Tuesday, March 29, 2016
Monday, March 28, 2016
The Holy Week
First of all, I want to start off my letter with a little tribute to the missionaries out in France that have been injured in this recent terrorist attack. I know Elder Wells and my companion knows Elder Empey. I feel that even though things like this happens, many people will be strengthened by the testimony of those missionaries. Things happen and the only way to accept it is to keep going. I don't know much about what has happened, but I hear that many people have been touched by the testimony of those Elders. I know that every missionary around the world, and the members of our church and other churches will be praying for them. Together we can unite as children of God and be firm in the faith. I feel that the attack was planned during this Easter week. Maybe some of the reasons behind the date of this attack was to disrupt some of the faith, because this week we remember our Savior Jesus Christ. I know that He is ours Savior and that He has suffered these things for all. He will be with the missionaries, others that were attacked and everyone that has been affected some way in this attack. I know that our God loves us. And that's why He sent his only begotten son to us. So that through him, all mankind may be saved. My heart goes out to all the families that have lost a loved one or have been affected directly from this brutal attack. Viva la France!! (That's long live France in french. My comp is so cool that he speaks french too!)
But aside from that, This week has been a good week! Here, in Latin America, they celebrate the week of Christ. Not just His ressurection. But I feel that here, there is more emphasis on the day Friday. The day that Christ was crucified. The Catholic tradition here is that we should avoid walking, talking loudly or doing anything that requires effort. So Friday was a pretty hard day. We just were walking though the streets and the whole world was dead. And then Sunday, It was just a normal day, they were playing soccer, drinking, and just doing stupid stuff. It didn't really make much sense to me.
We had a good week this week. We found a few new investigators. One is named Rufina. We found her on Wednesday. We had an incredible lesson with her on the power of the Atonement and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It was so powerful. She is Catholic and had a little bit of trouble understanding that she needed to be baptized again, because she was baptized as a child. But she was very very friendly and she promised to search the scriptures and pray to know what she needed to do. So that was very exciting. We also found another investigator named Luz. We shared the same thing. The Atonement and the Gospel Of Jesus Christ. But she seemed to accept it more easily that little kids didn't need to be baptized. It's very interesting to see that you can teach the same thing and people react a little bit differently each time! Its so weird but that's why I love the Gospel! I just makes sense!
Haha but this week has been an incredible week for me. So much focus on the atonement of our Savior. I have felt the love of our Savior so much this week. It has been a special week to really be able to teach and testify of His name. Í love being a missionary for Him. I love that everyday, I am able to put on a plaque that has His name next to mine. A plaque that helps others to recognize me as a representative of our Savior. I love him with all my heart. and I will serve Him with all that I have. I know that He loves and understand each and everyone of us and that we can, with Him, overcome all the trials and pains of life. I love my Savior and I know that he loves me!
With all my love from Paraguay,
Elder Jared
Ps Dad, Left my camera at home so pics next week Sorry😥😥
But aside from that, This week has been a good week! Here, in Latin America, they celebrate the week of Christ. Not just His ressurection. But I feel that here, there is more emphasis on the day Friday. The day that Christ was crucified. The Catholic tradition here is that we should avoid walking, talking loudly or doing anything that requires effort. So Friday was a pretty hard day. We just were walking though the streets and the whole world was dead. And then Sunday, It was just a normal day, they were playing soccer, drinking, and just doing stupid stuff. It didn't really make much sense to me.
We had a good week this week. We found a few new investigators. One is named Rufina. We found her on Wednesday. We had an incredible lesson with her on the power of the Atonement and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It was so powerful. She is Catholic and had a little bit of trouble understanding that she needed to be baptized again, because she was baptized as a child. But she was very very friendly and she promised to search the scriptures and pray to know what she needed to do. So that was very exciting. We also found another investigator named Luz. We shared the same thing. The Atonement and the Gospel Of Jesus Christ. But she seemed to accept it more easily that little kids didn't need to be baptized. It's very interesting to see that you can teach the same thing and people react a little bit differently each time! Its so weird but that's why I love the Gospel! I just makes sense!
Haha but this week has been an incredible week for me. So much focus on the atonement of our Savior. I have felt the love of our Savior so much this week. It has been a special week to really be able to teach and testify of His name. Í love being a missionary for Him. I love that everyday, I am able to put on a plaque that has His name next to mine. A plaque that helps others to recognize me as a representative of our Savior. I love him with all my heart. and I will serve Him with all that I have. I know that He loves and understand each and everyone of us and that we can, with Him, overcome all the trials and pains of life. I love my Savior and I know that he loves me!
With all my love from Paraguay,
Elder Jared
Ps Dad, Left my camera at home so pics next week Sorry😥😥
Monday, March 21, 2016
The past two weeks
Man sorry to all of those that didn't get my email last week. But I just gotta send a worldwide shout out to my Little bro/best friend who got his mission call to Buenos Aires!! Argentina is sure lucky to have you bro!! I am so so excited for you i know you will love it!! So that's really the Reason why I didn't write last week!! So I hope to fill you all in today!!
To start off, Ill tell you about my new Companion. His name is Elder Profit and he is from Ivans, Utah. It's Great because he is fresh from the MTC. It's so much fun being with a new missionary.I feel like I'm re-living my training just from another point of view! Its funny because he does some of the exact same things that I did. Things that I've adjusted to that he thinks is weird. So Basically I love being with him. Even though he does struggle a bit with Spanish, he is making great great progress. He is a great worker and loves being obedient. So Basically we get a long pretty well. And all I can say its going to be pretty hard or me to be lazy(not that I want to) with him.He is full of energy and I am so glad that he came to me at the finish line to help me go to the end. We work really well and have tons o fun together. So i love it. hes so great.
But the work is going really really well here. We have been focusing a lot on the members. Specifically the leaders to help them get animated to help us in the work. SO for the past 3 weeks, we have had some outstanding ward councils. It was funny to hear a leader say "it feels so good to help the members!!" and that Is so so true. there is so much more excitement in the leaders and we have a great plan and goals that we will be fighting to meet. One example of the work of ou council is we have planned to do this huge service project for a family of recent converts that are living under some very very humble circumstances. The leaders are so ready to help. I feel as if we aren't alone in the work anymore!! I its such a great feeling having lots of people on the same page. So good things are to come in Huguito!!
We had a very interesting doorstep conversation this week. we just decided to clap on this mans door and initially he just says no. So I ask him why and he says that some missionaries tried to convince him that he needed to be baptized. So here is a summarized version of our conversation
Him: "how many times was Jesus Baptized?"
Us: "Once."
H:"I was baptized as a child"
U:"We need to do it right the first time"
followed by discussion about the correct form of baptism
H:"Well I'm not Jesus Christ"
U:" Do you want to be like him?"
H:"Yes."
U:"Then don't you think it would be important to follow his example exactly?"
No Reply
U:"Hermano?"
H: "I'm busy, Come back later:"
Yup so that is basically it.It was a little bit sad just thinking about how he thinks he can change the doctrine of salvation. SO it was sad. But we had a fun conversation. I think it was worth it.
We also heard that we got paid to baptize people. That was something new for me. So I just said that we get blessed that's it. They seemed to accept it.
Also, something super funny from last week. It was Elder Profits first meal with a member and what do they feed us? Alligator. Yup. Alligator. It was actually really really good. It was a lot like chicken just a little tougher. It actually was one o my favorite things that I have eaten here. Loved it!!!
I love you all!!!!!
Elder Jared the older (I feel like that's how I have to sign out now because of my little bro!!)
To start off, Ill tell you about my new Companion. His name is Elder Profit and he is from Ivans, Utah. It's Great because he is fresh from the MTC. It's so much fun being with a new missionary.I feel like I'm re-living my training just from another point of view! Its funny because he does some of the exact same things that I did. Things that I've adjusted to that he thinks is weird. So Basically I love being with him. Even though he does struggle a bit with Spanish, he is making great great progress. He is a great worker and loves being obedient. So Basically we get a long pretty well. And all I can say its going to be pretty hard or me to be lazy(not that I want to) with him.He is full of energy and I am so glad that he came to me at the finish line to help me go to the end. We work really well and have tons o fun together. So i love it. hes so great.
But the work is going really really well here. We have been focusing a lot on the members. Specifically the leaders to help them get animated to help us in the work. SO for the past 3 weeks, we have had some outstanding ward councils. It was funny to hear a leader say "it feels so good to help the members!!" and that Is so so true. there is so much more excitement in the leaders and we have a great plan and goals that we will be fighting to meet. One example of the work of ou council is we have planned to do this huge service project for a family of recent converts that are living under some very very humble circumstances. The leaders are so ready to help. I feel as if we aren't alone in the work anymore!! I its such a great feeling having lots of people on the same page. So good things are to come in Huguito!!
We had a very interesting doorstep conversation this week. we just decided to clap on this mans door and initially he just says no. So I ask him why and he says that some missionaries tried to convince him that he needed to be baptized. So here is a summarized version of our conversation
Him: "how many times was Jesus Baptized?"
Us: "Once."
H:"I was baptized as a child"
U:"We need to do it right the first time"
followed by discussion about the correct form of baptism
H:"Well I'm not Jesus Christ"
U:" Do you want to be like him?"
H:"Yes."
U:"Then don't you think it would be important to follow his example exactly?"
No Reply
U:"Hermano?"
H: "I'm busy, Come back later:"
Yup so that is basically it.It was a little bit sad just thinking about how he thinks he can change the doctrine of salvation. SO it was sad. But we had a fun conversation. I think it was worth it.
We also heard that we got paid to baptize people. That was something new for me. So I just said that we get blessed that's it. They seemed to accept it.
Also, something super funny from last week. It was Elder Profits first meal with a member and what do they feed us? Alligator. Yup. Alligator. It was actually really really good. It was a lot like chicken just a little tougher. It actually was one o my favorite things that I have eaten here. Loved it!!!
I love you all!!!!!
Elder Jared the older (I feel like that's how I have to sign out now because of my little bro!!)
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| with Elder Johnson |
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| With new companion, Elder Profit and President & Sister McMullin |
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| Study time |
Monday, March 7, 2016
The Last Week of the Change
Well its been another week!! It honestly suprises me every week just how quickly the week passes by. This last week was the last week of the change (I think English missionaries use transfers, but in spanish its "cambios" which means changes). So we find out tomorrow if we have changes.Elder Polo has like 6 months here, so its probable that he goes. It kinda makes me sad, because that means I only have three changes left. Its crazy how quickly time has gone by. But thats enough trunky talk. This week was a good week!
We are still working with Victor. He has found a huge help in the Book of Mormon and Prayer, but has still be struggling with attending church. We have seen huge progression with him. he still is trying to quite smoking and drinking. Its a struggle thats going to take time. But this week we had planned to pick him up sunday morning to go to church together. You could just tell that he really wanted to go to church. So everything was tranquilo. Then sunday morning at like 5:45 in the morning, he called us. Elder Polo talked with him and from what Elder Polo told me he sounded like he was crying. He told us that he had gone to a party. Repeatedly he told us that he was sorry that he wouldnt go to church. We feel like he truly was sorry. but thats the start of the repentance process. Hopefully he realizes what he did wasnt good and will start to act more. Be more wise in his choices. Hopefully his progression will start to accelerate.
Not much else has happened this week. We are starting to see a lot more desire from the ward leaders in the work. They are starting to get more organized and doing their visits. Its a huge relief for us. we feel that we arent alone in the work anymore. It really helps a lont knowing we arent alone.
Im not sure what else to say. Mom sent me pictures of a possible apartment and I lost my train of thought... oops!! Hah but I love you all!!
Elder Jared
We are still working with Victor. He has found a huge help in the Book of Mormon and Prayer, but has still be struggling with attending church. We have seen huge progression with him. he still is trying to quite smoking and drinking. Its a struggle thats going to take time. But this week we had planned to pick him up sunday morning to go to church together. You could just tell that he really wanted to go to church. So everything was tranquilo. Then sunday morning at like 5:45 in the morning, he called us. Elder Polo talked with him and from what Elder Polo told me he sounded like he was crying. He told us that he had gone to a party. Repeatedly he told us that he was sorry that he wouldnt go to church. We feel like he truly was sorry. but thats the start of the repentance process. Hopefully he realizes what he did wasnt good and will start to act more. Be more wise in his choices. Hopefully his progression will start to accelerate.
Not much else has happened this week. We are starting to see a lot more desire from the ward leaders in the work. They are starting to get more organized and doing their visits. Its a huge relief for us. we feel that we arent alone in the work anymore. It really helps a lont knowing we arent alone.
Im not sure what else to say. Mom sent me pictures of a possible apartment and I lost my train of thought... oops!! Hah but I love you all!!
Elder Jared
Monday, February 29, 2016
More training!!
Well so last week we had quite a bit of training with zone conference and with stake conference. And this week we got the cherry on top!! Because Elder Bednar visited the south america south area and we had an area wide mission conference. More than 6000 missionaries involved. It was pretty awesome. Elder Bednar talked more about teaching repentance. But he really gave some pretty good advice. I really liked something that he says. He says that there is a tradition in the church that we will take lots of notes and really love the talks, but then a few weeks later we lose the notes and don't use them. He compared it to the Book of Mormon. Because the Book of Mormon is basically split up into 2 plates. The large plate and the small plates. The large plates were for the historical record (wars and stuff like that) and the small plates were for the teachings of the prophets. He encouraged us to "write on small plates" or write what the spirit tells us. not the speaker. He told us that it will make the notes more meaningful and help us use them more. So these past few days, I really have been focusing on "writing on my small plates" and It is incredible the change I have seen in my studies, It really does help. its a lot harder, but its worth a lot more. So I encourage you to start writing on the small plates :) but other than that, Missionaries were able to asked Elder Bednar questions and it was fun. Elder Bednar really is quite funny. It was fun to see that side of him, but it really was something special receiving the training with him.
Richard is still doing well. He was sustained for his Aaronic Priesthood this week and is looking forward to going to the temple to do baptisms for the dead. He is always doing well!! Haha
We haven't been able to find Victor this week. He has started his studies again so he can finish high school. So he has been really busy. But from when we talk with him on the phone he sounds like he is doing really good. He is still reading to book of Mormon, But we are struggling with him to go to church. Its always a battle, but I think if we can meet with him, he will go. He says he loves going.
We found a new family this week, they are called the Perez family. They are hardcore baptists, but we had a fun conversation with them. It was fun helping them use understand the bible and using to prove our doctrine. We didnt bible bash which was good. Just a good lesson. haha I loved it. Its fun talking with people that actually understand a little bit of the bible!
So it seems like the Paraguayan summer is starting to calm down. I don't want to jinx myself, but its been a tad cooler this week. So grateful for that!!! Haha love you all
Elder Jared
Richard is still doing well. He was sustained for his Aaronic Priesthood this week and is looking forward to going to the temple to do baptisms for the dead. He is always doing well!! Haha
We haven't been able to find Victor this week. He has started his studies again so he can finish high school. So he has been really busy. But from when we talk with him on the phone he sounds like he is doing really good. He is still reading to book of Mormon, But we are struggling with him to go to church. Its always a battle, but I think if we can meet with him, he will go. He says he loves going.
We found a new family this week, they are called the Perez family. They are hardcore baptists, but we had a fun conversation with them. It was fun helping them use understand the bible and using to prove our doctrine. We didnt bible bash which was good. Just a good lesson. haha I loved it. Its fun talking with people that actually understand a little bit of the bible!
So it seems like the Paraguayan summer is starting to calm down. I don't want to jinx myself, but its been a tad cooler this week. So grateful for that!!! Haha love you all
Elder Jared
Monday, February 22, 2016
A week of training
Well this week was a good week. We had quite a bit of training this week with Zone Conference and stake conference so that took up basically all of our time Friday, Saturday and Sunday. but it was so good. There really isn't very much else that passed the other days. It was just the same walking beneath the burning sun. A Hermana told us that the real feel was around 120... so it was just super hot. Good thing sunscreen works. haha
So Friday was Zone Conference. It also was interviews with President McMullin. Time with President McMullin is like gold for us. Its always fun being with president. When we were together, we really passed a lot of time passing. President is actually really funny. I honestly dont remember what was so funny. It just was funny. But we were able to set goals for both of us (he will go home like 2 weeks before I do) so it was just fun to spend some 1 on 1 time with him. Its a little bit sad for me because I have just 1 more interview with him before he leaves... so that will be a little bit hard.
But for more on the zone conference we really are focusing a lot more on teaching repentance. Its a theme that has come from the 12 Apostles that we need to teach repentance and baptize converts. So we were practicing how to really teach repentance and we cant teach repentance without talking about the atonement of Christ. Because we really only can repent when we accept Jesus Christ as our savior. It because of him that we can repent. An alcoholic can stop drinking, but if he doesn't accept Jesus Christ as his Savior, It isn't a true repentance. Its simply a change in habits. Its so critical that when we repent we have to accept Christ. We cant repent without him. We really couldn't do much without Christ.
Saturday and Sunday we had sessions of stake conference. Elder Romulon Cabrera of the Seventy presided the sessions. President McMullin and his wife also attended. Saturday night was the Adult session that we were invited to attend. The focus was on teaching Children the Gospel. Hermana McMullin and President McMullin had everyone laughing and crying because they shared some experiences that really helped the Paraguayans learn. Everyone that I talked to after that loved their talks. Elder Cabrera gave an incredible talk on grace. He used a ton of scriptures that were amazing, It was so good.
Sunday the main topic was repentance. All of the speakers talked about it in some way. President and Elder Cabrera were very direct and very very clear about it. I learned so much it was awesome!!
Victor is doing well. He struggles with smoking and drinking, we called him because we weren't able to meet with him and it that very moment, he told us he was reading the Book of Mormon and he hadn't smoked or drank since Monday. He really really wants to change his life and that is exactly what he is doing with help of the Gospel. Its awesome!!
Love you all
Elder Jared
So Friday was Zone Conference. It also was interviews with President McMullin. Time with President McMullin is like gold for us. Its always fun being with president. When we were together, we really passed a lot of time passing. President is actually really funny. I honestly dont remember what was so funny. It just was funny. But we were able to set goals for both of us (he will go home like 2 weeks before I do) so it was just fun to spend some 1 on 1 time with him. Its a little bit sad for me because I have just 1 more interview with him before he leaves... so that will be a little bit hard.
But for more on the zone conference we really are focusing a lot more on teaching repentance. Its a theme that has come from the 12 Apostles that we need to teach repentance and baptize converts. So we were practicing how to really teach repentance and we cant teach repentance without talking about the atonement of Christ. Because we really only can repent when we accept Jesus Christ as our savior. It because of him that we can repent. An alcoholic can stop drinking, but if he doesn't accept Jesus Christ as his Savior, It isn't a true repentance. Its simply a change in habits. Its so critical that when we repent we have to accept Christ. We cant repent without him. We really couldn't do much without Christ.
Saturday and Sunday we had sessions of stake conference. Elder Romulon Cabrera of the Seventy presided the sessions. President McMullin and his wife also attended. Saturday night was the Adult session that we were invited to attend. The focus was on teaching Children the Gospel. Hermana McMullin and President McMullin had everyone laughing and crying because they shared some experiences that really helped the Paraguayans learn. Everyone that I talked to after that loved their talks. Elder Cabrera gave an incredible talk on grace. He used a ton of scriptures that were amazing, It was so good.
Sunday the main topic was repentance. All of the speakers talked about it in some way. President and Elder Cabrera were very direct and very very clear about it. I learned so much it was awesome!!
Victor is doing well. He struggles with smoking and drinking, we called him because we weren't able to meet with him and it that very moment, he told us he was reading the Book of Mormon and he hadn't smoked or drank since Monday. He really really wants to change his life and that is exactly what he is doing with help of the Gospel. Its awesome!!
Love you all
Elder Jared
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| after yard work |
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| lunch with Elders |
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| dead dog found while doing yard work |
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| selfie surprise? |
Monday, February 15, 2016
Every weeks a Good week with a Baptism!
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| Richard February 13, 2016 |
As I was thinking about Richard last night and I was thinking that as a missionary, in the past 18 months, I haven't converted a single soul. I have only been an instrument in the hands of the Lord to help people feel the spirit. I feel that this advice is specifically for Dallin who is preparing to leave on a mission this summer. So Dal, Just remember you won't convert anyone. But you will see the spirit convert. It HAS to be done by the spirit. Because if it is done by any other means, they won't end up being converted to the Gospel. You just have to invite the spirit to be with the investigator and let the investigator choose. Do it for Christ Dal.
Other than that, I had a cool experience yesterday also. I was just sitting in the Sacrament meeting, by the back door to be the "usher" and a member from the other ward tells me that there were 2 people wanting to listen. So I step out into the foyer and I start talking with Oscar and Maria Franco. I could tell that they probably lived in very humble circumstances. I understood that they were from the interior of Paraguay and mostly spoke Guaraní. But from what I understood, They had come to Asunción to go to the hospital and they wanted to listen to the Word of God. So they just entered and sat down in the foyer until the member told me about them. as I explained to them what was happening, we entered and they started listening, During the middle of a talk, I could see Oscar whisper to his wife something and tears were streaming down his face. I'm almost sure it was the spirit. Then after the meeting, the Bishop starts talking with them and I never saw them again. but it felt good helping them!
My verse of the week is Alma 37:7 love it!!
Love you all
Elder Jared
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