Flies in my soup!

Yup the subject line doesn’t lie. We went to a member’s house for lunch and she brought us soup. And I look down and there are two dead flies in there. I know the member didn’t mean to put them there but still it was a bit shocking to see two flies!! So I just pulled them out and put them in a napkin. haha

I am emailing a little bit later than usual today, because we decided to have lunch with a family of investigators. After lunch we taught the first lesson. And they had sooooo many questions about the restoration and stuff. But it was awesome to see that our answers helped them!! Throughout the lesson I could see a change in the way they were thinking and I could tell that the Spirit was doing his job on them!! They still are a little bit skeptical about Thomas S. Monson being a prophet, but they accepted to attend a session of conference on Sunday!! And after the lesson we asked them to be baptized and they said if they felt that President Monson was really a prophet!! It’s always a safe bet to put your money on the Prophet so I am content with that. But seriously, we started the lesson at 2 and ended at 530. But hey, we answered questions and allowed them to feel the spirit.

 This week has been a regular week. Lots of walking, clapping, jumping on and off collectivos (Hopefully I can get a picture next week, I didn’t take much this week so I hope y’all will forgive me). We still haven’t had any success on getting investigators progressing (minus the Purete lesson today). For those that don’t know what a progressing investigator is it is an investigator that has kept all their promises and have attended church and have accepted baptism. So if the family we taught today goes to conference, they technically are progressing! Keep your fingers crossed!!

This is for my mom, you know you are in Paraguay when you are sitting on the sidewalk waiting for a bus and your face starts dripping sweat. In the springtime. It’s starting to get really hot. And humid. But bring it on!! I am so ready. haha

So its conference this week and I am super excited!! I don’t know how much I am going to understand so I will be praying for the gift of tongues especially hard this week. But hope you are preparing your spirits for the guidance of our leaders! They are called of God and have received inspiration of what to talk about, se we just need to listen! Not only with our ears, but with our heart. There will be something in this conference that will speak to you, and will help you in your life. I guarantee it. I hope life in the states is swell and awesome because it is sweet down here!!

With all my love, Elder Jared

The fruit is called mbycrya. I honestly dont know how to pronounce it or spell it right but it makes super yummy juice!! and it gives some missionaries odd dreams. I must not be drinking enough haha. 

Six Week Planner

What!?!?! Another week?!?!

My goodness. Time is absolutely flying out here. I seriously feel like it was yesterday that I last emailed. Things are moving so quick. I haven't gotten a picture of the Alligators yet because the lady hasn’t been home when we have gone to visit. So hopefully sometime soon!!

We still don’t have any progressing investigators so that’s a bit rough. We just had ward counsel and they challenged us to get a baptism in a month and a half. So we are working really hard on that. There’s this family that is sooo close, we just can’t get them to go to church!! But we won’t give up on them. Also we found this family that has been taught like five years ago. So maybe they planted the seed and it’s our turn to harvest. They have so much potential for baptism. I just hope they start making commitments!!

I have been working really hard on understanding the people. It’s very difficult to understand the sometimes. They really like to slur their words together. But I am confident that the Lord will bless me with the gift of tongues sooner or later. If not it is going to be a long two years, but I feel like things are going to start clicking here pretty soon. I am just going to study as hard as I can. And put my faith in the lord. That’s all I can do. After I have done my best, the Lord does the rest.

I have district meetings every Tuesday. I like them because I can understand their Spanish. So that’s tons of fun. There’s a companionship that lives just down the road that is in our district. Our district has three companionships and they are super fun. I. Love. My. District. They are too great.

We are fed by the members almost every day. Except for Monday and Thursdays. And the food is soo good!! It’s always a lunch appointment because the major meal down here is lunch. Right Before the siesta (I wish it could have a siesta too sometimes). And so we are always on our own for dinner. Good thing there is a store right across the street that sells the best Empanadas in all of San Lorenzo. So for dinner we get one or two. Maybe three. Just depends. Ha-ha.

The lease on our apartment ends in October. So we have to find another place to live ASAP. It’s stressful because we don’t have enough time to go house hunting! Hopefully we find a place with AC (the one we have now doesn’t have it.), Hot water and a Mirror. I don’t know when we are going to find time to apartment search so it will be an adventure!!

Pdays are my favorite days, it’s a nice little stress relieving day. The morning is all the same. until 10 when we start doing fun things. Like today we went to the office and ate at burger king which is chuche (slang for rich people things). And it was so good. I didn’t realize how much I missed it. Haha. But for Pdays there are fun things that we are going to do. We have a list on the fridge. There’s a soccer museum that we are going to visit. stuff like that. So Pdays are the best.

I was reading a conference talk my Russell M Nelson and he said something that is very applicable to all of us. He said that ¨Faith is the Antidote for fear¨ if you have faith you need not fear. So I hope this week’s spiritual thought helps out a bit!!

I love you all and you are constantly in my prayers,

Elder Jared

Pics of the sun!! So pretty!

It was the chilean independance day this week so we made legit Chilean hotdogs

Look at the size of the avacado we bought!

We had a noche de hogar (FHE) and we made brownies! Soo good!

Oh How awesome my mission is

Hello family and friends!!

So much has happened in the past week. it has been quite the expirience. Ill start from the beginning of my Paraguay expirence. The airport in Asuncòn is absolutely tiny. Like a little bit bigger than the provo airport. No joke. But as soon as we steped out of the airport, it was like getting hit by a wall of heat. I have never been more sweaty or happy in my life.

Next we had orientation at the mission home. just things about budgeting, healthcare boring stuff like that. But the really cool thing about that night was the APs had a baptism so we got to attend which was really cool. That night soo neat!! We didnt have enough time to do all the interviews so we stayed the night in the mission home and had to wait to meet our trarners. That happened the next day in the morning at like 10. So that morning we woke up and did our studies and all that stuff and then we met our trianers. to do that they had our pictures up on a powerpoint. they would show the trainer first and the the greenie. And I was the first one shown!! It was such a relief to not have to wait. My trainers name is Elder Torres and he is from Chile.  My trainer has been out 6 months so he is young. But he speaks some english. So the shock was dampened. just a bit. haha. But he is super nice and is a real hard worker! so we have been doing real good together.

Brandon with mission president and wife and trainer, Elder Torres

So after we talked for a bit we went to our area which is called Kokuerè. The zone is called Capital A and the City is San lorenzo. (see "Where Am I?")  which is just like an hour east of asunciòn. But my area borders the south mission and the Capilla (chapel) that we attend is in the south mission! so I get to go into kimballs mission everyweek. How Cool is that!!!! but I love that area. Its so neat. My fist view of the apartment was a bit of a shock. I will send some pictures. but its small, There is no mirorr which makes shaving quite interesting and there is ZERO hot water. So showering makes you wake up real quick. But I absolutely love that place for some reason. its quite endearing. Haha never though i would use that word but it fits the place perfectly. And Its only my companion and I so we get lots of bonding time. good thing I love him already.

Brandon - from the balcony of his first home in San Lorenzo

Study Area in San Lorenzo

Kitchen in San Lorenzo

San Lorenzo skyline

So after i got all situated in the apartment we went and visited some investigators. We visited this lady named Gladys and she had really small crocodilles for pets. 4 of them! and she had a pond with fish so we caught some fish and fed them to the crocs (which by the way in Guarani is Jakare. I didnt know how to spell it so its say it how it sounds. And remeber the j is spanish sounds like an H!!)!! They make the absolute oddest sound while eating. Its quite terryfying. I wish i Had a camera to send a picture but i had left it!! I was so disapointed! but whatever. Ill ask to see them someother time. That was maybe the coolest thing that has happened to me.

Investigator's pet Croc!

Heres a list of words that I have learned. I will put a G next to the ones that are Guarani. And I am typing it how it sounds

Chivivi(G)-Diarreah
Panaway(G)-last child
Jakare(G)-Crocodille
Purete(Paraguayan saying)-cool. I use this one a lot.
Macanas(G)- stupid things.

I know they are kinda random but I just wanted to she with you what I am learning!!

In my area there are alot of less actives. so we focus on them alot. The people are just soo non commital. they just want to sit around and drink their terere (its like an herbal tea). So we dont have a ton of people in our area that are active. Actually just one family. But that family is so great. We do have some investigators but none of them are progressing. So we just keep visiting and letting them take their time. I feel like we might be getting close on two. but we will have to see. I hope next week ill be able to tell you more.

The next thing I wish to talk about is the food. Its AWESOME!! Empanadas, Chipas, Lomitos Arabe.... sooo amazing!! Empanadas are meat wrapped in dough and fried or baked and they are soo amazing!! Chipas is like bread stuffed with cheese and that to is amazing!! but my favorite has to be Lomito Arabe. Its hard to explain..... but i heard its like Schwarma (from the avengers anyone?). its like a burrito and is absolutely delicios!! then theres the soda. They have this brand called Niko. and its cheaper than water here. and its really good!! we get it for like 2 mill which is like 50 cents.

I have been spat on, been cussed out by drunk people, told that i was too young to be doing this and all that stuff. but for some reason i love it here and am working hard. Its tricky to understand what the people are saying, I can pick up`just a bit. But whenever I bear my testimony and I cant really understand what the lesson was about, I just testify of the spirit. It made a lady cry once... which was cool that she felt the spirit when I testified. (Ps that lady was the croc lady) but it was soo awesome.

I absolutely love it here and am looking forward to the next two years.

Love Elder Jared

Plans!!

Hey! so I just got my flight plans like an hr. ago. My flight leaves at 715 arg. time. I have to leave the CCM at 430 in the morning! ahh too early! haha! my flight is AR2260 in case you wanted to know. haha. I will send a longer email from out in the field!!!

Arrival of Elder Jared

Dear Family of Elder Jared:

We are so happy that your son has joined us here in the Paraguay Asuncion North mission.  We know that as he commits to work hard and be obedient to mission rules, and continues to study and seek the guidance of the Holy Ghost, he will have a great experience on his mission.  He will grow to love the people, he will be willing to pass through difficulties, and he will come to know and love his Savior in a more profound way than he has ever known.

During their first day, all of the incoming missionaries received some training on staying healthy, finances, mail, etc. We also learned some of the history of the Church in Paraguay,  toured the temple grounds, and witnessed a baptism.  Your son was also interviewed and met his trainer, Elder Torres, who was specially chosen for him.  His trainer has proven himself as someone who can help your son develop the skills he will need to be a good missionary.  We hope you will enjoy these pictures that we are attaching as well.

Thank you for raising such a fine young man who is so willing to serve his Father in Heaven and be a blessing to the people here and to his fellow missionaries.  We truly pray for them every day and are also committed to working diligently to help them in whatever they need to be happy and successful.

May the Lord bless you, and your son, for the sacrifices and the love that you are extending to the people here.  Thank you for all of your support.

With much love,

President  and Sister McMullin

Meeting President and Sister McMullin at the Asuncion Airport

I am Finally Here!!!

AHHH!!! Im In PARAGUAY!!!!!! It is absolutely beautiful here and I am Taking lots of pictures!! everything is sooo green and pretty. I love Asunción a ton more than Buenos Aries. Buenos Aires was Dirty, like there were piles of rubble everywhere. It wasnt very beautiful. But here the people really take care of their property, they were outside working in the hot hot weather to make their house better. I can already tell that i am going to love it here. I will be assigned my companion tomorrow and then hit the field!! SOOOOO pumped! I love my mission president and all the office workers. they are soo Cool!  Ill write you more on monday!!

Faith

This is a poem an Elder in my district wrote. I love it. And this weeks phrase is nunca darse por vencido. Or never give up. I have applied it and i hope you do to

Faith
Pondering faith as it pertains to needs
I remember how young Alma taught about seeds
I remember the Ammonites who buried their weapons of war
And Alma the Elder who believed on the testimony Abinidi Bore
How can I have faith like unto them
to wade through afflictions and guiles of men
could I have my savior to guide
My thoughts, my actions and stand by my side
But Ammonites were slaughtered as the scriptures told
Well the savior beckoned come into my fold
Alma the Elder was laughed at and fled
Down to the wilderness to lie with the dead
Still Alma the younger talks about seeds
And how one day they will grow into tall trees
So where is the faith and how does it work
How in in the sight of these terrors can I not shirk
Nevertheless the though comes to me
That faith never was the seed or the tree
Faith is to plant and to take tender care
reaping the fruits that will someday be there
For the Ammonites sons fought with great force
Because their mothers had known and then the course
Once again I look to the past
As Alma the Elder did pray and did fast
His son was the younger and now I can see
How faith now relates to a beautiful tree
From the faith of our fathers we see the reward
The fruits of their labors to bury the sword
Then comes our faith and the fruits of our tree
It goes to bless others not just you and me
From here I see the original tree
Christ the savior our lord, who saved you and me
kneeling down in Gethsemane
He went forth with faith putting down this first seed
Now let us go down and take of his fruit
And start sharing seeds not being a mute
For as Missionaries we stand faith firm with no fear
Declaring the good word to all that will hear
For this is how faith pertains to our needs
When we follow the savior where e'er he may lead
And then we fill all with that blessed seed
And give of our fruit to feed all of their need.

Almost there!

This is my lasts group email until I am out in the field!! its the moment I have been dreaming of since i was a wee little niño! Seriously though. I am SOOOOOOOO Excited to get out there and help people come unto christ. Its been an amazing expierence here at the CCM. There is no better way to learn a language then to be immeresed in the culture. Its also amazing how much the lord blesses you! I feel like I have recieved the gifts of tounges It is absolutely wonderful to beable to speak with the natives. its wonderful.

Not much has been happening this week. Its been the same everyday. But we did ahve a cool expierence on saturday. It was almost time to get picked up and we just wanted to talk to this one last guy. He saw us walking down the street, cigarrette in hand, and he just stareted running for us. As it turns out, he is taking the lessons from other missionaries. once we started talking with him, he put out his cig, and started to tell us how the lord has blessed him. My favorite thing that he said was << before the lessons i was smoking three packs a day, But now I am down to one!!>> It was so cool that he recoginzed how much the lord has hepled him. And you could see the light of Christ in his eyes. It made a hard day of proselyting so worth it.

the next email you get from me may be from Paraguay! and I am so excited!

Love you all,

Elder Brandon Jared

Just for mom - 9-4-14

I have been super confused about who is sending out the group email, and the big email that i send is the one i send to everyone but I dont have everyones email, so if youre forwarding my emails it would be great if you just keep doing that. It would be a lot easier on me. Thaks for doing that! And I dont have trevins email. so i havent emailed him! and I have been emailing Emily so I have that one :) haha

to answer questions. For proselyting they load us on a bus and give us a map. drop us off at a point in our area and tell us to be back there at a predetermined time. Its just me and my companion in the area and it is super fun to try to talk and understand the natives.

I am doing all of those things like meds and stuff, but I am not doing multi vitamin because they always have a salad bar and I feel like i get good nutrition. haha. One thing i learned is that if you massage you head once a day it will help with baldness. someting about increased blood flow.

You know when you are in argentina when you and the only other car on the road are inches away from eachother. Seriously, the drivers here are insane. Its scary. haha im glad my mission is a walking one!

More to come in a big email,

Love you!
Elder Jared