ARGENTINA!

 Happy world cup! The copa mundial may be the biggest cultural thing I have seen in argentina, next to mate of course... Yesterday they played Bosnia, and won! The little phrase ´in the world but not of the world´ ever felt so true. As we walked around and attempted to contact houses, there was almost no one. Everyone and their dog was watching it. Luckily there was one family of members that don´t like soccer, and we taught them. Walking home it was almost eerie as no one was in the street. The most festive we got was the flag in the window, and a jersey I bought.

Happy fathers day!!! Yay. We went to church. The primary children didn´t even sing the little song. And we had salad and soup for lunch. jaja. But yesterday was quite a day. Keep in the mind the events of the world cup and fathers day....

As we left the church my comps bike busted, the tire went completely flat as a part of it was broken. So then she hops on the back of mine and we haul home. We go to open the apartment door, and it wouldn´t open...and wouldn´t open....The key didn´t work or something. I was searching all the options, of climing the roof, shimmingy around the side of the wall to climb in a window...and nothing was working. We go tell the neighbor-owner. She comes, can´t open it, thought we had busted the door....This happened during middle of the siesta, a sunday, fathers day, and the world cup. Worst circumstances. We were getting ready to make a trek back to the other hermanas apartment, who don´t live even close, and without bikes...When finally the door opened! Our neighbor sprayed some grease stuff, and it was a miracle!

To top off the day, a dog attacked us walking home. I have never been so terrified with a dog in the mish, as it was huge and black, and chased us with its big fangs hanging out. And no one to help us, as obvsiously everyone was inside watching the game. All in all a memorable day. The other hermanas then came over to sleep, we ate our crepes and ranch and veggies:)

Happy 17 months in the mish! The hermanas gave me a lovely little present all wrapped up.....I open it up, and there´s an animal hoof sitting there! Like all fury with bone sticking out...jajajaja. It was so disgusting. They found it on the side of the road yesterday and thought it would be a classy white elephant. Still not sure if it´s a sheep, goat, or something else.

We had a week of miracles. We found several new families to teach, one day a member came with us to contact her reference and the man ended up accepting a baptismal date! It was so great to see her have this experience, she had a list of people she was praying for to be prepared to accept the gospel, and it really strengthened her faith. Not all the little miracles can be put into words, but I really saw this week how God works according to our faith and diligence. As a district we were focusing on and practicing inviting people to be baptized...and I saw how God gave us the opportunities to do it.

I also like to see how some people are so content with what they have. People that can hardly walk, or hardly have a house...but are the happiest people. It´s humbling and makes me grateful.

Some people are just obsessed that we are from the US, and even asked us to sign their copy of the book of mormon. jaja.

Our branch pres. has now given us the assignment of teaching sunday school also...oh boy, the old testiment kills me. I´m used to teaching about the faith the jose smith all day! My companion teaches one class, and I teach the other, so that there´s a sunday and gospel principles. I have come to love teaching people.

Your week sounds so fun! Jacob is a little adventurer now!

Thanks for the letters and pictures! I´m grateful for all your prayers also. Have a great week,

Hermana Andrews

June 9 2014

Hellooo!!!

Remember that cheap little walmart watch that we got right before the mtc?....well, It´s finally kicked the bucket. Most of my other things have long been shot, but the trusty little thing is finally dead. (After showing up 30 minutes late to a meeting with the branch president....and having no idea that we were a little behind...oops)

Another week has already come and gone. My comp is hermana Carlson (I started and am ending in Argentina with a comp named Carlson!), and she is so great. She´s from Orem, has almost a year in the mish, what else....Everyone says we look alike. There´s 4 of us americans here now. And the other hermana,hermana wilde, was with me in santa fe for a long time. Needless to say, it´s quite fun here:)

This week consisted of the hermanas that had a baptism, we ate tacos with the familia spies (argentine style....they were DYING from the picante, and it wasn´t even hot....and of course dumped plenty of oil on the tomatoes, lettuce, and meat), we played signs for FHE with the ward (SO hilarious, as there were only adults, all of which are a little older and weren´t quite understanding the concept of the game).

Yesterday our investigador Lucia came to church, well at least for part of it. And after we had an asado with them. She is so great.....she reads the scriptures and analyzes it herself. So refreshing to have a person who is intelligent and gets it. She asked us, ¨so the great and abominable church that it talks about in nefi would be the catholics, no?¨.....She has such good questions. Now we just have to get her husband on board, and they gotta get hitched.

We have had to leave a lot of people, but that´s the mission life. Find, teach, find teach. It´s all a process. And within this whole process, there are so many miracles. It´s been surprising to also see the lack of knowledge that many members here have....for example, we asked what ´atonment ´means, and hardly anyone really knew. It´s a testimony to me of the diligence and studies. Even people who are members for years forget things, get lazy, and get comfortable. We are working to teach the members the basic principles and missionary lessons.

Congrats on the graduation landon!!!!! How adorable. Was it in the place in sandy? And holy smokes, ethan has grown into an ostrich or something.

Thanks for all the prayers, and updates.

Enjoy all the camps and trips this week!

Love you all,

Hermana Andrews

"There is no doctrine more fundamental to our work than the Atonement of Jesus Christ. At every appropriate opportunity, testify of the Savior and of the power of His atoning sacrifice. Use scriptures that teach of Him and why He is the perfect pattern for everyone in life. You will need to study diligently. Do not become so absorbed with trivial things that you miss learning the doctrine and teachings of the Lord. With a solid, personal doctrinal foundation, you will be a powerful source for sharing vital truths with others who desperately need them."

—Richard G. Scott

Transfers - June 2 2014

And another transfer has come and gone......This transfer I knew I would be staying here, and was kind of just over all the news and excitement of who is going where. I guess I am officially the old lady. The news came, the sad part is that my comp Hna Castaneda is leaving....but my baby that I trained, Hna Hickman, is going to train in venado tuerto, where i started!! Also, the Hna Coreas who is here with me in Esperanza is going to my area in Santa Fe!! It´s a small world here in the mission.... I am starting my last transfer. Last of everything. Very bittersweet.

So the week also consisted of the day of cleaning, pulling a car out of the mud, more rain, zone meeting, lots of teaching and finding, and everything else.   The hardest part of the mision would be seeing people not fulfill with their commitments, not come to church.....to know that people have felt the spirit, and knowing how the gospel changes the life now and for the eternity, and then see the people reject it. Having people shut doors in the face, the freezing cold, or whatever rude comment does nothing. It´s feeling this love that God has for his children, and then seeing people not live up to their potential. This is what hurts. I´m understanding more the book of mormon, what all those missionaries like alma and ammon and amulek were talking about, when their worked with all diligence and prayed constantly for their brothers, to come to a knowledge of Jesus Christ. I know the true joy in life really does come from this, to see our brothers and sisters understand and apply the atonement in their lives.

Hermana Hickman loves me enough that she sent me oreos and a jar of peanut butter! true love. And I received your letters and pictures, thanks!!

Congrats on the seminary graduation landon! Still going to boondocks, or how is it now?

Love you all,

Hermana Andrews

My new friend

May 26 2014

Hello!

Truth is, I don´t have much to say. 

Maybe some pictures to share?

Of course every day is exciting to me, but when it comes to putting it in a letter for people thousands of miles away to read, it just doesn´t quite work out. 

Some things that could be noted is we had branch conference (almost have the people who came were from the stake..jaja) We are part of a stake in santa fe. Us missionaries were in charge of putting together a little choir, so of course i played the piano. Oh boy...such sweet people, with desires to sing...and have never had any training in the least bit. The things we take for granted, like having a beautiful sounding choir in church. jaja. But I think it ended up sounding ok, at least it didn´t drive away the spirit... The conference was really good, the stake president (who was the first person called to start the church in esperanza) talked about the promises that have been made about this area. It really is a special place. And I just know that one day the church will be thriving here. For now, there are some members who are just rocks and such examples.

One day we let a member borrow one of the bikes...so it was me and my comp sharing my bike, cause it has the little ´seat ´ thing on bike. What a ride. A...it´s not so cute to have 2 full grown people clunking around like that. Catches the attention of people, that´s for sure. 

The moral of this picture is you should never ask a 7 year old to take the picture. Because the oversized american gets her head chopped off. But, he is the same adorable little boy who then walked up to each of us, including his mom, and said ´fat ´, ´fat´, ´fat´,...as he pointed to the stomachs. He pointed at me and said ´skinny´. jajaj. First person so say that, so I like him. 

Working hard!....or hardly working?... We helped a family build the brick fence. And dug out weeds. The old fashioned pioneer way...with out the tiller thing or weedwacker. I was just wishing I had some Preen to put down after.

It was 25 de Mayo yesterday, it´s dia de la revolution of something....but anyways some holiday, everyone eats empanadas and loco. So we ate some food.

I love teaching gospel principles. You never know what it will bring. Yesterday it was 2 recent converts and an investigador. Edgardo is almost 80...and the investigador is a sweet old viajito also. Well we taught plan of salvation. Edgardo explained where we came from before being born....in the words of an 80 year old, and how parents love each other and all....jajaja me and my companion were trying to compose ourselves and not pee our pants, all while the other member kept saying ´we lived in the moms tummy! we lived in the moms tummy!¨. We explained about the before, before part....like our spirits in heaven.

Well don´t worry, the week did have the other great spiritual parts and all:) As a zone activity we all contacted for almost an entire day, to find some specifically prepared for baptism. We have met several people this week with lots of potential, and it also turns out that our investigador Sofia already knows one of our members. A super special moment was as we taught a new investigador Melina, she said the closing prayer, and immediately after started crying and crying. She explained she felt something really good...she felt the spirit so strongly, and we helped her recognize what she was feeling. It was a testimony to see how God touches the hearts of his children through the spirit. 

I love you all!

Thanks for the letters and prayers. 

Hermana Andrews

P.S. I heard this scripture in a district thing, and love it. It´s about the work we do...in the mission, callings, etc. The success isn't ours, it's God's. 1 Cor. 3:6-9

May 19 2014

Hello!
I feel so blessed to have had such a special opportunity this week...to see our investigador Leandro take the step to be baptized and make convenios with his heavenly father. He is just so prepared, was just glowing....aahhh it was all so great. I have reflected a lot (obviously) on missionary work, what it means to be a missionary. This week I felt even more humbled, to feel how God uses us his hands on earth, to find and teach his children that he has been preparing. With him it just seemed to easy....we found him, he progressed so well, we just kept waiting for the big problems or trials that he would face before baptism!...and they didn't come. But obviously adversidad will come. We are nothing, the spirit does it all. And how God has really (forced? jaja) me to learn patience, confidence, and faith in him, and in his timing. To see someone like Leandro come to this knowledge of the gospel, it just strengthens my testimony even more. We have to be obedient and diligent, never compare ourselves or efforts to those of others, and always remember that the message we share every day is the truest thing in the world. Leandro has already came with us to a lesson, he carries all his books and scriptures around, is so hungry to learn more, and is the person who helps all the OTHER members participate and be happy. I feel happy knowing that one of God´s children is now on the path to eternal life.

As for the baptism, it was outside on the patio in a little pool. He did have to be dunked a few times, but lucky him the water heater worked! Members know their duty, and brought LOTS of cake and treaties for after:) Leandro shared his testimony, and was just glowing. The funniest thing was a recent convert, Noemi, shared her testimony also...and talked about her ¨padrino¨...what´s the word in ingles?....the people that the catholic church uses for bautismos. And then everyone wrote little notecards to him, and Noemi wrote more about the padrino...oops, she´s still a little confused with some doctrine. jaja. She thought that the person that baptized Leandro is the padrino.... we had to clarify that to Leandro, that we are baptized, and don´t do the godfather (?) thing.

This week we went to Rosario...AGAIN! We were called the night before, right when we had set a bunch of citas[appointment] with super great people. So, we took another little vacay to Rosario for tramites for my comp, which really turned into an adventure as we arrived at the mission home and were told we couldn´t sleep there because president was traveling and wouldn´t be there, so we took another hour ride to be with other hermanas, basically didn´t sleep that night, and going home the next day took extra long as we missed a different bus...oh the joys of traveling in argentina.

The other big news for the week would be the complete embarrasment we went through. Maybe mom should stop reading about now?.....So it was announced as an official rule that we have to use helmets to use bikes. First of all, we are in argentina, and second of all, when i got here i didn´t even know they existed here. So, realizing we need all the blessings we can get, we pull out the old helmets from a corner..uncluding a bright pink and orange flowered one. We were DYING of embarrasment. Like a 13 year old whose mom walks hand in hand to take them to school or something. No one. No one uses a helmet here on bikes. We already get enough attention as it is. Well we started using them, quite a sight cruising down the street in our skirts and helmets, feeling completely out of place, and even hearing people laugh as we pass by! jajaja. But we got over the embarrasment by the next morning. And are so used to it that sometimes my comp even forgets to take it off before we knock doors. One of our investigadores saw that we had helmets as we left her house, started laughing, called her children out to see us, and even insisted on taking a picture of us. Not sure if that was laughing with us or at us.....But I guess God works in mysterious ways...because the other hermanas here found a new investigador, who has a date to be baptized, because he saw the "chicas with helmets" and it called his attention.

Hey family, read in Alma 31, and think how this applies to missionary work and your responsabilities. 

Love you all!

Hermana Andrews

Hey, anybody want a vacay en Argentina??

"Argentina
It's your world. Take a tour."

Hello!

hello!

Well it was just lovely to talk to some of you yesterday:) I hope you enjoyed all that delicious food and brownies and cake.....As for this week, I guess you have already heard about everying. 

This week we had zone meeting. We also went to rosario, i had visa stuff to do. This is always a nice thing, because it includes a siesta in the busride, and sleeping in the mission home. :) I went with hna haynes (from idaho) and my comp stayed here. We had lots of the normal things....noche de hogar, english classes, finding people. The truth is every day just keeps us so busy. Oh gosh, my legs have never been so sore!! The bike is killing me...or I am just turning into an old lady. We had interviews with president, it rained which meant trudging through mud (probably the closest I will have ever felt to a pioneer, hauling my bike through fields of mud in the skirts. what a sight i´m sure we were. this is where they need to take the kids for trek...jaja) Leandro is really progressing, his baptism is scheduled this week. We also have another lady, Vilma, who has all the desires in the world to be baptized, and so we´re helping her prepare to be ready the end of the month. 

Yesterday it was interesting to see who showed up at church with the rain and all...almost all were recent converts or investigadores. Esperanza is going to grow from new members. And when Jesus comes, it´s going to be on a rainy day......

I hope sterling is doing good, and you enjoyed the little skype sesh, and hello to seth also! 

Love you all!

Hermana Andrews

Happy cinco de mayo!

Happy cinco de mayo!

My comp is from Mexico...and we are in Rafaela today for pday and zone meeting...and we will be eating tacos:) but that's about it for the festivities. 

This week has been full of lots of little miracles. I cannot believe how stinkin fast time is going by. Leandro went to church again, also went to our noche de hogar and another branch activity that we watched the long joseph smith movie. He is so prepared and just loves it all. The only thing is...he has a girlfriend that lives in his hometown, so he may have to be married before his baptism, unless he plans on living separated long term. We taught the 10 commandments yesterday, and he asked what adultry is, so we taught ley de castidad, which he didn´t even know it existed.

Testimony meeting always has the funniest moments...I just pray that the investigadores feel the spirit. Jaja. Like the counselor who bore his testimony about how everyone should love and take care of the missionaries because they are far from home, and warn them what streets they shouldn't walk that are dangerous. Or the lady who gets up and bears her testimony how she is tired and deserves a vacation and is happy to be leaving Esperanza for a few weeks. Our ward activity turned out good with lots of people that came. For the noche de hogar we played a game where one person stands in the middle blindfolded, the others walk around in a circle, the person in the middle points to someone and says an animal...this person has to make a sound, and the person in the middle guesses who made the sound. Well it turned out to be the most hilarious game ever. It was mostly old men...and I about peed my pants laughing. We will be playing this the next family reunion.

My comp is just great, she knows the area and the members. We have stayed so busy contacting and teaching and finding people. There's an investigador, Maria, who has been investigating for 6 years. And she comes to church every sunday, but doesn't want to baptize yet....is waiting for the moment. She has been taught so much, but president asked us to focus on her again, as he thought this might be her time that she is prepared. So we went and had a lesson, using the baptismal interview question to see what her doubts or needs are. Turns out she doesn't have a testimony of jose smith, the book of mormon, or profetas. After all this time, of course she still isn't baptized if she doesn't have a testimony of these basic things. One of her children died 6 years ago, and everyone had focused on teaching plan of salvation...and she sure has a testimony of that. But it reminded and taught us the importance of making sure that people have a testimony of the book of mormon more than anything, or they won't progress. (But she did tell us she plans on getting baptized within 3 years, will retire from her job, and then wants to accompany us to lessons with investigadores. Ok.)

Well this week I destroyed 2 skirts. One day it rained....I had on a white skirt, which very soon turned into a coffee brown skirt. Oops. Thank you, bikes and dirt roads. Another day my skirt got caught in the tires of the bike and ripped holes...jaja. But seriously, I am living the life with this bike. Esperanza is just a pretty little place. Last pday we went to a huge park that has a little lake, I love the dirt roads and humble people. Our area has 3 barrios, or areas, and esperanza inclued a little of everything, including wealthy areas. But after living in the costanera....none of the houses surprise me!

I got all the letters and dear elders this week, thank you all!!!

One day we visited an investigador, and there was a big bin piled high with chicken guts, feathers, and even the little feet. They had an asado the night before. It was SWARMING with flies, and that was the closest I have ever been to vomiting from the sight and smell. Oh how I miss hygiene sometimes. jaja. 

Well it sounds like everyone is doing good! Whoa crazy that school is already over. As for skype..is it okay at 2.30 your time?...we are 3 hours ahead here, so that will be 5ish for me. Asi que...we will be talking soon! I will probably check my email later today.

Love you all!

hermana andrews