Hey family,
Sorry this is late, it's going to be a bit short too.
We just got back from going to the temple with Mary, an investigator. We had a lesson in the garden behind the temple, on the purpose of temples and such. It was wonderful!!!! A returned missionary was there with his fiance and they testified it was GREAT! Its such a blessing to have a temple only an hour away in bus here. Mary STILL isn't 100% sure on her baptism, but for now she has a baptismal date for the 16th that she's still praying for the strength to be ready for. She's been through so much in her life, losing her dad, her husband leaving her when they found out she couldn't have kids, etc... Its been rough but the Lord has been preparing her soooo muuuuuuuuuuch!!!! One of her greatest fears is going under water, so as soon as we conquer spiritual doubts, we have to conquer that. Also, she couldn't stand seeing our converts at the last baptism in the tiny baptismal font, so when she gets baptised she says it has to be bigger and more open, so we're off to the river!!! WOOT! heh
Gustavo and Daniela, and Nicolas and Sheyla are going to pull out a marriage date at the Legal Office downtown this next week, so they should get married within a month or so. They are progressing so incredibly well! We went over to their house and Gustavo had read EVERYTHING in EVER BOOK IMAGINABLE and was telling us about the church organization and what stake presidents, mission presidents, bishops, priests, teachers, deacons...EVERYTHING does. It was incredible how much they had read, studied, and understood! They said they'd never been happier and calmer as a pareja, and that coworkers were asking them what had changed in their life. I wish you could all be here to meet these people I love them soooo much!!!!!
We have a lesson with Joaquin's family tonight and HE's going to invite his parents and sisters to be baptised. I'm stoked. We have only taught them a little bit, but the spirit is always very strong in their home. They are really good parents and just want the best for their family. Just good honest humble people.
All in all the work rolls on like a snowball. The ward is growing fast, people are excited, and progression is constant. The work of the Lord is perfect despite us. I love it so much, and the year mark was no hump, it was a pump day. It's all uphill from here! I just hope it slows down!
Also, the church has sent out a letter recommending that parents don't pick up their sons and daughters in the mission. I feel like it would be best to be obedient to the suggestion and I think in a year I'll just go home on time and a few weeks later we could come back to Argentina and Uruguay? That way I can give hugs and besos and wear normal clothes in the summer and...well all in all I think it would be best. The only problem is that it will cost another here and back plane ticket which is super expensive. I guess we can worry about that later, but for now please don't plan and picking me up on my release date.
I love you all tons! Keep working hard!
Elder Magnusson
P.S. The travel office lady in Salt Lake that I email like every day, Chelsea Martin, her maiden name is Thatcher. Small world, eh? hahah
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Saturday, September 18, 2010
September 18, 2010
This week was so wonderful!
It started out last Saturday with the baptism and confirmation of Fernando and Joaquin. Everything went perfectly smooth, and they were baptised by their best friend Kelo. Joaquin, the next day after his confirmation, was called as his Sunday School class president (calls on people to say prayers and such, and leads the class). Joaquin, Fernando, Kelo, and 2 other young men in the ward all had practised a special musical number for the baptism and even though none of them could sing it sounded wonderful still. They have strong testimonies and are already working hard to be missionaries one day!.
Mary is still progressing slowly but surely. We've been teaching her a couple times a week for over 3 months now. She's completely stopped working on Sundays, spends a lot of her time seaching talks on lds.org, has a temple as her computer background, etc... She just has doubts that she writes down every time something comes to her head and in each lesson we resolve one. Her list is getting short and she'll will be baptised soon. I know she will. And when she becomes a member of the church, she will be SO strong. Once she knows something, she acts, and that's what makes a person ready to hear the gospel is that they are willing to sacrifice their will to God. Next week on P-Day we're going to take her to the temple and walk to grounds. Take out some more doubts :)
Gustavo and Daniela we found last Friday, they came to church Sunday, and the Principles of the Gospel teacher gave Gustavo a part in the lesson to teach to the other people in the class for tomorrow. We visited Daniela while he was at work on Monday night and she said that that morning she had woken at 4 a.m. up because he wasn't in bed and went to go find him and she found him at the table with the light on studying the Principles of the Gospel book and the Book of Mormon, preparing for his class to teach the following Sunday. They are feasting on the words of Christ and putting a lot of effort into receiving their answers. I LOVE that! I wish I had learned to be more like that earlier in life. They will be a fantastic new family in the ward when they are baptised in the couple weeks.
Milton, and inactive man for 10 years that we found knocking on doors, is quitting smoking and he's going to bring his wife and son to church. His greatest desire is to be able to baptise them himself. Hes working on getting worthy to go to the temple. They are getting married in a few weeks and then if goes well, he'll be able to baptise them a few weeks after. I think he'll be the next Young Mens President. He always brings his son to mutual every week now. Super stud.
We found a lady named Adriana that lived in New York city when the temple in Manhattan was built, and she took a tour before its dedication. We're going to take her to the temple in Montevideo and teach a lesson on the grounds.
I can't remember if I told you about Robert last week, but I'm gonna tell you anyways, cause more has happened since. He's an architect, pretty wealthy guy, that had a moto accident and is on crutches. We felt super strong that we were supposed to knock on a door, so we did it and he opened it. I told him who we were and felt impressed to say that God had sent us to save him from losing his family, and asked if we could go in. He said "and what if I say no?" We gave him strong testimony of the Lords love for him and he slowly limped to get his keys and let us in. We sat down at his table and began to teach about how God blesses families. He began to break down and said that his wife and daughter were going to leave him that day and that he was doing the best he could to be a good father and husband and was at his last straw and was asking God for some guidance when we came. When we finished the lesson, he said the prayer, the first time he had prayed vocally, and it was serioudly like 10 minutes long. Between each thing he begged to God for, there was a stretch of silence and lots of tears. It was the most sincere prayer I had ever heard. That very same day he taught his family and they set goals together and they will all be coming to church on Sunday and pretty soon be baptised together. The gospel saves families.
Yesterday I had lunch with Elder Etchegaray of the 70. His wife makes REALLY good lamb!!!! He talked about all the marvelous things happening in the area. Its beautiful to see the Lords hand in all things.
My new companion is Elder Crandell from Mesa, AZ!!!!!!!!!!! I called it, and was right!! We are going to have a lot of fun and work extrememly hard these next two changes together. Elder Ashby is in Paysandu now working hard.
Elder Stevens turns 20 today so we're going out to a nice place to eat. YES!!!!
I love you all so much! Make an effort every day to be the angel that answered the prayer of another.
Elder Magnusson
It started out last Saturday with the baptism and confirmation of Fernando and Joaquin. Everything went perfectly smooth, and they were baptised by their best friend Kelo. Joaquin, the next day after his confirmation, was called as his Sunday School class president (calls on people to say prayers and such, and leads the class). Joaquin, Fernando, Kelo, and 2 other young men in the ward all had practised a special musical number for the baptism and even though none of them could sing it sounded wonderful still. They have strong testimonies and are already working hard to be missionaries one day!.
Mary is still progressing slowly but surely. We've been teaching her a couple times a week for over 3 months now. She's completely stopped working on Sundays, spends a lot of her time seaching talks on lds.org, has a temple as her computer background, etc... She just has doubts that she writes down every time something comes to her head and in each lesson we resolve one. Her list is getting short and she'll will be baptised soon. I know she will. And when she becomes a member of the church, she will be SO strong. Once she knows something, she acts, and that's what makes a person ready to hear the gospel is that they are willing to sacrifice their will to God. Next week on P-Day we're going to take her to the temple and walk to grounds. Take out some more doubts :)
Gustavo and Daniela we found last Friday, they came to church Sunday, and the Principles of the Gospel teacher gave Gustavo a part in the lesson to teach to the other people in the class for tomorrow. We visited Daniela while he was at work on Monday night and she said that that morning she had woken at 4 a.m. up because he wasn't in bed and went to go find him and she found him at the table with the light on studying the Principles of the Gospel book and the Book of Mormon, preparing for his class to teach the following Sunday. They are feasting on the words of Christ and putting a lot of effort into receiving their answers. I LOVE that! I wish I had learned to be more like that earlier in life. They will be a fantastic new family in the ward when they are baptised in the couple weeks.
Milton, and inactive man for 10 years that we found knocking on doors, is quitting smoking and he's going to bring his wife and son to church. His greatest desire is to be able to baptise them himself. Hes working on getting worthy to go to the temple. They are getting married in a few weeks and then if goes well, he'll be able to baptise them a few weeks after. I think he'll be the next Young Mens President. He always brings his son to mutual every week now. Super stud.
We found a lady named Adriana that lived in New York city when the temple in Manhattan was built, and she took a tour before its dedication. We're going to take her to the temple in Montevideo and teach a lesson on the grounds.
I can't remember if I told you about Robert last week, but I'm gonna tell you anyways, cause more has happened since. He's an architect, pretty wealthy guy, that had a moto accident and is on crutches. We felt super strong that we were supposed to knock on a door, so we did it and he opened it. I told him who we were and felt impressed to say that God had sent us to save him from losing his family, and asked if we could go in. He said "and what if I say no?" We gave him strong testimony of the Lords love for him and he slowly limped to get his keys and let us in. We sat down at his table and began to teach about how God blesses families. He began to break down and said that his wife and daughter were going to leave him that day and that he was doing the best he could to be a good father and husband and was at his last straw and was asking God for some guidance when we came. When we finished the lesson, he said the prayer, the first time he had prayed vocally, and it was serioudly like 10 minutes long. Between each thing he begged to God for, there was a stretch of silence and lots of tears. It was the most sincere prayer I had ever heard. That very same day he taught his family and they set goals together and they will all be coming to church on Sunday and pretty soon be baptised together. The gospel saves families.
Yesterday I had lunch with Elder Etchegaray of the 70. His wife makes REALLY good lamb!!!! He talked about all the marvelous things happening in the area. Its beautiful to see the Lords hand in all things.
My new companion is Elder Crandell from Mesa, AZ!!!!!!!!!!! I called it, and was right!! We are going to have a lot of fun and work extrememly hard these next two changes together. Elder Ashby is in Paysandu now working hard.
Elder Stevens turns 20 today so we're going out to a nice place to eat. YES!!!!
I love you all so much! Make an effort every day to be the angel that answered the prayer of another.
Elder Magnusson
September 11, 2010
Hey family, glad to hear you are all so busy and happy with everything going on over there!! I hope you enjoy your time up in Mesa with the baby blessing and all!
You said your getting Boots a friend after vacation? When are you going on vacation and to where?
No, I never saw you while you were here dad, I just kinda flew out hahaha
Holy cow Alyssa and Johnathan are getting married...that's sooooo weeeeeeeeeeiiiiiirrrrrrrdddddddd!!!!!!!!!!! But awesome!!! Give them both a HUGE hug from me!!
Ya, David got me the money right away. He's about as trustworthy as a person can be, the BEST. I'll be sure to spend it wisely :) He loved the shoes and memory card! He got the memory card the same day him and his wife went to the doctor for the first sonogram of their second kid so they got to take lots of pics and video and such.
As for weight, you really have to work hard to not gain weight cause the food is pure animal fat in EVERYTHING from pasta to sandwhiches, everything has lots and lots of fat. My clothes still fit me about the same, though, so as long as I am careful and do my exercises in the mornings I won't look hardly any different in the end I don't think. When I have about 2 months left Im gonna ask you to buy that weighted vest for me though so I can start running and getting back in shape right away.
On Tuesday, Elder Ashby leaves and I'll sit in the captain's chair :) It will be an interesting challenge, but Im extremely excited for it! Come what may and love it, right?
Thanks again for all the stuff you sent me, almost all the food is already eaten hahaha American candy is soooo good!!! The photos were wonderful to bring to investigators houses and show them the eternal family that they can also have. Yesterday we found a young couple that are coming to church with us tomorrow and are already excited to be baptised after the first lesson. A tender mercy. It doesn't happen a whole lot that people change so quickly. Tonight Fernando and Juaquin will be baptised. Juaquin's family is coming to the baptism and we'll see where it leads! I know his entire family will get baptised if they soften their hearts a little bit and listen to the message and the spirit.
Lots to do today with changes coming next week, so I gotta cut it short! I love you all so much and appreciate your prayers. Keep working hard in school, sports, parenting, etc... and the Lord will bless us all with success :) Always remember that there are miracles waiting to be done by YOU. Be ministering angels to the people around you and follow the spirit so you can be the answers to prayers.
Love,
Elder Magnusson
You said your getting Boots a friend after vacation? When are you going on vacation and to where?
No, I never saw you while you were here dad, I just kinda flew out hahaha
Holy cow Alyssa and Johnathan are getting married...that's sooooo weeeeeeeeeeiiiiiirrrrrrrdddddddd!!!!!!!!!!! But awesome!!! Give them both a HUGE hug from me!!
Ya, David got me the money right away. He's about as trustworthy as a person can be, the BEST. I'll be sure to spend it wisely :) He loved the shoes and memory card! He got the memory card the same day him and his wife went to the doctor for the first sonogram of their second kid so they got to take lots of pics and video and such.
As for weight, you really have to work hard to not gain weight cause the food is pure animal fat in EVERYTHING from pasta to sandwhiches, everything has lots and lots of fat. My clothes still fit me about the same, though, so as long as I am careful and do my exercises in the mornings I won't look hardly any different in the end I don't think. When I have about 2 months left Im gonna ask you to buy that weighted vest for me though so I can start running and getting back in shape right away.
On Tuesday, Elder Ashby leaves and I'll sit in the captain's chair :) It will be an interesting challenge, but Im extremely excited for it! Come what may and love it, right?
Thanks again for all the stuff you sent me, almost all the food is already eaten hahaha American candy is soooo good!!! The photos were wonderful to bring to investigators houses and show them the eternal family that they can also have. Yesterday we found a young couple that are coming to church with us tomorrow and are already excited to be baptised after the first lesson. A tender mercy. It doesn't happen a whole lot that people change so quickly. Tonight Fernando and Juaquin will be baptised. Juaquin's family is coming to the baptism and we'll see where it leads! I know his entire family will get baptised if they soften their hearts a little bit and listen to the message and the spirit.
Lots to do today with changes coming next week, so I gotta cut it short! I love you all so much and appreciate your prayers. Keep working hard in school, sports, parenting, etc... and the Lord will bless us all with success :) Always remember that there are miracles waiting to be done by YOU. Be ministering angels to the people around you and follow the spirit so you can be the answers to prayers.
Love,
Elder Magnusson
September 4, 2010
Thank you so much for the stuff you sent with dad!!!!!!!!!!!! I really appreciate it, and my mission leader says thanks for the stuff too haha He's a stud, I'm glad you could do something for him, he's done a lot for us missionaries here! He made us breakfast this morning, pancakes, sandwhiches, eggs, etc... Soooo good. This afternoon we're going to Presidents house for lunch for me, Elder Stevens, and Elder Maes' birthday lunch. Today I eat super good hahaha
When dad was here, I could hear his voice in the other room hahahahaha it was pretty funny and weird. Elder Ashby's coat is perfect hes stoked.
This week we got to go on divisions with members and investigators. Theres 2 young men (14, 18) that are getting baptised on Saturday and sacrificing a lot to do so. They've been going to church for almost a year now, but had to resolve some stuff, but lots of miracles have occurred for them the last few weeks, and they are preparing for a mission already. Its amazing to have investigators teach lessons with you to other investigators because it truly shows they have a testimony and have no fear of the world to share it. They will make great priesthood leaders and Fernando, the 18 yr old, has plans to go on the mission as soon as he's able time-wise and come back and baptise his mom. He has no other family, and his mom is extrememly catholic and closed off to the decision that he's made, but he's still willing to do everything possible to live in the way that he feels God has prepared him for.
We have a number of full families that we are teaching, lots of excellent future priesthood holders, and the ward is slowly growing and getting excited for all these changes. The bishop called President and asked if he could take us somewhere are 10pm and the President approved us for where we were going (we had no idea it was a surprise) and he took us out to pizza hahaha it was pretty funny, but way good.
Theres a family that we're trying so hard with Miguel and Noelia and their kids (10 and 8) and they still havent come to church but God has been preparing them so much and they recognize that. They stopped smoking a year ago together just cause they felt they ought to, on another impulse he quit his job that was making him work Sundays, and now is the most successful haircutter in the area, and doesnt work Sundays or Mondays, and makes a TON of money (they have a Wii!!!!!!!!!! First I've seen in the Guay since the console is about $1000 and the games are about $100 each) etc... Everything has been working out perfectly for them and they know it but aren't ready to make some changes so we'll see what happens.
Another family we were teaching we went over to the house for the appointment and the mom, Laura, came out and tried to hand us the Book of Mormon in tears and said her husband wanted no more of it all. We got to talk to him and he said he would allow his wife to keep learning and going to church and everything, but he wants nothing more and won't allow his kids either. So thats pretty bittersweet. He's going out of town and she's going to church so the kids will be able to go with her Sunday and hopefully their testimonies will soften his heart. Laura it getting baptised the 25th, and if all goes well, her daughter will be baptised with her! We'll see what the Lord has in store for the family. Satan tries so hard to take down families its incredible!!!
This last week was the Santa Rosa, a huge yearly storm that starts EVERY YEAR on the 30th of August haha Dad can tell you about it. It sure made proselyting interesting. A massive tropical storm at freezing temperatures will never be my favorite working conditions, but it turned out alright haha Elder Ashby was sure glad to have his coat just in time heh
Well, thanks for everything, let me know what all is going on over there! I'm here early and havent seen your emails, so I'll answer any questions next time I guess. Dad, let me know everything you got to see and do, where you ate, etc...!!!!
Love, Elder Magnusson!!!
P.S. With all my photos, please just keep them safe, please don't post them all! I have something I want to do with them. Your fine to look at them and can post like 5-10 or something if you want, but I don't have hardly any photos of baptisms, zone activities, etc...and I need the memory card as it is with all the pics in the same order so when I get back I can get all my pics from old comps and piece it all together good. So PLEASE don't post my pics on facebook or anywhere PLEASE PLEASE
When dad was here, I could hear his voice in the other room hahahahaha it was pretty funny and weird. Elder Ashby's coat is perfect hes stoked.
This week we got to go on divisions with members and investigators. Theres 2 young men (14, 18) that are getting baptised on Saturday and sacrificing a lot to do so. They've been going to church for almost a year now, but had to resolve some stuff, but lots of miracles have occurred for them the last few weeks, and they are preparing for a mission already. Its amazing to have investigators teach lessons with you to other investigators because it truly shows they have a testimony and have no fear of the world to share it. They will make great priesthood leaders and Fernando, the 18 yr old, has plans to go on the mission as soon as he's able time-wise and come back and baptise his mom. He has no other family, and his mom is extrememly catholic and closed off to the decision that he's made, but he's still willing to do everything possible to live in the way that he feels God has prepared him for.
We have a number of full families that we are teaching, lots of excellent future priesthood holders, and the ward is slowly growing and getting excited for all these changes. The bishop called President and asked if he could take us somewhere are 10pm and the President approved us for where we were going (we had no idea it was a surprise) and he took us out to pizza hahaha it was pretty funny, but way good.
Theres a family that we're trying so hard with Miguel and Noelia and their kids (10 and 8) and they still havent come to church but God has been preparing them so much and they recognize that. They stopped smoking a year ago together just cause they felt they ought to, on another impulse he quit his job that was making him work Sundays, and now is the most successful haircutter in the area, and doesnt work Sundays or Mondays, and makes a TON of money (they have a Wii!!!!!!!!!! First I've seen in the Guay since the console is about $1000 and the games are about $100 each) etc... Everything has been working out perfectly for them and they know it but aren't ready to make some changes so we'll see what happens.
Another family we were teaching we went over to the house for the appointment and the mom, Laura, came out and tried to hand us the Book of Mormon in tears and said her husband wanted no more of it all. We got to talk to him and he said he would allow his wife to keep learning and going to church and everything, but he wants nothing more and won't allow his kids either. So thats pretty bittersweet. He's going out of town and she's going to church so the kids will be able to go with her Sunday and hopefully their testimonies will soften his heart. Laura it getting baptised the 25th, and if all goes well, her daughter will be baptised with her! We'll see what the Lord has in store for the family. Satan tries so hard to take down families its incredible!!!
This last week was the Santa Rosa, a huge yearly storm that starts EVERY YEAR on the 30th of August haha Dad can tell you about it. It sure made proselyting interesting. A massive tropical storm at freezing temperatures will never be my favorite working conditions, but it turned out alright haha Elder Ashby was sure glad to have his coat just in time heh
Well, thanks for everything, let me know what all is going on over there! I'm here early and havent seen your emails, so I'll answer any questions next time I guess. Dad, let me know everything you got to see and do, where you ate, etc...!!!!
Love, Elder Magnusson!!!
P.S. With all my photos, please just keep them safe, please don't post them all! I have something I want to do with them. Your fine to look at them and can post like 5-10 or something if you want, but I don't have hardly any photos of baptisms, zone activities, etc...and I need the memory card as it is with all the pics in the same order so when I get back I can get all my pics from old comps and piece it all together good. So PLEASE don't post my pics on facebook or anywhere PLEASE PLEASE
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