A Honey of a Week

Hello family and friends:

So this past week was good, in which more people were brought to church and a ton of people felt the spirit and love of Christ for them.  So on Tuesday, we had divisions with the elders in Ypacari and most importantly from the day, is that we set a lesson with an inactive member that we had not visited for some time and she was happy to see us again.  We talked about our great debt to God using the words of King Benjamin and she about started to cry and told us the reasoning why she doesn’t come to church anymore, which is a crazy story and quite sad. But she wants to go to church a ton and this next week I believe that she will do just that, because next week is when another member does not go to church!!!!! Ahhhh

Also that day, after teaching the next lesson of temple prep class for the Bazan family they gave us some fresh honey and honeycomb, which was the first time I tried that.  It was super sweet!!!

Honey Removal

Wednesday, we had a zone conference where we repassed the mission rules and standards.

Thursday we were out in Costa Jhu doing some good ol’ tracting, when we saw that the Brother Bazan was already home from work, so we stopped by to say, “Hi” and he asked us if we wanted to see how the honey was removed.  So Duh, we went and watched and really gave that family a laugh!!!=) oh, I wanted to get pictures and so I was up there close by him when I thought I probably shouldn’t be so close, it was already too late.  Hahaha, needless to say I am glad I am not allergic to bees.

Elder Evans on the right

On Friday, we found the husband of Romi, a lady that we have been working with and shared with him and he liked it a lot but when the time came; he did not go to church.

Elder Evans eating the honey comb

Well this week the only endowed member here became pist off at the Branch Pres. and all the leaders here in Pirayu, because they asked him to sign and do an analysis of needs before they extended to him the Bishop’s Storehouse, because of this the ex-presidente also turned red and they both have vowed to take down the church until there is a change here in Pirayu!!! AAAHHH y bueno.

On Sunday, at 9:00 am, there were only eight people in the church one of them being Jorge Ortiz, our eternagator, but right before we started several more came and a YSA member brought like six of her member friends from Asuncion, so that was nice to see.  Elder Evans and I both had talks and they went really well.

The Gospel is true and this work will go forward whether or not the people fight against it or not. They may as well join to it because it really is the only intelligent thing to do.

I love you all!  Keep up the good work and always look to improve.
I love you tons,
Elder Call

Examples

Hola, Family and Friends

Sounds like you all are being pounded with snow lately. How good for the rivers and lakes this year!!!! As for down here in Paraguay, we have stayed up in the 100’s every day for the past little while. I am glad it doesn’t get any hotter.

The work is going pretty slowly, however, we are achieving something huge with Koki, the Elders Quorum President.  He is still clean without a single smoke or drink in more than 12 days!!!! So that was and is super fun to see the progress here. Yesterday, we learned that two of the converts of Elder Evans are cousins to Koki and go to his house de vez en cuando, so that was awesome.  They were going to come this Sunday but then they didn’t and they say they will next Sunday, so he is super excited to see them again!!!

This week we started the temple preparation classes for the family Bazan and they are still going strong yea!!!! That is 2 weeks now without smoking nor drinking!!!!! yeassss it is sweet seeing the grand change in the people even if he is the only one!!! While we were there talking we found out why Koki had not wanted to be baptized until 2 years after his wife and it was because of the example that his other family members who were and are members had given and were giving him!!! So that shed some light unto why their cousins whom we have been working with have a lack of desire to go to church or be involved. I am saddened with the fact that we cannot count on the examples of the current members for help in the changing process of converts. I think of the times when the members of the church in the time of Alma the younger were caught up in pride and how he had gone forth and called them to repentance and if they did not repent their names were taken off the records and the people were conserved pure and delightable to God!!!

Anyways, we are working with some members from CFA centro familia de Adoracion and they are progressing a little bit.  However hard we try to emphasis that they need to read the Book of Mormon, but they just aren’t doing it and they did not come this week to church because they have compromises (obligations) in their church.

We are fighting and helping many see the hand of God in their lives. Also, while talking with the presidenta of the Relief Society she told us how before she was a member, things simply didn’t seem bad. She said they would go to a party drink a couple of beers and to have sex were just normal, but then she obtained knowledge and is so glad and grateful that she has now learned and can teach her children in righteousness. It made me soooo sad to hear of the negligence that exists and the lack of understanding and teachings and I want the people to learn.

It is my desire that you all can be examples to members and non-members alike; that you hold on to the principles and standards of the gospel, like the only life jacket in the lake. Really you are a light to these people, so make it shine and don’t leave them in the darkness. Please.

I love you all!
Love, Elder Call

Goals

Hi, Family & Friends!

Here is the update of Elder Evans and me and our week. This past week and the way that we do transfer was changed and those who leave the area go to the next area alone and the other waits, so we had a small conference Tuesday in Caacupe to learn a bit more about that. We received our transfers while we were there and we both stay in Pirayu for another 6 weeks!!!  Right after that was announced, one of the other elders shouted ''Elder Evans, YOU CAN DO IT'' hahahah, not too many of the other missionaries understood what that was all about. But he is feeling a little bit better.

After the announcement that we would stay we put the goal to help the Elders Quorum President drop smoking and drinking because that was his goal from the 1st of the year.  We shared the story of Esther and this Saturday, with his whole family and the president of the branch, we did a group fast so that this great mountain could be removed from between them and the temple!!!!!  It has now been more than 5 days since he last smoked and is going strong!!!!!

Also, a member brought her friend to church and he liked it a lot especially the class of principios del evangelio (Gospel Principles class) so that was awesome.  However, Matias lives in Ypacari, so we sent the reference over there.  Sometimes I wonder if our efforts are in vain because we work a ton and then generally the only people who get baptized are the friends of members.

We are continuing to work with the Duarte family, so they can attend church.  The mother doesn’t like it very much and does not want to leave her family traditions behind.

We have been teaching a Grandpa with a daughter and two granddaughters and they are liking it a lot. However, they went to a birthday party Saturday night and didn’t get home until late and didn’t wake up for church so this next week that is going to change!!

I love you all very much and hope that you have a great week.
Elder Call

Mom, I hope that you and Dad are having a blast floating around the ocean.  Just imagine the 344 day that the Jaredites were floating!!! I imagine that that was much longer than desired hahaha. One week is much better.

Pretty Good Week

Dear Family and Friends:

This week started out pretty well.  We went out to Costa Jhu to see why the Young Women’s Presidente wasn’t coming to church anymore.  Well, she moved and is living in Asuncion with her aunt and works there!!!  We have started a plan of references with several members, where for 21 days they think of 20 people and pray for them and be better those 21 days than normal and have specific reading assignments to go along with it. The president of the Relief Society is super excited about it and is doing it and the first night that we shared it with her she says that she dreamed about one family the entire night, so we will allow her to finish preparing them so that they meet with that family and us and we can share with them!!! That got me super excited!!!

Helping move a closet

Other than that, on Wednesday, a family Duarte, who gave us a ride one day, texted us and said we wouldn´t be able to meet with him that day but rather the next day.  So we went Thursday and they were awesome and really they were decided that of course they were going to go to church this Sunday, but they did not come neither did they answer their phone. =( We will see what happens this week.

On Friday, we had divisions and helped the elders change out a closet from their house and Saturday we had a branch activity, which after all the complaining from the in-actives, a great number of them showed up. And we see that food has great power unto the softening of hearts!!!

Transfers are this Wednesday and so we will see what will be happening with us, if we stay one more change or who goes.

The power of the gospel of Jesus Christ is immeasurable and really can tear down mountains of sorrow, despair and doubt.  Let us strive to obtain more and more glory for our King.

I love you all and hope the best for your week.
Love, Elder Call

At the branch activity

Christmas finally arrived.

Sweet Time

Hey Family & Friends:

What a week! Elder Evans and I have had a sweet time together.  We talked to a ton of new people and, well, we might see some progress with a couple of them.

We went back to the familia Ramirez and the mother had actually studied history and was super interested with the tie of the Great White God in the Americas and the personal ministry of Jesus Christ in America.  I hope that she will read and ask God if it is true.

Yesterday even though not many people came to church, almost every single one of them bore their testimonies and the spirit really testified of the truthfulness of the words spoken.

We went back to the family that stood us up for Christmas dinner and all is back to good!!  However, the mother still did not talk with us and they told us that they don’t like the Presidente de Rama (branch president). The story of my life! haha Every last member is mad at the president and I don’t know how to be able to fix that.

We did find the house of the mother of a members son`s girlfriend and she was so nice.  She really is an amazing person and we are working with her a ton because she gives a lot of credit to her being able to ''get on her feet'' to the Virgin Mary, but with time and Love we will achieve that she becomes a member!!!! As well as her daughter and the son of the member!!!

With that said this area has a ton of problems but I love this little area more than the majority of my others and hope that many people can feel the immense love that Jesus has for each one of us. I love being a missionary and am so happy for this privilege.

I love you all a full
Love, Elder Call

Weekly Highlights

Dear Family and Friends,

I truly hope that you all passed a wonderful Christmas with your families and that everyone has been filled with the love of God in this special time of the year.  It is my prayer that all year around we may continue to nourish this love in our hearts for all of our neighbors and search for the opportunities to make them happier.

Elder Evans and I were able to enjoy our Christmas a ton and it was a privilege for us to strengthen our faith and confidence in God and His Goodness.  Jesus really did give us a Consolador (Comforter or the Holy Ghost) to teach us and testify of the truths of God and thanks to the confirming touch of the Holy Ghost we receive a Peace that the World really cannot give us. John 14:26-27

John 14: 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my   name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

This past week at least every other day we have received a bunch of rain. We hear of entire cities that have been flooded out and won’t be able to habitate for the next 4 or 5 months, which is a bummer. However, here in Pirayu we do not face those same difficulties.

This week Sister Pascula arrived home from the hospital the 24th of December and still is not doing too great.  One of the sons of the Familia Bobadilla cut his leg husking corn with a knife.  Our best progressing investigator invited us to her Christmas Dinner Party and then ''Stood us up.''  So that made us really sad and then also didn’t come to Church so we will go back and see why they didn’t come to church this Sunday.   Our other investigator that is progressing was not able to convince his children to give him a ride to church so he could not come because his feet are BAD.

On Christmas Day we had our P-day and so we went and met up with the other elders and played some Basketball and went out to eat.

The Highlight of the Whole week came from being able to talk and see my family once again.  I love them so much and am undoubtedly grateful for the restored gospel of Jesus Christ which allows us to be together FOREVER.

I love you all!
Take care,
Elder Call

Merry Christmas

Dear Family and Friends:

Merry Christmas!!!! This year actually we will not be having the privilege to Skype, but it is alright because I love you all tons. . . . Hahaha . . . , Christmas Day, however, the 26th the Cyber will be opened again and we will Skype and talk to you between 4 and 5 my time. We will start trying at 4. I can’t wait to see you all and hear your voice and updates there.

This past Wednesday we got to go to Ita, where we had a Christmas activity for the entire mission. It was great to see my old comps and actually Elder Cifuentes is in my first area and it was awesome to hear from them.

This week was great. Elder Evans has had a really hard time with this area, due to a hard last transfer, taking two families away from him that he was going to baptize. However, we both did a double fast this week and this Jorge Ortiz and his family, with whom we were introduced to their extended family and they are excited to learn a ton more. Also, we are working with Maria Servin, the mother of two inactive members and we taught them the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ and when we invited her to become a member of this organization she was excited. We will be celebrating the 24th with them and sharing with them a little bit of the Call tradition of reading Luke 2 and sing carols.

I want to share with you a story that I received from Terry Brunson:

"A woman was out Christmas shopping with her two children. After many hours of looking at row after row of toys and everything else imaginable, and after hours of hearing both her children asking for everything they saw on those many shelves, she finally made it to the elevator with her two kids.

"She was feeling what so many experience during this season of the year: overwhelming pressure to go to every party and house warming, taste all the holiday food and treats, finding that perfect gift for every single person on our shopping list, making sure we don’t forget anyone on our card list, and the pressure of making sure we respond to everyone who sent us a card.

"Finally, the elevator doors opened. There was already a crowd in the car. She pushed her way into the car and dragged her two kids in with her along with all the bags of stuff. When the doors closed, she couldn’t take it anymore and she stated, “Whoever started this whole Christmas thing should be found, strung up and shot.”

"From the back of the car, everyone heard a quiet, calm voice respond, “Don’t worry, we already crucified Him.” For the rest of the trip down in the elevator, it was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop.

"May we slow down and reflect on the real reason for Christmas. .. . . . It is all about Christ!!!"

Let us remember where we would be without our Savior this Christmas season.

I love you all!

See you Soon,
Love, Elder Call