Hola!!! How's it going with everybody!!!???
Sorry no pics this week, frankly the computer isn't letting me and also looking back, I didn't have any new and interesting pics from this last week. It was a super fast week and I'm doing fine. :) Thanks so much for your letters, I loved hearing from everyone.
So yes we are still living in the same pension, it's fun because they are fun guys to be with and we are making some friendships, but yeah it's difficult to fully function and have all of your stuff unpacked and easy to get to. But we get over it and we make the best of it.
Sorry no pics this week, frankly the computer isn't letting me and also looking back, I didn't have any new and interesting pics from this last week. It was a super fast week and I'm doing fine. :) Thanks so much for your letters, I loved hearing from everyone.
So yes we are still living in the same pension, it's fun because they are fun guys to be with and we are making some friendships, but yeah it's difficult to fully function and have all of your stuff unpacked and easy to get to. But we get over it and we make the best of it.
So the investigator report. L-- and R-- are getting closer and closer to getting a turn for a marriage date. He is progressing so well, it's a pleasure to teach him and to help him in his first steps towards eternal salvation. We taught him tithing this last week and he loved the scripture in 3 Nephi 24: 8-10, where the Lord is quoting Malachi about the tithing, he loved the promises and was like yah I'll keep this commandment. He really has been prepared in his life and he keeps talking about how he wants to get married to be able to make covenants with the Lord at baptism.
Also a cool experience that we had with L-- this last week. So right now in his life for his job he does painting jobs--he goes where his boss tells him to go to complete a painting job. So this last week, he got offered a painting job that would've given him double the money that he normally makes in one job, the only thing though it was on Sunday. He didn't even flinch, later telling me, he said that he couldn't think of missing church. He loves all that he is learning and he told me that whatever money that he would make at that job on Sunday wouldn't be anything near to what he would gain by going to church. Also, he said that it's a commandment to go to church, so yah that's pretty legit. He's just so much more happier in his life and he and his future wife are getting closer and closer. So that's why we are missionaries, to help and find people like him.
B-- also came to church!! He arrived all by himself, too. The member that went to look for him passed by and his girlfriend told him that he wasn't able to go to church. B-- was in the back and didn't realize what had happened until the member was too far away. So he went walking, he knew the general direction of the church, so once he got there he started asking around for the Mormon church and he found it. So he is doing well, the only problem is his girlfriend doesn't want anything to do with us. We invited her to the lesson and she said no. The next time that we were walking down the street she was sitting in the street and totally ran away as we were approaching. They aren't married and so that's the only thing that is holding him back right now. He´s in his 50´s and he is from Paraguay. He can't read in Spanish. The reason is because back then, they weren't taught Spanish in schools, like reading and writing, but guarani (something like that). Now, everyone in South America, except Brazil, learns Spanish in the schools. So that makes it difficult for him to read the Book of Mormon and so he is walking off of pure faith and he is progressing.
M-- and F--, we have lost them, literally. They had been living in another person's house, this 66 yr old drunk guy, or at least every time that we talk to him he is wasted. He kicked them out of the house and doesn't know where they are. We don't have telephone connection with them, so we are in a pickle. That's the tough life that the people live down here, especially in the villas. So maybe one day we will run into each other in some random passageway in the villa, all is in the Lord's hands.
So we did find this guy this last week, we were at our lunch appointment and they had invited their cousin over to eat with us, primarily to have a man in the house, but then we get talking and I figure out that he isn't a member, but I wasn't sure until we were sharing a scripture with them at the end of the lunch. Elder Johnson asked the member to say what she thought about the scripture, and she was directing her toughts towards him and so I realized I should ask him if he knew about the Book of Mormon, he didn't and so we went through the Book of Mormon intro and then we asked him if he wanted to be baptized and he said yes, but then he wouldn't really accept the fecha for the 3rd of March. He has heard the missionaries before, but I don't know why he stopped listening to them. We went back on Friday and we had a good lesson with him on L1, again he got it, he had read and thought about it, but I think that he is scared of his brothers that live with him. I don't think they know that we have been talking to him.
So my computer is either really old or bad, because the screen button isn't working, there was a piece of paper in the button wedged up in there, and I saw that and I took it out, then my screen went blank. I wasn't able to put the paper back in there like it was and so I put my DNI lamenated card in there and now I can see the screen. Argentine computers...
So on Tuesday, Elder Johnson woke up throwing up, he threw up like 4 times that morning before 11am and so I stayed inside all day, I first read to him from A Marvelous Work and a Wonder by LeGrand Richards, that's an interesting book. Then I took a nap, then I looked at all the pics that I have from my mission, there are a lot! Then I made chocolate cake mix cookies, then Elder Harrison came home and we went on divisions to go teach L--. So that was a fast day. He got better over that night and we didn't have any problems the rest of the week. I'm glad that that really hasn't happened to me, like throwing up crazily. I think that my body adjusted really well to the new food and culture.
Also a cool experience that we had with L-- this last week. So right now in his life for his job he does painting jobs--he goes where his boss tells him to go to complete a painting job. So this last week, he got offered a painting job that would've given him double the money that he normally makes in one job, the only thing though it was on Sunday. He didn't even flinch, later telling me, he said that he couldn't think of missing church. He loves all that he is learning and he told me that whatever money that he would make at that job on Sunday wouldn't be anything near to what he would gain by going to church. Also, he said that it's a commandment to go to church, so yah that's pretty legit. He's just so much more happier in his life and he and his future wife are getting closer and closer. So that's why we are missionaries, to help and find people like him.
B-- also came to church!! He arrived all by himself, too. The member that went to look for him passed by and his girlfriend told him that he wasn't able to go to church. B-- was in the back and didn't realize what had happened until the member was too far away. So he went walking, he knew the general direction of the church, so once he got there he started asking around for the Mormon church and he found it. So he is doing well, the only problem is his girlfriend doesn't want anything to do with us. We invited her to the lesson and she said no. The next time that we were walking down the street she was sitting in the street and totally ran away as we were approaching. They aren't married and so that's the only thing that is holding him back right now. He´s in his 50´s and he is from Paraguay. He can't read in Spanish. The reason is because back then, they weren't taught Spanish in schools, like reading and writing, but guarani (something like that). Now, everyone in South America, except Brazil, learns Spanish in the schools. So that makes it difficult for him to read the Book of Mormon and so he is walking off of pure faith and he is progressing.
M-- and F--, we have lost them, literally. They had been living in another person's house, this 66 yr old drunk guy, or at least every time that we talk to him he is wasted. He kicked them out of the house and doesn't know where they are. We don't have telephone connection with them, so we are in a pickle. That's the tough life that the people live down here, especially in the villas. So maybe one day we will run into each other in some random passageway in the villa, all is in the Lord's hands.
So we did find this guy this last week, we were at our lunch appointment and they had invited their cousin over to eat with us, primarily to have a man in the house, but then we get talking and I figure out that he isn't a member, but I wasn't sure until we were sharing a scripture with them at the end of the lunch. Elder Johnson asked the member to say what she thought about the scripture, and she was directing her toughts towards him and so I realized I should ask him if he knew about the Book of Mormon, he didn't and so we went through the Book of Mormon intro and then we asked him if he wanted to be baptized and he said yes, but then he wouldn't really accept the fecha for the 3rd of March. He has heard the missionaries before, but I don't know why he stopped listening to them. We went back on Friday and we had a good lesson with him on L1, again he got it, he had read and thought about it, but I think that he is scared of his brothers that live with him. I don't think they know that we have been talking to him.
So my computer is either really old or bad, because the screen button isn't working, there was a piece of paper in the button wedged up in there, and I saw that and I took it out, then my screen went blank. I wasn't able to put the paper back in there like it was and so I put my DNI lamenated card in there and now I can see the screen. Argentine computers...
So on Tuesday, Elder Johnson woke up throwing up, he threw up like 4 times that morning before 11am and so I stayed inside all day, I first read to him from A Marvelous Work and a Wonder by LeGrand Richards, that's an interesting book. Then I took a nap, then I looked at all the pics that I have from my mission, there are a lot! Then I made chocolate cake mix cookies, then Elder Harrison came home and we went on divisions to go teach L--. So that was a fast day. He got better over that night and we didn't have any problems the rest of the week. I'm glad that that really hasn't happened to me, like throwing up crazily. I think that my body adjusted really well to the new food and culture.
Wednesday, we found J--, and then later that day I was walking over this bridge that crosses the train tracks, basically right before you get to the huge train station. And in the trash on the groud I found a pretty good sized political map of Argentina. It was just wrinkled up and dirty, I cleaned it off and then taped it so now I have a map of Argentina, for free! That day I also commited to learning how to play the guitar after my mission. We went to these youths' house and they were playing for us and they were really good. I just think that it'll be good when I can serenade all of the pretty girls singing Spanish love songs, haha.
Friday, we finally paid the rent, I feel like such an adult, pulling out the money to pay rent, big boy chores.
Saturday for lunch we went the farthest south that we can go. There is a river called the Riacuchelo, something like that, and it is the end limit of our mission. We went down Magaldi until the river and there is where we ate our lunch, outside in the shade. It was pretty epic to think that I was actually in another country as a missionary. I don't know if it's like this for everybody, but sometimes I just get these random thoughts, like wow Ryan, you are in another country speaking another language and you are sitting on the edge of the middle of nowhere, eating lunch to survive for the next couple of hours in the extreme heat.
Sunday was good because 2 people came to church. And it was really cooler outside yesterday, it was supposed to rain but it didn't end up happening. We got to talk to this recent convert, actually when Elder DeFriez was here, he started here in Constitución. She's less active and it's because she got attached to the missionaries, so now she wants the missionaries to pass by all of the time and it's hard because we are working on the opposite side of our area from where she lives, she has a tough schedule and a tough life. I'm really learning patience and charity on the mission. Sometimes I feel like people just feel like the missionaries are there to hear all of their complaints in life. I know it's hard in this life, but I've just accepted it and now I'm trying to help out in whatever way that we can. But still it's kind of frustrating, sometimes. :)
Today is Elder Mower's last day in the mission, in my district and my ZL, so we are going to hang with them and say good bye, luckily I have lots of pdays left to do lots of fun things, I can't even imagine the last pday.
Random thought, thanks Mom for sending me with a nice pair of mini scissors, because they are the best quality and no one else brings scissors and the Argentine scissors aren't the best quality and so everyone in the pension uses them. That's a good idea for your next missionary, and since he is going before your first one gets home, youll have to buy him all new stuff. Look into buying all black nike shoes to wear during proselyting, E lder Sweeney has them and he only wears them for normal stuff but then has the nice dress shoes for church and conferences. They would be super comfortable and a lot cheaper. Yes, colored towels are a good idea. Comfortable socks are the way to go. Short short-sleeve shirts are also a good idea, you know for looks. Also making sure that every pair of pants fit the elder before the elder leaves for the mission and then give him a little room for growth that will occur in the MTC. Also a good idea is not using all of the white shirts all at once, but keeping a couple nice and still in the packaging so that 6 months in or a year in the elder can have a couple of nice brand new white shirts. Also Ecco shoes are really nice, they hold up really nicely, but find some that are wide enough for the big boys' feet. Sorry I'm just sitting here thinking of all the suggestions for the upcoming elder in our family. Don't get a black suit, get a gray suit, everything can go with gray, also the other slacks, get lots of grays. Get lots of ties that can get wet and survive. Machine washable ties are good because one gets lots of stains on ones ties.
Well, that's enough for right now, haha, just feel free to ask me questions about any of that kind of stuff, I have a little experience being a Mormon missionary.
So anyways, thanks for all that you do for me and for all of your love. I love you all so so much!! I can't wait to hear from you again in a week. :)
Love,
Friday, we finally paid the rent, I feel like such an adult, pulling out the money to pay rent, big boy chores.
Saturday for lunch we went the farthest south that we can go. There is a river called the Riacuchelo, something like that, and it is the end limit of our mission. We went down Magaldi until the river and there is where we ate our lunch, outside in the shade. It was pretty epic to think that I was actually in another country as a missionary. I don't know if it's like this for everybody, but sometimes I just get these random thoughts, like wow Ryan, you are in another country speaking another language and you are sitting on the edge of the middle of nowhere, eating lunch to survive for the next couple of hours in the extreme heat.
Sunday was good because 2 people came to church. And it was really cooler outside yesterday, it was supposed to rain but it didn't end up happening. We got to talk to this recent convert, actually when Elder DeFriez was here, he started here in Constitución. She's less active and it's because she got attached to the missionaries, so now she wants the missionaries to pass by all of the time and it's hard because we are working on the opposite side of our area from where she lives, she has a tough schedule and a tough life. I'm really learning patience and charity on the mission. Sometimes I feel like people just feel like the missionaries are there to hear all of their complaints in life. I know it's hard in this life, but I've just accepted it and now I'm trying to help out in whatever way that we can. But still it's kind of frustrating, sometimes. :)
Today is Elder Mower's last day in the mission, in my district and my ZL, so we are going to hang with them and say good bye, luckily I have lots of pdays left to do lots of fun things, I can't even imagine the last pday.
Random thought, thanks Mom for sending me with a nice pair of mini scissors, because they are the best quality and no one else brings scissors and the Argentine scissors aren't the best quality and so everyone in the pension uses them. That's a good idea for your next missionary, and since he is going before your first one gets home, youll have to buy him all new stuff. Look into buying all black nike shoes to wear during proselyting, E lder Sweeney has them and he only wears them for normal stuff but then has the nice dress shoes for church and conferences. They would be super comfortable and a lot cheaper. Yes, colored towels are a good idea. Comfortable socks are the way to go. Short short-sleeve shirts are also a good idea, you know for looks. Also making sure that every pair of pants fit the elder before the elder leaves for the mission and then give him a little room for growth that will occur in the MTC. Also a good idea is not using all of the white shirts all at once, but keeping a couple nice and still in the packaging so that 6 months in or a year in the elder can have a couple of nice brand new white shirts. Also Ecco shoes are really nice, they hold up really nicely, but find some that are wide enough for the big boys' feet. Sorry I'm just sitting here thinking of all the suggestions for the upcoming elder in our family. Don't get a black suit, get a gray suit, everything can go with gray, also the other slacks, get lots of grays. Get lots of ties that can get wet and survive. Machine washable ties are good because one gets lots of stains on ones ties.
Well, that's enough for right now, haha, just feel free to ask me questions about any of that kind of stuff, I have a little experience being a Mormon missionary.
So anyways, thanks for all that you do for me and for all of your love. I love you all so so much!! I can't wait to hear from you again in a week. :)
Love,
Elder Ryan Pittard
¡chau!
¡chau!
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