Hola amigos,
I saw that many were writing about Halloween and stuff. Well, here in Arg Halloween doesn´t really exist. They know that people in the states are celebrating it all over, but they don´t know why or what or ANYTHING. Haha, an arg holiday would be frying up an asado on the grill and playing the music as LOUD AS YOU CAN. Kind of like Mormons and Hanukkah. Most of us say...what is that again?
This week we had a zone conference. We gave a nice presentation about chapter 8 of Preach my Gospel, about using our time wisely! SOO important. How can we use our time wisely?? Remembering. It´s what we promise in the sacrament, and it´s what we should be doing with our lives in every aspect! I love reading from PME because it has so many eternal principles that help us in LIFE and not just from a mission perspective. The part on accountability is so critically important. The usual ¨make you feel guilty about yourself¨ part is quoted from Alma 5. But all these things are so important. We are trying our best to make baptism the biggest part of the missionary mindset, and all in the ¨culture¨ of the mission. President Robertson is such a great leader. I would love to be like him one day. (I think every missionary loves their mission president which is rightfully so. They say that you are called to your MISSION PRES more than to your MISSION.) Anyway, he did a great job of animating us and making us excited to try to baptize as much as possible before the end of the year.
My companion, Elder Dye is great! He is from Island Park, ID so he shares a love for mountains and snow and stuff. We are SOO STOKED for this transfer and more miracles we will see here!
Does anyone ever wonder about the ¨condescension of God¨ as mentioned in Nefi? An Elder described it to me like this. When a father is teaching or talking to his little child, he will often bend down to show him how it is done. That way they are ¨on the same level¨. Christ ¨condescended¨ to a mortal body and showed us the way. The way that we can live to be happy and successful! And like Nefi, when in times of trouble, all we have to say is ¨I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things.¨
I love the mission! Have a wonderful week.
Elder Wilcox
Wednesday, November 9, 2016
Saturday, November 5, 2016
Russell (from Oct 24)
My beloved brethren and sisters,
We worked our tails off this week! Turns out Elder Ortolano is leaving La Tablada! NO, he was such a good comp. He could speak perfect spanish, portugués and english with flippin everyone. I am recieving Elder Dye from Idaho! He will be great, this is his first time being a zone leader!
I am still getting used to navigating the villas. I still need some time to be an expert villero villa goer guy. The trick?? DON¨T LOOK LOST. If the people see that you look lost, they will ask you if you are lost, and then promptly ask for your watch and your cellphone and your backpack and try to take it from you and then you are toast man.
Also, hahahah this week we were talking to a family outside. One of them was a member, but he was drunk dang it. Something we might call a ¨wet investigator¨ (someone who was baptized long ago but has forgotten their covenants and vaguely says ¨yeah I think I was baptized in the mormon church...¨ there are too many of those, it´s sad) Well anyway one lady asked to take a picture with us. We accepted, it wasn´t the first time that has happened to us. Next thing I know, she has her creepy arms wrapped around me, making a kissy face to the camera and being weird. Then she did the same thing to E´ Ortolano! Needless to say, ¨he got him out.¨ (Genesis 39:12) Just sooo uncomfortable! #snakes. It´s crazy how being ¨rubio¨ here makes you so different. I either get racism or oddly exaggerated acceptance, like the story I just told! Being a missionary is the best.
Ok story of a MIRACLE. We have a recent convert in the ward. Sister A. Just the sweetest, nicest lady ever who loves the missionaries. Reminds me of my gma Dets. She owns a tiny little clothing store....
.....we also found a really nice lady named G. She was great! Has two adorable daughters. We had to go by a few times until she let us in. But we eventually got in and taught her and she understood VERY well! She is golden! She reads the book of mormon, and is doing great. SHE CAME TO CHURCH. She CALLED us and asked to call her to wake her up for church. She only showed up for sacrament, but after said that she wants to go again all three hours. She met Sister A and said hey! i know you! she had bought clothes from Sister A a few weeks earlier. Anyway. After church G called again and THANKED us for church. She loved it. NOBODY does that! Ever. Wow.......
......well after church Sister A told us about before G came to buy, her little store was not doing well. She needed money pero mal. So she said a prayer, as faithful people do, and G came in and bought like 1500 pesos worth of clothes (a considerable purchase). She was so happy she thanked G and then after said a prayer, asking God to bless G. Which was right around the time that we found her. What a miracle. God knows exactly what he is doing.
Well. That is it for my time. Today. In Alma 7:26, he tells the people of Gedeon ¨and my soul doth exceedingly rejoice, becuase of the exceeding diligence and heed which ye hath given unto my word.¨ Would God say the same thing of us?
chao from Elder Wilcox and Russell!
this is my new best friend, Russell. the rain came again this week, and Russell helped me through it all.
this is Asunción, a convert of an old friend, Elder Healey. He is getting married now wow....
We worked our tails off this week! Turns out Elder Ortolano is leaving La Tablada! NO, he was such a good comp. He could speak perfect spanish, portugués and english with flippin everyone. I am recieving Elder Dye from Idaho! He will be great, this is his first time being a zone leader!
I am still getting used to navigating the villas. I still need some time to be an expert villero villa goer guy. The trick?? DON¨T LOOK LOST. If the people see that you look lost, they will ask you if you are lost, and then promptly ask for your watch and your cellphone and your backpack and try to take it from you and then you are toast man.
Also, hahahah this week we were talking to a family outside. One of them was a member, but he was drunk dang it. Something we might call a ¨wet investigator¨ (someone who was baptized long ago but has forgotten their covenants and vaguely says ¨yeah I think I was baptized in the mormon church...¨ there are too many of those, it´s sad) Well anyway one lady asked to take a picture with us. We accepted, it wasn´t the first time that has happened to us. Next thing I know, she has her creepy arms wrapped around me, making a kissy face to the camera and being weird. Then she did the same thing to E´ Ortolano! Needless to say, ¨he got him out.¨ (Genesis 39:12) Just sooo uncomfortable! #snakes. It´s crazy how being ¨rubio¨ here makes you so different. I either get racism or oddly exaggerated acceptance, like the story I just told! Being a missionary is the best.
Ok story of a MIRACLE. We have a recent convert in the ward. Sister A. Just the sweetest, nicest lady ever who loves the missionaries. Reminds me of my gma Dets. She owns a tiny little clothing store....
.....we also found a really nice lady named G. She was great! Has two adorable daughters. We had to go by a few times until she let us in. But we eventually got in and taught her and she understood VERY well! She is golden! She reads the book of mormon, and is doing great. SHE CAME TO CHURCH. She CALLED us and asked to call her to wake her up for church. She only showed up for sacrament, but after said that she wants to go again all three hours. She met Sister A and said hey! i know you! she had bought clothes from Sister A a few weeks earlier. Anyway. After church G called again and THANKED us for church. She loved it. NOBODY does that! Ever. Wow.......
......well after church Sister A told us about before G came to buy, her little store was not doing well. She needed money pero mal. So she said a prayer, as faithful people do, and G came in and bought like 1500 pesos worth of clothes (a considerable purchase). She was so happy she thanked G and then after said a prayer, asking God to bless G. Which was right around the time that we found her. What a miracle. God knows exactly what he is doing.
Well. That is it for my time. Today. In Alma 7:26, he tells the people of Gedeon ¨and my soul doth exceedingly rejoice, becuase of the exceeding diligence and heed which ye hath given unto my word.¨ Would God say the same thing of us?
chao from Elder Wilcox and Russell!
this is my new best friend, Russell. the rain came again this week, and Russell helped me through it all.
this is Asunción, a convert of an old friend, Elder Healey. He is getting married now wow....
Monday, October 17, 2016
Good Air
Hola Hola,
Things are still cooking here in ¨Good Air¨. That´s funny that this place´s name translates to that. On my list of words to describe the air here in the mission, ¨good¨ would be pretty much be smack dab on the bottom. Speaking of air, it´s definitely heating up here! Summer, and all of it´s sweatyness, has just about arrived. Pure humidity, my friends. Pure humidity. I sure am blessed to have an apartment that is clean and small and has a good shower! What luck. I know all of you northerners are gearing up for winter, you lucky ducks.
This week we finished our divisions, finally! We have been two or more divisions for pretty much the past 5 weeks. We have ONE week to work together! It´s gonna be great. I worked with Elder Udall and Elder Gygi, both from Arizona, this week. They are great Elders. One thing that Elder Gygi helped me realize is to be always looking toward the future, at a bigger perspective. I had some decent plans down for the day. We walked and walked. Talked and talked. With other people, that is. But all of the appointments I had made that day pretty much went through. I guess I might´ve been showing it too much that I was somewhat stressed. Near the end of the day, Elder Gygi reminded me we had given away like 5 book of mormons (books of mormon?) and done much good. We had found other people for other areas, and passed along the reference. His good sense put me at ease, thanks Elder Gygi!
I´m out of time, I will see you all next week! Listen to conference, looking for ways to apply it!
Elder Wilcox
Things are still cooking here in ¨Good Air¨. That´s funny that this place´s name translates to that. On my list of words to describe the air here in the mission, ¨good¨ would be pretty much be smack dab on the bottom. Speaking of air, it´s definitely heating up here! Summer, and all of it´s sweatyness, has just about arrived. Pure humidity, my friends. Pure humidity. I sure am blessed to have an apartment that is clean and small and has a good shower! What luck. I know all of you northerners are gearing up for winter, you lucky ducks.
This week we finished our divisions, finally! We have been two or more divisions for pretty much the past 5 weeks. We have ONE week to work together! It´s gonna be great. I worked with Elder Udall and Elder Gygi, both from Arizona, this week. They are great Elders. One thing that Elder Gygi helped me realize is to be always looking toward the future, at a bigger perspective. I had some decent plans down for the day. We walked and walked. Talked and talked. With other people, that is. But all of the appointments I had made that day pretty much went through. I guess I might´ve been showing it too much that I was somewhat stressed. Near the end of the day, Elder Gygi reminded me we had given away like 5 book of mormons (books of mormon?) and done much good. We had found other people for other areas, and passed along the reference. His good sense put me at ease, thanks Elder Gygi!
I´m out of time, I will see you all next week! Listen to conference, looking for ways to apply it!
Elder Wilcox
Saturday, October 15, 2016
Better Late Than Never
Yesterday was one of those blessed ¨feriado¨ days here in Arg. They have ¨holidays¨ allll the time, which means no one works and everything shuts down! So we just went to atalaya instead to play futbol! It´s very humbling to be me and play soccer against all Latinos....
It´s been a whirlwind of a week! Truly, the Lord is hastening is work. I don´t know where to start ha. We had not one, not two, not three, but FOUR divisions this week! Lots and lots of them. Divisions for me are the best. It is a great opportunity to be able to know the missionary a little better specifically, and also to learn from one another. I went to switch on monday night (which almost NEVER happens) with Elder Smellie from Preston, ID and he is in Castillo. I was BORN there, it was so cool to go back there and be in town for at least a few hours. He is in a different area than I was, but I saw a member family from the ward there and they were super stoked to see me, and me to see them! They have a daughter who just got called to Mexico! Missions are the coolest thing ever! I was there to do a baptism interview and that went well. Tuesday we came back to our area and had divisions with Elder Porter from AZ and Elder Maycock also from AZ. President Robertson has made a new thing with divisions between district leaders and zone leaders. Instead of having one companionship in one area and in another, both companionships are in the area of the zone leaders. I know that is is just boring facts for most of you, but it´s kinda extra pressure for us as we strive to make our area a ¨model¨ area, as recorded in the missionary handbook.
Just know that I am so grateful for all that I have learned from other Elder´s this week. Sometimes we have to stop teaching an investigator for their lack of progression. Some may say that we weren´t ready, or not prepared, or not humble enough. While that mayyyy be true, it may also be that WE are not the right missionaries for that person. God knows what he is doing. Something that caught my attention in #LDSconf2016 is that ¨God and his son Jesus are keepers of their promises.¨ I think that Christ´s atonement is sufficient to meet our needs, and more. I understand that the atonement was created for people just like you, and people just like me. we are the mold, and the living water of Christ fits perfectly to fit each one of us. Also, the word REMEMBER (or ¨recordar¨ in spanish) has come to more meaning to me. All that we do is to better remember Christ! May we always remember these things, for the Lord God has declared them. (Mosíah 2:41)
Elder Wilcox sending love!
Me on divisions with Elder Blosfeld, from Brasil! Capo
Me on the bus, or colectivo, this morning. It was empty!
It´s been a whirlwind of a week! Truly, the Lord is hastening is work. I don´t know where to start ha. We had not one, not two, not three, but FOUR divisions this week! Lots and lots of them. Divisions for me are the best. It is a great opportunity to be able to know the missionary a little better specifically, and also to learn from one another. I went to switch on monday night (which almost NEVER happens) with Elder Smellie from Preston, ID and he is in Castillo. I was BORN there, it was so cool to go back there and be in town for at least a few hours. He is in a different area than I was, but I saw a member family from the ward there and they were super stoked to see me, and me to see them! They have a daughter who just got called to Mexico! Missions are the coolest thing ever! I was there to do a baptism interview and that went well. Tuesday we came back to our area and had divisions with Elder Porter from AZ and Elder Maycock also from AZ. President Robertson has made a new thing with divisions between district leaders and zone leaders. Instead of having one companionship in one area and in another, both companionships are in the area of the zone leaders. I know that is is just boring facts for most of you, but it´s kinda extra pressure for us as we strive to make our area a ¨model¨ area, as recorded in the missionary handbook.
Just know that I am so grateful for all that I have learned from other Elder´s this week. Sometimes we have to stop teaching an investigator for their lack of progression. Some may say that we weren´t ready, or not prepared, or not humble enough. While that mayyyy be true, it may also be that WE are not the right missionaries for that person. God knows what he is doing. Something that caught my attention in #LDSconf2016 is that ¨God and his son Jesus are keepers of their promises.¨ I think that Christ´s atonement is sufficient to meet our needs, and more. I understand that the atonement was created for people just like you, and people just like me. we are the mold, and the living water of Christ fits perfectly to fit each one of us. Also, the word REMEMBER (or ¨recordar¨ in spanish) has come to more meaning to me. All that we do is to better remember Christ! May we always remember these things, for the Lord God has declared them. (Mosíah 2:41)
Elder Wilcox sending love!
Me on divisions with Elder Blosfeld, from Brasil! Capo
Me on the bus, or colectivo, this morning. It was empty!
Moroni 8:26 (sent Sep 26)
Hello everyone!
This week we finished out strong for september! We had a baptism on saturday, we were soooooo happy about it! Anastacia, she is a little 9 year old. She personifies this scripture in Moroni! I love that little girl and her family! She´ll melt your heart, whether you understand castellano or not. She is the daughter of a less active woman and a non member man! We are working closely now with her dad. They invited TONS of people and it was great! One thing Argentina really knows how to do is throw a party. Any party at all. For birthdays, baptisms, anything. It´s kinda funny.
Cumpleaños are a flippin religion here in the Latino world! People give us that excuse alllll the time for being gone or not coming to church! ¨I was at a birthday party!¨ You could say anything at all....¨hey you didn´t show up for your college exam¨ (for example). ¨i was at a birthday party.¨ ¨oh...fair enough.¨
We are now working with many people here in Tablada that are close to being baptized! There are just soooo many that aren´t married. Just about 99% of people don´t get married. It is sad. And really complicated, legally, to get married. That is a barrier that sometimes creates the ¨eternal investigators¨. One person we are working with is Denise. She is the aunt of two recent converts, Lucas and Milagros, who are siblings. She is GREAT, she knows so much about God and his plan for us! But...she hasn´t been to church yet. ¨Come and See¨ said the savior. I know that the Gospel changes lives!
No more time. Prepare yourselves for instruction from the great Mediador! General Conference is gonna be great! Cross the fingers that we´ll find it in english somewhere!
Elder Wilcox
This week we finished out strong for september! We had a baptism on saturday, we were soooooo happy about it! Anastacia, she is a little 9 year old. She personifies this scripture in Moroni! I love that little girl and her family! She´ll melt your heart, whether you understand castellano or not. She is the daughter of a less active woman and a non member man! We are working closely now with her dad. They invited TONS of people and it was great! One thing Argentina really knows how to do is throw a party. Any party at all. For birthdays, baptisms, anything. It´s kinda funny.
Cumpleaños are a flippin religion here in the Latino world! People give us that excuse alllll the time for being gone or not coming to church! ¨I was at a birthday party!¨ You could say anything at all....¨hey you didn´t show up for your college exam¨ (for example). ¨i was at a birthday party.¨ ¨oh...fair enough.¨
We are now working with many people here in Tablada that are close to being baptized! There are just soooo many that aren´t married. Just about 99% of people don´t get married. It is sad. And really complicated, legally, to get married. That is a barrier that sometimes creates the ¨eternal investigators¨. One person we are working with is Denise. She is the aunt of two recent converts, Lucas and Milagros, who are siblings. She is GREAT, she knows so much about God and his plan for us! But...she hasn´t been to church yet. ¨Come and See¨ said the savior. I know that the Gospel changes lives!
No more time. Prepare yourselves for instruction from the great Mediador! General Conference is gonna be great! Cross the fingers that we´ll find it in english somewhere!
Elder Wilcox
Monday, October 3, 2016
Wasn´t Conference the best???
Greetings, my friends from the other side.....of the equator!
How is it up in the northern hemisphere? Things down here are definitely warming up here down south, just in time for the holidays! It´s that weird spring weather right now. Some days it´s REALLY HOT, like summer. I sweat and my collar gets uncomfortably hot and tight, like unto a dish. And other days it is cold and windy and rains.
I haven´t much time, so I will just finish my scoop about conference. It was SOOO good. We watched it in our Bishop´s house, the first session on the porch because he wasn´t home (we couldn´t go in) and then we watched it in the house after that. We had a part member family with us part of the time! We were all drinking maté celestial, something delicious and probably unique to arg! I loved conference so much! Conference in Spanish is a joy and a privilege. I loved all the things I learned and will now go forward to always be better and make my sunday worship more sincere!
Gotta go, sorry! Have a great week!
Elder Wilcox
How is it up in the northern hemisphere? Things down here are definitely warming up here down south, just in time for the holidays! It´s that weird spring weather right now. Some days it´s REALLY HOT, like summer. I sweat and my collar gets uncomfortably hot and tight, like unto a dish. And other days it is cold and windy and rains.
I haven´t much time, so I will just finish my scoop about conference. It was SOOO good. We watched it in our Bishop´s house, the first session on the porch because he wasn´t home (we couldn´t go in) and then we watched it in the house after that. We had a part member family with us part of the time! We were all drinking maté celestial, something delicious and probably unique to arg! I loved conference so much! Conference in Spanish is a joy and a privilege. I loved all the things I learned and will now go forward to always be better and make my sunday worship more sincere!
Gotta go, sorry! Have a great week!
Elder Wilcox
Monday, September 19, 2016
Exceedingly Great Blessings
Friends,
I am grateful for the hymns. What wonderful sources of wisdom and hope, of energy and of vigor. When in need, sing a hymn. The song of the heart is ¨ a prayer unto me¨ as the Lord says. Yesterday, I was in sacrament meeting and not quite enjoying the presence of the Spirit as I would have liked to. Some things had happened, and me and my comp were feeling kinda down. But God spoke to us through song. We sang ¨Come, come ye Saints.¨ In spanish there is a line that says ¨y paz será el galardón, oh está todo bien.¨ It´s saying that peace will be the prize, all is well, all is well. Well, I am certain that God speaks to us through many different ways. Including the hymns. I will be eternally grateful to my old piano teachers, such as Margaret Schloss, Jan Judd, and Michelle Bowman, for teaching me a sure-proof method of bringing the spirit. It´s a shame the mission doesn´t allow for time to really play much.
Well, here I am talking about hymns and stuff and not even about the week! I´ll just go quickly through one of the busiest weeks of my mission:
Tuesday: Transfers. Luckily the Ramos Mejía zone all lives pretty close, so we had no problems recieving missionaries new to the zone and shipping them off to their new areas. We also were asked to help the trainers in their new duties and practice with them contacting, especially with the book of mormon. My opinion: have in in your hand! The SWORD OF THE SPIRIT does no good if it´s sheathed up in your backpack.
Wednesday: my first ¨concilio¨. Meeting with the zone leaders. It was fantastic! Talked all about the mission and how to help the missionaries, including ourselves, improve. Talked much about challenges and resources, and how many of our challenges are really resources if we just change our mentality.
Thursday: one somewhat normal day of work. We did weekly planning. yay!
Friday: we had special training with President Robertson. It was great! His wife also rocks. We talked with her about the power of the Spirit in conversión. I love what Elder Bednar says that we are all agents who act,and not objects to be acted upon. We must allow the investigators to ACT, and learn by faith. #inspiredquestions
Saturday: there was a stake service meeting and we painted a school! I saw the bishop from my first area there! His daughter just got called to mexico! So great to see old friends! We also had a baptism!!! Lucas, great guy. We are having a baptism every week in september. I arrived just a few weeks ago and am in no way credited for helping them reach baptism, but some incredible people are in this area!
Sunday: A day of rest. Alma 37:34.
Have a great week!
Elder Wilcox
Lucas has had some great experiences with the scriptures I will write about later
Renzo, he actually is from a recently reactivated family. he was baptized but they lost the records, so he got baptized again. awesome!
I am grateful for the hymns. What wonderful sources of wisdom and hope, of energy and of vigor. When in need, sing a hymn. The song of the heart is ¨ a prayer unto me¨ as the Lord says. Yesterday, I was in sacrament meeting and not quite enjoying the presence of the Spirit as I would have liked to. Some things had happened, and me and my comp were feeling kinda down. But God spoke to us through song. We sang ¨Come, come ye Saints.¨ In spanish there is a line that says ¨y paz será el galardón, oh está todo bien.¨ It´s saying that peace will be the prize, all is well, all is well. Well, I am certain that God speaks to us through many different ways. Including the hymns. I will be eternally grateful to my old piano teachers, such as Margaret Schloss, Jan Judd, and Michelle Bowman, for teaching me a sure-proof method of bringing the spirit. It´s a shame the mission doesn´t allow for time to really play much.
Well, here I am talking about hymns and stuff and not even about the week! I´ll just go quickly through one of the busiest weeks of my mission:
Tuesday: Transfers. Luckily the Ramos Mejía zone all lives pretty close, so we had no problems recieving missionaries new to the zone and shipping them off to their new areas. We also were asked to help the trainers in their new duties and practice with them contacting, especially with the book of mormon. My opinion: have in in your hand! The SWORD OF THE SPIRIT does no good if it´s sheathed up in your backpack.
Wednesday: my first ¨concilio¨. Meeting with the zone leaders. It was fantastic! Talked all about the mission and how to help the missionaries, including ourselves, improve. Talked much about challenges and resources, and how many of our challenges are really resources if we just change our mentality.
Thursday: one somewhat normal day of work. We did weekly planning. yay!
Friday: we had special training with President Robertson. It was great! His wife also rocks. We talked with her about the power of the Spirit in conversión. I love what Elder Bednar says that we are all agents who act,and not objects to be acted upon. We must allow the investigators to ACT, and learn by faith. #inspiredquestions
Saturday: there was a stake service meeting and we painted a school! I saw the bishop from my first area there! His daughter just got called to mexico! So great to see old friends! We also had a baptism!!! Lucas, great guy. We are having a baptism every week in september. I arrived just a few weeks ago and am in no way credited for helping them reach baptism, but some incredible people are in this area!
Sunday: A day of rest. Alma 37:34.
Have a great week!
Elder Wilcox
Lucas has had some great experiences with the scriptures I will write about later
Renzo, he actually is from a recently reactivated family. he was baptized but they lost the records, so he got baptized again. awesome!
Tuesday, September 13, 2016
Aumentar (Sep 12)
This week was fantastic. I would like to have everyone know that, cuz I ain´t got much time to describe it all!
This week was the sixth (and last) week of the transfer. What wise Presidente Robertson has noticed lately is that generally our numbers drop the sixth week for whatever reason. So we, as companions, work hard at making goals and then plans on the fifth week so the sixth week can shine. We worked our tails off and had a great week together! It was awesome!
We are hard at work thinking and praying for our zone. We believe it really just takes a step of faith, and a little more confidence in the Lord to make miracles happen! I can´t believe that God thinks that his leaders are better, so why don´t we think like that? We are still waiting for the reply to see if Elder Salas (an area 70!!!) might be able to come and talk to us. We think he will also be able to help a lot.
We also did divisions with the assistants this week! They are awesome! I worked with Elder Bullock, from PG, Utah. He is a capo. Probably the best example I have ever seen of actually talking to everybody! He gave me a couple tips here and there to be able to contact better! It was awesome. We were even able to set a couple of baptismal dates! He is inspiring for sure.
Well, like I said. Time is short. The field is white. And the laborers are few. BE A LABORER. I wish we could have better ¨inner-faith¨ relationships. We see people out also preaching of God, and many of their mindset seems to be ¨oh you´re mormon? Well that does put a damper on our relationship.¨ sad.
I love an email and maybe a picture from anyone at all, if anyone was wondering.
Have a fantastic week!
Alma 26:22
Elder Wilcox
also, pictures still are rough coming. I ain´t got no ipad 😁
This week was the sixth (and last) week of the transfer. What wise Presidente Robertson has noticed lately is that generally our numbers drop the sixth week for whatever reason. So we, as companions, work hard at making goals and then plans on the fifth week so the sixth week can shine. We worked our tails off and had a great week together! It was awesome!
We are hard at work thinking and praying for our zone. We believe it really just takes a step of faith, and a little more confidence in the Lord to make miracles happen! I can´t believe that God thinks that his leaders are better, so why don´t we think like that? We are still waiting for the reply to see if Elder Salas (an area 70!!!) might be able to come and talk to us. We think he will also be able to help a lot.
We also did divisions with the assistants this week! They are awesome! I worked with Elder Bullock, from PG, Utah. He is a capo. Probably the best example I have ever seen of actually talking to everybody! He gave me a couple tips here and there to be able to contact better! It was awesome. We were even able to set a couple of baptismal dates! He is inspiring for sure.
Well, like I said. Time is short. The field is white. And the laborers are few. BE A LABORER. I wish we could have better ¨inner-faith¨ relationships. We see people out also preaching of God, and many of their mindset seems to be ¨oh you´re mormon? Well that does put a damper on our relationship.¨ sad.
I love an email and maybe a picture from anyone at all, if anyone was wondering.
Have a fantastic week!
Alma 26:22
Elder Wilcox
also, pictures still are rough coming. I ain´t got no ipad 😁
La Tablada (Sep 5)
Every week I sit down to email and my head is so full of things, it´s quite difficult to condense it all down into a readable email...
La Tablada is such a great area! The pench is very ¨cheto¨, it´s clean and small but perfect for the two of us. ¨Itty bitty living space.¨ This is the zone of Ramos Mejía, a very city-ish zone. Lots of people. In our entire area, there are only TWO dirt roads! So cool! And I am now off the bike and back onto the foot, so am pretty excited about that. My companion is a total capo! Elder Ortolano, he is from Brasil but moved to Canada when he was little, and speaks like a North American. He went to BYU Idaho. We are doing awesome together! We are ready to get cooking in this zone, and help everyone else to do the same! One great challenge is that of President Robertson. ¨A good leader has other people´s confidence. A great leader helps others have confidence in themselves.¨ So we are trying to help the missionaries here see their TRUE potential. I was kinda bummed to be gone for Graciela´s baptism in Marcos Paz, but we had one here too, on saturday!
Her name is Milagros, which being interpreted, is Miracles. She is a 14 year old girl, very very very impressive for her age. We are also preparing her other siblings for baptism as well. I am so glad for this gospel, and how happy it makes other people! We came to fill up the font, but the water, apparently, was getting old in the tank! We couldn´t do anything about it, so we just had the baptism in pretty yellow water. I couldn´t help but congradulate Milagros after. ¨Congrates, urine the church now!¨
Lots of crazy things happened this week. We were out working and were inside one the area´s ¨villa¨s. A villa is very tight nit, condensed neighborhood I guess you could call it, with everything being made out of wood or concrete. We had a man come up to us and ask, ever so politely, for our cellular phone. Granted, he was pointing a gun at us. But he eventually let us go. Poor guy. He needs the dispensation of the fulness of times.
President Uchtdorf said something I love. That the scriptures and words of modern prophets form an ¨effective mirror¨ with which we can compare our lives. It goes well with it´s 80´s pop companion. ¨If you wanna make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and then make a change.¨ Not only would Uchtdorf and Michael Jackson have been great mission comps, but these principles are true. It´s about being humble. Let us not be slothful for the easiness of it (Alma 37:46), truly it is a very straight and plain road (2 Nefi 4:32) that leads to eternal bliss (Alma 37:46).
Love you all! Have a great week.
Elder Wilcox
having trouble with fotos, sorry
La Tablada is such a great area! The pench is very ¨cheto¨, it´s clean and small but perfect for the two of us. ¨Itty bitty living space.¨ This is the zone of Ramos Mejía, a very city-ish zone. Lots of people. In our entire area, there are only TWO dirt roads! So cool! And I am now off the bike and back onto the foot, so am pretty excited about that. My companion is a total capo! Elder Ortolano, he is from Brasil but moved to Canada when he was little, and speaks like a North American. He went to BYU Idaho. We are doing awesome together! We are ready to get cooking in this zone, and help everyone else to do the same! One great challenge is that of President Robertson. ¨A good leader has other people´s confidence. A great leader helps others have confidence in themselves.¨ So we are trying to help the missionaries here see their TRUE potential. I was kinda bummed to be gone for Graciela´s baptism in Marcos Paz, but we had one here too, on saturday!
Her name is Milagros, which being interpreted, is Miracles. She is a 14 year old girl, very very very impressive for her age. We are also preparing her other siblings for baptism as well. I am so glad for this gospel, and how happy it makes other people! We came to fill up the font, but the water, apparently, was getting old in the tank! We couldn´t do anything about it, so we just had the baptism in pretty yellow water. I couldn´t help but congradulate Milagros after. ¨Congrates, urine the church now!¨
Lots of crazy things happened this week. We were out working and were inside one the area´s ¨villa¨s. A villa is very tight nit, condensed neighborhood I guess you could call it, with everything being made out of wood or concrete. We had a man come up to us and ask, ever so politely, for our cellular phone. Granted, he was pointing a gun at us. But he eventually let us go. Poor guy. He needs the dispensation of the fulness of times.
President Uchtdorf said something I love. That the scriptures and words of modern prophets form an ¨effective mirror¨ with which we can compare our lives. It goes well with it´s 80´s pop companion. ¨If you wanna make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and then make a change.¨ Not only would Uchtdorf and Michael Jackson have been great mission comps, but these principles are true. It´s about being humble. Let us not be slothful for the easiness of it (Alma 37:46), truly it is a very straight and plain road (2 Nefi 4:32) that leads to eternal bliss (Alma 37:46).
Love you all! Have a great week.
Elder Wilcox
having trouble with fotos, sorry
Monday, August 29, 2016
FLASH! Ahhhhhh...
Soooooo. Lots of surprises. I feel like I say that a lot. But that´s the mission, I guess. We worked our tails off this week! There is so much going on in Marcos Paz 1A. SOO happy to be here! I actually won´t be here anymore though....saturday night President Robertson called me informing me of a ¨flash¨(unexpected change). Elder Oscariz Choi is going home early for school, and I will be replacing him as zone leader in Ramos Mejía, the zone I was ¨born¨ in! Should be a fat challenge and learning opportunity!
I realized that in recent letters home I have not talked much about my investigators. I hope that doesn´t take away from how I feel about them. They are the Lord´s elected. HE prepared THEM for this time and what they going through right now to be able to learn and accept the truth of the ¨Lord´s kingdom once again established on the earth.¨ Truly merciful and incredible when you think about it. And when I say incredible, I mean ¡completely credible! God deserves the credit. 😉
GRACIELA. Is a truly devoted woman. Devoted to God. Her daughter and husband are members, but she has been ¨Catholic¨for years. She is basically an active member of the ward though! She goes to activities and our english class and everything. Well, we´ve had some long talks in these past weeks and she is ready and willing now to accept baptism. She got interviewed and is getting baptized on saturday! She and her family were begging me to beg President to let me come back here on saturday to baptize her. We´ll see......
I ain´t got much time, I´ll write about other people later! I am NOT happy to be separated from my mission son, Elder RIGSBY! He is SUCH a capo! He is seriously incredible, and I´m grateful he is the kind and I can work with, AND laugh with. He is a hard worker and willl have a mission of gold.
WE are the messengers of GOD. These are His truths, and they will lead to eternal life. You might call us the Proclaimers. *and ay would bike five hundred mayuls, and ay would bike five hundred mo, just to be the mahn who bikes five thooosand mayuls to come and knock yo door*
Love you allll. God bless you, every one.
Elder Wilcox
I realized that in recent letters home I have not talked much about my investigators. I hope that doesn´t take away from how I feel about them. They are the Lord´s elected. HE prepared THEM for this time and what they going through right now to be able to learn and accept the truth of the ¨Lord´s kingdom once again established on the earth.¨ Truly merciful and incredible when you think about it. And when I say incredible, I mean ¡completely credible! God deserves the credit. 😉
GRACIELA. Is a truly devoted woman. Devoted to God. Her daughter and husband are members, but she has been ¨Catholic¨for years. She is basically an active member of the ward though! She goes to activities and our english class and everything. Well, we´ve had some long talks in these past weeks and she is ready and willing now to accept baptism. She got interviewed and is getting baptized on saturday! She and her family were begging me to beg President to let me come back here on saturday to baptize her. We´ll see......
I ain´t got much time, I´ll write about other people later! I am NOT happy to be separated from my mission son, Elder RIGSBY! He is SUCH a capo! He is seriously incredible, and I´m grateful he is the kind and I can work with, AND laugh with. He is a hard worker and willl have a mission of gold.
WE are the messengers of GOD. These are His truths, and they will lead to eternal life. You might call us the Proclaimers. *and ay would bike five hundred mayuls, and ay would bike five hundred mo, just to be the mahn who bikes five thooosand mayuls to come and knock yo door*
Love you allll. God bless you, every one.
Elder Wilcox
Saturday, August 27, 2016
Holiness to the Lord (Aug 22)
Okeeeee. If I´ve ever had a crazy week it´s been this one. Let´s go.
First, Happy Anniversary to two of the biggest buckwalkin´ weirdos out there! BrenDawg and Travis, happy 25th, may you have many more. *starts the anniversary song from the movie ¨haunted mansion¨* ☝👆
MONDAY: we played a bomb game of futbol at our church here in Marcos Paz! We had more investigators than members!! It was so much fun. Pablo, a progressing investigator (but has trouble with José Smith and the restoration) thought it would be the best way to get his sons out to the church, and it was! We shared a scripture, and had a great time! All of my soccer friends from wasatch better watch out.....
TUESDAY: we had divisions with the zone leaders in their area called Mariano Acosta. They are AWESOME! Really focused, go get ´em Elders. They switched district leader/zone leader divisions to where all four of us work in their area for the day. I was with Elder Oyola, from Mendoza, Arg. He is a total capo! One thing I learned with him is that we can´t be afraid to invite. Invite, invite, invite. It´s part of our purpose.
WEDNESDAY: We got cut somewhat short, we had to go to Marcos Paz 2 and do a baptismal interview. I don´t usually like getting interruptions with the work, but hey, baptismal interviews are definitely worth it! The boy´s name is Lautaro. Poor guy was somewhat nervous, and will be getting baptized soon! All he needs is a good strong knowledge of the restoration and of the Book of Mormon! Those things are KEY. I know that the Book of Mormon will give us pure, un-changing doctrine that we can rely on. ¨A study of the gospel doctrine will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior.¨ How profound is that??
THURSDAY: I think I forgot to mention last week of our planned TEMPLE TRIP. WE ACTUALLY WENT. I still am energized by that holy place! Just the thought. I will never take living in Utah for granted. Saints in Utah, you had better GO and serve the Lord and others in the Temple. It was our first trip since christmas, about 8 months. It was fantastic, and really cool in spanish. I have grown I think, didn´t have any trouble with the temple spanish.
FRIDAY: We had a sweet movie night at the end of the day. Graciela came, and she is still feeling swell and ready for her baptism date! She has trouble with the thought of leaving the catholic church, but the Spirit of the Lord has taught her well. Line upon line, for years now! She´s ready. Also, Elder Rigsby is a SUPER powerful missionary. He teaches with the spirit, not with his head. He is very focused and impresses all with his scriptural knowledge.
Then the weekend ended with us finding the most beautiful family ever! Also another man who could potentially be a great member.....Miracles happen all the time. I love the mission and the changes the Lord has wrought in me, and is wrought-ing in me! My eyes have been eternally opened, and will never close.
con cariño,
Elder Wilcox
Elder Rigsby and me - 1st Pres. Photo - haha
Soccer
Me with elder cobb
First, Happy Anniversary to two of the biggest buckwalkin´ weirdos out there! BrenDawg and Travis, happy 25th, may you have many more. *starts the anniversary song from the movie ¨haunted mansion¨* ☝👆
MONDAY: we played a bomb game of futbol at our church here in Marcos Paz! We had more investigators than members!! It was so much fun. Pablo, a progressing investigator (but has trouble with José Smith and the restoration) thought it would be the best way to get his sons out to the church, and it was! We shared a scripture, and had a great time! All of my soccer friends from wasatch better watch out.....
TUESDAY: we had divisions with the zone leaders in their area called Mariano Acosta. They are AWESOME! Really focused, go get ´em Elders. They switched district leader/zone leader divisions to where all four of us work in their area for the day. I was with Elder Oyola, from Mendoza, Arg. He is a total capo! One thing I learned with him is that we can´t be afraid to invite. Invite, invite, invite. It´s part of our purpose.
WEDNESDAY: We got cut somewhat short, we had to go to Marcos Paz 2 and do a baptismal interview. I don´t usually like getting interruptions with the work, but hey, baptismal interviews are definitely worth it! The boy´s name is Lautaro. Poor guy was somewhat nervous, and will be getting baptized soon! All he needs is a good strong knowledge of the restoration and of the Book of Mormon! Those things are KEY. I know that the Book of Mormon will give us pure, un-changing doctrine that we can rely on. ¨A study of the gospel doctrine will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior.¨ How profound is that??
THURSDAY: I think I forgot to mention last week of our planned TEMPLE TRIP. WE ACTUALLY WENT. I still am energized by that holy place! Just the thought. I will never take living in Utah for granted. Saints in Utah, you had better GO and serve the Lord and others in the Temple. It was our first trip since christmas, about 8 months. It was fantastic, and really cool in spanish. I have grown I think, didn´t have any trouble with the temple spanish.
FRIDAY: We had a sweet movie night at the end of the day. Graciela came, and she is still feeling swell and ready for her baptism date! She has trouble with the thought of leaving the catholic church, but the Spirit of the Lord has taught her well. Line upon line, for years now! She´s ready. Also, Elder Rigsby is a SUPER powerful missionary. He teaches with the spirit, not with his head. He is very focused and impresses all with his scriptural knowledge.
Then the weekend ended with us finding the most beautiful family ever! Also another man who could potentially be a great member.....Miracles happen all the time. I love the mission and the changes the Lord has wrought in me, and is wrought-ing in me! My eyes have been eternally opened, and will never close.
con cariño,
Elder Wilcox
Elder Rigsby and me - 1st Pres. Photo - haha
Soccer
Me with elder cobb
Plancentero, Oh what a Joy! (Aug 15)
What a wonderful world! I don´t know if everyone knows this, but in the spanish hymns, there is one called ¨Placentero nos es trabajar¨ (no. 88) great hymn! One of the missionaries favorites. The first line roughly translated is ¨Oh it´s a joy for us to work in the vineyard of the great king Jesus!¨ Well I want to raise my voice and let the world know I ain´t quiting any time soon, and truly it is a joy.
Something that my good old uncle Boyd sent me once is ¨even though the roots of service are sometimes bitter, the fruits are always sweet¨. We are working hard here, and it´s hard to see sometimes that investigators aren´t quite confident enough in themselves to get baptized. Or they have trouble accepting the restored gospel through Jose Smith. Or they just have so much to fix in their lives that they get discouraged and stop. (all of those are people in our area right now). There is hope and love and good things ahead in the atonement of Jesus Christ. I know and testify of that! If we do all that we can (develop faith, repent, be baptized, follow the spirit, and endure to the end), then there is no reason to worry EVER. We can be happy and buoyant and ready to face the next obstacle.
Well I am out of time, and still have foto issues. Sorry BrenDawg!
Elder Wilcox
Something that my good old uncle Boyd sent me once is ¨even though the roots of service are sometimes bitter, the fruits are always sweet¨. We are working hard here, and it´s hard to see sometimes that investigators aren´t quite confident enough in themselves to get baptized. Or they have trouble accepting the restored gospel through Jose Smith. Or they just have so much to fix in their lives that they get discouraged and stop. (all of those are people in our area right now). There is hope and love and good things ahead in the atonement of Jesus Christ. I know and testify of that! If we do all that we can (develop faith, repent, be baptized, follow the spirit, and endure to the end), then there is no reason to worry EVER. We can be happy and buoyant and ready to face the next obstacle.
Well I am out of time, and still have foto issues. Sorry BrenDawg!
Elder Wilcox
Monday, August 8, 2016
Welcome to Arg
Well, I will be somewhat hurried writing this email, I am almost out of time. But, this week we welcomed a brand new Elder into the mission world! 6 pounds, 5 ounces. And just a little more. His name is Elder Rigsby and is from Ohio. He is a capo! Ready to learn and ready to work. In mission lingo, he is my hijo (son) and I am his papi. That lingo has WAY more truth to it than you know. He is doing good adjusting though. Poor guy didn´t expect the cold winter, he had NO jacket whatsoever except for a suit jacket. We had to get him that and some other stuff. This first week is finally over and questions like ¨What´s this?¨--¨That´s a bidet. No toilet paper.¨ aren´t being asked any more.
We are loving adjusting though! Arg sure is different, but he is doing awesome. He really wants success and is prepared to work for it! He has a lot to work on as far as spanish goes, but I am learning a lot about the gift of tongues, how iit is a SPIRITUAL gift, even more than suddenly having spanish flowing out of your mouth.
For example, just yesterday(!) we practiced a lot in the morning the baptismal information. We later taught a PF family, who the mamá is active in the church but NOT baptized, she almost refuses and claims she is Catholic. BUT, I looked at Elder Rigsby in the moment we had discussed, he invited her to be baptized. She then told us what she has never told anyone! How her family was very catholic and would be offended if she changed. She said she said she goes in and out of having desires to be baptized. We then talked with her towards working toward baptism, and how if she bears testimony to her family, then they would change their minds. In my mind, I was like ¨Capo Elder Rigsby!¨ Good learning moment.
Some things surprise him that make me laugh, things I dont think about anymore. Such as lots of dogs, and I was sleep talking in spanish. We had a meeting with our ward mission leader, and I had a flash back to Van Nuys, California where a skinnier new Elder (me) didn´t understand a thing. Elder Rigsby is awesome!
Quick MIRACLE. The less active man I wrote about last week came to church ¨for the first time in forever!¨ AND bore his testimony, and talked about the visit we had with him, made him think a lot! First testimony given in 25 years, he said! MIRACLES happen once in a while!
Lots of love,
Elder Wilcox
We are loving adjusting though! Arg sure is different, but he is doing awesome. He really wants success and is prepared to work for it! He has a lot to work on as far as spanish goes, but I am learning a lot about the gift of tongues, how iit is a SPIRITUAL gift, even more than suddenly having spanish flowing out of your mouth.
For example, just yesterday(!) we practiced a lot in the morning the baptismal information. We later taught a PF family, who the mamá is active in the church but NOT baptized, she almost refuses and claims she is Catholic. BUT, I looked at Elder Rigsby in the moment we had discussed, he invited her to be baptized. She then told us what she has never told anyone! How her family was very catholic and would be offended if she changed. She said she said she goes in and out of having desires to be baptized. We then talked with her towards working toward baptism, and how if she bears testimony to her family, then they would change their minds. In my mind, I was like ¨Capo Elder Rigsby!¨ Good learning moment.
Some things surprise him that make me laugh, things I dont think about anymore. Such as lots of dogs, and I was sleep talking in spanish. We had a meeting with our ward mission leader, and I had a flash back to Van Nuys, California where a skinnier new Elder (me) didn´t understand a thing. Elder Rigsby is awesome!
Quick MIRACLE. The less active man I wrote about last week came to church ¨for the first time in forever!¨ AND bore his testimony, and talked about the visit we had with him, made him think a lot! First testimony given in 25 years, he said! MIRACLES happen once in a while!
Lots of love,
Elder Wilcox
Monday, August 1, 2016
Have you ever seen the rain? (Letter from Aug 1, 2016)
This week there was some good rain storms. I don´t quote cheesy EFY music much, but really truly when we have the spirit with us ¨It´s like walking in sunlight when the whole world is covered in rainclouds.¨ And Buenos Aires is covered in rainclouds very very often! It´s a good thing that the rain gets into my boots, otherwise my feet would be dry!
I also did some reflection. I don´t need an ipad or anything like that. I just need a pair of gloves that are possible to keep on AND clap someone´s door! haha here we clap the doors, and it´s necessary to take my gloves off EVERY TIME.
Obviously there were many many miracles this week. During a particularly rainy day I did a division with Elder Wasson. We had some awesome plans in place for lots of success that day! But, as the bikes broke, and the rain set in the lessons also went away. It was rough, we weren´t able to teach anyone that day...until the end of the night. We had a ward movie night, and 7 investigators came! We watched a fantastic movie called ¨The Book of Mormon: How Rare a Possesion¨. I would highly recommend it. I was very happy to see them all there, obviously. But I was also very humbled and grateful after reading Éter 12:6, that no witness will come until AFTER a trial of my faith.
Marcos Paz is doing so good! It´s incredible to see the changes that the Spirit works in people´s hearts ¨line upon line, precept upon precept¨. But, it really is that simple. And sometimes that slow. I love the advice from Elder Bednar ¨May I suggest that many of us would commonly expect AN answer or A prompting from God in response to our ernest pleadings and questions. But the answers we get from God are small, incremental, and sometimes hard to recognize individually. It does not come all at once.¨I am glad for the companionship of the Holy Ghost. It is an unmistakeable gift. It is distinct, and powerful. People often wonder why there is so much bad in their lives. We visited a man who is less active yesterday, and he asked us all of those questions. We simply asked him what he thought we were gonna say, or what the solution we might bring up was. He said something like ¨I know, I know Elders. Say my prayers, go to church, read the book. My family doesn´t support me in those things, and I don´t see much difference when I do them.¨ We explained that those things are good, but the core is missing. At the root of EVERYTHING we do is repentance and a sincere love for the Lord. Why do we go to church, or read or anything else? Because we align our thoughts and desires to be more like the Lord´s, and not our own. Then, we will have the promised companionship of the Holy Ghost.
Quick story. Yesterday (in the rain) we visited a man named Ariel (investigator, his wife and son are members). His family wasn´t home, because they were apparently with the police, he had done something bad, and they all left. He was bawling histerically, really quite honestly like a toddler. He was so shattered. Long story short.....Elder Cobb did some clutch quick thinking, and we went outside, out of the smoke ridden house. We knelt in a field and offered a prayer. He was very calm after, and told us how he wants to be baptized.
I love the work! Keep on smiling everyone. It´s the only way to keep the Spirit in the hard times.
Elder Wilcox
I also did some reflection. I don´t need an ipad or anything like that. I just need a pair of gloves that are possible to keep on AND clap someone´s door! haha here we clap the doors, and it´s necessary to take my gloves off EVERY TIME.
Obviously there were many many miracles this week. During a particularly rainy day I did a division with Elder Wasson. We had some awesome plans in place for lots of success that day! But, as the bikes broke, and the rain set in the lessons also went away. It was rough, we weren´t able to teach anyone that day...until the end of the night. We had a ward movie night, and 7 investigators came! We watched a fantastic movie called ¨The Book of Mormon: How Rare a Possesion¨. I would highly recommend it. I was very happy to see them all there, obviously. But I was also very humbled and grateful after reading Éter 12:6, that no witness will come until AFTER a trial of my faith.
Marcos Paz is doing so good! It´s incredible to see the changes that the Spirit works in people´s hearts ¨line upon line, precept upon precept¨. But, it really is that simple. And sometimes that slow. I love the advice from Elder Bednar ¨May I suggest that many of us would commonly expect AN answer or A prompting from God in response to our ernest pleadings and questions. But the answers we get from God are small, incremental, and sometimes hard to recognize individually. It does not come all at once.¨I am glad for the companionship of the Holy Ghost. It is an unmistakeable gift. It is distinct, and powerful. People often wonder why there is so much bad in their lives. We visited a man who is less active yesterday, and he asked us all of those questions. We simply asked him what he thought we were gonna say, or what the solution we might bring up was. He said something like ¨I know, I know Elders. Say my prayers, go to church, read the book. My family doesn´t support me in those things, and I don´t see much difference when I do them.¨ We explained that those things are good, but the core is missing. At the root of EVERYTHING we do is repentance and a sincere love for the Lord. Why do we go to church, or read or anything else? Because we align our thoughts and desires to be more like the Lord´s, and not our own. Then, we will have the promised companionship of the Holy Ghost.
Quick story. Yesterday (in the rain) we visited a man named Ariel (investigator, his wife and son are members). His family wasn´t home, because they were apparently with the police, he had done something bad, and they all left. He was bawling histerically, really quite honestly like a toddler. He was so shattered. Long story short.....Elder Cobb did some clutch quick thinking, and we went outside, out of the smoke ridden house. We knelt in a field and offered a prayer. He was very calm after, and told us how he wants to be baptized.
I love the work! Keep on smiling everyone. It´s the only way to keep the Spirit in the hard times.
Elder Wilcox
I love the mission (letter from July 25, 2016)
Weekly culture comment: Here, as a term of endearment, people call their spouse ¨gordo¨ or ¨gorda¨ which is pretty much ¨fatty¨.
This coming week will be the last of the transfer! Wow. Time moves so fast when you´re spreading the word.
This week was a good one! I really truly believe that people are prepared to hear the word of God. God is a God of preparation. He makes everything happen. I love love love what has been said that ¨there are NO coincedences in missionary work.¨ Yesterday, we were riding along and a guy asked us if we were the police. We stopped to talk, kinda chuckled and told him no we are not the police. We are missionaries. He immediately started speaking quite fluent english to us, it was very surprising! He told us how he lived in New York for about 5 years. He was THERE the day of 9/11. His name is Ignacio. He said it traumatized him a lot. He eventually got sick of all the conflict and war and trouble after a few years and came back down to Arg. He left a lot behind! He almost got married to his girlfriend in NY, but decided to leave. He wanted peace in his life, and found it back in Marcos Paz. He said it´s not as nice as NY, dirt roads, cheap brick houses and whatnot. But it´s better to not have conflict. Great guy! We introduced the Book of Mormon, and he was very interested. Said he had seen it, and knew about it, but had never read it and wants to! He invited us in, where another friend of his Rodrigo was visiting. We were able to teach them about the restored Gospel, and they both accepted the invitation to be baptized! So awesome! I love missionary work.
This week we had zone trainings/interviews with President. Man, if I could I would interview with that man every day. He´s just so awesome! I love the help he gives all of us. Our PURPOSE is to help others come unto Christ by accepting the restored Gospel. Some have a realllllly hard time accepting the LDM. But the book (and the prophet, the church, the commandments) is the way established BY HIM to accept Him! ¨There is NO OTHER way.¨ (or something like that) 2 Nefi 31:21.
Anyway. Sorry BrenDawg, but the computer is having a rough time loading pictures today. Poor thing.
Have a great week! I might write more later, but a story that really helped me this week was Helamán 5:40-43. God helps us out, WHATEVER our cloud of darkness may be!
sending love from Elder Wilcox
This coming week will be the last of the transfer! Wow. Time moves so fast when you´re spreading the word.
This week was a good one! I really truly believe that people are prepared to hear the word of God. God is a God of preparation. He makes everything happen. I love love love what has been said that ¨there are NO coincedences in missionary work.¨ Yesterday, we were riding along and a guy asked us if we were the police. We stopped to talk, kinda chuckled and told him no we are not the police. We are missionaries. He immediately started speaking quite fluent english to us, it was very surprising! He told us how he lived in New York for about 5 years. He was THERE the day of 9/11. His name is Ignacio. He said it traumatized him a lot. He eventually got sick of all the conflict and war and trouble after a few years and came back down to Arg. He left a lot behind! He almost got married to his girlfriend in NY, but decided to leave. He wanted peace in his life, and found it back in Marcos Paz. He said it´s not as nice as NY, dirt roads, cheap brick houses and whatnot. But it´s better to not have conflict. Great guy! We introduced the Book of Mormon, and he was very interested. Said he had seen it, and knew about it, but had never read it and wants to! He invited us in, where another friend of his Rodrigo was visiting. We were able to teach them about the restored Gospel, and they both accepted the invitation to be baptized! So awesome! I love missionary work.
This week we had zone trainings/interviews with President. Man, if I could I would interview with that man every day. He´s just so awesome! I love the help he gives all of us. Our PURPOSE is to help others come unto Christ by accepting the restored Gospel. Some have a realllllly hard time accepting the LDM. But the book (and the prophet, the church, the commandments) is the way established BY HIM to accept Him! ¨There is NO OTHER way.¨ (or something like that) 2 Nefi 31:21.
Anyway. Sorry BrenDawg, but the computer is having a rough time loading pictures today. Poor thing.
Have a great week! I might write more later, but a story that really helped me this week was Helamán 5:40-43. God helps us out, WHATEVER our cloud of darkness may be!
sending love from Elder Wilcox
The Elect (letter from July 18, 2016)
Broshkums,
I don´t usually do this, but let´s just talk about saturday, since it was the most AMAZING day ever. God really truly does prepare the hearts of the people! There are many of the elect (or we call them ¨elegidos¨) just waiting to be saved!
I dont have much time. BUT. Saturday was just so awesome. We had taught a guy/girlfriend Nico y Brenda last week. We went back, and Nico had read and remembered EVERYTHING perfectly. We also taught his brother Franco, who came to church the very next day! It was awesome! They will definitely be baptized sometime soon.
We also went to teach one of our progressing investigators, Evelín, who has a boyfriend Esteban that we are also teaching. They are awesome, but they are juntado, and for that they don´t have a baptismal date. Well, we went to see them, but turns out they are separated now. That was unexpected, and obviously a shock for us. They separated for some unfaithfulness and drug problems on Esteban´s part. But Evelín was literally filled with the spirit. She didn´t cry, she was calm. She was SOO shining with some Gospel light, seriously. She told us how she wants to live all the commandments and be baptized. She hasn´t even been to church yet! But she is completely converted to the restored Gospel through the book of Mormon. We explained to her that she could be baptized, if they really are committed to stay apart, and then one day get married and start a family in the Gospel. Next best thing: our district is realllllly focusing on working with members. In fact, besides baptism goals, we just have goals for lessons with members present. Agustín, a CAPO 11 year old recent convert passed by on his bike. We asked if he could sit with us for about 15 minutes and share a thought. We committed Evelín to baptism, and Agustín was able to bear powerful testimony! It was great. Just so many more miracles that day.
I gave a talk yesterday in church. Talked about Christ-like examples in my life. One that came to mind was a certain Lincoln Rasband. He died right around the time of my baptism, but a few days after, I recieved a letter from him in the mail, bearing his testimony and cheering my on. I will always have that in my heart.
So, I made the mac n cheese mom! It rocked. Sorry I forgot my camera, I´ll send a picture next week.
Keep on keeping on! Hurrah for Israel.
Elder Wilcox
I don´t usually do this, but let´s just talk about saturday, since it was the most AMAZING day ever. God really truly does prepare the hearts of the people! There are many of the elect (or we call them ¨elegidos¨) just waiting to be saved!
I dont have much time. BUT. Saturday was just so awesome. We had taught a guy/girlfriend Nico y Brenda last week. We went back, and Nico had read and remembered EVERYTHING perfectly. We also taught his brother Franco, who came to church the very next day! It was awesome! They will definitely be baptized sometime soon.
We also went to teach one of our progressing investigators, Evelín, who has a boyfriend Esteban that we are also teaching. They are awesome, but they are juntado, and for that they don´t have a baptismal date. Well, we went to see them, but turns out they are separated now. That was unexpected, and obviously a shock for us. They separated for some unfaithfulness and drug problems on Esteban´s part. But Evelín was literally filled with the spirit. She didn´t cry, she was calm. She was SOO shining with some Gospel light, seriously. She told us how she wants to live all the commandments and be baptized. She hasn´t even been to church yet! But she is completely converted to the restored Gospel through the book of Mormon. We explained to her that she could be baptized, if they really are committed to stay apart, and then one day get married and start a family in the Gospel. Next best thing: our district is realllllly focusing on working with members. In fact, besides baptism goals, we just have goals for lessons with members present. Agustín, a CAPO 11 year old recent convert passed by on his bike. We asked if he could sit with us for about 15 minutes and share a thought. We committed Evelín to baptism, and Agustín was able to bear powerful testimony! It was great. Just so many more miracles that day.
I gave a talk yesterday in church. Talked about Christ-like examples in my life. One that came to mind was a certain Lincoln Rasband. He died right around the time of my baptism, but a few days after, I recieved a letter from him in the mail, bearing his testimony and cheering my on. I will always have that in my heart.
So, I made the mac n cheese mom! It rocked. Sorry I forgot my camera, I´ll send a picture next week.
Keep on keeping on! Hurrah for Israel.
Elder Wilcox
Feliz 9 de Julio (letter from July 11, 2016)
This week was 9 de Julio! The good old Argentino independence day. They don´t take it quite as serious as they do in the US of A but it was fun to see it.
This week I want to talk about just some small things. Little things that happened that would seem so not important, it´s a good thing the scriptures teach us to despise not the gifts of God, and of the Spirit.....or they would´ve passed me by!
We had a rockin 9 de Julio party in the ward. Ever since I got here a few weeks ago (and before) we had been inviting people to this party. It was a big success! TONS of empanadas were made. They are amazing. It is like a big dumpling or potsticker but filled with carne or chicken and I love them. We had some dancers perform from the ward, and fun argentino gaucho clothing to take pictures with. Anyway. We had some investigators come! Pablo, a great guy that is single, about 55 years old. His son Esteban and his wife Evelín came. I think the person I was most excited to see was a woman named Thamara. We met her just knocking doors the other week. She is a less active member, but like alllllll of her life. Baptized young, and then forgot. She seemed real sad when we met her. But the party brought this peace to her countenance. She smiled the whole time, and chatted with everyone. Afterwards, we set a family home evening with her and another family. She told us she was super content, and happy that she came. She just said something like ¨Interesting, isn´t it? You didn´t even know I was a member when you came to the door.¨ Wow. Miracle. This is the work of the Lord for sure.
We taught a lesson with a young couple this week. Brenda y Nicolas. They were very interested. At the very beginning, I read with him 2 Nefi 2:11 in answer to some things he had said. Immediately, he asked where he can get one of these books. The book anwers questions of the soul! Also, at the end Brenda said that we had a wonderful peace with us. A powerful peace. We explained that is the Spirit. And that she needs to follow it.
Pablo is a great great investigator but has crazy doubts about Joseph Smith, and the LDM. He always convinces himself they are fake. But we are trying to help him see how much changes there are in his life becuase of the church and it´s teachings of the Gospel. That way, he can bear testimony to his kids. He bore the sweetest little prayer about his kids, and how he doesn´t want them to be in sin. It reminded me of Nephi, ¨Awake my soul! No longer droop in sin!!!!!!¨
It was a wonderful week. Here´s to many more! This week I will hit the year mark. I used to think of that point in time, as a hurtle, like a point to say ¨Half way! Almost done!¨ But now I am realizing that I only have one more year to do this work that God has for me, and that is a very limited period of time. I am not here to maintain the work, I am here to hasten the work!
Elder Wilcox
This week I want to talk about just some small things. Little things that happened that would seem so not important, it´s a good thing the scriptures teach us to despise not the gifts of God, and of the Spirit.....or they would´ve passed me by!
We had a rockin 9 de Julio party in the ward. Ever since I got here a few weeks ago (and before) we had been inviting people to this party. It was a big success! TONS of empanadas were made. They are amazing. It is like a big dumpling or potsticker but filled with carne or chicken and I love them. We had some dancers perform from the ward, and fun argentino gaucho clothing to take pictures with. Anyway. We had some investigators come! Pablo, a great guy that is single, about 55 years old. His son Esteban and his wife Evelín came. I think the person I was most excited to see was a woman named Thamara. We met her just knocking doors the other week. She is a less active member, but like alllllll of her life. Baptized young, and then forgot. She seemed real sad when we met her. But the party brought this peace to her countenance. She smiled the whole time, and chatted with everyone. Afterwards, we set a family home evening with her and another family. She told us she was super content, and happy that she came. She just said something like ¨Interesting, isn´t it? You didn´t even know I was a member when you came to the door.¨ Wow. Miracle. This is the work of the Lord for sure.
We taught a lesson with a young couple this week. Brenda y Nicolas. They were very interested. At the very beginning, I read with him 2 Nefi 2:11 in answer to some things he had said. Immediately, he asked where he can get one of these books. The book anwers questions of the soul! Also, at the end Brenda said that we had a wonderful peace with us. A powerful peace. We explained that is the Spirit. And that she needs to follow it.
Pablo is a great great investigator but has crazy doubts about Joseph Smith, and the LDM. He always convinces himself they are fake. But we are trying to help him see how much changes there are in his life becuase of the church and it´s teachings of the Gospel. That way, he can bear testimony to his kids. He bore the sweetest little prayer about his kids, and how he doesn´t want them to be in sin. It reminded me of Nephi, ¨Awake my soul! No longer droop in sin!!!!!!¨
It was a wonderful week. Here´s to many more! This week I will hit the year mark. I used to think of that point in time, as a hurtle, like a point to say ¨Half way! Almost done!¨ But now I am realizing that I only have one more year to do this work that God has for me, and that is a very limited period of time. I am not here to maintain the work, I am here to hasten the work!
Elder Wilcox
Freedom Day! (letter from July 4, 2016)
¨YES! I´m a man who comes from other countries. YES! I´m a foreigner as you can seeee....¨ (anyone who can name that quote gets ten Parker Points.) (also I´m so used to being called Elder even writing my own first name is weird.)
Anyway, have a fantastic 4th of July everybody! I hope all you northern hemisphere-ers enjoy the heat! But I am basking in the cold glory I never got at christmas time, so I don´t complain.
This week we saw many many miracles. God had prepared some people to recieve us and we had wonderful experiences teaching them. Something that I´ve heard before, but didn´t stick with me until my mom wrote it to me is that there are no accidents in missionary work. 3 of the people we met my first week contacting now have baptismal dates! I just want so bad for these people to read-pray-attend and see the difference that brings the Gospel. Their names are Esteban y Evelín (the son and girlfriend of another investigator) and Lisandro. Lisandro was almost jaw-droppingly ready it was awesome. He´s MARRIED. Absolutely no one gets married. Nobody. And he´s a really friendly Bolivian. I don´t know about you guys, but I love love Bolivians. Every Bolivian I have ever met is awesome. The problems.....he´s hard to find, and his wife wants nothing from us. That is ok! We´ll keep going anyway.
This weekend, I cannot lie was quite difficult. It has been raining so so so much. My bike broke, and we never got a chance to fix it. So walking around literal lakes was our activity. Because it was also hard to make appointments with the rain, haha nobody wants to accept a soaking wet missionary in the rain! But that´s why I´m here to testify of the reality of the Lord´s knowledge of all that we do. Just as Mr. John Moss regularly said, ¨We all have our little jobs, and if we ALL do our little efforts well, everything comes together.¨ If not, everything doesn´t come together. There is so much power in going outside of what you usually do to make a difference. There God sees you are willing to really be an instrument. Yes, God will get his work done with or without us. But why not with us?
This week, Elder Cobb crashed his bike on Maipu. hahahahahah😏
Happy 4th to all, and to all a good winter!
Elder Wilcox
PS. MOM YOUR LETTER WITH THE MAC N CHEESE PACKET CAME. I LOVE YOU SO MUCH. I will eat that in your honor, and in honor of sweet American justice.
Pic: Flag en the agenda. Brought to you courtesy of the red, white, and blue.
Pic: We call this ¨creepy railroad way¨. Those dots are only because of the insane fog.
Anyway, have a fantastic 4th of July everybody! I hope all you northern hemisphere-ers enjoy the heat! But I am basking in the cold glory I never got at christmas time, so I don´t complain.
This week we saw many many miracles. God had prepared some people to recieve us and we had wonderful experiences teaching them. Something that I´ve heard before, but didn´t stick with me until my mom wrote it to me is that there are no accidents in missionary work. 3 of the people we met my first week contacting now have baptismal dates! I just want so bad for these people to read-pray-attend and see the difference that brings the Gospel. Their names are Esteban y Evelín (the son and girlfriend of another investigator) and Lisandro. Lisandro was almost jaw-droppingly ready it was awesome. He´s MARRIED. Absolutely no one gets married. Nobody. And he´s a really friendly Bolivian. I don´t know about you guys, but I love love Bolivians. Every Bolivian I have ever met is awesome. The problems.....he´s hard to find, and his wife wants nothing from us. That is ok! We´ll keep going anyway.
This weekend, I cannot lie was quite difficult. It has been raining so so so much. My bike broke, and we never got a chance to fix it. So walking around literal lakes was our activity. Because it was also hard to make appointments with the rain, haha nobody wants to accept a soaking wet missionary in the rain! But that´s why I´m here to testify of the reality of the Lord´s knowledge of all that we do. Just as Mr. John Moss regularly said, ¨We all have our little jobs, and if we ALL do our little efforts well, everything comes together.¨ If not, everything doesn´t come together. There is so much power in going outside of what you usually do to make a difference. There God sees you are willing to really be an instrument. Yes, God will get his work done with or without us. But why not with us?
This week, Elder Cobb crashed his bike on Maipu. hahahahahah😏
Happy 4th to all, and to all a good winter!
Elder Wilcox
PS. MOM YOUR LETTER WITH THE MAC N CHEESE PACKET CAME. I LOVE YOU SO MUCH. I will eat that in your honor, and in honor of sweet American justice.
Pic: Flag en the agenda. Brought to you courtesy of the red, white, and blue.
Pic: We call this ¨creepy railroad way¨. Those dots are only because of the insane fog.
Tuesday, June 28, 2016
Marcos Paz
Marcos Paz is a super fun area!
The pench here is HUGE. Just massive. Like 3 times the size of the 4man pench back in Rodríguez. It´s just the two of us in all this space! BUT, all that empty space means it gets nice and chilly, especially at night. I keep the heater right next to my bed, but pretty much in vain.
The area is pretty big. It is split into two now, but used to be one. It has a great mix of ¨cheto¨ (super rich-nice) neighborhoods and dirt road type neighborhoods. Haha there is a street called Maipu, pronounced ¨my poo¨. It´s us and two hermanas. Most days we have member lunches, with the Hermanas! Hma Alvarez from España and Hma Moore from Virginia. I´ve never had as much contact with hmas as I do with these hmas here. Our district rocks! I´m excited to get to know all these missionaries a little better. Also we have Elder Ehlert (Canada) and Elder Wasson (from hawaii and STRAIGHT outta Provo!) Elder Cobb is a super righteous guy from West valley. He is a great guy with great desires to get going here in Marcos Paz!
I got here and just my second day in a new area/new position as district leader I did a baptismal interview. It was awesome! I got to interview a kid named Tomás, he´s got 10 years. It was a very spiritual experience! Tomás gave some super cool insights to the Gospel. Something I loved about it was how easy it was to just chat with him and help with feel the spirit and comfortable and stuff. His baptismal service was great.
It has been fun to learn from the Lord. I love the scriptures! I love learning and feasting on them..something I wasnt great at before the mish.
No time, but love you gotta go!
Elder Wilcox
The pench here is HUGE. Just massive. Like 3 times the size of the 4man pench back in Rodríguez. It´s just the two of us in all this space! BUT, all that empty space means it gets nice and chilly, especially at night. I keep the heater right next to my bed, but pretty much in vain.
The area is pretty big. It is split into two now, but used to be one. It has a great mix of ¨cheto¨ (super rich-nice) neighborhoods and dirt road type neighborhoods. Haha there is a street called Maipu, pronounced ¨my poo¨. It´s us and two hermanas. Most days we have member lunches, with the Hermanas! Hma Alvarez from España and Hma Moore from Virginia. I´ve never had as much contact with hmas as I do with these hmas here. Our district rocks! I´m excited to get to know all these missionaries a little better. Also we have Elder Ehlert (Canada) and Elder Wasson (from hawaii and STRAIGHT outta Provo!) Elder Cobb is a super righteous guy from West valley. He is a great guy with great desires to get going here in Marcos Paz!
I got here and just my second day in a new area/new position as district leader I did a baptismal interview. It was awesome! I got to interview a kid named Tomás, he´s got 10 years. It was a very spiritual experience! Tomás gave some super cool insights to the Gospel. Something I loved about it was how easy it was to just chat with him and help with feel the spirit and comfortable and stuff. His baptismal service was great.
It has been fun to learn from the Lord. I love the scriptures! I love learning and feasting on them..something I wasnt great at before the mish.
No time, but love you gotta go!
Elder Wilcox
Baptizing Heber (from Jun 21)
Hello friends and fellow disciples of Christ,
What a week! Well, I am out of G. Rod. now! BUT, I tried my very best to leave the area in a good situation. It was a good transfer, Elder Siale and I worked hard!
We now have an investigator that is gettting baptized this saturday, his name is Heber. Anybody get confused with the email subject? ha they always thought it was funny that my city is named Heber too. He is nine and his family is less active but are going to church now and doing GREAT! The wife still is not baptized, they need to get married. But they went to stake conference on sunday and they are all really excited about getting active again. Heber´s little sister is turning nine next month and also getting baptized. In fact, there are a LOT of kids from 9-15 that are super ready for baptism this coming transfer. What we are working on is getting their family active, what I have seen is if the 9 year old gets baptized in an inactive family, they won´t be active either.
I am now a transferred man. Transfer calls came, and I am OUT of General Rodríguez, and into another zone/area called Marcos Paz. I couldn´t do my emails yesterday, it was a flag day (holiday they have literally every month) and everything was closed. Marcos Paz looks like fun. For the short time I was in transfers, I heard it was awesome! I´m stoked. I also got called as the district leader out here. That will be fun to grow from that! I am stoked to help raise up the work here in Marcos Paz!
My new comp´s name is Elder Cobb. Don´t really know him yet, but he is from Utah! West Valley. So that should be cool. I´ve never had a comp from utah yet.
Elder Cobb told me the ward is somewhat struggling but that is ok because we are gonna turn this place AROUND! We already decided (me and Elder Siale together) that this first week is gonna be fecha (baptismal date) week. Then we will prepare them for the transfer. And lots and lots of retention. Something I really started seeing is that the members are key. When we use members, SOO many more prepared people are found. The fruits are reaped faster, and makes for more effecient work in the ¨field ready to harvest¨.
I will sure miss Elder Siale. He was awesome. He was a good missionary who always strives to improve. I have many memories with him among which include frequent body noises and p-day jenga tournaments.
I love this work! Let´s be happy people! ¨A cheerful heart doeth the soul like a medicine.¨ The Lord is in the details! Let´s obey! What more can he say than to you he hath said?
Love from Elder Lincoln (new pronunciation of the week)
sorry, no pics today
What a week! Well, I am out of G. Rod. now! BUT, I tried my very best to leave the area in a good situation. It was a good transfer, Elder Siale and I worked hard!
We now have an investigator that is gettting baptized this saturday, his name is Heber. Anybody get confused with the email subject? ha they always thought it was funny that my city is named Heber too. He is nine and his family is less active but are going to church now and doing GREAT! The wife still is not baptized, they need to get married. But they went to stake conference on sunday and they are all really excited about getting active again. Heber´s little sister is turning nine next month and also getting baptized. In fact, there are a LOT of kids from 9-15 that are super ready for baptism this coming transfer. What we are working on is getting their family active, what I have seen is if the 9 year old gets baptized in an inactive family, they won´t be active either.
I am now a transferred man. Transfer calls came, and I am OUT of General Rodríguez, and into another zone/area called Marcos Paz. I couldn´t do my emails yesterday, it was a flag day (holiday they have literally every month) and everything was closed. Marcos Paz looks like fun. For the short time I was in transfers, I heard it was awesome! I´m stoked. I also got called as the district leader out here. That will be fun to grow from that! I am stoked to help raise up the work here in Marcos Paz!
My new comp´s name is Elder Cobb. Don´t really know him yet, but he is from Utah! West Valley. So that should be cool. I´ve never had a comp from utah yet.
Elder Cobb told me the ward is somewhat struggling but that is ok because we are gonna turn this place AROUND! We already decided (me and Elder Siale together) that this first week is gonna be fecha (baptismal date) week. Then we will prepare them for the transfer. And lots and lots of retention. Something I really started seeing is that the members are key. When we use members, SOO many more prepared people are found. The fruits are reaped faster, and makes for more effecient work in the ¨field ready to harvest¨.
I will sure miss Elder Siale. He was awesome. He was a good missionary who always strives to improve. I have many memories with him among which include frequent body noises and p-day jenga tournaments.
I love this work! Let´s be happy people! ¨A cheerful heart doeth the soul like a medicine.¨ The Lord is in the details! Let´s obey! What more can he say than to you he hath said?
Love from Elder Lincoln (new pronunciation of the week)
sorry, no pics today
Monday, June 13, 2016
Ola Polar
OK. Anyway, enough of that zoo rubbish. Let´s report on our week of working, much more important.
SO, this week we passed through an ola polar, or in english words, IT WAS COLD MAN. I went on divisions to Francisco Alvarez again, with the Elder Moreno (GREAT guy, he is from Mendoza, Arg and is 26 years old!) We biked around that whole day, and it was chillly.
This week we had some crazy things happen. Poor Elder Healey got super sick, and was on his death bed for a few days. So we had to do some emergency divisions for some stuff. I went with Elder Aguirre and helped out with the baptism they had on Saturday! A super nice señora named margarita. There were some major complications (the door was locked to the font, and we improvised big time with wood scraps found on the ground to get it) but it ended up being a wonderful service.
On Tuesday we were in Luján almost the whole day, getting training from the asistentes and President Robertson. They were awesome. We talked a LOT about the importance of GOAL SETTING. We must fight, but really fight, to get our goals. People say too much that people aren´t numbers. That is completely true. BUT, if we don´t have down goals, those PEOPLE will never progress towards baptism! We invite....with lots of love. Then, on the bus ride home, I received what I got as pretty strong and clear personal revelation. I was thinking about my mom, BrenDawg, and something she had said in a letter. But then, crystal clear, I understood I need to be a missionary like my parents were. I guess I´m just saying I´m so so so eternally grateful for awesome parents who do so much for me and are eternal examples of living Gospel and Christ centered lives. While working this week, I thought specifically of what my Dad or BrenDawg might do in certain situations. Thank you for strengthening me! My patriarchal blessing also shed some more light on the subject.
Also, Michael Watkins had some good advice. I´m probably the ONLY priesthood holder many have ever MET. And should be preaching appropriately.
Love this work! I´m so ridiculously imperfect and weak, but I think with fasting and prayer, just about anything is possible.
Elder Wilcox
Pic:love the letters, I LOVE YOU MOM.
Pic:Me at the baptism in E Healeys place.
SO, this week we passed through an ola polar, or in english words, IT WAS COLD MAN. I went on divisions to Francisco Alvarez again, with the Elder Moreno (GREAT guy, he is from Mendoza, Arg and is 26 years old!) We biked around that whole day, and it was chillly.
This week we had some crazy things happen. Poor Elder Healey got super sick, and was on his death bed for a few days. So we had to do some emergency divisions for some stuff. I went with Elder Aguirre and helped out with the baptism they had on Saturday! A super nice señora named margarita. There were some major complications (the door was locked to the font, and we improvised big time with wood scraps found on the ground to get it) but it ended up being a wonderful service.
On Tuesday we were in Luján almost the whole day, getting training from the asistentes and President Robertson. They were awesome. We talked a LOT about the importance of GOAL SETTING. We must fight, but really fight, to get our goals. People say too much that people aren´t numbers. That is completely true. BUT, if we don´t have down goals, those PEOPLE will never progress towards baptism! We invite....with lots of love. Then, on the bus ride home, I received what I got as pretty strong and clear personal revelation. I was thinking about my mom, BrenDawg, and something she had said in a letter. But then, crystal clear, I understood I need to be a missionary like my parents were. I guess I´m just saying I´m so so so eternally grateful for awesome parents who do so much for me and are eternal examples of living Gospel and Christ centered lives. While working this week, I thought specifically of what my Dad or BrenDawg might do in certain situations. Thank you for strengthening me! My patriarchal blessing also shed some more light on the subject.
Also, Michael Watkins had some good advice. I´m probably the ONLY priesthood holder many have ever MET. And should be preaching appropriately.
Love this work! I´m so ridiculously imperfect and weak, but I think with fasting and prayer, just about anything is possible.
Elder Wilcox
Pic:love the letters, I LOVE YOU MOM.
Pic:Me at the baptism in E Healeys place.
Monday, June 6, 2016
Wamby Pamby Porteño Wagon
Hello Broshkums,
Only Bradley Jay Waddoups will fully appreciate the term Wamby Pamby Wagon! But I will tell that story in a minute.
What a week we have had! I have learned some things. Like every week.
This week was really good! We are seeing progress in some, and struggles in others. Marina, the one who last week gave us all of her cigarettes, COMPLETELY stopped smoking! She did incredible. We had given her a little slip of paper to hang up somewhere she would see it everyday. It had some scriptures, some tips and hints (DO NOT BUY CIGARETTES), and of course she must pray daily. She said the LDM really helped her, and she was praying a lot. She didn´t show up to church though...again. Frustrating because the only reason she says she doesn´t come is to protect her house from theives! She lives in a purely wood house. Like plywood and nails and that´s it. She is missing some bars on the window, and for THAT she doesn´t come! But she is well on her way for her fecha of 25 de junio. She was kind of blown away when we helped her see that she now totally has a testimony! ¨Marina, YOU now can bear testimony of the book of mormon, just like us!¨ It was great.
We printed out some pictures of Guillermina (recent convert of ours) and gave them to her with a note on the back. She lit up like a garbage fire in the street. She was so happy! She is just the sweetest Gma, I´m glad she is enjoying her life in the restored Gospel!
This week I did divisions with Elder Slater. He was AP for a lot of time, and now he is our district leader. He is a capo. Went to Harvard, ran xc, and is super great missionary. He is also very serious kinda guy. On the division, we locked up our bikes at a house. Then when we left, the key broke inside the lock and we couldn´t leave! Well, the only extra key was at our pench, like four miles away! The investigator offered to take us in his car, his WAMBY PAMBY WAGON! We stopped about four times so he could adjust his tire by hand. AND we were driving on the ¨winter quarters¨ crazy muddy type roads. The whole time he was singing to his loud loud radio like a crazy man. I could tell Elder Slater was pretty uncomfortable. Haha a really funny moment!
I learned so much this week! WE have to let people know the importance of this GOSPEL. They HAVE to read and pray and attend, otherwise they will NOT get the blessings!
TODAY is Elder Siale´s birthday! ¨By the way Harry, happy birthday.¨ Today we are going back to the ZOO LUJÁN!
love from Elder Wilcox
¨Be the missionary your MOTHER thinks you are.¨ ----Hermana Bednar.
Pics: The family Rodríguez made us birthday cake. Wilcox, Siale. And kind of an ugly picture with the cute little daughter of Adriana y Hector.
Only Bradley Jay Waddoups will fully appreciate the term Wamby Pamby Wagon! But I will tell that story in a minute.
What a week we have had! I have learned some things. Like every week.
This week was really good! We are seeing progress in some, and struggles in others. Marina, the one who last week gave us all of her cigarettes, COMPLETELY stopped smoking! She did incredible. We had given her a little slip of paper to hang up somewhere she would see it everyday. It had some scriptures, some tips and hints (DO NOT BUY CIGARETTES), and of course she must pray daily. She said the LDM really helped her, and she was praying a lot. She didn´t show up to church though...again. Frustrating because the only reason she says she doesn´t come is to protect her house from theives! She lives in a purely wood house. Like plywood and nails and that´s it. She is missing some bars on the window, and for THAT she doesn´t come! But she is well on her way for her fecha of 25 de junio. She was kind of blown away when we helped her see that she now totally has a testimony! ¨Marina, YOU now can bear testimony of the book of mormon, just like us!¨ It was great.
We printed out some pictures of Guillermina (recent convert of ours) and gave them to her with a note on the back. She lit up like a garbage fire in the street. She was so happy! She is just the sweetest Gma, I´m glad she is enjoying her life in the restored Gospel!
This week I did divisions with Elder Slater. He was AP for a lot of time, and now he is our district leader. He is a capo. Went to Harvard, ran xc, and is super great missionary. He is also very serious kinda guy. On the division, we locked up our bikes at a house. Then when we left, the key broke inside the lock and we couldn´t leave! Well, the only extra key was at our pench, like four miles away! The investigator offered to take us in his car, his WAMBY PAMBY WAGON! We stopped about four times so he could adjust his tire by hand. AND we were driving on the ¨winter quarters¨ crazy muddy type roads. The whole time he was singing to his loud loud radio like a crazy man. I could tell Elder Slater was pretty uncomfortable. Haha a really funny moment!
I learned so much this week! WE have to let people know the importance of this GOSPEL. They HAVE to read and pray and attend, otherwise they will NOT get the blessings!
TODAY is Elder Siale´s birthday! ¨By the way Harry, happy birthday.¨ Today we are going back to the ZOO LUJÁN!
love from Elder Wilcox
¨Be the missionary your MOTHER thinks you are.¨ ----Hermana Bednar.
Pics: The family Rodríguez made us birthday cake. Wilcox, Siale. And kind of an ugly picture with the cute little daughter of Adriana y Hector.
Tuesday, May 31, 2016
We got the cigs
This week was great! Ain´t got much time, but wanted to tell all that being a missionary is pretty sweet. I go by the words of my Aunt Marci, ¨DON¨T WISH IT AWAY.¨ That is true for the mission, and for just about any period in our lives.
People change. That is the message of the Gospel! Along with others. We were teaching Marina this week, a progressing investigadora. She rocks! But has a massive addiction to cigarettes. She wants to quit super bad. We kinda half suggested that we could take the cigarettes with us so she wouldn´t be tempted. She immediately got up and gave us the cigarettes, about four packs! It was awesome seeing that change and willingness to FOLLOW CHRIST. God will not forsake us.
We also found out that A and H are not married. So....we´re gonna be working on that. I think the commandment most horrible when broken is the law of chastity. It´s sad.
Anyway. Twas a good week. Happy Birfday to Jaren Wilcox tomorrow! I think about 50 times on my birthday Elder Siale said as Ronald Weasley, ¨By the way Harry, happy birthday.¨ Ha.
Elder Wilcox
People change. That is the message of the Gospel! Along with others. We were teaching Marina this week, a progressing investigadora. She rocks! But has a massive addiction to cigarettes. She wants to quit super bad. We kinda half suggested that we could take the cigarettes with us so she wouldn´t be tempted. She immediately got up and gave us the cigarettes, about four packs! It was awesome seeing that change and willingness to FOLLOW CHRIST. God will not forsake us.
We also found out that A and H are not married. So....we´re gonna be working on that. I think the commandment most horrible when broken is the law of chastity. It´s sad.
Anyway. Twas a good week. Happy Birfday to Jaren Wilcox tomorrow! I think about 50 times on my birthday Elder Siale said as Ronald Weasley, ¨By the way Harry, happy birthday.¨ Ha.
Elder Wilcox
How firm a...pair of legs (from May 23)
Good day,
This week I went on a nice run with my pal Elder Healey. Also in the mornings we tried to convince ourselves it was time for a ¨leg day¨. And on top of the biking I have for sure been feeling the soreness building up jaja. ¨Let the lower calves be burning.¨
I am learning more and more about being a good missionary. Me and Elder Siale have been having a ton of success finding people through the members, because they are the path to baptisms. Referencias, or member present lessons, or various things of the area book. BUT we did somewhat forget for 2ish weeks there that it is STILL very important to be contacting and talking with everyone! We kinda stepped back and realized we weren´t doing it nearly as much as we should. Immediately upon starting again, we found that there are so many people that God planted long ago and need to be taught again! The field is white.
Alma 34:32. We did some serious thought/study this week about our purpose in life. Simply put, we are to prepare to meet God. But because God made all of this so that we can return to live in his kingdom, but also to realize our divine potential! We are seeing so much progress in an investigator, Adriana. It is incredible to watch! She wants to get baptized. But she said once, she´s not gonna be a classic ¨mormona¨ and go to church all the time and be nerdy in a sense. I have thought about that a lot. Well, here is my partial answer. We do not go to church, nor live in a family, nor anything else we do...just to make things ¨run smoother¨. Like Pres Uchtdorf said, they are the ORDER of Heaven. The commandments exist to protect us from things outside of our mortal sight! The things we do, especially according to our faith, are of ETERNAL importance. The faithless ask, much faith always be blind? No. But faith must always be humble. Humble enough to be seen as ¨nerdy¨, if that´s what it takes. And humble enough to see past the veil and do what God asks! He doth immediately bless you, all he requires is our obedience and gratitude! Anyway
Today for p day we went to Luján and saw the Basilica, cathedral thing. It´s a beautiful thing! Also, we are going to Pizza Libre, mmmmm. Pizza place.
I had a cool birthday! We put a massive bday goal of 10 lessons! But didn´t quite get there, all of our appointments went through. Darn influence of the adversary. I guess the only special thing about my b-day was my bidet! It loves me and keeps me clean from sin and....other things.
Have a great week!
Elder Wincox. (Adriana texted us ¨feliz cumple elder wincox!)
Pic:us at the Basilica and with sweet little Hermana Lucena.
This week I went on a nice run with my pal Elder Healey. Also in the mornings we tried to convince ourselves it was time for a ¨leg day¨. And on top of the biking I have for sure been feeling the soreness building up jaja. ¨Let the lower calves be burning.¨
I am learning more and more about being a good missionary. Me and Elder Siale have been having a ton of success finding people through the members, because they are the path to baptisms. Referencias, or member present lessons, or various things of the area book. BUT we did somewhat forget for 2ish weeks there that it is STILL very important to be contacting and talking with everyone! We kinda stepped back and realized we weren´t doing it nearly as much as we should. Immediately upon starting again, we found that there are so many people that God planted long ago and need to be taught again! The field is white.
Alma 34:32. We did some serious thought/study this week about our purpose in life. Simply put, we are to prepare to meet God. But because God made all of this so that we can return to live in his kingdom, but also to realize our divine potential! We are seeing so much progress in an investigator, Adriana. It is incredible to watch! She wants to get baptized. But she said once, she´s not gonna be a classic ¨mormona¨ and go to church all the time and be nerdy in a sense. I have thought about that a lot. Well, here is my partial answer. We do not go to church, nor live in a family, nor anything else we do...just to make things ¨run smoother¨. Like Pres Uchtdorf said, they are the ORDER of Heaven. The commandments exist to protect us from things outside of our mortal sight! The things we do, especially according to our faith, are of ETERNAL importance. The faithless ask, much faith always be blind? No. But faith must always be humble. Humble enough to be seen as ¨nerdy¨, if that´s what it takes. And humble enough to see past the veil and do what God asks! He doth immediately bless you, all he requires is our obedience and gratitude! Anyway
Today for p day we went to Luján and saw the Basilica, cathedral thing. It´s a beautiful thing! Also, we are going to Pizza Libre, mmmmm. Pizza place.
I had a cool birthday! We put a massive bday goal of 10 lessons! But didn´t quite get there, all of our appointments went through. Darn influence of the adversary. I guess the only special thing about my b-day was my bidet! It loves me and keeps me clean from sin and....other things.
Have a great week!
Elder Wincox. (Adriana texted us ¨feliz cumple elder wincox!)
Pic:us at the Basilica and with sweet little Hermana Lucena.
Monday, May 16, 2016
Saludos de Buenos Aires
Hellos Broshkums,
Ever since I sent my email entitled ¨MAGNIFY¨ and said this has been a mission changing week, I feel the same way every day! I don´t know, I guess it´s good sometimes to be humbled, and then pushed to new heights through your own merits! The mission is incredible.
What a week! Let me just say that living with these new zone leaders is a total blast! They are both incredible missionaries with great testimonies! Elder Aguirre is incredible! Speaks really good english, in a british accent for some reason. We´re not really sure why. He is a cooker too. He made little bizcochuelitos con nueces (walnut muffin thingys) in the morning! Who does that? Me and elder siale, a couple weeks ago got up at six in the morning to make empanadas. They were good! With onions, peppers, salame, ham, muzzarella, sal y pepper. We also made a pizza last pday, like the crust and everything. used WAYY too much flour. We made one crust like the equivalent of four pizzas. haha, it was good though. And Elder Healey is awesome too. He´s canadian. I´ve known him for a while, and he likes Star Wars so.....
This week we had a big activity in the city over yonder called Francisco Alvarez. All the youth from around came and about 10 missionaries. We went on little splits for about an hour with two youth. I was with a deacon and teacher from my ward in G. Rod., little Gabi Poma and little Axel Frattoni. They are awesome but SO SHY. We contacted and gave away two book of mormons (books of mormon?) and it was GREAT. No, they didn´t talk much. But the people we talked to talked to them specifically about opening their mouths and not being shy. It was great! God will always give you what you need, even from contacts on the street!
Other than that I really cant think of other specific things......but it has been a fantastic week! This week I will be having 19 years of age. Thats weird. What scares/surprises me even more is that this week I also finished 10 months in the mish.
I am not ashamed of the Gospel! Have a good week everyone.
Elder Wilcox
Pictures: Me with our terrible pizza, y us with la familia Fernandez, capos!
Ever since I sent my email entitled ¨MAGNIFY¨ and said this has been a mission changing week, I feel the same way every day! I don´t know, I guess it´s good sometimes to be humbled, and then pushed to new heights through your own merits! The mission is incredible.
What a week! Let me just say that living with these new zone leaders is a total blast! They are both incredible missionaries with great testimonies! Elder Aguirre is incredible! Speaks really good english, in a british accent for some reason. We´re not really sure why. He is a cooker too. He made little bizcochuelitos con nueces (walnut muffin thingys) in the morning! Who does that? Me and elder siale, a couple weeks ago got up at six in the morning to make empanadas. They were good! With onions, peppers, salame, ham, muzzarella, sal y pepper. We also made a pizza last pday, like the crust and everything. used WAYY too much flour. We made one crust like the equivalent of four pizzas. haha, it was good though. And Elder Healey is awesome too. He´s canadian. I´ve known him for a while, and he likes Star Wars so.....
This week we had a big activity in the city over yonder called Francisco Alvarez. All the youth from around came and about 10 missionaries. We went on little splits for about an hour with two youth. I was with a deacon and teacher from my ward in G. Rod., little Gabi Poma and little Axel Frattoni. They are awesome but SO SHY. We contacted and gave away two book of mormons (books of mormon?) and it was GREAT. No, they didn´t talk much. But the people we talked to talked to them specifically about opening their mouths and not being shy. It was great! God will always give you what you need, even from contacts on the street!
Other than that I really cant think of other specific things......but it has been a fantastic week! This week I will be having 19 years of age. Thats weird. What scares/surprises me even more is that this week I also finished 10 months in the mish.
I am not ashamed of the Gospel! Have a good week everyone.
Elder Wilcox
Pictures: Me with our terrible pizza, y us with la familia Fernandez, capos!
VIVA HIJOS DE TRUENO (May 9, 2016 letter)
ALMA 29:2 VIVA HIJOS DE TRUENO
Anyway.
Transfer calls came. And Elder Siale and I are staying together in Gral. Rodríguez for one more transfer! We are stoked to hasten the work even more here. ALSO, the zone of Luján is getting split in two, and both Elder Donnelly and Mattinson are leaving the pench, and we are recieving two new ZONE LEADERS. Elder Healey and Elder Aguirre. I don´t know E Aguirre, but Elder Healey is from Canada and is a capo. These coming weeks will be the sons of thunder versus the ozone leaders.
SO. Best part of the week by far was saturday. After many long weeks, Walter y Graciela y Guillermina all got baptized!!!! Guillermina I was privileged to baptize, and Elder Siale baptized Walter and Graciela. They are the cutest couple. They got married in order to be baptized, and they are so in love. And then Guillermina was found on ACCIDENT looking for Walter and Graciela. They all live right next to each other, same building! Guillermina has said a hundred times, the first time she talked with Elder Cortes and I, she was left with a profound peace. I also confirmed her yesterday in church. She just sat with her face in her hands afterwards. She is so so amazing. It was such an incredible moment. She stood up and wanted to kiss me.....but I had to decline ha.
We also went to the ZOO in Lujan! COOLEST thing ever! I´m not much on time right now. But we got to touch/feed just about EVERTHING: Llama, lion, tiger, sea lion, elephant, snake, toucan, mule, etc. Good memories!
Happy Mother´s Day BrenDawg! You look super foxy with your new haircut! Hope everyone loves it as much as I do. Hope everyone loves YOU as much as I do. You are the greatest!
Elder Wilcox
Misionero
Pic: Bautismo :)
Pic: My lunch yesterday.
I shared a moment with a donkey. I fed a toucan by mouth. I walked among LIONS, and also fed that elephant!
Anyway.
Transfer calls came. And Elder Siale and I are staying together in Gral. Rodríguez for one more transfer! We are stoked to hasten the work even more here. ALSO, the zone of Luján is getting split in two, and both Elder Donnelly and Mattinson are leaving the pench, and we are recieving two new ZONE LEADERS. Elder Healey and Elder Aguirre. I don´t know E Aguirre, but Elder Healey is from Canada and is a capo. These coming weeks will be the sons of thunder versus the ozone leaders.
SO. Best part of the week by far was saturday. After many long weeks, Walter y Graciela y Guillermina all got baptized!!!! Guillermina I was privileged to baptize, and Elder Siale baptized Walter and Graciela. They are the cutest couple. They got married in order to be baptized, and they are so in love. And then Guillermina was found on ACCIDENT looking for Walter and Graciela. They all live right next to each other, same building! Guillermina has said a hundred times, the first time she talked with Elder Cortes and I, she was left with a profound peace. I also confirmed her yesterday in church. She just sat with her face in her hands afterwards. She is so so amazing. It was such an incredible moment. She stood up and wanted to kiss me.....but I had to decline ha.
We also went to the ZOO in Lujan! COOLEST thing ever! I´m not much on time right now. But we got to touch/feed just about EVERTHING: Llama, lion, tiger, sea lion, elephant, snake, toucan, mule, etc. Good memories!
Happy Mother´s Day BrenDawg! You look super foxy with your new haircut! Hope everyone loves it as much as I do. Hope everyone loves YOU as much as I do. You are the greatest!
Elder Wilcox
Misionero
Pic: Bautismo :)
Pic: My lunch yesterday.
I shared a moment with a donkey. I fed a toucan by mouth. I walked among LIONS, and also fed that elephant!
Wednesday, May 4, 2016
Magnify
This has been a MISSION changing week! I guess all of them are. But some weeks it´s a lot easier to see that than others.
Anyway.
There ain´t much time to write, but I will try to help you see what a great week it was. As I wrote last week, Elder Siale and I have really been trying to make a difference in our work and vigor and urgency. Those labors are bringing forth many fruits! We have found MANY people who are almost ready to enter the ¨straight gate¨ (baptism). Truly the field is ready to harvest. But the laborours are few. The trick is to WORK WITH the MEMBERS. References are so much more likely to progress. Also, we have been having incredible experiences reactivating less active members, which I consider just as important.
I listened to a talk this morning for President Henry B. Eyring. He gave a great great talk in a recent Priesthood conference about magnifying our callings. The newest deacon needs this, as much as does the most experienced high priest. But that extends to all of us, as members of the church. All members are missionaries. In a talk Elder Holland gave, he described how missions are miracles. How if we realize that if we just trust in the Lord and do what he asks, really it takes a LOT of pressure off of us. We do what we can (which is a lot more than we think), then God does the rest through the Holy Ghost. The Gospel is SO simple if you let it be.
Quick story. We go and see occasionally a lady less active named Selina. Really old, with a walker, alone in her house. She honestly belongs in a home, but I´m not sure if those exist here. She has some kind of disability, because she can´t talk all that well. Anyway, she asked us to take the sacrament to her yesterday, so we did. It was a very sacred experience. We used crackers and a small cloth and glass of water. We had a priest, Gabriel Vergara, with us. He gave great testimony after the ordinance. Right after we finished, she said ¨It´s a miracle!¨ (Es un milagro). She was right. The Spirit was really strong in that moment.
Love you all, have a good week! I´m stoked to talk to you mom! I´d even call to say I´m not calling.
Congrats to M & M for having yo baby! The bun is finally out of the oven.
Also congrats to NICK BOND for your call to Buenos Aires Sur! You will LOVE YOUR MISSION. As ghetto as my mission is, I hear yours is even more so :)
Love from Elder Wilcon
Pics: Eating milanesa with a small plastic spoon is NOT easy.
and a pig head I found in a kiosco.
Monday, May 2, 2016
MAGNIFY
This has been a MISSION changing week! I guess all of them are. But some weeks it´s a lot easier to see that than others.
Anyway.
There ain´t much time to write, but I will try to help you see what a great week it was. As I wrote last week, Elder Siale and I have really been trying to make a difference in our work and vigor and urgency. Those labors are bringing forth many fruits! We have found MANY people who are almost ready to enter the ¨straight gate¨ (baptism). Truly the field is ready to harvest. But the laborours are few. The trick is to WORK WITH the MEMBERS. References are so much more likely to progress. Also, we have been having incredible experiences reactivating less active members, which I consider just as important.
I listened to a talk this morning for President Henry B. Eyring. He gave a great great talk in a recent Priesthood conference about magnifying our callings. The newest deacon needs this, as much as does the most experienced high priest. But that extends to all of us, as members of the church. All members are missionaries. In a talk Elder Holland gave, he described how missions are miracles. How if we realize that if we just trust in the Lord and do what he asks, really it takes a LOT of pressure off of us. We do what we can (which is a lot more than we think), then God does the rest through the Holy Ghost. The Gospel is SO simple if you let it be.
Quick story. We go and see occasionally a lady less active named Selina. Really old, with a walker, alone in her house. She honestly belongs in a home, but I´m not sure if those exist here. She has some kind of disability, because she can´t talk all that well. Anyway, she asked us to take the sacrament to her yesterday, so we did. It was a very sacred experience. We used crackers and a small cloth and glass of water. We had a priest, Gabriel Vergara, with us. He gave great testimony after the ordinance. Right after we finished, she said ¨It´s a miracle!¨ (Es un milagro). She was right. The Spirit was really strong in that moment.
Love you all, have a good week! I´m stoked to talk to you mom! I´d even call to say I´m not calling.
Congrats to M & M for having yo baby! The bun is finally out of the oven.
Also congrats to NICK BOND for your call to Buenos Aires Sur! You will LOVE YOUR MISSION. As ghetto as my mission is, I hear yours is even more so :)
Love from Elder Wilcon
Pics: Eating milanesa with a small plastic spoon is NOT easy.
and a pig head I found in a kiosco.
Anyway.
There ain´t much time to write, but I will try to help you see what a great week it was. As I wrote last week, Elder Siale and I have really been trying to make a difference in our work and vigor and urgency. Those labors are bringing forth many fruits! We have found MANY people who are almost ready to enter the ¨straight gate¨ (baptism). Truly the field is ready to harvest. But the laborours are few. The trick is to WORK WITH the MEMBERS. References are so much more likely to progress. Also, we have been having incredible experiences reactivating less active members, which I consider just as important.
I listened to a talk this morning for President Henry B. Eyring. He gave a great great talk in a recent Priesthood conference about magnifying our callings. The newest deacon needs this, as much as does the most experienced high priest. But that extends to all of us, as members of the church. All members are missionaries. In a talk Elder Holland gave, he described how missions are miracles. How if we realize that if we just trust in the Lord and do what he asks, really it takes a LOT of pressure off of us. We do what we can (which is a lot more than we think), then God does the rest through the Holy Ghost. The Gospel is SO simple if you let it be.
Quick story. We go and see occasionally a lady less active named Selina. Really old, with a walker, alone in her house. She honestly belongs in a home, but I´m not sure if those exist here. She has some kind of disability, because she can´t talk all that well. Anyway, she asked us to take the sacrament to her yesterday, so we did. It was a very sacred experience. We used crackers and a small cloth and glass of water. We had a priest, Gabriel Vergara, with us. He gave great testimony after the ordinance. Right after we finished, she said ¨It´s a miracle!¨ (Es un milagro). She was right. The Spirit was really strong in that moment.
Love you all, have a good week! I´m stoked to talk to you mom! I´d even call to say I´m not calling.
Congrats to M & M for having yo baby! The bun is finally out of the oven.
Also congrats to NICK BOND for your call to Buenos Aires Sur! You will LOVE YOUR MISSION. As ghetto as my mission is, I hear yours is even more so :)
Love from Elder Wilcon
Pics: Eating milanesa with a small plastic spoon is NOT easy.
and a pig head I found in a kiosco.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)