:)

Hello! This week has been a crazy one haha! A lot has happened! This week has gone by so fast!

Last P-day at night, it started pouring rain, and in a half hour the streets, everything was flooded. I was on exchanges for the evening and I was so wet! I took a few pictures haha, I had my camera with me. I was pretty worried about that! But it still works :) My temple recommend got wet though, and a part ripped off, the only part was the bar code :P which is pretty important! What should I do about that?  I saw the pictures of Deklan :) thank you for showing them to me! I cant believe how much more he´s grown up!

My companion and I have been focusing a lot on the Atonement. I love the Atonement for everything it offers me, and for everything it offers others. So sharing what I know about the Atonement with others has been a blessing to me, and I feel overwhelmed at times to know that my Savior loves me so much that He suffered and died for me. It´s my favorite thing to share :) 

 

My companion and I had two service projects this week haha. One we dug and pulled a huge pole out of the ground. That took a lot of time which we weren't expecting! It also took a lot of effort, but it reminded me of when I was in Peru digging those trenches and I just started to love the work. I was exhausted from it haha but it was a good feeling. I love service :) I always think of you, mom and dad when I think of service. Dad, you loved to serve and help others, no matter how sick or how much you hurt. You always loved that opportunity to help others and their snow-covered driveways :) and I remember hearing a talk about mothers, about how every single thing moms do, every single day, the same things over and over again, is all for the service of their families. And I haven´t been the easiest person to raise :P but my mom loved and served me every day, and reared me in righteousness and the gospel. Thank you for your examples :)

So we have this investigator who has been progressing really well, and she told us that she knows the church is true and feels so much comfort in the message. Her name is Mabel. I've been so excited for her! We stopped by one day after a pretty dysfunctional lesson (the member we brought with us thought the 5 points of the Gospel of Jesus Christ was don't drink, don't smoke, and other parts of the Word of Wisdom. And bore testimony several times that we can go to the celestial kingdom because of this, because we´ll have great health. Didn´t go really as we had planned haha). We stopped by Mabel´s house right after for an appointment we had set up. Her daughter had been there and left right before we got there, but she told Mabel that we´re crazy and that she doesn't want her talking to us anymore. Mabel´s going to listen to her daughter because her daughter is sick and she doesn't want to make her feel worse in any way, her family is her whole life to her. That broke my heart! I didn't feel angry or upset at all, but I felt the deepest feeling of sadness because she was willing to change for the feelings and comfort she received through this great Gospel... I was so sad after that, I still feel sad whenever I think about Mabel. I hope and pray that she has the opportunity to hear from missionaries again, whether it´s Elder Bravo and I or not. She´s been in my prayers a lot lately.

Well, Elder Bravo knew I was sad and so he went and bought us ice cream hahaha, we had it delivered to us! So we got over our sadness for a little while eating ice cream and talking about boys, no just kidding! [I think Alek knows us girls too well!]

Oh, I just remembered something! It´s so hard to share my wit with others. I mean it isn't great, but it isn't bad, right? Spanish is hard enough for me to have a conversation, let alone wit! haha I say this joke all the time. So my Apellido is Clubb, but in Spanish it´s cloob. so I say cloob-b-b. Hermano Cuadra from the MTC gave me that idea haha but surprisingly everyone loves it! They think it´s funny, probably more surprised I actually said something they could understand :)

So this past Saturday I had an amazing experience, I had my first baptism in Argentina :) I baptized a boy named Geronimo Puiz, he is 10 years old :) He and his brother were both baptized. They were the investigators of the sister missionaries in our district, and since Elder Bravo is their DL he conducted the interview. After they got out, they chose us to baptize them! I was so surprised hahaha! He´s an awesome kid, a little shy, but a lot of fun. Reminds me of Dakota, in looks and personality haha. But I actually baptized him, and this time, I didn´t mess up :) It was a spiritually edifying experience for me, I felt the spirit, and I prayed so hard for that boy. I hope he never strays from this path, that he will always be strong and enjoy the blessings this Gospel brings. But he´s an awesome kid, and I learned a lot from him in the two days I knew him :) 

I know this Gospel is true, it´s crazy to think I´ll be out for 3 months this week. I know Jesus Christ is my Savior and He suffered for me, that I may be clean, to share this message with all of God´s children, and that I can be with my family forever. My faults are so loud, seemingly screaming at me while I've been here. And I'm afraid that my lacks and mistakes will get in the way of someone receiving the Gospel. So it´s been a wonderful opportunity to exercise my faith, and to do the best I can.

 I love you family :) you are all in my prayers every day, I hope you are all doing awesome! And I am still always here for you if anyone needs me :)

Les amo,

Elder Alek Clubb

Hola!

Hola! How is everyone doing?!! :)

This week has been pretty interesting haha. A little different from the regular schedule. We´ve been traveling a lot, first to Pergamino for Zone Conference, then later in the week to Rosario for Tramites, haha, stuff for my visa. So I haven't had much sleep and we haven't had very many lessons this week.

The zone conference was pretty cool! I saw Elder Millheim there, he seems to be doing really well. I learned a lot at that conference, the AP's, the mission president and his wife are so awesome! We went on Valentine´s Day haha, that was funny. It didn't feel like it at all! But that´s probably a good thing :)

I've been on a few exchanges as well. One last week, with one of the zone leaders, and one this week. It´s pretty neat to have exchanges! A little something different, to get to know other missionaries :) But during that time, we had an appointment with a referral we got. His name is Juan Pablo, and his wife is LDS. I always have such high hopes for every person we meet! I always picture them being baptized, going to the temple, basically being happily ever after :) sadly, it doesn't always turn out that way.

This guy was hardcore Catholic, and has recently decided to take the missionary discussions (again) with the interest of being baptized! It happened after they started reading the Book of Mormon together :) What a powerful little book! I feel as though the testimony of my old man (hehe) has rubbed off on me. He would always say that if he could get someone to read the Book of Mormon and pray with a sincere heart about it, they´d be converted. Thanks Dad, for your infinite wisdom :) But it´s true! Well, we taught him the first lesson, I felt like it went great, I actually talked quite a bit (!) which is difficult at times. The hardest is understanding for me :/ I shared Joseph Smith´s first vision, and I felt the Spirit! His wife was crying, it seemed like a pretty neat moment to me. He seemed a little uncomfortable the whole time. then right after, he said he had to go to the bathroom, and ran off for an hour hahaha. I was like Darn! I wonder if he felt it :P Darn bowels! haha jk. He said he was going to come to church but didn't show up yesterday with his wife :/ that was disappointing.

We met this mom with a family, she wants the best for her kids and has been open to us teaching her, which is cool. We stopped by Sunday morning to pick her up, but nobody answered :/ that was disappointing as well.  We did see some miracles though, like Alejandro Veyron, who was inactive and his wife is Catholic, they both started to go to the Catholic church together, and baptized their baby into the Catholic church as well. He started to cry when we taught about families to him, and the Book of Mormon. We weren't there long, but he gave the most humble prayer, that was pretty neat :)

There was also this mom, who has a family and is trying to raise and take care of them, as well as take care of her dying mother who has cancer... She said that she is so busy that she can't leave to go to church or anything, but she is open to our message. She really opened up to us and started to cry. I wish I could know Spanish... so that I could try my hardest to help her in this time of need. I thought of mom, and all she does for me. All the sacrifices she makes for our family and that really helped me to understand a little better, her life. We are going to try really hard to serve her and to help. That's why I love this gospel, because no matter what situation we´re in, it can help someone.

Wow I can't believe Deklan is already 1... I was a little bummed, I'm missing him growing up! My little bro! And Trestyn can drive!! I miss you guys!  I remember in "17 Miracles", Levi Savage left his son, who was probably around Deklan's age now, to serve a 3 year mission, then suffered that whole entire movie, and more, and trial after trial to return to him. He truly loved and served the Lord and the gospel to do that.

Haha I have something funny to tell Dallyn, so guess what? You can order ice cream here, and they deliver it! It´s amazing :) I thought she would enjoy that haha! I heard mom and dad's song in the ice cream place as well! That was a nice surprise :)

Oh yeah! an Hermana was given a container of drugs by someone who comes to learn English. It was so funny!! He said it enlightens the soul, and whacky stuff like that, she was totally weirded out. But it was great because she was too nice to reject it, so she took it haha she doesn't know what to do but she's been freaking out hahaha. that made me laugh :)

Did anyone pray that I would eat more food? Because yesterday we got invited to 2 lunches, so we had to go on splits to go to both, and then we were given 2 dinners that night. hahaha I've eaten a lot lately! The food here is good :) A lot of asada! I like grilled meat haha, I like it a lot!

Well I'm out of time, I realized that my emails are really random sometimes haha but a lot happens and I love to share with  you :) I love you guys so much, you are all awesome :) You're in my prayers always! I hope you have been able to feel that.

Les amo,

Elder Alek Clubb :)

Week Two in Venado Tuerto!

Hola!!

So this week has been pretty crazy haha. It was a lot faster then last week too. It´s been really difficult  here because everyone is Catholic and doesn't want to listen to us haha :P. It stinks. I think only someone who has been a missionary before knows the crappy feeling that comes when the door gets shut, and you think ´but I really have something special for you...´. That´s been difficult, a lot of contacting, I think we only taught a few lessons.

We were able to teach a part member family. The dad is turning Catholic. He says it's a good church. His wife is Catholic. We brought a member with us to teach and she´s very... animated about the gospel :) therefore, it turned into a conversation with moments of contention, without a real lesson :P. We were there way too long. But I got the feeling to share pictures of my family and Katherine with the wife, I always have some in my scripture case. I told her that my companion and I left our families and loved ones to share this important Gospel, and that we can talk and argue, but the only way to know is through God. We were able to set another appointment for this week, I hope it´s better than the last lesson.

Spanish is psycho haha but I'm working on it! I eat dulce de leche with stuff twice a day. This is mostly our meals haha. Very rarely do we make our own food hahaha. Members have been feeding us a lot, and that´s been really nice :) My companion made us Lomo Saltado! (a Peruvian dish) A little bit of Peru hahaha. He knows a person in the area who´s Peruvian and she is going to make us Lomo and Ceviche :) so I'm excited haha. I've maintained the same weight my whole mission, including the MTC. Idk if that´s good or bad haha

I almost got robbed!!! hahaha :) It was pretty crazy. We were going to a store, and there were a few guys, like older teenagers, who were outside. When we walked in, Elder Bravo said, they want to rob us. I just busted out laughing! It was so funny haha. I guess they were looking at my watch (which btw with the heat and humidity has some condensation underneath haha it´s funny). He recognized them as psycho children of God who wanted to rob us! Katherine is going to kill me haha I told her I wouldn't wear the watch :P I don't anymore! But they walked in after us and were guarding the door and one came up behind us. I thought it was funny the whole time I don't know why :P. While I was buying the stuff, Elder Bravo started talking to them! He was like, what do you want? Do you want something? WE have Pamphlets, do you want some pamphlets? We are missionaries.... haha stuff like that, and gave them folletos about the family. They just kind of laughed, and we walked out of the store and we ran away hahaha it made me laugh.

'Happy Birthday, Trestyn!!' WOW!! You're too old :) haha jk, but happy birthday! And 'Happy Birthday, Deklan' as well this week! He´s 1 :) Darn I'm missing it!! I hope he's doing well. Everyone loves him and all of the pictures I show haha. And 'Happy Valentines' to everyone as well! I hope you all have good a good holiday. 'Happy Valentines Day, Katherine Dodge! :)'

I´ve bought a few things, like a soccer ball haha. I'm excited to use it. The only thing I'm planning on using the money I have now is for letters. They´re pretty expensive here :/ that´s about it though.

I randomly chipped my tooth too. I have no idea how, but it´s chipped :P


This is definitely a different culture! It's taking some getting used to. We were in a members' home and the place is pretty dirty, like dirt and things everywhere. And there was a baby crawling on the ground, sucking on things. I was pretty worried for the baby! If that was Deklan I would've picked him up and flipped out hahaha. And while we were talking, a huge dog bit a little kid´s arm. Everyone was freaking out, running all over the place, I was freaking out!

The same baby received a blessing in church and we were invited into the circle. I looked down in the middle of it and saw that the kid was like squirming and moving and trying to leave and the Grandpa was grabbing his head trying to keep it still, while our hands were over the air. It was so funny! haha I tried to keep it in. I had the opportunity to give a sister who has been struggling a blessing of comfort. It is a pretty cool feeling. I know the priesthood is the power of God.
Well I'm out of time, I love you all :) You're in my prayers. I hope everyone is doing great!! It´s been super hard here, but I´m still trying to keep a smile on, and spread this great Gospel. We are so blessed to have it in our lives. :)


Elder Clubb

In Venado Tuerto, Argentina!

Hola mi familia!!

Wow so much has happened since I´ve last talked to you!! I have an hour to email family :) so I´d like to spend some time emailing everyone individually, you need to email me first so I can respond!

So after I got off the phone for the last time to say goodbye (flippping hard!) Elder Peery and I went to the terminal and it was empty. We kind of flipped out a lot and ran to the plane and everyone was on the plane already for like 20 minutes haha oops! That was fun :)

I took an Advil PM, didn't sleep, took another and slept the whole time! We arrived in Buenos Aires after that and met some people who took us to a bus. We drove to the MTC and picked up like 6 or 7 more Elders and 2 Hermanas! After that I fell asleep for the whole bus ride to Rosario haha. We went right to the mission home, which was pretty neat! We stayed there for two nights, and while we were there we did demonstrations on how to teach, stuff like that. The missionaries here are awesome!! Especially the AP´s! One is Elder Buhl, and he´s just the best. He is so funny and just so energetic. He was Hermano Hardy´s last companion in the field!! (Hmo Hardy is the teacher at the MTC who loved his mission that we talked about :)

I love the weather here!! It´s perfect for me! So many things remind me of California!! Like the weather, the immodesty, the Spanish, etc hahaha it makes me laugh. The weather would be especially perfect if I didn't have to walk all over the place carrying my things in a white shirt and tie, looking my best. But I still enjoy it :) I sweat so much! I'm covered in it by the time I leave.

While at the mission home we had some awesome food! Lots of chicken, some interesting pizza and sandwiches, and the last dinner was like beef steak. I ate so much! It was so good :) My mission president is great! President Giuliani. He lived in Rosario, served his mission in Argentina, then moved to LA, and after that to Provo to retire when he was called as mission president haha. But he´s great :)

So the last day in the mission home we got up and had study time, and then had a meeting about the most important rules to follow. Kind of freaked me out a little bit haha! But after we went to the nearest church to meet our trainers!! So we got there and there were a ton of Elders who were from the United States, with blonde hair and blue eyes haha. Then I got called up, and I met my companion! HE´s from PERU!!! :D It was so cool! I love him so much! He´s from Lima! He asked me to find out where Katherine´s family is, their address, that live in Lima. Isn´t that pretty neat though? :) He doesn't speak much English but really wants to, and looks for opportunities to speak what he knows haha. It´s pretty tough communicating fully, but already my Spanish has improved a ton. All of the members we´ve talked to, when they ask where I'm from and how long I've been here, are surprised and say my Spanish is so good for my first week! haha except for the kids, they still say my Spanish sucks :) which it does! I'm just happy I'm improving and can recognize that.

My companion loves soccer! And guess what? He played for Peru´s National team! HE SHOOK LIONEL MESSI´s HAND! Which completely blew my mind!!! So you guys need to Google his name :) He´s been all over the world playing other countries. He´s only 20 now and has 10 months of his mission left! I'm excited to play soccer today :) for the first time in a long time! He said the toughest thing for him was to leave soccer for his mission. He also has a lady friend who´s waiting for him. Kind of like me! Both are Peruvian! hahaha I thought that was funny. I know that he is the best for me because I've been praying for my trainer like Andrew Stacey said I should, and I feel so blessed to have him. He´s a great teacher, has a great spirit, and personality. I feel like this is a tender mercy of the Lord, for me to have Elder Felix Junior Bravo as my trainer. And I love PERU!

We drove to my first area, Venado Tuerto. Which translates to One-eyed Deer in English hahaha. I wonder if Joel´s dad has been here? My area is the centro uno part of Venado Tuelto. It´s a little south west from Rosario. I'm not going to lie, this is super hard. Going out and walking in the heat trying to find people to teach. We did what is called a white wash, where two missionaries leave and two new missionaries come in (us) and that´s been pretty tough. We have a few lessons and even taught a few! One, I taught in English! The Sisters in our district have an English class every once in a while on Saturdays and there was someone there trying to learn English! So my companion decided to teach him right on the spot haha. He met with missionaries before but stopped, just didn't go to church I suppose. Anyway, my companion taught in Spanish while I did in English a bit. It was super weird! I still can't understand most people, and most people can't understand me haha. It´s annoying at times, but I'm working my hardest.

Our room is little and dirty! When I first walked into the bathroom, I saw like 6 cockroaches on the floor haha and the shower in a bucket that fills up with water haha. to get hot water, I need to plug it into a outlet!  I laughed when I first saw that haha. I remember thinking something like, this is going to be a great story! I've gotten semi used to things now, things aren't so bad. I'm still uncomfortable here. Different people, different language, different everything, and missionary work isn't easy. I´m so happy I got to talk to everyone!! It made me so happy to hear your voices :)

We taught an elderly lady by her house yesterday, whose son had died. We taught about The Plan of Salvacion, and when she prayed with us, she started to cry hard the whole time. That was a cool experience :) We´re coming back this week to teach her.

My first Sunday was yesterday and it was Fast Sunday. My companion and I got asked to share our testimonies in the beginning, and I feel like I did  pretty good job. A few nights we´ve gone to sleep really late. From traveling to Venado Tuelto and also from some activity the ward had, and we had permission from the President to be there. So it´s been rough trying to do everything throughout the days haha

Well I'm out of time. I love you all! I'm so grateful for this opportunity to email you :) I hope and pray you are all doing great :)

-Elder Alek Clubb

PS they say not to put 'Elder' on letters if anyone will send those. Don't know why.