The Carnival

So this week we had to stay in the pench a lot because of the Carnival..... and then on Wednesday there was a giant riot in Resistencia.... so we were in the apartment a lot. It was the pits to tell you the truth. You know how in the summer the days were you don’t do anything and then after you realize you have been watching the TV or sleeping all day and you feel like the scum of the earth, that’s exactly how it feels when you have to stay in the apartment all day. I watched every church movie on earth.. But after Wednesday it was back to full days of work. We really focused of using the Book of Mormon this week and wow it works miracles.. I know it’s true. Elder Heaton and I decided with a few of our investigators to read the Book of Mormon with them every single day and see what happens... And we did that with two of our investigators G and E... and well it worked and then showed up to church. 

Those two are super funny and full of energy and will make great members of the church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints :) It’s their bird that pooped on me last week. And two more times this week.  Anyway we have been working hard with lots of people to come out to church but as soon as Sunday morning comes around everyone just wants to sleep.

 I was reading Jacob 5 I realized that the Lord really does work with us every single day and just wants us to come unto him and enjoy the blessing of eternal life. But we are just too stubborn to listen. You know I’ve only been on the mission for a short time but I’m eternally grateful for this opportunity to serve. It has opened my eyes to a whole new perspective. I’m so grateful to represent Jesus Christ and learn and live from his example and sacrifice. 

Love you all!

Elder Simmons

A Tucan pooped on my white shirt

Ladies and gentleman boys and girls.... Another week has come and gone.... This week was action pack to tell you the truth.. and it flew by. First off as you can tell by the subject of my Email a bird pooped on me. Wait a second now that I'm thinking about it.... two birds pooped on me this week. But as Spencer W Kimball once said.... ´No unhallowed hand (bird) can stop the work´ oh and there are these things here called Carpinchos (in thelargest rodent family--these  are the rodents of unusual size as seen in the movie Princess Bride). And they are the world's biggest rat. And I got to hold a baby one this week. And its sucked on my finger. So that was my encounters with mother nature this past week.

The second interesting thing that happend was I got robbed! We were walking down a street and there was still plenty of light when a guy came toward us and then pulled out like a 6 or 7 inch little knife dagger thingy. Then he came straight for me and told  me to give him my bag. So I willingly tossed it to him and we went our way. I didn't loose much. A book of Mormon and a bunch of pamphlets. the dudes going to be disappointed with what he found.... which is ironic because he found  salvation. I think the last time my heart beat that fast is when I had my first kiss.  When asked how scared he was his response was The same type of scenario has happened to me a thousand  times in video games.. so I was prepared.... No the truth is I just tossed him the bag without a second thought and then after my heart was beating out of my chest. It all happened so fast. It was like 3 seconds. A good story to tell my kids someday.    I do have to say that I really do know that the Lord protects us. I feel it very constantly in my mission.

 We also had Division this week with the Assistants to the president and the truth is they inspired me to be better. I realized I really can become such a better missionary and person. This week I finished reading the book of Mormon is Spanish again and no surprise it's still true. This time reading it through was a little more fun because well I actually understood it haha.   Unfortunately no one came to church again this week. It's sad and it's hard because we know what they are missing out on but we will continue to help them. Some people that we met this week are named Gxxx and Exxxx a couple that we met. They are super good people and really do have desires to change their lives they are just a little far from the church and just a tad bit busy. We have been contacting tons of people and trying to find the people that are prepared to hear our message.  I heard this last week that the two kids I baptized in my last area, their older brother was baptized and their mom is going to get baptized. I sure hope that she does because the kids need support and they want to be missionaries.  O wow if they go on a mission I'll cry :)  It reminds me that this really is the work of the Lord.

I am learning tons in this part of my mission especially how I can be a better missionary. You know something I really learned this week is that to secure our own salvation the best way to do it is to help people with there's. I mean look at the prophet, that man does not sleep but even just looking at him radiates a light and the spirit. Another example is Jesus Christ. All he did was serve and in doing that he was perfect. I am very grateful for this time in my life and I am so excited for the time I have here on this earth. I love you all and I hope you all have a great day. 

Love You

Elder Simmons

Week 30

Well here we are again, and once again I cannot believe another week has come and gone. I know I’ve said that a lot but it’s true. The time here isn’t real. I’m telling you it’s not. This was the last week of the transfer and well we worked hard. We also had consejo which is like a meeting of all the Zone leaders with the mission president. 

And we  watched Meet the Mormons, and ya I did cry, just a little bit..... 

http://meetthemormons.com/#/filter-all/page-1

This week we also had some more service. We went to one of the houses of our investigator Dani. Who lives on a river basically.

And we got our weed eaters (machete) out and mowed the weeds. 

After Vilma, the wife,... Made 72 empanadas :)  It was pretty fun.

  Yesterday was transfers and president changed transfers to Monday, so most likely every new transfer I won’t write you till Tuesday. I’m still in the same place with the same companion :)  Today is the second day of this new transfer and  Elder Heaton and I are ready to get back to work. I’m not going to lie it’s a little bit hard sometimes... don’t get me wrong I absolutely love it. But without struggle there would not be growth. For example the Salem hills soccer team.  We lost for 2 straight years. The third year we broke records. The same goes for the mission. We just have to trust the promises of the Lord because he always comes through. Today my trainer, Elder Harris, goes home.  Ladies he’s single and a returned missionary. But really a few of my heroes in this mission went home today after two years. They are such an example to me :)

(Elder Harris on the left)

One cool lesson we had this week was with a lady named Hope. She has been reading the Book of Mormon and she prayed to know if it’s true. She then opened up here bible to a random page and it said.. ´Be a Christian´ she took this as here answer.  I love what I do and I’m so blessed to be able to do it. I love you all.  You are in my prayers :)

Elder Simmons

Happy Birthday Dad!

I would like to start out by giving a shout out to my one and only earthly father.... Todd. Happy Birthday big man. You made it to fifty.  (In the following weeks email
 To Tanner: Dad turned 46.  I thought you were joking last week when you said 50.  He really turned 46  From Tanner:  hahahahahaha for some reason i thought he turned 50....... woops. But if dad still thinks it a joke we will run with that.)  And good luck with you midlife crisis.... No I’m kidding stay safe. :) Anyways another week that absolutely flew by. And another week with lots of work and lots of sun. 

This week started out really well, because well I cooked up some tacos...... oh ya. We had a baptismal interview in a little town outside of Resistencia.

So we went and stayed in the Apartment of the elders there. Its super fun to get to know all these new places that I have never seen before, and mostly likely won’t ever see again. We also had some divisions this week with some elders that work more in the Center of the city. And wow it’s soo interesting how the money engulfs people. We walked a ton and really didn’t find a lot of people to teach except a few less actives... In our own area the work is great. Although no one came to know the only true church in the entire world this Sunday. :( but it’s all good because I have the next few Sundays for the next 18 months. We met a girl named Hope. And she is the best. It’s like this lady that’s 60. She is really interested in the Book of Mormon and she told us she wants to be our grandma in the mission.... hahahaha. She washed all of our white shirts made us a cake and gave us a bunch of food. I have also met a few other people that really are super good people. Unfortunately they don’t always accept the gospel...... :( it breaks my heart... But you just keep working. Like it says it says in John 3:16 Jesus Christ didn’t come to condemn the world but help the one sinner repent. And that why I’m here doing just that. Anyways I love what I do and I’m learning sooooooooooooo much.

Love you all

Elder Simmons