Herro familia!
WOW! Just want to say how much I love you all and how special all are to me!! Thank you so much for the package that you all sent! :) the camera.. re piola enserio! I have been capturing photos and been hiding it better, no chorro va a robarla jamás! Thank you all so much for being so incredible. I love your letters, I love your example and I love the weird Pepsi videos with Mexican music in the background! Haha son raros ustedes. Speaking of Mexicans.. I received an Elder Juarez from Mexico City, Mexico! :) SOO sweet! He is a capo and has so much new missionary spirit! He´s very excited to be here in Argentina finally (was serving for 3 months in Mexico waiting for his visa) and is fascinated with el país. It´s interesting going from an Argentine to a Mexicano... the cultures are so different. I´ve had in my mind all this week Nacho Libre :) I´ll leave it at that, but haha it´s been great! The first couple days we had to keep a pretty close eye on his mouth.. In Mexico they use some words that here in Argentina you´ll get a nice trompada if you say them. (a punch in the face) It´s been fun to be with a brand new missionary and to experience again all that comes in the package of getting used to this work and to be in a new country with a new culture. He already is an excellent teacher... every missionary comes with their own way of teaching, but I realized that mine needs a tune-up pretty badly. He´s a great example and a funny little guy! We have a good time and we´re gonna do great work in Fiorito!
This week has been a little bit crazy! We picked up the new Elders from the mission home on Tuesday after an incredible meeting that we had to be trained as trainers (weird irony in that). We were truly filled with the spirit of these new missionaries and the blessing that they are to a mission. We talked about how important it is to be obedient. I have been working hard this week to be 100% obedient. It truly is the key to a successful mission. The Lord aligns His purposes in our lives as we committ to this principle. I love the help that our Heavenly Father provides to use in D&C 82:
8 And again, I say unto you, I give unto you a anew commandment, that you may understand my will concerning you;
9 Or, in other words, I give unto you directions how you may act before me, that it may turn to you for your salvation
10 I, the Lord, am abound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise.
Sometimes we lose track in difficult times in our lives and we can begin to go off by just 1 degree as Pres. Uchtdorf explained. The consequences are tragic. Even the loss of His spirit. However, as we are diligent in obedience to the Lord we are blessed in abundance with the direction needed for our Salvation. I love also the comforting invitation that He gives for us to return and "refrain from sin,"
...Peace be with you; my blessings continue with you.
24 For even yet the kingdom is yours, and shall be forever, if you fall not from your steadfastness. Even so. Amen.
What a tender father that we have! I am humbled to know that I am His son and that He goes to the very ends of the universe and to the deepest of pits to touch our hearts with this invitation. I feel it in my heart and testify that it is true.
Friday we had a meeting for leaders. It. was. long. Ha, but it was worth every minute. I remember that I didn´t look up very much because my concentration was to my notebook! :) I am excited to be apart of helping Argentina Buenos Aires South grow and reach it´s full potential. I was impressed again by Presidente Stapley and his love for us and his desire that we all grow to become more like Christ. We can do that by Love, Desire, and Joy! We talked a lot about these 3 things and what we can do to help others grow in these 3 attributes. The Elders in our District are great! This last week we were able to get to know each other a little better and share in uplifting experiences that we have in the obra! I am excited to see how things go and know that I´ll be learning more from them.
Well this week the spirit of the temple continues to grow as we get closer to the opening of the Temple of Buenos Aires! :) Each companionship in our zone has been given 5000 flyers that we are to hand out... :) We talk to a lot of people right now and it is so great! My testimony has grown as I have thought why the temple is so important, what it means for us, and what we receive from these sacred houses! I was able to give a lesson this last Sunday on what happens in the temple and was so grateful to realize how important it is. I hope you all make it a PRIORITY in your lives to go, when it is so close we can´t afford not to visit His house as often as we can. D&C 43:16 is an incredible scripture! I invite you to read it, it helped me to understand more clearly the importance of the temple.
I love you all so much!! I´m grateful Mom and Dad for the decision that you both made to marry in the Temple and all that it means for us as an eternal family. I pray that we can be obedient with exactness so that our Father's Kingdom may be ours! Have a great week! :)
Saludos!
Elder Jolley
Monday, July 23, 2012
Monday, July 16, 2012
¡Queridos!
What a week, what a week! The baptisms.. A HIT! and one of the best baptismal services that I think a missionary could have! I´ll tell you about them a little bit later. Elder Alvarado and I had a great week in Fiorito helping and preparing our investigators for their baptism and also helping to animate the "area" for this service that we were going to have. We had a lot of emphasis in bring as many people as we could to the baptism. We had a great turn out!! Especially for Juana, Donene, and Sandro I think it was extra special as their families were able to be there and take part in this special event. (They brought a whole crew!.. It was sweet!)
The baptism was lindo! We started our preparations at about noon, we had to clean the chapel, clean the font, and set everything up. Además we had a farewell party for an hermana that will be leaving to serve a mission in Paraguay so we were able to take a minute and help set that up as well. The farewell started about 3 o´clock and was great! Reminded me a lot of when I left. Several people were asked to share their testimonies and any counsel that they had for her. A lot of people showed up from the rama to support her and was a HUGE blessing for us because while we were eating torta and other goodies Elder Alvarado and I locking the doors so that everyone would stay for the baptism. Haha just kidding.. They all stayed willingly and it was a great reunion. We had set up chairs and everything in a separate room, but because of how many people showed up we had to move everyone to the sacrament room (?). It was a huge joy for me and was really special to be able to sit with everyone and be able to just smile. I was thinking a lot about our investigators and how special the message of our Savior is and the peace that it truly brings to us. I was filled in that moment with a greater love for Fiorito. While everyone was changing we had planned to show the movie of "The Restoration," SOO good! Juana and Donene brought their daughter and granddaughter and later they told us how incredible that it was! I learned a lot about how important focused planning is. Thinking about the baptismal service the week before I never imagined that it would have turned out how it did, but It was a testimony to me that as we faithfully plan and truly include the spirit in our plans the Lord fills in the gaps and then puts a little garnish on the top! ;) Learned this week that planning and focus is so important. Time is flying by... Hay que aprovechar cada minuto que tenemos y cuando no estamos enfocados cómo debemos, tiempe puede soltarse de nosotros aún mas rapido. Fue una semana dura en este sentido pero un lección que lo agradezco a mi padre celestial por haberme enseñado.
We also received an interesting phone call from Presidente Stapley during our preparations. He had a couple things the "run by me." Ha Elder Alvarado has been called to be the new pencionero en las oficinas and has headed there now. He´s super chocho (happy) because he gets to drive again and the mission just got a brand new Toyota.. Ojito in the streets of Buenos Aires. He told me a couple of stories of car crashes that he had in the past.. I´m praying I´ll see him again! haha No, but I´m really sad to have switched.. Elder Alvarado was an amazing help to me and a great friend. I´m just hoping that I´ll be able to get another Latino, he put me on a super spanish high and speaking 24/7 with a native is grandisimo! Presidente Stapley has called me to be the new District Leader in Fiorito and has asked for me to be a Trainer again! I´m super excited, nothing else! Just full of thanks for what I´m able to experience and all that I´ll be able to learn. I notice that the Lord qualifies us and can bring us to a higher level in order to call us to new assignments. I feel "weak" in knowing what to do and how i´ll be able to do it but I know that I´m able to! I realized this last transfer all the things that I need to be able to do in order to serve better and feel that this is my blessing to be able to step up and put into practice. As a leader for the Lord, we really are blessed with a 2 part blessing. The first is to DO and APPLY all that we can in order to have a testimony of what the Lord has asked us to do. By gaining a testimony we then are blessed to speak by the power of the Holy Ghost and He will be our witness that those things a true- with this spirit we can teach and bring others to new heights. I´m thrilled to love and support those in my District. D&C 84:106 was a powerful scripture that Presidente shared with me and a humbling challenge as I go into the next step of faith!
I´m grateful for your prayers. They are a true support! I hope you have a great week and all the blessings of our Father in Heaven. I´ll fill ya in on pictures next week with the hijo!
Elder Jolley
What a week, what a week! The baptisms.. A HIT! and one of the best baptismal services that I think a missionary could have! I´ll tell you about them a little bit later. Elder Alvarado and I had a great week in Fiorito helping and preparing our investigators for their baptism and also helping to animate the "area" for this service that we were going to have. We had a lot of emphasis in bring as many people as we could to the baptism. We had a great turn out!! Especially for Juana, Donene, and Sandro I think it was extra special as their families were able to be there and take part in this special event. (They brought a whole crew!.. It was sweet!)
The baptism was lindo! We started our preparations at about noon, we had to clean the chapel, clean the font, and set everything up. Además we had a farewell party for an hermana that will be leaving to serve a mission in Paraguay so we were able to take a minute and help set that up as well. The farewell started about 3 o´clock and was great! Reminded me a lot of when I left. Several people were asked to share their testimonies and any counsel that they had for her. A lot of people showed up from the rama to support her and was a HUGE blessing for us because while we were eating torta and other goodies Elder Alvarado and I locking the doors so that everyone would stay for the baptism. Haha just kidding.. They all stayed willingly and it was a great reunion. We had set up chairs and everything in a separate room, but because of how many people showed up we had to move everyone to the sacrament room (?). It was a huge joy for me and was really special to be able to sit with everyone and be able to just smile. I was thinking a lot about our investigators and how special the message of our Savior is and the peace that it truly brings to us. I was filled in that moment with a greater love for Fiorito. While everyone was changing we had planned to show the movie of "The Restoration," SOO good! Juana and Donene brought their daughter and granddaughter and later they told us how incredible that it was! I learned a lot about how important focused planning is. Thinking about the baptismal service the week before I never imagined that it would have turned out how it did, but It was a testimony to me that as we faithfully plan and truly include the spirit in our plans the Lord fills in the gaps and then puts a little garnish on the top! ;) Learned this week that planning and focus is so important. Time is flying by... Hay que aprovechar cada minuto que tenemos y cuando no estamos enfocados cómo debemos, tiempe puede soltarse de nosotros aún mas rapido. Fue una semana dura en este sentido pero un lección que lo agradezco a mi padre celestial por haberme enseñado.
We also received an interesting phone call from Presidente Stapley during our preparations. He had a couple things the "run by me." Ha Elder Alvarado has been called to be the new pencionero en las oficinas and has headed there now. He´s super chocho (happy) because he gets to drive again and the mission just got a brand new Toyota.. Ojito in the streets of Buenos Aires. He told me a couple of stories of car crashes that he had in the past.. I´m praying I´ll see him again! haha No, but I´m really sad to have switched.. Elder Alvarado was an amazing help to me and a great friend. I´m just hoping that I´ll be able to get another Latino, he put me on a super spanish high and speaking 24/7 with a native is grandisimo! Presidente Stapley has called me to be the new District Leader in Fiorito and has asked for me to be a Trainer again! I´m super excited, nothing else! Just full of thanks for what I´m able to experience and all that I´ll be able to learn. I notice that the Lord qualifies us and can bring us to a higher level in order to call us to new assignments. I feel "weak" in knowing what to do and how i´ll be able to do it but I know that I´m able to! I realized this last transfer all the things that I need to be able to do in order to serve better and feel that this is my blessing to be able to step up and put into practice. As a leader for the Lord, we really are blessed with a 2 part blessing. The first is to DO and APPLY all that we can in order to have a testimony of what the Lord has asked us to do. By gaining a testimony we then are blessed to speak by the power of the Holy Ghost and He will be our witness that those things a true- with this spirit we can teach and bring others to new heights. I´m thrilled to love and support those in my District. D&C 84:106 was a powerful scripture that Presidente shared with me and a humbling challenge as I go into the next step of faith!
I´m grateful for your prayers. They are a true support! I hope you have a great week and all the blessings of our Father in Heaven. I´ll fill ya in on pictures next week with the hijo!
Elder Jolley
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Dear Family!!
AH! Welcome Home Ryan! :) What a crazy week to be a part of... I´ve been literally shaking as a read your letters! I was so excited to see what this week was like for you guys! I was trying to follow the day a little bit as to when he´d get home, but turns out I was sleeping when he got home! Igual had a little bienvenida for him in the house of Donene and Juana! He had a sweet gorra that reminded me of Mongolia so I asked permission to use. (also please get a good look at the tie I was sporting! haha)
Turns out we didn´t have the baptism. Juana wasn´t quite ready so she wouldn´t have been able to be baptized. When we talked to Donene about that he was firm in wanting to do things as a "team" something that turned out being a lot better I believe. This last week we´ve passed by a few more times and have put thought into each lesson and la verdad is que nosotros tuvimos algunas leccions LLENO con el Espiritu! They´ve been able to grow more and more firm in their testimonies. I love our soon to be converts they are fantastic and truly are convertited to this gospel. My day gets better from the happiness that is there when we can speak with them. This Saturday (for sure!) we´ll be having 3 baptisms!! Donene, Juana, and a man named Sandro. Sandro was a reference that we received from a couple Elders in another zone. He had been listening to them for algunos meses, was ready to be baptized but needed to fix some problems on the home front. His relationship wasn´t healthy and to be able to put his life in order with the Lords standards he got separated and moved away. He has a powerful and profound testimony of the Book of Mormon. A true desire to follow our Savior and has felt His love in his life. We are extremely thankful for this addition in our work! This week was mainly focused on them, to make sure they are definitely prepared for Saturday. Sorry, wait one more week for the finale! :) ...Luis. Uh we´ve been trying to pass by to meet with him and figure out what he´s thinking but every time we came by he had something to go and do, but later found him outside al pedo! It´s been pretty sad for me but we keep pressing on and trying to help him obtain the gospel in his life! I´ll keep ya updated.
Right now we are realizing that we´re in need of "fresh meat" that is ready to receive the gospel. We´ve had a couple great contacts and follow up lessons with FAMILIES! Wahoo. How great it is to meet and teach a family!! Truly i´ve been able to recognize our Fathers plan for this sacred...thing? (I´m lost as to what you´d use there..) Yesterday we met with both of them.. only were able to teach one because of a futbol game that was happening, bummer! I´m super hopeful for this family, Mario y Miriam and their 3 kids. We were able to teach a great lesson about the restoration. This week i´ve been really working to become a better and more powerful teacher. In being direct and preaching "Salvation" has been a true blessing to us as we´ve had the companionship of the spirit with us, also it has helped us to progress further in helping these people accept our message. It is a project to become a good teacher and requires a lot of patience. I´ve been really involved in reading Jesus the Christ this week. An inspired book!! I am learning about how Christ developed and began His ministry. Precept upon precept we are able to grow in grace and truth. He truly is our greatest Teacher because of the example that He set.
John 1 it talks about the when Christ called His disciples who were curious but desirous to learn and to know more about this Messiah that they had heard much about. We too can be related to these disciples as we look to become better in our lives:
36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the aLamb of God!
37 And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.
38 Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Master, where dwellest thou?
39 He saith unto them, Come and see...
Many times in our lives we have great challenges that we seek solutions to. In these challenges, I thank my Heavenly Father that we have the example and the invitation of Christ himself to "come and see" what it is that He offers. I know that we must grow in our understanding of The Son of God, by doing so I promise that our testimonies and endurance will grow and the things that He will show us will give us the exit that we need to a live full of peace and love! I hope you all have a great week! I love you all and love my Savior Jesus Christ. He is Gods beloved son, I know it to be true!
With all my love, Elder Jolley
A picture of the Semena. A new system being tested in
our home to better manage our area
AH! Welcome Home Ryan! :) What a crazy week to be a part of... I´ve been literally shaking as a read your letters! I was so excited to see what this week was like for you guys! I was trying to follow the day a little bit as to when he´d get home, but turns out I was sleeping when he got home! Igual had a little bienvenida for him in the house of Donene and Juana! He had a sweet gorra that reminded me of Mongolia so I asked permission to use. (also please get a good look at the tie I was sporting! haha)
Turns out we didn´t have the baptism. Juana wasn´t quite ready so she wouldn´t have been able to be baptized. When we talked to Donene about that he was firm in wanting to do things as a "team" something that turned out being a lot better I believe. This last week we´ve passed by a few more times and have put thought into each lesson and la verdad is que nosotros tuvimos algunas leccions LLENO con el Espiritu! They´ve been able to grow more and more firm in their testimonies. I love our soon to be converts they are fantastic and truly are convertited to this gospel. My day gets better from the happiness that is there when we can speak with them. This Saturday (for sure!) we´ll be having 3 baptisms!! Donene, Juana, and a man named Sandro. Sandro was a reference that we received from a couple Elders in another zone. He had been listening to them for algunos meses, was ready to be baptized but needed to fix some problems on the home front. His relationship wasn´t healthy and to be able to put his life in order with the Lords standards he got separated and moved away. He has a powerful and profound testimony of the Book of Mormon. A true desire to follow our Savior and has felt His love in his life. We are extremely thankful for this addition in our work! This week was mainly focused on them, to make sure they are definitely prepared for Saturday. Sorry, wait one more week for the finale! :) ...Luis. Uh we´ve been trying to pass by to meet with him and figure out what he´s thinking but every time we came by he had something to go and do, but later found him outside al pedo! It´s been pretty sad for me but we keep pressing on and trying to help him obtain the gospel in his life! I´ll keep ya updated.
Right now we are realizing that we´re in need of "fresh meat" that is ready to receive the gospel. We´ve had a couple great contacts and follow up lessons with FAMILIES! Wahoo. How great it is to meet and teach a family!! Truly i´ve been able to recognize our Fathers plan for this sacred...thing? (I´m lost as to what you´d use there..) Yesterday we met with both of them.. only were able to teach one because of a futbol game that was happening, bummer! I´m super hopeful for this family, Mario y Miriam and their 3 kids. We were able to teach a great lesson about the restoration. This week i´ve been really working to become a better and more powerful teacher. In being direct and preaching "Salvation" has been a true blessing to us as we´ve had the companionship of the spirit with us, also it has helped us to progress further in helping these people accept our message. It is a project to become a good teacher and requires a lot of patience. I´ve been really involved in reading Jesus the Christ this week. An inspired book!! I am learning about how Christ developed and began His ministry. Precept upon precept we are able to grow in grace and truth. He truly is our greatest Teacher because of the example that He set.
John 1 it talks about the when Christ called His disciples who were curious but desirous to learn and to know more about this Messiah that they had heard much about. We too can be related to these disciples as we look to become better in our lives:
36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the aLamb of God!
37 And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.
38 Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Master, where dwellest thou?
39 He saith unto them, Come and see...
Many times in our lives we have great challenges that we seek solutions to. In these challenges, I thank my Heavenly Father that we have the example and the invitation of Christ himself to "come and see" what it is that He offers. I know that we must grow in our understanding of The Son of God, by doing so I promise that our testimonies and endurance will grow and the things that He will show us will give us the exit that we need to a live full of peace and love! I hope you all have a great week! I love you all and love my Savior Jesus Christ. He is Gods beloved son, I know it to be true!
With all my love, Elder Jolley
A picture of the Semena. A new system being tested in
our home to better manage our area
Pizza! I continue with my habits and got Papa Murphy's! haha
Mmm... mangos!
Monday, July 2, 2012
Querido familia!
What a great day for emails. I was filled with your love and loved to hear about your summer fun! Glad to hear that all is well with everyone and that ustedes están tan felices. (I put until September of 2013 for the new Jeep!) Wow... super weird to hear about Ryan's week. Kinda hit me strangely to imagine that he´ll be with you all tomorrow. I am glad to be here en La Argentina and this last week have really realized the need for passion in our work and for what we do. I´m excited to hear about this experience that you´ll have. (I´d love to know strange details Skyler.. if the waist has "expanded" if there is facial hair!! haha the works).
It´s been a great week in Fiorito. The highlight of the week was entrevistas con Presidente Stapley! I know without doubt that that man is inspired by God. We had an amazing chat and was truly uplifted from how he has lived his life, things that he has done and still maintains to be the great man that he is. I have a great respect for Mission Presidents and am so grateful for the impact that they have on missionaries. Time after time there comes the advice that is needed! We had the entrevistas Thursday that took up most of the morning, we also were given some training by the Asistentes and Lideres de Zona. They have been super impressed by the change in Fiorito (I think everyone has been) and left us with some big desafios to aumentar our work and to grow in faith and desire for what we can achieve. Translados are coming up in a couple weeks, I should stay for at least one more, but I´m really not liking the thought that my time is getting shorter here in Fiorito. I have been blessed beyond measure by being here in this area and truly feel amazed at all that the Lord has allowed us to do. We left from Entrevistas with a new desire and a greater fire for what we were going to do.
Our week has been focused a lot on our Fechas. Really toning into what we need to do to help them arrive at baptism. This Saturday that is coming we are going to have a baptism for Donene!! I´m so excited. As of a couple weeks ago he was sitting on the fence with his decision, hadn't really accepted the spirit as an answer. In these weeks though we´ve been blessed to have outstanding spiritual experiences with him that has allowed him to put himself firm in the decision. Haha... the only day he told us, "if it were for me I´d throw myself in the water today!" We like that kinda attitude! :) It´s been a tremendous journey with him and to see Heavenly Father extend His peace and love to Donene´s heart to allow him to feel secure. I know that this church is true. Couldn´t know it more! There is a power behind true testimony, it WILL NOT FAIL when we ask our Heavenly Father and His spirit confirms the truth. Highland, Utah doesn´t really give the world's view on religion, I´m grateful to see SO much confusion in religion, but to see so clearly the truth.
Luis is trucking along. Here there is something call fiaca.. it´s a beast! Fiaca = Laziness. The "simple" cure is patience and an increase in our faith in Jesus Christ and these tender whisperings of the Spirit. We started this treatment a while ago, but this week were able to see the man progress!! :) We´ve been going to visit the Familia Martinez often just to read from the Book of Mormon. When we come we explain what we are going to read and from that point on Luis is the man! He wants to read everything. We read from Alma 36 about the conversion of Alma- taking all his pains and having them transformed into pure joy! At the end of the lesson Luis was explaining how amazing that change was... He was super interested in this change! What touched me the most was that he told us, "I finally get it, I finally understand what this Book is talking about. Before it was confusing, but today was Bien Claro!" Vamos todavia! He is kapo and is a real testimony of the power of change that the Atonement brings! We´ve been counting on the Book of Mormon to be our best friend and it´s been working absolute miracles in laying out the pure doctrine that The Church of Jesus Christ offers.
Yesterday was a satisfying Sunday! President Pulido has become a best friend. We can truly rely on him now and know that he is going to teach according to the spirit. He has changed completely. Yesterday he taught the Gospel Principles class and I sat in the back just filled with joy as he taught. Nobody gave 2 pesos to his cause, but I´m thankful to see what Love and Patience is capable of doing. I love Nephi 32:
1 And now, behold, my beloved brethren, I suppose that ye ponder somewhat in your hearts concerning that which ye should do after ye have entered in by the way. But, behold, why do ye ponder these things in your hearts?
2 Do ye not remember that I said unto you that after ye had received the Holy Ghost ye could speak with the tongue of angels? And now, how could ye speak with the tongue of angels save it were by the Holy Ghost?
3 Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.
4 Wherefore, now after I have spoken these words, if ye cannot understand them it will be because ye ask not, neither do ye knock; wherefore, ye are not brought into the light, but must perish in the dark.
5 For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do.
When the Spirit of the Lord enters into our lives and we accept Him, we will be guided in what we are supposed to do and who we are supposed to become. We must give ear to what He says because He will tell us what to say.. we truly take the place of Angels. When we learn to follow and do as the spirit says, God sees no need to send anyone else because that same glory and power will be given to us! President Pulido has been able to do that and I know that we can to.
We continue to be excited for the temple re-dedication! Missionary efforts are beginning to be focused in this event. I miss the temple so much! We were told that all missionaries will participate in the Re-dedication of the Buenos Aires Temple! How great of an experience that will be! We´ll be working a lot with our members and menos-activos this month in helping them be prepared for this event! President Eyring should be coming! :)
My time is up, but thanks again for all the letters! Please, give Ryan a super big hug for me and tell him (in person) how much we all love him and are grateful for his example! Mom and Dad.. Happy Anniversary!! :) My mind went back to Lake Powell A YEAR AGO! I hope you had a great time together! Thanks for your example of a covenant keeping matrimonio. Love you all and love my Savior Jesus Christ and LOVE being His missionary.
Elder Jolley (el Único)
What a great day for emails. I was filled with your love and loved to hear about your summer fun! Glad to hear that all is well with everyone and that ustedes están tan felices. (I put until September of 2013 for the new Jeep!) Wow... super weird to hear about Ryan's week. Kinda hit me strangely to imagine that he´ll be with you all tomorrow. I am glad to be here en La Argentina and this last week have really realized the need for passion in our work and for what we do. I´m excited to hear about this experience that you´ll have. (I´d love to know strange details Skyler.. if the waist has "expanded" if there is facial hair!! haha the works).
It´s been a great week in Fiorito. The highlight of the week was entrevistas con Presidente Stapley! I know without doubt that that man is inspired by God. We had an amazing chat and was truly uplifted from how he has lived his life, things that he has done and still maintains to be the great man that he is. I have a great respect for Mission Presidents and am so grateful for the impact that they have on missionaries. Time after time there comes the advice that is needed! We had the entrevistas Thursday that took up most of the morning, we also were given some training by the Asistentes and Lideres de Zona. They have been super impressed by the change in Fiorito (I think everyone has been) and left us with some big desafios to aumentar our work and to grow in faith and desire for what we can achieve. Translados are coming up in a couple weeks, I should stay for at least one more, but I´m really not liking the thought that my time is getting shorter here in Fiorito. I have been blessed beyond measure by being here in this area and truly feel amazed at all that the Lord has allowed us to do. We left from Entrevistas with a new desire and a greater fire for what we were going to do.
Our week has been focused a lot on our Fechas. Really toning into what we need to do to help them arrive at baptism. This Saturday that is coming we are going to have a baptism for Donene!! I´m so excited. As of a couple weeks ago he was sitting on the fence with his decision, hadn't really accepted the spirit as an answer. In these weeks though we´ve been blessed to have outstanding spiritual experiences with him that has allowed him to put himself firm in the decision. Haha... the only day he told us, "if it were for me I´d throw myself in the water today!" We like that kinda attitude! :) It´s been a tremendous journey with him and to see Heavenly Father extend His peace and love to Donene´s heart to allow him to feel secure. I know that this church is true. Couldn´t know it more! There is a power behind true testimony, it WILL NOT FAIL when we ask our Heavenly Father and His spirit confirms the truth. Highland, Utah doesn´t really give the world's view on religion, I´m grateful to see SO much confusion in religion, but to see so clearly the truth.
Luis is trucking along. Here there is something call fiaca.. it´s a beast! Fiaca = Laziness. The "simple" cure is patience and an increase in our faith in Jesus Christ and these tender whisperings of the Spirit. We started this treatment a while ago, but this week were able to see the man progress!! :) We´ve been going to visit the Familia Martinez often just to read from the Book of Mormon. When we come we explain what we are going to read and from that point on Luis is the man! He wants to read everything. We read from Alma 36 about the conversion of Alma- taking all his pains and having them transformed into pure joy! At the end of the lesson Luis was explaining how amazing that change was... He was super interested in this change! What touched me the most was that he told us, "I finally get it, I finally understand what this Book is talking about. Before it was confusing, but today was Bien Claro!" Vamos todavia! He is kapo and is a real testimony of the power of change that the Atonement brings! We´ve been counting on the Book of Mormon to be our best friend and it´s been working absolute miracles in laying out the pure doctrine that The Church of Jesus Christ offers.
Yesterday was a satisfying Sunday! President Pulido has become a best friend. We can truly rely on him now and know that he is going to teach according to the spirit. He has changed completely. Yesterday he taught the Gospel Principles class and I sat in the back just filled with joy as he taught. Nobody gave 2 pesos to his cause, but I´m thankful to see what Love and Patience is capable of doing. I love Nephi 32:
1 And now, behold, my beloved brethren, I suppose that ye ponder somewhat in your hearts concerning that which ye should do after ye have entered in by the way. But, behold, why do ye ponder these things in your hearts?
2 Do ye not remember that I said unto you that after ye had received the Holy Ghost ye could speak with the tongue of angels? And now, how could ye speak with the tongue of angels save it were by the Holy Ghost?
3 Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.
4 Wherefore, now after I have spoken these words, if ye cannot understand them it will be because ye ask not, neither do ye knock; wherefore, ye are not brought into the light, but must perish in the dark.
5 For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do.
When the Spirit of the Lord enters into our lives and we accept Him, we will be guided in what we are supposed to do and who we are supposed to become. We must give ear to what He says because He will tell us what to say.. we truly take the place of Angels. When we learn to follow and do as the spirit says, God sees no need to send anyone else because that same glory and power will be given to us! President Pulido has been able to do that and I know that we can to.
We continue to be excited for the temple re-dedication! Missionary efforts are beginning to be focused in this event. I miss the temple so much! We were told that all missionaries will participate in the Re-dedication of the Buenos Aires Temple! How great of an experience that will be! We´ll be working a lot with our members and menos-activos this month in helping them be prepared for this event! President Eyring should be coming! :)
My time is up, but thanks again for all the letters! Please, give Ryan a super big hug for me and tell him (in person) how much we all love him and are grateful for his example! Mom and Dad.. Happy Anniversary!! :) My mind went back to Lake Powell A YEAR AGO! I hope you had a great time together! Thanks for your example of a covenant keeping matrimonio. Love you all and love my Savior Jesus Christ and LOVE being His missionary.
Elder Jolley (el Único)
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