NOTE: THE FOLLOWING IS A NEW MISSION ADDRESS USED WHEN SENDING PACKAGES. STILL USE DEARELDER.COM OR THE POUCH SYSTEM FOR LETTERS.
MISION ARGENTINA BAHIA BLANCA
CHACABUCO 1755
8000 Bahía Blanca
Buenos Aires
Argentina
This week was really weird. We missed out on a lot of work time because of Christmas and also we’re going to miss a lot more for New Years Day too. It’s really big here. That day and Christmas are their two biggest holidays here in Latino America.
I got to call home on Christmas (I had to practice my English in the days leading up to the call) and my parents said that I’ve matured and mellowed quite a bit. I think it’s kind of funny. I have no idea in how I’ve changed at all to tell the truth. I hope I’ve changed for the better but I think I take the advice of my dad a little bit too literally. He has said ¨Little by little everything is simple¨ I know I’ve quoted that before here but it has helped me so much! However, I’m always doing that and nothing more looking ahead of me so little that I don’t notice much else. A teacher I had in the MTC said something like this ¨sometimes we need to look back and see the progress we’ve made¨. That too is so important to remember, because if we don’t do that we get too caught up in the little stuff and we don’t enjoy or appreciate the stuff that we’ve done.
Well as for Christmas here, it was all fireworks and I by some miracle slept through it all (I’m really tired). It is suppose to be the same thing for New Years Day. It is suppose to be a war of fireworks. Maybe I’ll snag a couple of pictures or something.
Thanks for everything every one of you!
¡¡¡Feliz Navidad y Año Nuevo!!!
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
NOTE: THERE ARE 15 NEW PICTURES FROM ELDER SANDS INCLUDING THE 12 PICTURES THAT GO WITH THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS DESCRIBED BELOW.
ALSO, THERE WILL PROBABLY NOT BE A LETTER FROM ELDER SANDS NEXT WEEK AS IT IS CHRISTMAS AND HE GETS TO CALL HOME ON THAT DAY!
For all of you; my 12 dias de navidad para Elder Sands:
ALSO, THERE WILL PROBABLY NOT BE A LETTER FROM ELDER SANDS NEXT WEEK AS IT IS CHRISTMAS AND HE GETS TO CALL HOME ON THAT DAY!
For all of you; my 12 dias de navidad para Elder Sands:
- THE 1ST DAY OF CHRISTMAS - The only team in Argentina worth mentioning, Velez.
- THE 2ND DAY OF CHRISTMAS - 2 missionary name tags.
- THE 3RD DAY OF CHRISTMAS - 3 bombas that are used for water pressure and every house has one.
- THE 4TH DAY OF CHRISTMAS - 4 suitcases that belong to Elder Lopez.
- THE 5TH DAY OF CHRISTMAS - 5 pictures of Christ.
- THE 6TH DAY OF CHRISTMAS - 6 shoes, 2 for everyday, 2 for the more dirty service (my new balances) and 2 that aren’t used as much and are always really shiny.
- THE 7TH DAY OF CHRISTMAS - 7 triple combinations in castellano.
- THE 8TH DAY OF CHRISTMAS - 8 white missionary shirts.
- THE 9TH DAY OF CHRISTMAS - 9 books out of which I study.
- THE 10TH DAY OF CHRISTMAS - 10 missionaries that were in my zone, all crazy.
- THE 11TH DAY OF CHRISTMAS - 11 ties.
- THE 12TH DAY OF CHRISTMAS - 12 letters from all of you, THANKS!!!
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
NOTE: WITH THE NEW CAMERA IN HAND WE HAVE PICTURES AGAIN, 12 NEW THIS WEEK. CLICK ON THE PICTURES TO THE RIGHT TO VIEW THE PICTURE ALBUM.
Hola from my last P-day in Olavarr¡a with Elder Lopez (well maybe but at least the last one of the transfer). And what a transfer it has been! We've have had a ton of ups and downs! These last few days have been incredible though! We've found a ton of people to teach. This transfer is going to be really interesting to see what happens as there is a lot happening in the mission and let's just say that just about anything can happen. The most likely I think is that I will stay here with Elder Lopez. But also he has a lot of time in this area and I'm at a time in the mission when other things will probably happen, but we'll see. So, I may be emailing all of you from another part of Argentina next week with some new companion or from the same computer with the same Elder next to me. Who knows, it kind of kills me to wait for this call that we receive. It is so nerve racking! This time in the mission is so important and where and with whom you spend your time is a huge factor in all of the experience. The tension and anticipation is palatable (I'm surprised I even remember that word). That's just a little bit about the transfer experience, but I'll talk to you all next week.
Thanks for everything and Merry Christmas!
Elder Sands
Hola from my last P-day in Olavarr¡a with Elder Lopez (well maybe but at least the last one of the transfer). And what a transfer it has been! We've have had a ton of ups and downs! These last few days have been incredible though! We've found a ton of people to teach. This transfer is going to be really interesting to see what happens as there is a lot happening in the mission and let's just say that just about anything can happen. The most likely I think is that I will stay here with Elder Lopez. But also he has a lot of time in this area and I'm at a time in the mission when other things will probably happen, but we'll see. So, I may be emailing all of you from another part of Argentina next week with some new companion or from the same computer with the same Elder next to me. Who knows, it kind of kills me to wait for this call that we receive. It is so nerve racking! This time in the mission is so important and where and with whom you spend your time is a huge factor in all of the experience. The tension and anticipation is palatable (I'm surprised I even remember that word). That's just a little bit about the transfer experience, but I'll talk to you all next week.
Thanks for everything and Merry Christmas!
Elder Sands
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Wow, time has flown by so fast during this transfer because of all of the hard work! We have transfer calls this next Friday so we'll find out if I stay or go. There are a lot of things that are changing in the mission and one of those is unpredictability. The mission president is really changing everything and it is incredible what these changes are doing. This is a better mission right now and I'm glad I get to be here now.
There's a lot going on here right now and after what seems like a long time with the members not having much trust in the missionaries, things are now really changing. The branch president said yesterday that if he can, he is going to try and keep us both here for another transfer. I have no idea if that'll do anything, but that was great to hear.
I know that this is the Lord's work and he loves us so much. I've seen so little, yet so much of consequence. I love my mission, I love the people, and I want to do the best I can to do everything I can to help them. It's a very rewarding experience and I would hope that we all could do as President Hinckley always said, "be a little better!"
Thanks for everything!
Elder Sands
There's a lot going on here right now and after what seems like a long time with the members not having much trust in the missionaries, things are now really changing. The branch president said yesterday that if he can, he is going to try and keep us both here for another transfer. I have no idea if that'll do anything, but that was great to hear.
I know that this is the Lord's work and he loves us so much. I've seen so little, yet so much of consequence. I love my mission, I love the people, and I want to do the best I can to do everything I can to help them. It's a very rewarding experience and I would hope that we all could do as President Hinckley always said, "be a little better!"
Thanks for everything!
Elder Sands
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
NOTE: OUR FIRST PACKAGE SENT TO ELDER SANDS GOT TO HIM SUCCESSFULLY AND IN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS. SO, HE NOW HAS A CAMERA AND WE MIGHT SEE SOME PICTURES IN THE NEXT WEEK OR TWO! STAY TUNED...
Well what a week, we're really starting to see the fruits of our labors. Tons of people are listening! The biggest thing of note from this week was from yesterday at our zone conference. Wow it was incredible!
Oh and the mission doctor was there and he did surgery right there in the church on my foot (Ingrown toenail not fun).
He talked about repentance and if we're truly penitent, we won't have to talk about abiding by the rules of the mission, we'll just do them automatically. Which is kind of funny because I've been reading "to draw nearer to God" by President Henry B. Eyring right before lights out time and the part of the book that impacted me the most was on the same topic. There was a man that had committed serious sin and although the bishop (President Eyring) had forgiven him on behalf of the church a while ago, he wanted to know if the Lord had truly forgiven him. Later acting on advice from then Elder Kimball, he asked of the young man if he was attending priesthood meeting and otherwise participating and those types of questions. He was doing that and so that showed that he was doing everything possible and for that, the Lord will forgive them that "are stripped of their pride." I've been trying to look for these areas, where I can do more, do better, to serve the Lord.
Thanks all of you for your love and support especially Sister Jones and Barb for the letters, I just got them today thanks!
Elder Sands
Well what a week, we're really starting to see the fruits of our labors. Tons of people are listening! The biggest thing of note from this week was from yesterday at our zone conference. Wow it was incredible!
Oh and the mission doctor was there and he did surgery right there in the church on my foot (Ingrown toenail not fun).
He talked about repentance and if we're truly penitent, we won't have to talk about abiding by the rules of the mission, we'll just do them automatically. Which is kind of funny because I've been reading "to draw nearer to God" by President Henry B. Eyring right before lights out time and the part of the book that impacted me the most was on the same topic. There was a man that had committed serious sin and although the bishop (President Eyring) had forgiven him on behalf of the church a while ago, he wanted to know if the Lord had truly forgiven him. Later acting on advice from then Elder Kimball, he asked of the young man if he was attending priesthood meeting and otherwise participating and those types of questions. He was doing that and so that showed that he was doing everything possible and for that, the Lord will forgive them that "are stripped of their pride." I've been trying to look for these areas, where I can do more, do better, to serve the Lord.
Thanks all of you for your love and support especially Sister Jones and Barb for the letters, I just got them today thanks!
Elder Sands
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
NOTE: ELDER SANDS P-DAY HAS BEEN CHANGED FROM MONDAYS TO WEDNESDAYS, SO LETTERS WILL NOW SHOW UP ON THE BLOG IN THE LATER PART OF THE WEEK.
Wow what a week! Sorry I don’t have a lot of time but let me share a funny story that usually happens in the MTC. One of the things that is kind of like a right of passage is to have a dream in castellano or Spanish. Well I don’t really have a lot of dreams anyway but apparently I talk in my sleep (it runs in the family, ask my parents about Sebring and the Ten Commandments). So I believe it was the day before yesterday, I talk in Spanish when I sleep! Yeah I guess I just skipped the whole dream in Spanish part and I just talk 24/7 in Spanish! Jajaja.
Well the work is just that, tons of work. We’re moving mountains out here! I can testify to the quote that I believe it was Ezra Taft Benson that said "the secret to missionary work, is work!" I can tell you that when I’m working really hard when I get to the apartment and just collapse on my bed after planning and such those days are the best! When we’re truly giving everything to the Lord, that’s when we’re going to be the happiest!
Thank you for everything and I’ll try to send some pictures the next week of me cooking or something!
¡Chou! Elder Sands
Wow what a week! Sorry I don’t have a lot of time but let me share a funny story that usually happens in the MTC. One of the things that is kind of like a right of passage is to have a dream in castellano or Spanish. Well I don’t really have a lot of dreams anyway but apparently I talk in my sleep (it runs in the family, ask my parents about Sebring and the Ten Commandments). So I believe it was the day before yesterday, I talk in Spanish when I sleep! Yeah I guess I just skipped the whole dream in Spanish part and I just talk 24/7 in Spanish! Jajaja.
Well the work is just that, tons of work. We’re moving mountains out here! I can testify to the quote that I believe it was Ezra Taft Benson that said "the secret to missionary work, is work!" I can tell you that when I’m working really hard when I get to the apartment and just collapse on my bed after planning and such those days are the best! When we’re truly giving everything to the Lord, that’s when we’re going to be the happiest!
Thank you for everything and I’ll try to send some pictures the next week of me cooking or something!
¡Chou! Elder Sands
Monday, November 9, 2009
Well my parents asked if I'm feeling like a real missionary again, well I've gotten use to not doing very much and yeah, it's coming back to me. This week is when we really pick it all up. I'm starting to know the area and we found a lot of new people to teach this last week.
I'm really disorganized right now! I basically arrived and we went out to work so I still haven't unpacked! Everything is crazy, but a good crazy! It is amazing to really be tired when I arrive at the apartment every night. It's something that I haven't really felt in a long time! So I'm really excited this week as we have a lot of new ideas for the area that will get the area moving again in missionary work. It's really been dragging for a long time.
The members still don't really trust us too much so for my testimony-introduction in sacrament meeting; I kind of dropped the cane on them all about their responsibility to do missionary work, to talk about the gospel with their friends and such. It's also really great to have a companion that really wants to be really obedient! When we're obedient you can feel the difference; the spirit is so much stronger.
Well time to work like they say here in Argentina ¡Trabajarámos a ful!
Thanks for all of your support and love!
Elder Sands
I'm really disorganized right now! I basically arrived and we went out to work so I still haven't unpacked! Everything is crazy, but a good crazy! It is amazing to really be tired when I arrive at the apartment every night. It's something that I haven't really felt in a long time! So I'm really excited this week as we have a lot of new ideas for the area that will get the area moving again in missionary work. It's really been dragging for a long time.
The members still don't really trust us too much so for my testimony-introduction in sacrament meeting; I kind of dropped the cane on them all about their responsibility to do missionary work, to talk about the gospel with their friends and such. It's also really great to have a companion that really wants to be really obedient! When we're obedient you can feel the difference; the spirit is so much stronger.
Well time to work like they say here in Argentina ¡Trabajarámos a ful!
Thanks for all of your support and love!
Elder Sands
Monday, November 2, 2009
Well it's transfer time! It is always really exciting and this transfer was really weird! I'm not in Bolivar anymore which was really kind of sad. All of the members were really sad to see me go. I actually got a little bit emotional. Not quite to tears, but I'm really going to miss them! Two girls that I had the opportunity to teach and baptize were really sad to see me go too. They wouldn't even let go of my hand for like an hour! It was a little bit awkward but it was really nice to know that I'm really going to be missed.
It's an amazing thing this mission. It's one of those things that you just can't quite put completely into words, but it's a roller coaster! You come in completely blind (and really in Bolivar because we arrived together) and you get to know the people the streets the places and then bam one call and you're ripped away from all of that. As I always say "Así es la vida."
As for me I got transferred to the place that I believe a lot of you thought I was at. I'm now in Olavarría. It was a really short transfer. It's like getting transferred from the Beacon Hill Ward to the Lincoln Heights Ward. I'm even in the same district and my District leader is now my companion. So that's what happened.
The area is really slow right now because unfortunately some missionaries before were doing some stuff that made the members lose all confidence in the missionaries. So now we have to gain back that confidence. Elder Lopez (my new companion) and Elder Taliercio (the missionary that was with him in this area the last two transfers) have gained back a little bit of that trust but there's a lot of work to be done!
I'm really excited for this transfer because Elder Lopez is really obedient and that is exactly what I want! He is from Mexico City so I hope I won't pick up his accent too much. I've got a very defined argie accent for a Yankee (that's what they call Americans here). So we'll see if I start developing the Mexican accent. I hope not but I'm really looking forward to working like crazy this transfer!
Everyone, thanks for everything!
Chou, Elder Sands
It's an amazing thing this mission. It's one of those things that you just can't quite put completely into words, but it's a roller coaster! You come in completely blind (and really in Bolivar because we arrived together) and you get to know the people the streets the places and then bam one call and you're ripped away from all of that. As I always say "Así es la vida."
As for me I got transferred to the place that I believe a lot of you thought I was at. I'm now in Olavarría. It was a really short transfer. It's like getting transferred from the Beacon Hill Ward to the Lincoln Heights Ward. I'm even in the same district and my District leader is now my companion. So that's what happened.
The area is really slow right now because unfortunately some missionaries before were doing some stuff that made the members lose all confidence in the missionaries. So now we have to gain back that confidence. Elder Lopez (my new companion) and Elder Taliercio (the missionary that was with him in this area the last two transfers) have gained back a little bit of that trust but there's a lot of work to be done!
I'm really excited for this transfer because Elder Lopez is really obedient and that is exactly what I want! He is from Mexico City so I hope I won't pick up his accent too much. I've got a very defined argie accent for a Yankee (that's what they call Americans here). So we'll see if I start developing the Mexican accent. I hope not but I'm really looking forward to working like crazy this transfer!
Everyone, thanks for everything!
Chou, Elder Sands
Monday, October 26, 2009
Well this is the last week of the transfer and we know that one of us is going to leave Boliver. Oh I heard that there is some confusion as to where I’m at. I’m in the city of Bolivar in the Provincia of Buenos Aires but my zone is the Zone of Olavarría, so I go to Olavarría every Monday so because of that I tend to talk about Olavarría a bit.
Well it’s been a couple of trying transfers for me. It’s really sad to see people who don’t want to realize their potential. That is exactly what I’ve had to deal with all this time here in Bolivar. However this has really made me realize what potential we all can have. We are Children of Our Heavenly Father. He loves us and he wants Lo Mejor (the absolute best) for each and every one of us. We have to do so little in order to achieve all of this potential, to receive all of the blessings God has for us! What an amazing thing it is to be a member of his church and to have that knowledge! I’m very thankful for the opportunity I have to share that with everyone.
Thanks for everything everyone!
Elder Sands
Well it’s been a couple of trying transfers for me. It’s really sad to see people who don’t want to realize their potential. That is exactly what I’ve had to deal with all this time here in Bolivar. However this has really made me realize what potential we all can have. We are Children of Our Heavenly Father. He loves us and he wants Lo Mejor (the absolute best) for each and every one of us. We have to do so little in order to achieve all of this potential, to receive all of the blessings God has for us! What an amazing thing it is to be a member of his church and to have that knowledge! I’m very thankful for the opportunity I have to share that with everyone.
Thanks for everything everyone!
Elder Sands
Monday, October 19, 2009
This week was amazing and also more of the same. We had divisions and I have to say it was nice to do a little bit of work this week.
After that we got to listen to Elder Bowen. He is the President of this area, Argentina and Uruguay. He talked a lot about obedience which is something that everyone needs to take more seriously. If we're all obedient the world will be a far better place.
I heard about the bug that's been going around up there, right now it's really hot in Bolivar. I don't have any time left but remember the Lord loves us and that is why we have commandments!
Elder Sands
After that we got to listen to Elder Bowen. He is the President of this area, Argentina and Uruguay. He talked a lot about obedience which is something that everyone needs to take more seriously. If we're all obedient the world will be a far better place.
I heard about the bug that's been going around up there, right now it's really hot in Bolivar. I don't have any time left but remember the Lord loves us and that is why we have commandments!
Elder Sands
Monday, October 12, 2009
What a week! Due to the robbery we have to change apartments so we did that this week and we didn't seem to do much more unfortunately.
Well I heard you have some days with temperatures in the 20's that sounds like something I don't really miss. It was below freezing one day since I've been here. It was in my last area and there was a little bit of snow but it didn't stick or anything but all of the people were in their houses staring out the window "enjoying" it because it's not exactly something they ever see. As for me, after this last crazy winter I'm fine with no snow for a couple of years. Now however it's about the perfect temperature probably around 70-80 degrees, but I'm not really sure but it's nice. Also one thing about here that is probably interesting is that it is almost always windy and I mean always. This in combination with their dirt roads which is actually really fine sand makes for perfect conditions to have tons of dust in the air. Also because of the humidity we have a lot of storms and for those of you, who've been in Spokane forever, not rain like there, but real pouring down rain. I didn't know it could rain so much. They have little canals everywhere especially in the barrios where the dirt roads are and they fill up in so little time. It makes it really fun to get around jumping over streams in the streets and gigantic puddles of mud in the barrios. Thankfully Bolivar is really nice or lindo as they always say here so it's not too bad.
This week Elder Bowen the Area President is going to be here in Olavarría to talk to the missionaries and the members. I'm really looking forward to it. Hopefully I'll be able to get some pictures of Bolivar before I leave as one of us is going in a couple of weeks so we'll see who it is. I've been reading the old testament really fast when I have extra time, which I shouldn't ever have, but it's there now so I might as well use it. I found out that Moses was supposed to talk to the rock to have it bring forth water the second time (see Numbers 20:2-12). Instead, he just smote it and for that he and Aaron were denied the privilege of entering the promised land. There are a lot of lessons in this. First how many times do we think that our way is better or easier, when really all we're going to do is deprive ourselves of blessings that could have been ours because we were trying to do it our way? Second the Lord wants us to progress. The first time the Israelites needed water he healed the water that was already there. The second time he smote the rock which requires more faith right. The third time he was told to talk to the rock where still more faith would be required. Moses lacked the faith the third time and did it the old way rather than stretching himself and obey a new commandment. For that, like I said before, he was denied entrance into the promised land. It is the same with us; we need to ever improve in order to enter the promised land or God's presence. I want to progress! The scriptures uses the word damned a lot. This is more literal that we might think; a damn stops water from progressing right. That is what eternal damnation is, the stopping of progression. Let's all strive to be better and progress to grow and to learn from every experience we have!
Thank you all for your love and support.
Elder Levi Sands
Well I heard you have some days with temperatures in the 20's that sounds like something I don't really miss. It was below freezing one day since I've been here. It was in my last area and there was a little bit of snow but it didn't stick or anything but all of the people were in their houses staring out the window "enjoying" it because it's not exactly something they ever see. As for me, after this last crazy winter I'm fine with no snow for a couple of years. Now however it's about the perfect temperature probably around 70-80 degrees, but I'm not really sure but it's nice. Also one thing about here that is probably interesting is that it is almost always windy and I mean always. This in combination with their dirt roads which is actually really fine sand makes for perfect conditions to have tons of dust in the air. Also because of the humidity we have a lot of storms and for those of you, who've been in Spokane forever, not rain like there, but real pouring down rain. I didn't know it could rain so much. They have little canals everywhere especially in the barrios where the dirt roads are and they fill up in so little time. It makes it really fun to get around jumping over streams in the streets and gigantic puddles of mud in the barrios. Thankfully Bolivar is really nice or lindo as they always say here so it's not too bad.
This week Elder Bowen the Area President is going to be here in Olavarría to talk to the missionaries and the members. I'm really looking forward to it. Hopefully I'll be able to get some pictures of Bolivar before I leave as one of us is going in a couple of weeks so we'll see who it is. I've been reading the old testament really fast when I have extra time, which I shouldn't ever have, but it's there now so I might as well use it. I found out that Moses was supposed to talk to the rock to have it bring forth water the second time (see Numbers 20:2-12). Instead, he just smote it and for that he and Aaron were denied the privilege of entering the promised land. There are a lot of lessons in this. First how many times do we think that our way is better or easier, when really all we're going to do is deprive ourselves of blessings that could have been ours because we were trying to do it our way? Second the Lord wants us to progress. The first time the Israelites needed water he healed the water that was already there. The second time he smote the rock which requires more faith right. The third time he was told to talk to the rock where still more faith would be required. Moses lacked the faith the third time and did it the old way rather than stretching himself and obey a new commandment. For that, like I said before, he was denied entrance into the promised land. It is the same with us; we need to ever improve in order to enter the promised land or God's presence. I want to progress! The scriptures uses the word damned a lot. This is more literal that we might think; a damn stops water from progressing right. That is what eternal damnation is, the stopping of progression. Let's all strive to be better and progress to grow and to learn from every experience we have!
Thank you all for your love and support.
Elder Levi Sands
Monday, October 4, 2009
As you might now know there was a robbery of our apartment. Here is how it went. We got home way late one night as my companion is always spending tons of time in members home when we shouldn't be doing that. We get in and I went to the bathroom and he went to the bedroom and saw broken glass. Then someone opens the door and comes in with a flare gun and points it at him and starts asking him for very specific things. The other one had a wooden pole and was telling me to get down to the ground but he was all drugged up and I couldn't understand him. So I was saying the best I could, "what do you want, I can't understand you". That was pretty funny and you could tell I was really calm especially given the circumstances. I finally understood boca and pisa or mouth and floor. Oh ok you want me to get on the ground ok. So I did that and they took some stuff then left.
During all of this I was really thinking man I'm probably not going to be able to sleep tonight very much and was kind of annoyed because of that. And we didn't call the cops. Here they are not like they are in the states. Be thankful for them, they're amazing there. My companion was ticked because they took a bunch of stuff from him that he shouldn't have had like his mp4 player and other stuff. I'm kind of glad for that. I was really calm and I take that as from God indicating to me that "you're doing your best given all of these hard circumstances with your comp and everything, so I'm going to bless you with peace." I'm still rather calm though I'm annoyed as my comp is using this as an excuse to not work at all, so we did nothing this week. There is a blessing to that as I do have a lot of study time.
We have Elder Bowen of the Seventy coming and he is apparently really hard on missionaries. Maybe he'll guilt my companion into doing something, so I'm very excited to hear what he has to say.
We found a new apartment and are going to move in Wednesday and we have a zone conference tomorrow. Interviews I can't wait!
General Conference was amazing, I loved it so much, it was so spiritual and I got to listen to it in English and that was kind of nice. The talk that may have applied the most to me right now was the one on temperance. I don't think I am as humble as I should be and I'm not as patient as I should be and right now I have regular glass protecting me. I need to have tempered glass so that when Satan throws stuff my way I won't be injured, but rather be protected and just continue on in the work of the lord. Also the talk by Elder Holland was very strong, what an amazing talk. And President Uchtdorf's talk about love in the first session was really powerful. Also that talk from President Monson; "what good thing did you do today and ask it every day" is a great thing to do. And lastly what good advice Elder Ballard gave on interviews or something. Thanks Dad and Mom for all of the gospel stuff we did before I left. I really appreciate it now. I know that it's my preparation from you and fantastic leaders that is what is keeping me motivated to be obedient despite the circumstances under which I'm in right now. Thank you.
And thanks so much for everything and send that package with the things I need replaced and hide the valuable stuff well. (Levi had his camera, shaver and some clothes taken)
Thanks so much!
Levi
During all of this I was really thinking man I'm probably not going to be able to sleep tonight very much and was kind of annoyed because of that. And we didn't call the cops. Here they are not like they are in the states. Be thankful for them, they're amazing there. My companion was ticked because they took a bunch of stuff from him that he shouldn't have had like his mp4 player and other stuff. I'm kind of glad for that. I was really calm and I take that as from God indicating to me that "you're doing your best given all of these hard circumstances with your comp and everything, so I'm going to bless you with peace." I'm still rather calm though I'm annoyed as my comp is using this as an excuse to not work at all, so we did nothing this week. There is a blessing to that as I do have a lot of study time.
We have Elder Bowen of the Seventy coming and he is apparently really hard on missionaries. Maybe he'll guilt my companion into doing something, so I'm very excited to hear what he has to say.
We found a new apartment and are going to move in Wednesday and we have a zone conference tomorrow. Interviews I can't wait!
General Conference was amazing, I loved it so much, it was so spiritual and I got to listen to it in English and that was kind of nice. The talk that may have applied the most to me right now was the one on temperance. I don't think I am as humble as I should be and I'm not as patient as I should be and right now I have regular glass protecting me. I need to have tempered glass so that when Satan throws stuff my way I won't be injured, but rather be protected and just continue on in the work of the lord. Also the talk by Elder Holland was very strong, what an amazing talk. And President Uchtdorf's talk about love in the first session was really powerful. Also that talk from President Monson; "what good thing did you do today and ask it every day" is a great thing to do. And lastly what good advice Elder Ballard gave on interviews or something. Thanks Dad and Mom for all of the gospel stuff we did before I left. I really appreciate it now. I know that it's my preparation from you and fantastic leaders that is what is keeping me motivated to be obedient despite the circumstances under which I'm in right now. Thank you.
And thanks so much for everything and send that package with the things I need replaced and hide the valuable stuff well. (Levi had his camera, shaver and some clothes taken)
Thanks so much!
Levi
Monday, September 27, 2009
I have very little time this week, so let me first answer the question, how is the language coming after 6 months. The language is good I guess but I still can't understand a lot but it's bearable. I wish I had a companion that was more helpful with learning the language, but instead he just gets frustrated and nothing more. It's not for lack of effort either. I study everyday como un hour often more because my companion is always sleeping. I hurt for these problems too. This week I was really trying to be positive and happy but it was just a mask and it kind of caught up with me on Friday morning because we left at like 10:15 and came back at 11:40. I was so down! Iniquity weighs on the soul, let me tell you, even worse because I want to do better. We are supposed to be out at 9:30 and return at 12:30, so yeah that's my life. And even worse, we're having a decent amount of success. It's killing me. I'm not wiping my garments clean of their blood para nada (Jacob 1:19, I think)! Such is life. I believe I got a confirmation from the Lord I'm doing alright given the situation.
Well we had a robbery this week, but I'll share the details next week as I just don't have time. However the thing is, I'm incredibly calm and was during the assault tambien. So I view that as I'm doing all I can and the Lord is pleased with that because I was totally fine, very calm considering what happened which is a miracle but we're alright but it's still going to be a long transfer, but such is life, I'm developing a lot of patience.
Elder Sands
Well we had a robbery this week, but I'll share the details next week as I just don't have time. However the thing is, I'm incredibly calm and was during the assault tambien. So I view that as I'm doing all I can and the Lord is pleased with that because I was totally fine, very calm considering what happened which is a miracle but we're alright but it's still going to be a long transfer, but such is life, I'm developing a lot of patience.
Elder Sands
Monday, September 21, 2009
This week was really up and down. Down in the fact that my comp doesn’t really want to work and now I’m with him for 6 more weeks. It looks like the Lord really wants me to learn a lot from this missionary.
The up was that we have seen a lot of miracles this week. First, the son of one of the members from his marriage before he joined the church is fantastic, knows a ton, and has an amazing testimony. He was going to get baptized earlier but his mom at the last second wouldn’t give permission. Now however, she’s alright with it, so we’re teaching him. Also the sister of this same member is investigating and has been for a while and she was really down when she found out something about her husband. She was a wreck. We challenged her to read from the LDM or BOM (LDM is the Spanish abbreviation) she said she tried but couldn’t concentrate on what she was reading. We challenged her to open to a random place and read one verse and so we did it there with her and she opened to a verse that was talking about the BOM saying read these words or something like that. After she did it alone that night she opened to Alma 5:62 (I speak by way of command unto you that belong to the church; and unto those who do not belong to the church I speak by way of invitation, saying: Come and be baptized unto repentance, that ye also may be partakers of the fruit of the tree of life.) If that isn’t a miracle I don’t know what is.
So yeah the good and the bad of the week thank you for everything!
Love...Elder Sands
The up was that we have seen a lot of miracles this week. First, the son of one of the members from his marriage before he joined the church is fantastic, knows a ton, and has an amazing testimony. He was going to get baptized earlier but his mom at the last second wouldn’t give permission. Now however, she’s alright with it, so we’re teaching him. Also the sister of this same member is investigating and has been for a while and she was really down when she found out something about her husband. She was a wreck. We challenged her to read from the LDM or BOM (LDM is the Spanish abbreviation) she said she tried but couldn’t concentrate on what she was reading. We challenged her to open to a random place and read one verse and so we did it there with her and she opened to a verse that was talking about the BOM saying read these words or something like that. After she did it alone that night she opened to Alma 5:62 (I speak by way of command unto you that belong to the church; and unto those who do not belong to the church I speak by way of invitation, saying: Come and be baptized unto repentance, that ye also may be partakers of the fruit of the tree of life.) If that isn’t a miracle I don’t know what is.
So yeah the good and the bad of the week thank you for everything!
Love...Elder Sands
Monday, September 14, 2009
This transfer has been a long one. I don’t know if I’m leaving or if my comp is going to leave or if we’re both going to stay. I just don’t know but Bolivar has been great.
The thing I’ve probably learned the most of this transfer is that obedience is really a simple thing. Many missionaries say, “It’s such a little thing, it won’t hurt”. That’s the thing; every time we’re not obedient we are hurting ourselves. It works in the other way to, “it’s such a little thing to be obedient and I’ll receive blessings for doing it.”
My mission in reality is really coming out of its dark ages and a lot of missionaries are lazy when it comes to being obedient and to working. They receive baptisms and they think hay I’m having success so I must be doing it right. They don’t want to be better and they don’t want to improve, they’re content with average.
I received a letter from another missionary in the states a couple of weeks ago. In the letter there are some things that were said that are really impressed me. “I want to be a progressing missionary; I don’t want to be dropped. It’s amazing the experience we have on our missions, how much we grow and realize things about ourselves and others. Self-mastery and sacrifice are so important. I choose to follow Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father. I am giving my all to this work.” I love that and I am also choosing to follow our savior and although my companion and others aren’t trying to progress, I’m trying to do my best to give my all to the Lord. He will always repay us with more than we will ever know or be able to give Him in this life. I’m seeing that every day. Obedience, exact obedience, is my goal as it should be for all of us. The Lord will bless us as we follow his will.
Thanks everyone for everything and have a great week.
Elder Sands
The thing I’ve probably learned the most of this transfer is that obedience is really a simple thing. Many missionaries say, “It’s such a little thing, it won’t hurt”. That’s the thing; every time we’re not obedient we are hurting ourselves. It works in the other way to, “it’s such a little thing to be obedient and I’ll receive blessings for doing it.”
My mission in reality is really coming out of its dark ages and a lot of missionaries are lazy when it comes to being obedient and to working. They receive baptisms and they think hay I’m having success so I must be doing it right. They don’t want to be better and they don’t want to improve, they’re content with average.
I received a letter from another missionary in the states a couple of weeks ago. In the letter there are some things that were said that are really impressed me. “I want to be a progressing missionary; I don’t want to be dropped. It’s amazing the experience we have on our missions, how much we grow and realize things about ourselves and others. Self-mastery and sacrifice are so important. I choose to follow Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father. I am giving my all to this work.” I love that and I am also choosing to follow our savior and although my companion and others aren’t trying to progress, I’m trying to do my best to give my all to the Lord. He will always repay us with more than we will ever know or be able to give Him in this life. I’m seeing that every day. Obedience, exact obedience, is my goal as it should be for all of us. The Lord will bless us as we follow his will.
Thanks everyone for everything and have a great week.
Elder Sands
Monday, September 7, 2009
Well this week was hard, but I thought of an analogy I really like. I was a swimmer as you all know and the hardest part for me was always starting, because the water is always cold. It's this way because at a certain temperature it is perfect for swimming laps, But when you're not swimming and just sitting around it's too cold. It's kind of like that in the mission. The only way you're going to be happy, content or warm is if you are swimming or as in the mission, working. The manager or Christ has prepared the water for the work or for swimming. We just have to take a deep breath and dive in.
I would always swim the butterfly first (it's the stroke that takes the most energy and the hardest) to warm up and I would swim like mad the first few laps to warm up to get used to the water then after I would worry a lot more about technique because I was more comfortable. Work especially in the mission is like that, we dive in trust in the Lord that the pool is the perfect temperature for the work. At first it will be a shock and difficult but as we work we'll get used to it, we'll be warm and comfortable.
I could say more about this analogy but I don't have any more time today.
Thanks again for all of your love and support, thanks so much!
Elder Sands
I would always swim the butterfly first (it's the stroke that takes the most energy and the hardest) to warm up and I would swim like mad the first few laps to warm up to get used to the water then after I would worry a lot more about technique because I was more comfortable. Work especially in the mission is like that, we dive in trust in the Lord that the pool is the perfect temperature for the work. At first it will be a shock and difficult but as we work we'll get used to it, we'll be warm and comfortable.
I could say more about this analogy but I don't have any more time today.
Thanks again for all of your love and support, thanks so much!
Elder Sands
Monday, August 31, 2009
Not a whole ton is happened this week but the members here are really amazing. They do so much and help us so much. The Lord wants me to learn a lot more patience and humility right now with my new companion.
I'm trying to read when I'm on the bus going from Bolivar to Olivarría and back and I'm reading in the fast way without really, really studying but just reading and pondering.
Today I was in the Doctrine and Covenants section 18 and in verse 38 it says, "...and by their desires and their works you shall know them." This week in priesthood we have a returned missionary from Mendosa and he was an assistant and he was talking about obedience and when I was reading today I came across this scripture and it really hit me especially. In my first transfer out here I knew I had good desires, but some of my actions weren't reflecting some of those desires and so I have learned a lot since then and I still have an eternity to learn, but we always have to check to see if our desires are aligned with God's desires and also if our works and actions are aligned with our desires.
Sorry this is so short but I am trying to fix my camera so hopefully the pictures will start coming again.
Thank you all for you love and support. Have a great week.
Elder Sands
I'm trying to read when I'm on the bus going from Bolivar to Olivarría and back and I'm reading in the fast way without really, really studying but just reading and pondering.
Today I was in the Doctrine and Covenants section 18 and in verse 38 it says, "...and by their desires and their works you shall know them." This week in priesthood we have a returned missionary from Mendosa and he was an assistant and he was talking about obedience and when I was reading today I came across this scripture and it really hit me especially. In my first transfer out here I knew I had good desires, but some of my actions weren't reflecting some of those desires and so I have learned a lot since then and I still have an eternity to learn, but we always have to check to see if our desires are aligned with God's desires and also if our works and actions are aligned with our desires.
Sorry this is so short but I am trying to fix my camera so hopefully the pictures will start coming again.
Thank you all for you love and support. Have a great week.
Elder Sands
Monday, August 24, 2009
I don't have much time today and sorry, I don't have any pictures. I've been having a lot of problems with my camera.
I would have thought that being out here would have been really weird just the fact that I'm not home and everything. The reason being on a mission isn't as weird as I thought it would be is something my Dad said from time to time and I've really tried to do out here. "Little by little everything is simple." As we do that, everything really is simpler. It still may not be easy, but it is always manageable for example, in 1 Corinthians, all of those temptations when viewed in bulk would seem impossible but when you take each little one individually, it is relatively easy. In 1 Nephi 3:7, the same thing and there is the classic one in Alma 37:6. It is by small and simple means always the great stuff happens. Start with the small and when you look back you'll find out you've done a lot.
Thanks for everything
Elder Sands
I would have thought that being out here would have been really weird just the fact that I'm not home and everything. The reason being on a mission isn't as weird as I thought it would be is something my Dad said from time to time and I've really tried to do out here. "Little by little everything is simple." As we do that, everything really is simpler. It still may not be easy, but it is always manageable for example, in 1 Corinthians, all of those temptations when viewed in bulk would seem impossible but when you take each little one individually, it is relatively easy. In 1 Nephi 3:7, the same thing and there is the classic one in Alma 37:6. It is by small and simple means always the great stuff happens. Start with the small and when you look back you'll find out you've done a lot.
Thanks for everything
Elder Sands
Monday, August 17, 2009
Happy San Martin Day! San Martin is the Gorge Washington of Argentina, Chile and maybe also Uruguay. Every major division street in Argentina is named after him or at least all of the cities I've been in.
There might not be any pictures for awhile as my camera card broke and I need to get a new one.
My sister asked for a funny story so I remembered this one I was really embarrassed about. There is this one time where my first companion was buying a pasta frola or kind of the closest thing they have to a pie down here. As he was buying it, I found out he was paying for it all with change, which of course is really rude! So I offer to pay with bills. Now keep in mind that this is my second week mas or menos. So I do that and after wards I ask my companion why he was trying to pay her in change! He answers that practically everyone down here wants more change and all of that so I felt really embarrassed! So that's a funny story.
My new area is really big, well not really, but when compared with Rauch, its huge, maybe about 4-5 times the size. There is about the same amount of members so there is a lot of work to do. The missionaries before us didn't do much so the members have a lot for us to do which is fantastic. When we arrived the apartment was terrible so we went and cleaned and cleaned and then cleaned a little bit more. It was really bad. We also spent a lot of time trying to look for some maps of the area too. We have three; one from the church they made, one from the local government but really old, and one that we just found and all together they have it all, but separately they don't have very much so it is really difficult to find some stuff.
There are a lot of changes happening in the mission and I'm really excited about it. This mission is kind of coming out of its dark ages you might say and now it's really going through some dramatic improvements. My district leader is 18. Apparently if you go to a church school you have the option of going on your mission early so he already has 9 months and he is still 18. I wish I could have left earlier but none the less I'm excited to be out here!
I know this is the true church. I know Christ lives and he loves us. Have a great week!
Elder Sands
There might not be any pictures for awhile as my camera card broke and I need to get a new one.
My sister asked for a funny story so I remembered this one I was really embarrassed about. There is this one time where my first companion was buying a pasta frola or kind of the closest thing they have to a pie down here. As he was buying it, I found out he was paying for it all with change, which of course is really rude! So I offer to pay with bills. Now keep in mind that this is my second week mas or menos. So I do that and after wards I ask my companion why he was trying to pay her in change! He answers that practically everyone down here wants more change and all of that so I felt really embarrassed! So that's a funny story.
My new area is really big, well not really, but when compared with Rauch, its huge, maybe about 4-5 times the size. There is about the same amount of members so there is a lot of work to do. The missionaries before us didn't do much so the members have a lot for us to do which is fantastic. When we arrived the apartment was terrible so we went and cleaned and cleaned and then cleaned a little bit more. It was really bad. We also spent a lot of time trying to look for some maps of the area too. We have three; one from the church they made, one from the local government but really old, and one that we just found and all together they have it all, but separately they don't have very much so it is really difficult to find some stuff.
There are a lot of changes happening in the mission and I'm really excited about it. This mission is kind of coming out of its dark ages you might say and now it's really going through some dramatic improvements. My district leader is 18. Apparently if you go to a church school you have the option of going on your mission early so he already has 9 months and he is still 18. I wish I could have left earlier but none the less I'm excited to be out here!
I know this is the true church. I know Christ lives and he loves us. Have a great week!
Elder Sands
Monday, August 10, 2009
Hola from Olavarría! I got transfered to San Carlos de Bolivar or just Bolivar for short. It's about two hours from Olivarria which is the center of the zone. Which is another small zone too. Both Tandil and Olivarria have 10 missionaries each.
This week was interesting. We decided that we weren't going to fall into the end of the transfer slump like almost all of the rest of the mission does so we set a really high goal and we were able to teach more lessons than any other week we've had this transfer. It just goes to show you when you set your goals high, you can do a lot more. Don't ever limit yourself by goals that are lower than your potential. How do we find out our potential, well set goals until you can't reach them then we leave it there and work until we can reach it, then continue the cycle.
I'm really going to miss Elder Kenney and even though he is getting a bit trunky (thoughts back home) we worked and worked and worked. Rauch is probably going to have five or more baptisms this first half of the next transfer.
I have a story about a real missionaries dream. We were agrigating which is just teaching the first lesson more or less and we weren't going to make our goal by the end of the week and this was Friday. We also had tons of return lessons Saturday so we decided to do 6 agrigations so we could reach our goal and we didn't have any more books of Mormon either. So we started working on the goal and got 5 and then transfer calls came and I find out that I have to pack. We were talking about that 5 agrigations is good and is probably more than anyone in the mission right now because apparently no one works the day of transfer calls, but we decided to agrigate one more to reach the goal. We finally find this one lady that listens and it is Elder Kenney's turn to start the teaching and he actually accidently trips her daughter as she is trying to get out the door and he was tripping over his words a lot too. About halfway through the lesson the radio comes on and Elder Kenney says (I still don't know why) that's kind of sounds like the voice of God. I'm thinking what are you thinking! Then he goes on and says no not really and trying to recover. Well the lesson goes on and I finished by giving her a Book of Mormon and we walk away laughing thinking that Elder Kenney was a little off his rocker and all of that. Well she wanted us to pass by the next day so we do and the first thing she says is I read the lectura (assignment if you will) you gave me and I also read a lot of the Book of Alma (I love the book of Alma!) We're thinking, wow, this is too good to be true. So then the both of us were thinking that maybe we ran into a less-active member, so we ask if she has been baptized and she says no. So we had huge smiles on our faces for the rest of the lesson. It was amazing! So now however I won't really be able to teach her being in Bolivar but it was an amazing experience and I'm glad I got to be a part of it. Her story is even more incredible, but I don't have any more time.
Thank you for all of your prayers, I know that they are helping! This is the true and living church of God. I know that, and I'm so blessed to have that knowledge and this opportunity!
Chou
Elder Sands
This week was interesting. We decided that we weren't going to fall into the end of the transfer slump like almost all of the rest of the mission does so we set a really high goal and we were able to teach more lessons than any other week we've had this transfer. It just goes to show you when you set your goals high, you can do a lot more. Don't ever limit yourself by goals that are lower than your potential. How do we find out our potential, well set goals until you can't reach them then we leave it there and work until we can reach it, then continue the cycle.
I'm really going to miss Elder Kenney and even though he is getting a bit trunky (thoughts back home) we worked and worked and worked. Rauch is probably going to have five or more baptisms this first half of the next transfer.
I have a story about a real missionaries dream. We were agrigating which is just teaching the first lesson more or less and we weren't going to make our goal by the end of the week and this was Friday. We also had tons of return lessons Saturday so we decided to do 6 agrigations so we could reach our goal and we didn't have any more books of Mormon either. So we started working on the goal and got 5 and then transfer calls came and I find out that I have to pack. We were talking about that 5 agrigations is good and is probably more than anyone in the mission right now because apparently no one works the day of transfer calls, but we decided to agrigate one more to reach the goal. We finally find this one lady that listens and it is Elder Kenney's turn to start the teaching and he actually accidently trips her daughter as she is trying to get out the door and he was tripping over his words a lot too. About halfway through the lesson the radio comes on and Elder Kenney says (I still don't know why) that's kind of sounds like the voice of God. I'm thinking what are you thinking! Then he goes on and says no not really and trying to recover. Well the lesson goes on and I finished by giving her a Book of Mormon and we walk away laughing thinking that Elder Kenney was a little off his rocker and all of that. Well she wanted us to pass by the next day so we do and the first thing she says is I read the lectura (assignment if you will) you gave me and I also read a lot of the Book of Alma (I love the book of Alma!) We're thinking, wow, this is too good to be true. So then the both of us were thinking that maybe we ran into a less-active member, so we ask if she has been baptized and she says no. So we had huge smiles on our faces for the rest of the lesson. It was amazing! So now however I won't really be able to teach her being in Bolivar but it was an amazing experience and I'm glad I got to be a part of it. Her story is even more incredible, but I don't have any more time.
Thank you for all of your prayers, I know that they are helping! This is the true and living church of God. I know that, and I'm so blessed to have that knowledge and this opportunity!
Chou
Elder Sands
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