So everything here is Argentina is going well. I am happy to say that yes the baptism of Lucas Miño did go through. He was baptized on Saturday and confirmed on Sunday. It was a super cool experience and there was a pretty good turnout of people who went to see him. The wedding for the 24th is still on track as far as we know. He is out of work right now so that has been a struggle for him, but he is still going to church every week and we talk to him at least once or twice a week. He lives rather far away so it is hard for us to go visit him very often. Things seem to be on track though.
We have a few other investigators that are progressing pretty well. A lady named Isabelle seems really excited about it all and accepted a baptismal date for the 1st of August and committed to go to church for the next two weeks running. She has some really good friends in the church that include the bishop and his family. An older lady we have been teaching named Elva is moving along slowly but surely. We’re focusing on Joseph Smith with her, helping her to gain a testimony of the Book of Mormon.
There are various others that we are teaching at the moment. We’ve also been having a lot more results with members present at lessons finally. It really helps to have a member with you while you are teaching because they always have good insights and all that good stuff.
It has been a pretty uneventful week all in all. The baptism went well. We did divisions yesterday. We didn't really do anything today for p-day. Things are just super tranquil here. The flu is kind of bad and there are a lot of people who just don´t answer their doors or won´t talk to you cause of the sickness so that makes things different, but what can you do, right?
Take care. Till next week.
ELDER JEFFREY ROSE
14 July 2009
08 July 2009
I’m doing great!
The baptism last week didn't happen because the bishop didn't announce it in sacrament meeting and his grandma wasn't going to be home from work, so it is supposed to be happening this weekend. Fingers crossed right? But everything has been going well.
On Saturday instead of our baptism we took some of our investigators to a baptism in another ward in our zone and showed them that. I actually spoke for part of the time. That was exciting. It turned out good. We had a few people in church on Sunday, one of our investigators got sick so she left early and took her daughter with her which was too bad, but what can you do.
We have been seeing some better numbers lately and more interaction on the part of the ward so that is way good. For the Fourth of July we sang “The Star Spangled Banner” at the top of our lungs and just talked about our 4th traditions... the gringos at least.
Today for P-day we went to Centro, walked around, I bought a tie. Then we went to a restaurant called Viejo Jacks, which is amazing. A few years ago there were a couple of elders who went there all the time and one day they made a special order. They called it "el gordo" and it is now a part of the menu, well... not on the menu, but they know what it is by name and the missionaries are the only ones who ever order it I’m sure, but it is a huge steak, and by huge I mean like 1 foot square. Then it has onions and such on top and a fried egg and it is served with homemade potato chips and salad. It is huge so we split three of them between six of us. That was the celebration for one of the elder´s birthday.
Everything is just fantastic here. Hope everything is good where all of you are at too. Love you all.
On Saturday instead of our baptism we took some of our investigators to a baptism in another ward in our zone and showed them that. I actually spoke for part of the time. That was exciting. It turned out good. We had a few people in church on Sunday, one of our investigators got sick so she left early and took her daughter with her which was too bad, but what can you do.
We have been seeing some better numbers lately and more interaction on the part of the ward so that is way good. For the Fourth of July we sang “The Star Spangled Banner” at the top of our lungs and just talked about our 4th traditions... the gringos at least.
Today for P-day we went to Centro, walked around, I bought a tie. Then we went to a restaurant called Viejo Jacks, which is amazing. A few years ago there were a couple of elders who went there all the time and one day they made a special order. They called it "el gordo" and it is now a part of the menu, well... not on the menu, but they know what it is by name and the missionaries are the only ones who ever order it I’m sure, but it is a huge steak, and by huge I mean like 1 foot square. Then it has onions and such on top and a fried egg and it is served with homemade potato chips and salad. It is huge so we split three of them between six of us. That was the celebration for one of the elder´s birthday.
Everything is just fantastic here. Hope everything is good where all of you are at too. Love you all.
30 June 2009
Celebration on the Fourth of July!
I’m still here in Salta Capital in Soliz Pizarro with Elder Jara. Actually, there was only one change in the zone and it was a hermana missionary that had been in the area for 9 months. It looks like a new pattern that president is going to be leaving us in our areas for a much longer period of time. We will see though.
The baptism for this weekend is still on track. It looks like it is going to go through. We have lessons with him like every other day just to make sure he is prepared. It is kinda cool that he will be baptized on the 4th of July. Cross your fingers :)!
Gonzalo, the investigator from the other area is still doing good. He goes to church every week and is just waiting for his date to get married then the deal is sealed. He is super stoked for that day. We are having much more success with getting the members involved in the work. We carried out a way good activity last Saturday. We invited all the members and investigators to the church to watch church movies and made popcorn and had soda and all that jazz and it was way cool. Five investigators came and they all ended up crying after watching Testaments. I was super excited. And then in church we had two investigators and one that came right as the meetings ended.
This week was voting week in Argentina so it made it super difficult for many people to come because of the way the system works. That combined with Father’s Day the week before made it really difficult to get people to church but now I think we are free from holidays here for awhile which is nice. Missionaries’ don´t really like holidays! But yeah, things are way good.
Today we went shopping downtown for a little bit so we could print out photos and we ate there as well. I got myself a new tie and a new pair of pants. You can find really nice looking stuff here for a way good price if you know where to go. Things down here are good all in all. The swine flu is becoming a bigger worry. I think I am finally over my sickness whatever it was. Things are just same old same old down here, which is good. It means that nothing crazy is happening.
Let´s see…anything else that you could possibly want to know? I’m learning how to make some food, some of the typical stuff so that I can still make it when I get back. I have a ton of recipes and now it just comes down to figuring out how to do it all.... and figuring out what the names of some odd ingredients are in Spanish and in English.
The baptism for this weekend is still on track. It looks like it is going to go through. We have lessons with him like every other day just to make sure he is prepared. It is kinda cool that he will be baptized on the 4th of July. Cross your fingers :)!
Gonzalo, the investigator from the other area is still doing good. He goes to church every week and is just waiting for his date to get married then the deal is sealed. He is super stoked for that day. We are having much more success with getting the members involved in the work. We carried out a way good activity last Saturday. We invited all the members and investigators to the church to watch church movies and made popcorn and had soda and all that jazz and it was way cool. Five investigators came and they all ended up crying after watching Testaments. I was super excited. And then in church we had two investigators and one that came right as the meetings ended.
This week was voting week in Argentina so it made it super difficult for many people to come because of the way the system works. That combined with Father’s Day the week before made it really difficult to get people to church but now I think we are free from holidays here for awhile which is nice. Missionaries’ don´t really like holidays! But yeah, things are way good.
Today we went shopping downtown for a little bit so we could print out photos and we ate there as well. I got myself a new tie and a new pair of pants. You can find really nice looking stuff here for a way good price if you know where to go. Things down here are good all in all. The swine flu is becoming a bigger worry. I think I am finally over my sickness whatever it was. Things are just same old same old down here, which is good. It means that nothing crazy is happening.
Let´s see…anything else that you could possibly want to know? I’m learning how to make some food, some of the typical stuff so that I can still make it when I get back. I have a ton of recipes and now it just comes down to figuring out how to do it all.... and figuring out what the names of some odd ingredients are in Spanish and in English.
23 June 2009
Everything here is going pretty well.
Well, I am doing better health wise as well. I’m almost over my cold and it has been a little bit warmer here lately so that is nice. Today we went to climb a hill called San Bernardo and took some cool pictures. Then after wards we went to McDonald's and had lunch (yes there is actually a McDonald's here) and walked around the mall that it is in for a little while.
Transfers are this weekend. We´ll see if I stay or if I go. (I doubt I am leaving my area.)
We dropped the old guy José Gallardo last week. Well, he actually dropped us cause of his daughter. But I think he´ll be alright. Alejandro and Monica FINALLY went to church with their daughter, Nicole, last week and they loved it. Things are looking good for them. We really got Alejandro hooked so hopefully now there won’t be any problems with them getting married. We committed him to the word of wisdom the other night and took all his cigarettes from him and took them back to the apartment and added them to the Word of Wisdom collection that we need to get rid of.
We have also been teaching a little kid named Lucas Miño. He is the son of a member but is 10 years old almost so we have to teach him in order for him to be baptized. There are a few others who are new or just not progressing, but those are the most promising. Oh, and Gonzalo Ttapia from the area that was closed….still waiting for him to get married. Lucas Miño has a date for the 4th of July. I thought that was pretty cool:) and we have no idea what is happening with Jimena, the daughter of the less active member. She just dropped off the radar. We have been doing good out here. My one pair of shoes is almost dead but I moved on to one of the others.
I finally made the cookies today. I haven't decided whether I want to cook them or just eat the dough though:)you know me. Well. I’m not dying of hunger and I haven´t been bitten by a dog lately so I must be doing pretty well.
Transfers are this weekend. We´ll see if I stay or if I go. (I doubt I am leaving my area.)
We dropped the old guy José Gallardo last week. Well, he actually dropped us cause of his daughter. But I think he´ll be alright. Alejandro and Monica FINALLY went to church with their daughter, Nicole, last week and they loved it. Things are looking good for them. We really got Alejandro hooked so hopefully now there won’t be any problems with them getting married. We committed him to the word of wisdom the other night and took all his cigarettes from him and took them back to the apartment and added them to the Word of Wisdom collection that we need to get rid of.
We have also been teaching a little kid named Lucas Miño. He is the son of a member but is 10 years old almost so we have to teach him in order for him to be baptized. There are a few others who are new or just not progressing, but those are the most promising. Oh, and Gonzalo Ttapia from the area that was closed….still waiting for him to get married. Lucas Miño has a date for the 4th of July. I thought that was pretty cool:) and we have no idea what is happening with Jimena, the daughter of the less active member. She just dropped off the radar. We have been doing good out here. My one pair of shoes is almost dead but I moved on to one of the others.
I finally made the cookies today. I haven't decided whether I want to cook them or just eat the dough though:)you know me. Well. I’m not dying of hunger and I haven´t been bitten by a dog lately so I must be doing pretty well.
June 16, 2009
Well, things are going really well here in the Argentina. I´m feeling a little better lately; though, now I have a sore throat that just started today. But I have been okay. I’ve gone out to work every day except for when my comp was sick, but yeah, I’m all good. No worries. Thanks for your prayers.
Transfers are coming up at the end of next week. So the guessing game starts again. If you wanna take bets on which province i will end up in here are the choices. SALTA, JUJUY, TUCUMAN, SANTIAGO DEL ESTERO. I’m too lazy to write out all the zones and areas so you´ll just have to go with that ;) personally I don’t think that I will be transferred, but who knows.
So our investigators. The wedding is still on track, so Gonalo´s baptismal date is still standing for the 25th of July. It is a ways away, but we´ll see. Then, Jose, the old man, he really wants to get baptized but his daughter is making things very difficult. He is determined though and we had a super good chat with him yesterday and I thing he will take the plunge in the next week or two. Jimena, the daughter of the less active member, is a little bit confused according to her dad, but we talked with him an asked him for more support from his side and he said that he would start going with her to church. Hopefully that will help out the situation a little bit. We have been teaching a woman named Pilar Jerez and her daughter, they went to the
Stake conference on Sunday and we challenged them to baptism the other night. They were a little apprehensive but accepted for three weeks from now. Then finally we are still teaching Alejandro and Monica, it is just hard for them to go to church because he is looking for work and she goes to school almost every weekend all day long. But this next week will be their first chance to go to church together so that will be cool. We are also going to be working with the 10 year old son of a member who just never got baptized; so that should be cool.
Oh, and I almost forgot about Isabelle. She is 40 something years old and we knocked her door the other day. We taught her the first lesson and left her with a scripture to read. When we came back she asked us "this chapter talks a lot about baptism, doesn't it" we started to talk more about that and we challenged her to baptism, and she accepted. Then she asked more questions like "do I need to get married" and "what do you think about alcohol" and stuff like that and she is totally down [okay] with it all. So we will see how that plays out and whether she follows through. She is way ready though.
But anyway; things here are good. We went bowling today for p-day and I found a super cool máte (the mug used for drinking the tea down here). Don´t worry, it is a souvenir. Ha-ha, but things here are going well. President has been changing some stuff in the mission lately, adding rules, changing policies, schedules, all that. But it is going good. There is not much more to add.
So a cool story... We were talking Jose Gallardo the 88 year old man and he always mentions his concerns about his daughter and how she always tells him not to leave the Catholic Church because she doesn't want to lose him. We explained to him about temples and how our church only brings you closer to your family in the long run. I challenged him to talk with his daughter and express his desire to be baptized and I was impressed to make him a promise that if he would do so, everything would turn out alright. We ended the lesson and he was super excited and said that he was going to go talk to her. He just needs to come to church one more time and then he will be able to get baptized. It was way spiritual and I felt super good as I left from that lesson. Just the mission´s little miracles.
Thank you for all that you do and all the love that you show me in so many ways. I know that this experience would be a whole heck of a lot more difficult if I didn't have all of your prayers behind me pushing me forward every day. I think about you all a lot and know that I love you a ton!
ELDER ROSE
CHAUCITO HASTA LA PROXIMA SEMANA
Transfers are coming up at the end of next week. So the guessing game starts again. If you wanna take bets on which province i will end up in here are the choices. SALTA, JUJUY, TUCUMAN, SANTIAGO DEL ESTERO. I’m too lazy to write out all the zones and areas so you´ll just have to go with that ;) personally I don’t think that I will be transferred, but who knows.
So our investigators. The wedding is still on track, so Gonalo´s baptismal date is still standing for the 25th of July. It is a ways away, but we´ll see. Then, Jose, the old man, he really wants to get baptized but his daughter is making things very difficult. He is determined though and we had a super good chat with him yesterday and I thing he will take the plunge in the next week or two. Jimena, the daughter of the less active member, is a little bit confused according to her dad, but we talked with him an asked him for more support from his side and he said that he would start going with her to church. Hopefully that will help out the situation a little bit. We have been teaching a woman named Pilar Jerez and her daughter, they went to the
Stake conference on Sunday and we challenged them to baptism the other night. They were a little apprehensive but accepted for three weeks from now. Then finally we are still teaching Alejandro and Monica, it is just hard for them to go to church because he is looking for work and she goes to school almost every weekend all day long. But this next week will be their first chance to go to church together so that will be cool. We are also going to be working with the 10 year old son of a member who just never got baptized; so that should be cool.
Oh, and I almost forgot about Isabelle. She is 40 something years old and we knocked her door the other day. We taught her the first lesson and left her with a scripture to read. When we came back she asked us "this chapter talks a lot about baptism, doesn't it" we started to talk more about that and we challenged her to baptism, and she accepted. Then she asked more questions like "do I need to get married" and "what do you think about alcohol" and stuff like that and she is totally down [okay] with it all. So we will see how that plays out and whether she follows through. She is way ready though.
But anyway; things here are good. We went bowling today for p-day and I found a super cool máte (the mug used for drinking the tea down here). Don´t worry, it is a souvenir. Ha-ha, but things here are going well. President has been changing some stuff in the mission lately, adding rules, changing policies, schedules, all that. But it is going good. There is not much more to add.
So a cool story... We were talking Jose Gallardo the 88 year old man and he always mentions his concerns about his daughter and how she always tells him not to leave the Catholic Church because she doesn't want to lose him. We explained to him about temples and how our church only brings you closer to your family in the long run. I challenged him to talk with his daughter and express his desire to be baptized and I was impressed to make him a promise that if he would do so, everything would turn out alright. We ended the lesson and he was super excited and said that he was going to go talk to her. He just needs to come to church one more time and then he will be able to get baptized. It was way spiritual and I felt super good as I left from that lesson. Just the mission´s little miracles.
Thank you for all that you do and all the love that you show me in so many ways. I know that this experience would be a whole heck of a lot more difficult if I didn't have all of your prayers behind me pushing me forward every day. I think about you all a lot and know that I love you a ton!
ELDER ROSE
CHAUCITO HASTA LA PROXIMA SEMANA
10 June 2009
So things here are going pretty well, we have found a few more families that appear to be really good. We will just see how that all plays out. We are still teaching José Gallardo, the 88 year old man, and Jimena Nogales, the daughter of the less active member and Alejandro and Monica. They are all doing alright. Not progressing super well, but nonetheless we are still teaching hem so they must be doing alright. Everything here in Salta is good. We just had zone conference with another zone in the area. It was awesome.
Life as a missionary is good. There are the good parts and the bad but for the most part it is what you make it. If you wanna have a good day for the majority you can make it happen. But if you just want to mope around and not have any fun then that is definitely what´s gonna happen. I’ve been kind of sick for the past few weeks and haven´t eaten a whole lot but nonetheless, It has been some of the better days that we have had as far as the work goes. It really is all what you make it. You just have to keep yourself focused on the stuff that matters; work hard and fight the adversary harder than he is fighting you.
Life as a missionary is good. There are the good parts and the bad but for the most part it is what you make it. If you wanna have a good day for the majority you can make it happen. But if you just want to mope around and not have any fun then that is definitely what´s gonna happen. I’ve been kind of sick for the past few weeks and haven´t eaten a whole lot but nonetheless, It has been some of the better days that we have had as far as the work goes. It really is all what you make it. You just have to keep yourself focused on the stuff that matters; work hard and fight the adversary harder than he is fighting you.
02 June 2009
June 2, 2009
Things here are gong well. As for the baptisms, they are once again on hold. Partly because one of them was going to be on stake conference Sunday but we´d have to wait a week to confirm them and we don´t want to have to make him wait. We just dropped an investigator cause she just wouldn't follow through with her commitments and stopped progressing. We are still teaching various people though. Jose Gallardo, an 88 year old man is our most promising outlook for now. Then there is an investigator that we are teaching in a closed area who wants to get baptized super bad but has to get married first and the first date he could get to get married is the 24 of July. We are going to have a pioneer day party ;) I don´t understand why it takes so long but whatever, we´ll blame it on the siesta just like everything else.
We have the zone conference coming up in a couple days which will be fun. We´ll get to see President and the Hermana, (even though I see them every week.) It will be cool to learn some stuff from them. Umm what else? It is super cold here now. It was like 20 the other day, well not in the daytime but at night. But it was freezing. We have a gas fire in our pensh that I sleep close to when it is that cold.
Keep doing good stuff and always remember who you are and what you are here to be doing. Stay true to the commitments you have made and strive to be righteous in all that you do. The Lord has promised us all blessings based on our righteousness and cannot bless us if we make the decision not to be blessed. Keep it up and always stand strong in your convictions and smile at someone, you´ll make their day :)
We have the zone conference coming up in a couple days which will be fun. We´ll get to see President and the Hermana, (even though I see them every week.) It will be cool to learn some stuff from them. Umm what else? It is super cold here now. It was like 20 the other day, well not in the daytime but at night. But it was freezing. We have a gas fire in our pensh that I sleep close to when it is that cold.
Keep doing good stuff and always remember who you are and what you are here to be doing. Stay true to the commitments you have made and strive to be righteous in all that you do. The Lord has promised us all blessings based on our righteousness and cannot bless us if we make the decision not to be blessed. Keep it up and always stand strong in your convictions and smile at someone, you´ll make their day :)
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