Elder Zach Taylor - December 17, 2013

This week has been really good for me. Well, I guess all of them are, but this one in particular. We were teaching a woman named Maria, who was interested in the church for a time, but this week told us she won´t switch her religion because she believes that you don´t have to switch religion to better your life. Which is true. She said if I dedicate myself to the Catholic church, I can improve my life just as much as if I dedicated my life to the Mormon church. And then the thing that they always say: we ourselves are the church. Really I had never seen it from that perspective before, and it put a lot of doubt into my mind about if a true church is really necessary. If I can better my life by dedicating my life to any church, what importance does it have for me to go the the church of the ¨Mormons¨?

I was answered in part that night, when we taught Sally that plan of salvation. I realized that really, any church can improve that quality of life of people. But this isn´t just about this life. There really is a necessity for a church, or a place in which you can go to learn all the correct doctrine, and recieve all the correct ordinances from people who hold the correct authority. That is why we have a true church. The church doesn´t save the people, but the correct principles and correct authority will, and that can only be found within the walls of our buildings.

Besides that, our investigator Sally has been progressing a lot. She understands everything well, and her husband Jorge helps a TON in answering her questions. The bishop announced their marriage and her baptisim in church yesterday, so I¨m more and more confident that she´s actually going to follow through! I really have trust issues with these Paraguayans.. there have been countless people that appear to have the desire to change, but won´t do anything about it, even after committing to do so. 

We found a man named Silvano this week that had a lot of questions and good conversation for us. We went to buy a watermelon and while eating, he sat down and started talking about religion with us. He was surprised at hearing about the Book of Mormon, but is excited to read it. I¨m excited to see what happens with him. 

Yesterday, we got to watch the Christmas devotional from the other week that the First Presidency did. And while watching the choir, I saw my old dentist in it singing. Pretty weird to see him on the screen.. especially being so far away. 

Well, that´s my week for ya. It´s been full of good learning experiences that have strengthened me and helped me want to become the person Heavenly Father wants me to be. Talk to you all later!

Elder Taylor

Elder Brandon Wallis - December 16, 2013

Here's an update on the work up here. Marcella is still out of town. Until January I think... The Johnson's are doing awesome! They're talking with their family about when they could all come to Baptism! We're going to set a solid date with them tomorrow at lunch. They want to do it before Christmas! We haven't been able to catch Pete home again, he seems really busy, and we haven't been able to go to the Jemez again with the weather and the mileage thing. We have to go to Zone Conference this month, and it's going to take a lot of miles. Denice is the investigator up in the Jemez and her neighbor friend is a potential investigator, Judy. Daniel is the less active that wants to come back. The Ward counsel was really excited to hear that. We got 3 new investigators! Vijay and Sahana are friends of the Bakers family in the Ward. They're Hindi! And awesome! Vijay is the father and Sahana is the daughter. There's no one else at home. Not sure what the situation is. We also got Burgandy Brock. She's 22 has a little boy and is super nice. All these people came to the Creche show. It's a display of a bunch of Nativity scenes from around the world. It was quite impressive. The best part is, I think all of these new investigators will come to Church this next Sunday! They're all willing to try things to feel closer to God. It's nice to find people who are genuinely searching. Not much else has happened. It has slowed down a lot with the Holidays and the weather, but none the less we have been able to see some awesome miracles. 

 

I love you all! Stay safe with the snow!

 

Elder Wallis

Elder Kaden Barlow - December 16, 2013

Elder Kaden Barlow

 

 

Que lo que hay?

 

So my new companero is Elder Shimamoto, he is Hawaiian so he speaks English!! His Spanish isn't super good. He struggled a long time with it. He said he didn't become proficient until he had over a year. He is a great example of patience to me. Elder Shimamoto can cook really good and he is teaching me. I know realize that I should have learned how to cook rice and beans before the mission, but hey I'm starting to get good. Also we have pancakes with a special syrup that one of his comps taught him and that’s always exciting.

 

I have an experience to share. One night before the transfer, Elder Tirado and I were out walking and the power went out. We kept going but I had this feeling that we should stop and turn around... I thought, well that could be the spirit but it could just be me... I'm going to need something bigger... I had just finished thinking that when a random guy stopped us and told us that he felt like we shouldn't go down that road... Needless to say I then realized that we probably shouldn't. We turned around, and I learned that I should probably obey the first time before I get robbed. December is pretty dangerous here. Elder Shimamoto got robbed Sunday before he transferred here... Everyone is trying to get their family stuff for Christmas. Also there is a ton of drinking and stuff. The bishop every week reminds them to stay strong.

 

We had a pet lizard come and start living in our house... I call him Spanky and he eats all the cockroaches, so I don't complain about him living here ;)

 

I’m now playing for the Stake Christmas choir! Every ward in the stake except one is using me for their pianist for the concert this upcoming Saturday. I played a duet with a guy playing a recorder and that was pretty cool too.The primary program was great! The spirit was strong. They do it different here, the primary literally does all of sacrament meeting. The prayers are even by the kids. The sacrament isn't, obviously, but yeah it was pretty great!

 

Saturday night they had a huge Christmas concert for the saints here in the Parque Ibreoamerica across from the temple. I got to see all my teachers from the MTC and it reminded me of temple square a bit with all the Mormons walking around! They started off with a movie and a Jon Schmidt song, the one they did in Goshen or whatever that place is called. It kinda made me a little trunky. :)

 

Until next time...

 

Kaden

 

Elder Almen Thorpe - December 15, 2013

 

Elder Thorpe and Elder Jarnigan on Pday hike

Talofa lava!! means hello or hi is Samoa!! Everything is going great. 

 

That time will work for me for our Christmas call! I'm excited to hear everybody's voices!

Sister Tala and I did some baking together because she needed help so I put on an apron and got to work. I'll also go see if the calling cards I still have will work when I give you guys a call. P-day is going great and everything is dandy! It's hot and weird because it is usually rain or snow....this time of year.

 

I've had some mircles happen to me this week. First my companion and I have been working with this kid name Zavior. He's friends with one of sister Talas sons. He's 13 years of age and catholic, but we've been asking and asking him what would be holding him back from being baptized and we finally got his trust and he told us. He was already baptized but in his church, we explained to him that even though he was baptized it wasn't with the right authority. He wasn't sad but now he understands. We are hopping to set him up and get him baptized. Another miracle is we met this couple walking their dog on the road one day and their names are Danny and Bionca. Danny is a less active member and has been baptized but Bionca isn't, their story is interesting. Danny and Bionca were hard going with drugs and drinking but they then suddenly stopped because they didn't want to do it any more and they haven't started up again. We met with Danny yesterday and this is what he told us "meeting you missionaries on the road the other day was no accident" when he said those words I was amazed at how strong his faith was. Amazing how the spirit works. Danny and Bionca both have been looking for a way for help and meaning for life, like is there more for them.

 

My final mircle was that Friday we went on a trade off with the zone leaders and I went with Elder Talavivou, when we were almost done I had this impression we needed to go to this family that we've been working with for the past couple mouths. Now we've been getting denied by them because both the boys didn't want anything to do with us and the mom just didn't want to get baptized because of some issues. But Elder Talavinvou and I went to their place, the boys were there and we played some games and explanied a little bit about baptism because Leo, the 11 year old, didn't know the meaning of baptism and Dametry was scared to get baptized alone. Their older sister is a member but the two younger ones aren't either. The mom wasn't home so we couldn't go in the house to talk to them, but as we were leaving the mom pulled up. We got to talking to her for a awhile but this time we told her the reason why we aren't giving up on her family was because we loved them and love being around them. This changed her mind and we have an appointment for family home evaning with them tonight. 

 

I used my faith and didn't give up on this family, I'm hopping we will be able to get them all baptized and sealed together. This is the family we are supposed to see and teach all seven of them. My faith has grown and hasn't stopped, thank you mom and dad and I love you and miss you all. 

I haven't received my package yet but I hope I will soon. I'll call you all the 26th at 9:30 so 2:30 your time, thanks and I love you for everything.

Love , Elder Thorpe

Elder Zach Taylor - The Book of Mormon is True

Zach in Ciudad del Este

 

 

We´ve seen some pretty awesome things this week.

First of all, I´m really excited for our new investigator, Sally. She has so much desire to follow the way of the Savior. We were able to talk to her on Wednesday at the ward night about the Book of Mormon. She absolutely loves that book. We had a nice talk about some of our favorite parts and about the divinity and truth of that book. She told us that a lot of the nights she stays up reading it. Her husband, who´s an inactive member, is so helpful too. He always explains the things that we teach to her in more deatil afterward and helps her understand the things that are a bit more complicated. Both Sally and Jorge came to church on Sunday for the testimony meeting and loved it. Jorge talked to the Bishop afterward about setting up their marriage at the end of this month. Sally saw the other elders in the street one day and told them about something she had put on Facebook, which said something like ¨I want an eternal family¨. I´m so happy for her and the decision she´s taking in her life. It´s really amazing to see.

Besides her, we also talked with another investigator, Ana. Her husband we have yet to see, but Ana told us that he always takes the Book of Mormon to work with him and reads it. She said that since then he´s quit smoking and drinking.. pretty amazing. I´d like to actually see her husband, though.. apparently he works so much that it´s basically like he doesn´t even exist at home. Or maybe he doesn´t really exist... We´re trying to find a time to meet with both of them, hopefully we´ll be able to do it this week.

We talked with another investigator, Maria, as well. She always reads the sections in the Book of Mormon that we give her and she needs a lot of help in her family. We had a good talk about the vison of the tree of live with her, but afterwards she told us that she doesn´t want to change churches because we don´t worship Mary. Both me and my companion felt impressed to leave Ether 4 for her to read.. I don´t know why, but we´ll find out what she thought this week.

Other things I did this week... I drank goat milk. Which tastes almost the same as cow milk and is more expensive.. not really worth it, but at least now I can say I´ve drunk goat milk.

My companion was sick this Friday and the nurse of the mission told him he had to stay inside all day.. That left me an opportunity to clean up a bit, and read half of Our Search for Happiness, which is a sweet book by the way. I also realized a lot about my testimony while reading. About the truth of the Book of Mormon and this church. There are many moments when I doubt many things, but I can´t deny the truth of the Book of Mormon. I have recieved witness time and time again that it is true, and because of that I know that God exists and listens to me, that Christ lives today, and that the work I am performing here is the truth.

One last thing, we got to see an awesome storm. Really, the coolest one I´ve seen in my whole life. The best part.. the lightning was purple! So cool.. the thunder was almost deafening too.. and it was pouring rain. Best thing I´ve seen in my mission. Or maybe 3rd or 5th best.

Well, that´s my week, we didn´t have a ton of discussions, but the ones we had were awesome. Pretty pumped to see what happens this week. Ciao!

Elder Taylor

 

Zone Conference Meeting

Pizza - Thanksgiving Dinner

 

Elder Almen Thorpe - Hi!!

 

 

Hi Mom, 

I was sad when it was Thanksgiving because you and the family were not here to share it with me. My companion and the other two Elders that share the flat with us were all thinking the same thing, how weird Thanksgiving was without our families. I miss you guys so much! Love you and the family!

The other three elders that are in my flat are Elder Dunika (from Australia) Elder Televianou (from Utah but born in Samoa) and Elder Jarnagin, my companion from Arizona. Elder Dunika and Elder Televianou are both the zone leaders of our zone, they are the two Elders who take care of the whole zone, and its a pretty big job. Both of the zone leaders are funny and really fun to be around,  both love to play sports and do things. Elder Televianou is huge and used to play football for the University of Utah until he tore his ACL in practice. Elder Dunika is just an all around great Elder. We all get along, we do work together but more like to save souls weekly. Elder Televianou and Elder Dunika are companions but are looking out for all the zone and as a zone our weekly goal is to save souls and to have a white Christmas for Christmas day. The area I'm in is split into different districts, and we all work as a team to baptize as many investigators as we can, so far my companion and I have two more people to baptize this Saturday.

My area is not a very rich area. The houses are nice for the members but its not like very nice American homes (I hope that makes since). Its a pretty busy area, everybody we see on the road walking or driving always waves to us or honk their horns at us to say hello, people down here treat missionaries like family. Even the gangs down here treat us like brothers but I haven't seen too many gangs, which is a good thing. Some days it can be busy and some days its more quiet and relaxing. Mom, when its quiet down here its so peaceful! Love it! Also you know how I was relaxed lazy....well my lazy is close to how laid back and relaxed the people are here. 

There's been a lot of people that we have seen but most recently my companion and I (Elder Jarnagin) were walking on the sidewalk of the road when a girl on the other side of the road yelled our names. We went across the street to talk to her and she wanted to know about the plan of salvation. We explained it to her a little bit but we couldn't get a whole lesson in because it was getting to the time where we needed to get back to the flat, so she told us we could come to her house the next day to teach her. The following day we went to her place and taught her about the plain of salvation, oh by the way, her name is Alice. Alice is 19 years old, had a lot of questions for us and we answered them the best we could. Half way through the lesson we learned from Alice that her dad passed away when she and her little sister were young. They both live with their aunt and with her aunts kids. At the end Alice understood our lesson and really wanted. us to go back to teach her. So in our next visit which is Tuesday we will explain a little more and ask her about her dad then from there talk about families and how they can be together forever. Also, Alice likes to read so she knows the bible really well because she goes to a bible study at her church but she doesn't think her church is making any sense. Mom, this girl is wanting some help and that was no accident that she called our names across the street, I believe her dad is looking out for her. Next time we see her we are gonna ask her to get baptized and we are hoping and praying she'll say yes. 

Lucky!! Wish I could of been there with you to see Amy and the fam. Tell them I say Hi and give them kisses for me!!! Families down here feed me like crazy!! I think I might have to lossen my belt a little. Anyways they don't celebrate Christmas or at least not a big holiday because it doesn't snow. Its hot here a lot which I love! Miss you guys a lot and tell Amy for me I said thanks for the presents, I haven't opened them all yet. Oh could you send me some more ties from the same place we got my suit please!!!!  Have a very merry christmas and we get to call you on Christmas day!! I can't wait!!! Love love love love love you!!! 

From your son and Elder Thorpe!!! Miss you mom and dad 

Sister Courtnee Wood - Happy Holidays!!

I should preface this weeks pictures by telling you all that Sister Wood has been very sick with Dengue fever this week. But bless her heart, she never mentioned it once in her letter. She is my hero!!

Happy Birthday Sister Wood!!! - So Sicky :(

 

Birthday dinner on the balcony

Royal Strong and True - Always reppin BYU

 

 

Happy December everyone! I can't believe it is December already either. I hope that you all had a Happy Thanksgiving. We had district meeting that day and  we all forgot that it was a holiday! We went and ate at KFC, so I guess that was our Thanksgiving dinner. This week was magical because it was literally 70-75 degrees on some days. It felt so incredibly amazing. Haha all the kids were in sweatshirts and beanies. All the filipinos were freezing! So I guess that's as cold as it will get. I don't know! 

Thank you all so much who took part in the little birthday suprise that mymom put together! I loved it more than words can describe! Haha the birthday was just another day in the mission field! Nothing special! BEsides the sweet sisters made me dinneron the balcony, so of course that was a awesome. 

Yesterday we were walking on the street and out of nowhere  a big monkey jumps up on the fence next to us. IT SCARED US SO BAD! I swear I have seen more monkeys here... gosh. And it wasn't on a leash or anything! Don't ask what it was doing cause I have no idea. 

So you know the Javier family from La Paz that we have been teaching. Oh how amazing they are. We have continued teaching them and they are on and off magsimba (going to church). But this last week we taught Word of Wisdom and they immediately committed to quit drinking coffee. These people have so much faith! So they asked us when church was again this week and said they were going. They show up to church and we have gospel principles class. The topic was Eternal Families, which was so perfect for them! Well an RM in our ward decided to come in the class and was just going in to all of this deep doctrine stuff that did not need to be talked about with investigators there. They didn't really talk to us after church and just left. So I hope and pray that they were able to feel the Spirit there. There are a lot of times like that at church where we don't have control over things and all we can do is pray that the Spirit touches their hearts. I think that they have the faith, so it will be okay, it is just hard sometimes when we work to get people to church and then something unnecessary happens like that. But its alright! We also have another investigator, someone that Joey referred us to, and he has come to church twice, so he can probably be baptized this month! He is 18 years old and his name is John Eric. We have called him Jenerick this whole time though. They never correct us when we say their names wrong! 

Well I am so sorry this email is all over the place. So many little things happened this week and I can't keep them straight! I hope you all have an amazing December and remember the true meaning of Christmas. I was reading in 2 Nephi earlier today and it was about the Savior. All I want to do is become like Him. Too bad it is the hardest thing ever. There are so many Christlike attributes I need to develop more, but slowly and surely Heavenly Father is helping me. I am so grateful for our Savior Jesus Christ and his atonement. We are nothing without it. Thank you so much for all of the thoughts and prayers.I am so grateful.

- Sister Wood 

Tired, worn out, dirty feet

Sister Wood's creation out of plastic sacks. She wanted me to put this pic on pinterest. hahaha