Email Letter 26 October 2009

Hey Fam,

So it’s been another good week. I passed the 21 month mark on Friday! It was actually the worst day of my mission. I’ll explain. So we had to travel for a District meeting and the bus was supposed to leave at 9am so we got the place at a quarter til and it had already left. They said that it decided to leave at 8:30am for some reason. So we went out to the highway and hitched a ride after trying to get someone to stop and take us for a half hour. So we went and had the meeting at it went really well. Very spiritual and I loved it. After we got done with the meeting we all went to lunch and we had to catch a bus going back to my area at 2pm. So we got done eating and went to the terminal to catch the bus that never showed up. We were waiting for 3 hours until a bus arrived. It was a long wait and it made for a very long day. My comp wasn’t very happy at all and I told him that he just needs to get used to it because that’s just how the busses here in Argentina are...VERY UNRELIABLE. All and all it wasn’t that great of a day.

We spoke yesterday in church and I talked about how if the church is really true then nothing else should matter. We have problems with people being the only members in their families and they complain about how hard it is and how tired they are and how this and how that, now don’t get me wrong I understand where they are coming from because I’m sure it’s not easy but I spoke about how its shouldn’t matter if it’s really true. Just like the lord said in Matthew, seek ye first the lord and all the rest will be added. That’s not exactly how it goes but close enough. This is the true church and nothing else should matter if we just put our thoughts and actions in doing what he would have us do so that he can bless us.

So on Saturday there were two baptisms of ward members kids that turned 8. It was a lot of fun to be there and see how happy they were. There were 60 people there and we couldn’t all fit into the kitchen to see the baptisms. It was crazy. We had some investigators there and they loved it. We actually put a baptismal date with one of them and she is so excited. We put the date for the 7th of November. She’s a really nice girl and she’s studying English in college. We are excited to help with that as well.

On the upside of things my comp and I started running today. I’m pretty excited to get back into that. It’s been since my time with Elder Rapp since I’ve been running and it was pretty difficult but at the same time very refreshing. I’ve made the goal to go home in shape and I’m for sure going to get it done.

Well Fam that’s it for this week. I love you guys lot and think about you all the time. Hope things are going well and not too much longer before I get home.

Tay

Pictures 19 October 2009

King on the Tower

King with Pokemon

King and Hogge

Email Letter 19 October 2009

Hey Fam,

So it’s been a good week. We had interviews with President del Castillo yesterday and he gave me hope that I might open the area that I want to badly to open. I talked to Elder Eliason who is one of the assistants and he came with me so we are good friends and I told him that I wanted to open this area and it looks like he talked to President for me. He also told me that President trusts what I think and that if it’s possible he will let me do it. Ha-ha. I love being loved. Interviews were good though and I also got my new Temple recommend because mine expires this month. Pres stayed for church and spoke about how important mothers are in our lives and how much they affect what we do in the future. It was awesome and very fitting because yesterday was mother’s day in Argentina.

We have been working hard and to honest even though it’s hot and I’m in the middle of nowhere and I’m getting to the end of my mission I want to work more now than I have my whole mission. It’s like I put it into 5th gear and I love it. I thought that I had worked pretty hard before but now I just have a love for it that can’t be stopped. My comp asked me why I wanna work so much and so hard in the heat at the end of my mission because his last comp was going home and didn’t really want to work at all. I just told him that I felt like there’s lots to do and that people need us and he said that he was happy that I wanted to work. It seems like it’s just easier and lots more fun to talk to people. I think that at the beginning of my mission I was scared but in Libres that all changed and now I’m just a Bold, direct missionary that won’t take a now from anybody. It’s an amazing thing to be able to speak in the name of the lord and the personal revelations that come to me from just talking to people. The promised blessings just flow out of my mouth and I don’t know where they come from or why I say them but I know that it’s not me talking.

Things are going well and even though I count down the months and transfers and p-days and everything I just feel good being here and I don’t really want to leave. I miss you guys and I love you. Know that I think about you often and pray for you always. Take care.

Tay

P.S. Mom I did know that Amber is engaged because Matt told me and I would love to see pictures of Tess and Paisley.

Pictures 13 October 2009

Cinthia

Dinner before the Priesthood Session

Me and Elder Hogge

At the Baptism

Email Letter 13 October 2009

Hey Fam,

So I’m a day late on writing. I forgot to tell you last week that I would be writing today due to the zone conference we had in Formosa Capital yesterday. The conference was amazing. The drive wasn’t so amazing but it was worth it like always. President del Castillo talked about God the Father and Jesus Christ. He explained how Christ could also be called the father and used so many scriptures to explain why. It’s a question that most people bring up because they get confused and think that they are one and not two different people but he was amazing in explaining it to us and the spirit like always was so strong. He bore testimony at the end that he knows that President Monson knows Christ and knows him in a way that can’t be explained. That he knows him so personally because he is his head representative here on earth and that he holds all the keys for our salvation. It’s unexplainable how powerfully he testifies. I love this gospel!

So back to last week. We had service and I learned how to build a house out of bricks and cement. They don’t use wood here, all of the houses and built with bricks. It was a lot of fun to learn. My comp and I built a wall much, much taller than I am and they said at the end that we had done a pretty good job for our first time. I got all dirty and stuff but it was worth it.

It’s been really, really hot lately and I just don’t like it. It’s incredible how hot it’s been and it’s just going to get much, much worse. Being out here in the middle of a desert isn’t quite what I had in mind to finish my mission but it should be fun. We eat dirt all day because of all the loose dirt and wind that we always have. I asked one of the members what the normal temperature is in summer here and they told me that it’s around 40º C which is converted is around 104º F. How fun huh. They said that it gets up to around 50º C sometimes which could kill someone for sure. Ha-ha. It’s just something to look forward to.

This Sunday are our interviews with President and I’m looking forward to them. I’m going to ask him if I can open an area and train. I’ll let you know what he says next week. It’s been a good week. I love you guys and miss you lots. Take care and stop getting sick!!

Tay

Email Letter 05 October 2009

Hey Fam,

Well it’s been a good week. Last Monday we went and had a lesson at one of the Sisters houses with one of her neighbors and it was one of the most spiritual lessons of my mission. It was amazing and you can really tell when they are paying attention and when they can feel the spirit as well. I can’t really explain it because it’s just one of those things but we focused a lot on the Book of Mormon and I can only testify of my love for it. It might not be as convincing as Elder Holland’s testimony but I do love that book with all my heart.

On to much better news...we baptized three people on Saturday! They are an amazing family that should have been baptized a long time ago but because of their travels they never could. Well we got them in the water and they were so happy. They even asked me how long they have to wait to go through the temple (Another Navarro family!) ha-ha. The dad is from Corrientes so we would talk like the Correntinos do and it was so fun. I love them already.

Conference was amazing! At least what I saw of it. We got most of it but the power kept cutting out. (Welcome to the middle of nowhere Formosa, Argentina) ha-ha. I especially like Elder Ballard's talk in priesthood. He talked about the three most important things are for both fathers and sons. It was amazing and its things that I’m going to try to work on as much as I can for the rest of my life. It was funny to listen and to say to myself, but that’s exactly how my communication is with my dad. I think that that’s why I have always said that Dad and I are more like friends that father and son and I feel the same way with Mom and that’s why I’m doing what I’m doing today. Thanks mom and dad!

Not much else to report. It’s been a good week and I’m still working with Elder Hogge to see how we can work better together. I love you guys and I love this work. Don’t be Trunky!!

Tay

Email Letter 28 September 2009

Hey Fam,

So I’m in my new area, I got here last Thursday afternoon. The place is called ESTANISLADO DEL CAMPO and it’s in the middle of nowhere. We don’t even have a place with computers to write so we come every week to the zone leader’s area which is IBARRETA just a half hour away to write and have p-day. My zone is really small but it should be good. I’m district leader which I really didn’t want, I wanted to just be nice and without commitment for the rest of my mission but I guess it’s what the lord wants so that’s what I’m going to do.

My comp is Elder Hogge and he’s from Sacramento, California. I just don’t get blessed with the Latino elders I guess. He’s a good kid and he’s pretty new. He’s got 4 months in the mission and you can tell that he’s really new. It’s going to take a lot of patience on my part to keep things going. We shall see how it goes. I think that we will have a ton of success here though and I think that I should be training next transfer so that’s something to look forward to. Our branch varies from 45-70 people in church every week which is awesome and there are a lot of priesthood holders which is something I haven’t had in awhile. I’m going to be doing a lot of changing here though with the way things are run. They are just kind of sloppy and I had to be Mr. Bad guy yesterday to get things going right. It should be a fun task though for sure. I’m going to try to clean up the list of members like Elder Rapp and I did in Pasos and that’s going to keep me busy. We have four Baptismal dates for the next two weeks and that’s exciting and we have lots of other investigators that have lots of potential to make it to baptism as well. The people are a little bit lazier here so I’m going to have to kick them all in the butt to get them going but it will be good.

So over the weekend there was a Stake President here from Buenos Aires and we got to work with him a little bit. He was here on business and he was like another missionary. Every time we ran into him in the street he wanted to take us to another house of people that he was working with to teach them the gospel. He was so cool. He opened a lot of doors for us and he was just so excited to do the work and it gave me a big boost and got me really excited to get things going in CAMPO.

Well that’s about it for this week. I miss you guys and think about you often. Just four more short months and we will be talking about how amazing my mission was and how much I miss it but for now know that I’m doing well and that the work is progressing. Love you guys!!

Tay

Pictures 21 September 2009

Behold your littles ones...

Pictures 21 September 2009

Baptism Time

Pictures 21 September 2009

Little Karen - Clearly a Florida fan too.

Email Letter 21 September 2009

Hey Fam,

It’s been a pretty good week. We have had a lot of work to do which has helped me focus more on the fact that I’m still here more than that I’m going to be having to leave soon. We find out about transfers tomorrow and we are almost positive that I’m leaving. I think that it’s been a hard thing for everyone. President dos Santos our district president feels like he’s losing a secretary and our branch president feels the same way. I think that they feel a little bit lost. I’ve had to do a lot for them in the last week to get everything ready for when I leave. We have also been going around to all of the members to give them the chance to write in my journal and it’s been really fun to just spend some time and talk about the gospel with the members. We have also been working hard in trying to find people to teach as well so it’s just been crazy.

Yesterday we spoke in church because it was the third Sunday and that’s missionary Sunday. When they announced the order of the talks the first counselor said that I would be speaking last and that I would also take some time to say goodbye which didn’t help at all I might add.  My comp spoke about reactivation and I spoke about how amazing the Book of Mormon is and how we can use it better to help those that need it. In between the two talks my comp played Joseph Smiths first prayer and it helped me a lot to have the spirit with me while I spoke. My talk was going great and I was closing and bearing my testimony and I felt normal and when I say normal I mean I felt like I was going to make it through without crying…boy was I wrong. I made the mistake of looking up at one of the Sisters in the branch and I knew from the beginning that if I were to look at her or at the Navarro’s I would lose it and I still looked up at her and I just lost it. I think of these people as family. I’ve been here for so long that it’s too hard to say goodbye. I pray for a miracle that maybe the Lord will let me stay, that maybe there’s more for me to do here but I think that my time is up. It was a really good meeting none the less and I somehow made it through it. Today we are going to be going to see a few more families and then tomorrow we will have dinner with the dos Santos to finish my time here.

Not much else has happened. We have been working and waiting to see what will happen. I know that if I leave that the Lord has prepared someone for me in my new area. I love you guys and think about you often. Take care!

Tay

Football Video - 14 September 2009

TK Plays Football with the kids in Argentina

Football Pics - 14 September 2009

Email Letter 14 September 2009

Hey Fam,

It’s been a good week. We had our interviews on Wednesday and I just couldn’t ask Pres where I would go but I think he’s made it pretty clear that I’m leaving. Let me explain…

I called Elder Avalos (aka mi papi) and he had just gone to the mission office where President del Castillo has an office. In Presidents office there are pictures of all of the missionaries and where they are in the mission. Elder Avalos told me that President had already taken my picture out of my zone so I’m pretty sure that I’m done here. He said that he looked for me all over the board but President hadn’t put me back up anywhere so I still don’t know where I will be going.

It seems like things are going well at home though! I love hearing that the boys are doing well in their games and of course that Florida and BYU are still doing well as well. It’s sad that I’m not there to be a part of this time of year but I will send some pics of me showing the youth here how to play football. We went to the church this morning to play some soccer with them because they had the day off from school and I took my football. So after we all got sick of playing soccer I showed them how to throw the ball and we had a little game (no worries, my team won of course) I think that they liked it and it for sure was a lot of fun for me.

This week is going to be a week of visiting a lot of families to tell them goodbye. I think that this will be the hardest week of my mission because it will be like leaving home. These people are like my family and I’m sure that there will be some tears shed…BY THEM. Ha-ha.

Well I love you all! I’m glad to hear that all is well. Take care!

Tay

Ramdom Pics 07 September 2009

Email Letter 07 September 2009

Hey Fam,

It’s been a good week I guess. Last Wednesday we were walking home and it started raining. And when I say raining I mean pouring. We didn’t have jackets or umbrellas so we got soaked. It was a lot of fun until that night when we went to bed the other elders that we live with decided that it was hot so they turned on the fan and when I woke up…you guessed it SICK!! It’s just so wonderful. I have decided that I won’t be healthy until I’m back at home in the states. I thought for sure that it was pneumonia but I called the church doctor and he told me that I should be just fine and that he doesn’t think its pneumonia and that in a few days I'll be better. That would be ideal but I have to travel again tomorrow and the busses just kill me. We shall see how it all turns out I guess.

The work is moving along nicely. We are going to have a lot of changes in the branch this week because I finally talked our branch president into changing around some callings and I guess the lord agreed with me. We are going to have the Relief Society Presidency full which is a first I think for the northern part of Argentina and we will have a new Young Womens president and a first and second counselor for her too and two new counselors in the Primary. They are all great changes and I’m excited for it on Sunday. We have had so much help from the members here and it’s just been a good experience.

We have our interviews on Wednesday with President del Castillo and it will be interesting to hear what he will tell me. I’m going to try to get him to tell me where or if I’ll be going anywhere but I’m sure he’s not going to say a word. It sure would be nice to know though. That’s the thing about the mission though, always with the surprises.

Other than all of that things are good here. I love the work and time is just flying. I love you guys so much and miss you lots but it will be too soon before I see you all. Take care!

Tay

P.S. I’m calling it now…FLORIDA vs. BYU in the national championship. Ha-ha. We all know Florida will be there but I’m not convinced on the BYU part yet.

Email Letter 31 August 2009

Hey Fam,

Well not much has happened since just Thursday but on Sunday Sylvana was confirmed and we had a total of 63 people in church. It was the second most I’ve seen while I’ve been in the mission in a regular sacrament meeting.

We are doing well. It’s about time for me to leave here though or get a new comp. I think that things are just getting old and I’m not as patient as I used to be. I love this area and I get along with the people just fine but I think it’s just having to babysit the elders and my comp and it’s just getting to me.

We are going to have another baptism this Saturday which means the miracles continue here in Pasos. I wish that I could stay here forever and just trade comps every once in awhile. Ha-ha.

There’s not much else to report because it hasn’t been very long since I’ve written you. I’m glad to hear that all is going well and I’m happy that the boys are playing well as well. I love to hear the success that they are having. I love you guys and I miss ya. Take care!

Tay

Email Letter 27 August 2009

Hey Fam,

So it’s been a good week. Yesterday we traveled to Resistencia for our meetings with the other zone leaders. Once again we left at 1:30am yesterday morning from Pasos and got to Corrientes Capital at around 6:30am. We sat at the terminal and waited for some other elders and then when they got there we went to Wal-Mart and got donuts. Oh they were so good! Just like the states. Then we crossed the bridge into Resistencia and went to the mission office and had some lunch and from there we went to the mission home for the meetings that started at noon. We finished with the meetings and dinner at 7 and went back to the office for awhile and then crossed back over to Corrientes at around 9pm and went to the terminal to wait for our bus that left at 1am this morning. We pulled into the terminal here in Pasos at around 6 and went home and slept. I don’t mind traveling that much but I just can’t sleep on these busses. Some of them are really nice and some of them just aren’t.

I loved the meetings though. The best part is always President del Castillo’s doctrine. Yesterday he talked about how the Book of Mormon is really another testament of Jesus Christ. He used two chapters in Ether that have so much doctrine about Christ that you can’t find something that specific in any other Holy Writ. It was amazing and it was written 1200 years before Christ. He talked about all the things that happened during the translation and you can really tell that this book was a miracle that the Lord had just for our day.

On Sunday we had another baptism. Her name is Sylvana and she’s Debora’s (the little girl I baptized about a month ago) sister. It was a nice simple service and I’m glad that she finally decided to get baptized. We are going to try to have three more baptisms this Sunday but I’m not sure if we are going to pull it off because of all the traveling we’ve had to do. We shall see though.

We have had some obedience issues in the zone with some other Elders and it’s just so tiring. I guess I know what it’s like to be a parent now but with older kids that act like little kids. It’s tough sometimes. I’m sure it will all go away soon though and we will get it back together. It’s not anything serious just little dumb stuff so it will all be fine.

It’s starting to get hot again, I hate the heat!! It’s not too bad yet so I’m surviving but it’s still pretty warm outside.

Over all things are going pretty good. I didn’t get sick this time traveling which is a miracle! I love all of you and I hope that you’re all doing just as well as I am. Good luck boys in the game tomorrow and congrats on the big win. Hope you had a good birthday Quin!! Love you guys.

Tay

This means we're going home soon

This means that we are going home soon. They are called trunky papers. Can you see the plane?!!!

Me and Elder Smith

I love this kid!