It was not the absolute best week ever; but it wasn’t a complaining worthy week either. The best part of the week was Wednesday. On Monday and Tuesday I was on divisions with the other two elders in Perico. On Wednesday I went up to the bus terminal in Jujy all on my lonesome and met up with the other elders and sisters that were going to be training. It was a decent ride down. I finally got to meet and actually talk to one of my brothers in the mission (we had the same trainer). That was cool. So we went to president’s house and hung out a bit, ate lunch and then got our companions. Once again I got a gringo. I don’t know if that means that president thinks that I am good at teaching Spanish or thinks my accent would drive a native crazy or what, but I am super stoked to be with my new kid. His name is Elder Wade from Rexburg, Idaho. He is super cool. I’ll send you pictures of us next week when I have my camera. We´re doing really well and he actually speaks Spanish fairly decently.
So then on Thursday we had a district meeting and the biggest highlight is that the other elders lost their second phone in a month and this time it was mine. So that is why this week was kind of a downer. Cause we had a ton of investigators that we were supposed to go see and members to go with us but we couldn't communicate with any of them so we didn't have a whole lot of success. We found some new families that seem like they may be good, we´ll see. We had one investigator (the wife of a member) go to church on Sunday. We´ll see how that goes. She almost got baptized once, but then she just kind of disappeared. Our other investigators are just kind of there for now. We are struggling getting them to come to church, but that is the normal battle. We have been working a lot more with referrals from members lately and it seems like we might be finding some good stuff and there may be some good things going for us. We will just have to work and see.
Today for p-day we went and played with the bees again. I had to get the pictures back that I lost and the only way was to relive the experience. This time I had about 25 bees sting me but none of them got through the clothes nor the suit so I am perfectly fine (oh the miracles of modern inventions, right?) it was raining a ton today too so as we hiked up the mountains to get to the bees I felt as if I was in the military or something running through the forest in the pouring rain with a big backpack cutting my way through with a machete. Oh, if only you could have seen me!! It was super cool. Anyway, so things are good here. I am glad to hear from you guys that things are good out your way too. Keep up the good work, stay focused, be good and I love you all a ton. Never forget it.
Elder Jeff Rose
01 February 2010
26 January 2010
Upcoming New Companion
Things here are just turned all upside down. Not in a bad way though. Transfers came in a little earlier this time, Thursday night instead of Friday night and the news was that Elder Macovichuk was gone and I am staying. And guess what, I´m training again! I guess president thinks I did something right. I am also still district leader though the district is smaller now. The organization in the mission has changed a lot.
On top of p-days being on Mondays now, the 12 or 13 zones that there were before
have now been combined into 8 zones. They are a lot bigger and there is more
distance between the areas. The zone leaders are now comp iguales, I don´t know
what that would be in English, but it means that there is not a junior or senior
comp, they are the same time in the mission about. Then the whole zone leader
counsel and zone conference things have changed a little bit. So know I am
district leader of me, my comp, the other two elders in Perico and the elders of
Monterrico, that will be interesting because those elders are struggling a bit.
Hopefully we can help them out.
So with my new comp I have to be down in Salta on Wednesday morning around 10:00 to pick him up. He´ll be fresh from the MTC again but I have no idea if he is a gringo or a Latino. Either way the experience will be fun to go down to Salta and be with all the other elders and hermanas that are training and all that. I am kind of bummed I didn't have that opportunity with Macovichuk.
So the things have changed up a little bit but that's always a good thing every once in a while. So the baptism on Saturday went well. There was only one person who was able to participate because the other one that we had plans to have that day as well was not able to come to church. The whole thing with her family and how they obligate her to work in the family store is kind of making it hard because she works weekends until 4 in the morning so she has a tough time coming to church at 9. We are still working with her though. We actually have an appointment with her tomorrow
night so hopefully she can get the support she needs from the family and all
that.
We are also still working with a couple of the other investigators that I have been mentioning in the last couple of emails. Some new items that are pretty cool. On Sunday we were passing by a members house and business and we saw them trying to fix their car. We offered a hand if they needed it. They said that yes they needed help getting the car push started but first they wanted us to give one of the son's wife a blessing. We did and then the other son said that he wanted us to make an appointment with his wife to talk to her because now she wants to get baptized. Then we helped them push start the car and they gave us a bag of pastries and such (they own a bakery!) So that was cool.
To say the least, Macovichuk was a little bummed since that happened right as he
is leaving, but, what can you do? So right now in Argentina it is almost
carnival season. That means a lot of water balloons, buckets of water, and other
stuff. It doesn't start technically until the 5 or 9th of February or something
like that but that doesn't stop the village goers from trying to get the
missionaries wet and dirty wherever we go. It is rather entertaining actually
trying to dodge them all the time. It's good exercise :).
But anyways, we sent Macovichuk off at about 9 this morning and now it is just me hanging out with the other periqueños until my kid gets here. Thanks for everything you guys. I love you all and I appreciate everything you do.
On top of p-days being on Mondays now, the 12 or 13 zones that there were before
have now been combined into 8 zones. They are a lot bigger and there is more
distance between the areas. The zone leaders are now comp iguales, I don´t know
what that would be in English, but it means that there is not a junior or senior
comp, they are the same time in the mission about. Then the whole zone leader
counsel and zone conference things have changed a little bit. So know I am
district leader of me, my comp, the other two elders in Perico and the elders of
Monterrico, that will be interesting because those elders are struggling a bit.
Hopefully we can help them out.
So with my new comp I have to be down in Salta on Wednesday morning around 10:00 to pick him up. He´ll be fresh from the MTC again but I have no idea if he is a gringo or a Latino. Either way the experience will be fun to go down to Salta and be with all the other elders and hermanas that are training and all that. I am kind of bummed I didn't have that opportunity with Macovichuk.
So the things have changed up a little bit but that's always a good thing every once in a while. So the baptism on Saturday went well. There was only one person who was able to participate because the other one that we had plans to have that day as well was not able to come to church. The whole thing with her family and how they obligate her to work in the family store is kind of making it hard because she works weekends until 4 in the morning so she has a tough time coming to church at 9. We are still working with her though. We actually have an appointment with her tomorrow
night so hopefully she can get the support she needs from the family and all
that.
We are also still working with a couple of the other investigators that I have been mentioning in the last couple of emails. Some new items that are pretty cool. On Sunday we were passing by a members house and business and we saw them trying to fix their car. We offered a hand if they needed it. They said that yes they needed help getting the car push started but first they wanted us to give one of the son's wife a blessing. We did and then the other son said that he wanted us to make an appointment with his wife to talk to her because now she wants to get baptized. Then we helped them push start the car and they gave us a bag of pastries and such (they own a bakery!) So that was cool.
To say the least, Macovichuk was a little bummed since that happened right as he
is leaving, but, what can you do? So right now in Argentina it is almost
carnival season. That means a lot of water balloons, buckets of water, and other
stuff. It doesn't start technically until the 5 or 9th of February or something
like that but that doesn't stop the village goers from trying to get the
missionaries wet and dirty wherever we go. It is rather entertaining actually
trying to dodge them all the time. It's good exercise :).
But anyways, we sent Macovichuk off at about 9 this morning and now it is just me hanging out with the other periqueños until my kid gets here. Thanks for everything you guys. I love you all and I appreciate everything you do.
20 January 2010
Testimony and Pictures
Things that are going on here are pretty exciting. Not amazing, but they are cool. The baptism that we will be having is actually this Saturday at 5 our time. I think I may have told you that it was the last Saturday. We have one baptism for sure and there is a slim possibility for another but we have some good investigators that are close, they just have some challenges to overcome. Martin Suarez is scheduled for baptism this Saturday. We also have Natalia Lopez and Mikaea Moyata scheduled for baptism in a couple of weeks. We have a few more that are in the early stages of the teaching process but are very very good people who I would be thrilled to see get baptized.
If there is one thing that I have learned recently, most of the time it is not our desires that get fulfilled, but rather the desires of the Lord. These things depend highly on us because without us it would be more difficult for the Lord to do his work. I am not saying it wouldn't get done, but I am saying that we are really a key element in the Lord´s work and his glory. I know that whatever the Lord calls us to do, He is completely confident in our abilities to fulfill the tasks that have been turned over to us so far as we trust in the Lord. I have learned most on the mission that when we are always pleading for His help we are blessed. We may not be serving full-time missions but we are all missionaries in some way, shape or form, and whom the Lord CALLS he Qualifies. Don´t ever be afraid to do what the Lord has called you to do and don´t ever slack off either. Sometimes we get overwhelmed and discouraged.
I have a little theme in the mission. “The only time it is acceptable to not be standing up straight is when we are on our knees in prayer." We will go and we will do and we will receive the reward. We all know that is what we want so let´s forget ourselves and get to work. Whatever the challenge, whatever the struggle, whatever the concern, and whatever problem we have, if we take care of our stewardship's in the Lord´s kingdom, he´ll take care of us. ASK HIM, he will give; and in abundance. I know that this is true because I have been more highly blessed and favored of the Lord during these last 14 months than at any other point in my life. And I do not say that lightly, because my childhood was wonderful. I was given wonderful parents, a chosen brother and sisters. But there are certain things that I cherish that I have seen in my mission that just go beyond description. I am sure you can understand, if not, the Lord will allow you to experience what I have experienced if you ask sincerely for the opportunity.
The other details such as the language and things like that are important, but they are, nonetheless, secondary things. When we are blessed with the gift of tongues by a called and ordained servant of the Lord, we need not doubt that we will receive it if we are diligent and faithful. Our priority is to love the people amongst which we serve and wait for the blessings and then share those blessings with those same people, because they come from the Lord for all his children. Shall we not go on in so great a cause? Yes, I say yes we should because it is right, and it is what each of us wants. When our desires become the desires of the Lord, then our desires will always be fulfilled. Aligning those desires is the trick.
I love you all so much and I hope you can feel that love through this letter and this testimony. It is what I want to give to you on this special day. I love you all. Take care.
Tropic of Capricorn
Zone Conference
Elder Rose is still smiling! He and his companion are at Humahuaca, which is situated in the west of Jujuy Province. This is a colonial city that has narrow paved streets with streetlamps and adobe houses.Humahuaca was one of the most important trade centers of the region.
If there is one thing that I have learned recently, most of the time it is not our desires that get fulfilled, but rather the desires of the Lord. These things depend highly on us because without us it would be more difficult for the Lord to do his work. I am not saying it wouldn't get done, but I am saying that we are really a key element in the Lord´s work and his glory. I know that whatever the Lord calls us to do, He is completely confident in our abilities to fulfill the tasks that have been turned over to us so far as we trust in the Lord. I have learned most on the mission that when we are always pleading for His help we are blessed. We may not be serving full-time missions but we are all missionaries in some way, shape or form, and whom the Lord CALLS he Qualifies. Don´t ever be afraid to do what the Lord has called you to do and don´t ever slack off either. Sometimes we get overwhelmed and discouraged.
I have a little theme in the mission. “The only time it is acceptable to not be standing up straight is when we are on our knees in prayer." We will go and we will do and we will receive the reward. We all know that is what we want so let´s forget ourselves and get to work. Whatever the challenge, whatever the struggle, whatever the concern, and whatever problem we have, if we take care of our stewardship's in the Lord´s kingdom, he´ll take care of us. ASK HIM, he will give; and in abundance. I know that this is true because I have been more highly blessed and favored of the Lord during these last 14 months than at any other point in my life. And I do not say that lightly, because my childhood was wonderful. I was given wonderful parents, a chosen brother and sisters. But there are certain things that I cherish that I have seen in my mission that just go beyond description. I am sure you can understand, if not, the Lord will allow you to experience what I have experienced if you ask sincerely for the opportunity.
The other details such as the language and things like that are important, but they are, nonetheless, secondary things. When we are blessed with the gift of tongues by a called and ordained servant of the Lord, we need not doubt that we will receive it if we are diligent and faithful. Our priority is to love the people amongst which we serve and wait for the blessings and then share those blessings with those same people, because they come from the Lord for all his children. Shall we not go on in so great a cause? Yes, I say yes we should because it is right, and it is what each of us wants. When our desires become the desires of the Lord, then our desires will always be fulfilled. Aligning those desires is the trick.
I love you all so much and I hope you can feel that love through this letter and this testimony. It is what I want to give to you on this special day. I love you all. Take care.
Tropic of Capricorn
Zone Conference
Elder Rose is still smiling! He and his companion are at Humahuaca, which is situated in the west of Jujuy Province. This is a colonial city that has narrow paved streets with streetlamps and adobe houses.Humahuaca was one of the most important trade centers of the region.
12 January 2010
All Smiles here in my part of the world!
It has been a spectacular last couple of days in the mission. This last week we had zone conference and a lot of problems were resolved. The president also gave us a new challenge for the next 6 months. We will be reading the Book of moron as a mission and searching for all the references to Christ and his teachings and each coming zone conference for the next 4 transfers we will be discussing what we have learned. I am super excited about that. The president also asked us to send the notice to our families and friends:
The things in the area are good. We have some really cool people that we are teaching. They all have their individual challenges, but they are good. Jorge Mazzalla is going to church and overcoming the doubts that come and go so frequently for him. Martin, he is getting baptized next Saturday, which will be really cool because he is the only child in his family who is not yet baptized so that will be one more completed family! We are also working with a girl who is dating a less active member. They are currently living together and she needs permission from her parents to get married or get baptized or do anything so that is the current challenge. Some of our investigators still have yet to be recovered after the holidays but we are doing all we can to find them.
I have seen lately the true guidance of the Lord in this work and it is amazing how he puts us in the path of people in the most mysterious ways. I rather enjoy it :.) Things all in all with me are good; still lots of stuff to improve, but that´s the project.
Today for p-day we went to a place called Humahuaca. It is a really beautiful place with really cool stuff there. Look it up on the web and you are sure to find it. We went with 40 other missionaries and it was a blast. I got some cool stuff to bring home for you guys as long as it survives because some of it is rather fragile. I got some cool pics too. It is similar to the landscape of southern Utah.
Other cool stuff going on... not so much.
So everyone thanks for the prayers and for all you do for me. I really do appreciate it. I love you all. Take care!
¡Elder Jeff Rose!
The things in the area are good. We have some really cool people that we are teaching. They all have their individual challenges, but they are good. Jorge Mazzalla is going to church and overcoming the doubts that come and go so frequently for him. Martin, he is getting baptized next Saturday, which will be really cool because he is the only child in his family who is not yet baptized so that will be one more completed family! We are also working with a girl who is dating a less active member. They are currently living together and she needs permission from her parents to get married or get baptized or do anything so that is the current challenge. Some of our investigators still have yet to be recovered after the holidays but we are doing all we can to find them.
I have seen lately the true guidance of the Lord in this work and it is amazing how he puts us in the path of people in the most mysterious ways. I rather enjoy it :.) Things all in all with me are good; still lots of stuff to improve, but that´s the project.
Today for p-day we went to a place called Humahuaca. It is a really beautiful place with really cool stuff there. Look it up on the web and you are sure to find it. We went with 40 other missionaries and it was a blast. I got some cool stuff to bring home for you guys as long as it survives because some of it is rather fragile. I got some cool pics too. It is similar to the landscape of southern Utah.
Other cool stuff going on... not so much.
So everyone thanks for the prayers and for all you do for me. I really do appreciate it. I love you all. Take care!
¡Elder Jeff Rose!
05 January 2010
Happy New Year Argie Style
Happy New Year from down under! Well the festivities aren't over here yet until the sixth of January which is Dia de Reyes Magos or Day of the Wise Men is what I think it is support to represent. So things are good. All of the holiday stuff has been throwing off the work pattern with all of the being banned from the streets and having zone activities, but the stuff goes good. Everything is normal.
So far the district leader responsibilities are going good, a couple of struggles here and there, but it is all good. Things are pretty dynamic in the apartment right now because of a troubled missionary that we are living with. Lots of problems that could be so easily solved, but they just have to become more difficult because of stubbornness and selfishness. That is one thing that I have learned that is very important in all relationships, no matter what kind, long distance, day to day, coworkers, family members, acquaintances, whatever situation you can think of. That is, honesty, obedience and I don´t know how to explain it but you could say it this way, don’t do dumb stuff and then try to cover it up and make it seem like you were really in the right. I guess it would be best summed up as owning up to what you do and not trying to do things that you know you shouldn't be doing and think that you are going to get away with it. I have learned a lot of lessons during the mission and this has probably been one of the most mentally tiring ones and has thrown all kinds of thoughts into my head and I just don't know what to do with the situation sometimes. I am super glad I have a zone leader and the mission president to look to though because if it weren't that way this would be really annoying. Poor mission president, I can only imagine.
As for the work and everything, we have people on vacation and the holidays kind of messed with us but I am hoping that in this next week, the things will recover a bit. This week we also have our zone conference, so that is always exciting. I love talking with president. I would hate to be in a situation doing something or not doing anything and be afraid to talk to my leaders. That would just be one of those sick feelings in your gut.
Well, anyway, this has been the dose of real life? But through it all I am doing super well. Love you guys. Keep working hard. By the way, Kim asked me if I was feeling good about my Spanish and if I had started dreaming in Spanish yet. I would say that I am pretty close to fluent if not already there, that is the gift of tongues for you, and I sleep talk in Spanish but you would have to ask my comp about that cause I don't remember :) Love you Family!
Elder Rose
So far the district leader responsibilities are going good, a couple of struggles here and there, but it is all good. Things are pretty dynamic in the apartment right now because of a troubled missionary that we are living with. Lots of problems that could be so easily solved, but they just have to become more difficult because of stubbornness and selfishness. That is one thing that I have learned that is very important in all relationships, no matter what kind, long distance, day to day, coworkers, family members, acquaintances, whatever situation you can think of. That is, honesty, obedience and I don´t know how to explain it but you could say it this way, don’t do dumb stuff and then try to cover it up and make it seem like you were really in the right. I guess it would be best summed up as owning up to what you do and not trying to do things that you know you shouldn't be doing and think that you are going to get away with it. I have learned a lot of lessons during the mission and this has probably been one of the most mentally tiring ones and has thrown all kinds of thoughts into my head and I just don't know what to do with the situation sometimes. I am super glad I have a zone leader and the mission president to look to though because if it weren't that way this would be really annoying. Poor mission president, I can only imagine.
As for the work and everything, we have people on vacation and the holidays kind of messed with us but I am hoping that in this next week, the things will recover a bit. This week we also have our zone conference, so that is always exciting. I love talking with president. I would hate to be in a situation doing something or not doing anything and be afraid to talk to my leaders. That would just be one of those sick feelings in your gut.
Well, anyway, this has been the dose of real life? But through it all I am doing super well. Love you guys. Keep working hard. By the way, Kim asked me if I was feeling good about my Spanish and if I had started dreaming in Spanish yet. I would say that I am pretty close to fluent if not already there, that is the gift of tongues for you, and I sleep talk in Spanish but you would have to ask my comp about that cause I don't remember :) Love you Family!
Elder Rose
29 December 2009
Happy New Year
Well hello there everybody. Today the rain hit with a fury and so did the aches and the chills, so I’m searching for Ibuprofen to get over it. But other than that, everything is absolutely peachy. I think it was about 90 degrees when I woke up today and now that it has been raining a couple hours it is probably about 70 but with 100 percent humidity. Kind of reminds me of North Carolina.
But yeah, so there isn't a whole lot to say today since I just talked to you all and spilled my guts about everything. Things are well. We have a few investigators that are progressing that are doing well. One is Jorge Mazzala, from Buenos Aires. And the other is Mikaela Moyata. We have also picked up an old investigator I was teaching a while ago; her name is Natalia and her boyfriend is a member.
So they´re all going along and there are a few people on the side that are doing alright as well but it is just too early to tell whether they are really interested and committed or just curious or just polite. That is one thing that happens a lot. There are a ton of people that just will listen to you because they have been taught all their life that you have to respect other religions in order to have others respect you but they would never think about changing. There have actually been times where I have asked someone the question "If god told you that he wanted you to learn these things for your salvation and that it was the only way, would you obey him?" And they just straight up say no. So there are those who are so trapped in tradition and such that they just won´t open their shells and come out of their armour and let anything unfamiliar in. But that is the point of what we are doing; searching for those who are willing, those who are teachable and those who are ready and have true faith.
So have true faith people.
Love you. Out.
Elder Jeffrey Darrell Rose
But yeah, so there isn't a whole lot to say today since I just talked to you all and spilled my guts about everything. Things are well. We have a few investigators that are progressing that are doing well. One is Jorge Mazzala, from Buenos Aires. And the other is Mikaela Moyata. We have also picked up an old investigator I was teaching a while ago; her name is Natalia and her boyfriend is a member.
So they´re all going along and there are a few people on the side that are doing alright as well but it is just too early to tell whether they are really interested and committed or just curious or just polite. That is one thing that happens a lot. There are a ton of people that just will listen to you because they have been taught all their life that you have to respect other religions in order to have others respect you but they would never think about changing. There have actually been times where I have asked someone the question "If god told you that he wanted you to learn these things for your salvation and that it was the only way, would you obey him?" And they just straight up say no. So there are those who are so trapped in tradition and such that they just won´t open their shells and come out of their armour and let anything unfamiliar in. But that is the point of what we are doing; searching for those who are willing, those who are teachable and those who are ready and have true faith.
So have true faith people.
Love you. Out.
Elder Jeffrey Darrell Rose
28 December 2009
Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire!
Well, first of all, MERRY CHRISTMAS to all of you.
I am missing you all a ton at this time of year, but you know what, this may just be one of the most special Christmases that I will ever have because I know that there is nowhere else that I should be in this very moment. Well, things here are festive, just not in the same way as the states. Festive Argentine style = lots of booze, fireworks (most of which get thrown directly at you) scattered Christmas lights, weird Argentine versions of American Christmas music, pan dulce (fruit cake, which actually gets eaten not just re-gifted over and over and over), and crazy people everywhere.
But enough of the description of Argentina; just remember that there are those in the world that would like you to send a fair amount of that snow you are getting our direction to drop the temperature by a couple dozen degrees. Ha-ha. So this has been a rather dynamic transfer with the new elders here in Perico. It is cool having 4 in the same ward. This last Sunday, Monica came to church and this time she brought both of her daughters and her boyfriend. It was great to see them there. I love seeing how the Lord fulfills the promises made by his servants. She is now seeing how the Lord is blessing her family (not only her boyfriend) but her sisters too, by having them be interested now in the church as well.
In church we also had an old investigator return to church with the help of her boyfriend who is a member. Also another girl we are teaching came, her name is Mikaela and she is awesome. After the first time we met her, she read the part we had left in the Book of Mormon 3 times! People rarely even read it once, let alone three times. But the coolest story of all is Jorge Mazzala. We found Jorge knocking doors about two weeks ago. The first time we taught him we just talked about the church a little bit and got a time to go back when he wasn't working. The appointments have progressively been getting better and better. We have had the help of a couple of members. Now every time we go to his house alone, he asks about those members. On Saturday we passed by and it turned out that he was working on a car (he works as a car body mechanic) and he really didn't have much time, but I sat down in the car with him and started helping him dismantle the car. (All that work with Brother Boomgarrden helped out :) and we got to talking. We talked about the part in Moroni 10 that he had read and at the end of the appointment we invited him to come to church with us and he accepted. We left for church at 9:45 and when we got to his house he was outside waiting for us. He came and participated in the principles of the Gospel class and sacrament meeting. He was dozing off a little during sacrament meeting and later told us he had been up until 4 in the morning working but wanted to come to church because he had made a commitment to come. What a stud!
So his background is that he moved to Perico about 3 years ago and about 3 months ago he and his girlfriend got separated and she took the son and daughter back to Buenos Aires where they originally lived. He has been struggling though not having them around and we have been praying for him in regards to that. After church was over, we invited him to get to know the bishop. They ended up having a 1 hour interview and when he walked out of his office he was smiling and it looked as if he had been crying a little bit. We asked him how he was doing and he told us he had had a really good chat with the bishop. As we said goodbye to him he looked at us both and said thank you and his stare seemed to be saying something that he had never seen before, as if he had had his eyes opened and had a new light in them. That was super cool. So this week has had its ups and downs, but I am happy all in all. I Love you all so much, to each and every one of you I wish a merry Christmas and that you may have a very special time. Don´t miss me... too much :) ha-ha. I’ll be there next year :) take care. Celebrate for me. Pray for me and my companion. Pray for our investigators.
Me despido. chau.
Elder Jeffrey Rose
I am missing you all a ton at this time of year, but you know what, this may just be one of the most special Christmases that I will ever have because I know that there is nowhere else that I should be in this very moment. Well, things here are festive, just not in the same way as the states. Festive Argentine style = lots of booze, fireworks (most of which get thrown directly at you) scattered Christmas lights, weird Argentine versions of American Christmas music, pan dulce (fruit cake, which actually gets eaten not just re-gifted over and over and over), and crazy people everywhere.
But enough of the description of Argentina; just remember that there are those in the world that would like you to send a fair amount of that snow you are getting our direction to drop the temperature by a couple dozen degrees. Ha-ha. So this has been a rather dynamic transfer with the new elders here in Perico. It is cool having 4 in the same ward. This last Sunday, Monica came to church and this time she brought both of her daughters and her boyfriend. It was great to see them there. I love seeing how the Lord fulfills the promises made by his servants. She is now seeing how the Lord is blessing her family (not only her boyfriend) but her sisters too, by having them be interested now in the church as well.
In church we also had an old investigator return to church with the help of her boyfriend who is a member. Also another girl we are teaching came, her name is Mikaela and she is awesome. After the first time we met her, she read the part we had left in the Book of Mormon 3 times! People rarely even read it once, let alone three times. But the coolest story of all is Jorge Mazzala. We found Jorge knocking doors about two weeks ago. The first time we taught him we just talked about the church a little bit and got a time to go back when he wasn't working. The appointments have progressively been getting better and better. We have had the help of a couple of members. Now every time we go to his house alone, he asks about those members. On Saturday we passed by and it turned out that he was working on a car (he works as a car body mechanic) and he really didn't have much time, but I sat down in the car with him and started helping him dismantle the car. (All that work with Brother Boomgarrden helped out :) and we got to talking. We talked about the part in Moroni 10 that he had read and at the end of the appointment we invited him to come to church with us and he accepted. We left for church at 9:45 and when we got to his house he was outside waiting for us. He came and participated in the principles of the Gospel class and sacrament meeting. He was dozing off a little during sacrament meeting and later told us he had been up until 4 in the morning working but wanted to come to church because he had made a commitment to come. What a stud!
So his background is that he moved to Perico about 3 years ago and about 3 months ago he and his girlfriend got separated and she took the son and daughter back to Buenos Aires where they originally lived. He has been struggling though not having them around and we have been praying for him in regards to that. After church was over, we invited him to get to know the bishop. They ended up having a 1 hour interview and when he walked out of his office he was smiling and it looked as if he had been crying a little bit. We asked him how he was doing and he told us he had had a really good chat with the bishop. As we said goodbye to him he looked at us both and said thank you and his stare seemed to be saying something that he had never seen before, as if he had had his eyes opened and had a new light in them. That was super cool. So this week has had its ups and downs, but I am happy all in all. I Love you all so much, to each and every one of you I wish a merry Christmas and that you may have a very special time. Don´t miss me... too much :) ha-ha. I’ll be there next year :) take care. Celebrate for me. Pray for me and my companion. Pray for our investigators.
Me despido. chau.
Elder Jeffrey Rose
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