It was fun to see the excitement as she shared the gospel

Hi there :)

 

I love you so much! thanks for the wonderful letters and the love you all so so much. :) Wow what another crazy busy week, it was fun to hear the stories and what has all changed. :) haha  Thanks for your support and I know it's crazy that it's already been 18 months since I've started, it's going by fast and changes are coming fast. :)

Tanner, good luck with your AP tests, don't stress, it's just a test that's going to decide your future. ;) You'll do fine, but not as good as me, maybe almost as good as me, haha. Remember to always spend time with your family as much as possible. You only have 9 weeks, live it up and have fun but also don't forget the important stuff. :) I love The District, I have watched those dvd´s over and over again, we have the actual dvd´s and part of the trainer's booklet is showing segments, more than what's on the 3 big segments, to help and train the new missionaries. Yeah the district videos are used almost everyday down here. And yes it's exactly what I do. :) And I'm loving it. :) Every mission is different but the principles that are in those videos are the same. :) I met some of the elders and sisters from the Dictrict 2 in the MTC, idk if they would still be there working, but that was fun. They were like mini movie stars. Well take care, have fun on the campout and work hard. Love you

 

Mom, thanks for the letter and as always I loved hearing all of your insights. Actually the meeting for the leaders was only for the ZL´s but we also fortunately have a meeting tomorrow and so I'll be able to pick it up then, I sure hope that they both get there. I will let you know on Sunday. What? It's already Mother's Day this week!! Oh and it's your bday as well!! Happy birthday :) Another wonderful year of being a wonderful mother.

That was a cute idea with the ice cream and the toppings, I wish that I could have some ice cream, thinking about it, I haven't had ice cream since L--'s baptism. And yes, I will miss them, we have been like their family down here and now they are returning to R--´s family in Paraguay. It's weird to think that only in 6 months I can talk to him through facebook, that'll be a fun thing to do.

 

Yeah we will have one more interview with Pres before he leaves, but it'll be a good change, yeah it'll be hard to see him go, but I can get used to the new one haha. I do feel like I've been training alot down here, haha I guess that someone has to do it, :) but I do love it and the joy seeing them progress.

 

So this last week was difficult for some investigators, we have had to drop some of them and we are excited with the progress of A--, the 18 yr old that we found two and a half weeks ago. He still isn't too sure about his fecha for this Sunday to come, but we have had some good lessons with him and we should be able to help him receive his answer soon, hopefully by this Sunday. :) N-- is also doing alright, the smoking really is hard to stop, but we had a good lesson last night with the right member that helped him to set the goal to be smoke free by this Thursday, then he is also planning on moving out of the house, so he´s also a possibility for this Sunday. He wants to be baptized but has these things holding him back, its a trial.

 

T-- came to church this last week again, we were at her house this last week and a friend that lives far away came by and she wanted us to talk to him, he turns out that he already had communication with the elders and that his mom is reading the Book of Mormon, but it was fun to see the excitement from T-- as she shares the gospel.We had a struggle with the number of lessons this last week, people falling through and other things popping up, but overall it was a good week. We had a good fast Sunday and I didn't have a headache.

 

The weather is just perfect down here, it's not too cold or hot, but just right. In the mornings it's a little cold but by noon when we leave the pension it's nice and sunny.

 

Yeah I can't wait till Sunday to talk to you all. I think that it will be awesome to talk to you again. It's weird to think that I'll be in the same house as last time. We were there yesterday and they were like, yeah the missionaries have been coming here for the last couple of times. And I was like, I was here for Christmas, and then they were like how long have you been here? haha 5 months and counting. It's great to have this expereince to really help a ward and to see the progress.

 

Dad, that's crazy that you are in China again. Enjoy the hot and humid weather haha. I hope that everything goes over well.

 

That is weird to think that Tanner S. is back home and soon the others will follow, then it'll be me, weird! Say hi to him from me when you get a chance to see him.

Muy bién, now a little about my week.

 

Last Monday, in April, weird, we played soccer and A-- came and brought a friend to play too, it was fun. Then that night we had a good lesson with the family C--, they almost accepted a fecha for the 19th but the dad, who is less-active doesn't want to push it, but they are so ready and they need the blessings right now. They didn't come to church, they have a tough schedule to pass by and talk with them, but I think that we need to do everything that we can to see them.

 

Wednesday was Labor Day down here and so everything was closed, it made it hard on us because we rely heavily on the public transportation. But we survived the day and we didn't have to walk too far haha.

 

Friday it was raining super hard for most of the day, I did an interview for the ZL´s and then we are starting to make friends with our neighbors that live in the front of our passageway, they said that they would come to church, but we knocked and said that they were ready to leave soon Sunday morning, but they didn't make it. I also was a little sick and thankfully to medicine I was fine to work. I'm still recovering from the afteraffects of the headaches and runny noses, but I'm fine. It's just the change in the climate. My blood is definitely a lot more thicker then it would be in Utah. So I'm starting to become an Argentine that gets sick really fast haha, it's just the culture thing.

 

Saturday I did an interview for the Boca 2 at the church, then we had to go to lunch, then we went running to go back to the church to do their other interview and it turns out that the lady´s schedule was changed and so I had to do it at a later time so we had to do emergency divisions and so I was able to send Elder Kearn to go and work and I would go and work in the Boca until the interview. So that messed up our plans a little bit and we didn't have the success that we were planning on having to start the day. But the Lord will provide for the lost time in interviews.

 

Sunday The Boca 2 had 2 baptisms and President and his wife came to see that, then we had a wonderful meal to break the fast and then we had plans fall on us and we still had a decent day.

 

Now we just got back from paying some bills this morning and we got to writing you guys. :) So that was the gist of my week and we are having fun down here on the busy streets of Buenos Aires.

 

Well, I hope that you all have a wonderful week to come and I can't wait to see you all after church on Sunday. :)

 

My testimony: I know the Church is true and that's all that matters. :)

 

Love,

Elder Ryan Pittard

I'm glad that I was able to find a way to turn the conversation back to the gospel and invite her

Thanks for the notes and the love, every week I look forward to hearing from my family. :)

 

So my new companion is Elder Kern, he is awesome and we will have a great transfer together. He is from Provo, UT and graduated from Timpview in 2012. He played football for the team and he has 3 months in his mission. He started on Jan. 16th. He was in the MTC 6 weeks and then he was waiting in Houston, TX for 6 weeks and then he was able to come down here. He speaks and understands well enough and we get along well.

 

It's funny to think that I already knew what to expect for him to say of what Argentina is like, haha, seeing that it's the fifth time that I have been with a new elder in a foreign country, including myself :) But luckily we were able to help him adjust good to the new country and we got to work, we had a good week.

 

I have helped him become a River fan and I hope that all that are in the sound of my voice become River fans, because the numbers speak for themselves, we are just better then Boca, ahead of them in the standings and we have the better stadium as well, just a better team overall.

 

So enough about Argentine soccer, more about the week that was up there in the sunny skies of Lehi.

 

Sounds like everyone, well everyone that wrote me a message... had a great week. ;) Thanks for the love and the fun stuff to hear.

 

Rachel, nope this last week we didn't have any baptisms, peoples' agency are getting in the way of their eternal happiness. It's a tough but satisfying work for those that do end up accepting baptism and then seeing them progress in the gospel.

 

Camryn, my mission is tough, but fun, I'm always tired haha, Yes, I felt the influence of the Holy Ghost this last week, it's funny that you have to ask for it daily to be there in every moment, because the Spirit gets offended easily. Great job writing and I'm glad that you had ice cream at school, what a treat! What is your favorite food? (these questions are for both of the girls) what are you learning in school? how many dolls and stuffed animals do you have now? how many times have you given mom a hug and a big kiss this last week? when was the last time that you made your bed all by yourself without being asked to? when was the last time that you served you family? do you know that i love you? have a great week!!

 

Braden, I hope that you can learn Chinese really fast, and then that you have a great week practicing and having fun in show biz. What's your favorite thing to do right now? how many books have you read this year? what is one thing that you are grateful for? have a great week!!

 

Alex, so it sounds like you had a great week as well!! That's awesome that you are going to Prom, looks like you'll have a great time. :) I'm also glad that you won your soccer game, if you serve in South America you would dominate because you are a great soccer player.  How many times have you read the Book of Mormon completely in your life? How does saying your personal prayers morning and night help you throughout your days and to be a better brother? How have you seen the influence of the holy ghost in your life? How have you seen that the Book of Mormon connects to our day? Have a great week and I love you!

 

Tanner, I'm sure that you were super busy preparing for your mission and that you were going to write me and then you just happened to run out of time at the last minute... haha, I love you and I hope that you have a great week! How's the last few weeks of school been and are you excited to finish up school in a couple of weeks? How has daily scripture study helped you be a better brother and a better son to mom and dad? What kind of missionary do you want to be by the end of your mission? What do you need to do to start that process? What's your biggest fear about the mission? well have a great week. :)

 

Jason, almost forgot about you haha, sup. Do you have swimming year round, do you have a break right now, or do you still practice? keep working hard in school!!! love you!!

 

That's neat that Josh was able to speak to Ryan, too bad that I wont be able to go and speak to Tanner for 30 min in GA haha, that's crazy that Lindsey is already leaving, make sure to give her a hug from me (or if mom wants to, that's alright, I know it's more of a girl thing), haha

 

That's an awesome quote from Pres Snow, it's true, we constantly need to be making good decisions, because the more little bad decisions that we make will take light little by little. Thanks for the note, Dad, and I love you so much!! What's one of the things that you regret not doing the last 6 months of your mission? or what is something that you changed and it ended up blessing you for the last bit of your mission? It's weird to think that I'im almost to that stage and that it's coming fast! almost too fast for me, oh well we will cross that bridge when it comes. :)

 

Mom, hi there :) love you!  ¿cómo está hoy mi maravillosa, guapa, divertida, feliz, obediente y fiel mamá? :) jaja yeah it was the same process as it was for the other two elders that I have picked up. It was fun, this time, while we were waiting to walk out singing, Hma Gulbrandsen walked in with a platter of hot empanadas, it was great because I hadn't eaten lunch. So I ate real quick like 5, and in the middle of an empanada, the assistants walked in like, saying, alright, you guys ready to walk out? So I quickly finished the empanada right before we marched out haha. Then we got our companions, I was feeling just looking at them that Elder Kern would be my comp. Then it was true, he's a capo or a jefe, as he says, and is doing really well. I'm really trying to enjoy this time with him and training him in the stuff that he needs, I think that this might be the last time that I train, so I'm taking full advantage of it. :)

 

Yeah, 51 missionaries are waiting and they have asked that we pray so that they can receive their visas and come down here. It would be crazy if they ended up all coming down. There would be alot of areas opening up again, like Constitución 2 and so that would make our work a little bit easier. Oh well, it's all in the Lord's hands. And yes, my group was the last group to come down without any problems.

 

Yeah I really believe that Elder Carreto just came for that purpose to help L-- get baptized, he really was key in those difficult times. Yes, we did pass by N-- a couple of times and he is doing well. Smoking really is hard for him right now, and he now has the desire to go and take out his time to be able to get married. We did find a couple of people this week and we were able to find the cousins of K-- and J-- on Satureday and T--, the 9yr old, came to church and is preparing for the 28th of April. Her brother A--, also wants to be baptized but he has soccer practice on Sunday right at 10 and so we were trying to help him decide between soccer or church. He´s 10 but really smart, so we invited him to pray about it this week, so we will see. Also we tried with G--, the cousin of L-- and he came to the first hour of church, but then all of the sudden he had the desire to go home, he's a little different and we tried to help him, but he didn't want to stay.

 

Also yesterday, this guy came with his member daughter that lives in another stake and he had been to church before and he liked it, we tried putting the fecha with him right next to the baptismal font, but he wants more time and wouldn't accept a fecha. So we are finding people to work with and that's exciting. We have been really diligent in asking for referrals from everybody and then going and contacting them. I actually am really grateful for the new apartment and we are adjusting to life over here. There is a bus that passes by within 2 blocks of our house that also runs through the main place where we are normally working at the end of the night. Though I have had to call and ask permission from President to get home late, we are far away, like 45 min. walking. haha Oh I'm going to miss this area when I leave, I still want to go back to Savio, but I'm growing to love this area a lot, :) the members are really warming up and it's fun to have people know who you are. haha

 

That's awesome that you were able to make empanadas and salad, though the only difference is that they don't have ranch dressing down here, instead they put oil and salt on their salad. :) But the rest looked like a typical meal, oh and the french bread is another thing that they always serve. Too bad you didn't have the Tang packet to drink Argentina juice, haha That's awesome that the song came on and that you were able to have that tender mercy of the Lord. (note from Mom....while I was preparing an Argentine meal for a youth missionary night the song "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" came on the radio....I couldn't believe it!! I loved it.) :)

 

I knew that Josh would say that, that's how he always used to talk, that's so weird to me that he is already home. When do Tanner and Michael get home? the end of this month?

 

I love that you ramble, it's the only time of the week that we have to ramble with each other. :) It's crazy to think that in 4 weeks we will be talking by skype. Well, I love you so much and thanks for always being the best example to me of how to live this gospel and to reap in the blessing from it. I now have my own testimony that it's the truth and the blessings that it brings to our lives. Have a great week and I love you!!!

 

So a little about my week. We had a good week. So yes, we did go to look for the newbies on Tuesday and we didn't end up getting home until like 5:30pm.

 

Wednesday, I had a good experience of fulfilling my missionary purpose. So we were at N--'s house and a friend of his ´´wife´´ walked in and we invited her to chat with us. She started commenting about some doubts that she has about God. Her mom died a couple of years ago and she doesn't really believe any more. So I wasn't able to share much with her, she was really closed. Then she started asking about my family and I was able to show them the pics of our family and testify that we really are a happy family. Then I was able to explain that we all are members of the church, and even my grandparents, then I was like, hey one of my grandpas was a convert to the church, and she asked about that, and I was able to explain to her what we beleive in with baptism, then I invited her to be baptized right then, she didn't accept but I fulfilled my purpose. I'm glad that I was able to find a way to turn the conversation back to the gospel and invite her. Turns out she lives in the Boca, weird that never happens... haha ;) oh well, we are now called Boca oeste. :)

 

On Thursday we all met in the Boca as a zone and we divided up to do district meeting for an hour and then we all met up again upstairs to watch the last half of the priesthood session in Spanish. It was good, I still understood everything, but I still want to hear it first in English to get the full spirit. It made me appreciate that the Lord really does want all of His children to hear His message in their own language. :)

 

On Friday we finally got a microwave, it's cool, it has a digital clock, and it's not a dial one, so that really cool. :) Oh the things that I have to deal with down here, haha ;) We did eat arroz chaufa, my favorite Peruvian dish, mixed rice and meat and hot dog bits and peppers. Don't worry, it's really good. :)

 

Saturday, we were trying to get A-- and T-- to come out to talk to us in their cousin's house right next door, so we went and bought a soda and mini chocolates to righteously bribe them out of the door. We had their eternal salvation in mind so it's alright. ;)

 

Yesterday, we had 3 people come to church and we have 3 fechas to work with for this week. Also I was learning Lunfardo, a Buenos Aires accent and slang that only the port people know and speak, so now I know how to say dog in Lunfardo, it's basically lots of words written differently. So like perro is dog, in Lunfardo its ropé, so a cool culture difference. It's also influenced from the Italian influence that's here in the city.

 

So now we are back again in the ciber, writing another letter to each other, so the weeks are flying. I hope everything is going great and good luck with everything this week. I'm constantly praying for you all. :)

 

Love,

Elder Ryan Pittard

I'm glad that you all enjoyed conference as much as I did

Hey there, sorry no pics this week.

But I did receive word last night that I am staying and training again here in Constitucion. So that's super exciting and I'm glad for another opportunity. Elder Carreto went one area over, so not too big of a change. But with the changes, I'm having to stay with Elder Dial, from my group who is also training, I'm staying with him for the night and so I'll be in Nueva Pompeya and so we don't have that much time to email. So today will be a little bit shorter, but still with all of my heart :)

So awesome trip and I loved all of the pics, that's a really cool experience and I'm glad that you were able to go.

I'm glad that you all enjoyed conference just as much as I did. I loved all of the talks and I really felt the spirit. I only missed one of them and that was the 2nd half of Elder Perry´s talk because the internet shut down for a bit. Luckily we were able to turn it back on and hear all of President Monson´s talk. We watched it in the Boca, or my church building as well. We were a group of 7 American missionaries and we had fun in that tiny room watching it together. This time around I wasn't able to watch any of the inbetween stuff. On Saturday we ate at a grill close to the church as a district. Then on Sunday, Elder DeFriez was feeling sick so I went with his companion to pick up food and it turns out that we ate with them in the house, so I had two lunches on Sunday haha.

This last week we found a new investigator named N--. He was a previous investigator and he is living with a less active member. So we got to know him and he came to conference and was able to attend 3 sessions including the priesthood and then he watched one at home online. Lots of members do that. So the conference really impacted him and he has decided to take initiative in his life and to change some things. He had already received a answer to his prayers and he knows it's true, but he is fighting with addictions. But we put the date with him for the 27th. They have to be married and he has to stop smoking, so we are going to be working with him on those things.

L-- and R-- are doing really well, we passed by a couple of times and they haven't told us of any problems that they have been having. I'm glad that Elder Carreto came to help me to teach them and to help marry them and baptize him. So poor guy, this is his third straight transfer with a new area.

So I might be getting a Latin companion that has been waiting for his visa. Today I heard that we are waiting for 50 or so elders to receive their visas and come down here.

Today I was finally able to pick up mail and I got the package from Gma and Gpa, I still haven't had time to open it and the dear elder letters, thanks for the inspiring words and support. I love hearing the experiences from the other missionaries. Say hi to Josh if you get the chance, I miss that guy, so funny.

Tanner, I'm glad that you are doing great in prep for your mission, are you reading daily from the Book of Mormon and Preach MyGospel? Are you saying your morning and evening prayers? Are you spending as much time that you can with your family? Are you striving to be more like the Savior while serving your brothers and sisters and parents? As the next 13 weeks pass, I want you to constantly be checking yourself on these things, those are the best way to prepare for your mission.

Haha I loved all the little notes from the family, especially Camryn's about the bathroom in the RV, haha super funny. I was thinking about her in the conference when Sis Nixom spoke. I also loved Craig A Cardon´s talk about how God wants to forgive us and then Stanley G Ellis´powerful testimony that we are not spiritual orphans. Then I loved Pres Monson´s talk on Sunday and I'm glad that he did his facial expressions again, it had been a while.

Well I hope that you have a great week, I'm glad that Dad was able to see his old mission, I don't know when I'll be able to return here, but we will see. Thanks mom for the wonderful note and I'm glad that you are working hard to earn the salvation of your family, what a wonderful blessing from a wonderful mother.

Have a great week!!!

Love,

Elder Ryan Pittard

The Lord has shown all of His wonderful blessings

How's it going?

 

Well I'm super excited for all of the exciting news that I received and that I'm receiving!

 

First of all, so that you don't have to worry, L-- was married and baptized, confirmed and ordained a priest all this last week. We had two experiences that showed that the devil didn't want them to be married or baptized, but the Lord has shown all of his wonderful blessings.

 

Second... yay!!! congrats Tanner! That's awesome and I'm super excited for you and for all of the wonderful oppurtunities that you are going to experience.

 

So I sent my camara in to a member of the ward to see if he could fix it, I still don't have it, I should get it back this week. So E Carreto is going to pass me some pics of the baptism and of the marriage. So we should be fine. But I loved the pics that you all sent, haha that's some crazy hair!! and you are all so big!! Congrats on the bball awards and accomplishments and you don't have to be bashful for playing hard Alex. ;) That's an awesome story and you both look sharp in your shirts and ties. Also, that's a great camara effect Tanner, even though I do believe that you can jump that high, haha that's awesome that we are so good at bball, it's all thanks to our "baller" dad. :) haha

 

So about your week first...

Thanks for the letters and the notes, you all are so awesome and sweet to send me a thought every week, I know some elders that not all of their family writes them everyweek, I understand with brothers and sisters out of the house, it might be difficult, but Tanner I will try my hardest every week to write you a decently sized letter to make you feel good :) I hope you enjoy these last 15 weeks with your family until you have to spend 104 away from them, but if you are focused it passes by fast.

 

So to describe what happened with Sister Gulbrandsen, so we were sitting there in the middle of weekly planning on Thursday, I was thinking that Tanner should've received his call by then and I honestly was thinking about it when I received a call from Hma Gulbrandsen. She was like how's it going elder? Was one of your brothers expecting a mission call? I was like yah!! but with lots of enthusiasm, haha I was excited. She was like yup, well he received his call, would you like me to tell you right now, or do you want to wait until Monday to find out from your family? She was like I don't want to spoil the surprise but I felt like you would like to know. So I was thinking, should I wait, but then thinking having to wait until Monday was too much for me and I was like, just tell me right now!! So she started to say, well he has been called to... and then she started breaking up, I was like no!! then I heard July 10th,... the phone service down here... then I was like, hma I didn't hear what you said, then I finally heard Macon, Georgia and I was so happy to hear that and I was super proud of Tanner for making this decision to serve the Lord. So then she was like, is there anything that you want to say, and she wrote exactly what I said, so that's what happened. haha Then I was thinking about that the rest of the day and telling everyone that my brother had received his call. Then I was like, dang it, he gets a car and air conditioning, but it's hot and humid in the south like it is here, so then I was pacified, haha, So congrats to Tanner again. So did anyone guess correctly where Tanner would be going? How many people were there? That's great that family could be there for support. I'm glad that he was picked to this specific mission, it's the mission president that he needs and I know that he will learn a lot from him. 

 

Yeah Tanner!! I'm so happy for you and for this accomplishment, it will be weird writing to my brother as a missionary, it'll be fun that we served at the same time. I'm still going to be one hour ahead of you in time, so we will be able to communicate by email ;) haha So I tried looking up your mission limits on LDS maps and the computer shut down, that was one of the reboots, but I'm sure that you'll love it!! I'm kind of jealous that you are in the states and that you are going to live an extra two years in the south than I did. We already spent 10 years of our lives down there, and maybe you are being sent there to baptize someone that is a distant relative, you know the ones that are from Georgia.  I think of all of the times that we drove right next to Macon, Ga on our way to Gma and Gpa Pittard´s house. Oh well, it will be tough with all of the crazy southern baptists, but I did read an article in the Feb. Liahona about a family that was living in a small 5000 person southern baptist town in GA and how they had a great influence on the community, so you just need to be the example.

 

I remember receiving the call from mom on the priest high adventure trip and feeling the butterflies and then having to wait 2 more days, and I don't know how mom did it! haha ;) That's fun that Jeremy received his call as well, but you will be entering the field before he is in the MTC, so crazy!! Yes I was wrong, GA was my 92nd guess ;) haha That's fun that Bro Butler came and he is a capo!! You looked great opening up the letter and it was fun to guess when you read the place out loud, didn't your eyes jump straight to the spot to where you were going? I remember that I was the first one to know out of everybody. I'm glad that so many friends were able to come over and to support you. Keep me updated on all of the mission calls and when people get home, I know that the date is getting close for a couple.

 

Mom!!! hugs and kisses for you :) and for Camryn and Rachel. :)

 

So we had the most intense moment of my mission last Monday night with L-- and R--, so we were in another cita far away from where they live, we had a planned cita with them, but then it started to thunder and rain hard, so we were tempted to just stay in the warmth and dry place, but as soon as I thought that, the rain stopped and so we were like, well it's a sign that we need to go, it didn't rain the whole wait for the bus, the bus ride and the walk to L--'s house. When we were waiting for the bus I called L--, to let him know that we would be passing by a little late, he answered frantically, telling me that there was a problem with his señora. So we got there as soon as possible. They had been fighting and arguing over the littlest things, all of the frustrations were being brought out at each other and they were determined in their mind that they weren't going to be married the next day and that it would be better that they separated. I was freaking out, like no!! What's going on?! So we sat there listening to them, R-- left the room crying, I was prompted to follow her and try and console her. I was so sad for them, they are part of my life down here and I felt like we were the parents for them. So saying a heartfelt prayer as I directed myself to the other room. There she was standing there, L-- stayed sitting down and so separated we were talking to them and listening. I honestly don't know how I did it, but the promise of the Lord, if that we listen we can be able to know what we need to say. So R-- is that type that is hard to get her feelings out, so I felt prompted to just sit, ask a couple of deep questions and then to just listen and then the Spirit would guide me to know what to do. So we started talking and the first thing that I felt prompted to do was to have her realize that the devil was really trying super hard. Then I was prompted to tell her that we need to say a prayer asking for help and to be able to forgive L-- and herself. So we knelt down and she prayed to ask for strength and help. Meanwhile E Carreto was talking with L-- and I really think that I don't believe that I would've been able to help L-- in the way that he needed like R-- was able to learn from me. I've never been married and I've never been in a situation like this, but I feel like I was the best prepared to try and comfort R--, I'm better at listening and trying to reason with people. L-- isn't like that, he just talks and talks just to talk, and E Carreto who is a genious with the scriptures, especially in the bible was able to get to him through the scriptures, L-- really listens to the scriptures. So I was prompted to tell R-- is that she needed to be patient and to help raise this spiritual child in L--, and that the Lord desired that they were married. So then we brought them back together and they were hugging and saying sorry and the marriage was back on. And to add to the intensity, it was thundering and lightening when we first started talking to them. So it was just like the movies. I´m so greatful for the Spirit and its guidance and for touching their hearts that night.

 

So the next day we get up early to travel to the marriage place, the bishop and his wife were there to be the witnesses that lived in the city. It was a short and simple ceremony but it was great to finally see them married.

 

 

That night we passed by their house and we were able to give them a pic of the Buenos Aires temple. The next night was alright with them as well, they were having crazy things going on in the house and so we dedicated the house, I'm glad that we have always dedicated our homes. I've learned some crazy stuff down here. I feel like there are more crazy things that happen down here.

 

Then on Thursday night, we get there and they had been fighting again, it's hard, they are learning on how to live together, they are so prideful sometimes and they can't seem to recognize their own faults before they can forgive the other. Again we separated them and we had them do an activity, again led by the spirit. We brought them back and L-- was still trying to get his point accross and that's when we decided we need to take control of the situation. E Carreto, who is really quiet and not an expressive guy, got all worked up and gave a powerful sermon where the Spirit was present, he talked of forgiveness and repentance and the love and service and listening, then I had my turn to tell them that they had lots to work on and that we were going to fight with them to work it all out. Changing the mood of the conversation got to them this time and they were all good to go for the baptism. I feel like their parent lots of times, I love them so much and I just want them to be happy and it hurts me to see them fighting. I'm starting to realize what being a parent means.

 

So then on Friday, L-- passed the interview and I did two interviews for the Boca, then on Saturday we had a 4 person combined baptism with the Boca. I was able to baptize L-- and he was awesome, saying that he really felt like coming up out of the water that he really felt like a new person. Afterwards the ward had put together a celebration for them and there was food and a wedding cake and it was a great surprise for them. Then L-- sang love songs to R-- and as we were leaving, they all had started to dance, you got to love Latin culture.

 

 

 

Then Sunday he was confirmed by E Carreto and then right afterwards he received the Aaronic Priesthood. So that was an awesome ending to a crazy week and to a crazy 3 months of knowing L-- and helping him come this far.

 

I still haven't been able to find out if I have received a package so we will see if I'll get the chance this next week. This next week are changes, again, I can't believe it. I'm so excited for general conference and to hear the words of God for us in these days. I've never been so excited to watch a general conference as I am right now. As a missionary it's awesome because it's a little different from the normal schedule but you just learn so much!

 

So I basically told you all about my week, it's weird to think that when Tanner leaves I'll have only 4 months to go. It's a weird feeling to think that this is going to end one day, it doesn't feel like it.

 

Oh yah, on Wednesday morning we had a conference with President in Belgrano, and so we left on time to get to the subte (subway) and it turns out that the subte wasn't working in the only two stations that we had to use, and the lines for buses were way to long, and so we walked over to another subte line and then we transfered over to another line, and then we walked 8 blocks to the right line that was working from that point. I'm glad that I have such a great knowledge of this city and how to manuver around. We were able to get there at 9:55 after an hour and a half traveling in the traffic and the heat of the morning. There were others that got there like at 10:30, an hour late, but thanks to my knowledge of how to get around, I cut 30 minutes off of that. Still it's hard depending on the undependable public transport system especially when you have an urgent matter to attend.

Well I hope that you all have a great week and that you are safe and that you enjoy our beautiful country!! Im' proud to be an American!!

 

I love you all!!! so so much!!!

 

Love,

Elder Ryan Pittard

 

I love my mission!

Hey there family :) How's it going? I feel like I say that every week. ;)

Again no pics, just when we move and I want to show you the new apartment.

 

We had a good week and we are excited for this one to get going, we will have the marriage of L-- and R-- on Tues and then Saturday he will be baptized! A good way to end a drought way too long.

 

(in her letter Rachel asked a lot of questions....so now he answers all of them)  :o)...

 

Rachel, here we go... it sounds good, empanadas, yes I love serving in this far away land, yes and I hope that he goes foreign speaking, yes I love you :) and yes I very much love my family. Yes I like speaking spanish, sometimes I wish that I could speak better, I like them all (his companions), they each have helped me to become a better missionary. Yes we get plenty of sleep, but it doesn't feel like it sometimes, sometimes we stay up talking in bed, but that's more of a new missionary thing. :) in the winter it rains a lot, but it's not like FL in the summer. There isn't any mud in the city, just dog poop, but yah in Savio, everyday I got muddy. :) Yes I shower once a day, por lo menos. Yes the apartment has a good shower, we also have an automatic floor cleaner, every morning that we shower we can clean the floor, o sea we don't have a curtain yet, that seems to be an option down here. Yes I like my new apartment, it's great and spacious, but in a good way ;) We don't have a view, there are two windows, one is really high up, the other is from the kitchen and it's looking at the passageway wall. We don't get to much natural light. Yes, and I'm jealous that you are going (on a vacation over spring break)  haha, you are happy because you're skipping, but I don't know, you are a 9 yr old girl, so it could also be hyperness. Yes I miss you all :) Yes I pray lots of times everyday, I should pray more. Yes I do wash my hands, but I should also wash my hands more, and stop depending on the Lord´s mercies ;) dont worry that was a joke... Yes I miss my friends, but I'm making new friends down here too. Yes I'm excited to get home, but that still is far away and there still is a lot of work to do :) Please don't paint any room red haha, but as of now, keep the room how it is please. :) Yes I miss BYU, but they aren't playing that good so I'm glad that I'm down here not worrying about it haha. Yes we play lots of soccer, I've improved in that alot. Yes I'm almost 20 and a half. Yes please keep track of how old that I am and when I turn 21. Do you keep track? Yes I have to answer the other questions, yes I love your paragraph :) all answered!!!

 

love you :)

 

What's up kat, that's cute haha, sounds like a great MORP, I want to see pics asap. Oh and good job on magnifying your calling, the Lord has so many blessings for his willing servants that are willing to sacrifice time and efforts in his cause, keep being a sweetie to mom and dad.

 

Tanner, wow so exciting for you to be receiving your call, I hope that you do get it on Wednesday, I had to wait a couple of days, hey I'll skype Wednesday night... chiste haha but yah I'm excited to find out. Sounds like you all had fun at the dance, I want to see pics!! haha You're a stud you know that, un capo! I'm guessing Chile or Brazil. :) I'm so excited down here!

 

So about the stake conference this last weekend, it was awesome. On Saturday night there was the adult session of the conference, and we brought L-- so we could go, it was really awesome with really great talks about the family. There is a Chinese person that is the first counselor in the stake presidency, he speaks really well, he gave a good spiritual talk, it was cool to think that because we can speak spanish we can understand each other, because otherwise I don't have a clue about Chinese. Oh and L-- met President Gulbrandsen on Saturday night, and we got permission to go to his wedding on Tues. Pres changed the meetings schedule so that my zone can go on the other day. So then L-- came again on Sunday, it was a transmission from SLC, Elder Russel M. Nelson presided, it was great, it was all in Spanish. L. Whitney Clayton, conducted and Shayne M. Bowen also spoke. They all spoke in spanish except Sis Jean A. Stevens who had someone reading her talk while she spoke in english and we heard the spanish, it's how they do it for general conference. So it was really a spiritually uplifting experience.

 

So L-- and R-- are doing great after a last minute scare with their relationship and with the paperwork, they almost didn't get some documents shown at the place, but they were allowed to turn it in one day later. Then we had some good lessons about repentance and love and forgiveness, Satan is really trying that they dont get married, but it's the Lord´s will that they get married. L-- said something interesting that he was feeling the other night after the adult session of the conference. President had told him how special that it was for him to be being baptized and confirmed on Easter weekend. L-- told me with teary eyes that he was going to become a new person and be "resurreccted" as a person on the same days as Christ was. Such a spiritual person.

 

Emailing, yes they have requested that the mission president give more time for emailing. Honestly President Gulbrandsen doesn't have a policy for how long we can email. But now we can email whomever we want, with permission to write to some people.

 

It's actually a miracle I think that I didn't blow up after it (his camera) was broken and that it wasn't working, I was super calm and I realized that it really wasn't something that was important, I think that I have a lot of patience, but then again it's always being tested. Yah I'll be looking around, we are in the older part of the city and there aren't many stores, but I'll keep my eye out.

 

That's awesome on counseling Rachel to pray for help, that will help her to realize that she can pray to God for whatever thing that she needs, thanks for being such a great teacher and example and for being such a righteous mother.

 

Dad, "Baller!!!" yah that's awesome and coming from Mahe too, that's where I get all of my talent, in sports. ;)

 

Well the week was a busy one, we spent time cleaning the apartment and buying stuff that we need. I've been making pancakes on an oven sheet over the top burner. I forgot to bring a frying pan and we can't find a good quality one so far.

 

Friday, I did 5 baptism interviews for Boca 2, but only 2 of them passed and only one ended up being baptized but they have found lots of goldens lately. We had a zone/stake baptism after the conference, 7 people were baptized. I saw the flia A-- there, they were a family from Palermo.

 

What I learned last week is that we shouldn't judge being members of the church to other members, because I have met too many people that made a mistake and were judged by the members and it has been hard for them to find the desires to come back. I love the mission, I need to say that more, I really do, but to say it really jumps out at you and it sticks with you. :)

 

Well I hope that you all have a great week! Good luck with everything. :)

 

Love,

Elder Ryan Pittard

We are going to be finding the golden ones that God is preparing to listen to the gospel

Hey there! :)

 

I´m doing great down here in the wild jungles of Buenos Aires. We had a normal week but with little success, so we need to try something new, so we are dropping all of our current investigators, not including L--, and we are going to be finding the chosen ones that God is preparing to listen to the gospel.

I loved your letters and the pics were great. I loved seeing the pic of all of Gpa´s cousins and that should've been a great experience to have been there. I know that our family will be like that one day. Also Tanner does look good and I'm glad that he is almost ready to turn in his papers, it's crazy to think that it's so soon, well a couple of months, but still they seem to be passing by really fast.

So you ask about my new comp. He´s great, and we are getting to know each other. He is actually the oldest of four and he is the first missionary in his family. He is actually a convert, he was baptized when he was 10, his parents are also converts. He is 22 yrs old and he loves music, so I'm learning a little bit more about music, I'm realizing that lots of people and missionaries are really big into music, just like I'm really big into sports. He is 1 meter 60 centimeters, I don't know what the conversion would be, he comes up to my shoulder, or something like that. He did just come from Savio and he was only there for 5 weeks, so he was surprised to be moving so fast. He also was comps with Elder Solum, he was in Maschwitz when I was in Savio, and so we also have that connection. We get along and we still have 5 more weeks to get to know each other better.

Yes we are excited that L-- and R-- are progressing towards their wedding. We need two witnesses from the city of BsAs and one just canceled on us, so we found the bishop's wife along with him to be the witnesses, the process is really different down here, sometimes it's kind of frustrating.

We tried with S-- and M-- but they weren't progressing, and we have been counseled to drop investigators that aren't progressing within a couple of visits. S-- was going to come to church, but then we couldn't get her out of bed to answer her door. People here are very alusive, and hard to get a hold of, you kind of have to just show up when they aren't expecting you, that's why we set citas with them so that we can know if they are going to progress or not.

Last Wednesday we taught a nephew of this one hermana that he just moved here from Uruguay, so we taught him the restoration after lunch and he didn't accept a fecha, then when we passed by the next day to see how his reading went he hadn't read or prayed and then we were trying to teach him but he wasn't showing any interest. He didn't come to church and so we are going to drop him, it's sad but it's for our best, we can't be spending lots of time with people that can't be baptized, that's the job of the home teachers, we are here to find to baptize.

Fast Sunday was good, oh I was wearing my purple tie, my fast Sunday tie and we went over to the L--´s house and we ate some empanadas, well in the middle of my first empanada, it spilled all over the bottom half of the tie. So the hma is going to try and wash it and get out the stain. So it's survived 2/3rds of the mission, I hope that it can still work for the last 8 months. Which i realized that on Saturday I hit 8 months till my last Sunday, it's changed by one week.

L-- did bear his testimony for the third time in three fast and testimony meetings, he was thanking us, the missionaries for the teachings and the support. He said that he knows that the church is true and that brought a great feeling to my heart. :) Then we ate a good meal of chicken milenesa and mashed potatoes with a really nice family.

Last Monday, we played soccer with the other two companionships from the Boca. E DeFriez is still there and is still our zone leader. I'm loving soccer more and more, because I feel like I'm getting better at it everytime that I play, I'm not like dribbling master, but I do kick hard and most of the time accurate, and I can pass pretty good as well. Oh our ward just won a multistake soccer tournament on Saturday, they are the best, the young men in our ward are the coolest, they will be awesome missionaries. They also are really goofy, so I don't know what they put on their fb, but they are awesome with the missionaries. We also taught each other slang from America and Guatemala, so now I can communicate all cool with Jordan and Tanner. It's crazy to think that Jordan has been home for a long time and that Tanner is so close to being done, and that's cool that he is a AP, I just also remembered that Ty just left, that's crazy to have two missionaries in the same family out at the same time. So the next time that you see Jordan or Tanner tell them, what´s up chapín?! It means Guatemalan.

Tuesday, the newbie came on Tuesday and his name is E Marchant, he is from Chile and is a stud. It is weird talking in spanish almost all of the time. I'm glad though that Elder Harrison is there to remember the fun times that we had last transfer.

Wednesday, we were able to contact like three refs and find two news, but the news didn't turn out like we wanted them to be.

Thursday, we had a zone meeting with our zone and it was really good and that I'm glad to be in this zone, Congreso really is the best zone. That night we passed by with L-- and he was there alone and was telling us about some concerns that he has with his wife, I think that it happens to everybody right before they are married, especially when he didn't really choose her with marriage in mind. That's what I love about the gospel and the focus that we have on eternal families. So we were able to share about working together and not get into contention. I think it worked because they have been happier.
 

Friday I went on divisions with E DeFriez, that was fun and crazy to think how far we have come! I can remember sitting there in the MTC trying to teach in Spanish and now we were there both talking fluently enough and teaching real people. We are now really good friends and we are both enjoying the mission and the challenges that we are facing.

Saturday was alright, we had both of our citas with S--, and M-- and C-- both fell through, they weren't there. So it was frustrating and so it's requiring a change in what we are doing.
 

Sunday was calm and we passed it with great families like the L--´s and the M--´s they are really talented and they performed for us a little bit, they were singing in English, they are really big into a band called McFly and they were singing their songs for us. They are the best.
 

So this week we have interviews, oh and I still haven't recieved that one package, but I do expect it tomorrow.

Well I love you all so much and I hope that you all have a great week!!

Give mom a kiss and dad a hug for me :)
 

Love,

Elder Ryan Pittard

We are seeing miracles as we open our mouths and talk to people

Hey there how's it going?!!!!!   I LOVE YOU all so so much :) 

Sorry again no pics, it wouldn't connect, and this week we are in a good ciber, so bad luck.

 

Thanks for your love and the notes. Today we had our transfers. The big news is that I'm staying in Constitución and E Johnson left to Derqui which is in the zone Escobar and within 45 min of Savio. I'm going to miss that guy, he was a great, motivated elder and he uplifted me a lot. He also was super funny and we had great times together. So my new comp is Elder Carreto from northern Guatemala. He has 6 months in the mission and he seems like a great guy. We just barely met and I don't know too much about him yet, but I do know that he has 5 brothers and sisters. He also is just coming from Savio, he was comps with the elder that replaced me, small world. Only the Argentines and the Chilenos received their visas so we are still waiting for more to come. We are going to be fasting this next Sunday for the missionary work and that everyone can receive their visas.

 

So last night, we found out and we were up late packing and organizing in the small pension that we are in. This morning we called the remis (on demand car) and we went to San Fernando to get together with everyone. I saw E Brown from Savio and also E Stewart, who is in my same zone. I received all of the letters and I received Rachel's class' letters. It was fun to read them all the way through on the ride home. We were stuck in traffic on 9 de Julio, it took like 30 min to get down the whole street, I have only seen so many cars at once on the same street a couple of times in my mission. I did receive your valentines day letter, thanks so much, loved the scriptures.

 

Mom, my wonderful mother that I love dearly. :) How's it going? thanks for the wonderful input and update on the events that surround your busy life. That's totally awesome that all the missionaries are starting to enter and yes we figured out on Sat morning that we are going to be losing the south part of our mission starting in July and it will become part of the new Rivadavia Mission. Some of the elders that are in our mission right now will be changed to that mission, the ones that will be serving there when the change happens, I'm not exactly sure but that's cool! Thanks for the new mission pres name, Ayre, sounds like a great man and I'm excited to get to meet him! Try and find out more if you can.

So the exciting news of the week :)  Let's just say that I'm attending a wedding on March 26th! and then a baptism on March 30th :) Yes, L-- and R-- did it and took out the time for their marriage!
It was a week long stuggle, and the cibers where he was trying to submit it weren't working or that the printer wasn't working. We went with him once on Thursday night and the internet crashed on us and it was too late when it got back up, oh the advesary some times haha :) But now we are going to be preparing them for that day and they are excited, though on Sunday they were nowhere to be found and didn't come to church, we passed by their house and they didn't answer. so that was the frustrating thing about this last week is that there wasn't anybody that came to church, we had the highest attendance at 80 that we have had in a while.

 

Last week was a good week, on Tuesday I went with Elder Mower, the ZL that just died today (mission wise) and that was a good day, it's crazy to think that I'm so old now, I can't believe it.

Wednesday, we had a good day planned out but the citas that the other elders set were too far spread apart that we were late all day because one thing got behind and then the whole day. Thursday... um all of the days run together... we had our cita with L--.

 

Friday I did divisions with Elder LeBaron from the Boca and we had a good day. We were in the villa talking to this crazy Catholic Paraguaya and she really didn't want anything to do with the church, she was nice enough to listen but doesn't want to commit to anything. So we are sitting there and a friend of hers walks by, the Catholic lady shouts out...there is a person that you need to talk to, she'll listen to you. haha We looked around and asked her if she wanted to talk, she led us to her house, we got talking to her and she is having problems in the life with her knees and with the death of her parents recently, she's like 60. We had a good small lesson about the plan of salvation, she accepted a fecha and a return cita, as we are leaving that cita she says, pointing to her neighbors across the passageway, they might want to listen, we talked to them and set a cita for the next day.

 

Saturday, so we head to the cita with S--, that's the 60 yr old, and she isn't there, but then we knock on M--´s door, the neighbor, and he invites us in and we chat with him and his wife, they are actually married! C-- is her name. We taught lesson one, they accepted to read and pray about the Book of Mormon but wouldn't accept the date, so we are still working with them but we are seeing miracles as we open our mouths and talk to the people. Now that I'm with a Latin, I think that it will be easier to talk with more people because we can share the load. :)

 

Well it's time to go, I love you so much and think about you often. I hope that you all have a great week!!

 

I LOVE YOU all :)

 

Love,

Elder Ryan Pittard