December 30, 2009

Christmas was awesome. We were with a German and Dutch family. They were speaking to me in German, Dutch(which I understood nothing) and spanish....quite confusing.We ate lots of food, and I am still full to this day. And we have new years tomorrow. I am a little scared....they feed us way too much food.We have just been busy with investigators this last week, getting Franco baptized and working with his mom and brother still.NOt really much to say, I just talked to all of you. Thank you for the support and the christmas gifts. I am loving where I am and what I am doing.I love you all,Elder Andy
¨Lo haré siempre, y cada vez mejor!¨

December 16, 2009

Transfers.Whew...this has been a pretty rough transfer. Well, at least the things that changed... or rather things that didnt change. In Almost ALL of the companionships in this zone, the companionships stayed the same, and there is someone with less than 3 months in every area... In other words, there are a lot of people talking about home, and a lot of the time. I am with Elder Glassman again this transfer. This probably means that I will be here in Mar Del Plata until March, and then be going to my last area of my mission. I fear for this zone, and for this part of the mission because there is SO much potential. There is a lot of work to be done, and the older elders are starting to get lazy. And it does not help that they all have pretty much the same time. In all honesty, I get along with my companion great. We laugh, we have lots of fun, and we even have some investigators that have a baptismal date. So, for me, at least that is good, right?It is very hard for me to believe that Christmas is next week. Christmas is not very big here, at all. It is a rare occasion to see somebody`s house decorated, and even less for people to talk about it happening. NOt to mention, I am just used to Christmas with all of you crazies, so it really just doesnt feel like its real. But its all good.Tomorrow we have a barbeque with a member in the ward who always is doing stuff for us. She absolutely loves the missionaries, and her birthday is tomorrow. We know that the ends just always come tight in their family, and that they dont have any plans to celebrate tomorrow. So, we talked to her husband, and WE planned it out. We are way excited for it. Meanwhile, we have a lesson tonight with Rosa and Franco about living Prophets. They have just been so great, and they are so excited for it all.I am doing well, just marching along, keeping my self in the fight. I will be honest, I really dont know what else to tell you about what is going on right now, just good stuff going on in the mission. I have been studying the Old Testament lately, and that has been strengthening my testimony SO much about Temple, Temple Marriage, The Commanments of God, The Atonement, The real power and authority of the Aaronic Priesthood, and that this is the RESTORED church of Jesus Christ, and that He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. IT has been wonderful to me to have this time to truly study and embrace the Scriptures.I love you all so very much, and pray for you always. Keep your smiley faces...Its Christmas.Elder Andy
¨Lo haré siempre, y cada vez mejor!¨

November 18, 2009

Absolutely incredible. We had a baptism last night, and it was amazing. After 8 years of investigating the church, they finally got baptized. The spirit was so strong and there were several people in tears. More than 100 people showed up just to see the deal. Damian (the son of the woman that got baptized) baptized her. The incredible thing about it is, is that he is deaf. But he had been practicing, and forcing the words out. Yes, he said the prayer. Not with sign language, but in words we understand. It was amazing. And they bore their testimonies after, and it was so cool. There were several investigators there, and so many less active members that had known them when they first got to know the church. Apart from that, we have a family of investigators that wants to get baptized and we havent even taught them about what baptism is. We had been with them, and they were looking for more unity in their family, and so we told them that one way that will surely do it, is to read the book of mormon daily as a family, and then pray together. The change was amazing in one week. And they had just read about baptism being a new beginning, and they all want to leave their sins behind them, and begin again, clean in the eyes of God. Yes, there is still work to do with them, but the doors are just opening up everywhere we go. A less active member came back to church with a renewed testimony, and now we are teaching her husband. We have a Family HOme Evening tomorrow night with An investigators and his neighbors who are members. He loves church, and we still havent really taught him that much. There are so many things that we have going on for us, and there is so little time to do it all. I thank the Heavens that my Heavenly Father understands my best efforts.Well, my time is getting short so I need to go but I love you all, Sorry its so short. Take care, I love you all.
¨Lo haré siempre, y cada vez mejor!¨

October 19, 2009

Well, this week has been pretty nuts. We have had a lot of things to do, but we still know we can be doing so much more. We have been in the process of finding new people, planning baptisms, teaching our investigators, working with new converts, less active members, and a conference with Elder Bowen (President of the Area), and interviews with President Detlefsen. We have been more than occupied, but we know that we have the potential to do so much more. We have had a lot of doors open up for us in this last week, and so we are praying a lot, asking help from our Father in Heaven with these new people. We have recieved references from a member in our ward who is deaf. He wants us to begin teaching his other deaf friends, who have a lot of interest. And also we now have a blind investigator. We found out that some other missionaries in our mission had a book of mormon in Braile (the reading for blind people, dont know how it is spelled) and had them send it to us. Its going to be very interesting, so we are trying to get ourselves ready for this.Sorry this is so short today, we really didnt have a whole lot of time. I love you all very much, and thank you all for your support.Love, Elder AndyP.S. Happy Mothers day in ArgentinaP.P.S. There have been a few issues in the mission, and our mission President has had to revoke our internet usage to myldsmail only. I apologize if it is inconvenient, but I dont want to fight it. We had abeen given the opportunity to use hotmail, yahoo, and gmail before because this email has tons of problems and doesnt always work. Because of some things that have happened, he has had to change that. If you could please send your emails to elderbca@myldsmail.net that would be wonderful. Thank you so much.

October 12, 2009

This week went really well.

Charlie has in his plans now to be baptized on the 31st of October, and Nadìn this Saturday. They have both been making a lot of progress, and Charlie is so excited to listen to the words of the Prophets. He knows he can help his neighbor out because his neighbor just had a hernia. So, while Charlie is without work, and with desires to quit smoking(which by the way he started at 80 or more cigarettes daily, and now he is at 14, and going down), he knows he has to do something. And charlie told us, ¨President Monson said we should all reach out to someone and do something MORE.¨ So, he has been cutting his neighbors lawn, digging out trees, and much much more. Nadìn is truly getting baptized because her boyfriend is preparing to go on a mission, and has been teaching her everything, and working with us to get her ready. She is very excited. We had Zone conference which was awesome. And this week we have Elder Bowen (Member of the 70, and the President of the Area) coming to speak to us as missionaries. We have been working hard, and been having more and more success. There is still a lot more we could be doing, and we are trying to be better, and to get it done. We have been just getting to the house absolutely exhausted. Saturday was hilarious because we set out right after lunch with a few friendly clouds and a little wind-so we brought our sweaters. We were doing okay about 3-4 miles away from the house, when a Hardcore rainstorm hit. We tried to keep going to all of our appointments, but nobody was home, and it got dark. Needless to say, we got home frozen and soaked...it was way funny. I guess it serves me right for not getting my eagle. I was not prepared...hahahaha. It truly is so amazing to see somebody accept the gospel, and then to watch them change as their faith grows. We actually had this conversation with a member in our ward who told us that we should never go and get them to go to church, and that they should be willing to make the sacrifice on their own. I am telling you right now, that we should never have to think like that. Last week for general conference, we did go and help to inactive members get to conference. It was more than heavy on the wallet...but I will tell you I forgot about every cent when I watched tears roll down their eyes, and have them come and thank us an in countable number of times for helping them. They both came again this Sunday, with renewed enthusiasm. Andrès even went and found two more inactive members and brought them to church and they were more than grateful. Its true that sometimes we think that it is because they do not want to be there, but if we can help remind our brothers and sisters what light the gospel truly does bring to our lives, then we truly can feel the love of God pouring over us. It is truly incredible to me how much joy is found in this work. When you can truly see the atonement of Jesus Christ change somebody`s life forever. Or when a testimony of the Living Prophet touches their hearts, or when they are received by an old friend with open arms like the prodigal son. As we find in Mosiah chapter 18-we need to be their for our brothers and sisters. To cry with them when they are crying, to offer comfort when they need comfort. The Gospel of Jesus Christ truly is the answer to our questions in life. And yes, as a missionary, we are submerged in the Gospel-and it is easy for us to say , ¨reach out your hand¨. But seriously, even if it is just a phone call, or in the world today, just a text asking if they are coming to an activity, mutual, the ward Halloween party, or to the meetings on Sunday-every little thing counts.Thank you all so very much for your emails, letters, and support. I appreciate them sincerely. I love you all.Love,Elder Andy D&C 123:17

PICTURES!
1.A real mans breakfast burrito
2.Escobedo and I...need I say more
3.This is what my neigborhood is named after...
4.Pretty cool picture eh?
5.PRETTY.....be jealous it was warm :)
6.At least somebody loves me
7.Its my compy
8.Its my compy again
9.Its the three gringos...
10.What more can you do on a Pday holiday?
11.Welcome to Mar Del Plata
12.This is my house everyone
13.Kickin it on the front porch
14.Having a good old Barbeque (I ate more than 5 pounds of meat that day)
15.When we eat meat, we EAT MEAT!

Thanks Everyone

October 5, 2009

Well Hey everyone.

Our area is doing really great. We had the potential to bring 17 investigators to the church, and some more that we already knew they wouldn't be able to make it. Not all of them did, but quite a few did, and we were able to help some other less active and even inactive members get there, and some new converts too. It was a really great week for the missionary work. Missionary work truly is amazing, there are so many blessings and miracles every day. You can see that God truly is preparing his children to hear the gospel more and more all the time. I am so grateful for this time that the Lord has given to me to be his servant as a full time missionary. Yes, I have weaknesses, and I am not perfect. But I am learning so much everyday, about myself, my Savior, my Father in Heaven, and this Marvelous work.Conference was amazing. It was WAY too fast though. It almost feels like it didn't happen. It just came and went like it was nothing. Then the realization hit me that I only have one more conference here in Argentina. YIKES! Our investigators loved it too. What was your favorite talk? I really don't know where to begin for me. I loved Several. I loved President Uchtdorf and M. Russell Ballard from Priesthood. I loved Elder Holland as always-always saying things like they are. And then Elder Christofferson laid it down. I really couldn't get enough of it. INCREDIBLE! I just love conference. Always very uplifting.We have a lot of great appointments set up this week, and doors are opening up like crazy. I am grateful for all of your prayers in my behalf, and I want you to know that I am praying for you all.This week was busy with new shoes and foot problems, investigators deciding to make changes, splits with other missionaries, and MORE giant things.

PICTURES

1. I bought new shoes this week, and it has caused my ankle to swell up to the size of an extra golf ball on the side, and my socks and shoes to fill up with blood every day....I love new shoes....(both feet)

2.Charlie is an investigator who has had a lot of things just go wrong in his life. He came to us and asked us to help him make the changes necessary. In less than a week he has gone from smoking more than 80 cigarettes every day, to smoking less than a pack (20) every day. For those of you that have seen the Other Side of Heaven, you may laugh at what else we did to him...I actually did not remember that movie when I suggested it, but yes, we cut his hair... Looking good no?

3. Here's is our district without the Zone Leaders, who are a part of the district. and also when I was with Elder Decilia for 24 hours on Thursday... And then my zone in MDP

4. Yes more giant things. Its like I am in Giant World in Mario Brothers three...for those of you who know what that is...:)

5. Well, here is an idea of what I walk along getting to my appointments during the week.

¨Lo haré siempre, y cada vez mejor!¨

September 28, 2009

Hey family,

This week has been a week of getting to know everyone, everything, the area, and how things are working out here in the big MAR DEL PLATA. There is a ton of work to get done, and truly there is not enough time. Our area is absolutely massive compared to what I am used to. I really don't know how big it is exactly, but its bigger than all of the other areas I have had put together. We did a service project for a school in Mar Del Plata, where we painted the whole school together. Elder Simmons(another one, one that I know from high school...yes one from Bingham) got me good with a slap in the face...hahaha WE got to see some crazy animals, and then we tried to teach lessons a little bit more creative.WE are working with a lot of different people, and trying to get several couples to get married. It seems to be a problem we run into everywhere here. Couples that have lived together for 20 years, and still don't want to get married. So, we are working on that. AS far as being a full time missionary again, it feels great. I love working all day long. And Elder Gomez and I are both ready to make the most of it. Its really fun being with Gomez. He is just a happy guy, that loves to have fun. We talk a lot about culture differences and stuff. I think I told you, but his parents are Mexican, but he was living in Provo when he left for the mission. He was actually born in LA. Well, I am doing well, and I hope everyone is doing great. I haven't really heard anything new, so I imagine that life just keeps on going. I hope school is going well, work is going great, the ward, the EVERYTHING.

I love you all. Elder Andy

Here are some pictures for ya.
1. Way cool family, that loves Elder Jimenez and I....we are still not sure why...
2. Hermana Dewey at the Bus station
3. He is the new financial secretary...I think he might be a little bit tougher when he bargains..hahaha
4.MY NEW COMPY!
5. My new compy and I
6. HUGE SHEEP.
7. Teaching the Plan of salavation with a puzzle
8. Painting in Mar Del Plata

¨Lo haré siempre, y cada vez mejor!¨

September 21, 2009

Hey everybody,

I am in my new area, and with my new comp here in the city of Mar Del Plata. BOMB! I have a huge area, and lots of work to do here. I am so excited to get a start on it. I live about six blocks away from the coast, and there are seals along the beach right here. And on the bus on the way to downtown, there are whales jumping out of the ocean-as we ride along the cliffs. In other words, WAY COOL! Elder Gomez is a stud, and he is ready to work. We just went out as a district to eat lunch today, and I splurged a little bit and got myself a steak sandwich with fries and a drink. Elder Davalos as well got one. We are now all writing the families, and we will then be on our ways to get to work. PARA QUE SEPAN (Just so you know)My p-days will now be on Mondays. That gives you all one more day to procrastinate writing me :) hahaha. I love you all and hope everything is going absolutely wonderfully for you all. Have a great week with work, school, and life. And I will be writing you next week chess!

Love Always, Elder Andy
¨Lo haré siempre, y cada vez mejor!¨

September 12, 2009

This week started out so wonderfully. We had been teaching a man named Ariel, about 45 years old. He came to church, and really liked it. He decided to stop smoking, and to prepare himself to be baptized on the 20th of this month( that's next Sunday). Elder Astorga and I went to his house early this week, and as we arrived, he walked out with his cigarrette in hand, and told us he was done. He said, ¨I am not going to keep going with this thing. I have talked to the family, and well, its just too much for me, and I really just want to keep being Catholic.¨ We tried to reason with him, and as much as we reminded him of his feelings he felt, he turned us away and told us not to come back anymore. It was a serious blow to us. There was very little hope inside of us at that moment. IT hurt, and we just love Ariel so much that it sucked pretty bad. Knowing how much he really is missing out on.As we continued walking, I began praying in my heart, that My Savior could comfort us, and give us the strength to keep going. Then, one of my favorite scriptures came to mind. Alma 26:27 ¨27 Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said: Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success.¨We began to whistle ¨There is sunshine in my soul today.¨ as we continued in the street. As we were then walking we went to knock a door, and the man outside waved us in before we even knocked. We went inside and began to get to know them. Alejandra and Jonathan, and their children. We taught them about families, Prophets, the Ministry of Jesus Christ, and of the Restoration of His Gospel. As we were coming to the end, and we spoke of the power of prayer, and how they can come to know of the truth of these things. They became the investigators of every missionary´s dream. Alejandra told us, ¨We have been looking for the true church of Jesus Christ for years. I have been baptized in 5 churches, but I don't feel right about any of them. I feel something different about you. You missionaries may be the answer to our prayers.¨The tough days always exist, but as we learn from Joseph Smith in Liberty Jail, ...¨If we endure it well, we shall be exalted.¨ It is how we learn from our hard times, and how we choose to accept them. I was able to return to Punta Alta again this week. Last night actually to have 7 baptismal interviews. A family that is getting baptized together. Children from the Primary, Young Women, Young Men, Relief Society. Even the grandmother. It truly was incredible to hear their conversion stories as well. It is true that our Heavenly Father is preparing his Children for all the blessings he has for them. We just have to be in tune with the spirit, and ready to help them along their way to those blessings. This is my last week in the office, and I am determined to make it my best one. I would be lying if I didn't tell you all that I am anxious to know where I am going.My companion, Elder Astorga, and I are working hard, and we are building this area, and setting it up to have a lot of success.Thank you all so much for your support, prayers, emails and letters. I love you so much.With love,Elder Andy
¨Lo haré siempre, y cada vez mejor!¨

Aug 29, 2009

Well Shoot!

Another week gone by, and so much to say, I really don't know how to say it all.This world is incredibly small. We had lunch with a member this week, and she kept looking at Elder Thorne´s plaque. She then told us that she had a companion when she served her mission with the same last name. After talking for some time, we realized the connection between all three of us. She was companions with a relative of Elder Thorne, but her companion is the Daughter of our old Neighbor Lucy Thorne. Way CRAZY. This world is so tiny... Next, we had to go out to Punta Alta this week(it is like the distance of South Jordan to Salt Lake) to go and do some baptismal interviews-which by the way, were amazing people, so ready for baptism-WAY AWESOME. Well, as the night was ending, we made a little stop past some people that I knew then. YEAH! Eli and Toni, the first people that I was able to help get baptized. She is pregnant 7-7.5 months(hint to Amy), which was like the time that I left from there. It was so happy to get to see them again, just to chat with them, and everything that is going on. As for being blind in our area, we are already seeing some fruits of our labors. We have been working hard, and now we have a variety of different investigators that we are working with. We have been working with Haydee still, and now her son Juan has some serious interest in what it is. He said he walks by the church at least once a week, and just has serious desires to enter, and he doesn't know why. (Every missionary´s dream comment, no?) Then we are also working with a guy named Patricio. He has been to church a few times by the invite of his cousins, and he likes it a lot. Then we found out that his mother and brother are both members, but have not been to church for quite some time, he had never even really gotten to know the church. He loves the fact that we don't JUST go to church and talk about how amazing Jesus Christ is-but that we try to do things that he would do....that is to say. SERVICE during the week. He loves it. We are working with a Bolvian woman who has eight children-she believes in our message, but has openly admitted that she is afraid of change. We also met a man this week, José Louis, who has been all around the world, knows 4 different languages-incredibly intelligent, and he really wants to know why bad things happen to good people. We also are teaching now, a woman who once met the missionaries but her husband became furious when he found out she talked with the Mormons. He passed away almost a year ago, and she has been looking for comfort ever since. We also have been able to find some youth who have interest because of some of their friends who are members. Martin, Laura, and Mari are their names. And we were able to teach them a little bit in the street one evening, and now they have said that they really want to go to church and see how it is. Also, we are working with this family(which when i say family, I mean four different families). All of their last names are Martinez. They are all siblings, and they are less active. We are trying to get them all excited about going to church. But we are trying a different method than just tell them to go-we are starting to bring them with us to lessons. To make them be friends with investigators-so that they will have a responsibility with the investigators. I learned about this a little bit, when I worked with the Gutierrez family in Millamapu. When you show the members how much they are really needed, and how much their influence means-they come to understand the importance of going to church, without even needing to tell them. Although I know I will be leaving this area, I know there is a reason I was put here even for a short time. I am not sure why-but I know that if I give everything I have to this work, and I trust in the Lord-the best things really will come. Of course, I am a missionary, and I want to see people accepting baptism. But I know that sometimes, we are put in places to plant seeds. If that is what the Lord needs of me in this time, then let me plant an orchard. I pray every night, asking for my fathers help that I may be an instrument in His hands. And of course, I have weaknesses, and I fall short. But I know He knows I am trying. I want to thank you all so very much for your support, and for your emails, letters, packages, love, and prayers. They ARE recognized and appreciated. Thank you so much for all that you are doing. With Love,Elder Andy
¨Lo haré siempre, y cada vez mejor!¨

Hey everybody....

Elder Andy reporting from the offices of the Mission Argentina Bahía Blanca!I get to TRAIN!!!!!!!!! Or in other words. Only a month and a half more in the office, and i get to go be a normal missionary again! WOOOOOHOOOOOOO! I am training an Elder named Elder Thorne from Payson Utah. I was in Acha when he started his mission. He started in the same zone as Acha-so i already know him. EXCITING NO?!!!! I sure think so. Well, I will be with him in the mornings showing him the ropes and the numbers of the mission. And then in the afternoons and in my area of Villa Mitre Alto, I will be with another Chilean. I will be with Elder Astorga! I am so excited I cant even tell you.

Stereotypes of the office:It is common knowledge that everyone leaves the office more serious people.....It is common knowledge that everyone leaves the office 5-10 kilos more.......It is common knowledge that everyone leaves the office trunky....... And I say HHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH to all of it.... I am still crazy, as everyone here in the office including president, considers me the ¨Bright Side of the office¨ I began my mission at 165 pounds, and I am now only at 170 lbs. Fatter yes, but I have lost weight since I was in Acha....hahaha I have never been happier to be in the mission than I am now. I have nothing to make me trunky! haha In others words....I defy stereotypes, and I am still happy and ready to go for this work. Indeed you may say that this email is a little different or strange, but its just kind of an informatory email. For those of you who have had a question as to what my signature means, let me explain. President Spitale taught us a lesson on how we accept commandments of God. Whether its through our Priesthood leaders, or Apostles and Prophets. We have the Telestial, Terestrial, and Celestial Responses. Telestial- We think to ourselves, ¨Really?!¨ Terestrial- We think to ourselves, ¨They´re right, I should do that.¨ Celestial ¨I will do it always, and better everytime.¨ (its a bit rough gramatically in English, but it works in Spanish)I have tried to adopt this phrase into my daily studies, the hours, the rules, and in general the gospel. I say this to myself every morning to help give myself more focus for the day. I just have it signed on, just for that.

Here are some pictures for you guys:

Baptism of Jeronimo Barreiro

Another of Jeronimos Baptism

Jeronimos Family

The Crazy Financial Secretary

Hilton and his Auditor from Buenos Aires(We both were audited, but I only have a picture of his guy Juan Lazarte)

The last is me and Lautauro, Jeronimos Brother

Thanks everyone for your emails, I love you all. I hope your weeks are all amazing!

Elder Andy

¨Lo haré siempre, y cada vez mejor!¨

Firm in the Faith

Hey everyone,

Beginning with Sunday, was just full of miracles and amazing things. The baptism was just incredible, and the whole branch was there, and his family was there, and man o man they were feeling the spirit. Lets just say the hard core military father Gabriel, was crying. He has truly made such progress as he has found SO much pride in his children praying to God, and having desires to learn more about him. Gabriel and Laura are now praying together at nights as husband and wife, and have really started to find interest in studying the scriptures. Last night even, Laura openly told us about the strongest feeling of ¨Something inside my heart¨(as she said) when we were standing in the water. She told us that it was something that just captured her, and she just cant explain it in words. It truly is so incredible to be with people when they really understand that the Holy Ghost has testified to their hearts. Truly is one of the most rewarding and spiritually building things that I have ever felt in my life. To see people understand how much the gospel has been able to change their family. Laura and Gabriel just expressed to us how grateful they were, because ever since they have been with us, they have noticed they have more patience, temperance, love, wholesome fun, and more umf to get up in the mornings and do things.Last night was one of the most amazing and difficult times of my life. As we watched them tell us in so many ways that they have seen what the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been able to do to their family, they still do not understand that it is the ONLY true and living Church of Christ on the earth. It is not just a nice message and belief that we have. Elder Hilton and I had a very powerful lesson with them...as I have shared some parts of with you. The first thing we did after we left was prayed together as a companionship. It is so interesting things that happen here. You learn to love in a way you never knew how, to care about people in a way you never knew existed before. I truly love the Barreiro Family, and I have so much pride in their progress. Not pride in what we have done, but pride in how much progress they have been able to make.Jeronimo continues to impress me. Since his baptism last Sunday, he has had three people from his neighborhood(about the size of Mom and Dads Ward...maybe smaller, so he knows them pretty well) come to his house and tell him how much wrong he has done. That to read anything other than the Bible is a sin, and that he speaks blaspheme by saying that God has a Prophet on the earth, and he speaks to him. Jeronimo told them that he received an answer from God, through prayer, and has now made a covenant with God that he will follow his commandments, and that he KNOWS that the Book of Mormon is true, and that God loves us.He went to a young men's camp out with the stake on Monday and one of the other young men told Jeronimo that he regretted being baptized. (I was told this story by the other kid, so keep that in mind) Jeronimo looked at him in the eyes and said, ¨No you don't. How can you say that? It is the most important decision you have made in your life. You found God´s way back to heaven. You said yes to something so many people have never even heard of. You have the Holy Ghost with you as a gift from God. How can you regret that?¨ The other kid rolled over quietly and went to sleep. The next morning he looked at Jeronimo and thanked him, and that he really didn't regret it. He had just been overwhelmed by some other things in the church, and had forgotten all that he had because of it until Jeronimo had reminded him. We received the information about transfers a little early, and Elder Hilton and I are both leaving this Branch, and there are no plans to have any missionaries work in that area. At first hearing this news was heartbreaking. I hate goodbyes, and even more I know I will hate saying goodbye to this family whom I have grown to love so very much. But as Elder Hilton and I prayed, we received so much comfort from our Loving Father in Heaven that he has a plan for them. Truly that Jeronimo will be such a key part in bringing this whole family unto Christ. It truly is such a blessing to be a missionary of the Lord. There is so much heartache and loss that you can feel at times. However, the Tender Mercies of the Lord really do exist. And I have felt them come to me in the toughest moments of my life. I love this Work. I know that this is God´s Work. I know that we are ALL children of Him. He loves us all. He lives. I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to serve the Lord, and that I could come to this area and meet this family, Gabriel, Laura, Jeronimo, Lautauro, Lucrecia, Ornella, Cyrano...and even Sasha(their dog). Realmente, yo quiero tener la actitud celestial con los mandamientos de Dios, que sería...¨Lo haré siempre, y cada vez mejor!¨

July 25, 2009

A few more pictures. It snowed here for the first time in 40 years. hahaha. They were all in shock. It was way fun thought. We have been without heat in our house for the last week-really cold sleeping, and FREEZING COLD SHOWERS. But it was way fun. We actually got in a snowball fight with our investigators. Way fun.

1.Our snow man

2. Our Hamburgers we made last Sunday-GREAT!

3. Hilton and the Snow

4. Its us Office Crazies

¨Lo haré siempre, y cada vez mejor!¨

This week could have hit the ultimate highlight. It was truly incredible. I believe I have told you all about Jeronimo Barreiro. As of three weeks ago, we told him to go ahead and start reading the Book of Mormon from the beginning. He is now almost finished with the book of Alma, and understanding so well everything. We come to teach him, and he will tell US scriptures that go along with the doctrine that we are teaching. Last Sunday really was incredible. There were miracles all over the place. We got up in the morning and went over our plans for the day and what we were going to do, and we then went to church. Everyone in the Barreiro Family made it to church.(Before, the parents were just a little doubtful to try going), and I was just thanking my Heavenly Father non stop in my heart for helping them to arrive at church on Sunday. We had a very good sacrament meeting, and they loved it! But if that was not fulfilling enough, Jeronimo gave me somethings. First, he gave me a little plane. He had spent time this week making this airplane out of wood by hand. He had carved, decorated, and put an Argentine Flag and an American Flag on it. So awesome, I reallly had no idea what to say. He then proceeded to give me a note. I will translate what it says-mind you he told me not to read it until we had gotten home.

¨Dear Elder Andersen,

Thank you so much for everything. For bringing the gospel into my family. I have returned to believe in God, and I feel in my heart that this is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I now pray every night, and I feel so much more of God´s presence. I want to get baptized so i can be able to return to the Presence of God after this life. This airplane represents what you have done for me, to help me be able to fly high and return to God. It is humble, not bought, but I hope you like it.

Thank you so much, Jeronimo Barreiro¨ It truly was so incredible, I am not sure if the words are doing it justice. But we have just been so thankful for the blessings of our Heavenly Father, and for what Jeronimo has been able to touch us. He understands so well, we were there with another Elder doing his interview, and the Elder told him- ¨You will be a great example to your family¨ Jeronimo then replied ¨Yeah, I guess kind of like Nephi. Though, I obviously dont want my siblings to end up like Laman and Lemuel.¨ We have been working with their family, and we had an amazing lesson on the Word of Wisdom this week. The parents, Gabriel and Laura are now putting into work the atonement into their lives, as now they have desires to truly stop smoking and drinking. It truly has been one of the best weeks of my entire mission. Jeronimo told us he would like to be baptized this weekend, so we are in the works planning that for this sunday, or tomorrow that is. There really isnt much else I can say this week. Simply Incredible. I love this gospel, and love this opportunity I have to be a part of this work of our Savior. I know this gospel is the gospel of Jesus Christ, that he is Our Redeemer, and that through him we truly can find Peace and Happiness in this life. I know that God loves us, and that he is Our Father. He wants to bless us always, and when we do our part, he WILL bless us, and will give us the blessings that we desire and deserve-lifting from us the burdens that we are unable to bear. Thank you so much for your support. Elder Andersen
¨Lo haré siempre, y cada vez mejor!¨

July 18, 2009 Pictures Galore

I thought you might want to know what it looks like here in Downtown Bahía Blanca, where I work in the office. I am going to try to send a video of the office, but I think it might be to big...I will give a shot though. Well, Here are a lot of pictures.

1. This is Bahía Blanca in the mornings as we are coming from our house into town.

2. Bahía Hotel, I stayed here my first night, and it is pretty close to my office, all of the new kids stay here.

3. Bambú. I eat here with President a lot because he likes it. IT is a buffet with a TON of way good food. But, SOOOO not good to eat as often as we do. hahaha

4.Banco Galicia. THis is the bank I go to a few times a week, working with the money of the mission. I am very familiar with this bank.

5. This picture is taken right outside of our office downstairs. This is just a traffic stop-nothing too strange about it.

6. My office is on this street ¨Las Heras¨. And if you look behind, its just a lot of stores.

7. A lot of mopeds are driven here. Not so many people have cars, but a LOT of people have mopeds.

8. Another corner in Downtown-just to help you get a feel of the city

9. I see this street every day coming to the office-just downtown streets in the morning.

10. So, this is a sickly dog... we see dogs EVERYWHERE. THey just run around stray-and sometimes pretty messed up.

11. Last, but certainly not least, the OFFICE!!!!! I am on the second floor on the corner, on the left side. I can see my window and my little heating vent. This is where I have been for the last 4 months, and will be for at least the next 2. Welcome to the office. I thought you all would like to get a little feel of the life here in Argentina in the City! Here you go...
¨Lo haré siempre, y cada vez mejor!¨