Please don't worry about me, I'm seriously the luckiest one in the car. If anything, please pray for the other kids that were in the car, so everything will work out in the best way possible and that they will heal. :) Thank you!
-Dallyn
Monday, March 26, 2012
2 months in Argentina!
Hello Family! :)
Ok so to start off, I can't believe what happened to Dallyn!! (Dallyn was in a car accident on Friday night. She was on a group date and the driver lost control, jumped a curb, went down an embankment, hit a tree & spun around 180 degrees and then hit a cement pole. She was in the front seat but walked away with some cuts and bruises on her face and neck. The driver hurt his foot, one passenger hit his head and got a concussion, another passenger broke 3 bones in one foot and 2 in the other, and a fourth passenger hit his head and has a black eye. Luckily they were in an old BMW that was built like a tank. It was totaled but everyone survived with minor injuries. We are grateful to the Lord for the impression to pray for all the kids on the date after they left and for answering our prayers and protecting them all that evening!) :( When I found out I was freaking out. I'm still freaking out, like my hands are shaking :P I'm so happy that she is ok though. I was and am still a little worried. Thank you Dallyn for writing me and telling me what happened!! I needed to hear what happened! You're in my prayers every day, especially that nothing will happen, harm or accident, that you will all be watched over and protected. So this was a scary thing to read :P but I know that God has blessed us, that it was an accident but that everyone is safe. And that is a tremendous blessing. I'm so grateful that everyone is ok. And idk that Austin kid, but tell Bennett I love him, and to hang in there like a champ. That flipping BMW has gone through a lot haha.
Happy Birthday this week Dakota!!! Wow, he´ll be teenager!! That is so crazy :) Hey I love you buddy, and have an awesome birthday!! The day before Conference, that´s so neat!
I'm super excited for Conference! I'm going to be watching it in English :) I decided to, because my mission president said something really interesting about that. That in English we get to hear the word of God directly from the mouth of a Prophet. And I never looked at it that way before! So I love English, and I'm planning on listening in English. I also love reading the talks of prophets and apostles in the past. I'm just so fascinated by the things they say, especially when I have time to think. My mind works so slow haha, so when I get to read, and think about what I'm reading, I feel like I learn a lot more. So any spare time I have, I'm reading off talks that I´ve printed off, or reading an LDS book. It´s been a blessing for me to do that and I also learn so much! And Neal A Maxwell, wow! I feel like I'm reading Spanish sometimes :) This has really strengthened my testimony of Prophets and apostles.
So good news! two kids, Danilo and Rocio, ages 16 and 13, came to church! Our first investigators with a baptismal date that have come to church :) They are two really spiritually prepared kids, they really understand so much about the gospel and have great testimonies. So I'm excited for them :)
I also had my first showdown with a Jehovah´s Witness! And that was crazy... haha. Like this guy just started saying stuff and talking about the Bible and prayer and Jehovah and I just kept bearing my testimony and saying random things. They are intimidating people! They really like to argue :P Elder Bravo just sat and watched, I think he got a good kick out of watching me struggle and not know what to do haha. But I survived haha :)
This is mas o menos what happened this week :) A lot has been continuing from the weeks before, but we´re going :) Thank you so much for your emails, they have been very supportive and loving :) and they have helped so much! I am constantly amazed by the life and testimony of Joseph Smith, that he could endure those trials. My testimony of him has grown so much lately! I know he was a prophet of God, the Prophet of the restoration.
You guys are the best!
Les amo
Elder Alek Clubb
PS, have a rockin' good weekend with conference. Priesthood is at 9 at night here!
Ok so to start off, I can't believe what happened to Dallyn!! (Dallyn was in a car accident on Friday night. She was on a group date and the driver lost control, jumped a curb, went down an embankment, hit a tree & spun around 180 degrees and then hit a cement pole. She was in the front seat but walked away with some cuts and bruises on her face and neck. The driver hurt his foot, one passenger hit his head and got a concussion, another passenger broke 3 bones in one foot and 2 in the other, and a fourth passenger hit his head and has a black eye. Luckily they were in an old BMW that was built like a tank. It was totaled but everyone survived with minor injuries. We are grateful to the Lord for the impression to pray for all the kids on the date after they left and for answering our prayers and protecting them all that evening!) :( When I found out I was freaking out. I'm still freaking out, like my hands are shaking :P I'm so happy that she is ok though. I was and am still a little worried. Thank you Dallyn for writing me and telling me what happened!! I needed to hear what happened! You're in my prayers every day, especially that nothing will happen, harm or accident, that you will all be watched over and protected. So this was a scary thing to read :P but I know that God has blessed us, that it was an accident but that everyone is safe. And that is a tremendous blessing. I'm so grateful that everyone is ok. And idk that Austin kid, but tell Bennett I love him, and to hang in there like a champ. That flipping BMW has gone through a lot haha.
Happy Birthday this week Dakota!!! Wow, he´ll be teenager!! That is so crazy :) Hey I love you buddy, and have an awesome birthday!! The day before Conference, that´s so neat!
I'm super excited for Conference! I'm going to be watching it in English :) I decided to, because my mission president said something really interesting about that. That in English we get to hear the word of God directly from the mouth of a Prophet. And I never looked at it that way before! So I love English, and I'm planning on listening in English. I also love reading the talks of prophets and apostles in the past. I'm just so fascinated by the things they say, especially when I have time to think. My mind works so slow haha, so when I get to read, and think about what I'm reading, I feel like I learn a lot more. So any spare time I have, I'm reading off talks that I´ve printed off, or reading an LDS book. It´s been a blessing for me to do that and I also learn so much! And Neal A Maxwell, wow! I feel like I'm reading Spanish sometimes :) This has really strengthened my testimony of Prophets and apostles.
So good news! two kids, Danilo and Rocio, ages 16 and 13, came to church! Our first investigators with a baptismal date that have come to church :) They are two really spiritually prepared kids, they really understand so much about the gospel and have great testimonies. So I'm excited for them :)
I also had my first showdown with a Jehovah´s Witness! And that was crazy... haha. Like this guy just started saying stuff and talking about the Bible and prayer and Jehovah and I just kept bearing my testimony and saying random things. They are intimidating people! They really like to argue :P Elder Bravo just sat and watched, I think he got a good kick out of watching me struggle and not know what to do haha. But I survived haha :)
This is mas o menos what happened this week :) A lot has been continuing from the weeks before, but we´re going :) Thank you so much for your emails, they have been very supportive and loving :) and they have helped so much! I am constantly amazed by the life and testimony of Joseph Smith, that he could endure those trials. My testimony of him has grown so much lately! I know he was a prophet of God, the Prophet of the restoration.
You guys are the best!
Les amo
Elder Alek Clubb
PS, have a rockin' good weekend with conference. Priesthood is at 9 at night here!
Monday, March 19, 2012
Another Week!
Hello hello!
So this week has been interesting haha. We had transfers and that was really cool! Sad when people leave, but also happy when people came in :) Some of the new Elders and Sisters that came in are so awesome! I went on splits with one Elder, his name is Elder Naumann from Arizona. His mom was the first person baptized in all of the Dominican Republic. That´s pretty neat! haha I had fun talking with him.
Random: There´s this investigator we have as well who at one point was the number one boxer in all of Argentina. That was really cool I thought! His name is Jose Luis.
Well in all honesty, this week has been pretty rough :P even though the time was shorter between P-days, it seemed longer for some reason! We´ve been struggling with our area and our Investigators. I remember during weekly planning we just sat there in silence for a long time. After Elder Bravo started talking to me, and how he's had a lot of success in the past but something is wrong now and he doesn't know what. So I gave him a blessing, which was actually pretty cool because I felt the spirit and I gave a blessing in Spanish! Every time I use the priesthood it´s a testimony to me of the power of heaven. And it´s a blessing to me to be able to have it.
Every day in my journal I write: ¿Que milagro vi hoy? I took this from Elder Bravo, who every night before we go to sleep asks for what miracle we´ve seen today. It´s helps to find the small miracles and to look for the positive. So every night I write that at the top. So I'd like to share some with you :)
One says: We helped Hermana Alassia with our service and our words. There is a sister in the ward, faithful, has a calling in the church and works faithfully toward that. All of her family are members as well (which actually consists of nearly the whole branch :P) and we saw her shoveling dirt in front of her house. Elder Bravo and I came and helped her shovel the dirt, and while we were doing so, she talked to us about how she´s been struggling really hard with some family concerns. We were able to shovel the dirt for her, and talk to her, and although it didn't seem like much, we saw her countenance improve :) and she was happy and laughing after a while.
Another day says: We didn't get knifed. Hahaha ok this freaked me out. Elder Bravo and I were walking past a school and there were some older teenagers standing around being dumb, usually smoking or something. We passed by them and one asked if Elder Bravo had any money. He said no and then asked if the other had money. The way Elder Bravo said it was funny though, he used 'vos'. Just a short explanation of vos, people in Argentina use it in place of the tu form, so as missionaries we shouldn't use it, and they don't even use that in Peru! The kid after he said that pulled out a knife that shot from the hilt and pointed it at us as we passed. Like my heart dropped to my butt haha but we just kept walking and ignored him, and we were left alone. Flipping knife, scared the poop out of me hahaha. Maybe we didn't get stabbed because Elder Bravo used 'Vos' haha, but he later said it just popped out and he had no idea why he used it. That was pretty cool!
Another is about tender mercies. This week I feel like I've struggled in a lot of different ways. Different things kept coming up, of trial and difficulty. And it seemed to pile on from the weeks before. But I have been blessed as well. I've found strength in my Patriarchal blessing, in praying out loud, reading old conference talks. Yesterday we watched the Joseph Smith movie, and his example and life and testimony helped me as well. I know he was a prophet of God and that he is resting from his trials. I'm so grateful for his life, to sacrifice all for the glory of the restored gospel. He´s an amazing man and that movie strengthened my own testimony. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir and their music helped me feel the spirit, and reminded me of a spiritual trek experience and the trials of the Mormon pioneers. Seemingly little things have helped me, letting me know I'm still loved of my Heavenly Father and my Savior. Small moments to encourage me to continue onward. I've never thought that being a missionary would be this hard. Or even that so many people would reject this joyful message. Many days Elder Bravo and I have talked to countless people without a single lesson taught. I know this church is true and that it´s perfect. I'm hardcore looking forward to Conference :) It will be awesome!
I pray for you all every day :) you are the best!
Les amo,
Elder Alek Clubb
So this week has been interesting haha. We had transfers and that was really cool! Sad when people leave, but also happy when people came in :) Some of the new Elders and Sisters that came in are so awesome! I went on splits with one Elder, his name is Elder Naumann from Arizona. His mom was the first person baptized in all of the Dominican Republic. That´s pretty neat! haha I had fun talking with him.
Random: There´s this investigator we have as well who at one point was the number one boxer in all of Argentina. That was really cool I thought! His name is Jose Luis.
Well in all honesty, this week has been pretty rough :P even though the time was shorter between P-days, it seemed longer for some reason! We´ve been struggling with our area and our Investigators. I remember during weekly planning we just sat there in silence for a long time. After Elder Bravo started talking to me, and how he's had a lot of success in the past but something is wrong now and he doesn't know what. So I gave him a blessing, which was actually pretty cool because I felt the spirit and I gave a blessing in Spanish! Every time I use the priesthood it´s a testimony to me of the power of heaven. And it´s a blessing to me to be able to have it.
Every day in my journal I write: ¿Que milagro vi hoy? I took this from Elder Bravo, who every night before we go to sleep asks for what miracle we´ve seen today. It´s helps to find the small miracles and to look for the positive. So every night I write that at the top. So I'd like to share some with you :)
One says: We helped Hermana Alassia with our service and our words. There is a sister in the ward, faithful, has a calling in the church and works faithfully toward that. All of her family are members as well (which actually consists of nearly the whole branch :P) and we saw her shoveling dirt in front of her house. Elder Bravo and I came and helped her shovel the dirt, and while we were doing so, she talked to us about how she´s been struggling really hard with some family concerns. We were able to shovel the dirt for her, and talk to her, and although it didn't seem like much, we saw her countenance improve :) and she was happy and laughing after a while.
Another day says: We didn't get knifed. Hahaha ok this freaked me out. Elder Bravo and I were walking past a school and there were some older teenagers standing around being dumb, usually smoking or something. We passed by them and one asked if Elder Bravo had any money. He said no and then asked if the other had money. The way Elder Bravo said it was funny though, he used 'vos'. Just a short explanation of vos, people in Argentina use it in place of the tu form, so as missionaries we shouldn't use it, and they don't even use that in Peru! The kid after he said that pulled out a knife that shot from the hilt and pointed it at us as we passed. Like my heart dropped to my butt haha but we just kept walking and ignored him, and we were left alone. Flipping knife, scared the poop out of me hahaha. Maybe we didn't get stabbed because Elder Bravo used 'Vos' haha, but he later said it just popped out and he had no idea why he used it. That was pretty cool!
Another is about tender mercies. This week I feel like I've struggled in a lot of different ways. Different things kept coming up, of trial and difficulty. And it seemed to pile on from the weeks before. But I have been blessed as well. I've found strength in my Patriarchal blessing, in praying out loud, reading old conference talks. Yesterday we watched the Joseph Smith movie, and his example and life and testimony helped me as well. I know he was a prophet of God and that he is resting from his trials. I'm so grateful for his life, to sacrifice all for the glory of the restored gospel. He´s an amazing man and that movie strengthened my own testimony. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir and their music helped me feel the spirit, and reminded me of a spiritual trek experience and the trials of the Mormon pioneers. Seemingly little things have helped me, letting me know I'm still loved of my Heavenly Father and my Savior. Small moments to encourage me to continue onward. I've never thought that being a missionary would be this hard. Or even that so many people would reject this joyful message. Many days Elder Bravo and I have talked to countless people without a single lesson taught. I know this church is true and that it´s perfect. I'm hardcore looking forward to Conference :) It will be awesome!
I pray for you all every day :) you are the best!
Les amo,
Elder Alek Clubb
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Transfers on Tuesday so P-day was moved to Tuesday this week!
Hola familia!!
Hey another week! Not much has really happened this week :P I actually got pretty sick, like last P-day it was raining the whole day and the whole week before I wasn't feeling that great and the rain made it a lot worse! I couldn't sleep and just had those darn aches! I'm still recovering but feeling a lot better!
We had a training meeting because I'm still being trained, and that was good! I love hearing from the president and the assistants. They have such great spirits! When I was there, I heard of a missionary who came in my group who got sent home. He got appendicits (wow that is spelled so wrong haha) and had surgery while he was here, then got sent home to recover I think. Gosh this guy was awesome, he´s from Spanish Fork, Utah. But he was always smiling, just seemed so excited to be a missionary and to go to work. So it was a surprise to me, because I knew he was awesome! I hope he´s doing better now.
After that just during the week, idk what happened but all of our appointments fell through throughout the week. It just seemed like a difficult time for the work in our area, and Elder Bravo and I had no idea why. There were days where we walked everywhere and only contacted :P and everything this week just seemed to slow down, like investigators couldn't have lessons, or weren't keeping commitments. And we had no idea what happened! So this week just a lot of stuff happened that made it pretty hard. I was at a lunch with our District, and the sister missionaries recognized something and I was able to talk to them about some frustrations inside. And that helped a ton! Before my mission I always had mom or Katherine or someone to talk to! anyways talking with them really helped a lot :)
It's crazy, a sister missionary left to go home this past week! Like she finished her mission! It´s such a weird thought for me because I'm just starting hahaha but she's a great example to me, a really hard worker! After that moment I was able to push on and receive more strength to keep working. Sometimes I feel like a little boy in big boy clothes and with a really big name tag! It´s a pretty big responsibility, being a missionary, a literal representative of Jesus Christ. And a lot of the time, I'm not the best I can be. I´ve learned a lot this week about different ways to work, and to keep pushing on when it´s hard. I'm still alive, right? :) Thanks so much for your letters! They were huge helps to me!! I've been reading the last conference talks (in Spanish haha) and they have really helped me. I love conference! So I'm looking forward to this next conference :) It will be awesome!
I met an elderly couple serving a mission here from Kayesville, Utah! pretty far but it was neat to see them :) they help with EFY ´s in different parts of Argentina!
Wow two birthdays this week!! :D Happy Birthday MOM!! :D I can´t believe it´s tomorrow!! I hope you have an awesome birthday!! I love you so much! Thank you for all of the love and support you´ve given me. And thanks for your patience and awesome conversations. I miss you. You´ve always been my best friend, my whole life. I know I wouldn't be here without you :) you better have the best birthday or else! :) Also, Happy Birthday, Grandma! I love you!!
Although this week has been difficult for a million various reasons, there is no point or reason in giving up. Because the work still needs to progress, and everyone needs to hear the gospel. Don't worry about me :) I'm still going forward, smiling and preaching the gospel. I'm so far from perfect, but I'm learning a lot. And wow! I have a lot more to learn!! hahaha. I know the church is true and that God loves me and I hope everyone in the world knows that :) I'm growing in love for the crazy psycho prideful at times super rude people here haha. We are all God´s children.
Hey guess what, I used my first buh-day (that´s how you pronounce it, how is it spelled?) and that was an experience! I think he is referring to a bidet!
haha I love you family! You guys are loco in an awesome way! You are all amazing examples to me and I would be a better person to be more like you :) You are Always in my prayers. I hope everyone is doing great!
Elder Alek Clubb
Hey another week! Not much has really happened this week :P I actually got pretty sick, like last P-day it was raining the whole day and the whole week before I wasn't feeling that great and the rain made it a lot worse! I couldn't sleep and just had those darn aches! I'm still recovering but feeling a lot better!
We had a training meeting because I'm still being trained, and that was good! I love hearing from the president and the assistants. They have such great spirits! When I was there, I heard of a missionary who came in my group who got sent home. He got appendicits (wow that is spelled so wrong haha) and had surgery while he was here, then got sent home to recover I think. Gosh this guy was awesome, he´s from Spanish Fork, Utah. But he was always smiling, just seemed so excited to be a missionary and to go to work. So it was a surprise to me, because I knew he was awesome! I hope he´s doing better now.
After that just during the week, idk what happened but all of our appointments fell through throughout the week. It just seemed like a difficult time for the work in our area, and Elder Bravo and I had no idea why. There were days where we walked everywhere and only contacted :P and everything this week just seemed to slow down, like investigators couldn't have lessons, or weren't keeping commitments. And we had no idea what happened! So this week just a lot of stuff happened that made it pretty hard. I was at a lunch with our District, and the sister missionaries recognized something and I was able to talk to them about some frustrations inside. And that helped a ton! Before my mission I always had mom or Katherine or someone to talk to! anyways talking with them really helped a lot :)
It's crazy, a sister missionary left to go home this past week! Like she finished her mission! It´s such a weird thought for me because I'm just starting hahaha but she's a great example to me, a really hard worker! After that moment I was able to push on and receive more strength to keep working. Sometimes I feel like a little boy in big boy clothes and with a really big name tag! It´s a pretty big responsibility, being a missionary, a literal representative of Jesus Christ. And a lot of the time, I'm not the best I can be. I´ve learned a lot this week about different ways to work, and to keep pushing on when it´s hard. I'm still alive, right? :) Thanks so much for your letters! They were huge helps to me!! I've been reading the last conference talks (in Spanish haha) and they have really helped me. I love conference! So I'm looking forward to this next conference :) It will be awesome!
I met an elderly couple serving a mission here from Kayesville, Utah! pretty far but it was neat to see them :) they help with EFY ´s in different parts of Argentina!
Wow two birthdays this week!! :D Happy Birthday MOM!! :D I can´t believe it´s tomorrow!! I hope you have an awesome birthday!! I love you so much! Thank you for all of the love and support you´ve given me. And thanks for your patience and awesome conversations. I miss you. You´ve always been my best friend, my whole life. I know I wouldn't be here without you :) you better have the best birthday or else! :) Also, Happy Birthday, Grandma! I love you!!
Although this week has been difficult for a million various reasons, there is no point or reason in giving up. Because the work still needs to progress, and everyone needs to hear the gospel. Don't worry about me :) I'm still going forward, smiling and preaching the gospel. I'm so far from perfect, but I'm learning a lot. And wow! I have a lot more to learn!! hahaha. I know the church is true and that God loves me and I hope everyone in the world knows that :) I'm growing in love for the crazy psycho prideful at times super rude people here haha. We are all God´s children.
Hey guess what, I used my first buh-day (that´s how you pronounce it, how is it spelled?) and that was an experience! I think he is referring to a bidet!
haha I love you family! You guys are loco in an awesome way! You are all amazing examples to me and I would be a better person to be more like you :) You are Always in my prayers. I hope everyone is doing great!
Elder Alek Clubb
(Alek's Uncle Greg always called him 'Alek-man' when he was little and it caught on as one of his nicknames!)
Monday, March 5, 2012
Another week!
This week has been so fast, I really can´t believe it! It´s crazy that it´s already p-day!
So this week has been really interesting. Elder Bravo described it really well in his testimony yesterday. He was talking about how we had a tough week but that we saw some miracles, and that through faith in Jesus Christ we can do all things. It was a powerful testimony!
There are a few experiences I'd like to share that happened this week. The first one happened a day after P-day last week. We were visiting a less active member, who I actually met my first day in Venado Tuerto. His wife is Catholic, and they have 3 little kids who are freaking cute, they always get excited and talk to us when we come :) I think they like me because I gave them colors haha. Anyway, we´ve been teaching the dad a lot, and he´s been making some really great progress, Like he was going to teach his family with the Book of Mormon, and start reading consistently. Well one day we visited with a really great lesson planned for him and his wife, and idk what happened. Maybe he and his wife argued but he said he wasn´t going to go to church, and that he was going to follow the doctrine of the Catholic church. His wife later left the house, but I remember him talking to us for a really long time, about how the Catholic church is good and how he has spent a lot of time thinking about this, and he just doesn't want his family to be split up in this aspect, and a lot of other things. He was talking for a long time and I remember I had the feeling to talk, and I wanted to, but he spent a lot of time talking. So I listened and random things would come into my head, but I tried to keep listening. Finally a pause came and I just started talking and it was just the craziest thing. Like I spoke rapid Spanish and I spoke boldly. I don't remember exactly what I said, but I bore my testimony on the gospel and families and salvation only through the gospel, and that his testimony of the Book of the Mormon means this is the only true church that contains the full Doctrine of Christ. When I finished it was silent, for a long time, he didn't say anything and we just sat in silence. After that Elder Bravo bore his testimony in a more quiet way, and that was powerful! The man eventually said that he believes what we said is true, but that he can't split up his family. Which was so disappointing!! Elder Bravo said that when I spoke he didn't hear my voice, but others as well, and that I spoke in perfect Spanish and that he felt the Spirit so strong. I feel as though that was a miracle, that I was able to speak like that in that moment. But it would have been way better if he changed his mind.
Another miracle we experienced was a couple of days ago. We went to several appointments and they all fell through, so we just ended up contacting. I think we ended up contacting that whole day. Anyway, we had been walking all over the place, and we were exhausted and actually walked like a mile outside our area on accident (different story haha), and it was getting dark so we were going to stop by a family in the ward before returning to our pench. We passed a street and I remembered a girl who we visited a few times that hasn't been progressing or interested in the Gospel, so I suggested we go there- Elder Bravo didn't really want to, I could tell, but he decided to go haha. So we walked out and the girl's mom was busy talking to someone, so we ended up passing and going to the house next door. And the guy in that house is so awesome!! Like the most prepared person I´ve ever met! He met with missionaries before but had to leave to a different city for a few months and they lost contact with each other. Idk, he just accepted everything we said, he recognized the Spirit and wanted it more, he even said he knew the church was true and accepted a date for baptism! That was so neat, Elder Bravo and I didn't do anything at all! That was a really neat experience!
There is also a boy who came to church yesterday who isn't a member. He has become really good friends with the member deacons and teachers in the ward, and started going to church and young men activities. He wants to be baptized and his mom supports him in that. I just thought that was so cool, how a boy accepted the gospel through the examples of his friends :) and wants to know more through that. Great kids!
It´s so funny, there's a family here who invites us over for lunch a lot, and we somehow got onto the topic of peanut butter, and I flipped out hahaha. I guess they love it too! So that made me laugh how we had this random thing in common. Oh I miss peanut butter :)
What does ganbatte mean in Japanese? haha
I love you family! You're the best family ever! :) You are all in my prayers every day! I love you all so much! Thanks for your letters :) everyone makes me laugh so hard, we need to start a Traveling Comedy Clubb or something ;)
Les amo,
Elder Alek Clubb :)
So this week has been really interesting. Elder Bravo described it really well in his testimony yesterday. He was talking about how we had a tough week but that we saw some miracles, and that through faith in Jesus Christ we can do all things. It was a powerful testimony!
There are a few experiences I'd like to share that happened this week. The first one happened a day after P-day last week. We were visiting a less active member, who I actually met my first day in Venado Tuerto. His wife is Catholic, and they have 3 little kids who are freaking cute, they always get excited and talk to us when we come :) I think they like me because I gave them colors haha. Anyway, we´ve been teaching the dad a lot, and he´s been making some really great progress, Like he was going to teach his family with the Book of Mormon, and start reading consistently. Well one day we visited with a really great lesson planned for him and his wife, and idk what happened. Maybe he and his wife argued but he said he wasn´t going to go to church, and that he was going to follow the doctrine of the Catholic church. His wife later left the house, but I remember him talking to us for a really long time, about how the Catholic church is good and how he has spent a lot of time thinking about this, and he just doesn't want his family to be split up in this aspect, and a lot of other things. He was talking for a long time and I remember I had the feeling to talk, and I wanted to, but he spent a lot of time talking. So I listened and random things would come into my head, but I tried to keep listening. Finally a pause came and I just started talking and it was just the craziest thing. Like I spoke rapid Spanish and I spoke boldly. I don't remember exactly what I said, but I bore my testimony on the gospel and families and salvation only through the gospel, and that his testimony of the Book of the Mormon means this is the only true church that contains the full Doctrine of Christ. When I finished it was silent, for a long time, he didn't say anything and we just sat in silence. After that Elder Bravo bore his testimony in a more quiet way, and that was powerful! The man eventually said that he believes what we said is true, but that he can't split up his family. Which was so disappointing!! Elder Bravo said that when I spoke he didn't hear my voice, but others as well, and that I spoke in perfect Spanish and that he felt the Spirit so strong. I feel as though that was a miracle, that I was able to speak like that in that moment. But it would have been way better if he changed his mind.
Another miracle we experienced was a couple of days ago. We went to several appointments and they all fell through, so we just ended up contacting. I think we ended up contacting that whole day. Anyway, we had been walking all over the place, and we were exhausted and actually walked like a mile outside our area on accident (different story haha), and it was getting dark so we were going to stop by a family in the ward before returning to our pench. We passed a street and I remembered a girl who we visited a few times that hasn't been progressing or interested in the Gospel, so I suggested we go there- Elder Bravo didn't really want to, I could tell, but he decided to go haha. So we walked out and the girl's mom was busy talking to someone, so we ended up passing and going to the house next door. And the guy in that house is so awesome!! Like the most prepared person I´ve ever met! He met with missionaries before but had to leave to a different city for a few months and they lost contact with each other. Idk, he just accepted everything we said, he recognized the Spirit and wanted it more, he even said he knew the church was true and accepted a date for baptism! That was so neat, Elder Bravo and I didn't do anything at all! That was a really neat experience!
There is also a boy who came to church yesterday who isn't a member. He has become really good friends with the member deacons and teachers in the ward, and started going to church and young men activities. He wants to be baptized and his mom supports him in that. I just thought that was so cool, how a boy accepted the gospel through the examples of his friends :) and wants to know more through that. Great kids!
It´s so funny, there's a family here who invites us over for lunch a lot, and we somehow got onto the topic of peanut butter, and I flipped out hahaha. I guess they love it too! So that made me laugh how we had this random thing in common. Oh I miss peanut butter :)
What does ganbatte mean in Japanese? haha
I love you family! You're the best family ever! :) You are all in my prayers every day! I love you all so much! Thanks for your letters :) everyone makes me laugh so hard, we need to start a Traveling Comedy Clubb or something ;)
Les amo,
Elder Alek Clubb :)
we went to a museum today :)
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