Well, this week sure was a crazy one. Let’s just jump right
into it.
On Tuesday, we had our normal visit and lesson with
Jonathan. During this lesson, we came in with the idea of finishing lesson 3
with him, but we ended up talking about something else entirely. He told us
that over the weekend he had had an encounter with some Evangelico Priests and
he told them that he was talking with us. So they showed him some videos about
the Mormons from YouTube and had a few things to say about us, but it turned out
okay because he ended up not doubting us or anything, he just had some
questions that he wanted up to answer. So he asked us some stuff and we
answered his questions. But by the time we were done with that, we didn’t
really have time enough to run through the lesson with him. So we just left him
the invitation to read through the pamphlet and then we would talk more about
it on Friday. Then, in the afternoon, we started our divisions with the ZLs. I
was with Elder Christensen. He is a super good missionary and Ex Assistant, so
he had a lot of good tips for me. In the afternoon, we went to Las Vegas and
talked to quite a few really good people, one of which was a lady named
Guadalupe, who I’ll tell you more about later. So, we talked to all of them and
set up a few citas for the next day. Then, when we were leaving Las Vegas, we
were passing a house and Elder Christensen stopped and said he felt like we
should stop and talk to the family that lived there. So we did, and after
talking to them on their door step for a few minutes, they let us in. So we had
a prayer and pulled out the Restoration Pamphlets and started teaching and
discussing with them, but the father of the family was being pretty crazy with
us. Alright, first, the "Family" was the dad, a daughter, and her
baby son. So we were trying to teach, but the Dad kept asking us all sorts of
crazy questions that didn’t really have anything to do with the lesson. So that
was getting a little frustrating and was starting to test my patience. I can
say that in the mission, I have really developed patience a lot more, but this
was really starting to get to me. So, when it was apparent that he didn’t
really want to hear anything from us, we just ended by saying thanks for
letting us in and that if they needed anything, they could just ask us. So we
left, feeling a little irritated, but it was a good lesson for us on how to
avoid bashing people when it would make a bad situation. For the rest of the
night, we had been invited to have dinner with the familia Amarilla, and that
was actually really good. We helped make empanadas and had some pizza too. It
was some really good food, and at the same time, they told us even more about
their conversion story. I love hearing those kinds of happy stories!
Wednesday. Hey! I hit 9 Months!! Woo Hoo! In the morning, we
had a lesson with Nazareno and his brother that went really well. We
showed up with the idea of only teaching Nazareno, but when we sat down, we
asked his older brother, Cristofer if he wanted to listen to us too. He did and
sat down. It was a really cool because before we had left the pench that
morning, I had the idea of grabbing my Plan of Salvation outline thing. It was
really awesome because when we started the lesson, we taught Plan of Salvation
and the outline thing with all the little pieces and with my face on the little
guys worked really well. Nazareno and Cristofer both really like it, so that
was great. They had a few really good questions, but they understood everything
too. After the lesson, we had a bit of time to contact and look for a few of
the futuros that we have. We didn’t have too much luck, but we did talk to a
really nice Panadero for a while and that we cool. We made lunch and had some
really good studies together during the Siesta. Companionship Studies together
with Elder Christensen was really cool because we both had a bit to share form
our personal studies and then we talked about our strengths and weaknesses as
missionaries. Then we went to Santa Fe to pick Elder Loveridge up from divisions
withe the other ZL Elder Walker. When we got back to the pench to drop Elder
Loveridge’s stuff off, he was actually pretty sick and I was starting to get
that way too. So we ended up staying in for the afternoon. We basically slept
the entire time, but we ended up making some of Elder Loveridge’s Brownies too,
to celebrate our 9 Months in the mission, which was really cool because we have
the exact same time in the mission and everything. But staying in was actually
really hard to do because we had a few really good people to visit out in Las
Vegas, one of which was with the really cool Guadalupe lady. But we figured
that if we went out into the cold, windy, rainy storm while we were sick, it
would just make things worse and we would end up even more sick that we already
were.
Thursday was just a lame sick day in the pench. it turns out
that over the night, I got worse and ended up having to stay inside the whole
day. The weather this week was really crazy. While on divisions with the ZLs,
it was super sunny and hot. But then on Thursday and Friday, the weather was
super cool and rainy, so the change in the temperature, especially with the
humidity here made things really bad. So all day Thursday we were in the pench
trying to rest and get feeling better.
Friday morning we went to Las Vegas and taught Jonathan
again. It was a really good lesson and we finally were able to finish up the
rest of the lesson on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It was really cool to see how
Jonathan we understanding everything and how when we explained it all to him,
he could piece things together before we were teaching him everything. We
talked a lot and explained more about baptism. So, when we were finishing up
the lesson, we asked him again about the baptism invitation that we had given
him a long time ago during our very first lesson together. He was very excited
to accept the invitation again and completely understood when we explained that
he would have to attend the church at least three times so he can get used to the
church and learn more about the gospel. After the siesta, we went contacting
for a little bit and found a few good people but we weren’t able teach any of
them. Then we taught English Class in the church and it was a really good time.
Every week, we have a guy named Dante come in. He is a super chill 50 year old
guy who is a lawyer and basketball coach in one. The lesson was okay, we
answered a few questions that he had. But, a while ago, Elder Loveridge had
given him a pamphlet of the Restoration. Apparently, he has been reading it
every day for a few weeks and wants to learn more. So, we talked to him about
when we could by to teach him and his family. So that’s super cool and we are
excited to get to do that. After English class, we went by a few of Elder
Loveridge’s old investigadors, and one of them was really interesting. The guy
is super poor and may have some kind of mental disorder. But that’s not what
was interesting. When I told him that I’m from Nebraska, he was super surprised
and amazed. He told us that he absolutely loves Nebraska and really wants to go
there someday. It’s crazy because back in the USA, if you talk about Nebraska,
nobody understands what you are talking about. But here, everyone knows about
Nebraska. Super crazy. Then, at the end of the day, we visited the FML Varino.
They are a really awesome family and have been members for a few years now.
It’s always fun to visit them because the husband is super funny and the kids
are always a little crazy. But we like to visit them and share a scripture
because they are passing through a really big tough time in their lives and we
always love to help them as much as possible.
Saturday. In the morning, because Elder Delgado was sick, I
went with Elder Mario and did some visits in the morning. We went to Las Vegas
and looked for a few of the contacts that Elder Christensen and I had made. But
we also went by Jonathan’s house. When we passed by, Jonathan didn’t answer,
but for good reason. He finally found some work!! Yeah! But his girlfriend
answered and when we asked if he was still planning to come to church, she told
us yes and that she was probably going to come with him too. So that was
awesome! The rest of the morning we were looking for people, but without much
luck. During the siesta, we had our district meeting for the week, a little
later in the week than normal, but only because basically the whole district
was sick the entire week. After the meeting, the young men were having a small
activity and they invited us to join them for a little bit, So we ate some
torta asada and played ping pong, but then the Young Men’s leader helped us. He
challenged us to find some people on the street and to bring them into the
church building to teach them a little bit about the Book of Mormon. So elder
Delgado and Elder Mario went out into the rain and found two teenagers to come
in and talk to us for a little bit. So, Elder Loveridge and I sat down with
them and taught them a super simple message on the Book of Mormon that
took probably less than 10 minutes. They took the book and we got their address
and names to pass the reference to the Hermanas. It was a short cool little
experience. After that, we had to go out into the rain and walk around looking
for people because we didn’t really have any lessons or citas set up. But it
was a good time anyways. Let’s just say it was nice to get back to the pench
that night.
Sunday
Well, Sunday was a pretty cool day all around. We had a good
time. In the morning, we went looking for Nazareno to take him to church with
us, but he answered an said that he wouldn’t be able to go because he was too
tired. So that was a bit lame. We went to the church all alone and when we got
there, we were a little disheartened to see that Jonathan wasn’t there either.
So that was super lame. But, church was still really good. We had a good lesson
in Pricipios. We didn’t have any investigadores, so we helped the Teacher, one
of Elder Loveridges recent converts learn more about the temples because he is
preparing to go soon. In sacrament meeting, I had a really good experience.
Basically I just at complete peace. It was super amazing to feel that. After
church, we went back to the pench and I just studied for a while and did a few
small projects to keep myself busy. When we left again, we went to Las Vegas
and had a really good lesson with a guy named Maxi Emiliano. This is where that
Guadalupe lady comes in. So, Elder Christensen and I contacted this lady and
set up a cita for the day that we had to stay in because we were sick. Super
lame because she seemed to be super interested. So, the rest of the week I was
really trying to get out to talk to her again, but different things were
happening like the Rain and meetings out of nowhere. So, we didn’t get the
opportunity to see her until yesterday. Sadly, she wasn’t home when we went by,
but her husband, yes husband. They are married. Well he was home. His name is
Maxi Emiliano and he is a total boss. We got into the house and taught him
about the Plan of Salvation. It was a super good lesson and he learned a lot
and had a lot of cool questions and was super interested the whole time. In the
very end, Guadalupe came in, so we told him that he could explain the lesson to
his wife and then the next time we come by, we can clarify anything for
them. So that was really good. Basically the only other thing that
happened was us talking to a lady named Mari. We had walked passed her as she
was standing outside her house on our way to visit one guy, but when the guy
wasn’t home, we went back the same way and ended up talking to her on the way
back. It was super good. At first, she didn’t want anything, but then she
warmed up to us and we ended up talking for a while. Then, after we had been
talking to her for a while, Elder Loveridge just sat down on the ground. So
both Mari and I were super confused about what he was doing. So we asked him
and he told us that he just didn’t feel too good. So she kind of freaked out a
bit and let us inside and told us that she would bring us some food or water or
something. So basically, we were both pretty weak form the fast that we were
doing, but Elder Loveridge was taking it a little worse than I was. So we ended
the fast really quickly while she was in the other room and then shared some
Mate Cocido and tarta with her. It was a little nuts, but pretty funny and good
because now we have a pretty good relationship with her. After that, we
visited an older member couple and they told us a lot about Galvez because he
used to be the Branch President for a while out there. So now we know a lot
more about the members there and how to work and some funny experiences that
they had there. I’m actually super excited to get out there this week and
finally see what it’s like. We are planning on going Wednesday.
We bought 10 kilos of potatoes for 150 pesos! We had fun playing ping pong on pday
today. We also made some German pancakes. They really aren’t the same at
all but still were good.
So yeah that was the week. But that’s not even the craziest
part.
Saturday night after we had already made it to the pench and
everything, I was just kind of hanging out and the phone rang. Elder Loveridge
answered the call and seemed kinda confused until he handed it to me. I
answered and it was Dad. He told me all about what has been happening with the
family lately, specifically about a big accident that Drew was in. So for those
that don’t know, (MOM CAN YOU TYPE ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED. I HAVE TO LEAVE AND
CANT TYPE IT ALL OUT RIGHT NOW THANKS AND LOVE YOU!!!!) I have attached a document with all the details about Drew’s accident so
you know what Morley is referring to.
I just want to testify of the great Plan of Salvation and
that it really is real. I want to testify that as we go through life’s trials,
we can always find comfort and peace in and through the Atonement of Jesus
Christ. I know that these things are true and testify in the name of Jesus
Christ, Amen.
During my fast yesterday, I honestly was just at peace the
entire time about Drew. I didn’t really feel scared or stressed or anything
about the accident. I thought it meant that he would keep the leg and
everything would be fine, but now I understand that it just meant everything
was going to work out for the best and that God was taking care of everything.
Well, crazy, but yes, everything is going to be okay.
Love ya all!
Gotta run
Chau
Elder Haley
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