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
Monday, May 27, 2013
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
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