Devins letter

Dear Family and Friends,

 

How is everyone!? I hope everything is going good for you all at home.

 

So this week I went to my new area that I am sweeping into. Its hard to sweep. A sweep is when 2 missionaries leave an area and 2 fresh missionaries come in. So we both know like nothing about the area. My companion is great though. he has been through 4 sweeps so he knows what he is doing. he is from California and he is like 6'4'' and like 280 pounds. I forgot a picture this week but he is great. So this week has been a lot of organizing and trying to figure out names. its also been huge on service and the amount we do here. I am getting sunburned we are out side serving all the time. Our WML is super service oriented and so we are always out and about with him ha ha its awesome. So this week was mentally hard ha ha. I heard that 6 months out is another rut for most missionaries. So I have just been thinking alot about my life and my mission and it makes me notice all the things that are going on. So this area we are starting fresh and so it seems to be going so slow ha ha but I know it will pick up. Thanks for all the support that I have been given. its hard to know what to talk about out here because nothing is really progressing or anything. But I want you to know that everything is good I am learning alot and I am praying for you all!

 

- Elder Frampton

ARG- Elder Gillett 5.26.14

Yesterday was flag day in Argentina too so everyone was cooking asado and other stuff too! We even sang the national anthem of argentina in church yesterday too! hahah

So this week was a realllly really good week but I can´t seem to not be sick since being here in Argentina! I think I am getting used to the water and food still right now!

But yeah this week we went and visited Hermana Paz(peace) haha! She is super nice and is like 30 years old or so! Has a bunch of kids and split up with her husband to be baptized in the church a couple years ago! But she has had some problems with overcoming some addictions with smoking (like everybody in Argentina) but we visited her once a couple weeks ago and she was like I don´t know if I can quit! I really want to but I don´t know how! So now a week or two later we decided to go back and visit her and see how she was doing! She invited us in and she shared her testimony with us and read some scriptures (2nd Nephi 9:41 i think-about god being the gate keeper for heaven and how he is waiting to welcome us in if we can be obedient) And she really liked the scriptures so we offered a priesthood blessing at the end... and I gave my first priesthood blessing in spanish! It was really hard at first but then the words kinda of just came out of me and I don´t remember a ton of waht I said but I do remember a feeling of just being really powerful and loving during this blessing! It was super cool! And after we finished she turned to us and said thank you so much! That was exactly what I needed! We talked to her for a little bit longer and then I heard Elder Santos say "do you have any cigarettes in your house right now?" she said she does and he told her to go get them! There is a scripture in the book of mormon that he referenced that I am not sure where it is but it says you can break the chains of sin with gods help! so he read that and instead of chains he read the cigarettes! So she did it! She ripped them up! and threw them in the trash and said I am done! She came to church yesterday a few days after this and came up to us and said that she has been clean of them since we visited which was like 3 days!

Then on saturday we went on splits with different elders in our district so I was in a companionship with Elder Dahl from Logan! He is a stud! hahah we worked really hard that day and had a lot of success talking to new people and now in their area they have a bunch of new people to talk about the evangelio (gospel) too! But during this time Elder Dahl´s companion went with Elder Santos to teach Ruben and some menos activos in our ward! They went and taught Ruben and during this they had a strong member of the ward go with them and help to teach! They taught about the word of wisdom and that he can stop smoking! And he agreed to it! He gave them the cigarrettes he had with them and told them he would stop smoking and come to church on sunday! He wasn´t able to come to church on sunday though because he got called in for work and really needs to money! But we will go visit him this week and make sure he comes this next week! Maybe he will be ready for baptism soon! haha and during the lesson there was a menos activo member who walked by and noticed the missionarys talking to Ruben and he went and joined in and helped to testify of the church and everything! I guess Ruben even said he KNOWS that Joseph Smith is a true prophet too! Really crazy and awesome week! Now to find out a way to fix the water so we aren´t always getting sick down here and stuff!

I woke up sick this morning... again! I think it was something that I ate but I feel a lot better now! They have a really nice advanced filter that we are able to use in our apartments but I don´t think that is the problem! The problem is at members houses when they might not have a filter for the water or something! Yeah i haven´t ate anything yet but I don´t want to drink the water because that is what is making me sick I think in part! So i am drinking tang mix! Which hopefully it doesn´t come out the same color! haha   The mission is too much fun to not keep pushing on!

We are even going to play some soccer also! haha

---------------

Pictures attached-
#1  Elder Gillett sporting a cute hat
#2  Very PROUD of how CLEAN they were able to get their shower! If you remember the last picture, it looks A LOT better. However, he accidentally bleached the tips of his Nike shoes while cleaning the shower. And admitted to getting pretty HIGH while smelling all the fumes. haha-  (he didn't know that bleach would ruin/discolor his shoes...)

#3  His NEW (used) ARGENTINA Soccer jersey -  

elder weelson (5/26)

Hello Family!

This week was so incredible.  Even better than the last week!  Life could not get better out here in Fuenlabrada with Elder Bohne.  This place is incredible.  Each day I am growing to love this city more and more.  I don't know what it is.... this City doesnt really have any huge cool things... but there is something about this place.... I dont know what it is... but I just love it.  Elder Bohne is the MAN.  That guy is such a stud, and we are enjoying every single second together. 

So this week I am going to start off with some funny things that happened this week. Its weird... I feel like Im laughing the entire day... but I can never remember stories.  But anyways.... Last monday for Pday we went to the Chinese Buffet Wok... and wow did I pound the food.... never have I eaten that much at a buffet in my entire life..... just pounded it.  Well... the very next day I just felt awful when I woke up, and had a bad case of the runs.  But no worries, It all turned out okay, and we didnt lose a single minute of proselyting time.  I dont know how I servived without bathrooms, but I did! And no worries, It was just that 1 day.  I just needed to flush all that chinese food out of my system.  

Okay, now Im serious.  You can never be too serious in life, ya know?:)  Right Kdub?  hahaha.  But this week we had an AMAZING zone conference with President and the Assistants. They spoke a ton about Love.  Love for our Savior, Jesus Christ.  And how our love for Him, should carry us.  Our love for Him should give us the desires to work hard, to be exactly obedient and to do EVERYTHING possible to do the work of the Lord.  It was an incredible conference.  Presidnet talked a lot about how this work isn't about us.  Way too often we focus on ourselves. And its so true.  That really touched my heart, because I realized Im focusing way to much on myself. Everything should be for the investigators and members.  I loved it so much, and Im really excited to just forget myself and get to work.  The conference was amazing, and I couldnt be more excited to work every single day to Love the Lord more and more, and to forget myself more and more.  

This week was also the finals of the Champions League.  Atlético Madrid x Real Madrid.  We didnt see any part of the game... but boy did we hear it.  It was crazy.  There was NO ONE out on the streets.  Everyone was in the bars and just screaming, chanting and going crazy.  Lets just say it took a long time to get to bed that night because of all the city just going crazy.  Real Madrid I guess won in Extra Time, is the word on the street.  It was so crazy, and an awesome experience to be there for for the finals with two clubs from Madrid!  

The Lord truly is hastening His work. Its incredible.  He is just putting people in our path.  2 weeks ago we found a brother and sister from Colombia named Marcos and Edith.  They are like there 40s now.  Well it was really hard to get into contact with them, and we almost forgot about them.  Well one day we just decided to pass by their home.  They  were there but just leaving, so we set up a time and day to meet.  Well at the end, Marcos and Edith ended up coming to play soccer with us, and they brought 3 friends! It was awesome.  So we rolled up to the church saturday morning with 5 colombians.  We gave them a tour of the chapel and they loved it, and had tons of amazing questions.  We are beginning to teach the 5, and they all came to church the next day! Such a miracle.  Please pray for Marcos, Edith, Elizabeth, Guadalupe, and Emilio.  

As well we are teaching a family from Ecuador.  Juan Carlos and Estela. They came to church this past week as well!  They are doing amazing, are very quiet, humble people.  I love them so much, and are both very new as well!  Please pray for them! A nigerian brotha named Kency also came to church and loved it!  Hes such a bro, and really wants to get baptized.  We just gotta make sure he understands, and knows how serious this covenant is.  

Also we found a man named Luis this week.  Truly a miracle.  He is from the Dominican Republic, and super awesome!  He came to church this week... well kinda.  He got there late, got to the door of the church, and didnt see anyone.  So he felt a little embarassed and left.  But he is incredible.  He accepted to be baptized the 14th of June.  So we'll see how it turns out.  I really have faith that he will.  He LOVED the plan of salvacion, and loved learning all those "new things".  He is progressing amazingly.  The Lord is truly blessing the people here in Fuenlabrada.  I feel so blessed to be able to be here.  

Family, I want your advice!  I want an email from each one of you this coming week.  It can be just 1 sentence thats fine.  But I need advice.  how can I forget myself, and come to love the Lord even more?

I love you all so much.  Thank you so much for your love and support.  I know my Savior lives.  I know he died for me.  And more than anything, I know that he is activley in each one of our lives.  He knows us.  He loves us.  And knows EXACTLY what He's doing.  I love Him with all my heart.  I have the strongest desires to truly come to know Him.  Thank you all for everything! 

Elder Wilson

*Ps.... Elder Bohne and I are moving into a brand new piso!!! Super nice.  Ill send pics next week.

*Ps2.... hahahaa ps2.  We getta go to the temple on wednesday!!

Jarrett Weekly Letter 5.25.2014

Dear family and friends

I want to start off with Machida Kun so you know how the lesson went this last Sunday and how he got depressed over coffee and tea. Well we got a email from him on Tuesday and he basically said he wants to stop meeting with us. And basically said that he can't get baptized because he can't stop drinking. We are like bro come on!! You  haven't even tried stopping!! So we emailed him back and said we would still love to meet and talk and just hang out and stuff like that. But no reply as of now. 

 

Because of him dropping our numbers this week have honestly been struggling! One night I just wanted to cry it was so hard. We were only able to teach two lessons this week and that is just terrible... It is hard... It isn't fun when you teach someone on the streets or in front of their house and then at the end they say they are not interested it is just heart breaking. I just want to see- these people come closer to our God our Loving Heavenly Father. Like it stinks not seeing success but the worse is seeing them not giving this gospel a try. It is the mission life, and that is why I am here. Because I know the Lord has prepared people for me to teach, and they need to hear the gospel from me. 

I have been able to get to know this guy in our ward Brother Baker. He is American. But he is the sickest guy ever. He is from St. George, and we were able to talk a lot this last Sunday. And we have a lot of the same interests. He lives here with his Japanese wife and has some really cute kids, he served in Tokyo on his mission. It is really nice getting to know the members, I finally had time to get to know some more of them today which was nice. I haven't been able to meet and talk with a lot of them because we have had Machida kun come every Sunday and we would basically teach him right after church. I really love this ward and this area, so I hope I stay here for awhile.

Well that is about all for the week!!

Love, Elder Nielsen

Elder Frampton 5/19

Dear Family and Friends,

It sounds like everyone is doing awesome! How are all of your testimonies doing? I would love to hear them. 

So this week was hard and crazy and all the good stuff from a mission. So we had the chance to go and help with baptisms for the dead this week. The ward doesn't have a whole lot of Melchizedek priesthood holders and so we went and helped with the temple work. I was a witness and that was the first time i had ever done that so it was pretty cool. I love the temple there is such a sweet spirit in there. We also meeting like everyday with the two boys who are getting baptized this weekend. Its been an adventure here trying to get everywhere on time and all the people rejecting our message ha ha just missionary work i guess. One day here was especially irritating. We are teaching and talking to a lot of people who are going to Bible School here. We find out that they have felt the spirit before in there life but they say that they aren't able to discern feelings because that doesn't speak of truth. In other words Satan is now attacking at people and how they view there very own feelings! Its so frustrating. But even through all of that it was a good week still. We got transfers just yesterday and  . . . . . I am leaving! ha ha. i am going to be Sweeping with an Elder Ebmeyer in Schadle park. Always moving and going on all types of adventures! 

But the whole mission is going through a lot of sweeps. So there were a ton of changes in the mission this transfer. And then this picture is us just messing around at the thrift store here. I love you all and pray for you every day. 

- Elder Frampton

Week 4 in ARG- Elder Gillett 5.19.14

Thanks for that email! It was really good to hear about stuff going on
outside where I am at again! I have been emailing shel a ton lately!
Make sure to let him know I miss him! Can´t wait to chill with him
again soon! And That´s so crazy about Andrew and Shelby! hahah I knew
the day was coming but never thought about it coming this fast!
hahahah i don´t know who the girl would have been! I will have to
start asking around about Javier! (Javier Morales who is on Real SL 
Soccer team is from Buenos Aires, Argentina) I would think somebody 
would know him because I think that place is in our mission! Thats 
exciting for Colton! He is a stud!

Nope not any service yet! We have been asking around trying to find
any opportunities but none have come up yet! Hopefully they will soon!
Companionship is going good! No problems there! Yeah we are going to
Quilmes with the whole zone(like 25 people) for an activity to watch a
disney movie, eat tacos, and play soccer at the chapel! hahaha i will
try to get some pictures but i won´t be able to send them until next
week... the computers we use here are ancient sometimes so it doesn´t
have a USB easily accesible!

Sooo this week went pretty good! First we taught Omar one of our
investigators who is a super cool guy and stuff but definitely
different! He believes in UFO´s and aliens and all that so he had a
really easy time with believing the Joesph Smith vision story but he
is having a hard time understanding how WE have the proper authority
to baptize and to act in the Lord´s name and stuff like that! So we
are trying to help him understand! He said he will think about baptism
but isn´t sure! Then we have Martha! She was doing really good until
this week we visited like 4 times and she was always cooking or doing
something or gone so out of the 4 times we didn´t teach her once!
Really crazy but then we went back there yesterday after saying
alright we are coming sunday at 5pm and be ready. We made sure she
didn´t having anything going on or anything.. And then we got there
and clapped and her son or someone like that came out and said that
she left back to Paraguay.... Really weird story but we don´t
know what really happened with her or what but she lives close to some
members and investigators so we will see if she did leave or not! haha
Now on a more positive note we met with our investigator Ruben! This
guy is a CAPO (stud) hahaha after everytime we teach him, he sets the
appointments with us! haha we don´t even have to ask him! He makes
sure we are coming again! super awesome! But he is trying to quit
smoking and drinking and this last time we went and visited he said he
went to the doctor for a liver or lung problem and the doctor told him
he needs to quit! (thank you doctor!!) haha so he quit smoking for a
whole day! but is smoking again... (its progress though) And we
haven´t even told him of the word of wisdom yet! Crazy how the Lord
works! We followed up and talked to him more about The restoration and
the gospel. We answered a bunch of questions and then we got him to
pray at the end of the lesson! And he also accepted a date for
baptism!!! There is a lot of things riding on whether he can get
baptized or not but at least we know he wants it! Super excited for
him and we know he can do it! He already has the desire to learn more
and to quit smoking and stuff so it is a little easier for us to help
him now! hahah anyways it has been an interesting week! I really
understand almost everything we talk about in spanish unless we start
talking about mermaids or something like one of our members did. Then
I just get really lost... hahha Argentina is so much fun though! Last
night was the finals of Argentina soccer league! River Plate beat
Quilmes 5-0 so that was pretty crazy and after the game we had to walk
home through the strip mall thing that everyone was driving through
cheering for River and celebrating in the streets. Shooting off
fireworks and guns and everything! It was pretty weird but super
awesome experience! hahahah I loved it too because people like soccer
here in Argentina! hahah anyways love you all! Until next week!
Les Quiero- Elder Gillett


PS I remembered I had $60 in American dollars so I found out that the
family who let us skype at their house has a son on a mission in
Ecuador where they use American money or something so I traded that
money with her! So now I have like 600 pesos and we found some
Argentina jerseys for 120 pesos! Which is super cheap like 10 dollars
and I bought a jersey! I will make sure to send a picture next week!

Elder Weelson (5/19)

CARLITOS........ HAPPY BIRTHDAY YA FELLER(tomorrow)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wow...... where to start this week.  I'll just start off by saying.... ELDER BOHNE IS THE MAN!!!! Man, I am so thankful for that guy.  He is such a stud.  He is an incredible missionary.  I learn so much from him every single day.  I've never seen a missionary with such strong desires to preach the gospel, and to do it with all the love in his heart.  Its truly incredible, he has such a love for these people in his heart.  I am learning so much from him every single day.  He is incredible.  Our first three days together were just an explosion!!  It was so awesome!  We had an incredible week, although we are having many struggles with investigators right now, we are still seeing so many miracles.  I am just as happy as ever right now!  Seriously I have never worked with so much unity and love.  I have grown so much in these 7 days I've been with Elder Bohne.  I know for a fact that I'm going to grow so much, and learn so much every single day.

So this week Elder Bohne and I have been findnig tons of new investigators.  And have lost quite a few as well.  Victor has kinda fallen away.... and same with Juanfran:(  He went on vacation for the weekend, and came back and just wasn't the same... made me super sad, but we'll see!  I'll keep you guys updated on him.  He is the man, and I really hope he continues to progress! We visited a less active member named Aldo, and we met him and his family.  He's the only member in the family.... but..... they aren't married..... and they don't get along.... like at all.  But there raising a family together, so they are just kinda dealing with each other for the family's sake.... but they are just incredible.  We have grown so close to them this past week.  And sunday they ended up coming to church!  It was great!  The counselor that was... uh dirigiendo (I dont remember the english word).... gave a public welcome to them at the pulpit, it was awesome and they loved it!  The branch here is doing great.  Still have tons of room to grow, but they have so much potential as a branch.  Something I just love are the hymns we sing.... #1 just imagine a bunch of spaniards singing..... #2 imagine spaniards singing without a pianist..... #3 imagine us all singing along to the hymn playing on the ipad hooked up to the sound system... I just die... .its the funniest thing ever.  And every single time without fail the counselor forgets the push pause when we finish the hymn, so the following him just blasts and totally just creates an uncomfortable situation all around. hahahahaha.  Its so great.  I love it so much.  

 We are only speaking spanish, and I dunno.... I have super strong desires to just speak spanish for the rest of the mission.  I love the language so much, and I need to get much better!  At least with elder bohne, were probably never going to speak another word in inglish again to each other! haha:)  But its been incredilbe.  Its amazing how much a united companionship that loves and trusts each other 100% invites the spirit to lessons.  We have had so many amazing experiences already, with some of the most powerful lessons I have ever been in.  Its so incredible, Im so thankful for that guy!

So funny story:  We went and visited a less active member named Angel.  Hes awesome, and his mom was there.  Shes really mentally sick, and just isnt really there.  She has had such a hard life.  Well when we were leaving she just all of a sudden throws her arms around my neck around pulls me in tight....... I froze...... I went stiff as a board.  hahahaha I seriosly didnt know what to do.  I couldnt move my body, its like I was in shock... hahahaha.  All I could manage to do was give her two little pats on the shoulder, smile and say thanks.  hahahaha.  And while this is going on, Elder Bohne is just there in the background dying of laughter.  hahahaha.  So funny.  Such a nice lady. 

Zone Conference is coming up this week on thursday!!!!!    Its gonna be so great, and I couldnt be more excited!  Everything is going amazing, and I couldnt be happier.  Its like Im on a vacation.  I'm with my best buddy 24/7, on the Lord's Errand.  Nothing better than that.  I love ya'll so much.   I love the people here so much. 

Have an amazing week!

Elder Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeelson

*Joy is having some crazy doubts..... thinks we get iniciated into the FBI when we get baptized.  Thinks all missionaries recieve CTR rings so they are iniciated into the program...... hahaha so crazy.  She's going to get baptized.  I know it:)