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
Sunday, July 21, 2013
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
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