Monday, September 22, 2014

Smart Phones...

So we totally worked like crazy this week. It was like nonstop action that was just wild for us. I am grateful that I am in this position. That I can stay focused and do the Lord’s will. “That’s pretty cool I guess”... -Kip.

On Monday last week after writing, we went to the Church to start baking Cinnamon Rolls! Haha, we were going to have a family home evening and we wanted to show our “cultures”. Anyways, Elder Peterson knew how to cook it, so we went and I like... watched basically and helped sometimes. They turned out super awesome and was a hit at the Noche de Hogar.

We were able to finally move out! YEAH! When we got all of our stuff packed up, we went to find a remis to carry all our stuff 8 blocks to the other Elder’s apartment, but... no one had any cars ready. So we called the other Elders and we walked with 2 mattresses and all of our luggage for 8 blocks. It was the BEST! LOL. Everyone stared.  Score.

Then we had Zone Conference with President and the Assistants. It was super awesome and I got lots of personal revelation. The Book of Mormon is KEY! Anyways, afterwards we went on divisions with the Assistants again. I thought I would be staying in the area this time, but they had me go with Elder Valerdi again to his area. It was super awesome and I learned lots. It was fun to drive around in Car all day. lol. As the night came, we had to take mattresses to some Elders out in the boonies and so we got to talk some more as we drove. I miss driving in a car. Ha! The things I took for granted. Anyways, since we got back home at like 12 at night, we were allowed to sleep until 8. But not happening! Some bozo decided to start construction RIGHT in front of our house at 5:30 in the morning. Nice. Livin’ the Dream!

So the coolest story of the week happened Saturday. We were walking and actually fasting to find new people when we spotted a phone face down in the road. Super weird since it’s the villa. So we picked it up and it turned out to be a Samsung Galaxy 4 or something like that! Brand New! Haha, so we were thinking this has to be an opportunity. So we went to a members house and called one of the contacts. His brother answered and we got the address of the owner and went to return it. We got there and found a super humble Bolivian family. They wanted to pay us for the act, but we just said, “You can repay us by listening to our message.” They accepted! We also found his brother in law and he accepted as well! They are preparing to be baptized the fifth of October. Blessings! It’s crazy how the Lord just MAKES things happen! The righteous need not fear.

Oh, and my new apartment is like 2 blocks away from my Lugano apartment! I live in my old area! It’s so weird, but Lugano is a way nice place. Lots of nice people and stuff to buy. Haha.

“Como poseedores del sacerdocio, no lleguemos a ser insensibles a lo asombroso y maravilloso que es lo que el Señor nos ha confiado”

Oh, and so yáll know, I won’t be writing next Monday cuz we are going to the temple on Friday next week! And then after, we asked Prez if we could go to Tecnopolis and write there. Score! So until next Friday!

Loves!


Science, Technology, Industry & Art 
Mega Exhibition
















Monday, September 15, 2014

I ain't quittin you!

Helloooooooo! This week has been an incredible one! I cannot believe some of the things that happen to a person on the mission. There are so many unplanned surprises and MIRACLES! So let's start from the beginning to end!

Firstly, we have been working a ton with the members this week. We have been planning a ton and have so many people to accompany us that we went on splits with the members a few times this week. It was so awesome to be able to do twice the amount of work in one day. That was getting us super pumped.

We have this super sweet old lady that is a convert of Elder Peterson. She has been hurting for a while and needs an operation done. We were feeling super bad for her and praying for a way to help. Turns out the thing that is holding her back from having the operation was not having sufficient blood donors. So... It's clear what we had to do! Let's go to the gross hospital to donate blood! Hahah! We got there and prepared ourselves to donate blood. As we walked the halls, I saw dogs laying on the left and the right. There were spider webs and I swear I saw some blood stains as I made my way to the blood donating place. But anyways, they cleaned me up like I did the thanksgiving turkey and jabbed a needle into me that was just laying there. So... I totally made that all up. It was a totally normal, clean hospital. But it was all too bad. Two Elders that came with us to donate FAINTED when they got their fingers pricked for the testing. hahaha! My plan was to not look and talk about my country. It worked. Haha. I hardly noticed. I felt so awesome to be able to help Elsa. She is such a sweet lady and now has all the blood she needs.

We also had a project called Helping Hands here again. About 3 or 4 zones went to a hospital (Hospital Oftalmológico DR. Pedro Lagleyze) to sand and paint the walls inside and out. It was super fun for me seeing all the Elders again! I remember a year ago we did this when I was with Elder Smith as a junior comp. How the time flies!

That same day we were planning on the baptism of Marion Francou. She was the one that fell through last week on Sunday. It's a crazy story so strap on your seat belts. We went after lunch to look for her as our priority. She wasn't answering the door or her phone. Then the idea to call a number she had sent us a message on a few days earlier came to my mind. She answered! We set up a time to go by, but when we got there she was less than stoked for her baptism. We got her excited for it and she was pumped and went to get herself and her baby ready. We went off letting all the members know and inviting them to the baptism. As we were in a recent convert's house, we got a message from her saying she didn't feel good and couldn't do it. At that moment, I said a prayer asking for the gift of discernment. I wasn't sure what she needed, but I knew God knew. At that moment, I felt so illuminated. As my companion and I made our way back to her house, we felt like we were honestly in a trio. We felt like someone was with us. We realized that it wasn't that she didn't want to be baptized, but that despair had taken hold of her. Losing hope is the worst feeling in the world. And even when an escape route is offered, aka baptism and the gospel, it seems pointless to even try. As we arrived at her door, the whole world slowed down. She came out and we talked. It was a REAL TALK. A real life talk that I will never forget because it wasn't me nor Elder Peterson talking. It was the Spirit. SHE decided at that moment she needed to act and be baptized. The baptism was the most spiritual I have ever been to. A member baptized her. As she came up to us, she just thanked us for helping her get out of her house. She said she couldn't get rid of the smile on her face. Throughout the whole conversation, I realized we were almost whispering. I thought of the temple and how we should always strive to feel like we do when we are in the celestial room. And that's how it was. I love my Father in Heaven! THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE!

And if that isn't enough.... So on Sunday morning all was going as planned. Peterson just got done showering, so I grabbed my towel and hopped into the shower (I found axe shower gel here... I was so happy!). As I lathered, rinsed, and repeated, I heard shouts and things falling. My first thought was, Ah well... Elder Peterson is probably getting rid of all his extra energy in break out dance and song like he always does, no biggy. But then he opens the door and yells I KILLED A RAT WITH A BROOM ELDER! hahahaha! Turns out, he was going to grab his underwear from the drawer and a rat was taking a nap right on top of his underwear! Haha, they got their brooms and other deadly objects to a rat ready, and attacked! Elder Peterson got a good one-two in there and killed the curse! It left a ton of little presents in his drawer. Haha! HOWEVER, it isn't Chuck Norris. Still isn't big enough. But needless to say, we are moving out of our apartment today and moving in with 2 other Elders from our ward. Elders Thurgood and Gomez. They are totally awesome, so I am pumped!

And I know it's long, but a funny thing in church... Other Elders were talking to a member and I leaned over and whispered something to repeat to them in English. Then he turned to them and said, "Why should I welcome you, Gandalf the Grey". hahaha. I almost peed laughing.

Anyways, it was an inconceivable week. Just livin the dream!

Loves!

Un hombre no envejece cuando se le arruga la piel sino cuando se le arrugan los sueños

 

Marion








I almost died! ;)



Vos tenes lo que se necesita
para salvar una vida










Mormon Helping Hands

Monday, September 8, 2014

Libre Soy!

Hello Yáll! Livin the Dream!

So this last week was pretty awesome. After writing last p-day, we got the zone together and did a bbq behind the chapel of Almagro. We also played lots of soccer and messed around. It was awesome to have more bonding moments with the zone and make us stronger. Later that week, we continued with the idea and before starting our zone meeting, we made pancakes! Haha. We were just livin' the dream! In between that was filled with lots of hard missionary work, for example...

This week we decided to go on divisions with Soldati 4. I went to their area for 2 days with a Columbian named Elder Micanquer. Haha. We worked super hard and I got to know his area and investigators. He is a good Elder; we actually have the same time in the mission! We learned a lot about what was good about the area, and goals to make it better. And ourselves. It was a good experience... BUT! At the end of the first day, I had a huge headache and my nose was just fuuuuuuuullll of gunk. And my eyes were super red and so I was like, "I freak, now what!?" I woke up the next morning and my eyes were glued shut! Haha, nooooooo, Pink Eye!? For real!? So I asked my Micanquer for a blessing and THE PRIESTHOOD IS REAL! I was well enough to work. It was like Bishop Bastian. I was dying at home, but as soon as I hit the pavement to start working, the pain went away and I could think clearly. Miracles! Livin the Dream!

Also, I mentioned our rat problem. Yeah... There is one that is super terrible. It's moving things around like our forks and trash and so we gave it the name of Chuck Norris. Haha. So here is the thing, I got home from divisions and they had killed a rat! Haha, in the mouse trap was a big rat. But I was about to sing, "Good and dead, we killed the beast!" just yet... It wasn't as big as I imagined Chuck Norris. And lo and behold, the nonsense continued the following night. He still LIVES! We believe we only got the wife of Chuck. So we cleaned all the mouse traps today and are hoping to get him soon...

We were so excited to have the baptism of Marion this Sunday. She passed her interview, and everything. On Sunday, we didn't have hot water so we started BOILING pots of water and filling the font that way for hours! We called her and she said she would be getting there soon and.... she... didn't show up.... Oh man, I was so bummed. I felt like I got dumped or something. So we will see what we do with her.

LUISA!
She is so awesome. I seriously love her so much! She is so in tune with the Spirit and is sharing the gospel with everyone she meets. She was fasting yesterday and when we got there, she was all, "ahhh chicos!!!" and gave us food (we had already broken our fast), but she didn't eat anything. She was staying loyal to fasting the FULL 24 hours. Hahaha. I was able to do the confirmation for her on Sunday and the Spirit was definitely strong. I loved it!

So yeah, that's about it. Just livin' the dream. Today will be pretty chill; we are pretty worn out. Haha.

Loves!


Chuck Norris´s Wife!



Micanquer and I 



Paaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaancakes!

Monday, September 1, 2014

Livin the SUEÑO!!!!


So this week has been pretty awesome. Like. I Love it here and what is happening! Firstly, my companion is pretty awesome. We help each other stay focused, but we also have a ton of fun. We quote Disney and Muppet movies and say Livin´ the Dream to everything. It's the best. Or the "bees knees" as he says. We are having a ton of fun.

So the apartment we live in is kinda like... the worst. Haha, we have a RAT problem! Haha, and there is a mold issue as well. So that has been pretty cool. We actually went house shopping on Saturday morning and found a cheap new place that we could live in, so we will see if it gets approved and we can get out. Meanwhile we stay. I live with 2 other Elders and they are super awesome too. We always have fun, but we stay focused.

This week was full of miracles and a TON of hard work. We had a couple that was gonna get married and get baptized, but the marriage fell through and so that's a bummer. But we had a possibility named Luisa. She was for sure, but we worked as hard as we could to make the environment in her home a good place for the Spirit and she felt it. She prayed and that night she couldn´t sleep until 3 in the morning thinking about the Church and her baptism. She told us she wanted to get baptized! YES! She was baptized yesterday by my companion (stud) and it was so spiritual! The ward is a champ! Haha, we had a lot of support. And all week the members were willing to go out with us. So awesome. We had 201 people in church, which I wasn´t used to. Haha, but it's the best.

Also, we went into the area book and decided to visit an ancient investigator named Marión. We passed by and she had such a change! She just was super elect. She said she wanted to come back and BE BAPTIZED! So she will be getting baptized this upcoming Sunday! So we are way pumped for that! We still need to keep our head on straight though and find lots more people that WANT to progress and come to church. That's the toughest things sometimes in the Villa. Lots of people listen during the week, but when Game Day Sunday comes, people fall.

Elder Peterson just told me a quote that I love: "Giving up hope is giving in to despair." It's super true. There was a quote from North Carolina that always gets me excited... "If not us, then WHO? If not now, then WHEN!" I want to make a difference. There was a song we listened to today that said that we need more desire. We don´t want a flame but a FIRE! This is the true church of Jesus Christ. This is His organization. The Book of Mormon is my rock and my song.

"I look fat, but I feel great!" -Elder Peterson

Oh, and just so happened that yesterday I passed by the church building in the evening and I had to use the little men's room, so we went in. A Priesthood prep meeting was going on for the whole stake and guess who I bumped into... the Patiño family! Lucas is preparing to receive the priesthood! It made me so content. It took me back to when I went to that meeting with my parents and how special that time was for me. And that I, through the Lord, was able to make that happen for a family on the other side of the world. We hugged and shook hands and took pictures and everything. And not only they were there, but lots from Parque Patricios. So I was super happy. The two wards are really close and Blanca told me she is gonna visit me some Sunday with Chipas (look it up) to give me. I am happy. :D

Loves!

Luisa's Baptism

Patiño Family

Peterson and I

Chipas (Argentinean Cheese Bread)



Do Something

I woke up this morning
Saw a world full of trouble now
Thought, how’d we ever get so far down
How’s it ever gonna turn around
So I turned my eyes to Heaven
I thought, “God, why don’t You do something?”
Well, I just couldn’t bear the thought of
People living in poverty
Children sold into slavery
The thought disgusted me
So, I shook my fist at Heaven
Said, “God, why don’t You do something?”
He said, “I did, I created you”

If not us, then who
If not me and you
Right now, it’s time for us to do something
If not now, then when
Will we see an end
To all this pain
It’s not enough to do nothing
It’s time for us to do something

I’m so tired of talking
About how we are God’s hands and feet
But it’s easier to say than to be
Live like angels of apathy who tell ourselves
It’s alright, “somebody else will do something”
Well, I don’t know about you
But I’m sick and tired of life with no desire
I don’t want a flame, I want a fire
I wanna be the one who stands up and says,
“I’m gonna do something”

If not us, then who
If not me and you
Right now, it’s time for us to do something
If not now, then when
Will we see an end
To all this pain
It’s not enough to do nothing
It’s time for us to do something

We are the salt of the earth
We are a city on a hill (shine shine, shine shine)
But we’re never gonna change the world
By standing still
No we won’t stand still
No we won’t stand still
No we won’t stand still

If not us, then who
If not me and you
Right now, it’s time for us to do something
If not now, then when
Will we see an end
To all this pain
It’s not enough to do nothing
It’s time for us to do something [x3]


Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Villa Soldati!

So transfers came and I have been moved again! I am now here in Villa Soldati with my new companion, Elder Peterson from Washington. He has a transfer less than I do. It’s pretty crazy, it´s been a while since I´ve had a companion from the states, so I am excited to get to work. I have heard a ton about Villa Soldati and how it has great members and all that. I know when Elder Engebretson was here about 9 months ago, he was just livin´ the dream! So I must also. ;)

Our last week in Vucetich was pretty good. We worked a lot doing new things and trying to think outside of the box. I was able to go on divisions with the Elders in Jose C. Paz 1. I went with Elder Soto from Mexico to do a baptismal interview. But the interview fell through, so we set it up for the next day. So 2 straight days outside of my area. It was pretty crazy, but I enjoyed working with E-Soto.  Alex and Ainara are progressing well and will be baptized this Sunday! I am so happy for them. The Elder that replaced me is a good friend, so I am happy that he will be the one that takes part in the ordinances. :)  Laura STILL hasn´t had her baby. That is the craziest thing! So I´m a bit worried that there will be complications, but I have no idea what is going to go down. But I know she will be baptized too!

It was a hard thing leaving all the converts and members I got to know and love there in Vucetich, but I know that I am where I need to be. I am excited and ready to make things happen here in Soldati! OH! So this is the craziest part. Sunday night I had a dream that I was going to go to Villa Soldati. But I shrugged it off and said, ¨Nah that wouldn´t happen. I´m sure I´ll go to here or there¨ and then when I saw the change, I was like ¨WHAAAAAT!?¨ Hahaha! So crazy! So yeah, what have I been telling you guys from the beginning? I´m just LIVIN´ THE DREAM! Seriously!

So I have no idea who they are, but I guess we are planning on having a baptism this weekend, so that is pretty exciting! I know I am where I need to be. This is the Lord´s work and he knows each one of us personally!

Oh, and it has gotten COLD again. All last week it was super hot. Like I was walking around in a short sleeve shirt all day sweating. And now I´m all bundled up... Freakin´ Argentina!

Let’s do this!

Loves!

A Vucetich to Villa Soldati B

Villa Soldati between 2 previous areas
Villa Lugano & Parque Patricios

Soldati housing complex





Parque de la Ciudad, an amusement park

The Parque Roca Stadium
the home of the
Argentina Davis Cup Tennis Team