Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket

Querido familia!!

First off, Jordan and Ryan I felt like a jerk when I sent off the letter last week without a shout out. This week I was trying to explain how crazy my family is to my companion and shared a couple experiences of when you cut the boys hair and three in the morning, and Cameran like Avatar. And then I laughed as I recalled experiences from paint balling and by the reaction of my companion she thinks you two are pretty hilarious. 

And Ben, yes Emily told me you passed the bar but it is weird that we have an attorney in the family. As if family reunions were not complicated enough. Just kidding. And your proposition as to which you will not use my name for your son or daughter is LAME!! But I will take the compliment! Thanks! 

Hannah!! Tyler is beautiful!! And promise me you will give me loads of time with him in a year or so. This week the cutest little girl fell and I ran to her and as I got there I realized that I couldn´t even pick her up. Oh it broke my heart. I miss holding children so bad! And the news of new nieces and nephews isn´t helping!! Maddy and Mom you better appreciate all time you have!!

This week..... was warm and AWESOME!! I ironically threw my first baby shower this week, and it was a huge success. The ward I have been in for the past four months is not united at all. At activities no one ever comes but for the last 4 weeks we challenged every family we have visited to pray and specifically ask for the unity in the ward. This week at the baby shower we had loads of less actives come and we had almost twice as many people show up then normally come to Relief Society. The spiritual message was good and when we left everyone was laughing and eating to their hearts content. We also had a good turn out to Relief Society the next day. 

This week is probably my last week in this area. We have loads of people we are teaching and it is sad I always seem to leave an area as it is flourishing. But whatever I am over it. Guess I will just have to work crazy hard. 

We have a really crucial lesson tonight at 7. One of our investigators was placed through the ringer last week and she needs the strength that comes from the gift of the Holy Ghost. Pray for us and Cristina. Mateo 7:7.

I love you all so much! Thank you for your prayers and all your support. Sometimes I forget all that everybody does so that I have amazing weeks hear in the field. 

The Gospel is true.

Life is wonderful!

Love,

Un-hombre-obvio Cerro!

Don´t follow my footsteps too closely.... I tend to walk into lots of walls.

Dearest Family!

I love you all so blasted much! And mom I cannot believe the first thing you asked Sister Ence was if I was a ´´problem child.¨ I love you too!! Just kidding! And Let me know if my email wasn't clear to what I needed. It was good to hear your voice and you heard my laugh?? No surprise there! Just kidding!

This week flew by. It is getting warmer and consequently everyone is sleeping the siesta and we are advised not to knock doors between 1:30 and 6 which makes those hours sometimes very long and warm trying to find people to teach on the streets. But this is the first time in my mission that we have always been running to appointments, siesta or not. Also we have been teaching lots of people at the church. 

This Sunday was amazing! So about 3 weeks ago we found a boy who knew one of the priests in the ward and invited them both to recorrido (or a tour of the church) and it was super powerful as we looked at the baptismal font and testified that the same authority that John the Baptist had as he baptised had Marcelo to baptize him. Apparently Marcelo felt the spirit too and ever since that day he has brought at least one friend to church with him and sometimes 4 or more. So we are teaching all his friends and come every Saturday while they are playing soccer and teach the whole group of friends. 

 One of the boys who came to play soccer this week we had committed him to be baptized about three months ago when we met him in the street but when we visited his house his father wasn't that supportive and told us to never come back. It was sad because this boy was so spiritual. This week his father came to the church to tell his son to come home and we happened to be standing outside of the church talking to a bishop from another ward. He invited the father there to come tour the church and he accepted. We had the bishop there to testify as well and at the end the father asked when his son could get baptized. The spirit really changes the hearts of people.

Noelia came to church this week. She is a recent convert and she not only walked to church without any supervision but brought 3 younger siblings. I was so proud of her! Her mom was offended a couple months ago but the children are still so strong!! I am amazed by the strength they have!

This week was awesome and I am crazy happy. I feel kind of bad for being the only American in the pension. I feel like they are going to leave with the impression that all Americans are insane and no matter how hard they try can never dance Samba.... There loss...

Love you all! Congrats mom! How does it feel to be done?!?! Yes I got my birthday package and my pension has devoured everything!

Maddy you are the ugliest purple crayon ever!!! Just kidding I love you so much and when my companion saw your picture she said that you look just like me. Because I tend to never be serious in pictures. 

Cam!! You have grown so much! You look like such a stud. And let me guess you ate the whole pan of Mac and Cheese without any help. Did you get Maddy to make it for you too?

Seth.... I cannot believe you have your own car. Don´t let it fool you! I am still the favorite child. Ask dad he will tell you!

Hannah and Emily I think you will both be having babys this week! Congrats and Emily it doesn´t matter if Ben doesn¨t like the name.... Remember how much you love me. 

Abby you are an incredible mother and I will have to see it to believe it that James gave a serious talk without a single joke. I guess the bishopric changes people. 

Aaron I have been thinking and top three child literature that I read....

3. The mixed up files of (I cant remember and cant spell the next part ask Hannah, I think she read it to me the first time)

2. Rangers Apprentice John Flanagan I believe

1. Where the Red Fern Grows - I am still waiting for my Dan and little Ann. But be careful after this book I am sure the wish of Jenny will be granted and you will end up with a Dog. 

Jeff and Jenny- I have been showing everyone the pictures of Jared and my favorite is when you caught the smile. Or when he was in the Easter basket. Or possibly the 5 boys without shirts! Your family is awesome! Will you send me a picture of the Tree house I helped build?

Sarah!! I need pictures of Booker, Nathan, and Eva! It is so exciting that Emily is living so close to the kids!

Happy Birthday to Ben, Jeff, and Hannah! 

Life is so great! Love you all!!

Remember who you are and what you stand for.

The Gospel is true and life is wonderful.

Love,

Your problem child

My Argentine flag that is crazy large!! 

Guatita llena, corazon contenta

Dear Family!!

Why didn´t you tell me I had to have a birthday to receive letters from ya all? Just kidding, but thank you for all your birthday wishes. I love you all and I am having one of the funnest birthdays I have ever had! All the sisters in my pencion woke me up at midnight and sang to me ¨mañanitas¨ and gave a full cake. Best day EVER!!! It was drenched in Dulce de Leche. AKA my life is complete! Don´t think I will ever come back to the US for my birthday! Birthdays are a way bigger deal here then it ever was in the states. 

This week was full of ups and downs. A new sister came from Guatemala and so changes were made and Hna. Ruiz was sent to San Rafael and is now with my companion from the MTC. Crazy!

I also went to central and bought new shoes (yes they sell the size GIANT in Mendoza!) and my whole life has changed! Who knew new shoes would make your life so much better.

No one was at church on Sunday. It was slightly embarrassing when we walked in with investigators and there was no one to say ¨welcome¨. But that will change. It has to change, because we cannot do our work without the help of the members. So this week President clarified a rule today which has really changed the work. Previously we could teach men from the door or if there was a women in the house teach inside the house. Now we cannot even teach a man in a park unless we have someone with us over the age of 18 of our same gender.  There was a day where we had to cancel 5 appointments, because members canceled. It really got to me because I came to share my testimony of what I know to be the restauration of the gospel of Jesus Christ and I could not. One of these people is J.... and had come to the chruch with his book of mormon and a list of questions from his reading. One of them being ¨I read that you do not baptize infants, does this mean I can see my baby sister again.¨ And what did I do? I had to tell him I couldn´t teach him and to come again on tuesday. And I slipped in a testimony or two. But it broke my heart. 

Also I told you that we split the area. One day was a rough day and we were walking a member back to her house after our lesson with her and some investigators. And as we crossed this new barrier we randomly crossed paths with 3 of our investigators who all asked why we hadn´t stopped by. It was so hard to explain and see that there were people in that area wanting to hear the gospel but walk back to an area where we are still trying to find people to teach.

But this week was also loaded with some of the most powerful lessons I have been part of. I am so lucky to be in Godoy Cruz! 

I have got to run and save the country! Have a great week. If you have any ideas to increase the member and missionary relationship PLEASE send it my way. 

Love you all!

Duh

Alcanzando lo mas alto

Dear Flia!! 

At a first glance this week was fairly boring. Tuesday through Friday I spent at least 3.5 hours each day in meetings. And some days reached 6 hours. But with a more spiritual perspective it is clear that this week was jammed packed full of miracles. 

After the trainers and trainee meeting, Hna. Ruiz had an interview with President. Becuase the offices are in our area we asked if we could just street contact until she was finished. Instead of talking with everyone we decided to pray really hard and use the hour we had to teach two good lessons. We both felt like we needed to talk to a man who was deep in thought. I went and asked what he was thinking about and he responded, ¨Sometimes I do not know if there is a God.¨ Never in my life had I had someone so prepared. He used to live in the same apartment as a Mormon. His father passed away has been 4 months. (Oh that makes me really happy, I know it should be 4 months ago but it shows that the spanish is sticking). He cried as we read with him from the Book of Mormon. It was really powerful. One of the top experiences from my mission. He lives in Las Heras though (too bad you are still not serving there Dad, I would have given you an amazing reference). 

Our Area was divided and the family that is getting baptized is in the Elders Area. But I don´t mind, I mean I will still be there. And I can´t be upset because I divided the area. But I still think we should reach our companionship goal of 4 baptisms this month. We found such a good family this past week and have taught them 3 times. And the missionary minded family in the ward has taken them under their wing. But they were not able to attend church because of their uncles funeral. 

This week was infinitely better then last week by choice. There was a moment where we were stranded at a terminal with no more money left on our tarjeta de micros (bus card), fairly early in the morning, with many miscommunication, and with lots of suitcases, when I realized that I was a representative of Jesus Christ in Mendoza Argentina, and how funny the situation was. I learned a little more to enjoy the journey! Man life is so great sometimes! 

Mom, I didn´t get my birthday package but Elder McBride's package arrived two days after he left to go home and I was the lucky recipient of much of the delicious American food!! 

Mom I need the recipe for Buttermilk syrup or Coconut syrup, turns out all the Latinos love french toast. 

Haven´t sent pictures home I will choose some now!

Love you lots! 

Amanda's letter!

October 28, 2013

Dear Family,

This week was one surprise after another. Where to start. Half way through the week there were some flash transfers and now we are in a trio. It was an adventure getting her from San Luis to our area but I love the buses here so I was happy. Everyone else is not a fan. 1 they never stop moving and 2. Mendoza has asecias or a trench of anywhere between 2 to 4 feet. I love jumping from buses all my companions think I am crazy. But thats a good thing right? My two companions are very different. Hna. Ruiz is from Mexico and it was hilarious to see how fast my Mexican accent came back. There is no hope of maintaining my Mendocino accent. She is really funny and a recent convert. Only member in her family. The only trio I have been in was in the MTC but suprisingly the transition into teaching has been really good. 

We have this ward missionary plan of doing Family Home Evenings in the 5 different areas within the ward. Its going really well. It is so amazing to see people coming back to church. There are some amazing families in the ward. And now we are taking tons of less actives to teach their friends. The whole 5,5,5 is working swell. 

Another shock was the little boy of K. and F. past away this week. It took quite a toll on all the ward. K. and F.  are members of the active R. family that have been less active for quite a while and were finally starting to come back to church. They came to church this week as well and was so incredibly greatful for support and love showed by the ward. 

I feel like this letter is super lame. It was a pretty crazy week though. I feel like it is just going to get more crazy. Pray for me!! 

Love you lots!

Happy Mothers Day!!

Oh Dearest Mother Mine,

Whose face is so darn kind,

You make me so happy!

Yes, I know my poetry´s sappy...

But give me a break

for good gollys sake,

For I am still your favorite daughter!!

You should feel pretty special! My poetry is only for the eyes of those I truly love! So mothers day was yesterday in Argentina and I figured the least I could do was write you an actual letter. I haven´t recieved news that the family has recieved any handwritten letters I have sent home (not that you could read my handwritting anyways) so I am guessing I shouldn´t trust the postal system too much. So this email will have to do! 

I was thinking of you yesterday as I went to church and saw all the faithful mothers who came with their children without the support of their husbands. I thought of those years after Mark died and Dad after my mom died and how hard it must have been, but the lessons we (the children) learned from consistant church attendance and the blessings that come through fidelity to the truth. 

Also yesterday we came to church with the Morel children. Miriam (the mom) has such a strong testimony she is paying tithing, and now she is in the middle of Alma but her work schedule changed and can no longer attend church unless she has the faith to drop her job and find another. But I have grown to love this family with all my heart. They have been coming to church for the last 2 months but haven´t attended church the last two weeks due to work issues. So we picked up the older children with another family before church on sunday. It so happened that this week was the primary program and we walked into church just as the meetings were starting and instead of Adriel (8) walking and sitting with all the children he came and sat next to me. I tried to convince him to go and sing (using the typical tactics used on Cam and Maddy) but to no avail. Nada! I was just about to give up when the bishop came down from the stand and knelt next to Adriel and explained how he would walk with him to the stand and help him sing. I was touched by the sincerity and the love Bishop Paez has. I was reminded of Jesus Christ who always sought out the one. In that moment Bishop Paez left the 99 and came to this little lamb and lifted him by his little hand and guided him to where he belonged along side the group of Gods children singing praises to our Heavenly Father. Also everyone in the ward new in that moment that the Bishop loved them, why? Because if the bishop was going to go out of his way to make sure this 8 year old was safe in the fold of God he was going to make sure every family, every troubled teen made it there too. Its a powerful principal. How do you show that you love the 99? by showing love to the 1. A principal I learned in one of my favorite books. 

Also I had the pleasure of watching Adriel and all the other children sing! I don´t think any other mother in the room could me as proud as I was of Adriel. It is so amazing to watch the change as people partake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Oh and now I am running out of time. But don´t you fret. This letter will include my list for Christmas. I want Nutela. I think that sums it up. Just Kidding. I would love a calander! The same Calander that Hannah gave us last year. Oh and will you make sure Hannah is okay. I was thinking about her all week and then I recieved news about the hospital visit from Dad and her and I will continue to pray but its not the same from being able to give her a big hug, or talking to her on the phone. 

Also remember that bracelet you gave me with the pictures? Can you send me more modern pictures that I can replace them with. And not pictures of me!! I use my bracelet all the time to testify that families can be together forever. I want pictures of the fam as well. Also the only picture I have of my mom is the little one I have in my bracelet. Can you send me one as well. 

For the most part I can find anything I ¨´need´´ but one thing I cannot find that I would love is those tiny sock things that you can wear with nicer shoes? I sure hope that discription made sense and if you could send quite a few to last the next year or so. Like 14 or 15. But good quality. 

Again I would love music, and conference talks that I can listen to when I get ready in the morning. And pictures. And nutella. OH AND A ULTIMATE FRISBEE!! But a good one. Dad can tell you which one is good. I am so sick of playing soccer!! But tell Cam and Seth I made a header goal last week. I am infinetly better then before my mission. The one sport I can´t play to save my life. Also there is a senior couple heading home in December and I was hoping to send some things home with them. I don´t know how much Cam and Seth, Jordan, or Mads have grown will you send me some estimate sizes before next week?

Mom, I love you so much!! Go on lots of tandom bike rides with Dad through the canyon for me. And yes I will pray for you and your memory! I have no doubt that you will be successful. For whom the Lord calls he qualifies. You cannot deny that God has guided you to where you are, trust in God and he will fill your mouth. 

I love you! I Love You! I LOVE YOU!

Your favorite daughter, 

Amanda 

Arrepentios extremos de GODOY CRUZ!!

Familia,

Today is another feriado (or Holiday) and so we took the liberty of doing some church tours with people who work all the time on their day off, but consequently everything was pushed back and will be short today. I have yet to have a recorrido that didn´t result in a baptismal date. 

The highlight of this week was teaching a missionary prep institute class. This work is hastening!! First off we had a very successful day grabbed a taxi and headed way far out to Mendoza Centro when we entered the taxi and I asked my companion if she had money. Her face fell and she asked me what we should do. I told her to pray and things took care of themselves. We arived only 5 minutes late (super good for South American Standard time) and taught mostly converts who now are in the process of putting in papers and loads of future sister  missionaries. Hna. Rostelli hadn´t told us what to prepare but there is something about being in a consecrated building full of people eager to learn that makes teaching by the spirit comes so naturally. The spirit was strong and the nice thing about teaching mission prep. outside of Utah is we were able to hit the streets with the class and could get tons of referals for the missionaries serving in that area and of course were able to share the miracles that come with taking the step of faith of opening your mouth. 

Sunday was a pretty awesome highlight too. We only had one investigator come but had lots of less actives. A couple that hadn´t been to church in a long time. 

I cannot believe transfers are next week! The time flies!! Only 4 sisters are coming so odds are that I will finish the training of Hna. Rodriguez. 

I feel like things that are difficult for lots of missionaries came fairly naturally for me. From day one I was never nervous to talk to random strangers (I don´t know what that says about your parenting style. jk.) And the missionary schedule has never been difficult to follow but things like updating the area book, and making an accurate registro (not quite sure what the word is... account?) has always been difficult. And now my focus for next transfer to better.

This week was wicked awesome! We had tons of lesson with members. And hoping to do better next week. 

Hannah, mira voz!!  I am so proud of you!! Make sure the missionaries understand the importance of our reference and hold them to their potencial.

I cannot believe Alyssa and Joe are married!! That blows my mind. I am still waiting for Covey and Annies announcment.... =) JK

Gotta run! With transfers coming and all the office Elders changing I have got to own up to my bets which means loads of no bake cookies.... 

Love you lots!! Pray a lot!!

Hna. Hill