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!¨