yaaaaaaaaaaaaa christmassssssssssssss

Well the Christmas has come and gone with another great week of my mission. This week was really interesting because well we had to go back to the apartments early because of all the partying that goes on during the night.  We gathered up a bunch of fruit from the trees in the streets, limes and mangoes and we made smoothies until late into the night (or at least until we had to go to bed..... And I also bought a bunch of ice cream :) than other than that on Christmas we Skyped home which is always a good time and an emotional roller coaster... 

And then we also walked.............. a lot.

Christmas morning we walked my skype camera to the church for all the missionaries to use through the day and then headed out to a tiny neighborhood outside of our area, like a hour away from all civilization, to visit a less active and wow I have never been soooooo sweaty in my life.... Merry Christmas. No but really the feeling I had on Christmas was like none other. Serving the Lord felt soooo good and I wouldn’t have replaced it for anything. As for the work we are on a quest to find new investigators. They are out there... just like Martians.... but we just got to look hard and find them, and pray  a lot. This week is transfers and I have a funny feeling I’m going to leave this area.   We will see and that means that the trio is breaking up.... hahaha I learned lots from the trio.  Mostly how to share and patience.  I’m only a little way into my mission and the amount of things I have learned is more than I ever thought. 

 Love you. Read your scriptures. Count your blessings......

Elder Simmons

Christmas

Well here we are the week before Christmas. I don’t feel like it’s Christmas at all...... But hey I get to talk to my family this week sooooo woot woot. Anyways this week has been really interesting. I’m in a trio of missionaries. One missionary finished his mission a little early so Elder Vergara needed a companion for 2 weeks so here we are rocking the trio like candy. My other companion is Elder Vergara he is super chill and he has been helping me tons with my Spanish..... Because well he speaks it perfectly.  He’s from Spain so that’s cool. 

And a side note I was thinking that maybe some of you think that imp super super fat and it’s not true I’m just....... well filled in the empty spaces with cookies and stuff :) Anyways this week was really interesting because we have 2 areas.   We work 2 days in one Area and then switch. I am loving it!  It’s like a party all the time, never a dull moment. 

The work is good. We have been looking lots lately and trying to find new people to teach. And I have got to know a lot of new people from the other area too. Its interesting to see all of them in their quest for the salvation. We also had a Christmas choir yesterday and ya I sang. You have a problem with that??? and a drunk guy showed up and would yell after every song 'Amen' and ' How beautiful your voice' it was sad but also kind of funny. It really kept things lively. Other than that it’s been the usual. And I absolutely love it. Transfers are next week and that will really be interesting because I have quite a bit of time here in Clorinda sooooo we will see what happens.

Well it’s Christmas and that means lots of things. But if I could give a suggestion it would be hug someone you love. And also be thankful for Jesus Christ. With these two things will go a long way.  I’m going to hug my companions and Pray hard this Christmas.  Merry Christmas!!

ELDER SIMMONS

P.S.  This is a picture of a paper temple my old district leader gave to me

Dreaming of a White Christmas—

Wow this week was a dream. Also very very very hot but wow a dream :)

It was also the fastest week of my life. We had a baptism of the two

coolest kids in the world.

 Except for my brothers and sister they might be a little cooler. Elian and Luciana. I had the opportunity to baptize them.

Luciana bought a lil skirt for here baptism and Elian found a white shirt and tie to wear :´)

Everything went perfect. And the Branch was very helpful so what more can you ask for.  Yesterday they received the Gift of the Holy Ghost and became official members of the church... And wow I think I have been smiling for the last two days straight. The two kids are more converted to the church than me. They both want to be missionaries too.

On top of the baptism this week was also really good.

We worked our bum bums off. Actually that’s a lie, I’m gaining weight...... Well I’m gaining an extra layer of Spiritual protection I like to say :) Satan can’t get through my Testimony and a nice layer of cushion ;) I’m also getting a little more chest hair. Anyways that’s way of tract sorry.

I just love to work every single day gets better. This next week we are going to search like no ones else’s business to find more people that are ready to hear the gospel because I know they are out there.

This Christmas season we have to great opportunity to think about what Jesus did for us. And we can also reflect one what we did for Jesus this year.

And then the great thing is after Christmas we have New

Years and we have the great opportunity to set new goals and do better :) I’m pumped for this Christmas I think it will be the best on yet ............ read your scriptures because it’s good for you!

Love you all

Elder Simmons

The weekend of my mission

That might be bad to say that this last week was the like a weekend
off, but it kind of was. I went to a city named Cordoba. It’s huge. It’s like 6 times bigger than Salt Lake. It really was a blessing to get to go and see a little more of Argentina. Cordoba was sooooooooo pretty.  It looked like the United States. I couldn’t believe I was in Argentina except for the fact everyone spoke

Spanish. It was 15 hours in a bus overnight,  the next night we stayed in a hotel in downtown. Then 15 hours back the next day :) 

The reason I went is because well I’m an American and I’m in the middle of Argentina and I don’t have legal documents. So I went to jail in Cordoba..... no I’m kidding I went to do some legal documents. 

BUUTTTT what happened is that I went
and got my finger prints when I first got here in the mission and then I went to Cordoba to do a little more paper work..... But my finger prints expired.... sooo I kind of went for no reason.... But hey I got to see the Cordoba temple :) super pretty. 

It’s not quite finished but I heard that they are going to dedicate it in May. I say that this week was like a weekend because well all I did is napped..... in the bus.... in the hotel... because we weren't allowed to leave. But it was super fun.

I am a full time missionary soo I did do a little something ;)
this week actually was really good for the amount of time we had in
the area. We found some super prepared people and we are working really hard with a few people that are super close to getting baptized. Oh and its suuuuuuuuuuuupppppppppppeeeeeeeerrrrrr hot.....
:)

 (Christmas decorations from the family)

I’m loving my mission more and more every day. You know the trip to Cordoba was fun and all.... but there is nothing like going to bed after a looong day in the sun knowing that you did everything you could today to help people recognize the importance of Jesus Christ in their lives. And the nice thing is the more I help people realize that.... the more I realize it too. I’m just doing everything I can. Sometimes we don’t always see the success but God does. It’s
really weird I feel like I saw you guys like last week. Sure we are
thousands of miles away but I really do feel like you guys are just right next to me always :) Thank you for being the best.
 There is no way that this church isn’t true. Thanks for everything and love you guys. 

<3 Elder Simmons

12-1-2014

Hello friend’s family and people that care about me. First off thanks for the prayers they really do help... a lot. This week was bomb. We probably clapped more houses this week than ever before in my entire life. And boy o boy did we find a lot of people. One thing I learned this week is that the Lord will always lead us to prepared people... Some more prepared than others.  It’s our job to prepare them even more. We then invite them to act on their agency. This week we found some crazy evangelicos, the people are wack from that church. Yesterday a girl started yelling scriptures at us and then told us she has power to raise the dead........ No,  and then after she was like thanks for the spiritual experience.... It’s funny what some churches think is the spirit, because they don’t preach doctrine they dont have the spirit and because they don’t have the spirit they use scare tactics and yelling to substitute it... LOL NO. But then we also found a few super prepared people this week too.

Here are a few things interesting from this week. Thursday I forgot my name tag in the apartment and didn't realize until we were literally in a pueblito outside of Clorinda aka like an hour and a half away. I got a piece of cloth and wrote my name on it and well it seemed legit. No one asked me about it haha. O and Elder Skouson and I are having a great time out here in the mission field because we both have the same amount of time in the mission so understanding people perfectly is like a puzzle only in black and white. We are learning in suuuupppper fast.

Its sooo weird to see Christmas trees here because it feels nothing like Christmas. hahah and Thanksgiving looked like a bowl of gumbo.... a little bit of everything.  I ate one of the stuffing that you sent me the night of Thanksgiving and called it good. Then I thanked Heavenly Father for you guys in my prayer :) I’m not gonna lie it doesn’t feel like the holidays. It feels like it is still summer. I don’t know if that’s because the mission is soooo fast or because its sùupppperr hot... but one of the two. 

The baptism fell through because the kids couldn't come to church :( soooo next week. Yesterday was the first Sunday in like a month we didn't have people in church. But it’s their salvation and agency.

 Looky here peeps. I really do know this church is true and I’m so thankful for it. I really don’t know where I would be without it. First off I wouldn't be in Clorinda.  I’m grateful for my family and for everyone really. I’m just a big ball of gratefulness right now :)  Love and Peace and food.

<3 E Simmons

p.s. I get to go to Cordaba a city outside my mission that i heard is super pretty to do legal paper this week so I’m pretty pumped....

Multi Zone Conference

This group picture was posted on President Franco's Instagram

Snail Mail

Still here

I got the package :) alright so the story with the ATM card....  I took out some money to buy a few things and I just left the card in the machine being the 18 year old that I am…. with the pin typed in so anyone could take out as much money as they wanted.  I didn't notice until.... we left and went to buy a pair of flip flops. When I opened my wallet to pay I noticed my card was gone. My heart instantly went down to my feet...... I also said like 3 back to back prayers. We ran to the computer place and I sent you that email to cancel it, then left.... about 30 seconds after we left 2 of the missionaries in Clorinda called us and said we have you card. When I heard that I said another 3 back to back prayers of gratitude. Then we ran back to the Cyber to write you again. The lady behind me in line took it out and then saw us leave and turn the corner. She then left the bank and saw 2 different missionaries walking and gave the card to them............ There are good people in all parts of the world.

(Good-bye to Elder Harris)

As for transfers I stayed in Clorinda, but I got a new companion Elder  Skouson.  (below)

  He arrived in the mission 3 months ago with me and speaks even less Spanish than I do.   I’m the senior companion. But it doesn’t really mean much. :) Hey if you just want to put this letter on the blog this week that would be great.   This hour of writing feels like five minutes and I don’t have time to write more or respond to everyone :( mom the mission is going soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo fast. I cannot believe it. Days feel like 2 hours and weeks feel like 2 days and months feel like 2 weeks. It’s ridiculous but I love it and I’m learning soooooooooooo much.  Tell Paige Logan Thacker and Eli to just drop out of school and serve a mission... They will learn more that way ;)

We are just praying a lot and my Spanish has grown in the last three days more than in the last 3 months. We are going to have some baptisms finally, 3 chicos next week :) the kids are soo cool.  Elian, Luiciana, and Sergio. Other than that we are practicing our teaching a lot.. .. we have lots of people to teach and we have a lot of untouched houses in our area. 

I’m still happier now than I have ever been before. I love you guys and don’t worry about me feeling home sick.... It doesn't even feel like the holidays.... It’s way too hot to be the holidays... At least that’s what my body is telling me.

Oh and just because I don’t respond to every little detail doesn't mean I don’t like reading it and knowing :)  You guys tell everyone that I’m thankful for them and their prayers. You guys really do help me function everyday more than you think :)  The other night I had a dream I got off the plane and saw you guys it was weird. But don’t worry I’m having so much fun, and I’m learning how much our Heavenly Father and  Jesus really love us.  Love you guys!!!!!!!!!

<3 E Simmons

Fastest Week of My Life

It was a fast week to say the least. Like really fast I feel like it should be Tuesday of last week. If the rest of my life goes this fast I’ll be sad because then I’ll blink and I’ll already be a grandpa. There is nothing wrong with being a grandpa though.  This week we did a lot of things but since I only have like 10 minutes to write this I’ll sum it up.  It rained a lot this week again.... And now it’s just pure hot. 

Pretty much I just love the mission. I feel the best when I just work as hard as possible and then go to bed exhausted. Those are the days where I feel the best :) And I’m not even kidding when I say this but this transfer felt as if it were a week and a have long. It went by soo fast it actually kind of scares me. Me and E Harris had 155 lesson in six weeks.  Don’t you fear we are working hard and eventually the people will choose to come closer to Christ.  Tomorrow are transfers so we will see what happens. 

  I haven’t eaten anything with flavor for weeks... but its ok because I’m having so much fun and I’m working hard. 

Wednesday we walked to a little pueblito or little colony about 5 miles away from Clorinda that supposedly  is in our area. It was reallllllly poor. We walked the 45 minutes to it and taught a few lessons. When we invited them to church they just straight up laughed at us, because it’s so far away, anyways it was an adventure. We went with a member just in case there are people that didn’t like 2 white kids walking in their neighborhood. His names Oscar  I want to tell you about Oscar.  He’s 20 When I got here Oscar was less active and drank and smoked a ton. About a month ago we invited him to stop and that day he quit and hasn’t gone back. He even gave up some friends and now is preparing to receive the priesthood next week.  I’m officially done with my missionary training and transfers are tomorrow and I think one of us is going to leave this area so we will see. Oh and we taught the Law of Chastity this week to a couple that are living together but aren’t married. That was really interesting and we will see what they decide to do.   I had one of the most spiritual lessons of my mission last night too.   With a girl named Suzy. The truth is I don’t know why it went so well except the fact that I prayed like a thousand times during it. She told us that Joseph Smith being a prophet makes sense, and that she can feel the spirit when we talk. So the work is good here in Clorinda Argentina. I’m about to head out for a barbeque with a member sooooo ya…………

Real quick I want to share a scripture I found that is super sick.

D&C106

4 And again, verily I say unto you, the coming of the Lord draweth nigh, and it overtaketh the world as a thief in the night—

 5 Therefore, gird up your loins, that you may be the children of light, and that day shall not overtake you as a thief.

I just like it.  I guess we just need to everything possible to prepare for the second coming. That is the purpose of this life and we need to help everyone around us too.

 I know you guys all think I’m turning into the Cliché missionary that all say the same thing. But the truth is cliché missionary I am now and it is probably that happiest I’ve ever been. The church is true!

<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3

Elder Simmons

Mud

Well there was a lot of mud this week... Like a lot. It rained every single day this week except for Saturday and Sunday. Literally ever single street turned into a river. 

But that didn't stop us. I love it when we are walking down the street and it’s raining soo hard that you can’t see 100 feet in front of you cause of the rain drops, and people look at us like we are drunk or something. We just wave, throw thumbs up. To me that’s missionary work right there. I don’t know if people notice that. But if these 2 kids from Utah out in the middle of nowhere in Argentina during the rain, they must be sharing something important... Well we are.

It was another great week. We were able to see a few people come out to church. Mabel and her daughter, who were references from a recent convert and they are really interested in the church. The other was Inosencia. Who is the mom of a recent convert.  Inosencia speaks about as much Spanish as I do. She is literally a Lamanite and she speaks a language called Toba. It’s crazy and I don’t understand one word of it.  She doesn't really understand what we say but she told us that she feels the spirit every time we talk. I talked about her about a month back how her husband that passed away came to her in a dream and told her that she needs to listen to the missionaries because what they are saying is the truth. sooooooo ya. Alma 13:24. This is the last week of this transfer we will see what happens this next transfer because it’s likely that either me or E Harris leaves….So we will see. I love the work. I really do.  

Guess what... I finished the book of Mormon in Spanish. So what if I only understood like 60 percent of it. I prayed to see if it’s true last night and surprise surprise... It’s true in Spanish too. Oh and the mosquitoes are coming out like no other. And the mosquitoes here don't have rules. They will bite you through your pants.... they don’t care. So I've been showering in bug spray.

I love life. I love the church and everything it does for me.

<3 Elder Simmons

11-3-2014

Hello family friends, I’ll start out by saying. Congrats to the San Francisco Giants..... hahahahahah sorry I couldn’t help myself. Anyways it’s been the best week yet here in the mission field. It’s also been the rainiest week yet. But I like the rain; it gives us a break from the 110 degree weather.

 I hope everyone had a great Halloween cause it doesn't exist here. This week we taught a lot. After 2 months here the area is starting to roll. We have the opportunity to teach a lot of families. One family came to church this week. Which is a big accomplishment since coming to church is struggle for the people here. They were even soo dedicated that it was pouring rain and they showed up on their little scooter completely drenched. And then the first class they ever experienced was a class on the law of chastity...... But they said they loved it soooo yay!

 One day this week it was pouring, and we had to walk a good mile in the rain. I was completely soaked from socks to my stylish missionary haircut.

 But the truth is that those are moments I will never forget. Last night, we were teaching a family and the mom hates us. She told her sister that we brought diseases from the United States. But for some reason last night she listened to us. I’m not sure exactly what we said it was probably just my homie the spirit and she just opened up to us. She said that she wants to stop drinking she wants to change but she doesn't know how. We just bore testimony that through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ that we can change and find happiness. You know I've really realized the importance of a mission. There are people that need this gospel more than I need the two years I gave up. But the other thing I realized is how easy it is for people to have missionary experiences even though they aren't a missionary.  I’m just some white kid form P-Town Utah, but I’m serious try sharing your testimony with a friend. Try giving out a book of Mormon. The amount of joy you will feel with give you a feeling that you will just want more and more of. Anyways love this gospel I know its true. Love all you peeps. Eat some Halloween candy for me. :)

Elder Simmons