, that is pretty crazy. I can't believe the transfer is already over.
This last week was fun. One day we were walking and saw these people moving. After a little bit of discussion (we had a member waiting for us) we decided to help them. They lived on the 4th floor without elevators and the crew was 2 old ladies and an old guy... So we carried the fridge and washing machine and EVERYTHING up the four stories. It killed. But they said that we were blessings from God! And we got to teach them later and show what we are all about.
We also played soccer this week with a bunch of kids and totally destroyed! Afterwards, we met all their parents, and several of them and their parents accepted baptism dates! WOOT! This transfer is looking good. Super stoked.
I know that this Church is true! It's ALWAYS better to look up. I promise! Keep trucking! I know that if I do my best and do it all the time, the Lord will bless us! Loves!
"Just follow your heart, that's what I do" -Napoleon Dynamite
Loves!
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Monday, October 28, 2013
Buenos Aires Livin'
"I'm not happy, Bob. NOT HAPPY." -The Incredibles
I love that quote. Anyways, being a missionary is pretty legit. There is no way that I could learn the things I'm learning anywhere else or in any other way! I am super thankful that I'm allowed to do this for the Lord. That I can grow in this way and help bless others. Pretty awesome.
A positive this week! So we have been working quite a bit with the Less actives in our ward this week and when Sunday came around we were Suuuuper surprised to see 5 or 6 less active families show up to church. The ward was just sooo stoked! We definitely gained some points with them this last week, all thanks to Heavenly Father. I just love re-activating members. It gives you the greatest feeling, especially when their challenges are pretty great, unlike anything I've seen or want to go through. It's all just a part of the learning process. We are hoping to work a ton with less-actives and recent converts to keep them faithful and find new people to teach through them. :)
Prayer has played a pretty big factor in my week. Firstly, we found and taught this lady who is suuuuper prepared. She just wants to go to church and have the gospel in her life, but her husband won't let it happen. Her prayer was so powerful after our first lesson with her. She just asked so sincerely to our Father in Heaven if He would just touch the heart of him so she could go to church and be baptized. I don't know why, but I was just blown away! It put into perspective the kind of prayers I say. If I really think about my identity and who I'm talking to before I start my prayers. And when I kneel down to tell him how my day went, I'm just exhausted, and the spirit isn't really with me. Constant Prayer kinda stuck out to me. I really liked it.
It is getting super pretty out here! Spring is pickin' up and everything is blooming. I didn't realize how many trees there are here. Got me all trunky for North Carolina! Ha! Also, E l d e r S t o c k i n g is preppin' to head out for Idaho once again. He's got like 10 or 9 more days left! Pretty crazy. He is a great teacher! It's amazing to me sometimes how charitable he is. Sometimes we will get done being harassed a little by some silly teenagers and I'll say, "Man I had zero patience for him" and Elder Stocking will say, "I was just praying to have charity". Love it. I'll most likely stay here though with Bywater. I'm totally okay with that, E l d e r B y w a t e r is a champ!
"I feel like I'm back at the Green Dragon after a hard day's work!"
"Only, you've never had a hard day's work, Pippin!" -Lord of the Rings
Anywho, I love all of y'áll! Always look up!
Loves!
I love that quote. Anyways, being a missionary is pretty legit. There is no way that I could learn the things I'm learning anywhere else or in any other way! I am super thankful that I'm allowed to do this for the Lord. That I can grow in this way and help bless others. Pretty awesome.
A positive this week! So we have been working quite a bit with the Less actives in our ward this week and when Sunday came around we were Suuuuper surprised to see 5 or 6 less active families show up to church. The ward was just sooo stoked! We definitely gained some points with them this last week, all thanks to Heavenly Father. I just love re-activating members. It gives you the greatest feeling, especially when their challenges are pretty great, unlike anything I've seen or want to go through. It's all just a part of the learning process. We are hoping to work a ton with less-actives and recent converts to keep them faithful and find new people to teach through them. :)
Prayer has played a pretty big factor in my week. Firstly, we found and taught this lady who is suuuuper prepared. She just wants to go to church and have the gospel in her life, but her husband won't let it happen. Her prayer was so powerful after our first lesson with her. She just asked so sincerely to our Father in Heaven if He would just touch the heart of him so she could go to church and be baptized. I don't know why, but I was just blown away! It put into perspective the kind of prayers I say. If I really think about my identity and who I'm talking to before I start my prayers. And when I kneel down to tell him how my day went, I'm just exhausted, and the spirit isn't really with me. Constant Prayer kinda stuck out to me. I really liked it.
It is getting super pretty out here! Spring is pickin' up and everything is blooming. I didn't realize how many trees there are here. Got me all trunky for North Carolina! Ha! Also, E l d e r S t o c k i n g is preppin' to head out for Idaho once again. He's got like 10 or 9 more days left! Pretty crazy. He is a great teacher! It's amazing to me sometimes how charitable he is. Sometimes we will get done being harassed a little by some silly teenagers and I'll say, "Man I had zero patience for him" and Elder Stocking will say, "I was just praying to have charity". Love it. I'll most likely stay here though with Bywater. I'm totally okay with that, E l d e r B y w a t e r is a champ!
"I feel like I'm back at the Green Dragon after a hard day's work!"
"Only, you've never had a hard day's work, Pippin!" -Lord of the Rings
Anywho, I love all of y'áll! Always look up!
Loves!
Monday, October 21, 2013
Loves
Hola familia! Todo Bien? I'm still super good and loving it here! Keepin the mantra, "Livin' the Dream" going, as Devin would say. We had an interesting week. I'm learning quite a bit about satan right now. He is crazy. Haha. But we are doing our best. :)
So I didn't use to be a big lover of bananas, but... They sell these bananas from Ecuador here and they are SUUUPER good! I just can't get enough of them! I guess you could say I'm... bananas. ;) Couldn't help it. Ha!
Y'all know that I love fishing. I didn't care what I caught as long as I caught something. But I ALWAYS knew that Carp were trash fish and not good to eat... So this last week we were with a member family that I just love and for lunch she walks up and slaps a fresh carp in front of me. Lol! I couldn't believe it! I was going to eat a fish that eats trash! Pretty much tasted like pond mud. Love it! I'll send a picture. But yeah... carp.
This last Sunday we were surprised to have a member of the seventy join us... Wilshem or something like that from Chile. He was great! During priesthood meeting when they asked him if he had something to say, he turned to us Elders and said, "How is the work of salvation Elders?" and so we talked about missionary work and he DROPPED THE CANE on not going out with us for lessons... "What brethren? Is it too difficult? Inconvenient?... Huh?". I loved it. So awesome.
"Let's just nuke this place and do baptisms for the dead!"
- E l d e r B y w a t e r
Some things I've learned is that if I want revelation, I need to do my homework. It's not just gonna come by sitting on my bum. Reading the scriptures diligently is a big deal. Also, as we taught a family this week, I felt this overwhelming knowledge of what this family needed to be happy. But another thought dawned on me: I can't be the one to tell them that! My job as a missionary is to create a warm, loving environment so that the Spirit can tell them. I think I lost sight of that for a bit. Love missions! :)
Also, one last thing. It was Mother's day here in Argentina yesterday. Just thought I'd give a shout out to my Mom real quick. There is no other women like her! Absolutely amazing and in tune with the spirit. Always seeking the good in everything and loving me with all her being. Love you, Mama!
Let the lower lights be burning! (listen to hymn) (Boyd K. Packer's Talk)
Loves!
So I didn't use to be a big lover of bananas, but... They sell these bananas from Ecuador here and they are SUUUPER good! I just can't get enough of them! I guess you could say I'm... bananas. ;) Couldn't help it. Ha!
Y'all know that I love fishing. I didn't care what I caught as long as I caught something. But I ALWAYS knew that Carp were trash fish and not good to eat... So this last week we were with a member family that I just love and for lunch she walks up and slaps a fresh carp in front of me. Lol! I couldn't believe it! I was going to eat a fish that eats trash! Pretty much tasted like pond mud. Love it! I'll send a picture. But yeah... carp.
This last Sunday we were surprised to have a member of the seventy join us... Wilshem or something like that from Chile. He was great! During priesthood meeting when they asked him if he had something to say, he turned to us Elders and said, "How is the work of salvation Elders?" and so we talked about missionary work and he DROPPED THE CANE on not going out with us for lessons... "What brethren? Is it too difficult? Inconvenient?... Huh?". I loved it. So awesome.
"Let's just nuke this place and do baptisms for the dead!"
- E l d e r B y w a t e r
Some things I've learned is that if I want revelation, I need to do my homework. It's not just gonna come by sitting on my bum. Reading the scriptures diligently is a big deal. Also, as we taught a family this week, I felt this overwhelming knowledge of what this family needed to be happy. But another thought dawned on me: I can't be the one to tell them that! My job as a missionary is to create a warm, loving environment so that the Spirit can tell them. I think I lost sight of that for a bit. Love missions! :)
Also, one last thing. It was Mother's day here in Argentina yesterday. Just thought I'd give a shout out to my Mom real quick. There is no other women like her! Absolutely amazing and in tune with the spirit. Always seeking the good in everything and loving me with all her being. Love you, Mama!
Let the lower lights be burning! (listen to hymn) (Boyd K. Packer's Talk)
Loves!
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| The Carp |
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| Funny Santa Pecadora |
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| Car!!! Ha |
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| Climbing up villa stairs |
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| E l d e r T i p p e t s a n d I |
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| Some mini gangsters and I |
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| E l d e r S o l i s a n d I |
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| More villa after a rain storm |
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| Standing by a passing train in the villa |
WARNING
You may want to stop here
You may want to stop here
The following images are gross
(pig head & dog on train tracks)
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| They eat pig head here... |
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| Dog that got cut in half by the train! |
Monday, October 14, 2013
Missions!!!!
So I thought I'd start by singing, "I'm a diddly wack mack Mormon daddy. All my friends all be conformin' cuz it's fly to be a Mormon". But seriously, I'm a daddy more or less. E l d e r S t o c k i n g and I are the proud parents of
E l d e r B y w a t e r, a fresh young blood straight from the Provo MTC. Haha. It's been great to have him with us. My guess is he will stay here with me in Lugano and I'll take full custody of my boy. ;) Training is a ton of fun. I love it!
This week has been an interesting one, but it flew by! The zoo was super fun as well! My favorite part was probably the aquarium and seeing all of my friends from the MTC again. The weather is heating up as well, which is nice. I'm pretty over this whole cold thing.
We have some good baptisms lined of for the next couple weeks. It has been difficult here because we can find all day long new people to teach, but none are really that "chosen". Laziness is pretty much a way of life here. Like big time. Oh well! Just gotta fine them elegidos!
"And he'll be dead before dessert!"
"Which is a shame, it is really delicious."
-Emperor's New Groove
I really like the idea of building your treasures in heaven. At the end of all things, when we are all stripped of our worldly belongings, we will be left with what we stored in the heavens. That's why I'm super thankful for the priesthood and the kind of strength it gives me to keep going on, even when I don't think I can make it. I'm thankful for my Mom and that she helps me gain my full potential all the time. I love all of you sooooo much! The Church is true!
Love
E l d e r B y w a t e r, a fresh young blood straight from the Provo MTC. Haha. It's been great to have him with us. My guess is he will stay here with me in Lugano and I'll take full custody of my boy. ;) Training is a ton of fun. I love it!
This week has been an interesting one, but it flew by! The zoo was super fun as well! My favorite part was probably the aquarium and seeing all of my friends from the MTC again. The weather is heating up as well, which is nice. I'm pretty over this whole cold thing.
We have some good baptisms lined of for the next couple weeks. It has been difficult here because we can find all day long new people to teach, but none are really that "chosen". Laziness is pretty much a way of life here. Like big time. Oh well! Just gotta fine them elegidos!
"And he'll be dead before dessert!"
"Which is a shame, it is really delicious."
-Emperor's New Groove
I really like the idea of building your treasures in heaven. At the end of all things, when we are all stripped of our worldly belongings, we will be left with what we stored in the heavens. That's why I'm super thankful for the priesthood and the kind of strength it gives me to keep going on, even when I don't think I can make it. I'm thankful for my Mom and that she helps me gain my full potential all the time. I love all of you sooooo much! The Church is true!
Love
Monday, October 7, 2013
Y bueno!
It has been a good week! I love being a missionary! Never done something more tough in my life, but vale la pena, I say! I love how I get to learn so much in such a short time... either through the scriptures, the people I teach, and even my fellow missionaries!
For example: Last week we decided to play a joke on one of the Elders that lives in our pension, E l d e r D i a z. His family had sent him some boxes of mac and cheese from the states, and so while he was out on divisions, we took his macaroni, poured out the boxes into tupperware and left some noodles on the stove. We then blamed our zone leader. hahaha. His response surprised me and taught me a lesson. He said: Oh... Did he share? We said no, and he said, "Man that's what makes me sad, he didn't share it!?". Man, I want to be that way. Just thinking about others like that. We can totally apply that to missionary work. We can at least share the gold that we got!
General Conference was the best, wasn't it? I received so much personal revelation! Even more so, I gained a testimony that Satan will do anything to keep others not of our faith from hearing the words of the prophet. As we searched for out investigators to take to conference, some were late and as we got in the car to go, we got a flat tire! Haha! He was throwing everything at us! But we didn't falter and they received answers to their questions!
So when S. Gifford Nielson got up to speak, I knew it was going to be good, cuz just a couple months ago he gave me a big hug out in North Carolina and taught us about repentance. He is so awesome and animated. Also, the guy who gave the closing prayer at one of the sessions "Vinas" came here the other week and taught us about baptism. It was strange to hear him talk in English. Haha!
Doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith! It's the best! I just love it! It pretty much fixes everything. Also, hold fast continually! Liked that too. Just believe.
We got some good baptisms lined up for this transfer. I'm pretty excited! I hope they all go through. :)
It sounds like everything is going really well from the emails I've got. The zoo is tomorrow! I'm pretty stoked for that! Hopefully I get to spend time with all my friends. :) Loves to all!
Hey I just met you, and this is crazy, but here's the Book of Mormon, get baptized maybe?...
For example: Last week we decided to play a joke on one of the Elders that lives in our pension, E l d e r D i a z. His family had sent him some boxes of mac and cheese from the states, and so while he was out on divisions, we took his macaroni, poured out the boxes into tupperware and left some noodles on the stove. We then blamed our zone leader. hahaha. His response surprised me and taught me a lesson. He said: Oh... Did he share? We said no, and he said, "Man that's what makes me sad, he didn't share it!?". Man, I want to be that way. Just thinking about others like that. We can totally apply that to missionary work. We can at least share the gold that we got!
General Conference was the best, wasn't it? I received so much personal revelation! Even more so, I gained a testimony that Satan will do anything to keep others not of our faith from hearing the words of the prophet. As we searched for out investigators to take to conference, some were late and as we got in the car to go, we got a flat tire! Haha! He was throwing everything at us! But we didn't falter and they received answers to their questions!
So when S. Gifford Nielson got up to speak, I knew it was going to be good, cuz just a couple months ago he gave me a big hug out in North Carolina and taught us about repentance. He is so awesome and animated. Also, the guy who gave the closing prayer at one of the sessions "Vinas" came here the other week and taught us about baptism. It was strange to hear him talk in English. Haha!
Doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith! It's the best! I just love it! It pretty much fixes everything. Also, hold fast continually! Liked that too. Just believe.
We got some good baptisms lined up for this transfer. I'm pretty excited! I hope they all go through. :)
It sounds like everything is going really well from the emails I've got. The zoo is tomorrow! I'm pretty stoked for that! Hopefully I get to spend time with all my friends. :) Loves to all!
Hey I just met you, and this is crazy, but here's the Book of Mormon, get baptized maybe?...
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| Thiago One of my best friends I´ve made in Argentina! |