Animo!

It was a really good week for us! We started finding lots of new people and have a ton of possibilities that we are hoping will turn into miracles. But we are the ones that make it happen! Let's go!

We had transfers today and once again, I have a new companion. Haha, I basically have a new one every transfer. My new companion is
E l d e r  G a r e t h  V i d a l  from Viña del Mar, Chile. Yes! 2 straight transfers with Latin companions! They are always tons of fun. We have been having tons of fun already and surprisingly have found tons in common already. He has the nickname of ¨Ammon¨ for how much he baptizes. Haha, super stoked!

This week we focused a lot on finding new people. Our investigator, Luciana, who is getting married the 19th and baptized the 20th, threw a party for her daughter and we totally took advantage. We found lots of new people to teach just bouncing between conversations bringing up the church and stuff. It's effective. So... Invite the missionaries to your parties! Haha!

We also had leadership council in the house of the President and we felt the Spirit super strong. I think the mission is going to explode this transfer! Lots of young, but excited leadership. That's all ya need right? ANIMO! I feel really excited.

I love the Lord. Our Master. I'm coming to know Him, not only as my teacher, but also as my friend. I feel like He is always there for me. And there is no other friend more loyal and loving than my Savior! Just so y'all know. And I am totally down to share! Dive into the scriptures and let's all be friends!

Loves!

E l d e r   V i d a l   a n d   I

Haha, And Espinoza.
I felt like a giant with him. Now... not so much. Ha!
My apologies for his duck face. Unacceptable.

Luciana and her family
( Luciana has the baby in her arms )

The zone last transfer!

The temple last week in the morning

Eternal Families!!!!!

So this week was pretty awesome. I only have 17 minutes, so let's make this happen!!!

This week was wild. I went on divisions with  E l d e r  G a r r e t t, and he came to my area. We left thinking it was going to be a cold, normal day. But then it started to pour. And we had nothing! So we were walking all over looking for shelter in the freezing rain! Then finally, a member took mercy on us and took us in. When we had to leave, she insisted we take her husband's big work coats. But these work coats were giant white coats. We looked like marshmallows. I wasn't too big on the idea because, well, I'm not that big on the idea of getting robbed either, but we did it and we made it look good. ;)

We also had the baptism of Sabrina. On Friday, she was baptized and because of working hours, her HUSBAND asked if we could baptize her that night. Haha, OKAY! So we made adjustments and boy was it a party. The Spirit was super strong and at the end we sang Come, Come Ye Saints and the words, ¨Oh, esta todo bien!¨ Rang true in my ears. And apparently in Sabrina's because she was crying at the end of it. :) It was amazing. AND! Today one of our investigators took out her turn to get married today for the 19th of June, so we are just marrying all sorts of people up in here! Haha.

Side note just so I don't forget. I will be writing next Tuesday because of transfers; crazy how fast they go by, so yeah. We will see if someone goes or not. ;)

ALSO! Today we went to the TEMPLE!!! Wow, I was so happy to be there, it was incredible. I felt the Spirit so strong, and testified of the things I really had on my mind. And  E l d e r  P a t e y, my comp in Parque Patricios, told me as we were standing in the Celestial Room that Ester got baptized! I don't know if y'all remember her. I tried so hard to baptize her along with the family Patiño, but she just couldn't commit. Well. SHE COMMITTED! And is now a member of the Church of JESUS CHRIST! Such a blessing. The whole family is member now! YAHOO!

My Life is changing a ton and can't believe how fast time is passing. Today, to get to the temple, we passed by my old area in Lugano. It was wild thinking of all the 6 months full of memories there! I do love this work. And I love our Savior! It is the best!

I love all of y'all a ton!

At the Temple!

The baptism with the whole family!

Oh, está todo bien!

Feliz Dia! P-day!

So this week has been a wild ride, but super productive. I have quite a bit of stuff to talk about... I think. Haha.

So first of all I went on divisions with Jose C. Paz 1 and I went to their area with  E l d e r  D a v i s  from Redlands, California. He's pretty new in the mission, but he has a ton of desire to work hard, so it was really good. Then they finished their week really strong.

Afterwards, we had interviews with President Ayre and the Assistants (Krivocheev and Ferreiros). My companion and I opened up the doors to the baptismal font in the room for interviews with President. Haha. He loved the idea. Lots of pressure. Hahaha. But it was really good and I was able to receive a lot of guidance, which helped me and the zone, I think. I love President. He is super fun-loving, but has his goals and there is no stopping him from achieving them! haha!

So in the spirit of that, my companion and I decided to go, the both of us, to an area that was struggling and lift them up. We worked hard all week to miss a day and then both of us went and worked with them. It was an amazing day and they ended firm as well. haha! I really learned how to love my Elders. Ha, doesn't matter how much you know, until they know how much you care. So that was definitely a highlight.

But the best part is this. I was there on divisions still when I got a call... The person was asking for Elder Hankins and I was like, ah shoot what did I do? Haha, and then he said something that totally gave it away! It was ELDER TIPPETTS! Hahaha! OR better to say Brody. haha. He had come down to visit the mission with his Dad and he got permission from President to come over on Saturday morning to visit me for a bit. It was SOOOO crazy. I was freaking out, I was so happy. We talked about life and good times and hugged and everything. His Dad is super legit too. And on top of that, he brought with him a box full of double stuff Oreos and peanut butter and Pop-tarts and stuff! I was seriously in HEAVEN! Hahaha! Seriously, the best moment ever being with my best bud again. It gave me a ton of energy and desires to end strong like he did.

This week I studied the Book of Mormon and the missionaries in it. I felt the Spirit so strongly as I simply wrote down my feelings. The Spirit would testify of every truth I wrote down. So awesome. I'm learning more about doing things that aren't normal. Just thinking outside the box, just like Jesus did. Who would have thought of walking on water as a form of teaching? I find that moment one of the most powerful in the Savior's ministry!

So my companion woke me up at 4 in the morning and was all... Hankins, I'm freezing and throwing up. And I was all, Ah shoot, Take my sleeping bag and everything. So he was a bit sick this morning, but he is getting better now. Haha!

Oh! And I haven't talked about Sabrina yet! So Sabrina is a little gal we have been working with this transfer and is getting married this Friday with a member of the Church! And she will be getting baptized on Saturday, confirmed on Sunday! WAAAAHOOOOO!!! haha, so awesome. I love their family so much. She has a little baby boy named Santino that is always so happy. And I always feel at home because her boyfriend is 1 of 6 boys in the family. All boys! Haha so I see the connection they have and know how to work with them better. Pray for Sabrina and the Ayala family, that all will be well for her marriage and baptism! WOO! So pumped!

Our Master and Savior, Jesus Christ, Lives!

Loves!

Baptism of Alisson. With the fam!

BRODY TIPPETTS!

So I got these pants..
They literally call them poopy pants here. Haha.
And I'm sporting the River jersey.
They were crowned champions last night. Haha!

River Plate celebrate the Argentine Championship

Feliz Dia de Madre!

It's a little late now, but I just wanted to say that I love my Mama! She is the best! I feel like I can reach my goals and really show my love towards others because of my Mom's example. More than anything, she has given me a firm foundation from the start! I can't thank her enough!

This week was a good one. We had Elder Gonzalez of the Seventy come and visit the mission! He talked a lot about our purpose and just had a big smile on his face when we conversed with him. I want to be able to know the scriptures like him. Something that I was able to take away from our time with him is to always pay attention to how you feel. If you feel good, analyze why you feel that way and make it a habit. Sometimes it's good to not be stressed, and focus on how much we learn and understand, but that we should narrow down on what is good. He also talked about how the Book of Mormon is an undrying well of good vibes, you can say. Haha. You can never feel bad reading that book, seriously. That's something we are focusing on in the Zone this week is using the Book of Mormon more in our lives!

So we were teaching this part member family this week, and in the middle, the lights went out. Haha, maybe it's not that funny and you had to be there, but for like 10 seconds after the outage there was dead silence, and then my companion in his Latin accent broke the silence with... AH FREAK MAN! Hahaha. I don't know why, but I couldn't stop laughing. Espinoza is a stud.

So a little awesome news. The mission is going on a temple trip this month! The 26th of MAY! Wooo! I am so stoked to go; it's the closest to heaven I feel. And also, Alisson was confirmed yesterday which was really neat. I love it! And Seeing the family yesterday by way of Skype was the highlight of the week. To see all those happy faces. haha! I'm pretty jealous that it's all nice and sunny out in Idaho and here it is all rainy and stuff. But it's all about the attitude, right? :)
I think I'm gonna go and buy a cheeseburger. Love you guys!

White shores...and beyond, a far green country under a swift sunrise -Gandalf

Loves,

MOTHER'S DAY SKYPE

La Gran Rama de Vucetich!

   The Great Branch of Vucetich!

Hey Hi Ho.

So this week was a good one! I am just super grateful for all that I have and what the Lord is preparing for me and you and everyone!

E l d e r  E s p i n o z a  and I really put an emphasis on The Work of Salvation with not only our branch, but with the entire zone! We really feel that it will catch this zone on fire! So talking about that...

This last week we talked with the President of the branch and he is a stud! He has a great vision for the branch and what we can do together to make it grow and become a ward! We talked about goals and he said that he made the goal with the Stake President to have 120 people in church weekly. We have had the average of 80-100 lately... But this last Sunday, we had 135 in church! Lots of less actives coming back that we visited. It was amazing and the Presidency was super pleased! All the members love the missionaries here and call this branch, "La GRAN Vucetich!".  Haha. Lots of excitement.

E l d e r  E s p i n o z a  and I also had a meeting with our district leaders and helped them understand how we can work more with the wards we are assigned. It's gonna be good; I can feel it! Super pumped. We also talked about this in our zone meeting last week and I think the Elders are liking it. So yeah...I'm just fired up about it.

We had a baptism as well on Sunday! She is such a miracle, seriously. We asked her mom to give her testimony at the baptismal service and it was so powerful. We knew it would be. There are so many out there that WANT to come back, but just need a little bit of love and support. Anyways, it was great. And next week the other Elders of Vucetich (one of which was with me in Parque Patricios) will have a baptism. So Vucetich is going up! WAHOO!

I am really grateful for everything. And I really do feel all the love and support from all of you. I feel like everyday, my relationship with Christ grows stronger and stronger. I feel like, amongst other things, He has developed into a faithful friend to me here on the mission. That not only did He suffer for me, but that He is here WITH me every step. I know that He has our future covered when we are obedient and live in the way He has asked. I love this work!

What would you do if you knew you could not fail?

Loves!

From Last Fall...

Sleeping on the bus