Incredible week this week! It was themost amazing baptism ever! The branch has been suffering so bad,and the family the Lord prepared to change things around just got baptized! The dad (34) Javier and daughter (15) Andrea asked me to baptize them and my companion baptized the mom (37) Alejandra and son (10) Mauricio. The interviews brought them all to tears, and the interviewer said it was one of the most spiritual moments of his mission. Their spiritual maturity is unreal. Andrea is autistic and in her interview Elder Fackrell asked her who God is to her, and she said that he was her father in heaven who sent his son to die for her and tearfully said and because Christ was baptised, I want to follow him. It was so special I wish I could put into words better.
The day of the baptism, they were the first ones there, we took all of our pictures in white and such, and during the whole service the spirit was so incredibly strong I could only compare it to temple work, maybe stronger. The lady that gifted Alejandra a Book of Mormon that started it all 5 years ago gave the talk, and we did a special musical number with a professional singer we reactivated (who is getting married next month and baptizing his wife!!!!!!!!!!!!) who also happened to be a longtime friend of Javier (another huge random miracle). All of the baptisms went really well and they all came out of the water with a HUGE smile and tears.
After the baptism, the branch Pres invited them to share their feelings, and Javier jumped up and said "I've never had the chance to stand before people to speak, and I could never before have without feeling very nervous, but I feel the spirit, and I am calm. I knew the church was true the moment I saw my youngest son pray, and knew I had to live up to him. My family is now united and we are happy. I know that this is the true church and that was restored by a true prophet." and a few other things it was SO AMAZING!!!! Selios from the stake gave him a hug and told him that would be the first of many times he'd be standing before the congregation haha he's going to be Pres. for sure in July after Stake Conference when he has the Melchizedek Priesthood. Attendance in the branch this week broke 75 again the 2nd week in a row!!!!!!!
Their blessings in their confirmations were amazing, too. Mauricio was promised in his that he would bring many souls unto Christ through his missionary service and example in sharing the gospel to his friends. He's only 10, but he reminds me of Joseph Smith, he asks very very deep questions that always worried his parents, but now I think they understand how mature he actually is to be able to recognize those promptings so well. Alejandra was just bawling through all of the confirmations it was great haha she's such a good mom. They invited us to lunch twice this next week, they are going to be future missionaries favorite family forever hahaha
The Da Silva family is doing great. Both pairs of twins are progressing really well still towards baptism the 28th. The branch reached out to the mom really well on Sunday and she loved it!
We had out last district meeting today and we had a funeral for the 2 missionaries going home. It was powerful, we had them give an account of their "life" and testimonies. They've been really great leaders. We took our zone photos and went out to eat together dressed in our suits (all in black for the "funeral" haha) at a fancy restaurant. I'm going to miss a lot of the missionaries in the zone, it's been a lot of fun. We are on track to get our month goals! Changes are already next week. It came soooo quick, it gets faster every time!
The cheap way I saw to get to Iguazu is by Buquebus from Salto. That was a year ago when I saw it so maybe that line doesnt run anymore, but I assume so, its just a small plane ride. $400 round trip is WAAAY too much, there's tons of deals I've seen on bilboards and such in Deo for way less. Try looking on uruguayan websites, it'll be way too much money through an international airline service. Look for something small or private.
I love you all, keep smiling and working hard! Look for miracles! Do what the Lord asks and He's obligated to put them in your path.
Elder Magnusson
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
May 9, 2011
It was a blast talking to you!
I really don't have anything else to say haha, so for now, here's a general plan for when you come.
Arrive in Montevideo on Thursday 29th, stay at the Days Inn that night, spend all Friday 30th in Montevideo, and spend that night in the same Days Inn. Saturday 1st morning we drive up to Tacuarembo (taking lots of pictures on the way up, super pretty scenery!). We'll visit converts and members all day, and that night stay at the Carlos Gardel. The following morning Sunday 2nd we'll go visit Valle Eden on the way out and see the "Garden of Eden" a really famous, pretty place in Tbo. We'll continue on to Fray Bentos and spend the day and evening, and go to General Conference. We'll stay that night in the Gran Hotel on the river front, and on the morning of Monday the 3rd, we'll drive up to Salto and spend the day there. That night we'll stay at Los Naranjos, and on the morning of the 4th we'll fly up from Salto to Iguazu Falls (could you check on the times here, I have no idea! I think it costs like $50 a ticket or so) and here's where I'm not sure of the itinerary, how long we can stay there and such, or when we'll get there and can leave.
You might want to check on rental prices already too and maybe reserve something soon. With this itinerary, I think we should get home the 6th or so. If you can find an easier way to organize, the cities I want to visit are Montevideo, Tacuarembo, Fray Bentos, and Salto. Hopefully I won't leave here and have to go visit somewhere else haha.
It was fun hearing your voices, and I am glad all are doing so well.
Today we had a good district meeting, and this afternoon we are going on a scenic bikeride down the river front. It will be a lot of fun. Thursday is zone conference, lots to prepare. Saturday is the Durè's baptism!!! Family of 4, already temple ready haha They are stoked!
Peñarol lost the Clasico against Nacional, so my team got put to shame. Elder Schumann won bragging rights.
Keep up the good work, I love you all a ton :)
Elder Magnusson
I really don't have anything else to say haha, so for now, here's a general plan for when you come.
Arrive in Montevideo on Thursday 29th, stay at the Days Inn that night, spend all Friday 30th in Montevideo, and spend that night in the same Days Inn. Saturday 1st morning we drive up to Tacuarembo (taking lots of pictures on the way up, super pretty scenery!). We'll visit converts and members all day, and that night stay at the Carlos Gardel. The following morning Sunday 2nd we'll go visit Valle Eden on the way out and see the "Garden of Eden" a really famous, pretty place in Tbo. We'll continue on to Fray Bentos and spend the day and evening, and go to General Conference. We'll stay that night in the Gran Hotel on the river front, and on the morning of Monday the 3rd, we'll drive up to Salto and spend the day there. That night we'll stay at Los Naranjos, and on the morning of the 4th we'll fly up from Salto to Iguazu Falls (could you check on the times here, I have no idea! I think it costs like $50 a ticket or so) and here's where I'm not sure of the itinerary, how long we can stay there and such, or when we'll get there and can leave.
You might want to check on rental prices already too and maybe reserve something soon. With this itinerary, I think we should get home the 6th or so. If you can find an easier way to organize, the cities I want to visit are Montevideo, Tacuarembo, Fray Bentos, and Salto. Hopefully I won't leave here and have to go visit somewhere else haha.
It was fun hearing your voices, and I am glad all are doing so well.
Today we had a good district meeting, and this afternoon we are going on a scenic bikeride down the river front. It will be a lot of fun. Thursday is zone conference, lots to prepare. Saturday is the Durè's baptism!!! Family of 4, already temple ready haha They are stoked!
Peñarol lost the Clasico against Nacional, so my team got put to shame. Elder Schumann won bragging rights.
Keep up the good work, I love you all a ton :)
Elder Magnusson
May 2, 2011
Another great week! The Durè family is getting ready for their baptism, and are super excited. Tonight we have FHE with them. On Thurs or Fri we`re going to pull out a marriage date for Adrian and Sabrina, and he's going to be able to baptize her the following week. This Sunday he got up to bare his testimony and all, it was incredible to see a man that had left the church 18 yrs ago come back with such force. He's sharing the gospel with everyone and will do incredible things!!! His Evangelical pastor visited him and asked him to come back and he obeyed and got up in their church that Saturday night and testified of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and asked that the congregation follow him in at least reading and asking God if it's true. He said he has a list of people for us to visit with him next week. Man, he is so incredible.
The Suarez family we found out are for sure married and they are still have a lot of questions, but are progressing towards baptism. Another family!!! This week we also found a lady that hadn't gone to church in 10 years and recently was left by her husband and was praying for guidance when we showed up. So, we visited with her and her 6 KIDS! aged 19, 16, pair of 13 twins, pair of 9 twins. HALLELUJAH! We challenged all of the kids to baptism and she said that closing prayer, one of the most powerful I have ever heard and when it ended she was crying hard and all of her kids too, me and my companion only could smile though haha Another family!! We are finding a goldmine of solid families here which is exactly what the branch needs. With Javier and Adrian, Melch. Priesthood will exactly double haha.
Early this morning I got some sick news from some members that called us to say Osama Bin Laden was killed by 20 Seals in a Pakistani mansion and it was all videoed or something. We celebrated in district meeting by singing the national anthem and someone made a big cake haha and a few people congratulated us today. They say everyone is partying up in the U.S.
This week is nuts we have to go down to Montevideo all day Thurs, Fri we have a Stake Talent Show to prepare for and make happen, and Saturday is Valeria's baptism. It will be NUTS, please pray for my patience to endure haha.
I'm sorry to hear about your ankle, dad! That's rough, just keep me posted, I really hope you'll be able to come pick me up, but if not I understand, just let me know asap, so I can plan accordingly. Maybe if things fall through we can come back next summer or something. I'll keep you in my prayers, just be careful so you don't end up cripple permanently. Old people don't heal as fast, dad. (heh, just kidding.
Weather here was hot for a number of days until Saturday night in rolled an Arctic storm and dropped the temp like 50 degrees with icy strong winds and crazy rainfall. Sunday was the same all day, and now today the sun is bright and warm again, but the air is still very cold. Winter is on it's way fast! It's going to be weird finishing winter and going into winter again. This next year will be all winter!
Keep me posted on Trevor, get me his address if possible, or email or anything! Tell Karl he's gotta wait a little longer, he has to be a bachelor when we go on that campout or he can't go (tomà!) and Will to be patient heh I sent them letters today.
I love this work so much!!! We are working hard and seeing so many miracles with entire families!!! I pray for you always, keep looking for ways to serve and love others. We must always remember our covenants, and the promised blessings we have.
Love you all!!!
Elder Magnusson
P.S. I still need Michelle's address! :)
The Suarez family we found out are for sure married and they are still have a lot of questions, but are progressing towards baptism. Another family!!! This week we also found a lady that hadn't gone to church in 10 years and recently was left by her husband and was praying for guidance when we showed up. So, we visited with her and her 6 KIDS! aged 19, 16, pair of 13 twins, pair of 9 twins. HALLELUJAH! We challenged all of the kids to baptism and she said that closing prayer, one of the most powerful I have ever heard and when it ended she was crying hard and all of her kids too, me and my companion only could smile though haha Another family!! We are finding a goldmine of solid families here which is exactly what the branch needs. With Javier and Adrian, Melch. Priesthood will exactly double haha.
Early this morning I got some sick news from some members that called us to say Osama Bin Laden was killed by 20 Seals in a Pakistani mansion and it was all videoed or something. We celebrated in district meeting by singing the national anthem and someone made a big cake haha and a few people congratulated us today. They say everyone is partying up in the U.S.
This week is nuts we have to go down to Montevideo all day Thurs, Fri we have a Stake Talent Show to prepare for and make happen, and Saturday is Valeria's baptism. It will be NUTS, please pray for my patience to endure haha.
I'm sorry to hear about your ankle, dad! That's rough, just keep me posted, I really hope you'll be able to come pick me up, but if not I understand, just let me know asap, so I can plan accordingly. Maybe if things fall through we can come back next summer or something. I'll keep you in my prayers, just be careful so you don't end up cripple permanently. Old people don't heal as fast, dad. (heh, just kidding.
Weather here was hot for a number of days until Saturday night in rolled an Arctic storm and dropped the temp like 50 degrees with icy strong winds and crazy rainfall. Sunday was the same all day, and now today the sun is bright and warm again, but the air is still very cold. Winter is on it's way fast! It's going to be weird finishing winter and going into winter again. This next year will be all winter!
Keep me posted on Trevor, get me his address if possible, or email or anything! Tell Karl he's gotta wait a little longer, he has to be a bachelor when we go on that campout or he can't go (tomà!) and Will to be patient heh I sent them letters today.
I love this work so much!!! We are working hard and seeing so many miracles with entire families!!! I pray for you always, keep looking for ways to serve and love others. We must always remember our covenants, and the promised blessings we have.
Love you all!!!
Elder Magnusson
P.S. I still need Michelle's address! :)
April 25, 2011
Happy Easter:) First before I forget, please email a photo of our family all together (maybe the one from vacation in Utah before I left) to the office elders on the gmail, they asked for a photo of everyones family in the mission, and I don't have anything digital to send one. Thanks!
First to answer questions, ya, theres 2 wards and a branch in this little town, but the wards have each about 40 people attending and the branch half that, so they don't technically count as wards haha. They were at one point organized as wards, but have since fallen a lot and rumor has it our branch will be dissolved in a matter of months. In the stake there's probably under 400 active members, SO...we're going to try and change that.
We travel all by bus between the 3 cities. There is only passenger railway in the south of the country. Everything is by bus. Most are way nice buses though and super cheap, so I can't complain!
Easter was FANTASTIC! We are working hard to contact and visit every family we see and have found some good people. The branch has only one active couple. The rest are single moms and kids. One the 7th, the Durè family will be baptized and he's such an incredible man he'll probably be the new Branch Pres. within a short period of time. I LOVE this family they are sooooo great. They have been some of the most prepared people to hear the gospel I've ever met. He's also a singer and we are organizing a talent show for the 6th, and he is going to bring his murga group.
Another man we are working with that is less active cam for the first time in 20 yrs last week, this week he brought his wife and she loved it. We challenged her to baptism, and this week they are going to pull out a marriage date. Its nice to be here at this time in my mission because I'm guessing I'll probably finish here and see all these great things! Behind him lives another couple we found this week, he whos military and got back last month from a 6 mo peace mission in Haiti (military here means peace service in Haiti or the Congo, they haven't been involved in a war in many many decades). We taught on families and they are really excited to progress.
We are also working really hard with the family of a 29 yr old man that got baptized a few months ago and seeing a bit of progress. Elder Schumann has a really good relationship with them and has been working with em for like 5 mo or so. His mom came to church this last week and we after had a really good lesson with her, and his 40-something yr old sister. Lots of miracles!!!
Yesterday we caught a huge tarantula, and today we are going to buy this resin that you put it in to embalm it like those see-through bug paper weights you see for sale. An investigator knows how to make those and is going to show us. We took a funny video of it. Theres some cool bugs here that all come out when it rains. There was a pretty crazy storm here the other day. I also heard that theres been some crazy tornados in the states! End of the world!!! hahaha :)
Nope, they don't have easter bunnies, just really expensive big chocolate hollow eggs. We hid some in our house and the other elders in theres and had a little search. It was fun :)
That building across from the terminal is for the 2 wards, we meet at Rivera y Tala in a little building.
I'm jealous of all the good food! Here they don't eat red meat this last week so we got a bunch of fish. Fish empanadas, fish pizza, fish burgers, etc... It was....fun ha
Well, we are working really hard and having lots of fun. I love the work, it's progressing and I'm greatful for it. Vamos arriba!!!
I hope you took advantage of the opportunites Easter brings to share the gospel! If not, go out and preach the restored gospel!!! This week almost 2000 years ago, all the apostles but Thomas were running about sharing the good news with everyone! Don't forget the tomb is open!!
Loves,
Elder Magnusson
First to answer questions, ya, theres 2 wards and a branch in this little town, but the wards have each about 40 people attending and the branch half that, so they don't technically count as wards haha. They were at one point organized as wards, but have since fallen a lot and rumor has it our branch will be dissolved in a matter of months. In the stake there's probably under 400 active members, SO...we're going to try and change that.
We travel all by bus between the 3 cities. There is only passenger railway in the south of the country. Everything is by bus. Most are way nice buses though and super cheap, so I can't complain!
Easter was FANTASTIC! We are working hard to contact and visit every family we see and have found some good people. The branch has only one active couple. The rest are single moms and kids. One the 7th, the Durè family will be baptized and he's such an incredible man he'll probably be the new Branch Pres. within a short period of time. I LOVE this family they are sooooo great. They have been some of the most prepared people to hear the gospel I've ever met. He's also a singer and we are organizing a talent show for the 6th, and he is going to bring his murga group.
Another man we are working with that is less active cam for the first time in 20 yrs last week, this week he brought his wife and she loved it. We challenged her to baptism, and this week they are going to pull out a marriage date. Its nice to be here at this time in my mission because I'm guessing I'll probably finish here and see all these great things! Behind him lives another couple we found this week, he whos military and got back last month from a 6 mo peace mission in Haiti (military here means peace service in Haiti or the Congo, they haven't been involved in a war in many many decades). We taught on families and they are really excited to progress.
We are also working really hard with the family of a 29 yr old man that got baptized a few months ago and seeing a bit of progress. Elder Schumann has a really good relationship with them and has been working with em for like 5 mo or so. His mom came to church this last week and we after had a really good lesson with her, and his 40-something yr old sister. Lots of miracles!!!
Yesterday we caught a huge tarantula, and today we are going to buy this resin that you put it in to embalm it like those see-through bug paper weights you see for sale. An investigator knows how to make those and is going to show us. We took a funny video of it. Theres some cool bugs here that all come out when it rains. There was a pretty crazy storm here the other day. I also heard that theres been some crazy tornados in the states! End of the world!!! hahaha :)
Nope, they don't have easter bunnies, just really expensive big chocolate hollow eggs. We hid some in our house and the other elders in theres and had a little search. It was fun :)
That building across from the terminal is for the 2 wards, we meet at Rivera y Tala in a little building.
I'm jealous of all the good food! Here they don't eat red meat this last week so we got a bunch of fish. Fish empanadas, fish pizza, fish burgers, etc... It was....fun ha
Well, we are working really hard and having lots of fun. I love the work, it's progressing and I'm greatful for it. Vamos arriba!!!
I hope you took advantage of the opportunites Easter brings to share the gospel! If not, go out and preach the restored gospel!!! This week almost 2000 years ago, all the apostles but Thomas were running about sharing the good news with everyone! Don't forget the tomb is open!!
Loves,
Elder Magnusson
April 18, 2011
Hey from Fray Bentos!
First of all, to answer your questions, I'm in the 3rd branch, and ya there's wards 1and 2 here in the city. We are 8 missionaries. Also in the zone are 8 missionaries from the city Mercedes and 4 from Dolores. No, there's no car. Not even bikes haha. I wish.
Ya, the plans to tour here and go to Iguazu is perfect! I'll talk to Dani (Elder Grau haha) and see if he can plan things with his studies all right.
Here in the city, it's way different than anywhere else I've ever been. I feel like I'm in the US. The city was founded in 2 little neighborhoods be England and Germany, so everyone is blonde-haired and blue-eyed, and talks weird. They are great people and I'm super excited to see the miracles that wait.
This Sunday a family of investigators (Familia Durè) came for the first time, they are already married, and were so prepared to hear the gospel. The father, mother, and 2 kids (11 and 15) will be baptised together on the 7th. I think its the following day that I talk to you, but I can't remember, is it the 1st or the 8th? They are excited to progress!
The branch is pretty small, about 25-30 people, and 20 of those are assigned to this branch from other wards to keep it going, so in reality, theres about 10 active members in our little branch hahaha this family will nearly double things hahahaha Javier is a stud and will probably be branch president in about 3 months no joke!
Since we have to travel for district meeting, now I have the meeting and P-Day on the same day! Today we had breakfast all together and then had a video scavenger hunt where we had to take video of funny things (scaring a dog, teaching a statue, starting a debate between brands of mate, etc...) it was a lot of fun.
Thats funny Arloa ran into Elder Squires! He's from Yuma, super good guy! How do they know him? Just ran into him at the airport?
I'm living in a NICE house here and next door are the Elders from the next ward over, they are all good friends from the whole mission, so it's going to be a lot of fun to be together. We are working really really hard to build the work here, so I hope we can animate the zone to make good things happen :)
This is the Lord's work and it's so good! Make good things happen to those around you! Find opportunities to teach and testify and be good friends and neighboors!
Love you all,
Elder Magnusson
First of all, to answer your questions, I'm in the 3rd branch, and ya there's wards 1and 2 here in the city. We are 8 missionaries. Also in the zone are 8 missionaries from the city Mercedes and 4 from Dolores. No, there's no car. Not even bikes haha. I wish.
Ya, the plans to tour here and go to Iguazu is perfect! I'll talk to Dani (Elder Grau haha) and see if he can plan things with his studies all right.
Here in the city, it's way different than anywhere else I've ever been. I feel like I'm in the US. The city was founded in 2 little neighborhoods be England and Germany, so everyone is blonde-haired and blue-eyed, and talks weird. They are great people and I'm super excited to see the miracles that wait.
This Sunday a family of investigators (Familia Durè) came for the first time, they are already married, and were so prepared to hear the gospel. The father, mother, and 2 kids (11 and 15) will be baptised together on the 7th. I think its the following day that I talk to you, but I can't remember, is it the 1st or the 8th? They are excited to progress!
The branch is pretty small, about 25-30 people, and 20 of those are assigned to this branch from other wards to keep it going, so in reality, theres about 10 active members in our little branch hahaha this family will nearly double things hahahaha Javier is a stud and will probably be branch president in about 3 months no joke!
Since we have to travel for district meeting, now I have the meeting and P-Day on the same day! Today we had breakfast all together and then had a video scavenger hunt where we had to take video of funny things (scaring a dog, teaching a statue, starting a debate between brands of mate, etc...) it was a lot of fun.
Thats funny Arloa ran into Elder Squires! He's from Yuma, super good guy! How do they know him? Just ran into him at the airport?
I'm living in a NICE house here and next door are the Elders from the next ward over, they are all good friends from the whole mission, so it's going to be a lot of fun to be together. We are working really really hard to build the work here, so I hope we can animate the zone to make good things happen :)
This is the Lord's work and it's so good! Make good things happen to those around you! Find opportunities to teach and testify and be good friends and neighboors!
Love you all,
Elder Magnusson
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