Hello All,
And thus it comes to an end. As all good things do. Frodo and Bilbo sail away into the west. Harry Potter gets married. Master Chief disappears. Luke Skywalker becomes a Jedi Master. Some endings are more glorious than others. Some ignominious, some quiet and trembling as they reflect upon the suffering that they've overcome. This ending, perhaps is just the beginning. The beginning of a lifetime of service. I look back at the plains of suffering that I've crossed, the mountains that I've climbed, the crevices that I've crossed. Through dale and over hill, across valley and vale onward I've dared. Now, this leg of the journey ends. I look back and see the pitfalls that captured me, and the titans that I've conquered. I cry at the loss of friend and foe because of all that means to me. As I look forward, I cannot see the end. But I know in my heart that I will never be alone. He will never let me down, as long as I listen. He will never leave me alone if I follow Him. That's just the way it is.
I won't write much more. I don't have a lot of words to describe what I'm feeling, not in English nor in Spanish. It's difficult.
I know that Christ lives. I know that this is His work. Every missionary says that but I really know that it is. And I know that He'll continue to use me for the rest of my life. For that, I cannot wait. Here is to each day and the new adventure it will bring.
See you next week
Elder Andy
Monday, August 5, 2013
Monday, July 29, 2013
MonteVideo Uruguay - July 29th 2013
Hi All,
The weather here has been hot and cold on and off and I'm just hoping that it doesn't rain too much or get too cold before I get home because that would just be nice to go without. :D
Things with elder Garcia are great. He's super chill and likes to work hard. So, that's exactly what we do. Flores is..........struggling. The entire zone is struggling. There are 2 companionships that are having relationship problems and of the 8 companionships, like 6 don't have investigators. Ironically, both of those struggling companionships are in my district. It's been a handful the last 3 days. Lot of long phone calls til late just trying to sort things out. I'm super super tired and we're killing ourselves in our area. I feel a little bit useless to the Lord because we still don't have investigators and I only have 2 weeks to pour everything into this area so I don't leave my companion completely high and dry.
Today, we went and scrubbed the sisters house down that are in my district. They had a mold problem and so us and 2 other companionships went over and washed their house down with super strong bleach. It was a lot of fun and we all got to talk and get to know each other more.
Ummmmm......I don't have a lot more to report from this week. My emotions are mixed and I'll be honest that I don't think about home much more than the fact that I feel like I don't have enough time to do all the things that I want to get done before I leave. But life is always like that isn't it?
Tomorrow....I should be getting my flight itinerary and my goals book. It's a program that we have to fill out before going home. It's a book that helps us set goals for when we get home so that we have a direction and don't just come home and start wandering aimlessly.
I've been learning a lot from the scriptures lately and I've just been asking myself about the motives of my actions, whether I act out of love or if it's just out of duty. Just things that I've been kicking around in the attic. Remember to learn from the smallest of things. The Lord works miracles with small things
Really, I'm just trying to leave it all out here and give it all to the Lord. I want to leave this area strong so we're out there killing ourselves everyday. I just.....so many mornings I get up and ask if I can keep going. I'm so tired. I just have to keep kicking it til the end. It's like a 1600 meter race (1 mile). Come out fast on the first lap, lock it in to cruise control for the next 2 laps. Last lap, start ramping it up for the first 300 meters. I'm on the last 100 of the last lap and I should be in the red zone with every fiber of my being giving my all and begging my mind to just stop to give up. The mind can't bend, because that's when races are lost. In that last 100 meters now. That's what can bump you up a place or that's when 4 or 5 others can pass you. That's the moment when you leave it all on the track. Now, it's time to leave it all on the track.
"For Frodo"
Elder Simpson
The weather here has been hot and cold on and off and I'm just hoping that it doesn't rain too much or get too cold before I get home because that would just be nice to go without. :D
Things with elder Garcia are great. He's super chill and likes to work hard. So, that's exactly what we do. Flores is..........struggling. The entire zone is struggling. There are 2 companionships that are having relationship problems and of the 8 companionships, like 6 don't have investigators. Ironically, both of those struggling companionships are in my district. It's been a handful the last 3 days. Lot of long phone calls til late just trying to sort things out. I'm super super tired and we're killing ourselves in our area. I feel a little bit useless to the Lord because we still don't have investigators and I only have 2 weeks to pour everything into this area so I don't leave my companion completely high and dry.
Today, we went and scrubbed the sisters house down that are in my district. They had a mold problem and so us and 2 other companionships went over and washed their house down with super strong bleach. It was a lot of fun and we all got to talk and get to know each other more.
Ummmmm......I don't have a lot more to report from this week. My emotions are mixed and I'll be honest that I don't think about home much more than the fact that I feel like I don't have enough time to do all the things that I want to get done before I leave. But life is always like that isn't it?
Tomorrow....I should be getting my flight itinerary and my goals book. It's a program that we have to fill out before going home. It's a book that helps us set goals for when we get home so that we have a direction and don't just come home and start wandering aimlessly.
I've been learning a lot from the scriptures lately and I've just been asking myself about the motives of my actions, whether I act out of love or if it's just out of duty. Just things that I've been kicking around in the attic. Remember to learn from the smallest of things. The Lord works miracles with small things
Really, I'm just trying to leave it all out here and give it all to the Lord. I want to leave this area strong so we're out there killing ourselves everyday. I just.....so many mornings I get up and ask if I can keep going. I'm so tired. I just have to keep kicking it til the end. It's like a 1600 meter race (1 mile). Come out fast on the first lap, lock it in to cruise control for the next 2 laps. Last lap, start ramping it up for the first 300 meters. I'm on the last 100 of the last lap and I should be in the red zone with every fiber of my being giving my all and begging my mind to just stop to give up. The mind can't bend, because that's when races are lost. In that last 100 meters now. That's what can bump you up a place or that's when 4 or 5 others can pass you. That's the moment when you leave it all on the track. Now, it's time to leave it all on the track.
"For Frodo"
Elder Simpson
Monday, July 22, 2013
Montevideo Uruguay - July 22nd 2013
Hi All,
Here is my church building in my area Its in the stake flores of montevideo. Theres also a department of uruguay called flores which ins not in MonteVideo.
My companion is from Guatemala and his name is Elder Garcia. Hes been out for 6 weeks. This is his second change so I'm still training him. Its a little hard remembering that my companion is still in training so I try and take him under my wing as much as possible. We get along fine he is just really really really really really really really quiet. Which is difficult. It gives me a lot of time alone in my head, which is both good and bad. It makes it easy to get trunky but I usually pass the time whistling hymns and looking for people to talk to. I feel like I'm jump starting a car after the battery died. The area is a great one but we really have nothing in the works. So I'm just trying my best to get an established investigator pool. I have 3 weeks to turn this area into a giant pool so that the next elder that comes can just baptize everyone in sight.
The district is good. I teach tomorrow. I'm really excited, but....I'm super tired and super busy. I don't have time to think when I'm at home because I try and cook and plan meetings or make calls and plan and because there's space in my house thankfully, and catch up on my journal and I'm starting all of my last letters to my mission friends which is difficult. Everything is coming to a close. Some days I wake up just ready to head home. But most times I get up and ask where on earth the last day went because I swear I just got out of this bed! Its frustrating the ups and downs I go through but I honestly cant believe how fast time is still passing. I'm just so happy out here and the idea of going home is just a little bit frightening to me. I'm excited.......but I'm the happiest I've ever been. I walk around with a big grin on my face whistling or singing hymns and talking to everyone I can. I'm working as hard as I can.
Funny thing is... the office elders just called me. I'll be flying into Oakland NOW. I was scheduled to fly into LA for some reason.....
I have like 0 time to write today because my companion went to sign his residency in another part of Montevideo and then we had to wait for him in Tres Cruces for like an hour and a half because he'd gone to another elders house. . Just gotta hustle is all.
Sorry for the short letter,
Elder Andy
Here is my church building in my area Its in the stake flores of montevideo. Theres also a department of uruguay called flores which ins not in MonteVideo.
My companion is from Guatemala and his name is Elder Garcia. Hes been out for 6 weeks. This is his second change so I'm still training him. Its a little hard remembering that my companion is still in training so I try and take him under my wing as much as possible. We get along fine he is just really really really really really really really quiet. Which is difficult. It gives me a lot of time alone in my head, which is both good and bad. It makes it easy to get trunky but I usually pass the time whistling hymns and looking for people to talk to. I feel like I'm jump starting a car after the battery died. The area is a great one but we really have nothing in the works. So I'm just trying my best to get an established investigator pool. I have 3 weeks to turn this area into a giant pool so that the next elder that comes can just baptize everyone in sight.
The district is good. I teach tomorrow. I'm really excited, but....I'm super tired and super busy. I don't have time to think when I'm at home because I try and cook and plan meetings or make calls and plan and because there's space in my house thankfully, and catch up on my journal and I'm starting all of my last letters to my mission friends which is difficult. Everything is coming to a close. Some days I wake up just ready to head home. But most times I get up and ask where on earth the last day went because I swear I just got out of this bed! Its frustrating the ups and downs I go through but I honestly cant believe how fast time is still passing. I'm just so happy out here and the idea of going home is just a little bit frightening to me. I'm excited.......but I'm the happiest I've ever been. I walk around with a big grin on my face whistling or singing hymns and talking to everyone I can. I'm working as hard as I can.
Funny thing is... the office elders just called me. I'll be flying into Oakland NOW. I was scheduled to fly into LA for some reason.....
I have like 0 time to write today because my companion went to sign his residency in another part of Montevideo and then we had to wait for him in Tres Cruces for like an hour and a half because he'd gone to another elders house. . Just gotta hustle is all.
Sorry for the short letter,
Elder Andy
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Saladero Salto Uruguay - July 16th 2013
Hey All!
I'm great but this has been an.........interesting week. The work is going well in Salto. Unfortunately, we've been doing a lot of contacts just trying to fill up our investigator pool again. The good thing is, I've become rather personable and I enjoy talking to the people. We've met a lot of really cool people. We had a lot of ups and downs and been doing a lot of work. I've been trying to lock it into high gear for the last month of my mission. Trying to stay on top the area book and keep the house clean and write letters and keep my journal, up to the day and keep studying the scriptures as much as possible.
Changes! That was hectic. I'm going to Flores as District Leader which will be fun. President called a lot of us personally Sunday which was new. I really liked hearing from him. I felt like it helped me have a specific vision for this change. He just wants me to finish strong and show my companion how to finish strong. That should be fun.
I've been having so much fun with Elder Barlow. I'm really sad to be leaving him. He's been stressing out a lot these past couple of days because he's going up as senior companion and training a new Elder and we were planning on that happening the change after this change. That means he'd been planning on a lot more wiggle room and time to learn from me. I guess he's really looked up to me as a companion. I've learned a lot from him and we've just had a blast. These last couple of days have been really stressful changes and problems with some of our best investigators. One of them disappeared two days ago and has been on drugs and drunk since he left. That's always a stressful situation. And changes came by surprise, especially with president calling personally.
While I'm sad to leave this area, I'm really happy for the chance to go out without the focus being on me. By the time I get to know the area and the ward in Montevideo, I'll be gone. So nothing that I do in the next 4 weeks will have to do with me. I won't really know anyone in the zone so I can just focus on the area and working hard and being district leader and just catching up on letters and on the journal. So in reality, I'm very excited to have this one last shot to go out with a bang. A bit like Alma really...think Alma 45.18 -19
18 And when Alma had done this he departed out of the land of Zarahemla, as if to go into the land of Melek. And it came to pass that he was never heard of more; as to his death or burial we know not of.
19 Behold, this we know, that he was a righteous man; and the saying went abroad in the church that he was taken up by the Spirit, or buried by the hand of the Lord, even as Moses. But behold, the scriptures saith the Lord took Moses unto himself; and we suppose that he has also received Alma in the spirit, unto himself; therefore, for this cause we know nothing concerning his death and burial.
I'm thankful for the gospel. I'm thankful for the scriptures. I love reading them. The hour I have in my personal study is never enough. There's never enough time to read all the things I want to learn and the list of doctrines and principles to learn and study seems to constantly be growing.
I haven't told anyone in the area that I'm leaving yet. They were all counting on my leaving from here, but I think it's going to be better this way. I just don't like drawing attention to myself as an elder. I just want them all to focus on the Savior. This is my swan song to the Lord as a missionary. This is my last chance to give it all and the lose myself in His will. I'm thankful for the time I've been able to give and the time that I have left to be fully immersed in His work. A lot of my friends are leaving the zone of Salto as it is so it's okay that I'm going. I'll just be able to fade into the dark sweet embrace of death as a missionary. It's going to be epic!
Here's a thought from a talk on Sunday. "What we can't forget in our actions is love. The world is so cold and people need to feel the warmth of our love and the love of the Father." I also liked this thought. "Every time we have a trial, there is something small that we can learn, something that strengthens our faith." I like that I can fully comprehend messages and conversations in Spanish now, most times without even trying. Such a blessing.
Elder Andy
I'm great but this has been an.........interesting week. The work is going well in Salto. Unfortunately, we've been doing a lot of contacts just trying to fill up our investigator pool again. The good thing is, I've become rather personable and I enjoy talking to the people. We've met a lot of really cool people. We had a lot of ups and downs and been doing a lot of work. I've been trying to lock it into high gear for the last month of my mission. Trying to stay on top the area book and keep the house clean and write letters and keep my journal, up to the day and keep studying the scriptures as much as possible.
Changes! That was hectic. I'm going to Flores as District Leader which will be fun. President called a lot of us personally Sunday which was new. I really liked hearing from him. I felt like it helped me have a specific vision for this change. He just wants me to finish strong and show my companion how to finish strong. That should be fun.
I've been having so much fun with Elder Barlow. I'm really sad to be leaving him. He's been stressing out a lot these past couple of days because he's going up as senior companion and training a new Elder and we were planning on that happening the change after this change. That means he'd been planning on a lot more wiggle room and time to learn from me. I guess he's really looked up to me as a companion. I've learned a lot from him and we've just had a blast. These last couple of days have been really stressful changes and problems with some of our best investigators. One of them disappeared two days ago and has been on drugs and drunk since he left. That's always a stressful situation. And changes came by surprise, especially with president calling personally.
While I'm sad to leave this area, I'm really happy for the chance to go out without the focus being on me. By the time I get to know the area and the ward in Montevideo, I'll be gone. So nothing that I do in the next 4 weeks will have to do with me. I won't really know anyone in the zone so I can just focus on the area and working hard and being district leader and just catching up on letters and on the journal. So in reality, I'm very excited to have this one last shot to go out with a bang. A bit like Alma really...think Alma 45.18 -19
18 And when Alma had done this he departed out of the land of Zarahemla, as if to go into the land of Melek. And it came to pass that he was never heard of more; as to his death or burial we know not of.
19 Behold, this we know, that he was a righteous man; and the saying went abroad in the church that he was taken up by the Spirit, or buried by the hand of the Lord, even as Moses. But behold, the scriptures saith the Lord took Moses unto himself; and we suppose that he has also received Alma in the spirit, unto himself; therefore, for this cause we know nothing concerning his death and burial.
I'm thankful for the gospel. I'm thankful for the scriptures. I love reading them. The hour I have in my personal study is never enough. There's never enough time to read all the things I want to learn and the list of doctrines and principles to learn and study seems to constantly be growing.
I haven't told anyone in the area that I'm leaving yet. They were all counting on my leaving from here, but I think it's going to be better this way. I just don't like drawing attention to myself as an elder. I just want them all to focus on the Savior. This is my swan song to the Lord as a missionary. This is my last chance to give it all and the lose myself in His will. I'm thankful for the time I've been able to give and the time that I have left to be fully immersed in His work. A lot of my friends are leaving the zone of Salto as it is so it's okay that I'm going. I'll just be able to fade into the dark sweet embrace of death as a missionary. It's going to be epic!
Here's a thought from a talk on Sunday. "What we can't forget in our actions is love. The world is so cold and people need to feel the warmth of our love and the love of the Father." I also liked this thought. "Every time we have a trial, there is something small that we can learn, something that strengthens our faith." I like that I can fully comprehend messages and conversations in Spanish now, most times without even trying. Such a blessing.
Elder Andy
Monday, July 8, 2013
Saladero Salto Uruguay - July 8th 2013
Hey there everyone!
This week has just been one huge learning process for me. Experience after experience is solidifying the teachings of the Lord in my heart and in my soul.
Weather wise, it rained for a day and then was overcast and humid beyond all get out for 4 days. It was the most humidity that I've ever been through. The worst day in the morning our floors were wet and the bathroom didn't dry the entire day. It was so so nasty. On the plus side, it kept things in the 60's and 70's so while everyone else was rushing around in coats and wind breakers, we usually just had a single sweater on. Aside from that, we both caught cold this last week. It was really just a nasty 2 day cold, but we're still a little stuffed up and coughy from all the drainage. It's okay though, we're tough. I don't know how many times we sang the national anthem during the week. It was most excellent. That reminds me....
This last Monday, after going to the cyber, we headed over to a store called Revoltijo. It's the closest thing to an American store that we've found down here and we even used a shopping cart! That said, when we came out multiple bags of groceries we looked around and literally felt bad that we had so much stuff. We talked about shopping in the states and how what we'd bought was like nothing back home and it struck both of us how truly blessed we are back home. Here what almost seemed like excess was meager in comparison to the standard of the United States. It was a lesson in humility that I don't know if we'll forget. At the very least, I feel much more gratitude for the States, for our rights, our liberties, our freedoms. We are so very very blessed.
I'm still trying new things down here! Like for example, I took up lock smithing on saturday! WELLLLLL.........This the kind of lock that we have. And I found that out by first hand experience.
Elder Barlow turned the key twice, which is fine. Then he gave it another quarter turn and the lock jammed. Fortunately, the door was already open by this point and I proceeded to take apart the entire door assembly. So then I had it on my desk, (I'll send pictures of it next week.) So I opened the panel and it....exploded. Because it's spring loaded. And then, for some reason I proceeded to shut my brain off and inserted the key and turned. Bad idea. Then, i did it again. Still don't know why. Worse idea. All the tumblers jumped out of the body and yea.....I then spent the next 30 minutes figuring out the mechanism and putting it all back together and trying to figure out the tumbler order. Elder Barlow, having left the scene to answer the call of nature, returned, placed the tumblers in a random order and lo and behold, it worked. I love my comp. We laughed for a good hour after that. It was a great adventure. I like locks by the way. Super interesting mechanisms. Good thing is, i fixed our lock and, it was free.
On Wednesday, President and Hermana. Smith and their children, Jerry, 16, and Starla, 11, came to Salto. It was....stupendous. He's a spiritual powerhouse. I know that he's been called of God to lead us in our labors. He said that while he was in the MTC, President Monson and all of the members of the 12 said, to the same effect, that on this day, the year 2013, the Lord hastened His work. The import of this day is similar unto that of the First Vision and that the world will never be the same. Glad I'm on the right team.
He's very excited to be here and very excited to get to know us and share his testimony with us. At first, I was a little sad that President Heaton wouldn't send me home from my mission. Yet, now, I feel so very excited to be able to get to know President Smith just a little bit more. I look forward to seeing him again. He's from southern California, near Carlsbad. He helped me figure out who I want to be when I get home and how I can do it. Let's see if I can put it into practice.
Today, I studied in Matthew 28.6-10. I don't know if I can explain a lot of what I felt or learned. It's been a very tough couple of weeks as I've reflected primarily upon my consecration to the Lord and the manner of man that I will be upon my return. This morning I received my second witness. Mary and Mary left the tomb under angelic mandate. But they left with fear still in their hearts. They left, possibly doubting the charge that they'd been given, for they could not doubt the angelic manifestation that they'd witnessed. They'd seen far too many miracles by the hand of Christ as he walked amongst them. Thus, it must be that they doubted in their hearts. They feared ridicule for being the messengers of the seemingly impossible, that they had been commanded by angles to testify of Christ's resurrection from a sealed tomb. Knowing the doubt in His daughters hearts, Christ made His first mortal, resurrected visit to the eyes of men. After a salutation, the first thing that He said to them was thus, "Fear not". The same command that He had given to His tempest tossed Apostles as He crossed the water towards them. So very often do we receive the first call, the angelic call, and we fear. We "would that [we] might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink..." (D&C 19.18) And so the Lord provides a second call. An even stronger call. To Mary and Mary, He himself appeared. After the second call, we cannot go back. We must commit to a heightened degree of consecrated discipleship. For if we go back, we sin against the greater light and knowledge that the Lord has given us. Christ's invitation is standing "Be not afraid, only believe" (Mark 5.36) The second call has come. I accepted the angelic call when I put the badge on. Now, the stronger call has come. I would that I might not shrink and cross the Lord. I pray that I will only continue to dedicate my life to Him more and more completely, one step at a time. I love the Savior. I love His work. I know that He is the Way and the Life. There is no other way. We are what we want to be. (Alma 29.3-6) I want to be a disciple of Christ.
Elder Andy
This week has just been one huge learning process for me. Experience after experience is solidifying the teachings of the Lord in my heart and in my soul.
Weather wise, it rained for a day and then was overcast and humid beyond all get out for 4 days. It was the most humidity that I've ever been through. The worst day in the morning our floors were wet and the bathroom didn't dry the entire day. It was so so nasty. On the plus side, it kept things in the 60's and 70's so while everyone else was rushing around in coats and wind breakers, we usually just had a single sweater on. Aside from that, we both caught cold this last week. It was really just a nasty 2 day cold, but we're still a little stuffed up and coughy from all the drainage. It's okay though, we're tough. I don't know how many times we sang the national anthem during the week. It was most excellent. That reminds me....
This last Monday, after going to the cyber, we headed over to a store called Revoltijo. It's the closest thing to an American store that we've found down here and we even used a shopping cart! That said, when we came out multiple bags of groceries we looked around and literally felt bad that we had so much stuff. We talked about shopping in the states and how what we'd bought was like nothing back home and it struck both of us how truly blessed we are back home. Here what almost seemed like excess was meager in comparison to the standard of the United States. It was a lesson in humility that I don't know if we'll forget. At the very least, I feel much more gratitude for the States, for our rights, our liberties, our freedoms. We are so very very blessed.
I'm still trying new things down here! Like for example, I took up lock smithing on saturday! WELLLLLL.........This the kind of lock that we have. And I found that out by first hand experience.
Elder Barlow turned the key twice, which is fine. Then he gave it another quarter turn and the lock jammed. Fortunately, the door was already open by this point and I proceeded to take apart the entire door assembly. So then I had it on my desk, (I'll send pictures of it next week.) So I opened the panel and it....exploded. Because it's spring loaded. And then, for some reason I proceeded to shut my brain off and inserted the key and turned. Bad idea. Then, i did it again. Still don't know why. Worse idea. All the tumblers jumped out of the body and yea.....I then spent the next 30 minutes figuring out the mechanism and putting it all back together and trying to figure out the tumbler order. Elder Barlow, having left the scene to answer the call of nature, returned, placed the tumblers in a random order and lo and behold, it worked. I love my comp. We laughed for a good hour after that. It was a great adventure. I like locks by the way. Super interesting mechanisms. Good thing is, i fixed our lock and, it was free.
 |
| In front of our apartment |
On Wednesday, President and Hermana. Smith and their children, Jerry, 16, and Starla, 11, came to Salto. It was....stupendous. He's a spiritual powerhouse. I know that he's been called of God to lead us in our labors. He said that while he was in the MTC, President Monson and all of the members of the 12 said, to the same effect, that on this day, the year 2013, the Lord hastened His work. The import of this day is similar unto that of the First Vision and that the world will never be the same. Glad I'm on the right team.
He's very excited to be here and very excited to get to know us and share his testimony with us. At first, I was a little sad that President Heaton wouldn't send me home from my mission. Yet, now, I feel so very excited to be able to get to know President Smith just a little bit more. I look forward to seeing him again. He's from southern California, near Carlsbad. He helped me figure out who I want to be when I get home and how I can do it. Let's see if I can put it into practice.
Today, I studied in Matthew 28.6-10. I don't know if I can explain a lot of what I felt or learned. It's been a very tough couple of weeks as I've reflected primarily upon my consecration to the Lord and the manner of man that I will be upon my return. This morning I received my second witness. Mary and Mary left the tomb under angelic mandate. But they left with fear still in their hearts. They left, possibly doubting the charge that they'd been given, for they could not doubt the angelic manifestation that they'd witnessed. They'd seen far too many miracles by the hand of Christ as he walked amongst them. Thus, it must be that they doubted in their hearts. They feared ridicule for being the messengers of the seemingly impossible, that they had been commanded by angles to testify of Christ's resurrection from a sealed tomb. Knowing the doubt in His daughters hearts, Christ made His first mortal, resurrected visit to the eyes of men. After a salutation, the first thing that He said to them was thus, "Fear not". The same command that He had given to His tempest tossed Apostles as He crossed the water towards them. So very often do we receive the first call, the angelic call, and we fear. We "would that [we] might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink..." (D&C 19.18) And so the Lord provides a second call. An even stronger call. To Mary and Mary, He himself appeared. After the second call, we cannot go back. We must commit to a heightened degree of consecrated discipleship. For if we go back, we sin against the greater light and knowledge that the Lord has given us. Christ's invitation is standing "Be not afraid, only believe" (Mark 5.36) The second call has come. I accepted the angelic call when I put the badge on. Now, the stronger call has come. I would that I might not shrink and cross the Lord. I pray that I will only continue to dedicate my life to Him more and more completely, one step at a time. I love the Savior. I love His work. I know that He is the Way and the Life. There is no other way. We are what we want to be. (Alma 29.3-6) I want to be a disciple of Christ.
Elder Andy
Monday, July 1, 2013
Saladero Salto Uruguay - July 1st 2013
Hi All,
Wait a sec, where on earth did June go?? You mean I'm in the last full month of my mission service. Pause! That's not true! That's impossible! Ridiculous.... Down here, it's hot too. This last saturday was so so hot for this time of year. I was sweating all day long and the sun was brutal. It wasn't even cold at 6 am when we got up on Saturday and today so we could get some break dancing in. We might go again on Wednesday. It's super fun. And I feel super cool when we do it so it's great. :D . It's been really humid for almost a week now and finally we're supposed to have rain on Thursday. It was supposed to rain last Thursday pero no lluvio nada! We'll see what happens this week. I'm sick of getting into a cold damp bed at the end of the day. :)
My battle goes a lot better than the Lucha Libre that we saw at lunch the other day. We were at a members house and her 15 and 17 year old sons were glued to youtube watching argentinian lucha libre....it was....so so funny. I honestly couldn't believe that they were taking it seriously. There was supposedly some fighter from the states and they couldn't believe that we'd never heard of them. Oh my goodness I was laughing super hard. I think the annoucers and how serious they were about it was the funniest part. I'm almost positive it was on a comedy channel. At least, I really hope it was. Surely they couldn't take themselves seriously....
I've been having a good time with the photos when I take them. I always think of my dad and Craig when I take photos. The one with the tree and me looking down was....I don't actually know. Reminiscent of a Rodney Smith photo (He's my favorite photographer) and a band picture that Tool did once. I just thought it was a good touch. Everyone always smiles in front of crazy trees and I figured it would be interesting to make it look like my shoes were more interesting than the giant sprawling tree in the middle of the road.
I don't remember if I sent you the one with my comp walking in front of the tree but I like that one a lot.
My week was fast. We're really struggling to help our investigators progress and have a specific baptismal date which is such a driving force in this work. If they have a date, they have an end goal in sight and are aware of what we expect of them and that they can actually accomplish such an important change in a short period of time. So, we're going to be working on that.
On Sunday, Elder Zaballos and Elder Chappe of the 70 came to reorganize our stake. That was pretty cool. Elder Chappe talked about the constant importance of reading the scriptures daily, praying and going to church every week. Elder Zaballos talked about some super tall palm trees that he saw one time in Inda. They were all laying on the ground but they were enormously tall. Upon closer investigation, he found that the roots were very very short because the trees grew so fast. In the windier season of the year, a single giant gust would come along and topple every single one of the trees. Then, he compared that to a forest that he saw in Chile. He was not expecting to see trees on the drive, given that it was a desert area. On the horizon, he saw that forest and was captivated. Later, he learned that life there was possible for a reason. While not nearly as tall, these trees were rather plain, some what ugly and fat. But. They lived there. And they were close packed trees. Their roots extended deep into the earth, something like 5 or 6 meters he said and they spread and intertwined with the roots of the other trees. At night, in the desert, a vaporous fog would fall and soak the earth. The sensitive and searching roots would gratefully suck up this sustaining moisture, to be strengthened. This process allows them to endure fierce winds, scorching heat and crushing cold. Now. I'll let the reader find the application that this has in our lives.
Well, that's pretty much my week. I can't believe that time is going by so fast and that it's all wrapping up. It makes me sad and I'm trying as hard as I can to cram as much as possible into the time I have left. I'm learning lots and have daily testimony builders. Most of all. I know that Christ lives. I know that the scriptures testify of Him. I do not doubt that.
This is what I read today in my study in Words of Mormon. I raise my voice with the voice of Mormon.
10 Wherefore, it came to pass that after Amaleki had delivered up these plates into the hands of king Benjamin, he took them and put them with the other plates, which contained records which had been handed down by the kings, from generation to generation until the days of king Benjamin.
11 And they were handed down from king Benjamin, from generation to generation until they have fallen into my hands. And I, Mormon, pray to God that they may be preserved from this time henceforth. And I know that they will be preserved; for there are great things written upon them, out of which my people and their brethren shall be judged at the great and last day, according to the word of God which is written.
Also see 2 Nephi 29.11 and 25.26.
Elder Andy
Wait a sec, where on earth did June go?? You mean I'm in the last full month of my mission service. Pause! That's not true! That's impossible! Ridiculous.... Down here, it's hot too. This last saturday was so so hot for this time of year. I was sweating all day long and the sun was brutal. It wasn't even cold at 6 am when we got up on Saturday and today so we could get some break dancing in. We might go again on Wednesday. It's super fun. And I feel super cool when we do it so it's great. :D . It's been really humid for almost a week now and finally we're supposed to have rain on Thursday. It was supposed to rain last Thursday pero no lluvio nada! We'll see what happens this week. I'm sick of getting into a cold damp bed at the end of the day. :)
My battle goes a lot better than the Lucha Libre that we saw at lunch the other day. We were at a members house and her 15 and 17 year old sons were glued to youtube watching argentinian lucha libre....it was....so so funny. I honestly couldn't believe that they were taking it seriously. There was supposedly some fighter from the states and they couldn't believe that we'd never heard of them. Oh my goodness I was laughing super hard. I think the annoucers and how serious they were about it was the funniest part. I'm almost positive it was on a comedy channel. At least, I really hope it was. Surely they couldn't take themselves seriously....
I've been having a good time with the photos when I take them. I always think of my dad and Craig when I take photos. The one with the tree and me looking down was....I don't actually know. Reminiscent of a Rodney Smith photo (He's my favorite photographer) and a band picture that Tool did once. I just thought it was a good touch. Everyone always smiles in front of crazy trees and I figured it would be interesting to make it look like my shoes were more interesting than the giant sprawling tree in the middle of the road.
I don't remember if I sent you the one with my comp walking in front of the tree but I like that one a lot.
My week was fast. We're really struggling to help our investigators progress and have a specific baptismal date which is such a driving force in this work. If they have a date, they have an end goal in sight and are aware of what we expect of them and that they can actually accomplish such an important change in a short period of time. So, we're going to be working on that.
On Sunday, Elder Zaballos and Elder Chappe of the 70 came to reorganize our stake. That was pretty cool. Elder Chappe talked about the constant importance of reading the scriptures daily, praying and going to church every week. Elder Zaballos talked about some super tall palm trees that he saw one time in Inda. They were all laying on the ground but they were enormously tall. Upon closer investigation, he found that the roots were very very short because the trees grew so fast. In the windier season of the year, a single giant gust would come along and topple every single one of the trees. Then, he compared that to a forest that he saw in Chile. He was not expecting to see trees on the drive, given that it was a desert area. On the horizon, he saw that forest and was captivated. Later, he learned that life there was possible for a reason. While not nearly as tall, these trees were rather plain, some what ugly and fat. But. They lived there. And they were close packed trees. Their roots extended deep into the earth, something like 5 or 6 meters he said and they spread and intertwined with the roots of the other trees. At night, in the desert, a vaporous fog would fall and soak the earth. The sensitive and searching roots would gratefully suck up this sustaining moisture, to be strengthened. This process allows them to endure fierce winds, scorching heat and crushing cold. Now. I'll let the reader find the application that this has in our lives.
Well, that's pretty much my week. I can't believe that time is going by so fast and that it's all wrapping up. It makes me sad and I'm trying as hard as I can to cram as much as possible into the time I have left. I'm learning lots and have daily testimony builders. Most of all. I know that Christ lives. I know that the scriptures testify of Him. I do not doubt that.
This is what I read today in my study in Words of Mormon. I raise my voice with the voice of Mormon.
10 Wherefore, it came to pass that after Amaleki had delivered up these plates into the hands of king Benjamin, he took them and put them with the other plates, which contained records which had been handed down by the kings, from generation to generation until the days of king Benjamin.
11 And they were handed down from king Benjamin, from generation to generation until they have fallen into my hands. And I, Mormon, pray to God that they may be preserved from this time henceforth. And I know that they will be preserved; for there are great things written upon them, out of which my people and their brethren shall be judged at the great and last day, according to the word of God which is written.
Also see 2 Nephi 29.11 and 25.26.
Elder Andy
Monday, June 24, 2013
Saladero Salto Uruguay - June 24th 2013
Hey Everyone,
The world wide training was great. I was blown away by how many missionaries were in the choir! So many missionaries! Ironically, a lot of what I felt like I took away from the broadcast was about what I can keep doing to help the work when I get home. This morning I was reflecting a little more on what I learned in the training....and then I realized how easy sharing the gospel as a member really is. And that we've all already done it. It all started with me doing what I love but still sharing the gospel by telling others that I was going to Uruguay as a missionary. I thought about how we invited her to church and to read the Book of Mormon and have family nights with us and spend Sunday nights with us. It was all a natural fun process, which is how it should be. It gave me a lot of hope for when I get home. I know that the Lord will continue to give me opportunities to share the gospel. It's going to be great. Unfortunately, No one from our ward except for the bishop, his wife, mother in law and brother in law came to the world wide broadcast training last night. Yea......there were like 25 people there last night. Maybe. And half of those were missionaries. It was really sad. Other than that it was a really great broadcast. I really enjoyed it.
Gladis is doing really well. She still wants to get baptized very much and is getting some stuff moving in that area. She and her daughter Yessica and her 2 daughters in law all came to church on Sunday. Her husband Nelson and her son Yonathan are working out of town til next Wednesday and her other son Luis didn't come for some reason. So we're working with them. They love reading the scriptures. We're going to talk about the word of wisdom today because a few of them have a smoking problem. But things are going great. Elder Barlow loves visiting them and so do I.
The ironic thing is, the vast majority of the 12 people that we found
last week have begun hiding from us so.....yea. We're still looking for
more investigators. It's okay though. Hopefully we'll get some help from
members soon. I'm just trying to work effectively and listen to the spirit. We
found a guy on sunday named Sebastian. He reminded me a lot of Jake. I
think it helps me to testify with love. They usually listen to us as
well which is nice.
Elder Barlow likes talking about college sometimes. I'm trying to see if I can convince him to move up to USU when he gets back. We joke about being roommates but that's only if I'm not yet married hehe! Today, Elder Barlow taught us some break dance moves. It's super cool and pretty hard but we're going to start break dancing in the mornings upon occasion for exercises. Who knows, maybe I'll learn some cool moves before I get home. I just think it's great because how many elders can say they learned a little bit of break dancing on the mission?? Not too many that I know of. So, I'm super stoke for that.
Other than that, we're just working hard. Just trying our best to find investigators and help them get to church so that they can progress towards baptism. After-all, that's why I'm here.
I'm reading the 4 gospels again, but this time in Spanish. I should finish right before I get home. So....yea. I really enjoy studying the life of the savior. I was reading Matthew 9 today and I was struck by how the savior was constantly serving and teaching. I want to be more like that. I think it's a good goal.
Have a great week
Elder Simpson
The world wide training was great. I was blown away by how many missionaries were in the choir! So many missionaries! Ironically, a lot of what I felt like I took away from the broadcast was about what I can keep doing to help the work when I get home. This morning I was reflecting a little more on what I learned in the training....and then I realized how easy sharing the gospel as a member really is. And that we've all already done it. It all started with me doing what I love but still sharing the gospel by telling others that I was going to Uruguay as a missionary. I thought about how we invited her to church and to read the Book of Mormon and have family nights with us and spend Sunday nights with us. It was all a natural fun process, which is how it should be. It gave me a lot of hope for when I get home. I know that the Lord will continue to give me opportunities to share the gospel. It's going to be great. Unfortunately, No one from our ward except for the bishop, his wife, mother in law and brother in law came to the world wide broadcast training last night. Yea......there were like 25 people there last night. Maybe. And half of those were missionaries. It was really sad. Other than that it was a really great broadcast. I really enjoyed it.
Gladis is doing really well. She still wants to get baptized very much and is getting some stuff moving in that area. She and her daughter Yessica and her 2 daughters in law all came to church on Sunday. Her husband Nelson and her son Yonathan are working out of town til next Wednesday and her other son Luis didn't come for some reason. So we're working with them. They love reading the scriptures. We're going to talk about the word of wisdom today because a few of them have a smoking problem. But things are going great. Elder Barlow loves visiting them and so do I.
 |
| Fun shot of our district |
Elder Barlow likes talking about college sometimes. I'm trying to see if I can convince him to move up to USU when he gets back. We joke about being roommates but that's only if I'm not yet married hehe! Today, Elder Barlow taught us some break dance moves. It's super cool and pretty hard but we're going to start break dancing in the mornings upon occasion for exercises. Who knows, maybe I'll learn some cool moves before I get home. I just think it's great because how many elders can say they learned a little bit of break dancing on the mission?? Not too many that I know of. So, I'm super stoke for that.
Other than that, we're just working hard. Just trying our best to find investigators and help them get to church so that they can progress towards baptism. After-all, that's why I'm here.
I'm reading the 4 gospels again, but this time in Spanish. I should finish right before I get home. So....yea. I really enjoy studying the life of the savior. I was reading Matthew 9 today and I was struck by how the savior was constantly serving and teaching. I want to be more like that. I think it's a good goal.
Have a great week
Elder Simpson
Monday, June 17, 2013
Saladero Salto Uruguay - June 17th 2013
Hi All,
I cannot recall where I placed the first half of June but I seem to have lost it....I don't know where it went. The hot water heater is.....in the process. The important thing is that I have hot water again.
As for Carlos, the dad, we've not seen him. He gets home really late from working in the orange orchards and they live in a....complicated area. We try to be out of there by about 7 or 7:30 pm at the latest, which is when he gets home so we'll see what we can do this week. If you remember that stupendous family that I'm always saying we're working with, well Gladis went to the government building today to finish their divorce process from her ex. We're stopping by tonight to have a family home evening. They are so so excited to be able to continue with the process that will lead them to baptism. With all of the paper work that lays ahead, I don't know how long it will take for them to be able to get the divorce finalized so she can get married. I really hope I can see them get baptized before I go home. If not, then it just wasn't meant to be and I still will work my hardest to make sure that they can be all ready. They talk like members sometimes and I love seeing how much they hunger and thirst after the scriptures. The Gospel truly changes those that let it into their hearts. It's so amazing.
Aside from that, this week was super super hard. The numbers are great. They are almost the highest level that's expected of the missionaries, but we fought and sweat for every single one of those lessons. There were 2 days that were just so hard, Thursday and Saturday, when everything fell through on us. We're in a bit of a transition stage right now in our area where we are letting go of the investigators that just don't progress and focusing on the people that we've been finding lately. This last week we found 12 new people, so we have plenty on our plate. It's just...so stressful sometimes. That must mean that I haven't been relying on the Lord sufficiently and that I have been trusting too much in myself. Humility check! After-all, it's not my work and this work will be done in the way of the Master and in no other way.
It's interesting that we can get so stressed out and in the middle of what can be an irritating and frustrating trial, the Lord grants us a tender mercy. I saw that last night. A guy I recognized for some reason as we were in the street caught my eye so I said hi. He said hi back then stopped and so I did too and walked over. When I asked his name he got really close, slurred it out and asked for 10 pesos to go buy marijuana. I told him I couldn't do that but that I could offer so much more. We started to talk and I could tell right off that he'd been drinking too. He tried to defend the merits of marijuana but in the end I set up a lesson with him on Wednesday. He's a member. It was interesting to see that when I became concerned and started talking to him because I actually cared and not because I was being curious that getting his next fix left his mind. The Atonement of Jesus Christ heals all wounds.
Convert retention is a lot harder than it probably should be. The Salto stake is currently in a rocky moment and a lot of the wards are really struggling to function and operate at an efficient level. Convert retention is actually a bit of a world wide concern as of this last October. That was the subject of attention in the conferences that we had with Elder Viñas of the seventy and with Elder Oaks. It's a fight and a lot of times as full time missionaries, we're fighting it alone. Bit frustrating. But. That's okay. It's alright. This is a new kind of war and sometimes it takes a while to train the soldiers.
I think my highlights are the little miracles that we see in lessons or contacts. Another thing that Elder Barlow and I make a point of doing is bearing our testimony to each other each day and sharing the Tender Mercy 'o' the day that we saw. It helps a lot to reflect on the little things and the convictions that we have. The Spirit is always super strong. It helps after long hard days. :)
The ensign of June 2013, has a talk that really helped me like 2 weeks ago. You've probably read it already, but it really helped me with my perspective and the power of the sealing ordinances of the temple. http://www.lds.org/ensign/2013/06/dear-are-the-sheep-that-have-wandered?lang=eng I was rather thankful for this talk. I know that the sealing that we were all born into protects each of us. I know that thanks to the strict obedience to temple covenants, I was brought back. I do not doubt these truths.
All in all, I'm one week closer to the end. It scares me sometimes. I don't want to go home. I love being out here. I don't want to go back into the world. I fear that I will be too weak to continue becoming the man that the Lord has made of me out here but we cannot have fear and faith in our hearts. The fires of faith are much more powerful than the choking and acrid smoke of fear.
Many are called and few are chosen, right? I seek to be one of the chosen. I seek to let the Lord guide my future as He has my past. Christ lives. That makes everything worth it. Everything. When we clutch at the straws in this life and it all seems to fall through our fingers, if we have that one eternal truth in our hearts, we can keep going. We can look up to the skies with the tears that streak stress worn features, and know that there is a God that lives and loves. That is enough. If I might steal an appropriate album title from Pelican, The Fire in our Throats will Beckon the Thaw. Let us fan the fires of faith, as urged Elder Holland this last conference. Let us thaw the frozen future and take a step into the black.
For now, "....I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down...." Nehemiah 6.3.
There is no time to waste. The moment has come for the headlong flight to the end and every second is a second that God has granted me life and strength to keep fighting.
Elder Simpson
I cannot recall where I placed the first half of June but I seem to have lost it....I don't know where it went. The hot water heater is.....in the process. The important thing is that I have hot water again.
As for Carlos, the dad, we've not seen him. He gets home really late from working in the orange orchards and they live in a....complicated area. We try to be out of there by about 7 or 7:30 pm at the latest, which is when he gets home so we'll see what we can do this week. If you remember that stupendous family that I'm always saying we're working with, well Gladis went to the government building today to finish their divorce process from her ex. We're stopping by tonight to have a family home evening. They are so so excited to be able to continue with the process that will lead them to baptism. With all of the paper work that lays ahead, I don't know how long it will take for them to be able to get the divorce finalized so she can get married. I really hope I can see them get baptized before I go home. If not, then it just wasn't meant to be and I still will work my hardest to make sure that they can be all ready. They talk like members sometimes and I love seeing how much they hunger and thirst after the scriptures. The Gospel truly changes those that let it into their hearts. It's so amazing.
Aside from that, this week was super super hard. The numbers are great. They are almost the highest level that's expected of the missionaries, but we fought and sweat for every single one of those lessons. There were 2 days that were just so hard, Thursday and Saturday, when everything fell through on us. We're in a bit of a transition stage right now in our area where we are letting go of the investigators that just don't progress and focusing on the people that we've been finding lately. This last week we found 12 new people, so we have plenty on our plate. It's just...so stressful sometimes. That must mean that I haven't been relying on the Lord sufficiently and that I have been trusting too much in myself. Humility check! After-all, it's not my work and this work will be done in the way of the Master and in no other way.
It's interesting that we can get so stressed out and in the middle of what can be an irritating and frustrating trial, the Lord grants us a tender mercy. I saw that last night. A guy I recognized for some reason as we were in the street caught my eye so I said hi. He said hi back then stopped and so I did too and walked over. When I asked his name he got really close, slurred it out and asked for 10 pesos to go buy marijuana. I told him I couldn't do that but that I could offer so much more. We started to talk and I could tell right off that he'd been drinking too. He tried to defend the merits of marijuana but in the end I set up a lesson with him on Wednesday. He's a member. It was interesting to see that when I became concerned and started talking to him because I actually cared and not because I was being curious that getting his next fix left his mind. The Atonement of Jesus Christ heals all wounds.
Convert retention is a lot harder than it probably should be. The Salto stake is currently in a rocky moment and a lot of the wards are really struggling to function and operate at an efficient level. Convert retention is actually a bit of a world wide concern as of this last October. That was the subject of attention in the conferences that we had with Elder Viñas of the seventy and with Elder Oaks. It's a fight and a lot of times as full time missionaries, we're fighting it alone. Bit frustrating. But. That's okay. It's alright. This is a new kind of war and sometimes it takes a while to train the soldiers.
I think my highlights are the little miracles that we see in lessons or contacts. Another thing that Elder Barlow and I make a point of doing is bearing our testimony to each other each day and sharing the Tender Mercy 'o' the day that we saw. It helps a lot to reflect on the little things and the convictions that we have. The Spirit is always super strong. It helps after long hard days. :)
The ensign of June 2013, has a talk that really helped me like 2 weeks ago. You've probably read it already, but it really helped me with my perspective and the power of the sealing ordinances of the temple. http://www.lds.org/ensign/2013/06/dear-are-the-sheep-that-have-wandered?lang=eng I was rather thankful for this talk. I know that the sealing that we were all born into protects each of us. I know that thanks to the strict obedience to temple covenants, I was brought back. I do not doubt these truths.
All in all, I'm one week closer to the end. It scares me sometimes. I don't want to go home. I love being out here. I don't want to go back into the world. I fear that I will be too weak to continue becoming the man that the Lord has made of me out here but we cannot have fear and faith in our hearts. The fires of faith are much more powerful than the choking and acrid smoke of fear.
Many are called and few are chosen, right? I seek to be one of the chosen. I seek to let the Lord guide my future as He has my past. Christ lives. That makes everything worth it. Everything. When we clutch at the straws in this life and it all seems to fall through our fingers, if we have that one eternal truth in our hearts, we can keep going. We can look up to the skies with the tears that streak stress worn features, and know that there is a God that lives and loves. That is enough. If I might steal an appropriate album title from Pelican, The Fire in our Throats will Beckon the Thaw. Let us fan the fires of faith, as urged Elder Holland this last conference. Let us thaw the frozen future and take a step into the black.
For now, "....I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down...." Nehemiah 6.3.
There is no time to waste. The moment has come for the headlong flight to the end and every second is a second that God has granted me life and strength to keep fighting.
Elder Simpson
Monday, June 10, 2013
Saladero Salto Uruguay - June 10th 2013
Hi All,
This week in Saladero was good. I struggled a couple of days to not get stressed out and to keep working. It was just a tough couple of days with the baptism. I had to plan and coordinate the entire baptism solo and that just added to the stress that I've already got about the area and the investigators. We've just got a lot of people who aren't progressing and some that are but really slowly and Alinson is thinking she might move to another location....Other than that.
Elder Barlow is one of my favorite companions. Every day is just another adventure with him. We're getting along so well and we're always laughing and then we can turn around and have some really great experiences. We're both excited to work and we're just looking for the things that we can keep improving. I can't believe that it's pday again and that it's already june 10. Where has the time gone...?
The baptisms went well. Their dad came! He wanted to come to church on Sunday so we'll be working with him this week I think. He couldn't come to the confirmation on Sunday because he'd skipped work on Saturday in order to go to his sons baptisms which was really impressive because until this week he wouldn't talk to us ever. But....I started going to look specifically when we would come over and I made sure to talk to him and invite him because we'd never really done that before. It was super good to see him at the baptism.
We made boiled potatoes and carrots the other day and with it we ate white rice and fried up some ground beef and onions for lunch the other day. We're on a health kick. I've finally found a comp who hates oil just as much as I do. We either make whole wheat pancakes for breakfast or fruit and oatmeal shakes. Super good. They're like protein shakes but we just use oatmeal instead of the protein powder. The other night we also ate boiled squash for dinner. Today we're going to make snicker doodles for district lunch tomorrow and we're going to make whole grain rice for lunch with some meat that a member gave to us. I'm just super stoked to be eating healthy again. It's a lot harder alone....
This morning our calefone (hot water heater) stopped working. Bummer. So we went and took a shower at the zone leaders house like 2 hours ago and a member is going to come this afternoon to check it out. I hope we can get it fixed today because it's a little....brisk....in the mornings. But don't you worry. The Lord will provide for His servants. If all else fails we can boil water haha
I had a thought the other day during my personal study. I was reading in second Nephi 21.
This verse impressed me.
9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.
I can honestly say I'm so very grateful for a house that was filled with knowledge of the Savior. We had a healthy and safe place for us to grow. That's why latter day saint homes are so special and safe, because they are filled with a knowledge of the Lord and that knowledge brings peace to our hearts. I know that one day, in the not far distant future, I will have the same chance to create such an environment. I know that Christ lives and I know that Christ centered homes are the safest and happiest place to raise a family.
Elder Andy
This week in Saladero was good. I struggled a couple of days to not get stressed out and to keep working. It was just a tough couple of days with the baptism. I had to plan and coordinate the entire baptism solo and that just added to the stress that I've already got about the area and the investigators. We've just got a lot of people who aren't progressing and some that are but really slowly and Alinson is thinking she might move to another location....Other than that.
Elder Barlow is one of my favorite companions. Every day is just another adventure with him. We're getting along so well and we're always laughing and then we can turn around and have some really great experiences. We're both excited to work and we're just looking for the things that we can keep improving. I can't believe that it's pday again and that it's already june 10. Where has the time gone...?
The baptisms went well. Their dad came! He wanted to come to church on Sunday so we'll be working with him this week I think. He couldn't come to the confirmation on Sunday because he'd skipped work on Saturday in order to go to his sons baptisms which was really impressive because until this week he wouldn't talk to us ever. But....I started going to look specifically when we would come over and I made sure to talk to him and invite him because we'd never really done that before. It was super good to see him at the baptism.
We made boiled potatoes and carrots the other day and with it we ate white rice and fried up some ground beef and onions for lunch the other day. We're on a health kick. I've finally found a comp who hates oil just as much as I do. We either make whole wheat pancakes for breakfast or fruit and oatmeal shakes. Super good. They're like protein shakes but we just use oatmeal instead of the protein powder. The other night we also ate boiled squash for dinner. Today we're going to make snicker doodles for district lunch tomorrow and we're going to make whole grain rice for lunch with some meat that a member gave to us. I'm just super stoked to be eating healthy again. It's a lot harder alone....
This morning our calefone (hot water heater) stopped working. Bummer. So we went and took a shower at the zone leaders house like 2 hours ago and a member is going to come this afternoon to check it out. I hope we can get it fixed today because it's a little....brisk....in the mornings. But don't you worry. The Lord will provide for His servants. If all else fails we can boil water haha
I had a thought the other day during my personal study. I was reading in second Nephi 21.
This verse impressed me.
9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.
I can honestly say I'm so very grateful for a house that was filled with knowledge of the Savior. We had a healthy and safe place for us to grow. That's why latter day saint homes are so special and safe, because they are filled with a knowledge of the Lord and that knowledge brings peace to our hearts. I know that one day, in the not far distant future, I will have the same chance to create such an environment. I know that Christ lives and I know that Christ centered homes are the safest and happiest place to raise a family.
Elder Andy
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Saladero Salto Uruguay - June 4th 2013
Hi All,
I'm now entering into my last full change. Yea. Don't want to think about that too much. As for changes, Elder Orellana is going to Paysandù and I'm staying here in Salto. As for my comp....Elder Barlow is coming to be my last companion for the next change and a half and I am EXCITED as all get out!! I love Elder Barlow! I met him in Tacuarmbo and he's from American Fork. He's just super chill and we get along really well. He was in an area here in the down town area and now he's coming out to Saladero to help me finish the mission strong. Super stoked for that. I'm doing great. A lot better than my current comp. He's super tired all the time. Poor guy.
The weather here has been pretty interesting. It gets pretty brisk in the mornings and at night but then you can go the entire day from about 10 and on without a sweater but then 6 or 7 rolls around and it's pretty necessary. Overall, it's fall weather and I can't complain.
So yesterday we went on emergency divisions. That was super fun. It was with an elder that I know really well and who was having a really hard time with stress. He's doing a lot better today. It was interesting being the leader in that situation. Things like that have happened periodically when I've been district leader and it's an interesting experience being on the side where I have to give counsel and comfort. The Spirit helps a lot in those situations I've learned and He gives the necessary words. I was a little surprised at some of the things that I said but I know they were true.
A lot of times I got up and just started on paper work or planning things out, but that's just the way it is sometimes, right? We just finished the most successful week of my mission, so I'm rather pleased with that. Things are going great in our area. We're going to have 2 baptisms on Saturday. They are the 2 sons of Clara, the lady we baptized about a month ago. They're both super excited and it will unite her family a lot. She's been having problems with her husband, so this should really animate her. The Lord works in such precise manners that we cannot possibly question His works. That I do not doubt.
So much of what we do out here is service and it kills now. I don't know why. It's something I've been studying a lot lately, and I just want to be more serviceable to my fellowman. I've been meditating a lot about who I am as well and who I will be when I get home. I hope I can hold on to who I've become out here and not just go back to being who I was before the mission. I think that's part of having faith though and trusting that the atonement can work great and lasting changes in the hearts of men.
We're just working hard and looking for new investigators. That's the most important part sometimes, just working hard. I've been joking for the past couple of weeks that I'm going to kill my last comp before he kills me off at the end. I intend to make good my word. Time is short but the fight is still in me. I will die with the Lords name on my lips. (figuratively speaking of course.) I testify that Christ lives. That vindicates all other courses of action that bring us closer to Him. His divinity is the reason for positive and faithful action, because it means that we will be resurrected. I have no doubt of that.
Elder Andy
I'm now entering into my last full change. Yea. Don't want to think about that too much. As for changes, Elder Orellana is going to Paysandù and I'm staying here in Salto. As for my comp....Elder Barlow is coming to be my last companion for the next change and a half and I am EXCITED as all get out!! I love Elder Barlow! I met him in Tacuarmbo and he's from American Fork. He's just super chill and we get along really well. He was in an area here in the down town area and now he's coming out to Saladero to help me finish the mission strong. Super stoked for that. I'm doing great. A lot better than my current comp. He's super tired all the time. Poor guy.
The weather here has been pretty interesting. It gets pretty brisk in the mornings and at night but then you can go the entire day from about 10 and on without a sweater but then 6 or 7 rolls around and it's pretty necessary. Overall, it's fall weather and I can't complain.
So yesterday we went on emergency divisions. That was super fun. It was with an elder that I know really well and who was having a really hard time with stress. He's doing a lot better today. It was interesting being the leader in that situation. Things like that have happened periodically when I've been district leader and it's an interesting experience being on the side where I have to give counsel and comfort. The Spirit helps a lot in those situations I've learned and He gives the necessary words. I was a little surprised at some of the things that I said but I know they were true.
A lot of times I got up and just started on paper work or planning things out, but that's just the way it is sometimes, right? We just finished the most successful week of my mission, so I'm rather pleased with that. Things are going great in our area. We're going to have 2 baptisms on Saturday. They are the 2 sons of Clara, the lady we baptized about a month ago. They're both super excited and it will unite her family a lot. She's been having problems with her husband, so this should really animate her. The Lord works in such precise manners that we cannot possibly question His works. That I do not doubt.
So much of what we do out here is service and it kills now. I don't know why. It's something I've been studying a lot lately, and I just want to be more serviceable to my fellowman. I've been meditating a lot about who I am as well and who I will be when I get home. I hope I can hold on to who I've become out here and not just go back to being who I was before the mission. I think that's part of having faith though and trusting that the atonement can work great and lasting changes in the hearts of men.
We're just working hard and looking for new investigators. That's the most important part sometimes, just working hard. I've been joking for the past couple of weeks that I'm going to kill my last comp before he kills me off at the end. I intend to make good my word. Time is short but the fight is still in me. I will die with the Lords name on my lips. (figuratively speaking of course.) I testify that Christ lives. That vindicates all other courses of action that bring us closer to Him. His divinity is the reason for positive and faithful action, because it means that we will be resurrected. I have no doubt of that.
Elder Andy
Monday, May 27, 2013
Saladero Salto Uruguay - May 27th 2013
Hi All,
I will honestly admit, I'd completely forgotten that today is Memorial Day. Memorial day....I love being American. I'm so proud and thankful to be an American. I always choke up when people start talking about the armed forces or when I hear the national anthem. I am so thankful for the men and women that have fought and died for so many years to give us that right, that hope of a bright morning each day and a knowledge that we are a free people. When the politics die down, when the economic debates fade away, when all of the sophist discussions and philisophical suppositions about how our country should be are blown away by the winds of time, and we really get down to the core of things, we are free. We are free citizens and we enjoy an abundance of blessings that have been bestowed by the hand of God. That hand has guided and protected hundreds of thousands of soldiers for over 200 years on home ground or foreign soil. That hand has brought them back triumphant time after time and it is because we never. back. down. God bless the USA. God bless the valient soldiers that protect us. And may God give them strength to smite our foes and lift the tired and oppressed legions of this life. I love America.
Welcome to the last week of May. The last week of the change and the last week before I enter my last full change as a full time missionary. I....have mixed feelings about that. We talked a lot about that today in our leaders meeting this morning. It kinda slammed into me that I have so little time left. Like 11 Mondays (Predays). And that it's time to keep ramping it up out here. My comp is super tired and I know that he gets frustrated with me because I'm always racing around and pushing the pace. He's not quite used to it yet still, seeing as I'm his second companion and he's in his 3rd change but it's okay. We get along well, and we work well together. We're seeing unprecedented success, the most success that I've ever seen in my mission. I'm so grateful to the Lord for the numerous blessings that He showers upon us on a daily basis. I know that none of what we are seeing is thanks to me, I just hope I can stay humble enough to be worthy of His continued blessings.
We're still teaching the family of Nelson, the boy we baptized at the beginning of the change. His dad, mom, older sister and her boyfriend, his older brother and his girl friend are all listening to us. Almost all of them are going to church too. They are going on Tuesday to cancel the mom's previous marriage so that she and her current husband can be legally married. He can't read nor write but he loves to pray and he loves so much learning about the gospel. He gave up drinking and smoking and hardcore drugs about a month and a half ago and has only missed one Sunday since then. They're all progressing and learning about the gospel and filling their lives with the light of the Lord. The ward is helping a ton too and I think a lot of people are all rather excited to see such a notable change in this family and the progress and desires they have.
We're also still working with Alinson. She's trying to give up smoking and is trying to decide on when she needs to be baptized. She reads the Book of Mormon and went to church with us last week. This week she didn't come because she went to bed at 4 am, a pretty common occurrence in this country, so she was super tired. She's also very hesitant about permanently removing her 4 facial piercings. We're working a lot with her and she's learning lots.
Other than that, we're just trying to find new people, get some new blood into the system. We're going to be pushing it really hard this week to finish off the change.
Something we learned this morning really hit home with me. Jesus Christ at the end of His 3 year ministry, effected the greatest work known to mankind. He gave His all and atoned for our sins. Well...I'm getting to the end of my full time ministry. I guess it's time for my swan song, time to make my great and last sacrifice here to the Lord. I do not dare compare what I will give to what the Son has given and continuously gives. Rather, I make a simile, just as the Law of Moses was representative of that Sacrifice. It's time to work harder than ever before. They say that a missionaries last companion is the elder that kills him. I plan on killing my comp before he kills me. :D The only way to go is up. I feel closer to my Savior every day and I'm ever grateful to the Lord for this time that I've had to serve. I've still time on the clock, so I still have time to serve. I feel like the immortal words of AC/DC are suiting. Gentlemen, for those about to rock, we salute you. Well gentlemen, let's rock. And as we all know, Elder Simpson knows how to rock hard.
I'm still ramping up my work outs little by little and I'm trying to at least get in a small workout at night. My days go a lot better and I'm always a lot more excited and energized all day long when I take my workouts seriously. It's great.
Well this week in my studies I've been in 2 Nephi 9 a LOT. Verse 4 is great.
4) For I know that ye have searched much, many of you, to know of things to come; wherefore I know that ye know that our flesh must waste away and die; nevertheless, in our bodies we shall see God.
The references from footnote b are absolute gold. I love the one in Mormon 9. I also really like the reference in Alma 42 and the one in Helaman. The promise that is right there is rather significant. We will stand before God in the flesh. How amazing will that moment be. Our responsibility now is to prepare ourselves the most possible for that moment and to help others to do so. I pray that when we see Him again, we will feel as did Enos in that we will be able to "see his face with pleasure." (Enos 1.27.)
Chau
Elder Andy
I will honestly admit, I'd completely forgotten that today is Memorial Day. Memorial day....I love being American. I'm so proud and thankful to be an American. I always choke up when people start talking about the armed forces or when I hear the national anthem. I am so thankful for the men and women that have fought and died for so many years to give us that right, that hope of a bright morning each day and a knowledge that we are a free people. When the politics die down, when the economic debates fade away, when all of the sophist discussions and philisophical suppositions about how our country should be are blown away by the winds of time, and we really get down to the core of things, we are free. We are free citizens and we enjoy an abundance of blessings that have been bestowed by the hand of God. That hand has guided and protected hundreds of thousands of soldiers for over 200 years on home ground or foreign soil. That hand has brought them back triumphant time after time and it is because we never. back. down. God bless the USA. God bless the valient soldiers that protect us. And may God give them strength to smite our foes and lift the tired and oppressed legions of this life. I love America.
Welcome to the last week of May. The last week of the change and the last week before I enter my last full change as a full time missionary. I....have mixed feelings about that. We talked a lot about that today in our leaders meeting this morning. It kinda slammed into me that I have so little time left. Like 11 Mondays (Predays). And that it's time to keep ramping it up out here. My comp is super tired and I know that he gets frustrated with me because I'm always racing around and pushing the pace. He's not quite used to it yet still, seeing as I'm his second companion and he's in his 3rd change but it's okay. We get along well, and we work well together. We're seeing unprecedented success, the most success that I've ever seen in my mission. I'm so grateful to the Lord for the numerous blessings that He showers upon us on a daily basis. I know that none of what we are seeing is thanks to me, I just hope I can stay humble enough to be worthy of His continued blessings.
We're still teaching the family of Nelson, the boy we baptized at the beginning of the change. His dad, mom, older sister and her boyfriend, his older brother and his girl friend are all listening to us. Almost all of them are going to church too. They are going on Tuesday to cancel the mom's previous marriage so that she and her current husband can be legally married. He can't read nor write but he loves to pray and he loves so much learning about the gospel. He gave up drinking and smoking and hardcore drugs about a month and a half ago and has only missed one Sunday since then. They're all progressing and learning about the gospel and filling their lives with the light of the Lord. The ward is helping a ton too and I think a lot of people are all rather excited to see such a notable change in this family and the progress and desires they have.
We're also still working with Alinson. She's trying to give up smoking and is trying to decide on when she needs to be baptized. She reads the Book of Mormon and went to church with us last week. This week she didn't come because she went to bed at 4 am, a pretty common occurrence in this country, so she was super tired. She's also very hesitant about permanently removing her 4 facial piercings. We're working a lot with her and she's learning lots.
Other than that, we're just trying to find new people, get some new blood into the system. We're going to be pushing it really hard this week to finish off the change.
Something we learned this morning really hit home with me. Jesus Christ at the end of His 3 year ministry, effected the greatest work known to mankind. He gave His all and atoned for our sins. Well...I'm getting to the end of my full time ministry. I guess it's time for my swan song, time to make my great and last sacrifice here to the Lord. I do not dare compare what I will give to what the Son has given and continuously gives. Rather, I make a simile, just as the Law of Moses was representative of that Sacrifice. It's time to work harder than ever before. They say that a missionaries last companion is the elder that kills him. I plan on killing my comp before he kills me. :D The only way to go is up. I feel closer to my Savior every day and I'm ever grateful to the Lord for this time that I've had to serve. I've still time on the clock, so I still have time to serve. I feel like the immortal words of AC/DC are suiting. Gentlemen, for those about to rock, we salute you. Well gentlemen, let's rock. And as we all know, Elder Simpson knows how to rock hard.
I'm still ramping up my work outs little by little and I'm trying to at least get in a small workout at night. My days go a lot better and I'm always a lot more excited and energized all day long when I take my workouts seriously. It's great.
Well this week in my studies I've been in 2 Nephi 9 a LOT. Verse 4 is great.
4) For I know that ye have searched much, many of you, to know of things to come; wherefore I know that ye know that our flesh must waste away and die; nevertheless, in our bodies we shall see God.
The references from footnote b are absolute gold. I love the one in Mormon 9. I also really like the reference in Alma 42 and the one in Helaman. The promise that is right there is rather significant. We will stand before God in the flesh. How amazing will that moment be. Our responsibility now is to prepare ourselves the most possible for that moment and to help others to do so. I pray that when we see Him again, we will feel as did Enos in that we will be able to "see his face with pleasure." (Enos 1.27.)
Chau
Elder Andy
Monday, May 20, 2013
Saladero Salto Uruguay - May 20th 2013
Hi All,
Things here in the vineyard are going well. I'm super super tired, but it's okay. We've been working really really hard and it's showing. On Monday, we had pday.. Tuesday, we practiced our zone song for zone conference that we had on Wednesday. It was a great conference. It was really good to see President and an Elder from my MTC group that's in artigas. They came down to join us for the conference.
On Thursday I went on divisions with Elder Hewlett, one of the zone leaders. We didn't end up getting out to work til about 5:30 pm because we started the divisions after lunch and a plumber had shown up a their apartment at like 1 pm and didn't finish up til 5:30 pm which was a big time bummer. But. It's okay. We got to know each other a lot more so that was nice. We had a nice talk about whatever really.
We don't really see president much here in the mission given that we have to travel so much to get from one city to the other. He usually makes rounds once a change so we see him every 6 weeks or so. I love him a ton though and I'm really sad that he's going home just before me. It's okay though. It's only like a month.
I'm really worried about my district and the zone leaders (they're in my district) and my comp. We're not finding like we could be and I don't want them to get discouraged. That is such a noxious and contagious poison that corrupts and destroys all of our effectiveness. It is something that must be fought in a most tenacious manner. We're going to talk a lot about desires, becoming like Christ and what exactly is a successful missionary tomorrow in district meeting. The ZL's are really struggling and they're starting to get frustrated and embarrassed. All in all, it's like cutting off a problem before it starts, but it has to be done with the spirit at all levels or things will just get worse. In reality it comes down to how the individual missionaries perform and their willingness to work and change at the same time. But that's why I'm here. To help them see how they can do so and let them know that their doing a good job. It just weighs on me sometimes. I like to worry as you know all too well but it's okay. I pray about them a lot, all of them and the Lord guides me to know what I can do to help them the most.
Well.....this week was pretty routine. We're just out here working hard. I feel bad. I'm running my comp ragged and it shows. But we're always laughing and joking. We get along really well and we teach well together as well. He's still pretty knew which means he's moldable and willing to try new things which makes work entertaining. We're just out here killing ourselves. There's just a lot going on and I have to constantly remind myself to not get stressed because it's not all on me and that I need to trust in the atonement. Because that's the way it is. I cannot possibly bear the weight of what is on me, and I must trust entirely in the "merits of Christ" (Moroni 6.4) But that's what it's about isn't it? Letting go of our petty preoccupations and letting ourselves be consumed in the awesome warmth of the eternal Atonement of the Almighty. That's what keeps us warm in our winter of separation from the Lord.
Elder Andy
Things here in the vineyard are going well. I'm super super tired, but it's okay. We've been working really really hard and it's showing. On Monday, we had pday.. Tuesday, we practiced our zone song for zone conference that we had on Wednesday. It was a great conference. It was really good to see President and an Elder from my MTC group that's in artigas. They came down to join us for the conference.
On Thursday I went on divisions with Elder Hewlett, one of the zone leaders. We didn't end up getting out to work til about 5:30 pm because we started the divisions after lunch and a plumber had shown up a their apartment at like 1 pm and didn't finish up til 5:30 pm which was a big time bummer. But. It's okay. We got to know each other a lot more so that was nice. We had a nice talk about whatever really.
We don't really see president much here in the mission given that we have to travel so much to get from one city to the other. He usually makes rounds once a change so we see him every 6 weeks or so. I love him a ton though and I'm really sad that he's going home just before me. It's okay though. It's only like a month.
I'm really worried about my district and the zone leaders (they're in my district) and my comp. We're not finding like we could be and I don't want them to get discouraged. That is such a noxious and contagious poison that corrupts and destroys all of our effectiveness. It is something that must be fought in a most tenacious manner. We're going to talk a lot about desires, becoming like Christ and what exactly is a successful missionary tomorrow in district meeting. The ZL's are really struggling and they're starting to get frustrated and embarrassed. All in all, it's like cutting off a problem before it starts, but it has to be done with the spirit at all levels or things will just get worse. In reality it comes down to how the individual missionaries perform and their willingness to work and change at the same time. But that's why I'm here. To help them see how they can do so and let them know that their doing a good job. It just weighs on me sometimes. I like to worry as you know all too well but it's okay. I pray about them a lot, all of them and the Lord guides me to know what I can do to help them the most.
Well.....this week was pretty routine. We're just out here working hard. I feel bad. I'm running my comp ragged and it shows. But we're always laughing and joking. We get along really well and we teach well together as well. He's still pretty knew which means he's moldable and willing to try new things which makes work entertaining. We're just out here killing ourselves. There's just a lot going on and I have to constantly remind myself to not get stressed because it's not all on me and that I need to trust in the atonement. Because that's the way it is. I cannot possibly bear the weight of what is on me, and I must trust entirely in the "merits of Christ" (Moroni 6.4) But that's what it's about isn't it? Letting go of our petty preoccupations and letting ourselves be consumed in the awesome warmth of the eternal Atonement of the Almighty. That's what keeps us warm in our winter of separation from the Lord.
Elder Andy
Monday, May 13, 2013
Saladero Salto Uruguay - May 13th 2013
Hi All,
Well, I will admit, that talking to the family on Mother's day was super fun. I really enjoyed it. If I wasn't trunky before, I am now. For sure. But, it's okay. I'm still going to be working hard. I got home last night and got to planning and started making calls and then my world snapped back into focus and I was content. The call home just made me realize how much I miss all of my family and how much I love them. You all back home support me so very much and it's such a pillar of strength for me.
It....jarred my focus for a little while but then I got back into work mode and we're doing okay here. The only remedy is working my freakin tail off for the little time left that I have in the service of the Lord. Vamos Arriba che!!
Today has been a great pday. We dropped our companions off at the bus station last night at 12:00 (midnight) and then hopped on a city bus to go to Elder Pettet's area. Well turns out that that bus didn't go in the right direction and we ended up a long ways away from where we needed to be at 12:30 am. So we called a taxi. Well the taxi driver went to bed. So....we walked and got home at like 1:30 am and then got up at 6:30.
I had a great personal study. I'm currently rereading the book of mormon in 90 days, this time in spanish. It will put me at like the last week of my mission when I finished so I started in the nick of time. Then, after practicing a hymn as a zone for zone conference, elder Pettet and I got schnazy hair cuts and then went and got lunch and had great ice cream in an American styled coffee house/ice cream parlor. Super fun. Elder Pettet goes home in 3 weeks and I met him in Rivera over a year ago so it's been fun catching up with him after so long.
My mission has been so hard for so long. I've loved it but it's been a crucible for so very much time and now that it's ending, everything is falling neatly into place. I cannot believe how much the Lord is blessing me here at the end. I'm so thankful and so humbled by the miracles I see by His hand.
That couple that needed to get divorced from their former spouses, they're going in today to finalize that process and now we'll be moving on to helping them get married to each other instead of just living together. I'm super stoked and pray really hard for them. They are such good hearted humble people that already rely so much on the Lord. Their faith and love is astounding at times. The Lord will bless them for their efforts and their desires. I'm just happy I'm here to witness the miracles
We're visiting another lady who just recently got divorced and who has two kids. Her 14 year old son is inactive and questions her faith constantly. We're working with him. She reminds me a lot of you and is taking a cake decorating course. Every time we go over it's like getting a little bit of home. I pray that the Lord will help us to help her son. He's praying again and reading the Book of Mormon again but still feels like God hasn't answered whether or not He exists. I know that the Lord will answer him
We aren't knocking doors hardly at all now. I just knock them when I feel like the Spirit guides me to do so. It's part of always looking for new people to teach. It has a lot to do with diligence.
They did a Relief Society activity on Friday to celebrate mothers day. And they put on the album Gravity by Kenny G. And I laughed for like 20 minutes because we were listening to Kenny G at a church function. I found it very funny but no one quite understood why.
I know that as we obey the laws of Christ, we are freed from the clutches of the law of suffering and affliction. Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Elder Simpson
Well, I will admit, that talking to the family on Mother's day was super fun. I really enjoyed it. If I wasn't trunky before, I am now. For sure. But, it's okay. I'm still going to be working hard. I got home last night and got to planning and started making calls and then my world snapped back into focus and I was content. The call home just made me realize how much I miss all of my family and how much I love them. You all back home support me so very much and it's such a pillar of strength for me.
It....jarred my focus for a little while but then I got back into work mode and we're doing okay here. The only remedy is working my freakin tail off for the little time left that I have in the service of the Lord. Vamos Arriba che!!
Today has been a great pday. We dropped our companions off at the bus station last night at 12:00 (midnight) and then hopped on a city bus to go to Elder Pettet's area. Well turns out that that bus didn't go in the right direction and we ended up a long ways away from where we needed to be at 12:30 am. So we called a taxi. Well the taxi driver went to bed. So....we walked and got home at like 1:30 am and then got up at 6:30.
I had a great personal study. I'm currently rereading the book of mormon in 90 days, this time in spanish. It will put me at like the last week of my mission when I finished so I started in the nick of time. Then, after practicing a hymn as a zone for zone conference, elder Pettet and I got schnazy hair cuts and then went and got lunch and had great ice cream in an American styled coffee house/ice cream parlor. Super fun. Elder Pettet goes home in 3 weeks and I met him in Rivera over a year ago so it's been fun catching up with him after so long.
My mission has been so hard for so long. I've loved it but it's been a crucible for so very much time and now that it's ending, everything is falling neatly into place. I cannot believe how much the Lord is blessing me here at the end. I'm so thankful and so humbled by the miracles I see by His hand.
That couple that needed to get divorced from their former spouses, they're going in today to finalize that process and now we'll be moving on to helping them get married to each other instead of just living together. I'm super stoked and pray really hard for them. They are such good hearted humble people that already rely so much on the Lord. Their faith and love is astounding at times. The Lord will bless them for their efforts and their desires. I'm just happy I'm here to witness the miracles
We're visiting another lady who just recently got divorced and who has two kids. Her 14 year old son is inactive and questions her faith constantly. We're working with him. She reminds me a lot of you and is taking a cake decorating course. Every time we go over it's like getting a little bit of home. I pray that the Lord will help us to help her son. He's praying again and reading the Book of Mormon again but still feels like God hasn't answered whether or not He exists. I know that the Lord will answer him
We aren't knocking doors hardly at all now. I just knock them when I feel like the Spirit guides me to do so. It's part of always looking for new people to teach. It has a lot to do with diligence.
They did a Relief Society activity on Friday to celebrate mothers day. And they put on the album Gravity by Kenny G. And I laughed for like 20 minutes because we were listening to Kenny G at a church function. I found it very funny but no one quite understood why.
I know that as we obey the laws of Christ, we are freed from the clutches of the law of suffering and affliction. Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Elder Simpson
Monday, May 6, 2013
Saladero Salto Uruguay - May 6th 2013
Greeting and Salutations,
I'm doing great. It's been a really busy week ended by 2 baptisms. A small miracle right there. I was really stressed out. It's just hard sometimes dealing with the fact that everyone down here is relaxed to a point where it doesn't faze them if we start things a half hour late. I don't think I'll ever get over that. But it's okay. The baptism went well and so did the confirmation on Sunday. We're going to keep working with both families because we've found a lot of people who are interested and listening in both homes. As for Alinson, she's still having a hard time with the idea of taking out her facial piercings and going to church. Little by little. :D
Things with my comp are going well. We laugh a lot and have good time. We're working really hard to continue strengthening the ward and find new investigators and help the ones that we have progress towards baptism. It's a lot of work but the Lord is truly blessing us in all of our efforts. For that I am thankful. We're going to keep it up for as long as the Lord wants. As for the district, they are doing great. We all had a stupendous week and now we're going to have a zone meeting on Tuesday which should animate them even more. Bit excited about that.
The weather is still hot here. It rained for about 3 days but now it's just back to where it was before the storm. I hope this keeps up. We're already in may and I sometimes sometimes sometimes need a jacket at night. Perhaps. Which is totally fine by me. If it wants to stay like this until august, I'm cool with that.
Well that's about it for the week. Here's one of my favorite scritpures.
Moses 7.41
41 And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto Enoch, and told Enoch all the doings of the children of men; wherefore Enoch knew, and looked upon their wickedness, and their misery, and wept and stretched forth his arms, and his heart swelled wide as eternity; and his bowels yearned; and all eternity shook.
I don't know how eternity can shake but it did. The eternities shake for our sins. Let us live so that we may reduce the agitations of the infinite.
Elder Andy
I'm doing great. It's been a really busy week ended by 2 baptisms. A small miracle right there. I was really stressed out. It's just hard sometimes dealing with the fact that everyone down here is relaxed to a point where it doesn't faze them if we start things a half hour late. I don't think I'll ever get over that. But it's okay. The baptism went well and so did the confirmation on Sunday. We're going to keep working with both families because we've found a lot of people who are interested and listening in both homes. As for Alinson, she's still having a hard time with the idea of taking out her facial piercings and going to church. Little by little. :D
Things with my comp are going well. We laugh a lot and have good time. We're working really hard to continue strengthening the ward and find new investigators and help the ones that we have progress towards baptism. It's a lot of work but the Lord is truly blessing us in all of our efforts. For that I am thankful. We're going to keep it up for as long as the Lord wants. As for the district, they are doing great. We all had a stupendous week and now we're going to have a zone meeting on Tuesday which should animate them even more. Bit excited about that.
The weather is still hot here. It rained for about 3 days but now it's just back to where it was before the storm. I hope this keeps up. We're already in may and I sometimes sometimes sometimes need a jacket at night. Perhaps. Which is totally fine by me. If it wants to stay like this until august, I'm cool with that.
Well that's about it for the week. Here's one of my favorite scritpures.
Moses 7.41
41 And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto Enoch, and told Enoch all the doings of the children of men; wherefore Enoch knew, and looked upon their wickedness, and their misery, and wept and stretched forth his arms, and his heart swelled wide as eternity; and his bowels yearned; and all eternity shook.
I don't know how eternity can shake but it did. The eternities shake for our sins. Let us live so that we may reduce the agitations of the infinite.
Elder Andy
Monday, April 29, 2013
Saladero Salto Uruguay - April 29th 2013
Hey everyone,
My first week in Saladero was eventful and eye opening. I learned a lot and identified things that I can do better and things that I am donig well. My comp is elder Orellana and he's from El Salvador. He's been out for less than 6 months and I'm his second companion. I'm currently over a new district and we share a ward with a set of sister missionaries. Elder Kemp and his kid are in my district, the zone leaders and the sister missionaries. A solid district. We should see a lot of success this change. We met together on Thursday and we have a meeting again tomorrow. We're going to see if we can get some district activities going on this change, like going down to the river and having a cook out and perhaps going to the zoo. I wanna have some fun out here!
This ward just needs a huge hypodermic injection of charity and patience. Too often do we judge others without considering what might be happening in their lives. Yet, we always want others to understand what's happening in our lives before judging us. More often than not, the people have a reason for acting the way we do. We have to find out the reason, love them and then help them to correct any inappropriate actions. That's the only we can learn and grow together. I just want to change the trend of this area and this ward. It's a bunch of negative vibes and it's crimpin my style home dog! Just gotta love em to pieces. Very little pieces. :D
As for my duties as district leader.....they are many. I have to set an example in the work we do in our area, I have to call and get the numbers and see how they are working in their respective areas, I have to teach district meetings, I'm in charge of getting them mission supplies. Basically, I'm their first turn to in any and all situations. I conduct baptismal interviews and approve baptismal candidates. I have to try my very very hardest to serve them in all ways possible and become more like Jesus Christ and teach them how to do so at the same time. It eats up almost any and all spare time a missionary might have and then it usually eats away your sleep time. We sacrifice a lot of time to travel to other areas for meetings and interviews and I usually get to bed around 11 on Sundays because of the call in reports. It requires a lot of time and dedication but it's super fun. This is my fourth change as a district leader and I love being able to work with my missionaries and learn lots from them and from the Lord.
We've met and taught lots and lots of people this week. We're finding on almost a daily basis. One of my favorite finds was Alinson. She's 18 years old and is a boxer. She's super spunky but has a lot of faith and really wants to seriously consider baptism. We're the second set of missionaries that she's had. The first set was nearly a year ago. Her progress is going to be slow, but I know that the gospel is what she needs in her life.
My favorite thing that happened......was.......I dunno. It's been a pretty normal week. I'm just tired a lot. But that's normal.
I try to lighten up and have a good time. I really do. I just feel like there's no need to be frivolous all of the time. This is a serious work and I take it very seriously. Anyways, I know that God will support me as I strive to become more and more humble and meek. The mission has been my crucible, burning off the impurities of my tainted soul. It's a painful but necessary part of the refining process. I'm thankful that the Lord loves me enough to help me learn and grow.
Elder Ender
My first week in Saladero was eventful and eye opening. I learned a lot and identified things that I can do better and things that I am donig well. My comp is elder Orellana and he's from El Salvador. He's been out for less than 6 months and I'm his second companion. I'm currently over a new district and we share a ward with a set of sister missionaries. Elder Kemp and his kid are in my district, the zone leaders and the sister missionaries. A solid district. We should see a lot of success this change. We met together on Thursday and we have a meeting again tomorrow. We're going to see if we can get some district activities going on this change, like going down to the river and having a cook out and perhaps going to the zoo. I wanna have some fun out here!
This ward just needs a huge hypodermic injection of charity and patience. Too often do we judge others without considering what might be happening in their lives. Yet, we always want others to understand what's happening in our lives before judging us. More often than not, the people have a reason for acting the way we do. We have to find out the reason, love them and then help them to correct any inappropriate actions. That's the only we can learn and grow together. I just want to change the trend of this area and this ward. It's a bunch of negative vibes and it's crimpin my style home dog! Just gotta love em to pieces. Very little pieces. :D
As for my duties as district leader.....they are many. I have to set an example in the work we do in our area, I have to call and get the numbers and see how they are working in their respective areas, I have to teach district meetings, I'm in charge of getting them mission supplies. Basically, I'm their first turn to in any and all situations. I conduct baptismal interviews and approve baptismal candidates. I have to try my very very hardest to serve them in all ways possible and become more like Jesus Christ and teach them how to do so at the same time. It eats up almost any and all spare time a missionary might have and then it usually eats away your sleep time. We sacrifice a lot of time to travel to other areas for meetings and interviews and I usually get to bed around 11 on Sundays because of the call in reports. It requires a lot of time and dedication but it's super fun. This is my fourth change as a district leader and I love being able to work with my missionaries and learn lots from them and from the Lord.
We've met and taught lots and lots of people this week. We're finding on almost a daily basis. One of my favorite finds was Alinson. She's 18 years old and is a boxer. She's super spunky but has a lot of faith and really wants to seriously consider baptism. We're the second set of missionaries that she's had. The first set was nearly a year ago. Her progress is going to be slow, but I know that the gospel is what she needs in her life.
My favorite thing that happened......was.......I dunno. It's been a pretty normal week. I'm just tired a lot. But that's normal.
I try to lighten up and have a good time. I really do. I just feel like there's no need to be frivolous all of the time. This is a serious work and I take it very seriously. Anyways, I know that God will support me as I strive to become more and more humble and meek. The mission has been my crucible, burning off the impurities of my tainted soul. It's a painful but necessary part of the refining process. I'm thankful that the Lord loves me enough to help me learn and grow.
Elder Ender
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Salto Uruguay - April 23th 2013
Hi All,
It's currently 3.30 here and it's about 80 degress outside. We just got done eating a sheep asado. Intestines, heart, kidney, ribs, all of it. It was really good. There were 8 elders there and a member was kind enough to cook for all of us. It was rather fun and it was a good way to spend my last pday as a missionary of colonia 18. That's right. I'm switching areas. Again. I'm going to barrio Saladero here in Salto and my comp Elder Delgado is going to train this change. I'm going back to senior companion and I'm going to be district leader again. This is my 4th change as District Leader so I'm either doing a good job or I've not yet learned the lessons that the Lord has prepared for me. I like to think it's the first option.
I spent Friday with Elder Crawford, from my MTC group, who is one of the zone leaders. Then Saturday, I spent the day with Elder Kemp, one of my favorite elders in the mission. We helped with an open house program that the church has been doing and we dressed all up in white and explained baptism for 6 hours as tour groups came through, led by a set of sister missionaries. It was really fun. Unfortunately, not a lot of people came to the tour and Elder Kemp and I mostly just talked the entire day. From the millennium to the similarities between the order of jedi knights and the knights of the round table, we talked about it all. He's a writer, and is going to Southern Virginia university when he gets home. We get along really really well. I even wrote down 2 of our best one liners so that I could tell you. Here they are, "If anyone asks, we're practicing our snow ape act" said by me and here's one from Elder Kemp "When I get home, I'm totally going to train my sister to be a dude missionary." I laughed so much and so hard with Elder Kemp all day. It was great. I really needed that day after this change. It's been one of my hardest changes yet and it has worn down on me so much...I learned once more that communication is absolutely key in all relationships. I still have a lot to learn with that.
Well, here are some great scriptures that I found this week in my studies.
Alma 36.3
3 And now, O my son Helaman, behold, thou art in thy youth, and therefore, I beseech of thee that thou wilt hear my words and learn of me; for I do know that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day.
And Romans 8.28
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
I know that the Lord provides a way for us to overcome all things and that the challenges that He places in our way are for our benefit and growth. I'm so thankful for all that the Lord has taught me and all that He will yet teach me until the brightness of glory in that perfect day.
I love the Lord and know that Jesus Christ lives.
Finally, I did a rather extensive study on bearing our crosses this week. I found a lot of interesting scriptures but this is the capstone. I've been thinking a lot about all the invitations that the Lord makes to us. I know that He just wants us to be happy. This scripture is the culmination of my studies.
John 19:16-17
16 Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away.
17 And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:
The Lord bore His cross. It's time to shoulder up and bear ours.
D&C 112:14
14 Now, I say unto you, and what I say unto you, I say unto all the Twelve: Arise and gird up your loins, take up your across, follow me, and bfeed my sheep.
Buckle down and shoulder it. Let's get rollin.
Elder Simpson
It's currently 3.30 here and it's about 80 degress outside. We just got done eating a sheep asado. Intestines, heart, kidney, ribs, all of it. It was really good. There were 8 elders there and a member was kind enough to cook for all of us. It was rather fun and it was a good way to spend my last pday as a missionary of colonia 18. That's right. I'm switching areas. Again. I'm going to barrio Saladero here in Salto and my comp Elder Delgado is going to train this change. I'm going back to senior companion and I'm going to be district leader again. This is my 4th change as District Leader so I'm either doing a good job or I've not yet learned the lessons that the Lord has prepared for me. I like to think it's the first option.
I spent Friday with Elder Crawford, from my MTC group, who is one of the zone leaders. Then Saturday, I spent the day with Elder Kemp, one of my favorite elders in the mission. We helped with an open house program that the church has been doing and we dressed all up in white and explained baptism for 6 hours as tour groups came through, led by a set of sister missionaries. It was really fun. Unfortunately, not a lot of people came to the tour and Elder Kemp and I mostly just talked the entire day. From the millennium to the similarities between the order of jedi knights and the knights of the round table, we talked about it all. He's a writer, and is going to Southern Virginia university when he gets home. We get along really really well. I even wrote down 2 of our best one liners so that I could tell you. Here they are, "If anyone asks, we're practicing our snow ape act" said by me and here's one from Elder Kemp "When I get home, I'm totally going to train my sister to be a dude missionary." I laughed so much and so hard with Elder Kemp all day. It was great. I really needed that day after this change. It's been one of my hardest changes yet and it has worn down on me so much...I learned once more that communication is absolutely key in all relationships. I still have a lot to learn with that.
Well, here are some great scriptures that I found this week in my studies.
Alma 36.3
3 And now, O my son Helaman, behold, thou art in thy youth, and therefore, I beseech of thee that thou wilt hear my words and learn of me; for I do know that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day.
And Romans 8.28
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
I know that the Lord provides a way for us to overcome all things and that the challenges that He places in our way are for our benefit and growth. I'm so thankful for all that the Lord has taught me and all that He will yet teach me until the brightness of glory in that perfect day.
I love the Lord and know that Jesus Christ lives.
Finally, I did a rather extensive study on bearing our crosses this week. I found a lot of interesting scriptures but this is the capstone. I've been thinking a lot about all the invitations that the Lord makes to us. I know that He just wants us to be happy. This scripture is the culmination of my studies.
John 19:16-17
16 Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away.
17 And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:
The Lord bore His cross. It's time to shoulder up and bear ours.
D&C 112:14
14 Now, I say unto you, and what I say unto you, I say unto all the Twelve: Arise and gird up your loins, take up your across, follow me, and bfeed my sheep.
Buckle down and shoulder it. Let's get rollin.
Elder Simpson
Monday, April 15, 2013
Salto Uruguay - April 15th 2013
Hi All,
I'm doing great. This week was.....long. But hey! This week, I really dug into the scriptures and tried to learn about patience and the things that I can do to have the Spirit in my life and teach powerfully.
The funniest moment was....when I saw a motorcycle that had no wheels and no engine sitting in someones yards. From a distance the brand of the seat looked like it said "Satan". I thought, how ironic. I took a picture and then got closer and it said safari but still. It made me laugh.
The most amazing moment was....going to sleep each day. We also rode in a nice rain storm all morning Thursday and got soaked and mud-stained like 4 times. I can't really think of any funny one liners though. I know there was a bunch on Tuesday when I went on divisions with elder Kemp. He's a writer and a total goof ball.
On a funnier note, the branch presidents 2 month old son came out sporting a cartoonized shirt of KISS. Underneath was the caption "Little kiss". I was beside myself with laughter. After I explained it, neither my comp nor the branch president nor his wife understood it.
My confidence in the Lord will carry me to the end of the world and back. He will always support me as I keep His commandments. I know that a lot of the mission has taught me a lot of self control and discipline. It should help me a lot to be able to be ready for things to come.
As far as my future I have some ideas I'm going to take it to the Lord in the temple at the end of my mission, because that's the surest place in the world where one can feel the Spirit's guidance. I know that as I follow the Spirit and will of the Lord, I will be happy, where ever I may be. I know that I will be able to protect all that I love and believe and by doing so, that my family will be protected and provided for. (Think Standard of Liberty).
As for my celestial bank account, I hope to make many a deposit before I buy the farm I've looked for and found the Southern Cross many a time because I remember when my Dad made a comment about it sometime before my mission or right at the start. Ever since then, I look for it, point it out to whoever is close, and think of him. I really have an appreciation for the heavens and the mighty and vast creations of the Lord's Hand. I pointed out Mars because it was the only planet that I could see. I also like seeing Orion. He's one of my favorite constellations. And yes. His belt is still intact, but I heard that he likes to hide secrets in it.
The fact that Grandmother has two Tongan women helping her made me chuckle. I've always loved the island folk and I can just imagine two wonderful smiling happy Tongan women helping out grandmother. Brings a smile to my face. I can honestly say that I'm so impressed by how sharp grandmother is still at 94. There are so many people here that hit like 60 or 70 years and just call it quits. They give up and have to be taken care of. In reality, it just makes me sad when I think of that and I wonder why they give up. They still have so much to live and to learn. Grandmother has been doing things the right way and I know that when it's her time, the Lord will help her home. I keep her in my prayers and it makes me so happy every time I see the photo that we took when we went to the temple with her. I know that there are so many who are awaiting her arrival on the other side. The Lord has truly blessed her in this life.
I still marvel at the fluidity of the medical procedures in the states. Here people get a number and sometimes with chronic illness and the like they have to wait for 2 or 3 months before they can go in and be helped. Going to the doctors office or the hospital is an all day affair and I've seen the doctors down here. I just don't know how I feel seeing the entire medical staff out on a smoking break.....Come on.
This week was full of challenges. I'm a slow learner I know. A lot of it just has to do with patience and love. Singing hymns helps a lot. So does prayer. I think that I've drawn near unto the Lord in this change and that He has truly brought me through hell and high water. I trust so much in His power and in the instruction of His wisdom through the Holy Ghost. Sometimes, I cannot see the way before. But I know that He will guide me through. I hope that I can continue to apply the lessons that I've learned for the rest of my life.
This scripture comes from 1 John 5:3-5.
I've been studying a LOT about love this last change and I really liked this passage.
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
The Lord will never require too much of us. As we believe in Christ, we overcome the world and we learn the way to truly love others. That's what the world needs.
Elder Simpson
I'm doing great. This week was.....long. But hey! This week, I really dug into the scriptures and tried to learn about patience and the things that I can do to have the Spirit in my life and teach powerfully.
The funniest moment was....when I saw a motorcycle that had no wheels and no engine sitting in someones yards. From a distance the brand of the seat looked like it said "Satan". I thought, how ironic. I took a picture and then got closer and it said safari but still. It made me laugh.
The most amazing moment was....going to sleep each day. We also rode in a nice rain storm all morning Thursday and got soaked and mud-stained like 4 times. I can't really think of any funny one liners though. I know there was a bunch on Tuesday when I went on divisions with elder Kemp. He's a writer and a total goof ball.
On a funnier note, the branch presidents 2 month old son came out sporting a cartoonized shirt of KISS. Underneath was the caption "Little kiss". I was beside myself with laughter. After I explained it, neither my comp nor the branch president nor his wife understood it.
My confidence in the Lord will carry me to the end of the world and back. He will always support me as I keep His commandments. I know that a lot of the mission has taught me a lot of self control and discipline. It should help me a lot to be able to be ready for things to come.
As far as my future I have some ideas I'm going to take it to the Lord in the temple at the end of my mission, because that's the surest place in the world where one can feel the Spirit's guidance. I know that as I follow the Spirit and will of the Lord, I will be happy, where ever I may be. I know that I will be able to protect all that I love and believe and by doing so, that my family will be protected and provided for. (Think Standard of Liberty).
As for my celestial bank account, I hope to make many a deposit before I buy the farm I've looked for and found the Southern Cross many a time because I remember when my Dad made a comment about it sometime before my mission or right at the start. Ever since then, I look for it, point it out to whoever is close, and think of him. I really have an appreciation for the heavens and the mighty and vast creations of the Lord's Hand. I pointed out Mars because it was the only planet that I could see. I also like seeing Orion. He's one of my favorite constellations. And yes. His belt is still intact, but I heard that he likes to hide secrets in it.
The fact that Grandmother has two Tongan women helping her made me chuckle. I've always loved the island folk and I can just imagine two wonderful smiling happy Tongan women helping out grandmother. Brings a smile to my face. I can honestly say that I'm so impressed by how sharp grandmother is still at 94. There are so many people here that hit like 60 or 70 years and just call it quits. They give up and have to be taken care of. In reality, it just makes me sad when I think of that and I wonder why they give up. They still have so much to live and to learn. Grandmother has been doing things the right way and I know that when it's her time, the Lord will help her home. I keep her in my prayers and it makes me so happy every time I see the photo that we took when we went to the temple with her. I know that there are so many who are awaiting her arrival on the other side. The Lord has truly blessed her in this life.
I still marvel at the fluidity of the medical procedures in the states. Here people get a number and sometimes with chronic illness and the like they have to wait for 2 or 3 months before they can go in and be helped. Going to the doctors office or the hospital is an all day affair and I've seen the doctors down here. I just don't know how I feel seeing the entire medical staff out on a smoking break.....Come on.
This week was full of challenges. I'm a slow learner I know. A lot of it just has to do with patience and love. Singing hymns helps a lot. So does prayer. I think that I've drawn near unto the Lord in this change and that He has truly brought me through hell and high water. I trust so much in His power and in the instruction of His wisdom through the Holy Ghost. Sometimes, I cannot see the way before. But I know that He will guide me through. I hope that I can continue to apply the lessons that I've learned for the rest of my life.
This scripture comes from 1 John 5:3-5.
I've been studying a LOT about love this last change and I really liked this passage.
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
The Lord will never require too much of us. As we believe in Christ, we overcome the world and we learn the way to truly love others. That's what the world needs.
Elder Simpson
Monday, April 8, 2013
Salto Uruguay - April 8th 2013
Hi All,
I got to hear all of the sessions of General Conference in English this time which was great. I really needed it and the Lord answered all of my questions. More like confirmed one of my questions that He'd already answered, but still. He answered the rest. Conference was great! I heard a lot of needed counsel and I'm thankful for the words of the Lord's servants that He called and still guides.
I only fell asleep once in conference and took like 10 pages of notes. Being a missionary really changes your perspective on conference! The weekend passed by so quickly. I can't believe it's over. That was my last conference as a full time missionary. Insane. Good thing I learned a lot.
The highlight of my week was conference. We stayed in the Zone Leaders house which was great because I love both of them. We also went out and knocked doors between the Saturday sessions. I was with Elder Strong. The Spirit guided us and we found a house where someone was playing drums. I got to play. :D
One of the funniest things that happened this week, is that a sister during the conference thought I was 35 years old. I laughed. Hard. Apparently I look a lot older now. That's cool I guess.
I showed my comp where mars is is in the night sky. We can see the stars really well out here at night and I love seeing Orion and The Southern Cross. I was looking at the milky way and I considered the fact that God knows the names of all of the stars in the night sky. Even more, He knows my name and my needs in the exact moment I need them. I was a bit floored by that awesome moment. The Lord truly knows who we are. How wonderful.
Elder Simpson
I got to hear all of the sessions of General Conference in English this time which was great. I really needed it and the Lord answered all of my questions. More like confirmed one of my questions that He'd already answered, but still. He answered the rest. Conference was great! I heard a lot of needed counsel and I'm thankful for the words of the Lord's servants that He called and still guides.
I only fell asleep once in conference and took like 10 pages of notes. Being a missionary really changes your perspective on conference! The weekend passed by so quickly. I can't believe it's over. That was my last conference as a full time missionary. Insane. Good thing I learned a lot.
The highlight of my week was conference. We stayed in the Zone Leaders house which was great because I love both of them. We also went out and knocked doors between the Saturday sessions. I was with Elder Strong. The Spirit guided us and we found a house where someone was playing drums. I got to play. :D
One of the funniest things that happened this week, is that a sister during the conference thought I was 35 years old. I laughed. Hard. Apparently I look a lot older now. That's cool I guess.
I showed my comp where mars is is in the night sky. We can see the stars really well out here at night and I love seeing Orion and The Southern Cross. I was looking at the milky way and I considered the fact that God knows the names of all of the stars in the night sky. Even more, He knows my name and my needs in the exact moment I need them. I was a bit floored by that awesome moment. The Lord truly knows who we are. How wonderful.
Elder Simpson
Monday, April 1, 2013
Salto Uruguay - April 1st 2013
Hi All,
The area is a great area. There is so much potential and the people are so friendly. I feel like there is so much more we could be doing. As for wildlife, there are more than a couple of dogs in the area that aren't too fond of us. Other than that, we don't see too much. I've spotted hawks a couple of times and that's pretty fun. My favorite thing about the area is being out in the middle of nowhere at about 830 or 9 because you can see so many stars. It's like Tranqueras. The milky way shows up in some areas and I can see the southern cross and Orion almost every night. I like to talk to the stars. I usually offer a few mental prayers too.
The weather here has been hot since last monday, with each day being more humid than the last. Today, it's finally cloudly and overcast and it's been trying to rain for a while now. We'll see what happens here in the next few hours.
Speaking of that pday....my bike tire popped. 3 times. The original popped but we stopped at a farm house and changed it out. I got on the bike, and that one popped too. So then we walked like 3k to the closest colony and stopped by a back yard bike mechanic and he patched it for me. And it got me home and then we got on the bikes to go work and it popped again. I was SO frustrated. Anyways, the neighbor lent us his bike and I was able to replace the inner tube with one we've had in the house and thus far, it's held up. Luckily. Anyways, most of the week has been like that, just little things that will drive you nutty if you let them. I've been praying A LOT this week for help. It's just so frustrating. But, I keep going. There's nothing more that I can do.
Things are like a rollercoster. Ups and downs and twists and turns and at the end of each day you're sick and tired of the insanity. :D I feel like that's an appropriate description of this week. Our teaching has been like a buck shot round. Scattered and random. I try to seek opportunities to serve and to support my companion. It's a struggle, but it's in the struggles that we learn the most.
We did service on Saturday.......I swear to you his parents used their back yard as a dump. There was anything from food waste to rusted out bikes to armadillo shells to mice and frogs. It was repugnant. I had a hard time with a lot of it. The entire time I wondered how people can be okay with things like that in their back yard. It made me so thankful for the states and the conditions that we live in.
. It would be super cool if I could get this into a cake http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dulce_de_membrillo because I freakin love that stuff. It's better than dulce de leche which is what all of the north americans apparently go nuts over. I love dulce de membrillo in cakes. It makes me so happy inside. I ate some last night. It was great.
Other than that, it worked out perfectly that during this Easter week, I was reading of the last week of Christ's life, His Death and Resurrection in Jesus the Christ. I know that on multiple occasions I paused to ponder the gravity of the reality of the resurrection. I know that Christ lives. He loves each and every one of His children and He died so that each of us may live once again. I know that is true.
On that note, a scripture that I've been studying recently and that I will continue to study is Helaman 3:35. There's a lot to be found and learned here.
35 Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God.
Have a great week.
Elder Andy
The area is a great area. There is so much potential and the people are so friendly. I feel like there is so much more we could be doing. As for wildlife, there are more than a couple of dogs in the area that aren't too fond of us. Other than that, we don't see too much. I've spotted hawks a couple of times and that's pretty fun. My favorite thing about the area is being out in the middle of nowhere at about 830 or 9 because you can see so many stars. It's like Tranqueras. The milky way shows up in some areas and I can see the southern cross and Orion almost every night. I like to talk to the stars. I usually offer a few mental prayers too.
The weather here has been hot since last monday, with each day being more humid than the last. Today, it's finally cloudly and overcast and it's been trying to rain for a while now. We'll see what happens here in the next few hours.
Speaking of that pday....my bike tire popped. 3 times. The original popped but we stopped at a farm house and changed it out. I got on the bike, and that one popped too. So then we walked like 3k to the closest colony and stopped by a back yard bike mechanic and he patched it for me. And it got me home and then we got on the bikes to go work and it popped again. I was SO frustrated. Anyways, the neighbor lent us his bike and I was able to replace the inner tube with one we've had in the house and thus far, it's held up. Luckily. Anyways, most of the week has been like that, just little things that will drive you nutty if you let them. I've been praying A LOT this week for help. It's just so frustrating. But, I keep going. There's nothing more that I can do.
Things are like a rollercoster. Ups and downs and twists and turns and at the end of each day you're sick and tired of the insanity. :D I feel like that's an appropriate description of this week. Our teaching has been like a buck shot round. Scattered and random. I try to seek opportunities to serve and to support my companion. It's a struggle, but it's in the struggles that we learn the most.
We did service on Saturday.......I swear to you his parents used their back yard as a dump. There was anything from food waste to rusted out bikes to armadillo shells to mice and frogs. It was repugnant. I had a hard time with a lot of it. The entire time I wondered how people can be okay with things like that in their back yard. It made me so thankful for the states and the conditions that we live in.
. It would be super cool if I could get this into a cake http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dulce_de_membrillo because I freakin love that stuff. It's better than dulce de leche which is what all of the north americans apparently go nuts over. I love dulce de membrillo in cakes. It makes me so happy inside. I ate some last night. It was great.
This is a photo that a professional photographer took of my Zone Leaders here in Salto. It got put up on FaceBook, snagged by a member, sent to Elder Crawfords family who then sent it to him who sent it to me. Cool huh? Anyways, Elder Crawford is the taller one and E'Nuffer is the other one. They're both studs. I thought you guys would like seeing it.
It looks like we're getting to the wind down on my mission. I never thought this would come.... it always seemed so far away. But here it is, and there's no escaping it. 4 months left in the service of the Lord. There's still time to do so much good here.
Other than that, it worked out perfectly that during this Easter week, I was reading of the last week of Christ's life, His Death and Resurrection in Jesus the Christ. I know that on multiple occasions I paused to ponder the gravity of the reality of the resurrection. I know that Christ lives. He loves each and every one of His children and He died so that each of us may live once again. I know that is true.
On that note, a scripture that I've been studying recently and that I will continue to study is Helaman 3:35. There's a lot to be found and learned here.
35 Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God.
Have a great week.
Elder Andy
Monday, March 25, 2013
Salto Uruguay - March 25th 2013
Hey All,
Things are great here. It's currently 80 degrees outside. It's been like that since I got here. I hope it keeps it up for a long while. The baptism on Saturday went great! They are such a prepared family and the Lord has truly prepared their way to be able to come and partake of the gospel of Christ and have it in their lives as a family. They were so so happy Saturday and Sunday. On Wednesday they are going to the temple with the branch. Even though they can't go in they are still super excited to be able to go which is rather impressive. The Lord is really going to bless them for so actively seeking after Him.
Things with my comp are good. Last night we were taking a short cut on a dirt road in the middle of no where and I started to feel just awful inside. Rather unsure about our way and I honestly felt scared. It didn't help that it was getting dark too. So I mentioned it to my comp and he said we should keep going so we did. Then he started to sing Let the Holy Spirit Guide. He's really not that great of a singer at all. But. It helped me so much. I am so grateful that my companion was willing to invite the spirit with a hymn. Nothing happened to us. We got to where we needed to be safely. But I know that in that moment, I felt a little bit more of the Saviors love for my companion. If we had turned back, perhaps I never would have been able to learn to love my companion a little bit more.
Luis and Anna have pretty much disappeared....that happens a lot in this country. Their baby was born and is fine but they didn't come to church on Sunday. We'll see this week what we can do for them.
I went on divisions with Elder Nuffer on Wednesday and Thursday. He's an elder that I was in the MTC with and he's my zone leader out here. I've always really respected him. Turns out we get along great and we had a blast. So while i was there, there was a rat in their house. And it kept us up all night long. Not kidding. It got trapped in the bathroom but every time we got up to go try and trap it, it would go hide. It doesn't help that Elder Nuffer is also very very afraid of rats. Which is kinda funny if you see him. He's like 5' 10'' and weighs probably 200 pounds of sheer muscle. He's HUGE.
Yesterday a member of the high council spoke in sacrament meeting. One thing that he said really stuck with me and I thought I should share it with you. Service is the way we grow as people. And it's true. When we serve, we learn so much more about who we are and how to love others. The Lord, when He was distraught about the death of a dear friend, went and served others. And then something that the stake president said that I really enjoyed was that in this life it's not why did this happen to me? It's for what did this happen to me? How can I learn and benefit and grow from what is happening or has happened? Like I've said before, the Atonement allows us to change. Let us take advantage of every chance we have to grow.
I've been focusing a lot on teaching about the atonement and gaining a testimony of it's power. That was one thing that I noticed about Elder Nuffer when we were on divisions. He spoke of and testified of the atonement in every single visit we did. When I told him I'd never seen an elder do that before he looked at me and said, "We'll that's why we're here isn't it? To teach and testify of the atonement." And that really is why I'm here. Everything we teach about, the restoration, the gospel of Jesus Christ, the plan of salvation, the commandments all of it, is thanks to the atonement. All of it. We're here to show others how to apply the atonement in their lives and live happily as a result. I know that's why we can live as a family forever. The Atonement is so earth shakingly vital and we treat it with almost a trite simplicity far too much. It is EVERYTHING! I know that Christ lives. I know that He suffered it all so that we can change who we are to become more like Him, and thusly, become happy. HE is the reason for this life. Wouldn't it make sense that we all live a little more for Him...
Well, I think that's about all for now.
Beware of the Jabberwock!
Have a stupendous week
Elder Andy
Elder Andy
Things are great here. It's currently 80 degrees outside. It's been like that since I got here. I hope it keeps it up for a long while. The baptism on Saturday went great! They are such a prepared family and the Lord has truly prepared their way to be able to come and partake of the gospel of Christ and have it in their lives as a family. They were so so happy Saturday and Sunday. On Wednesday they are going to the temple with the branch. Even though they can't go in they are still super excited to be able to go which is rather impressive. The Lord is really going to bless them for so actively seeking after Him.
Things with my comp are good. Last night we were taking a short cut on a dirt road in the middle of no where and I started to feel just awful inside. Rather unsure about our way and I honestly felt scared. It didn't help that it was getting dark too. So I mentioned it to my comp and he said we should keep going so we did. Then he started to sing Let the Holy Spirit Guide. He's really not that great of a singer at all. But. It helped me so much. I am so grateful that my companion was willing to invite the spirit with a hymn. Nothing happened to us. We got to where we needed to be safely. But I know that in that moment, I felt a little bit more of the Saviors love for my companion. If we had turned back, perhaps I never would have been able to learn to love my companion a little bit more.
Luis and Anna have pretty much disappeared....that happens a lot in this country. Their baby was born and is fine but they didn't come to church on Sunday. We'll see this week what we can do for them.
I went on divisions with Elder Nuffer on Wednesday and Thursday. He's an elder that I was in the MTC with and he's my zone leader out here. I've always really respected him. Turns out we get along great and we had a blast. So while i was there, there was a rat in their house. And it kept us up all night long. Not kidding. It got trapped in the bathroom but every time we got up to go try and trap it, it would go hide. It doesn't help that Elder Nuffer is also very very afraid of rats. Which is kinda funny if you see him. He's like 5' 10'' and weighs probably 200 pounds of sheer muscle. He's HUGE.
Yesterday a member of the high council spoke in sacrament meeting. One thing that he said really stuck with me and I thought I should share it with you. Service is the way we grow as people. And it's true. When we serve, we learn so much more about who we are and how to love others. The Lord, when He was distraught about the death of a dear friend, went and served others. And then something that the stake president said that I really enjoyed was that in this life it's not why did this happen to me? It's for what did this happen to me? How can I learn and benefit and grow from what is happening or has happened? Like I've said before, the Atonement allows us to change. Let us take advantage of every chance we have to grow.
I've been focusing a lot on teaching about the atonement and gaining a testimony of it's power. That was one thing that I noticed about Elder Nuffer when we were on divisions. He spoke of and testified of the atonement in every single visit we did. When I told him I'd never seen an elder do that before he looked at me and said, "We'll that's why we're here isn't it? To teach and testify of the atonement." And that really is why I'm here. Everything we teach about, the restoration, the gospel of Jesus Christ, the plan of salvation, the commandments all of it, is thanks to the atonement. All of it. We're here to show others how to apply the atonement in their lives and live happily as a result. I know that's why we can live as a family forever. The Atonement is so earth shakingly vital and we treat it with almost a trite simplicity far too much. It is EVERYTHING! I know that Christ lives. I know that He suffered it all so that we can change who we are to become more like Him, and thusly, become happy. HE is the reason for this life. Wouldn't it make sense that we all live a little more for Him...
Well, I think that's about all for now.
Beware of the Jabberwock!
Have a stupendous week
Elder Andy
Elder Andy
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