Last letter...
First of all, the weight vest is called the Xvest. Google it. Its probably xvest.com or something similar. Its the one that weighs 84 lbs. Theres others with lower weights, but I want the one that weighs 84 lbs please. A medium or large is fine either one. At least thats how it was before the mission, I doubt its changed. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE order it today so it's there when I get home. It should cost $300 ish maybe $50 more or less. It came with free shipping before as well.
That sounds like a blast the homecoming party for Charles! How are the kids doing? I'm excited to see them all grown up! One thing I do NOT want is any sort of party. I know I am not going to be in the mood to be around a lot of people. Please don't plan anything, and I don't mean that in a humble sort of way, but that sincerely I really don't want anything! Please don't invite a bunch of people over.
Thank you so much for getting those things for everyone :)
Most all the preparations are in order! I borrowed a cell phone, my number is 598-96-306-913. You can send me a message when you are close to landing, don't send me anything beforehand, even though you will be tempted haha, I won't turn it on until I'm on my way to the airport to pick you up! I don't know what international rates are for a cell phone, so this will make it a lot easier!
I'm excited to see you, but I'm sorry if I don't seem super happy to be leaving. I am going to miss Uruguay, and haven't slept 5 minutes in the last 2 nights, been throwing up a lot too from nerves. It's going to be a big adjustment not being set apart from the world in the same way. It's also going to be really hard to say goodbye, so please have patience with me!
See you on Thursday, we've got a great family home evening set up that night with some converts in Montevideo, it's going to be GREAT!
This is the Lord's work, and Im grateful to have been a part of it. Im grateful for the trials I've been able to grow from. I love our Savior and I know He lives. This is His church. It is perfect.
Love you all, see you soon!
Friday, December 9, 2011
September 19, 2011
Amazing baptimal service this week! Laura almost finished the Book of Mormon before her baptism!! She's incredible and she already had an interview with the Branch Pres. for a calling next week. Her daughter Lucrecia and her friend Dahiana that were baptized as well invited lots of friends, and Young Womens is filling up hahaha
It was also the baptism of an 8 year old ward baptism. It was tough because the mom was on our reactivation list. She was the Relief Society Stake Pres. and her husband the branch pres. when he cheated and left her. She's been inactive since, for 4 years, but when her daughter turned 8, decided she couldn't let the opportunity pass by and asked us to help her return. She fantastic and is going to be a great leader again!
TONS went to the baptism again, and church attendance is maintaining well above 100 people. Its so nice to see the unity. The people love eachother a lot more than in other wards that I've served or even in the wards I've lived in in the States. For now, the unit is too big to combine, so we're not going to combine with the other ward for now. Plans are changing :)
Before I forget to answer your questions,
Yes, I got the itinerary, I'm going to print it off now.
No, I have not set up for Fray Bentos or Salto. I have been busy and have forgotten. In Salto, try and get Los Naranjos, and in Fray Bentos I would go with Hotel Plaza.
No, don't bring down anything for me. I have shoes and clothes and all :) I can't think of anything I'd need for 1 week that I havent had for 2 years haha.
Yes, we can find places to print in each of the cities, except maybe Tacuarembo. T-bo is a little behind times haha but Salto, Fray B, and Deo are easy.
Thats pretty exciting to hear ward boudaries are changing again! The church is growing so much in Tucson, wards are always being made! Are there a lot of convert baptisms, or are people just moving there that are members?
As for the shoes, cross trainers are perfect :)
As for souvenirs, I haven't bought stuff, but I have received tons of gifts. I've also already given most of my stuff away, and am going to give away or sell most everything else to make room. I do still have my alfajor collection its huge and worth so many hundreds of thousands of calories I don't even want to know :)
I've got everything set up with people for our visit already and they are all so excited to meet you. It is going to be a very powerful spiritual reunion, so be prepared! I'm also preparing myself to see people that have progressed so much since I saw them last, it's going to be overwhelming!!! I'm so excited!!!!!!
I'm going to finish the mission fulfilling with my purpose. We've got a huge baptismal service for this last week on Saturday. As a zone we should get our goal, a goal we set super high that has never been reached! It going to be fantastic, and I know that when we have faith in the Lord He can help us do hard things. The Stake is being strengthened and growing every week!
I love this people and know that I was foreordained before this world was to find these families, and I feel grateful for having found them and fulfilled my promises. I pray that they will continue strong in the gospel, and that their lives will be continued to be blessed by my personal obedience the rest of my life. I love the gospel and also beg you all to help me return home as I lose the mantel of missionary. I hear its pretty hard, but remember that I'm not the weird one. I'm progressing how I should be. Returned missionaries shouldn't change at all, it's the rest of the world that should change. I love you all and am grateful for your testimonies!
Love,
Elder Magnusson
It was also the baptism of an 8 year old ward baptism. It was tough because the mom was on our reactivation list. She was the Relief Society Stake Pres. and her husband the branch pres. when he cheated and left her. She's been inactive since, for 4 years, but when her daughter turned 8, decided she couldn't let the opportunity pass by and asked us to help her return. She fantastic and is going to be a great leader again!
TONS went to the baptism again, and church attendance is maintaining well above 100 people. Its so nice to see the unity. The people love eachother a lot more than in other wards that I've served or even in the wards I've lived in in the States. For now, the unit is too big to combine, so we're not going to combine with the other ward for now. Plans are changing :)
Before I forget to answer your questions,
Yes, I got the itinerary, I'm going to print it off now.
No, I have not set up for Fray Bentos or Salto. I have been busy and have forgotten. In Salto, try and get Los Naranjos, and in Fray Bentos I would go with Hotel Plaza.
No, don't bring down anything for me. I have shoes and clothes and all :) I can't think of anything I'd need for 1 week that I havent had for 2 years haha.
Yes, we can find places to print in each of the cities, except maybe Tacuarembo. T-bo is a little behind times haha but Salto, Fray B, and Deo are easy.
Thats pretty exciting to hear ward boudaries are changing again! The church is growing so much in Tucson, wards are always being made! Are there a lot of convert baptisms, or are people just moving there that are members?
As for the shoes, cross trainers are perfect :)
As for souvenirs, I haven't bought stuff, but I have received tons of gifts. I've also already given most of my stuff away, and am going to give away or sell most everything else to make room. I do still have my alfajor collection its huge and worth so many hundreds of thousands of calories I don't even want to know :)
I've got everything set up with people for our visit already and they are all so excited to meet you. It is going to be a very powerful spiritual reunion, so be prepared! I'm also preparing myself to see people that have progressed so much since I saw them last, it's going to be overwhelming!!! I'm so excited!!!!!!
I'm going to finish the mission fulfilling with my purpose. We've got a huge baptismal service for this last week on Saturday. As a zone we should get our goal, a goal we set super high that has never been reached! It going to be fantastic, and I know that when we have faith in the Lord He can help us do hard things. The Stake is being strengthened and growing every week!
I love this people and know that I was foreordained before this world was to find these families, and I feel grateful for having found them and fulfilled my promises. I pray that they will continue strong in the gospel, and that their lives will be continued to be blessed by my personal obedience the rest of my life. I love the gospel and also beg you all to help me return home as I lose the mantel of missionary. I hear its pretty hard, but remember that I'm not the weird one. I'm progressing how I should be. Returned missionaries shouldn't change at all, it's the rest of the world that should change. I love you all and am grateful for your testimonies!
Love,
Elder Magnusson
September 12, 2011
Fantastic week!
This week was the baptism of Chayanne Martinez, and Jonathan and Yandet Fernandez!!! It was a powerful meeting with a great attendance. The branch continues to grow!
This next week we are preparing a woman named Laura Silva, and her daughters Lucrecia amd Daiana. She also has 2 sons that we're working with, but still don't want anything. Hoepfully they'll go at least to the baptism and feel the spirit. Laura was incredible, she contacted a member and asked if we could help her family join the church and the member called us and we went immediately over to her house, and now the family is progressing so well!
I'm excited to hear about Levi`s patriarchal blessing! He's got a lot of potential to live up to!
Your photo idea is GREAT! I'll let some families know we're going to take photos so they can prepare :) Nobody has photos of their families here, because it's very expensive and hard to find, so that will be something very precious for them.
As for going up to Utah, I bet I can convince Steven to roadtrip with me :) It would be a good opportunity to catch up good. Maybe I'll go towards the end of October and go to Oakley Banks' homecoming on the way up (in Vegas). Could you facebook his family and ask them when it will be?
Maybe instead of a car I'll buy a motorcycle haha the Uruguayos have me nearly convinced, it's soooo much cheaper!!!
The greenies arrive on the 27th, and leave to their areas the afternoon of the 28th. I just found out this week that we're going to have the 29th completely free, so we'll have almost an entire other day to visit in Montevideo. I'll keep it pretty tranquilo, as you'll have just gotten home from a long trip. We're going to visit the Pintos that day and his father-in-law who's a 70!!
I'll get a road map of Uruguay, but I know my way around all the cities we're going to visit, so it should be pretty easy. I'll ask Sis. Heaton if theres anything she needs and let you know :)
I'll ask President if I can borrow his car to pick you up at the airport, I still have my license and all, so it shouldn't be a problem (yep, I learned to drive stick in the mission, make sure Levi knows before, thats something every father should teach their sons haha). If not, me and Elder Hamilton (his parents are coming too) can take a taxi out there and come back in the rental. Do you have the rental set up already? When exactly does you flight arrive? I'll let you know my cell phone number as well the last week, I'm borrowing a cell phone from a member here in Fray Bentos, so it will be cheap to set things up here instead of paying international fees.
My comp also asks that you bring a $100 camera and good $50 New Balance shoes, and jar of peanut butter, and he'll pay you the $150 when you come. He said his camera cost him $300 when he left Peru and he wants to buy one for his family from the US because its a lot cheaper. So, if you could please buy it with my money and he can pay me back easier :)
Love you all!!! Keep working hard to be a successful family :)
Elder Magnusson
P.S. Wow, what a trunky letter home, all I talked about was stuff for your trip. But just so you know, I am NOT trunky :) I promise these next 2 weeks to be the most hard-worked of all my mission!!!
This week was the baptism of Chayanne Martinez, and Jonathan and Yandet Fernandez!!! It was a powerful meeting with a great attendance. The branch continues to grow!
This next week we are preparing a woman named Laura Silva, and her daughters Lucrecia amd Daiana. She also has 2 sons that we're working with, but still don't want anything. Hoepfully they'll go at least to the baptism and feel the spirit. Laura was incredible, she contacted a member and asked if we could help her family join the church and the member called us and we went immediately over to her house, and now the family is progressing so well!
I'm excited to hear about Levi`s patriarchal blessing! He's got a lot of potential to live up to!
Your photo idea is GREAT! I'll let some families know we're going to take photos so they can prepare :) Nobody has photos of their families here, because it's very expensive and hard to find, so that will be something very precious for them.
As for going up to Utah, I bet I can convince Steven to roadtrip with me :) It would be a good opportunity to catch up good. Maybe I'll go towards the end of October and go to Oakley Banks' homecoming on the way up (in Vegas). Could you facebook his family and ask them when it will be?
Maybe instead of a car I'll buy a motorcycle haha the Uruguayos have me nearly convinced, it's soooo much cheaper!!!
The greenies arrive on the 27th, and leave to their areas the afternoon of the 28th. I just found out this week that we're going to have the 29th completely free, so we'll have almost an entire other day to visit in Montevideo. I'll keep it pretty tranquilo, as you'll have just gotten home from a long trip. We're going to visit the Pintos that day and his father-in-law who's a 70!!
I'll get a road map of Uruguay, but I know my way around all the cities we're going to visit, so it should be pretty easy. I'll ask Sis. Heaton if theres anything she needs and let you know :)
I'll ask President if I can borrow his car to pick you up at the airport, I still have my license and all, so it shouldn't be a problem (yep, I learned to drive stick in the mission, make sure Levi knows before, thats something every father should teach their sons haha). If not, me and Elder Hamilton (his parents are coming too) can take a taxi out there and come back in the rental. Do you have the rental set up already? When exactly does you flight arrive? I'll let you know my cell phone number as well the last week, I'm borrowing a cell phone from a member here in Fray Bentos, so it will be cheap to set things up here instead of paying international fees.
My comp also asks that you bring a $100 camera and good $50 New Balance shoes, and jar of peanut butter, and he'll pay you the $150 when you come. He said his camera cost him $300 when he left Peru and he wants to buy one for his family from the US because its a lot cheaper. So, if you could please buy it with my money and he can pay me back easier :)
Love you all!!! Keep working hard to be a successful family :)
Elder Magnusson
P.S. Wow, what a trunky letter home, all I talked about was stuff for your trip. But just so you know, I am NOT trunky :) I promise these next 2 weeks to be the most hard-worked of all my mission!!!
September 5, 2011
This week was wonderful :) It was the baptism of the Sanchez brothers. Their family was baptized 2 years ago by Elder Enciso, and a month ago, she got in contact with us and asked us to pass by to help them get active again and we walk out into the country an hour to get to their house, a beautiful wheat farm. Eduardo and Solano we baptized by their uncle, our ward mission leader on Wednesday.
After the baptism we had a ward activity of tortas fritas and TONS of investigators went it was amazing!!!! It was a ton of fun :) I ate way too much and felt sick afterward, but it was worth it. Thats one thing you have to try for sure. Did they make lots of tortas fritas in Argentina? Can you buy animal fat in the states to fry them?
Wow, Chad is married! That is so weird! Karl is just a month away...! Time is going by fast, I feel like I just barely saw them.
Your picture idea is GREAT! I was going to ask you today if you could make a ton of some type of craft to remember our family by, and maybe you could do something creative with photos like that and we can send it back to them after we get back.
The one thing we are lacking most in the branch is Aaronic priesthood, good young men. We've been working really hard to find some, and this weekend will by the baptism of Chayanne, Yane, and Yonatan. Next week we'll have few more to fill up the quorums. The Lord continues to pour blessings abundantly upon every family in the branch. There are many trials, but its been a great testimony to me that family support is the most powerful tool to resist the problems of the world. The entire world can be against you, but if you have a strong family to go to at the end of the day, nothing else matters.
As for BYU, there's nothing else that needs to be done. I'm accepted into Winter 2012 with a full ride (blessings of serving the Lord). I'll probably go up to Utah in November at some point to get my apartment and books and all ready so I can start school stress free and not so rushed. my username is tylanwm and password is thattyguy08 (please don't publish that)
Did you already buy the weight vest? If not, please do it now, so it's waiting for me :)
For Hotels in Tbo I'd definitely do the Carlos Gardel. It's expensive, but even the 2nd best is very low grade and not worth staying in.
In Deo, theres tons of options. Try and find something either close to the airport, or a little north of the city to have peace. Or you can find a cool old hotel in the Ciudad Vieja if you want a cooler experience. Deo has tons of options, so you might want to explore a little.
Is there anything you need me to do to prepare?
I'm excited to see the Perez family as well. They are AMAZING, you are going to love meeting them :) The members are all pretty stoked to receive you in their homes! I don't think there'll be problems with health or need to stay inside or anything. The only time we'll be out walking around is the last day of shopping. The rest of the time we'll be with people in their homes.
I'm excited to see you too, endure to the end!
Love, Elder Magnusson
After the baptism we had a ward activity of tortas fritas and TONS of investigators went it was amazing!!!! It was a ton of fun :) I ate way too much and felt sick afterward, but it was worth it. Thats one thing you have to try for sure. Did they make lots of tortas fritas in Argentina? Can you buy animal fat in the states to fry them?
Wow, Chad is married! That is so weird! Karl is just a month away...! Time is going by fast, I feel like I just barely saw them.
Your picture idea is GREAT! I was going to ask you today if you could make a ton of some type of craft to remember our family by, and maybe you could do something creative with photos like that and we can send it back to them after we get back.
The one thing we are lacking most in the branch is Aaronic priesthood, good young men. We've been working really hard to find some, and this weekend will by the baptism of Chayanne, Yane, and Yonatan. Next week we'll have few more to fill up the quorums. The Lord continues to pour blessings abundantly upon every family in the branch. There are many trials, but its been a great testimony to me that family support is the most powerful tool to resist the problems of the world. The entire world can be against you, but if you have a strong family to go to at the end of the day, nothing else matters.
As for BYU, there's nothing else that needs to be done. I'm accepted into Winter 2012 with a full ride (blessings of serving the Lord). I'll probably go up to Utah in November at some point to get my apartment and books and all ready so I can start school stress free and not so rushed. my username is tylanwm and password is thattyguy08 (please don't publish that)
Did you already buy the weight vest? If not, please do it now, so it's waiting for me :)
For Hotels in Tbo I'd definitely do the Carlos Gardel. It's expensive, but even the 2nd best is very low grade and not worth staying in.
In Deo, theres tons of options. Try and find something either close to the airport, or a little north of the city to have peace. Or you can find a cool old hotel in the Ciudad Vieja if you want a cooler experience. Deo has tons of options, so you might want to explore a little.
Is there anything you need me to do to prepare?
I'm excited to see the Perez family as well. They are AMAZING, you are going to love meeting them :) The members are all pretty stoked to receive you in their homes! I don't think there'll be problems with health or need to stay inside or anything. The only time we'll be out walking around is the last day of shopping. The rest of the time we'll be with people in their homes.
I'm excited to see you too, endure to the end!
Love, Elder Magnusson
August 29, 2011
Another great week!! Everyone is super sick except us with th H1N1 virus, in bed for weeks, pray for us that we don't catch anything!!!
The Fernandez family (the ones from Chile), another nephew of Rocìo, and Juliana Benitez were baptized on Saturday. Everything went smooth and it was super powerful!!! Luis Alberto (Rocìo's abusive ex-husband) now lives in Sister Eyring (yep, the apostle's grand-daughter) and Sister Arzola's area and started going to church there. He quit smoking and drinking and Saturday after our baptismal service we all went flying to the other church for his baptism. It's been super hard for me to even be in the same room as him, after seeing and hearing what he did to his family, aside from all the terrible things he said to us... and he asked me to baptize him. It was a big trial for me, because I knew he had never asked me, and much less Rocìo and his children forgiveness, but I bit my tongue and stood aside and let those with the authority do the interviews and he passed everything, they feel he's sincere, so everything went through. It was a strange trial for me, something I never thought to experience. I'll talk about details some other time.
On Wednsday to celebrate the big storm Santa Rosa, we're going to have a Tortas Fritas cook-off all evening. Its going to be a BLAST!!! Also, the Sanchez's sons will be baptized. The Sanchez family was baptized 2 years ago by my old companion Elder Enciso that passed away a few months ago. They live about an hours walk out in the middle of nowhere, but got in contact with us and asked us to come help them reactivate so their 2 9-yr-old sons could be baptized. The whole big family has returned and they are super excited to start again in the path towards being an eternal family! We set goals to go to the temple and all, and I think they'll make it soon. The mom of the family was the only member for many years, and was already endowed, but had gone inactive. Now we have high hopes that the whole family will stay strong.
Thursday I have my last zl council in montevideo. We've made all of our goals 4 months in a row now, and the stake is progressing a LOT! The Lord has blessed us with so many trials and learning opportunities, that I feel really humbled, and really exhausted, and very satisfied (se dice asì en ingles?).
I'm sorry I can't think of much to say. Every day passes in the blink of an eye, and it feels like life is on fast forward, theres so much happening but it comes and goes in an instant and I can't remember it all.
I'm working harder than ever and I hope you all are too, don't be trunky :) God is a fourth-watch God, the greatest trials and blessings are always at the last moment. I love you all and pray for you daily. Be patient, show love, and go to the temple. Sed prudentes, que mas puedo decir?
Cristo vive y nos ama muchisimo y su deseo es que seamos felices. Hay que esperar milagros, y les aseguro que se veran.
Con mucho amor,
Elder Magnusson
The Fernandez family (the ones from Chile), another nephew of Rocìo, and Juliana Benitez were baptized on Saturday. Everything went smooth and it was super powerful!!! Luis Alberto (Rocìo's abusive ex-husband) now lives in Sister Eyring (yep, the apostle's grand-daughter) and Sister Arzola's area and started going to church there. He quit smoking and drinking and Saturday after our baptismal service we all went flying to the other church for his baptism. It's been super hard for me to even be in the same room as him, after seeing and hearing what he did to his family, aside from all the terrible things he said to us... and he asked me to baptize him. It was a big trial for me, because I knew he had never asked me, and much less Rocìo and his children forgiveness, but I bit my tongue and stood aside and let those with the authority do the interviews and he passed everything, they feel he's sincere, so everything went through. It was a strange trial for me, something I never thought to experience. I'll talk about details some other time.
On Wednsday to celebrate the big storm Santa Rosa, we're going to have a Tortas Fritas cook-off all evening. Its going to be a BLAST!!! Also, the Sanchez's sons will be baptized. The Sanchez family was baptized 2 years ago by my old companion Elder Enciso that passed away a few months ago. They live about an hours walk out in the middle of nowhere, but got in contact with us and asked us to come help them reactivate so their 2 9-yr-old sons could be baptized. The whole big family has returned and they are super excited to start again in the path towards being an eternal family! We set goals to go to the temple and all, and I think they'll make it soon. The mom of the family was the only member for many years, and was already endowed, but had gone inactive. Now we have high hopes that the whole family will stay strong.
Thursday I have my last zl council in montevideo. We've made all of our goals 4 months in a row now, and the stake is progressing a LOT! The Lord has blessed us with so many trials and learning opportunities, that I feel really humbled, and really exhausted, and very satisfied (se dice asì en ingles?).
I'm sorry I can't think of much to say. Every day passes in the blink of an eye, and it feels like life is on fast forward, theres so much happening but it comes and goes in an instant and I can't remember it all.
I'm working harder than ever and I hope you all are too, don't be trunky :) God is a fourth-watch God, the greatest trials and blessings are always at the last moment. I love you all and pray for you daily. Be patient, show love, and go to the temple. Sed prudentes, que mas puedo decir?
Cristo vive y nos ama muchisimo y su deseo es que seamos felices. Hay que esperar milagros, y les aseguro que se veran.
Con mucho amor,
Elder Magnusson
August 22, 2011
Great week, we had baptisms this last week of the Navarro family. The mom is the sister of our recent convert Rocio. Rocio`s husband is also getting baptized this next week, along with a few others. The Lord contiues to pour blessings on our rama :)
Before I forget, in Salto, we'll stay at Los Naranjos. To communicate with people and set things up, I'm going to borrow a cell phone from a member for the week, I've already got that taken care of :) As for food, you'll probably be served things you don't like, but I'll let you know what it is everything and if you don't want it, no one will be offended I promise. The only thing that I don't know if you'd like that we'll probably be expected to eat it lamb. I personally love it, theres a lot of people that don't. Its an expensive meat here for special occasions so its possible that we'll be offered a big asado of lamb. Chorizo will also be in abundance. That you gotta try a little mom, its my favorite thing in the world, and I learned how to make it too, so I'll make some one day at home if I can find tripa de vaca jaja
As for the weight vest, ya please go ahead and buy it, I'll need it I've gained weight here since you got those photos haha, not a ton, but enough that I want to lose it all before I go to college and have to look for my future wife.
This week there were so many trials it was incredible to see how Satan can work against the Saints through other people. The recent converts are all super strong, but with all the reactivation, a lot of very old problems are resurfacing as well and causing a lot of problems between the old members. It goes to show that conversion has nothing to do with time or age as a member, and many of the greatest leaders in the ward right now were baptized within these last few months. I'm excited to hear about the future of these families, and need to start saving up as soon as I get home to return next summer for sealings. That would be a dream come true!
We had a visit with the Stake President yesterday and talked about the need to increase the faith of the missionaries and the members. Sometimes we forget that everything we do is in vain if it's not the Lord's will. If we do not do as the Lord commands, have faith, and are worthy through obedience to the commandments of God, we are left without the Spirit to "kick against the pricks."
On the other hand, we have the priviledge of having the spirit with us always as members of the church, that comes with a promise of the Lord that he'll be on our right hand and on our left, and that the powers of the devil will never prevail us. The gospel of Jesus Christ is so simple. I'm so grateful that I've learned the importance of making and keeping covenants in the mission. It was something that I didn't understand when I was younger, and even when I went through the temple the first time. I know I've got many thousands of years of learning to go still in the eternities, but I'm grateful that experiences in the mission have helped me to taste the smallest portion of the Atonement of Christ.
I know that Christ lives and that he loves us. God knows us by name, and has great expectations. We are Saints of the Latter Days. That's not something small. This is His kingdom. If there are people we love that aren't part of it, we must make the sacrifices necesary to bring them back.
I'm grateful for the family that I had, I've recently realized how blessed I've been. I feel so stupid for things I complained about before. It would be an honor to wash your dishes and pull your weeds, mom :)
I love you all, keep praying for the rama. Things are looking good for my last change, I am working harder than ever! (a few times a week we have to wake up at 4:30 to visit a family that lives 15 miles out in the country, we go walking!!! They came to church Sunday and will be baptized the 3rd) and seeing incredible blessings as well.
Elder Magnusson
P.S. Please put in a good word for me with Pres. Thies that I get assigned with Bro. Slade from the High Council. I gave my farewell with him :) haha
Before I forget, in Salto, we'll stay at Los Naranjos. To communicate with people and set things up, I'm going to borrow a cell phone from a member for the week, I've already got that taken care of :) As for food, you'll probably be served things you don't like, but I'll let you know what it is everything and if you don't want it, no one will be offended I promise. The only thing that I don't know if you'd like that we'll probably be expected to eat it lamb. I personally love it, theres a lot of people that don't. Its an expensive meat here for special occasions so its possible that we'll be offered a big asado of lamb. Chorizo will also be in abundance. That you gotta try a little mom, its my favorite thing in the world, and I learned how to make it too, so I'll make some one day at home if I can find tripa de vaca jaja
As for the weight vest, ya please go ahead and buy it, I'll need it I've gained weight here since you got those photos haha, not a ton, but enough that I want to lose it all before I go to college and have to look for my future wife.
This week there were so many trials it was incredible to see how Satan can work against the Saints through other people. The recent converts are all super strong, but with all the reactivation, a lot of very old problems are resurfacing as well and causing a lot of problems between the old members. It goes to show that conversion has nothing to do with time or age as a member, and many of the greatest leaders in the ward right now were baptized within these last few months. I'm excited to hear about the future of these families, and need to start saving up as soon as I get home to return next summer for sealings. That would be a dream come true!
We had a visit with the Stake President yesterday and talked about the need to increase the faith of the missionaries and the members. Sometimes we forget that everything we do is in vain if it's not the Lord's will. If we do not do as the Lord commands, have faith, and are worthy through obedience to the commandments of God, we are left without the Spirit to "kick against the pricks."
On the other hand, we have the priviledge of having the spirit with us always as members of the church, that comes with a promise of the Lord that he'll be on our right hand and on our left, and that the powers of the devil will never prevail us. The gospel of Jesus Christ is so simple. I'm so grateful that I've learned the importance of making and keeping covenants in the mission. It was something that I didn't understand when I was younger, and even when I went through the temple the first time. I know I've got many thousands of years of learning to go still in the eternities, but I'm grateful that experiences in the mission have helped me to taste the smallest portion of the Atonement of Christ.
I know that Christ lives and that he loves us. God knows us by name, and has great expectations. We are Saints of the Latter Days. That's not something small. This is His kingdom. If there are people we love that aren't part of it, we must make the sacrifices necesary to bring them back.
I'm grateful for the family that I had, I've recently realized how blessed I've been. I feel so stupid for things I complained about before. It would be an honor to wash your dishes and pull your weeds, mom :)
I love you all, keep praying for the rama. Things are looking good for my last change, I am working harder than ever! (a few times a week we have to wake up at 4:30 to visit a family that lives 15 miles out in the country, we go walking!!! They came to church Sunday and will be baptized the 3rd) and seeing incredible blessings as well.
Elder Magnusson
P.S. Please put in a good word for me with Pres. Thies that I get assigned with Bro. Slade from the High Council. I gave my farewell with him :) haha
August 16, 2011
First of all, we got changes yesterday, and I'm going to stay here with E Torres for my last change. I've been praying hard that I would, and am grateful that the Lord has provided more people here for me to find. Now I've just got to work my heart out til the end. It's weird to think I'm going into my last change, sad but exciting.
Before I forget, I thought of a favor I need of you this week! When I get home, I'm going to work out a ton, and I need you to buy online something called an XVest. Its a workout weight vest that comes in different weights, I want the maximum one, 84 lbs (you can take weights out and such). Theres a website for them and I think they costed like $300 or so, or on ebay, I found them for $250 ish when I almost bought it, but didn't since I was about to leave on the mission. Please get a new one with a guarantee for me! Please use money from my account, if its a little more expensive than that its okay.
This week was AMAZING, the best birthday ever. We had ward counsel on Wednesday night and when I arrived, all the lights were out and the whole branch jumped out and sang happy birthday. It was really really special. Hugo (the member that was rebaptized a short while ago) works with metal for his job, and made me the most incredible aceitero (no idea what that is in english, the consecrated oil vial) out of metal pipe and screws. He handmade the chain and everything its incredible! A sister in the ward also made me a painting :) They sang me a friendship song as well, and when it ended they all stood up and sang God Be With you Til We Meet Again. I got it all on video! Can't really capture the feeling on film, but I tried :) I ate so many different cakes this week, I never want to see cake again!
This week, the Navarro family will be baptized, and this last Sunday, all of our key investigators went to church and the Lord is pouring out His Spirit on the branch right now. Tons and tons of miracles. With the Priesthood we have now, we qualify as a ward, the papers are being made!!! I'm grateful for the time that I've had here until now and so excited for the time that I have left to work.
We have an investigator named Gaston getting baptized on the 27th. He's 22 and recently left prison for stealing (he was in for 2 years) he lost his wife and 2 kids when he was in and now hes been living off of selling drugs and such. We found him a few weeks ago, and slowly he's been dropping bad habits and such. He's now been clean for a week. He's changing everything! That neighborhood is pretty dangerous and one of the members had a revelation that if we take out the apple thats on bad from the box, the rest of the apples will get better (that doesn't make much sense in spanish, but you get the idea) so he took us to Gaston the causer of all the havoc, and now things are calming down. He's going to be a great tool in the Lords hands to bring a lot of souls to Him.
The branch is so excited to receive my family in their homes, and I'm contacting my families from other wards that I've served in to visit them. I want this to be a powerful spiritual experience for you guys and also for them. We might get to go to a sealing of a family while you're here, we'll see.
I love you all so much and appreciate your prayers! Stay optimistic always and remember the great blessings the Lord has in store for families. Send my love to Grandma and the family, and the ward.
Elder Magnusson
Before I forget, I thought of a favor I need of you this week! When I get home, I'm going to work out a ton, and I need you to buy online something called an XVest. Its a workout weight vest that comes in different weights, I want the maximum one, 84 lbs (you can take weights out and such). Theres a website for them and I think they costed like $300 or so, or on ebay, I found them for $250 ish when I almost bought it, but didn't since I was about to leave on the mission. Please get a new one with a guarantee for me! Please use money from my account, if its a little more expensive than that its okay.
This week was AMAZING, the best birthday ever. We had ward counsel on Wednesday night and when I arrived, all the lights were out and the whole branch jumped out and sang happy birthday. It was really really special. Hugo (the member that was rebaptized a short while ago) works with metal for his job, and made me the most incredible aceitero (no idea what that is in english, the consecrated oil vial) out of metal pipe and screws. He handmade the chain and everything its incredible! A sister in the ward also made me a painting :) They sang me a friendship song as well, and when it ended they all stood up and sang God Be With you Til We Meet Again. I got it all on video! Can't really capture the feeling on film, but I tried :) I ate so many different cakes this week, I never want to see cake again!
This week, the Navarro family will be baptized, and this last Sunday, all of our key investigators went to church and the Lord is pouring out His Spirit on the branch right now. Tons and tons of miracles. With the Priesthood we have now, we qualify as a ward, the papers are being made!!! I'm grateful for the time that I've had here until now and so excited for the time that I have left to work.
We have an investigator named Gaston getting baptized on the 27th. He's 22 and recently left prison for stealing (he was in for 2 years) he lost his wife and 2 kids when he was in and now hes been living off of selling drugs and such. We found him a few weeks ago, and slowly he's been dropping bad habits and such. He's now been clean for a week. He's changing everything! That neighborhood is pretty dangerous and one of the members had a revelation that if we take out the apple thats on bad from the box, the rest of the apples will get better (that doesn't make much sense in spanish, but you get the idea) so he took us to Gaston the causer of all the havoc, and now things are calming down. He's going to be a great tool in the Lords hands to bring a lot of souls to Him.
The branch is so excited to receive my family in their homes, and I'm contacting my families from other wards that I've served in to visit them. I want this to be a powerful spiritual experience for you guys and also for them. We might get to go to a sealing of a family while you're here, we'll see.
I love you all so much and appreciate your prayers! Stay optimistic always and remember the great blessings the Lord has in store for families. Send my love to Grandma and the family, and the ward.
Elder Magnusson
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