Well... the new year has started we are now in 2011... and the week honestly went by well.
This week, started with a special exchange for E' Ordenes, who has been very... home-sick-y and not very excited to work. So Pte. Salas approved an exchange in which he could go work for a day with one of his old companions, Elder Hayes. And in order for exchanges to be complete, companions have to change for a day, so I got to be with Elder Hayes' companion Elder Casteñera. It was an interesting experience and it really did animate E Ordenes to work somewhat harder. We did a normal routine Tuesday, with a bit of new information at the end of the day. The ZL's have decided that our areas Patricios 1 and 2 would start working together in unity to show unity to all the other areas in the Zone. This was a big, and long waited change for us, because ever since we got here, it's been hard to get some success. So we've started to plan together, study together, be an area that truly works together in everything. It's already brought some fruits of success, but the ZL's aren't getting along either, so we'll see how long it lasts.
Now some great news, Franco, that 9 yr. old boy we've been working with, who's family is also starting to reactivate, will be baptized the 8th of January. He had his interview Friday and he passed with flying colors.
I know it's not much, but there's still a lot to go on. I hope that everybody is doing good right now, as well, I hope that everybody has a happy new year, and with that, is planning on looking for ways to better their lives.
-Ian
Sunday, January 2, 2011
December 20, 2010: Week of Miracles
Well, this week was a very blessed and an honestly miraculous one.
This week we really worked our butts off to make sure that we could a make some progress here in Patricios. We've really been facing challenges in finding people that are willing to progress, especially because Yuliana and her family we had to drop for lack of commitment. Our efforts were payed off though.
For the first few days of the week, we couldn't find anyone, we couldn't teach anyone... nothing. Then on Wednesday, things started happening. First off, at the end of the day, we found a FAMILY!!! They seemed way interested, but as is with the work at times, you won't usually find them a second time, we do plan on passing by again, to see if they are ignoring us and were just polite in letting us in. Then Thursday, we found another family, as well, we found a man that has a testimony of the gospel already, named Pablo (Paul in English.... think about it,) just needs to be baptized, he even told us when we first started talking with him that, "This church is very strong and is growing consistently. I honestly don't believe that this could be a work of man; God has to be the one in charge of this church." He himself even feels that the Lord is preparing him for this.
We also got the chance to meet, in place of Yuliana and her family, another family, that while the majority of this family is inactive, the Grandmother and one of the daughters is firm and continues in the faith. This young man we found is named Franco. He has 9 years of age as well, but because of the aide of this Grandmother, came this week to the Chapel, and is way excited, because he already wants to be a missionary (yay!!!)
Finally we had a Zone Conference this week, a Christmas special. We got to be trained a bit more, as well as here from Pte. Salas again, something we really hadn't done for about 4 months now. He's animating us and is preparing this mission to be able to baptize 100 people in January, something the mission has not been able to do for 10 years. His love for the missionaries really is amazing, and the fruits of his labor are showing, now that every week, we get closer and closer to reaching that amazing goal.
As well, part of this conference, we got to watch a Chrch related christmas movie, something about the "other" wise man; we also got to play a bunch of sports and do a lot of activities, one of which, included throwing waterballons at other missionaries (Pte. Salas included threw quite a few.... and got drenched as well.); finally, we had him and his wife gave the missionaries their gifts for Christmas (a mate cup... if you have questions ask Dad,) as well as giving out packages and letters and all sorts of other things.
It's so weird.... now almost a year ago... I was at home with y'all... opening my suitcases of pants, socks, ties, etc... my how time flies... included that in one more week I will have 11 months in the mission.
Well, I love you all and can't wait to be calling ya!
-Ian
December 13, 2010: Fruits of Labor
Yay!!! I'm finally twenty years of age!!! this means in a few short weeks I will be reaching a year in the mission!! In reply to G&G Hopkins, yes.... it has flown.. and it is only getting faster. Oh, and Grandma Asplund... you know me to well, (thanks for the letter!)
This week we had quite a struggle to say the least, trying to find people, trying to teach lessons... in general, just working hard to get some sort of result.
The fruit of our labor this week was one that still to this moment surprises me. Yesterday, we passed by an inactive member, who, even though has been inactive for about 20 years, has still had a lot of questions that she knew only the Church could answer. About two months ago, the father of this mother passed away, and one of the things he constantly tried to teach her was about the plan of salvation. When he finally did pass away, she became very confused about her father, not knowing what was going to happen, not knowing where he was... anything. We learned about this from her the week before, so obviously, we had planned on teaching her the Plan again... in high hopes and many prayers that she would understand it.
We started to teach her, as well as her 21 year old son and 15 year old daughter about the plan. They all took it in very well, and I believe that all of them honestly learned how great the plan is. The son, by the time we finished the lesson, told us that he felt that s for the moment he would be going to the Terrestrial kingdom, with a bit of regret in his voice. We asked them all if they felt the same, to which they all said yes. We then encouraged them that part of the plan is that ALL can return to the Celestial kingdom if they obey the commandments and do all that is necessary to return. We then asked them if they were willing to do everything, to which they all said yes. We then invited the son and daughter to be baptized, to which the daughter said yes. The son on the other hand showed us his immediate doubt, that he had already been baptized Catholic, and quite recently as well. (He recently just left the Police Academy here in Córdoba, and one of the things that you have to have to be a member of the force is a religion, so he joined the only one he knew.) We did help him realize that he needed a correct baptism and he seemed to be at the least convinced.
Now this is all just great, fine and dandy, be I'm sure you've noticed that something is missing from this family... the father. He will be a large obstacle because he's apparently very Catholic and as well is probably not gonna be very easy to convince to let us baptize his children.. . so starting as of now, we're going to be praying a ton!
Well, the birthday partying was that big really, we passed by Candelaria and they surprised me with a shirt and a cake, and that really was about it for the festivities.
I also forgot to mention something in my letter last week. I'm now in a pension of insanity.... being the ONLY white-boy, and more-so, the other 3 latinos are ALL from Chile... it's fun to say the least.
Well that's it for this week, love y'all!!
-Ian
December 6, 2010: El Encuentro Coral
Well, this last week was the last week of the transfer, and yes, I will be staying in Patricios for Christmas. We've got a lot of work to do so we'll see if we can make it a white Christmas Adam (we can't baptize on the 25th or 24th so we have to baptize the 23rd.)
The week was a little difficult to find people, but we did have the opportunity of finding a family, and the mother informed us that she is honestly searching for more unity in the family, as well, she is looking for a way in which Christ can truly enter her life and help her change. We're planning on passing by them this week, so we'll see how it goes, we've had the worst luck in the world here finding someone that will allow us to enter into their house a second time, and with that in mind, we are undoubtedly praying that this family will progress, and will let us in again...
The great experience of the week for me really was the opportunity to go a Choral performance held by the Church, in which the Stake which we are in (Norte) invited different groups from around Córdoba to sing and help start off the Christmas season with a bang. There was a missionary choir, a member choir, an evangelist choir, a catholic choir, and of course, the choir of the Church here in Córdoba, this choir also sang at the ground breaking ceremony. It was an interesting experience, to say the least. The one thing I remember about it all was the fact that when the Missionary, Member, and Córdoba choir sung, I felt comfortable, at ease, and my find felt a open, while the other two, while the sung great and had nice songs, I just remember feeling confused and uncomfortable. Their songs were honestly very nice, but... there was honestly something different about them. In general it was a great experience, I got to see a lot of the missionaries here again, and quite a few of the members I have known in my mission.
As well, I got the chance to talk to Elder Ferreira again, he's one of the elders that was with me while I was in Cosquín, and he's still there. He told me that finally, FINALLY Alberto Altamira got his divorce papers done, and him and his wife were married and he was baptized!!!!!! There have been a lot of elders that have worked with him, so it was a great moment of rejoicing.
Christmas here... it's just getting hotter and hotter everyday, and while it's been threatening to rain for a week now, we've yet to see any. I've yet to see any Christmas Traditions here, but they'll probably come soon. As for Caroling, I think we're the only ones singing Carols around here.... oh well!
Love ya'll and will be calling you soon!!!
-Ian
P.S. 20 YRS IN 4 DAYS!!!!
The week was a little difficult to find people, but we did have the opportunity of finding a family, and the mother informed us that she is honestly searching for more unity in the family, as well, she is looking for a way in which Christ can truly enter her life and help her change. We're planning on passing by them this week, so we'll see how it goes, we've had the worst luck in the world here finding someone that will allow us to enter into their house a second time, and with that in mind, we are undoubtedly praying that this family will progress, and will let us in again...
The great experience of the week for me really was the opportunity to go a Choral performance held by the Church, in which the Stake which we are in (Norte) invited different groups from around Córdoba to sing and help start off the Christmas season with a bang. There was a missionary choir, a member choir, an evangelist choir, a catholic choir, and of course, the choir of the Church here in Córdoba, this choir also sang at the ground breaking ceremony. It was an interesting experience, to say the least. The one thing I remember about it all was the fact that when the Missionary, Member, and Córdoba choir sung, I felt comfortable, at ease, and my find felt a open, while the other two, while the sung great and had nice songs, I just remember feeling confused and uncomfortable. Their songs were honestly very nice, but... there was honestly something different about them. In general it was a great experience, I got to see a lot of the missionaries here again, and quite a few of the members I have known in my mission.
As well, I got the chance to talk to Elder Ferreira again, he's one of the elders that was with me while I was in Cosquín, and he's still there. He told me that finally, FINALLY Alberto Altamira got his divorce papers done, and him and his wife were married and he was baptized!!!!!! There have been a lot of elders that have worked with him, so it was a great moment of rejoicing.
Christmas here... it's just getting hotter and hotter everyday, and while it's been threatening to rain for a week now, we've yet to see any. I've yet to see any Christmas Traditions here, but they'll probably come soon. As for Caroling, I think we're the only ones singing Carols around here.... oh well!
Love ya'll and will be calling you soon!!!
-Ian
P.S. 20 YRS IN 4 DAYS!!!!
November 29, 2010
Well, this week we had another baptism!
Candelaria finally reached the water, and, while a little afraid and embarrassed, like a normal 11 yr. old girl, she came out excited and ready for a new world. We visited her and her mother Sunday night and she told us that she had already written her experiences on a piece of paper and would be getting a journal to put it in.
As well this week, we have had a few interesting conversations with a part-member family that we are working with. This family has a daughter named Yuliana that is 9 yrs old. She's great, and is very much 9 years old. The thing that we are finding frustrating with this family is that the parents, which are members, are not helping us whatsoever to help her by baptized. The father wants her to be baptized and to baptize her, but he's inactive, and when we commit to him to do something, he always fails us. BUT the mother is worse... sadly. She is causing a lot of problems in this house, and a large part of it is her example. Everytime we ask her to pray, she says no, and everytime we ask why she always says she doesn't pray in front of people. Now, it wouldn't be that bad....if her daughter wasn't following that example. It's just as hard to get a 9 yr old to pray as a 30 some odd yr. old to pray, largely cause the mother refuses to pray with us. We had to hint of the fact once that she is the example for her daughter and that she needs to show her how to pray, but she replied saying that her daughter is the one who needs to set the example.
So this is my call to everyone right now: SET THE EXAMPLE, don't expect the example. If you want someone to be better than you, you need to show them where to start. Tonight we now have to go talk with the family and say to the mother directly, about what she's not doing. It may be the last lesson we have with this family, but without the aid of the family, we cannot do anything with them.
As I said, set the example, everyone. I know that I got my testimony of prayer because of the example of parents, having us all pray as a family every night, and when it was Mom or Dad's turn to pray, they didn't make an excuse, as well, when they were asked to pray in front of people, they did it without argument. I know that everything I learned was because of the examples of those who came before me. Leaders, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, friends.
Now on a happier note Thanksgiving!!! Yes we had a relatively, but fullfilling meal, not much, Pizza and Ice Cream.
Here's the pix:
8422: E Ordenes and I
8429: Pizza and E Corbett (one of the ZLs)
8431: 1 kilo of ICE CREAM
8447 and 8451: The baptism!
Love y'all!
-Ian
Candelaria finally reached the water, and, while a little afraid and embarrassed, like a normal 11 yr. old girl, she came out excited and ready for a new world. We visited her and her mother Sunday night and she told us that she had already written her experiences on a piece of paper and would be getting a journal to put it in.
As well this week, we have had a few interesting conversations with a part-member family that we are working with. This family has a daughter named Yuliana that is 9 yrs old. She's great, and is very much 9 years old. The thing that we are finding frustrating with this family is that the parents, which are members, are not helping us whatsoever to help her by baptized. The father wants her to be baptized and to baptize her, but he's inactive, and when we commit to him to do something, he always fails us. BUT the mother is worse... sadly. She is causing a lot of problems in this house, and a large part of it is her example. Everytime we ask her to pray, she says no, and everytime we ask why she always says she doesn't pray in front of people. Now, it wouldn't be that bad....if her daughter wasn't following that example. It's just as hard to get a 9 yr old to pray as a 30 some odd yr. old to pray, largely cause the mother refuses to pray with us. We had to hint of the fact once that she is the example for her daughter and that she needs to show her how to pray, but she replied saying that her daughter is the one who needs to set the example.
So this is my call to everyone right now: SET THE EXAMPLE, don't expect the example. If you want someone to be better than you, you need to show them where to start. Tonight we now have to go talk with the family and say to the mother directly, about what she's not doing. It may be the last lesson we have with this family, but without the aid of the family, we cannot do anything with them.
As I said, set the example, everyone. I know that I got my testimony of prayer because of the example of parents, having us all pray as a family every night, and when it was Mom or Dad's turn to pray, they didn't make an excuse, as well, when they were asked to pray in front of people, they did it without argument. I know that everything I learned was because of the examples of those who came before me. Leaders, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, friends.
Now on a happier note Thanksgiving!!! Yes we had a relatively, but fullfilling meal, not much, Pizza and Ice Cream.
Here's the pix:
8422: E Ordenes and I
8429: Pizza and E Corbett (one of the ZLs)
8431: 1 kilo of ICE CREAM
8447 and 8451: The baptism!
Love y'all!
-Ian
November 22, 2010
Alright a quick letter cause I don't have much time this week.
The week passed by quite nicely, with a few ups and downs, but all things worked out in the end.
Candelarea will be baptized this week, and she continues with the same strength of faith that she has had, and is very anxious. We also got another young girl named Yuliana to church this week. It was quite interesting how we did it. How you ask, by coming over in the morning before church started and we made waffles for them (E' Ordenes has a waffle iron.)
This week is thanksgiving, and we'll see what happens, Elder Corbett, one of the Zone Leaders is planning on having a little thanksgiving dinner, so yeah!
I did hear about Vick, and I'm glad that all is going well for them.
Sorry for the shortness of this letter, but I'll double it next week for ya'll!
-Ian
The week passed by quite nicely, with a few ups and downs, but all things worked out in the end.
Candelarea will be baptized this week, and she continues with the same strength of faith that she has had, and is very anxious. We also got another young girl named Yuliana to church this week. It was quite interesting how we did it. How you ask, by coming over in the morning before church started and we made waffles for them (E' Ordenes has a waffle iron.)
This week is thanksgiving, and we'll see what happens, Elder Corbett, one of the Zone Leaders is planning on having a little thanksgiving dinner, so yeah!
I did hear about Vick, and I'm glad that all is going well for them.
Sorry for the shortness of this letter, but I'll double it next week for ya'll!
-Ian
November 15, 2010
Well, as the week before reached high temperatures, this week decided to go the other way, with cool tempertures and a ton of wind.
Now, in this week the there is a lot of sad news, but of course, because of oposition in all things, there will be a little good news.
The bad news... well maybe not bad, but not entirely great. This week we had a lot of trial and error and very few results. We don't have a lot of investigators as of now, and with that, we are in the streets very often, and while we are talking with many people a day, very few people are really deciding to follow the example of Christ. One of these was a woman named Elva. She is an old investigator that we found one day while contacting. Turns out she has been investigating the church for a very long time. Now, one of our Zone Leaders straight away told us that it would not work out, but to see if we can help her progress. She apparently is very Bi-polar with the Gospel, some things she likes, and if you mention one bad thing, she will not talk to you again. With this in mind, we did our best to help her. Unfortunately, this last Saturday she told us and asked us to tell the Missionaries in general to not come by her house ever again, that we were wasting our time. It was something we were well aware of happening but, for me at least, it was still a pretty hard hit.
In this part of my mission, where it is difficult and every blessing I'm seeing is bigger than everything, I'm finally starting to understand how Nephi felt when he said that he wet his pillow with his tears every night. But as well he said that he still had his faith in Christ.
The good news is one of those small and great blessings. A young woman named Candelarea. Her mom is a recently self-re-activating member and they both have great testimonies and faith. When we originally got here, we didn't think that she'd make it to be baptized, but as to now, has probed us wrong, and will be baptized next week. She's been reading the Stories of the Book of Mormon book the entire time, praying every night, and is making great sacrifices to make it to the church.
I truly feel blessed that, while everything isn't just working our perfectly, at least one more person will receive the giant blessings that are waiting for them.
I love you all, and Maggie, I can't wait to walk the dogs with you either.
-Ian
November 8, 2010
Cockroaches, dust devils, and an amazing fast, made for an interesting week.
This week, we aimed a ton on getting people to church, which came to pass, one of the investigators that the old companionship that was here left us came, named Candelarea, and another investigator, but she's an old one and our ZLs told us that she's not gonna progress very well so we'll see.
Now the fast was pretty amazing and in all honesty, completely inspired. Pte. Salas last monday asked that all the missionaries in this mission fast for an honest purpose following 6 things: 1.That the mission will be able to baptize in every area, every month 2. That the faith of the mission will increase, to see that we can have 3 times the amount of baptisms that we have 3. That the missionaries that need to repent will talk repent and, if necesscary talk to Pte. Salas 4. That the members will open up and share the gospel and help us 5. That as a mission we will all have more Charity, and finally, 6. A giant blessing of health, because many missionaries are very ill.
With this Pte. Salas promised that if the mission as a whole would do a full fast, not wavering, and praying for this to come to pass, that every area will baptize a family of 4 every month in the mission. As the day of the fast came, I sat and pondered about the specificness of the fast and the promise, as well, in my mind how difficult it would be, seeing as it was over 100 degrees that day. I'd done fasts with a purpose before, but nothing as huge as this, nothing as important, and never in such difficult circumstances, but, right before studies ended for the day, I received a very kind but honest witness that if I did my part, the fast would bring the blessings and that Pte. Salas was honestly inspired to do so. So, with that in mind, I went and did. It was hard, especially in the night, because our pension was hotter than it was outside, and I was terribly thirsty, but I continued through and feel like I did pay the price, made the sacrifice, and will see the blessings.
That was the week, we had to kill two roaches in the pension and that was... fun? Not really... be reassured that men did scream in the pension that first day we found one.
Love y'all
Ian
This week, we aimed a ton on getting people to church, which came to pass, one of the investigators that the old companionship that was here left us came, named Candelarea, and another investigator, but she's an old one and our ZLs told us that she's not gonna progress very well so we'll see.
Now the fast was pretty amazing and in all honesty, completely inspired. Pte. Salas last monday asked that all the missionaries in this mission fast for an honest purpose following 6 things: 1.That the mission will be able to baptize in every area, every month 2. That the faith of the mission will increase, to see that we can have 3 times the amount of baptisms that we have 3. That the missionaries that need to repent will talk repent and, if necesscary talk to Pte. Salas 4. That the members will open up and share the gospel and help us 5. That as a mission we will all have more Charity, and finally, 6. A giant blessing of health, because many missionaries are very ill.
With this Pte. Salas promised that if the mission as a whole would do a full fast, not wavering, and praying for this to come to pass, that every area will baptize a family of 4 every month in the mission. As the day of the fast came, I sat and pondered about the specificness of the fast and the promise, as well, in my mind how difficult it would be, seeing as it was over 100 degrees that day. I'd done fasts with a purpose before, but nothing as huge as this, nothing as important, and never in such difficult circumstances, but, right before studies ended for the day, I received a very kind but honest witness that if I did my part, the fast would bring the blessings and that Pte. Salas was honestly inspired to do so. So, with that in mind, I went and did. It was hard, especially in the night, because our pension was hotter than it was outside, and I was terribly thirsty, but I continued through and feel like I did pay the price, made the sacrifice, and will see the blessings.
That was the week, we had to kill two roaches in the pension and that was... fun? Not really... be reassured that men did scream in the pension that first day we found one.
Love y'all
Ian
November 1, 2010
Well, the week has come to a close yet again, and although there was quite a bit of frustration during the week, everything came to a close, with a blessing upon the city of Córdoba, Argentina.
This week, we finally had the blessed day come. Saturday came Elder Anderson to Córdoba to start the construction of the House of the Lord here, and before that, we, as a mission, had the opportunity to listen to the counsel he had for us as a mission. His discourse was prophetic to say the least, with so much news about the progress of the world that it was hard to believe. One thing that we learned is that China has begun to start listening to the church, and said to the mission presidents of the Sur America Sur area that, "The time is coming in which the missionaries of the world will need to be prepared to serve in areas such as this." As well, near the end of his discourse to us, the missionaries, he prophesied that, "In time, the faith of Christ will diminish from the face of the earth, and the only ones who will believe in Him are those of this church." He asked us as well, to be careful as missionaries, and to not mock or make fun of the other religions that are here, because that faith is there to help them, if they listen, to have a fuller faith in their Savior. Finally, he told us to preach of Christ overall, and that when we don't know what to say, that we should talk of Christ, and if we have a prayer in our heart while we do so, we will receive revelation about Him and learn something about Him that we personally didn't know before. He finished with a strong and overwhelming testimony that "I know that Jesus Christ lives. I know... I know him."
Now, if that wasn't enough, we also had the ground-breaking soon after, and it was a blessed event. I feel extremely blessed to have seen this, and know there were many truths testified during the process. One of the things I did notice, is that the shovels they used, never... ever... got dirty. However, with the amazingness of the event, I felt a bit ashamed, why? Because during it all, I noticed as other Elders, who decided that it was okay to film this event with their cameras. It may just have affected me personally, because I felt that this occasion wasn't just a normal, everyday thing, but that what was happening was a sacred event, and though the cameras may help remember somethings, maybe even the sacredness, but I feel that it took away the importance.
The last thing on Saturday, we had the baptism of the investigator that the past Elders left us. It was a great thing, seeing as an investigator, the which had been investigating the church for two, maybe more years, finally reach this blessed goal. His father performed the baptism, and our bishop, the confirmation. Elder Moore, who I saw at the conference, told me, "That really is a blessing for all the work you did in Cosquin."
Finally, as yesterday was Halloween, I did take the time to look back for a minute and say, "Wow, I have been an endowed member of the church for one year now." Oh how the time passes, one year ago, we were going to the temple, and Josephs amazing coat was in production!
I love you all, and I hope all goes well in the upcoming week!
-Ian
Here's three pics.
Baptism 8387
Pte. Salas bajando la caña (Dropping the cane) 8379
Outside of our pension 8382
This week, we finally had the blessed day come. Saturday came Elder Anderson to Córdoba to start the construction of the House of the Lord here, and before that, we, as a mission, had the opportunity to listen to the counsel he had for us as a mission. His discourse was prophetic to say the least, with so much news about the progress of the world that it was hard to believe. One thing that we learned is that China has begun to start listening to the church, and said to the mission presidents of the Sur America Sur area that, "The time is coming in which the missionaries of the world will need to be prepared to serve in areas such as this." As well, near the end of his discourse to us, the missionaries, he prophesied that, "In time, the faith of Christ will diminish from the face of the earth, and the only ones who will believe in Him are those of this church." He asked us as well, to be careful as missionaries, and to not mock or make fun of the other religions that are here, because that faith is there to help them, if they listen, to have a fuller faith in their Savior. Finally, he told us to preach of Christ overall, and that when we don't know what to say, that we should talk of Christ, and if we have a prayer in our heart while we do so, we will receive revelation about Him and learn something about Him that we personally didn't know before. He finished with a strong and overwhelming testimony that "I know that Jesus Christ lives. I know... I know him."
Now, if that wasn't enough, we also had the ground-breaking soon after, and it was a blessed event. I feel extremely blessed to have seen this, and know there were many truths testified during the process. One of the things I did notice, is that the shovels they used, never... ever... got dirty. However, with the amazingness of the event, I felt a bit ashamed, why? Because during it all, I noticed as other Elders, who decided that it was okay to film this event with their cameras. It may just have affected me personally, because I felt that this occasion wasn't just a normal, everyday thing, but that what was happening was a sacred event, and though the cameras may help remember somethings, maybe even the sacredness, but I feel that it took away the importance.
The last thing on Saturday, we had the baptism of the investigator that the past Elders left us. It was a great thing, seeing as an investigator, the which had been investigating the church for two, maybe more years, finally reach this blessed goal. His father performed the baptism, and our bishop, the confirmation. Elder Moore, who I saw at the conference, told me, "That really is a blessing for all the work you did in Cosquin."
Finally, as yesterday was Halloween, I did take the time to look back for a minute and say, "Wow, I have been an endowed member of the church for one year now." Oh how the time passes, one year ago, we were going to the temple, and Josephs amazing coat was in production!
I love you all, and I hope all goes well in the upcoming week!
-Ian
Here's three pics.
Baptism 8387
Pte. Salas bajando la caña (Dropping the cane) 8379
Outside of our pension 8382
October 25, 2010
Well.... I am sure at this current moment I'm in the most difficult part of my mission.
This last.... half-week(?) was a challenge for sure, getting to know a new area, finding members, lunch, food, and investigators. Whiting-out an area surely is no picnic, but I'm confident that we will help somebody in this area reach the goal of baptism.
While there were very few spiritual experiences with investigators this week, Elder Ordenes and I experienced something that was very interesting to see.
In front our pension, we have fairly large pine tree, and in this tree we get a ton of visitors from morning doves. Saturday as we went to work, we noticed on the ground was a Dove chick. We noticed it was breathing, but knew that it's time on the earth was short, so we moved it to an area where it wouldn't be stepped on (using sticks, not hands,) and went out to work. We returned back to the pension for lunch, ate lunch, and then left once again. As we headed out, E' Ordenes gave a short, "Oh my gosh!" as he saw another chick fall to the ground. This one was in better condition than the last, but as it had fallen, like the other, it's time was short. We moved him next to his already dead sibling and started to look around as to where these birds were falling. As we looked up, we saw that the nest of these chicks and begun to fall and break. The last chick was still.... on the nest, just hanging by his little foot. We also noticed that the mother of the chicks was sitting next to the nest, watching as her last child sat there, hanging over his doom, and the obvious feeling of panic was in this mother. By the end of the day, when we had returned, this chick had already fallen and been dead for hours.
I reflected on this experience many times through-out the day because it was either Friday or Saturday that I read the parable of the Wise Man and the Foolish Man. I thought about the parents of these chicks. They had found a good tree in which to construct there house and in a good place, just as most parents look to do, but... what happened? While that found a good place they faltered one small thing, that one whole side of the nest fell apart with some of the wind, thus, blowing out their children. I came to understand that as parents (of which one day I will be,) we need to not only construct our houses on a good foundation, but we need to also construct a good house to live on that strong foundation. As I have seen through my mission, there are quite a lot of members which have built there testimonies on Christ, but when a small burst of wind has come into their lives, a part of the house which they have built falls, and they fall of their own testimony. The construction of a good house always comes by doing the things that keep it strong in the church, reading the scriptures, praying daily, and weekly church attendance. If we weaken in one of those areas, we may still have our faith in Christ, but one of the walls our house begins to weaken, till the moment in which it collapses and we are blown of our testimony and faith.
I hope that there are some good thought and principles to all that, and I think I may need to refine the story a bit, but I feel comfortable seeing that there really is more than just constructing your testimony on Christ, but there is also a need of fortifying and caring for that testimony you are constructing, so that one day, we may have our mansions in Heaven constructed on that One glorious being.
As to answer how things are going, we're doing good, I came to the realziation Sunday morning, that I am the youngest Elder here in Patricios, so I've taken it as a blessing that I can be in the presence of all these experienced veterans. My Trainer, Elder Holbrook went home Thursday, as well as his group of missionaries. I'm actually not living in downtown Córdoba, just a small suburb about 35 min. away from downtown.
I hope all goes well, and as a really cool bit of information, we are coming close to me being in the mission for a year... time never slows down...
Love Y'all!!
-Ian
This last.... half-week(?) was a challenge for sure, getting to know a new area, finding members, lunch, food, and investigators. Whiting-out an area surely is no picnic, but I'm confident that we will help somebody in this area reach the goal of baptism.
While there were very few spiritual experiences with investigators this week, Elder Ordenes and I experienced something that was very interesting to see.
In front our pension, we have fairly large pine tree, and in this tree we get a ton of visitors from morning doves. Saturday as we went to work, we noticed on the ground was a Dove chick. We noticed it was breathing, but knew that it's time on the earth was short, so we moved it to an area where it wouldn't be stepped on (using sticks, not hands,) and went out to work. We returned back to the pension for lunch, ate lunch, and then left once again. As we headed out, E' Ordenes gave a short, "Oh my gosh!" as he saw another chick fall to the ground. This one was in better condition than the last, but as it had fallen, like the other, it's time was short. We moved him next to his already dead sibling and started to look around as to where these birds were falling. As we looked up, we saw that the nest of these chicks and begun to fall and break. The last chick was still.... on the nest, just hanging by his little foot. We also noticed that the mother of the chicks was sitting next to the nest, watching as her last child sat there, hanging over his doom, and the obvious feeling of panic was in this mother. By the end of the day, when we had returned, this chick had already fallen and been dead for hours.
I reflected on this experience many times through-out the day because it was either Friday or Saturday that I read the parable of the Wise Man and the Foolish Man. I thought about the parents of these chicks. They had found a good tree in which to construct there house and in a good place, just as most parents look to do, but... what happened? While that found a good place they faltered one small thing, that one whole side of the nest fell apart with some of the wind, thus, blowing out their children. I came to understand that as parents (of which one day I will be,) we need to not only construct our houses on a good foundation, but we need to also construct a good house to live on that strong foundation. As I have seen through my mission, there are quite a lot of members which have built there testimonies on Christ, but when a small burst of wind has come into their lives, a part of the house which they have built falls, and they fall of their own testimony. The construction of a good house always comes by doing the things that keep it strong in the church, reading the scriptures, praying daily, and weekly church attendance. If we weaken in one of those areas, we may still have our faith in Christ, but one of the walls our house begins to weaken, till the moment in which it collapses and we are blown of our testimony and faith.
I hope that there are some good thought and principles to all that, and I think I may need to refine the story a bit, but I feel comfortable seeing that there really is more than just constructing your testimony on Christ, but there is also a need of fortifying and caring for that testimony you are constructing, so that one day, we may have our mansions in Heaven constructed on that One glorious being.
As to answer how things are going, we're doing good, I came to the realziation Sunday morning, that I am the youngest Elder here in Patricios, so I've taken it as a blessing that I can be in the presence of all these experienced veterans. My Trainer, Elder Holbrook went home Thursday, as well as his group of missionaries. I'm actually not living in downtown Córdoba, just a small suburb about 35 min. away from downtown.
I hope all goes well, and as a really cool bit of information, we are coming close to me being in the mission for a year... time never slows down...
Love Y'all!!
-Ian
October 20, 2010
Transfered!!!!
Well, the call came as well as the interview.
Family now I am in Córdoba Capital, in a barrio called Patricios, my area being called Patricios 2.
Alright so the first part of the news will be what happened in the last week and a half, and the second part will be about the area a bit.
Part 1:
So last week Elder Roldán and I worked our little butts off to make sure that all we did was to bring the families that we were working with made it to church, because they are all amazing and strong. It truly was amazing, with many lessons that strongly, and effectively, brought the Spirit in. We were only able to meet with the Flia Amione once, because of complications through-out the week, and she didn't come to church (which wasn't a surprise, it was mother's day here on sunday.) However, in her place, we brought a family to church, the Flia Molina, and one of our investigators came by herself, we weren't even thinking she'd come, the Hna. Vera. It truly was a miraculous week, seeing these modern-day pioneers use their faith to do that which they know is right.
In this last week in a half, we also had our interviews with Pte. Salas, and it was incredible. We received our transfer calls the night before (monday night) and had our interviews Tuesday afternoon. Elder Roldán is going up in leadership in a big jump, not only with his future including that he'll be a district leader this next transfer, but he will also be training. Elder Moore as well, as being transfered with me will be going up to Zone Leader. Finally, Pte. Salas in my interview informed me that I am progressing in a way to become a leader for the mission, and this will most likely be my last time being Jr. Comp.
Part 2:
Well, I'm here in my new area. My comp is Elder Ordenes from Chile. He's a veteran of the mission, and has only 3 tranfers left till he's home. We both have come in to this area completely new, in other words, that whited-out the past missionaries and put us in in there place. We have a great responsibility now, because on the 30th of October, we have a baptism for our area, so we have to make sure we do everything right. We also have the joy of getting to know an area in which we are both complete strangers to. In this new area I have also changed zones, and will be living with the Zone Leaders here in the area. We all work here in Patricios, and it will surely be fun.
I love you all, and am continuing to cheer on for the teams that our family loves, Phillies, Eagles, and God's team, the missionaries!
-Ian
P.S. (Pix!) One for now cause this computer doesn't work well, but at least a pic of your son on P-Day, looking forward to the future.
Well, the call came as well as the interview.
Family now I am in Córdoba Capital, in a barrio called Patricios, my area being called Patricios 2.
Alright so the first part of the news will be what happened in the last week and a half, and the second part will be about the area a bit.
Part 1:
So last week Elder Roldán and I worked our little butts off to make sure that all we did was to bring the families that we were working with made it to church, because they are all amazing and strong. It truly was amazing, with many lessons that strongly, and effectively, brought the Spirit in. We were only able to meet with the Flia Amione once, because of complications through-out the week, and she didn't come to church (which wasn't a surprise, it was mother's day here on sunday.) However, in her place, we brought a family to church, the Flia Molina, and one of our investigators came by herself, we weren't even thinking she'd come, the Hna. Vera. It truly was a miraculous week, seeing these modern-day pioneers use their faith to do that which they know is right.
In this last week in a half, we also had our interviews with Pte. Salas, and it was incredible. We received our transfer calls the night before (monday night) and had our interviews Tuesday afternoon. Elder Roldán is going up in leadership in a big jump, not only with his future including that he'll be a district leader this next transfer, but he will also be training. Elder Moore as well, as being transfered with me will be going up to Zone Leader. Finally, Pte. Salas in my interview informed me that I am progressing in a way to become a leader for the mission, and this will most likely be my last time being Jr. Comp.
Part 2:
Well, I'm here in my new area. My comp is Elder Ordenes from Chile. He's a veteran of the mission, and has only 3 tranfers left till he's home. We both have come in to this area completely new, in other words, that whited-out the past missionaries and put us in in there place. We have a great responsibility now, because on the 30th of October, we have a baptism for our area, so we have to make sure we do everything right. We also have the joy of getting to know an area in which we are both complete strangers to. In this new area I have also changed zones, and will be living with the Zone Leaders here in the area. We all work here in Patricios, and it will surely be fun.
I love you all, and am continuing to cheer on for the teams that our family loves, Phillies, Eagles, and God's team, the missionaries!
-Ian
P.S. (Pix!) One for now cause this computer doesn't work well, but at least a pic of your son on P-Day, looking forward to the future.
October 11, 2010
This week was a challenge for sure, but at the very least, with sacrifice there's always the opportunity of finding blessings.
I fell down with respritory illnesses this week again because of the changes of the weather, so it made it quite a challenge to work, nevertheless, I continued to work with all my strength.
A lot of the work E' Roldán and I have been doing these last few weeks has seemed to been in vain, especially because after our great experience with the Flia Segovia last week, they ended up rejecting us and our message. However, with all the work we've been putting in, we finally found the blessing we've been looking for.
On Friday, we headed to Santa Maria, a small city just outside of Cosquin. We dedicated an entire day there so that we could learn more about the area and have the hope of finding a family. Late in the afternoon, we decided to head to a member family that lives at the end of big long hill. While climbing, E' Roldan felt thirsty, and maybe a bit insipired to knock on a door that was near the top of this hill, and ask for a drink. When we knocked on the door, the family looked like they were going to reject us before we said anything, but when E' Roldan asked for a drink, they polietly gave it to him, and then we all started talking about the Book of Mormon. They then let us in to start talking more about it, because they were curious to find out if the things they had heard about us, from various Evangelist and JW's leaders, and about the "Faults" that our religion has. As we began to talk, the mother of the family started asking us very sincere and important questions.
We decided to pray in the middle of the question/answer section, and asked that one of the daugthers would pray and ask God if overall, we had the authority to be preaching the Gospel. At the end of the prayer, the mother told us directly "I know you have the authority to do this." We invited the daughter that prayed and the mother to baptsim, and they accepted. The true blessing of all this is that for the first week, we got more than Alberto to church this week. In fact this mother, Stela Amione (Am-e-own-eh,) came from Santa Matia by herself to the testimony meeitng that we had this week.
It's interesting that in times of great trial, especially the one that Elder Roldán and I have had, trying to find the Elect, that when one, continually looks, and looks, and looks, and looks, and when one really has put all his effort into his work, the Lord will give us that blessing we've been searching for. In the New Testament, we learn from Christ's ministrey, that those who may not even have much for them, but when they provided for His servents something to strengthen them, even if it's just a small glass of cold water, that those who make that sacrifice will be blessed.
This week, was hard, especially with all the physical and mental challenges that I had faced this week, even pushing myself to talk with more people than ever before, but, I truly see that the Lord right now is proving me, testing me, and now that I've just begun to truly be the missionary that He wants, He's just begun to provide the blessings that I've been searching for.
Love y'all and hope the week goes well!
-Ian
October 4, 2010
Well, this week was an awesome week, to say the least, with a ton of work focused outside of Cosquín, and of course, Conference.
The awesomeness of this week is equal to a family that we found Monday night last week. When we knocked on their door last week, they opened the window, and in all honesty, really hesitant to open the door for us. But after I promised them that they would receive blessings, the fear left their eyes, and invited us in. The lesson was amazing, and later in the week we committed this family, and others of their family who live in a small part of the area outside of central Cosquín, to baptism. The spirit in the committment was amazing, with E' Roldán asking this family to pray with us while kneeling to know if they should be baptized. There was no dry eye in the room at the end of the prayer, and they all know what they need to know, the presence of the Holy Ghost.
Conference this weekend was awesome, the Branch provided a way so that E' Moore and I could watch it in English. It was a spectacular conference, with a lot of the messages based on Godly vaules, agency, and surprisingly, a lot of showing the tricks and power of the devil. Our area president, Elder Marvyn Arnold even spoke!
So to answer the P-Day questions for the week, on P-day... it's different every week, sometimes we play, sometimes we clean and sometimes we do absolutely nothing. Today for instance, I had the opportunity to wash all my clothes again and to sweep out the room the E' Roldán and I share. Sometimes the District will get together and we play soccer or Ping-Pong. What we wear typically is proselyting clothes, but if we're playing sports, we do change into gym clothes.
The Conference issue liahona I will end up getting in english and spanish, so don't worry about that, we also listen to conference talks quite often so yeah!
Love every single one of you
-Ian
The awesomeness of this week is equal to a family that we found Monday night last week. When we knocked on their door last week, they opened the window, and in all honesty, really hesitant to open the door for us. But after I promised them that they would receive blessings, the fear left their eyes, and invited us in. The lesson was amazing, and later in the week we committed this family, and others of their family who live in a small part of the area outside of central Cosquín, to baptism. The spirit in the committment was amazing, with E' Roldán asking this family to pray with us while kneeling to know if they should be baptized. There was no dry eye in the room at the end of the prayer, and they all know what they need to know, the presence of the Holy Ghost.
Conference this weekend was awesome, the Branch provided a way so that E' Moore and I could watch it in English. It was a spectacular conference, with a lot of the messages based on Godly vaules, agency, and surprisingly, a lot of showing the tricks and power of the devil. Our area president, Elder Marvyn Arnold even spoke!
So to answer the P-Day questions for the week, on P-day... it's different every week, sometimes we play, sometimes we clean and sometimes we do absolutely nothing. Today for instance, I had the opportunity to wash all my clothes again and to sweep out the room the E' Roldán and I share. Sometimes the District will get together and we play soccer or Ping-Pong. What we wear typically is proselyting clothes, but if we're playing sports, we do change into gym clothes.
The Conference issue liahona I will end up getting in english and spanish, so don't worry about that, we also listen to conference talks quite often so yeah!
Love every single one of you
-Ian
September 27, 2010
This week, we worked for a very hard, and while at one moment, it felt like no one was actually progressing, we were given a blessing de diez.
During the week we continued to look through all the dark and undiscovered corners of Cosquín, largely to find someone who was truly ready. Saturday morning, we passed by one of our investigators Lucas, who, while we can't find him very often, is now starting to read the Book of Mormon by himself AND pray by himself. He has accepted the invitation to baptism already, and we are working with him to meet the goal of the 23rd.
We also happened to find a woman Saturday morning as well on the other side of Cosquín. When we first entered, we asked if Christ was standing right with us what she would ask him, and she said, that he could guide me (OMGOSH!,) so in that moment, we immediately taught her about the Holy Ghost and extended an invitaion to baptism which she did accept.
Finally, this Sunday, a member in our branch brought us someone to work with and this young woman that she brought is ready (the member is the YW president.) We talked to her, and really she is super prepared already, she just doesn't realize it herself.
We did a ton of work this week, with a few testimony confirmers, especially with another baptism this week.
It's lame what I have this week, but really, this is what I feel is important.
As for the not really importnat things, I hit 8 months in the mission, and this week I hit one year of my call to service.
Love y'all
-Ian
During the week we continued to look through all the dark and undiscovered corners of Cosquín, largely to find someone who was truly ready. Saturday morning, we passed by one of our investigators Lucas, who, while we can't find him very often, is now starting to read the Book of Mormon by himself AND pray by himself. He has accepted the invitation to baptism already, and we are working with him to meet the goal of the 23rd.
We also happened to find a woman Saturday morning as well on the other side of Cosquín. When we first entered, we asked if Christ was standing right with us what she would ask him, and she said, that he could guide me (OMGOSH!,) so in that moment, we immediately taught her about the Holy Ghost and extended an invitaion to baptism which she did accept.
Finally, this Sunday, a member in our branch brought us someone to work with and this young woman that she brought is ready (the member is the YW president.) We talked to her, and really she is super prepared already, she just doesn't realize it herself.
We did a ton of work this week, with a few testimony confirmers, especially with another baptism this week.
It's lame what I have this week, but really, this is what I feel is important.
As for the not really importnat things, I hit 8 months in the mission, and this week I hit one year of my call to service.
Love y'all
-Ian
September 13, 2010
Freak! I totally forgot to bring my card to send pictures to you this week, not only that had I brought it this computer doesn't have a USB port... so I'll just tell you the news anyways.
Well, this last week sure was interesting, especially having to be in a trio with two latinos, but I really got to see for my self how much spanish I actually knew and understood. I also got to do Exchanges with the ZL's this week, and that was very intersting. They showed me some of the new things that we should be doing in lessons now and let me just say... I didn't think mission work could get much easier. Most of the times with on-the-spot contact lessons, they would just honestly explain baptism, and at times, just straight out ask them if they wanted to be baptized (without even committing them to it,) as well, as when we left and we prayed with them, every time they informed the new investigator that one of us would pray first, and after, those that were in the room were asked to pray in the most sincere way possible, by just confessing the true feelings of their heart to God and to close in the name of Christ. Then we would all kneel down and do that. It was amazing to here how many people had honestly needed help and to hear some of their pleas was something that really humbled me. I'm convinced after that, that what the church is basically re-teaching to missionaries, is how to be honest, sincere, and in all honesty, real representatives of Christ.
So yeah... I'll be working on getting you pix in the following week of it all.
As well, the mission has had some schedule changes so now I have to be out and working by 6 PM on mondays, so I probably will be very busy.
Now as the subject says
New Transfer.
Well, I am ending up staying here in Cosquín for another 6 weeks (which means I´ll be seeing Conference here!)
New Compañero
I FINALLY got a companion and he really is awesome. His name is E' Roldan. He has only one transfer more than me and as well... he is from Buenos Aires. Which now means... I will be speaking in solid spanish for the next 6 weeks at the least... this is gonna be fun!
and...............................
I think that will serve as the letter for the week, if y'all feel differently I'll send a better one next week.
Love y'all!
-Ian
P.S. Look down below
GUESS WHO BAPTIZED THIS WEEKEND!!!!!?!?!?!?!?!
Yes, I have finally, actually, baptized AND confirmed. It was interesting, I baptized Favio Perez, he has about 9 years of age, and I had only taught him once before on exchanges with the district leader. It was a pretty strange experience... largely because he is almost the same height as me... and the same weight. So obviously, or at least I think it was obvious, I did screw up the first time, largely cause I'd never practiced with him and we weren't very coordinated. The amazing part of it all was the Confirmation, which in that, I honestly felt the full power of the priesthood. To this moment... I don't know what I said after I said receive the Holy Ghost. I do, though, remember feeling the Spirit fill my body and fill me with what felt like the fire which we are promised to feel with the Holy Ghost.
Well, this last week sure was interesting, especially having to be in a trio with two latinos, but I really got to see for my self how much spanish I actually knew and understood. I also got to do Exchanges with the ZL's this week, and that was very intersting. They showed me some of the new things that we should be doing in lessons now and let me just say... I didn't think mission work could get much easier. Most of the times with on-the-spot contact lessons, they would just honestly explain baptism, and at times, just straight out ask them if they wanted to be baptized (without even committing them to it,) as well, as when we left and we prayed with them, every time they informed the new investigator that one of us would pray first, and after, those that were in the room were asked to pray in the most sincere way possible, by just confessing the true feelings of their heart to God and to close in the name of Christ. Then we would all kneel down and do that. It was amazing to here how many people had honestly needed help and to hear some of their pleas was something that really humbled me. I'm convinced after that, that what the church is basically re-teaching to missionaries, is how to be honest, sincere, and in all honesty, real representatives of Christ.
So yeah... I'll be working on getting you pix in the following week of it all.
As well, the mission has had some schedule changes so now I have to be out and working by 6 PM on mondays, so I probably will be very busy.
Now as the subject says
New Transfer.
Well, I am ending up staying here in Cosquín for another 6 weeks (which means I´ll be seeing Conference here!)
New Compañero
I FINALLY got a companion and he really is awesome. His name is E' Roldan. He has only one transfer more than me and as well... he is from Buenos Aires. Which now means... I will be speaking in solid spanish for the next 6 weeks at the least... this is gonna be fun!
and...............................
I think that will serve as the letter for the week, if y'all feel differently I'll send a better one next week.
Love y'all!
-Ian
P.S. Look down below
GUESS WHO BAPTIZED THIS WEEKEND!!!!!?!?!?!?!?!
Yes, I have finally, actually, baptized AND confirmed. It was interesting, I baptized Favio Perez, he has about 9 years of age, and I had only taught him once before on exchanges with the district leader. It was a pretty strange experience... largely because he is almost the same height as me... and the same weight. So obviously, or at least I think it was obvious, I did screw up the first time, largely cause I'd never practiced with him and we weren't very coordinated. The amazing part of it all was the Confirmation, which in that, I honestly felt the full power of the priesthood. To this moment... I don't know what I said after I said receive the Holy Ghost. I do, though, remember feeling the Spirit fill my body and fill me with what felt like the fire which we are promised to feel with the Holy Ghost.
September 6, 2010
Well... an emergency transfer will be happening today.
Yesterday, while we were walking back from church, we walked by one of the members of the member family that lives below us. When we did, she said something really quiet, and honestly... really, really fast to E' Hone. When she was done saying it, she walked off, and E' Hone looked at me and told me, "We need to go to the pension and we need to talk now."
What we discussed is that E' Hone, his entire 6 months that he has been here has always liked this girl, and now that he knows that she likes him too. It snapped in my head because I had noticed, just as well as he did, that she was flirty and very friendly with him, I didn't understand why.
With that in mind, I told him, "You know what you have to do," and he replied by saying yes and getting the phone.
He called and told him the situation and asked, for his saftey and security, to be transfered to another area.
I don't think anyone should feel like he did anything wrong, in fact, because he was willing to talk to me and to be honest about it all, I think he did the most correct thing he could do, which is to get the hell out of dodge.
So here's how things are gonna go for the next week for me:
This week, I will be in a trio with the other Cósquin Elders, as well, I'll have to wait till Saturday to find out who my new comp is going to be.
Also, this means with transfer calls arriving Saturday night, this will mean, that I will absolutely be staying in Cósquin for at least one more transfer.
Really that's it for the week, because we couldn't find Alberto or Tamara, we had our Testimony meeting which was a little odd...
I'll see if I can talk to y'all more today, but regardless
Love you and take care!
-Ian
PS Oh and one quick and awesome note, 1 year ago this month, I was called to serve here... if that isn't trippy let me know!
Yesterday, while we were walking back from church, we walked by one of the members of the member family that lives below us. When we did, she said something really quiet, and honestly... really, really fast to E' Hone. When she was done saying it, she walked off, and E' Hone looked at me and told me, "We need to go to the pension and we need to talk now."
What we discussed is that E' Hone, his entire 6 months that he has been here has always liked this girl, and now that he knows that she likes him too. It snapped in my head because I had noticed, just as well as he did, that she was flirty and very friendly with him, I didn't understand why.
With that in mind, I told him, "You know what you have to do," and he replied by saying yes and getting the phone.
He called and told him the situation and asked, for his saftey and security, to be transfered to another area.
I don't think anyone should feel like he did anything wrong, in fact, because he was willing to talk to me and to be honest about it all, I think he did the most correct thing he could do, which is to get the hell out of dodge.
So here's how things are gonna go for the next week for me:
This week, I will be in a trio with the other Cósquin Elders, as well, I'll have to wait till Saturday to find out who my new comp is going to be.
Also, this means with transfer calls arriving Saturday night, this will mean, that I will absolutely be staying in Cósquin for at least one more transfer.
Really that's it for the week, because we couldn't find Alberto or Tamara, we had our Testimony meeting which was a little odd...
I'll see if I can talk to y'all more today, but regardless
Love you and take care!
-Ian
PS Oh and one quick and awesome note, 1 year ago this month, I was called to serve here... if that isn't trippy let me know!
August 30, 2010
Well this week brought us gold, after dropping all our investigators to find new ones, and maybe, just maybe, a new hope to bring someone to the waters of baptism.
Our gold this week is detailed in two stories.
The first: Alberto Altamira will finally have his divorce finalized by the end of this week, which means he can get married AND baptized. Alberto, I haven't said much about since I first got here because he was largely in this stand still with not having an official divorce, so not much has happened really. However this week we passed by to see how they were doing, and his fiancee told us, before Alberto was even there, that the paper would be ready next week. We all cheered for joy and we are now working on helping them prepare for these two wonderful moments that will pass in their lives. It will take them about a month to get married really, but at least that countdown is for sure.
The second: Tamara Lopez. On Thursday, we did a huge crunch down on contacting, largely to find someone who would honestly progress. In the morning, Elder Hone was to lead in getting the first contact of the day. It took a while because we were just running around, even he said to me, " I have no idea where I'm going really, just feeling where I should go." With that feeling behind it all, we found Tamara, who when we knocked the door, told us to come in immediately. We started to talk a bit about the Book of Mormon, and during it all, she asked us questions of some of our beliefs. She informed us that she is Catholic, but when she asked us if we believed in the Virgin, we told her no, in the which she followed saying, "Good, neither do I!" This passed for most of her questions, in which, while she was catholic at one point, she doesn't believe anything they believe. She even informed us that she hates reciting the catholic prayer and prefers conversing with God in her Prayers. In other words, she's golden. The only things we really, really need to do with her is that she needs to get married to her boyfriend, and we have to get her to church. She even asked us when we gave the Book if she could read it all!
That was the week for me, the temperature here has been funny, but it's been spring for the most part.
I've also happened to step in a few dead frogs this week.
Well, love you all!
-Ian
Our gold this week is detailed in two stories.
The first: Alberto Altamira will finally have his divorce finalized by the end of this week, which means he can get married AND baptized. Alberto, I haven't said much about since I first got here because he was largely in this stand still with not having an official divorce, so not much has happened really. However this week we passed by to see how they were doing, and his fiancee told us, before Alberto was even there, that the paper would be ready next week. We all cheered for joy and we are now working on helping them prepare for these two wonderful moments that will pass in their lives. It will take them about a month to get married really, but at least that countdown is for sure.
The second: Tamara Lopez. On Thursday, we did a huge crunch down on contacting, largely to find someone who would honestly progress. In the morning, Elder Hone was to lead in getting the first contact of the day. It took a while because we were just running around, even he said to me, " I have no idea where I'm going really, just feeling where I should go." With that feeling behind it all, we found Tamara, who when we knocked the door, told us to come in immediately. We started to talk a bit about the Book of Mormon, and during it all, she asked us questions of some of our beliefs. She informed us that she is Catholic, but when she asked us if we believed in the Virgin, we told her no, in the which she followed saying, "Good, neither do I!" This passed for most of her questions, in which, while she was catholic at one point, she doesn't believe anything they believe. She even informed us that she hates reciting the catholic prayer and prefers conversing with God in her Prayers. In other words, she's golden. The only things we really, really need to do with her is that she needs to get married to her boyfriend, and we have to get her to church. She even asked us when we gave the Book if she could read it all!
That was the week for me, the temperature here has been funny, but it's been spring for the most part.
I've also happened to step in a few dead frogs this week.
Well, love you all!
-Ian
August 23, 2010
Well this week was a hard week to say the least. Tuesday of last week started the training for the new way the Brethren want missionary work to be, and so, for 4 days, all, District Leaders, Zone Leaders, and Trainers went to Córdoba to receive this training. So that meant that I, Elder Hone, and the other Elder, Elder Ferraira, were put in a trio to do the work in Cosquín.
What made the week hard more than anything is that we had an immediate season change, with tuesday being very warm and most of the following days as well. Now while I would usually be happy for a change in season, I was put in bed, having small asthma attacks every day. I honestly was once again scared by it all, because I thought I had been doing good. One night however, it being the hardest day of them all. While lying in my bed, it being almost the 3rd night that I couldn't get any sleep because of serious coughing, I said a silent prayer, begging and pleading that it would all pass, that I could get back into the work without a problem. Then ten minutes later, I had probably the best sleep I've had my entire mission.
Well, I finally received the care package and the bag of Jelly Bellys were eaten in less than 10 hours after receiving it. As well, the peanut butter has been opened and eaten a bit, but because of an allergy the Elder Hone has to nuts, I am not eating a ton. As well, thanks for the ties and Ipod.
I hope all goes well!! Love you all too!
-Ian
What made the week hard more than anything is that we had an immediate season change, with tuesday being very warm and most of the following days as well. Now while I would usually be happy for a change in season, I was put in bed, having small asthma attacks every day. I honestly was once again scared by it all, because I thought I had been doing good. One night however, it being the hardest day of them all. While lying in my bed, it being almost the 3rd night that I couldn't get any sleep because of serious coughing, I said a silent prayer, begging and pleading that it would all pass, that I could get back into the work without a problem. Then ten minutes later, I had probably the best sleep I've had my entire mission.
Well, I finally received the care package and the bag of Jelly Bellys were eaten in less than 10 hours after receiving it. As well, the peanut butter has been opened and eaten a bit, but because of an allergy the Elder Hone has to nuts, I am not eating a ton. As well, thanks for the ties and Ipod.
I hope all goes well!! Love you all too!
-Ian
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