Certified Argentine Citizen!

Things out here are going well. So the new news for this transfer is that I am still in my area (Universitario) and I am training a new elder (Picture attached) named Elder Graham. I am also district leader again with a district of 5 areas. So this transfer just has fun written all over it. Things will be cool getting to go to the trainings and doing all of the interviews and all of that.

My comp is from Kansas (I already told him that he is not in Kansas anymore) he’s a good kid. He has a bit of trouble listening (in English and Spanish) but he understands the language pretty well and speaks a bit so that makes things nice because he can participate in the lessons and it becomes a team effort.


Elder Graham

Things in the area are good. We are still working with the people that we have found and we found a really cool guy on Saturday. He went to church on Sunday and he seems pretty excited about learning more.

Oh!! Other bit of exciting news. I had my first taste of a small part of Argentine culture on Saturday afternoon after lunch. My companion and I were walking back from lunch and a guy runs up behind me and shoves his hand in my pocket and makes off with 10 pesos. He didn’t get away that easily though. I think while he put his hand in my pocket and I went to grab his wrist, my comp grabbed him and one of us threw a well-placed elbow and got him in the nose. Another guy who saw what happened came up and asked what he took and offered to chase him down on his moto. In the end, all he got was 10 pesos and a sweaty handkerchief, so I think he was a little disappointed with how it all turned out. Nothing happened to either of us though and it all lasted less than 30 seconds probably. So don’t worry about me, I am now a certified Argentine citizen. Things here all in all are good. We are trying to work as hard as we can. I love you all a ton. Thanks for all your prayers on my behalf. I love you all a ton. Keep looking out. Till next time.
Elder Rose

New Companion

Hey everybody back home... how are things going today? Well, here we are starting to feel a little bit of the summer weather. Technically it is still winter, not even spring, but it is about 30 outside (Celsius). Today was transfers. We had some changes today. Elder Carter has left me, he is now in Jujuy near where I was at about 6 months ago and has gone up to senior companion and is a district leader. I will be training again so for now I am hanging out with the other two elders I live with. One of them changed as well. I now am living with one of the other elders that goes home with me so that will make things interesting. I don’t know him too well but we have two areas in common so that will make for some interesting conversation.

So here starts the countdown for the second to last transfer. I hope you aren’t counting down the days yet because I am not. I like it here in this area. We have found more cool people recently so we will continue the battle with them of reading, praying, going to church and all that good important stuff. And now is the chance to put in your bets. Will my new child in the mission be Latino or gringo and where will he be from?? ooooo. .. The suspense. I don’t think I will find out until Wednesday or Thursday. Oh yeah, and I am going to be district leader again this transfer. That´s another fun responsibility. Plenty of chance to learn a lot of new things.

There isn’t a whole lot to tell, but I’ll see what I can fill you all in on. This last week we did a training session for the priesthood holders of our ward. It was fun. Elder carter and I taught the lesson and then they went out and tried to get a kick start on their home teaching for the month and we went to visit some folks and say goodbye to some people for Carter. I hear it turned out really good. We are planning an activity for the 3rd of September to boost up the ward mission effort and get some references from some members.

This morning at 4 a.m. I had to get up and drop off an elder at the terminal because he is headed home. That was fun so needless to say I am a bit tired right now. Then we bounced back and forth between the terminal several times picking people up and dropping them off. Luckily we had a lot of help from our ward mission leader who is a taxi driver. He did several of the trips for us. The work is going well. Pushing forward, trying to try new things and see what works, and trying to make things work. I have been realizing lately that there are some really really cool members in our ward; you just have to know how to use them. I learned a ton from Elder Carter and I was sad to see him go. So my hope of getting to finish up with him was cut rather short, but it is all for the best because I know that the president seeks revelation for us to know what will make things go the best. I hope you all understand that I love this work and that you know that I am doing well and I love you all a ton. Take care.
ELDER ROSE

Hey Everyone!

How’s it going for all of you out there? I hope everything is going spectacularly. Things here are going well. We are still working hard and getting worked on pretty hard as well. I think Carter and I are finally getting over our colds and will try not to get each other sick again.

We had interviews with President Northcutt this week and that went really well. Transfers are coming up again really quickly, can you believe it? One more week and then we will be in the second to last transfer. I am super excited and I hope I stay with Carter one more transfer. In fact, I would love to finish my mission with him. He is such a way cool kid.

Anyway, things are going well in the area. We are still going along with some of our investigators, others we have let go, and we are finding new ones. We are actually teaching a pretty cool lady right now who just got separated from her boyfriend. Kind of a weird story, but she is now trying to make her life alone with her and her two girls and her family members are trying to help her out a bit. We are going to go over to her house and help her actually build part of her house or cut up some trees or something like that on Wednesday so that will be cool. Slow progress, sometimes it is frustrating but we have seen and are seeing the fruits of our work so we are happy. I wouldn’t say satisfied, because I don’t think I will ever be satisfied while there is still more work to be done, but it is a good feeling knowing that you’ve put a good dent in it.

As for me I am doing well. I’m getting over my cold. I don’t have any injuries, I think my shoes will hold out till the end and I am surviving the members and investigators hospitality (which always includes hot chocolate during cold weather). I got a little sick last night from that, but things are good considering. Oh, if there is anything that you want me to figure out before you guys get here, let me know. Any little thing just let me know. I’ve still got the schedule working itself out as far as when to travel and all that. Also, I heard that you can fly straight from Salta to Iguazu, so I don’t know if that would be an option you would look at, but who knows. And what was the plan when we fly back? We´d get to Cali, be there a few weeks, then to So Cal and then off to BYU? Also, I was wondering if you can pull an application for the MTC or if I have to do that in person? And what do you know about my classes? Have you picked them yet or any of that? Just checking up on that. Grandma and Grandpa Scott and Rose doing? I haven´t heard much from them for a while. I wish you all the best of luck and I love you a ton. If you have any recent pictures from cool trips or family pics or anything like that, let me know. I would love to see them. Well, I guess that is all for now. Here are some pics that I thought I’d send over to you guys. Love you all. Take care. I’m thinkin aboutcha :)
Elder Jeff Rose

Hey Everyone!

So time really does seem to be getting short. Everyone is coming off of their missions and I am getting there close. But, I am trying to keep myself going and Elder Carter and I are working way hard. We have been pushing through all of the problems and keeping going forward. We have had some really good experiences this week.

Yesterday we had a really cool investigator come to church. That was a victory since recently we have had some problems with certain members driving some of our investigators away by bad commentary. We are working to try and improve some of those things. We had a really good meeting, well sort of an impromptu meeting, but we talked about some really good things. He is going through hard times with his wife, she is pregnant and almost lost the baby and he is sick so they are kind of out of commission for a bit. We’re going to help them out a lot though. I think we have the support of the majority of the ward now but there is still work to be done. As for our investigators, we have some very good people we are teaching, but they are still letting their problems keep them away from church.

I've been loving my time here so far; perhaps more than any other area. I have learned a ton and I have made improvements here that I have been working to make for a long time, some coming from even long before the mission. Elder Carter and I are getting along fantastically and I would like to think that the other elders are seeing our example. We actually talk with the junior comp a lot and he comments to us how he wants to change and we help him out and all that, it is a hard thing to do when it stems from the both of you. I imagine it is kind of like a marriage, that is if both of you don’t want to make it work, it just probably won’t work. It kind of strikes me as odd the things that I have learned and keep learning in the mission, but I am so grateful for them. I promise to all of you that as you strive more and more every day to do things correctly and strive to have the spirit with you that you will not only have more guidance and all that, but you will just downright feel a heck of a lot better. Ha-ha. It seems so simple, but at the same time, why can’t we realize these things earlier. I am sure I will go through the same process of learning again and again the same things but I hope I have learned it a little better this time.

I was reading a talk this morning and it was talking about the father of one of the general authorities who would always have them sing the same hymn in their family home evenings. This person would always complain and question why. And the father would simply respond that there was a message in the song to be learned and would always say sternly, "I will teach you lesson 2 once you have learned lesson 1! I thought that was cool. We are limited in our gospel progression only to our own diligence. So we should be diligent and gain our salvation long before the due date.

I’m scared about coming back, but I know it has an end. I am doing all I can to be satisfied with the work I have done here and I will continue working hard. Don’t worry about getting me distracted. I won’t let you :) Just take care and don’t forget to keep writing. Now more than ever I appreciate the strength you give me. I love you all. And I will love hearing from you as soon as the mission permits, which is next week :) Enjoy your vacations.

CHAUUUUUUU

Elder Jeff Rose

Hey Everyone.

So time really does seem to be getting short. Everyone is coming off of their missions and I am getting there close. But, I am trying to keep myself going and Elder Carter and I are working way hard. We have been pushing through all of the problems and keeping going forward. We have had some really good experiences this week. Yesterday we had a really cool investigator come to church. That was a victory since recently we have had some problems with certain members driving some of our investigators away by bad commentary. We are working to try and improve some of those things. We had a really good meeting, well sort of an impromptu meeting, but we talked about some really good things. He is going through hard times with his wife, she is pregnant and almost lost the baby and he is sick so they are kind of out of commission for a bit. We’re going to help them out a lot though. I think we have the support of the majority of the ward now but there is still work to be done. As for our investigators, we have some very good people we are teaching, but they are still letting their problems keep them away from church. I've been loving my time here so far; perhaps more than any other area. I have learned a ton and I have made improvements here that I have been working to make for a long time, some coming from even long before the mission. Elder Carter and I are getting along fantastically and I would like to think that the other elders are seeing our example. We actually talk with the junior comp a lot and he comments to us how he wants to change and we help him out and all that, it is a hard thing to do when it stems from the both of you. I imagine it is kind of like a marriage, that is if both of you don’t want to make it work, it just probably won’t work. It kind of strikes me as odd the things that I have learned and keep learning in the mission, but I am so grateful for them. I promise to all of you that as you strive more and more every day to do things correctly and strive to have the spirit with you that you will not only have more guidance and all that, but you will just downright feel a heck of a lot better. Ha-ha. It seems so simple, but at the same time, why can’t we realize these things earlier. I am sure I will go through the same process of learning again and again the same things but I hope I have learned it a little better this time. I was reading a talk this morning and it was talking about the father of one of the general authorities who would always have them sing the same hymn in their family home evenings. This person would always complain and question why. And the father would simply respond that there was a message in the song to be learned and would always say sternly, "I will teach you lesson 2 once you have learned lesson 1! I thought that was cool. We are limited in our gospel progression only to our own diligence. So we should be diligent and gain our salvation long before the due date. I’m scared about coming back, but I know it has an end. I am doing all I can to be satisfied with the work I have done here and I will continue working hard. Don’t worry about getting me distracted. I won’t let you :) just take care and don’t forget to keep writing. Now more than ever I appreciate the strength you give me. I love you all. And I will love hearing from you as soon as the mission permits, which is next week :) enjoy your vacations.

CHAUUUUUUU

Elder Jeff Rose

Don't you love p-days!

I’m back and now I can write you a nice normal length letter! Because now I have money. I was waiting on a reimbursement from the mission for things I bought for the mission and I finally got it so now I am good :) no worries. First, of all for the parents. A couple questions. Is there anything that you would like to see while you are here? For example, there is huahuaca, then you are close to Bolivia, there are waterfalls, scenic routes, statues, plazas, churches, and all that stuff of the like. If you want to see anything like that, let me know. Other than that I am still trying to figure out where and when. It is rather brain wracking.... ha-ha.

Things are going good here. We had a super fun p-day today. We and another companionship of elders went to a big Christ statue with our ward mission leader and did a cool tour with him. He is a taxi driver so he led us around. Way cool. I have some cool photos. I took time to write letters to some of the people that I can't write emails and sent them so they should be getting letters soon. I sent them in the pouch so I think that they should be there in about 2 or three weeks.

Things in the area are going well. We are sorting through the difficulties, finding the gems and holding on to the good stuff, or at least trying to. We have been having some way good experiences and are pleased with the work that we are doing. I take comfort in the fact that we can still feel the spirit and that we are guided by the spirit in what we do. I was sick on Saturday so I spent some time meditating the backs of my eyelids and when I wasn’t doing that I read some talks with Elder Carter and then put myself to studying my patriarchal blessing. I realized once again how much of a blessing that this has been for me in my life. I also talked with Elder Carter for a bit about old memories of family and friends and such and I want to tell each and every one of you personally (or as personal as an email can get) how much I love and appreciate you. :) I love you so much, it really means a ton to me that you are in my life and I appreciate you in so many ways. Thanks for everything :) you’re super special.

So anyway, things with me are going good. I have been working hard and I am happy about the things that we have gotten done here in just 3 weeks. It has been a way good experience. I would love to stay here and finish out in this area with Elder Carter, but you know how that works, just when you think you like something the carpet gets pulled out from under you. But better things follow so I take comfort in that. As for investigators, we have some good ones. One way good one in particular. Her name is Paola. She was a reference from a member of another ward. Her husband was really abusive and she has separated from him. Recently she was operated on for a cyst. She told us that before she went in for the operation she prayed and she felt so good. She also told us how her family has been anything but supportive but that she has pretty much told them that she feels the spirit when we talk to her and that she wants to be part of the church. It would be spectacular if she were to be baptized. The one thing that lacks is just a little more initiative on the part of the ward. But those things we have gotten over before and we can get over them again. We are progressing, our investigators are getting there. We are helping the other elders we live with and the members seem to be gaining confidence little by little. We have had some really cool experiences with some of the members lately so that is helpful. I love you all a ton. Know that I love you. Take care and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do. :)
Chau