Alright weekly email time,
guess what...
MY CAMERA CARD IS FULL and ready for sendin! I will hopefully get that sent this week on Thursday and you will see it.... eventually. But its worth the wait it basically holds the story of my entire mission on it, from Elder Vargas to hoy-today. Be exited!
Hmmmmmmmm
comp situation the same, dreadful silence but at least it’s not hostile, just quiet. I listened to your tape recorder message again and you sent me a moment of silence in the house, not as much fun when its silence in a group but who am I to complain. I know why the Lord is sending me hard comps, it’s to help me focus and I think even motivate me to do all I can to. Really, it just seems like I'm out here with a ball and chain, if I were alone I think I might, MAYBE, do more I can’t honestly know, only God knows me that much. Every second I spend with Elder Whited is bliss, and makes me wonder what it would be like...to have a friend as my companion. I've had friendly companions don’t get me wrong, but aside from Elder Bowman I just haven’t had the chance to really love someone as a good friend, with Elder Marquez almost, but we had a mere 3 weeks together and it was awesome.
Today we went to Central Market again but this time as a zone, I spent a bit of extraness on some cool souvenirs (not sure how to spell that. darn English) I bought a chumpa, basically a Guatemalan style fuzzy sweater with a hood, a couple leather wristbands and an absolutely amazing carved stone chess set with a Mayan Spanish conquistador theme, mostly for the art style!! The funnest thing of being there though was definitely swaggling for prices like a true pirate, I got some SWEET deals for my buddy Elder Letner, saved him some serious dough letting him buy a bunch of ¨requerdos¨ he’s just about to finish his mission.
As for the week and for the work not much has progressed. Hector Claveria continues to go to church and the Santiso family continues to be awesome, but not join us at church. On the 26th we contacted a reference written the 26th of February...2010! Exactly a year after haha but we winded up finding 3 new families that we are going to try to work with. They live behind a black door down in El Carmen, a more dangerous colonia but worth it? Down stairs nearly impossibly steep that descends narrowly about 75-100 feet or more! It’s quite a clime.
Oh I nearly forgot last Tuesday I gave the message to Helen that Sis. Winn sent. Helen said that I was one of the most beautiful presents anyone has ever given her, and wants to send a message back but we will have to wait until next week to get it to you guys.
Shane that’s amazing how you have gotten yourself into that habit! That’s one of the most important things to do, one of the most impactful things you can start, especially from such a young age. I didn’t start until seminary in 9th grade to read and pray constantly. Please keep yourselves safe, especially in sin city haha! Scott good luck in your game I know you are going to be great! Well much love as I always give, more than I can say. Wow...it’s raining right now how random, just random heaving spurts right now and it’s so hot!
Until next week!
Elder Bronson
Monday, February 28, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
Alright family its time for another letter.
Alright family its time for another letter.
Ready?
Here goes.
Guess who I saw just now!
ELDER SMITH
Yeahhh! He’s still in Polochik but his companion had to come down here to go to the dentist so he was down here for a bit. And I got to see him! Woo!!! Someday we will be together for more than 5 min.
Hmm a good week overall. We went on divisions with Atlántida last Friday, I was with my really good friend Elder Whited and we had 24 hours of talking! Yay...it was so amazing. Right now? Back to normal. Silence and a shadow of a companion but we’re half way through the change. I feel that just enduring to the end might be the best option, even if we don’t get many baptisms.
Hector Claveria is still being awesome and came to church again. We invited him to be baptized again and I believe he’s ready. He didn’t accept a specific date to be baptized, but we asked him to pray about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon again. Our golden family Santiso at first wasn’t home when we passed by but on our way out they drove by our home and picked us up. We taught a powerful lesson on obedience, how it’s like the armor of God that protects you from the ¨fiery darts of the tempter¨ last chapter in Corinthians I think it is. With the Morales Chaves Family that was progressing nicely we had an appointment but we were being dumb and didn’t pass by until an hour late. When we passed by they looked really mad saying that had waited an entire hour, they had food waiting for us even and that Cesar had already left. Ugghh I felt so bad that that night I passed by a couple tiendas (street corner shops) and bought them some bread and chocolate bars, with a nice note and a picture of Christ. When we came by to drop it off they weren’t home so I hope they received it, I left it by the door. Well only time will tell I guess. As for my Comp the situation is about the same. I work and at least he follows. He could be such a great missionary if he just gave himself the chance.
Well there isn’t too much more to share this week I hope all is well and happy. I pray for your health and safety every morning and night and always for spiritual experiences. I'll get that letter to Helen; I've really seen her change a lot since coming here. At first she seemed really sad but we visit often, and I guess I just have that gift that people sometimes can just open up to me. We gave them extra beds and pass by about twice a week to share scriptures and help her feel better. She always tells us how much she trusts us and how happy she is that we are such good friends to her, some of her best friends.
I love you all have a safe week; I wish you more than the best.
Elder Andrew Bronson
Ready?
Here goes.
Guess who I saw just now!
ELDER SMITH
Yeahhh! He’s still in Polochik but his companion had to come down here to go to the dentist so he was down here for a bit. And I got to see him! Woo!!! Someday we will be together for more than 5 min.
Hmm a good week overall. We went on divisions with Atlántida last Friday, I was with my really good friend Elder Whited and we had 24 hours of talking! Yay...it was so amazing. Right now? Back to normal. Silence and a shadow of a companion but we’re half way through the change. I feel that just enduring to the end might be the best option, even if we don’t get many baptisms.
Hector Claveria is still being awesome and came to church again. We invited him to be baptized again and I believe he’s ready. He didn’t accept a specific date to be baptized, but we asked him to pray about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon again. Our golden family Santiso at first wasn’t home when we passed by but on our way out they drove by our home and picked us up. We taught a powerful lesson on obedience, how it’s like the armor of God that protects you from the ¨fiery darts of the tempter¨ last chapter in Corinthians I think it is. With the Morales Chaves Family that was progressing nicely we had an appointment but we were being dumb and didn’t pass by until an hour late. When we passed by they looked really mad saying that had waited an entire hour, they had food waiting for us even and that Cesar had already left. Ugghh I felt so bad that that night I passed by a couple tiendas (street corner shops) and bought them some bread and chocolate bars, with a nice note and a picture of Christ. When we came by to drop it off they weren’t home so I hope they received it, I left it by the door. Well only time will tell I guess. As for my Comp the situation is about the same. I work and at least he follows. He could be such a great missionary if he just gave himself the chance.
Well there isn’t too much more to share this week I hope all is well and happy. I pray for your health and safety every morning and night and always for spiritual experiences. I'll get that letter to Helen; I've really seen her change a lot since coming here. At first she seemed really sad but we visit often, and I guess I just have that gift that people sometimes can just open up to me. We gave them extra beds and pass by about twice a week to share scriptures and help her feel better. She always tells us how much she trusts us and how happy she is that we are such good friends to her, some of her best friends.
I love you all have a safe week; I wish you more than the best.
Elder Andrew Bronson
Monday, February 14, 2011
I HAVE EXACTLY 1 YEAR LEFT
Wow sounds like a busy week; we had some stuff going on too...but first of all HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!
I HAVE EXACTLY 1 YEAR LEFT
So haha yeah my year mark was spent doing divisions in Atlántida with Elder Primo, good friend of Elder Centeno and he’s pretty cool. Were not the BEST of friends but he’s cool. We ordered pizza and it was pretty tasty but as for super celebrations nothing incredibly exiting. More than anything I've just been more distracted than usual, for some reason it seems visions of being home or being in normal clothes or being on vacation much more frequently pop into my head and its a constant battle to punch them back out and stay focused on Jesus Christ. No worries, you all know me there’s no way in all Heaven, Earth or heck that I’d do something incredibly disobedient, or really anything disobedient at all. disobedience bugs me and makes me miserable and on the other hand being obedient and doing what I know I should makes me feel so full of love and hope that it doesn’t matter what else is going on I'm walking down the street with the biggest smile.
Hmm something funny was something last night. We left with our ward missionaries but they didn’t help much at all. They showed us to a house of one of their friends, better phrased ¨amigas¨ and they kinda just stood there talking to her for a while without so much as introducing us...aye we have a way to go with them but that’s not the story. First of all fate decided to play a little fun on Elder Centeno when out of her house a door opened and a small fuzzy white poodlydog (the most innocent thing since Charly) came out and began straightway...to pee on Elder Centeno's pant leg like a fire hydrant! HA! It only got better as she had to leave so she gave the absolutely normal Guatemalan goodbye/greeting of kissing the cheek. She did it first to the two members we were with and I was next in line. Haha! She swooped in to gimmy a smooch and I nearly dived out of the way! HA! The entire crowd was laughing, I still felt ok for dodging something another missionary might not have...
Focus on the Lord.
Yesterday was also a very spiritual day; our last appointment was with the Santiso family that I've already told you all about. We arrived about a half hour late for...circumstances, but they worried that we wouldn’t come! They called our house number and were really sad...Ahhh investigators who recognize the spirit... When we came in they sat us down and gave us hot chocolate and cookies and breads. They were watching the end of some Japanese fish-monster story that was pretty funny with the japaneseness of it all. After the movie was finished and we had eaten our cookies, we sang a hymn and taught about ¨The Gospel of Jesus Christ¨ faith, repentance, baptism, Holy Ghost, and endure to the end. Even though they are very catholic, when we invited them to be baptized Rosa said ¨well, you gatta get baptized¨ we put a baptismal date with them. All of them. 9 people, all AMAZING all GOLDEN all GOD-GIVIN. Not only them but Hector Clavaria came to church again for the third time, this time on his own and even though he was feeling tired and sickish he even took notes of the classes. He’s a definite candidate for baptism and a life-change.
Alright I’m in the process of writing more letters, don’t you worry. And congrats to everyone for getting your patriarchal blessings, it’s never a bad idea. In fact it’s an amazing thing to do and I would definitely suggest to everyone who hasn’t to as soon as possible become worthy enough (if you aren’t already) to receive one. Recently I had felt a little impression to pray for spiritual experiences for you guys. Shane, yours sounds a lot like mine, and yes it is something incredible, I read some of it this morning. The thing I think I like the most is the part that it includes...A MISSION. That is my expectation for each and every one of you boys, you have no idea how proud I will be of you all and how much it changes your life as well as the many lives of others. Once again a bad computer, no pictures but always another chance next week.
Much love, I wish you all safety luck protection and spirituality. Until next week when we write again.
Elder Bronson
I HAVE EXACTLY 1 YEAR LEFT
So haha yeah my year mark was spent doing divisions in Atlántida with Elder Primo, good friend of Elder Centeno and he’s pretty cool. Were not the BEST of friends but he’s cool. We ordered pizza and it was pretty tasty but as for super celebrations nothing incredibly exiting. More than anything I've just been more distracted than usual, for some reason it seems visions of being home or being in normal clothes or being on vacation much more frequently pop into my head and its a constant battle to punch them back out and stay focused on Jesus Christ. No worries, you all know me there’s no way in all Heaven, Earth or heck that I’d do something incredibly disobedient, or really anything disobedient at all. disobedience bugs me and makes me miserable and on the other hand being obedient and doing what I know I should makes me feel so full of love and hope that it doesn’t matter what else is going on I'm walking down the street with the biggest smile.
Hmm something funny was something last night. We left with our ward missionaries but they didn’t help much at all. They showed us to a house of one of their friends, better phrased ¨amigas¨ and they kinda just stood there talking to her for a while without so much as introducing us...aye we have a way to go with them but that’s not the story. First of all fate decided to play a little fun on Elder Centeno when out of her house a door opened and a small fuzzy white poodlydog (the most innocent thing since Charly) came out and began straightway...to pee on Elder Centeno's pant leg like a fire hydrant! HA! It only got better as she had to leave so she gave the absolutely normal Guatemalan goodbye/greeting of kissing the cheek. She did it first to the two members we were with and I was next in line. Haha! She swooped in to gimmy a smooch and I nearly dived out of the way! HA! The entire crowd was laughing, I still felt ok for dodging something another missionary might not have...
Focus on the Lord.
Yesterday was also a very spiritual day; our last appointment was with the Santiso family that I've already told you all about. We arrived about a half hour late for...circumstances, but they worried that we wouldn’t come! They called our house number and were really sad...Ahhh investigators who recognize the spirit... When we came in they sat us down and gave us hot chocolate and cookies and breads. They were watching the end of some Japanese fish-monster story that was pretty funny with the japaneseness of it all. After the movie was finished and we had eaten our cookies, we sang a hymn and taught about ¨The Gospel of Jesus Christ¨ faith, repentance, baptism, Holy Ghost, and endure to the end. Even though they are very catholic, when we invited them to be baptized Rosa said ¨well, you gatta get baptized¨ we put a baptismal date with them. All of them. 9 people, all AMAZING all GOLDEN all GOD-GIVIN. Not only them but Hector Clavaria came to church again for the third time, this time on his own and even though he was feeling tired and sickish he even took notes of the classes. He’s a definite candidate for baptism and a life-change.
Alright I’m in the process of writing more letters, don’t you worry. And congrats to everyone for getting your patriarchal blessings, it’s never a bad idea. In fact it’s an amazing thing to do and I would definitely suggest to everyone who hasn’t to as soon as possible become worthy enough (if you aren’t already) to receive one. Recently I had felt a little impression to pray for spiritual experiences for you guys. Shane, yours sounds a lot like mine, and yes it is something incredible, I read some of it this morning. The thing I think I like the most is the part that it includes...A MISSION. That is my expectation for each and every one of you boys, you have no idea how proud I will be of you all and how much it changes your life as well as the many lives of others. Once again a bad computer, no pictures but always another chance next week.
Much love, I wish you all safety luck protection and spirituality. Until next week when we write again.
Elder Bronson
Monday, February 7, 2011
I'm still in Lomas Del Norte
Hey hey hey! Another week, another year!! That’s right, this Thursday guys and its over the half way point.
No, I did not have a change. No, my companion is not happy about that. No, my patience with his disobedience and undue dislike for me is not infinite. Yes, I am still happy with my mission. yes, I have been senior companion for quite some time now haha
I'm still in Lomas Del Norte, no baptismal dates but we have some possibilities, Hector Claveria came to church for the second time and loves it, but we still have yet to put a baptismal goal for him, or even talk to his family. another family, Morales Chaves family is very humble and they really believe what we teach, they accepted the invitation to be baptized but have yet to even come to church on Sunday so that might be a bit longer. Last week with the family we just found, Santiso, they are awesome as ever listening to us and wanting to hear more but are so active in the catholic church that they can hardly find time to come to ours... things will work out! I'm putting my trust in God that I will have more than just 2 baptisms for my whole mission haha Ahhh wow. Would it be fair to point to certain companions or am I just not awesome enough to really help these people?
ANYWAY we’ve done some more jungle exploring as of late. Last week we went up to a waterfall and this week we went down to Los Pinos, a very poor spot in our area built nearly on the mountain side, we took a ton of pictures! I can’t wait until that’s an everyday thing haha, SOMEDAY! Someday I will serve with all my heart might mind and strength in the lush green of a new culture, how exiting!
As for spirituality this week it was a little low and it showed a bit on our amount of lessons and contacts. our animo percentage was the lowest its ever been with us two, 67% which is actually pretty good animo but really low for what we have been usually doing, going all the way up to 97% last week! That’s beyond being lucky and guided and it’s crazy to see a number like that.
In our area the son of family Balcarcel left on a little ¨mini-mission¨ like a trial to see if he was prepared to go on a full time mission, he came back just this last week. He’s just a little special, fairly normal except that he stutters like crazy and can flare into a rage and nearly any time, really a good guy but still much to learn right? Well he was born to be a missionary and wishes that he could spend every living second with us to the point of sleeping in our house, but that’s a bit against the rules so sorry Dario. The thing is haha that EVERYONE in this area knows him, EVERYONE and so having him with us is pretty cool, he shows us a lot of cool people to teach and every lesson counts and a lesson with a member present haha.
Nothing to crazy to report, or I guess anything crazier than the usual, crazy dogs, crazy people, crazy stories, and crazy stories about crazy people. The weather here has been absolutely PERFECT these last few days, yesterday was a perfect summers day that made we want to go swimming SO BAD, and today was a great summer’s lazy morning, always wishing I could send you some too! Well until next time my beloved readers and family, more love than I can express. Stay strong in the faith and always do what you know what is the right thing to do, no matter how much more effort it takes, the inner peace is worth more than a mountain of gold.
Sincere missionary love,
Elder Bronson
No, I did not have a change. No, my companion is not happy about that. No, my patience with his disobedience and undue dislike for me is not infinite. Yes, I am still happy with my mission. yes, I have been senior companion for quite some time now haha
I'm still in Lomas Del Norte, no baptismal dates but we have some possibilities, Hector Claveria came to church for the second time and loves it, but we still have yet to put a baptismal goal for him, or even talk to his family. another family, Morales Chaves family is very humble and they really believe what we teach, they accepted the invitation to be baptized but have yet to even come to church on Sunday so that might be a bit longer. Last week with the family we just found, Santiso, they are awesome as ever listening to us and wanting to hear more but are so active in the catholic church that they can hardly find time to come to ours... things will work out! I'm putting my trust in God that I will have more than just 2 baptisms for my whole mission haha Ahhh wow. Would it be fair to point to certain companions or am I just not awesome enough to really help these people?
ANYWAY we’ve done some more jungle exploring as of late. Last week we went up to a waterfall and this week we went down to Los Pinos, a very poor spot in our area built nearly on the mountain side, we took a ton of pictures! I can’t wait until that’s an everyday thing haha, SOMEDAY! Someday I will serve with all my heart might mind and strength in the lush green of a new culture, how exiting!
As for spirituality this week it was a little low and it showed a bit on our amount of lessons and contacts. our animo percentage was the lowest its ever been with us two, 67% which is actually pretty good animo but really low for what we have been usually doing, going all the way up to 97% last week! That’s beyond being lucky and guided and it’s crazy to see a number like that.
In our area the son of family Balcarcel left on a little ¨mini-mission¨ like a trial to see if he was prepared to go on a full time mission, he came back just this last week. He’s just a little special, fairly normal except that he stutters like crazy and can flare into a rage and nearly any time, really a good guy but still much to learn right? Well he was born to be a missionary and wishes that he could spend every living second with us to the point of sleeping in our house, but that’s a bit against the rules so sorry Dario. The thing is haha that EVERYONE in this area knows him, EVERYONE and so having him with us is pretty cool, he shows us a lot of cool people to teach and every lesson counts and a lesson with a member present haha.
Nothing to crazy to report, or I guess anything crazier than the usual, crazy dogs, crazy people, crazy stories, and crazy stories about crazy people. The weather here has been absolutely PERFECT these last few days, yesterday was a perfect summers day that made we want to go swimming SO BAD, and today was a great summer’s lazy morning, always wishing I could send you some too! Well until next time my beloved readers and family, more love than I can express. Stay strong in the faith and always do what you know what is the right thing to do, no matter how much more effort it takes, the inner peace is worth more than a mountain of gold.
Sincere missionary love,
Elder Bronson
Monday, January 31, 2011
The Spirit of God like a fire is burning in Lomas del Norte
Wow it’s pretty cool that you guys all have such strong interests, what’s Wesley up to? You guys already know what I'm up to...THE WORK OF THE ALMIGHTY GOD. Yah, a pretty cool hobby, I do enjoy it. And yes, I have started on the tape recorder, but I don’t have a ton on it yet. My cameras card is nearly full; I took a TON of photos today in the morning. We all went down to Elder Hatch's area in Canalitos and hiked a beautiful trail up to a small waterfall, it was a blast! Just now we got to internet after Pizza hut. YUM!
Goodzies and badzies
Goodzies changes come today and the conference is Wednesday. This is a good thing because if we had any more time together me and my comp might have gotten in a fight, well and that’s the bad thing. I hope we have changes. You guys already know me, I wouldn’t fight with the nastiest person but this isn’t my doing. I guess just from being an imperfect guy he hates me. He absolutely hates me. I have never said a word against the guy nor done him wrong but I guess just not being Latino is something that I can’t really fix. He’s the kind of guy that makes quick judgments, and firm ones. He’s a really funny joker with everyone else but when with me it’s but dead silence. If I so much as speak he gives me the nastiest look. I’m honestly clueless to what could have been the cause of so much hatred! I've cooked for him, cleaned for him and said great things about him to other people; the beginning of our change was great. after our days at the temple he turned a bit rebellious and started sleeping in just to bug me, and as for these supposed last days of our companionship he won't even work for himself but has become even as a shadow to me. I will tell it to you strait, if he forgave me for the wrongs I already told him I was sorry for and gave our companionship another chance it would be my dream, I honestly don’t have a thing against the guy.
Alright REAL goodzies.
Yesterday was the most successful day of my entire mission, I fasted about the work in this area and we found 12 new investigators within 2 or 3 hours. We did divisions (I have to this point never had a bad division) but with the new ward missionaries, I was with Jose Barillas and Elder Centeno went with Jenner Goddoy and Jose's bother Luis Barillas. We took off for an appointment planed, that fell leaving us to a plan B with Ruby, an extremely intelligent collage student who was a reference from some awesome members. We taught about the plan of salvation and what happens after this life is over. At the end we asked Ruby if she would pray to know if it were true and she told us that she didn’t have to, she already knew it was true. She told us that she didn’t know you could ask God questions and receive answers and said that she’s going to pray and ask God what direction she should take in her upcoming studies instead. How awesome right? Next we left for the street and Jose led me to a house of someone he knew, Ronny. We talked at the door a little bit when I asked him if he knew what the purpose of life was. When he said no, we asked "would you like to find out?" he let us in and we ended up teaching his sisters too and found 3 new people to teach.
The star highlight of my day, week and change was later. A couple days before a man stopped us in the street, Edwin Scott asking if I could speak English, and if I would be willing to pass buy and teach a bit to his kids so we accepted an appointment at 7 on Sunday. When I arrived with Jose we found his kids and their grandpa but he wasn’t home quite yet so we talked in the street teaching English when Edwin and his wife came. They straightway invited us in and we sat down to see a family of 9 people, the youngest being about 9 or 10.
Edwin
Rosa
Rosita
Jose
Andres
Luis
Grandpa
Aunt
and cousin
Jose didn’t have any idea what or how to teach so it was up to me. Edwin told us that they are Catholic (the main religion down here) but when they saw that worshiping idols was against Gods commandments they continued to worship all except for that. I could tell right away this was a humble Christ-centered family. Each one of them down to the kids had their own bible! Alright spirit time, truly guided by the one true God. I started by telling how God loves his children and knows them/us, how the gospel blesses families more than anything. I wasn’t sure if I should go strait into a lesson about the restoration but I followed the spirit and that’s where it led me. I taught the most guided spiritual perfect Lesson 1 that I have ever taught in my entire mission. When I used a scripture from the bible they all turned and were nearly fighting over who got to read it. I shared an example of the gospel that Christ taught was like a precious shining plate, that when the people rejected it and crucified Jesus (with a throwing motion) it fell and broke into many pieces or many truths, that people used to make certain churches, all with a part but none with all. Some with good intentions, some not, none with the authority of God the Priesthood. I told how God restored his gospel through Joseph Smith and about the Book of Mormon. I felt the spirit so strongly when I shared the first vision that I think I nearly cried. I knew that they felt it. In the end after the final prayer I gave them a chapter of the BoM to read 3 Nephi 11 and told them to pray in the family to know if it was true. We invited them to church next Sunday and they asked US when we could come back and share more. They are so golden I can’t believe it! They let us go with a cup of hot chocolate and sincere gratitude. When arriving in the house that night I gave mighty thanks to God for being able to be his instrument in such a grand cause! That one day we had 10 lessons (usually five) and 42 contacts, 2 contacted references and 2 new families to teach making up 12 new investigators!
Changes tonight and I got wind of them taking both me and my companion out of our area, I HOPE NOT! I doubt they would do it they really don’t have a reason to, but I guess we will see and by next week I could even be in Petén! Who knows who knows, but I really, really wish to see this family baptized.
The Spirit of God like a fire is burning in Lomas del Norte/Hills of the North, and in my own testimony. I have never known so strongly and so unshakable that Jesus is the Christ, and he has reestablished his kingdom here on the earth once again, that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of the Lord and that the Book of Mormon is the true and living word of God
You know how much I love you, please stay strong in the faith and never give up the little things. Prayer, scripture study, church and the others like tithing and fasting they work miracles and will give you the peace and happiness you might be missing in your life. If ever you feel empty, thirsty or hungry the gospel of Jesus Christ is the Living Water and the Bread of Life, and all those who partake of it shall never hunger nor thrust again. These things I say in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Elder Andrew James Bronson
Goodzies and badzies
Goodzies changes come today and the conference is Wednesday. This is a good thing because if we had any more time together me and my comp might have gotten in a fight, well and that’s the bad thing. I hope we have changes. You guys already know me, I wouldn’t fight with the nastiest person but this isn’t my doing. I guess just from being an imperfect guy he hates me. He absolutely hates me. I have never said a word against the guy nor done him wrong but I guess just not being Latino is something that I can’t really fix. He’s the kind of guy that makes quick judgments, and firm ones. He’s a really funny joker with everyone else but when with me it’s but dead silence. If I so much as speak he gives me the nastiest look. I’m honestly clueless to what could have been the cause of so much hatred! I've cooked for him, cleaned for him and said great things about him to other people; the beginning of our change was great. after our days at the temple he turned a bit rebellious and started sleeping in just to bug me, and as for these supposed last days of our companionship he won't even work for himself but has become even as a shadow to me. I will tell it to you strait, if he forgave me for the wrongs I already told him I was sorry for and gave our companionship another chance it would be my dream, I honestly don’t have a thing against the guy.
Alright REAL goodzies.
Yesterday was the most successful day of my entire mission, I fasted about the work in this area and we found 12 new investigators within 2 or 3 hours. We did divisions (I have to this point never had a bad division) but with the new ward missionaries, I was with Jose Barillas and Elder Centeno went with Jenner Goddoy and Jose's bother Luis Barillas. We took off for an appointment planed, that fell leaving us to a plan B with Ruby, an extremely intelligent collage student who was a reference from some awesome members. We taught about the plan of salvation and what happens after this life is over. At the end we asked Ruby if she would pray to know if it were true and she told us that she didn’t have to, she already knew it was true. She told us that she didn’t know you could ask God questions and receive answers and said that she’s going to pray and ask God what direction she should take in her upcoming studies instead. How awesome right? Next we left for the street and Jose led me to a house of someone he knew, Ronny. We talked at the door a little bit when I asked him if he knew what the purpose of life was. When he said no, we asked "would you like to find out?" he let us in and we ended up teaching his sisters too and found 3 new people to teach.
The star highlight of my day, week and change was later. A couple days before a man stopped us in the street, Edwin Scott asking if I could speak English, and if I would be willing to pass buy and teach a bit to his kids so we accepted an appointment at 7 on Sunday. When I arrived with Jose we found his kids and their grandpa but he wasn’t home quite yet so we talked in the street teaching English when Edwin and his wife came. They straightway invited us in and we sat down to see a family of 9 people, the youngest being about 9 or 10.
Edwin
Rosa
Rosita
Jose
Andres
Luis
Grandpa
Aunt
and cousin
Jose didn’t have any idea what or how to teach so it was up to me. Edwin told us that they are Catholic (the main religion down here) but when they saw that worshiping idols was against Gods commandments they continued to worship all except for that. I could tell right away this was a humble Christ-centered family. Each one of them down to the kids had their own bible! Alright spirit time, truly guided by the one true God. I started by telling how God loves his children and knows them/us, how the gospel blesses families more than anything. I wasn’t sure if I should go strait into a lesson about the restoration but I followed the spirit and that’s where it led me. I taught the most guided spiritual perfect Lesson 1 that I have ever taught in my entire mission. When I used a scripture from the bible they all turned and were nearly fighting over who got to read it. I shared an example of the gospel that Christ taught was like a precious shining plate, that when the people rejected it and crucified Jesus (with a throwing motion) it fell and broke into many pieces or many truths, that people used to make certain churches, all with a part but none with all. Some with good intentions, some not, none with the authority of God the Priesthood. I told how God restored his gospel through Joseph Smith and about the Book of Mormon. I felt the spirit so strongly when I shared the first vision that I think I nearly cried. I knew that they felt it. In the end after the final prayer I gave them a chapter of the BoM to read 3 Nephi 11 and told them to pray in the family to know if it was true. We invited them to church next Sunday and they asked US when we could come back and share more. They are so golden I can’t believe it! They let us go with a cup of hot chocolate and sincere gratitude. When arriving in the house that night I gave mighty thanks to God for being able to be his instrument in such a grand cause! That one day we had 10 lessons (usually five) and 42 contacts, 2 contacted references and 2 new families to teach making up 12 new investigators!
Changes tonight and I got wind of them taking both me and my companion out of our area, I HOPE NOT! I doubt they would do it they really don’t have a reason to, but I guess we will see and by next week I could even be in Petén! Who knows who knows, but I really, really wish to see this family baptized.
The Spirit of God like a fire is burning in Lomas del Norte/Hills of the North, and in my own testimony. I have never known so strongly and so unshakable that Jesus is the Christ, and he has reestablished his kingdom here on the earth once again, that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of the Lord and that the Book of Mormon is the true and living word of God
You know how much I love you, please stay strong in the faith and never give up the little things. Prayer, scripture study, church and the others like tithing and fasting they work miracles and will give you the peace and happiness you might be missing in your life. If ever you feel empty, thirsty or hungry the gospel of Jesus Christ is the Living Water and the Bread of Life, and all those who partake of it shall never hunger nor thrust again. These things I say in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Elder Andrew James Bronson
Monday, January 24, 2011
Day 349 in the field
Wow I guess my year point is that close! Only a pair of weeks and its back down the hill, wow that was fast...
Well our work has been getting better and better every week, these last days have been so-so for the work but pushing forward and following the spirit we have found some new investigators. I'm still with Elder Centeno and we will be going to the Temple tomorrow, HOW EXITING!! The only thing I can really comment on in our companionship is that he’s really quiet in the streets. when we are with people he’s making jokes and talking it up all happy but when we are alone its quiet and lonesome, kinda angry without words sometimes I feel but were getting it back together, its all good.
No baptisms yet, but if I stay in this area another change there definitely will be some. Someone we are teaching, Hector Clavaría, just recently has made some progress. He and his family were old investigators of Elder Winkel and Elder Marquez that we found in the street one day. His wife has already joined a church group (evangelical I think) and until this point hasn’t wanted to talk to us for fear of us trying to change her religion, but she has been opening up more are more when we visit. Hector supposedly has a problem with drinking smoking a coffee but we talked to him a day or so ago about the Word of Wisdom. He told us that he doesn’t drink too much nor smoke too often, things that he could quit if he wanted to but the coffee is something he drinks a ton of everyday. He explained that our bodies are like temples, about setting an example for his teenage sons and gave him some commitments. When we put the commitments I really felt the spirit, when we asked him if he would be willing to keep the word of wisdom he smiled and told us yes. At this point both he and his wife want us to talk to their kids who so they say don’t really want much to do with God but want us to try with them.
Last Thursday we had a super special conference with Apostle, Elder M. Russell Ballard. The conference was in English with a Spanish translator. He talked about the worth of just one soul, and like always told a TON of stories. The spirit was strong and we all left the conference really edified and with a new excitement for the work! Then, on Friday I received your package! At this point nearly all the chocolate is gone haha. It didn’t make me TOO baggy but it was really cool to hear all of your voices. You guys were right, part of the tape was in fast forward, and I slowed it down as much a possible but you all sounded like chipmunks anyway. I can’t remember who it was that started crying, but to tell the truth when you hear them start tearing up in chipmunk it sounds so funny!
Sorry guys but no pictures this week the computer doesn’t like my camera, when I can as always I'll send you some alright? Have a good week and keep the faith. I pray for you all nightly and in the morning, and think about you all the time. I love you all so very much and wish you the more than the best.
Elder Andrew James Bronson
Well our work has been getting better and better every week, these last days have been so-so for the work but pushing forward and following the spirit we have found some new investigators. I'm still with Elder Centeno and we will be going to the Temple tomorrow, HOW EXITING!! The only thing I can really comment on in our companionship is that he’s really quiet in the streets. when we are with people he’s making jokes and talking it up all happy but when we are alone its quiet and lonesome, kinda angry without words sometimes I feel but were getting it back together, its all good.
No baptisms yet, but if I stay in this area another change there definitely will be some. Someone we are teaching, Hector Clavaría, just recently has made some progress. He and his family were old investigators of Elder Winkel and Elder Marquez that we found in the street one day. His wife has already joined a church group (evangelical I think) and until this point hasn’t wanted to talk to us for fear of us trying to change her religion, but she has been opening up more are more when we visit. Hector supposedly has a problem with drinking smoking a coffee but we talked to him a day or so ago about the Word of Wisdom. He told us that he doesn’t drink too much nor smoke too often, things that he could quit if he wanted to but the coffee is something he drinks a ton of everyday. He explained that our bodies are like temples, about setting an example for his teenage sons and gave him some commitments. When we put the commitments I really felt the spirit, when we asked him if he would be willing to keep the word of wisdom he smiled and told us yes. At this point both he and his wife want us to talk to their kids who so they say don’t really want much to do with God but want us to try with them.
Last Thursday we had a super special conference with Apostle, Elder M. Russell Ballard. The conference was in English with a Spanish translator. He talked about the worth of just one soul, and like always told a TON of stories. The spirit was strong and we all left the conference really edified and with a new excitement for the work! Then, on Friday I received your package! At this point nearly all the chocolate is gone haha. It didn’t make me TOO baggy but it was really cool to hear all of your voices. You guys were right, part of the tape was in fast forward, and I slowed it down as much a possible but you all sounded like chipmunks anyway. I can’t remember who it was that started crying, but to tell the truth when you hear them start tearing up in chipmunk it sounds so funny!
Sorry guys but no pictures this week the computer doesn’t like my camera, when I can as always I'll send you some alright? Have a good week and keep the faith. I pray for you all nightly and in the morning, and think about you all the time. I love you all so very much and wish you the more than the best.
Elder Andrew James Bronson
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
I felt just like Joseph Smith!
Elder Andrew James Bronson
You boys are nuts you know that? Man I miss you guys, but the work here has been going faster and faster since being with Elder Centeno. We have personally been going kinda rough though, I don’t know why it is exactly that no matter how much I serve, how much I try and how many times I say HELP ME TO BECOME BETTER Latino companions of mine always hate me for small and stupid things. He’s a good missionary, a little new and untrained but sometimes its really hard to even get him to talk, other times he talks to much to the members and we lose a ton of time but really I shouldn’t complain because every time I am with someone who seems hard I learn more than if I was with someone who would easily work with me. So far in this change we have worked 4 weeks, at the end of every week we add up our new investigators lessons and people contacted to make a ¨animo¨ percentage basically how hard and/or effectively you’ve been working. this has been our progress
week 1 75%
week 1 75%
week 2 72%
week 3 80%
week 4 92%
The numbers look good in our area and we are definitely doing the best percentage wise but still no baptisms, our truly interested or pure hearted investigators have a bunch of strange problems and were trying hard to fix em. One family is super active in the church and love everything but can't because were married earlier and it’s the OTHER wives or husbands who don’t want to give the divorce without a ridiculous ransom of money.
Saturday we did some service trying to pull out this HUGE tree trunk, but that’s not coming out without a chainsaw. Afterward we walked by a garbage dump down in Elder Hatches area. People come with their wheelbarrows full of junk and it’s basically a public place to say ¨not my problem anymore¨ it’s also the reason that there are like 500 vultures in the sky everyday. They are huge but they don’t harm the people.
Oh! One of the apostles is coming down to Guatemala and we have a chance to see him! One of the members in our ward was putting together a presentation for him about the EFY they had down here and they call me to help do some translating work! I felt just like Joseph Smith! It was incredible to feel the spirit as I translated the whole thing, I can definitely say there is a gift from a higher power without which I would have been helpless. We also helped put up a sheet metal roof (or finish doing so) for service. On Tuesday I finished to book of Mormon in Spanish for the first time! Yea! Everything else is the usual finding people and teaching them the restored truth. Its life to me now. Sometimes ill think about home and it will just seem weird. Just something that other people do.
Alright gatta go, love you all more than I can say and you are all in my dreams prayers and thoughts. Work hard and keep yourselves pure!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)