5-16-16

Well a fabulous week.... It started out with a midnight trip from Ibarreta to Resistencia with Elder Tapia.... Then we received our new missionaries. My new companions name is Elder Gallegos. He is from Buenos Aires Argentina.... So thankfully I don't have to teach him Spanish because I barely know it myself..... We didn't have a ton of time in the area but what we did have was pretty  efficient.  On Sunday we had District Conference in Ibarreta.  The church rented a mini bus for us to go, but there was only one problem, that the bus they rented has 15 chairs, but we were 24 that wanted to go..... So it was crazy in there but somehow we all fit. Although there were two that vomited ahahaha.

District conference was fun, the first time in months that I have seen so many members of the church in the same place at once.  Right after we had the baptism of D.... She was pretty nervous but it turned out fairly perfect...Only the water was colder then the water in the river two weeks ago and I messed up the wording a few times. But the Third time it turned out perfect... I was so happy. One thing I've learned on the mission is the more work you put into something the more joyful it is when it finally works out, and that exactly what happened with D's Baptism.   Last  night we had a lesson with A and M, we also took the Familia R. And basically Sister R told them to get married :) which is exactly what they needed and she did it in such a loving manner. Then I just bore my testimony that I have  been born into a choice family with parents that have given me  self securty knowing that they will always be together (forever) and they will also always be there for me too.  I think they will get married.  That was about it for this week. We are going to take a big nap today cause my comp is whipped out and has a bunch of blisters hahahah. Oh how it takes me back to the beginning.

My sombrero has been sitting in the same spot for 3 weeks and is growing mold on it.

Love you all 

Elder Simmons

The beginning of the end 5-10-16

So another week flew by................... We basically didn't spend any time in the area this week and I'll tell you why. So Monday was Pday. Then Tuesday we worked in the morning but then in the afternoon we were supposed to take a bus to a meeting that we had with a Seventy Elder Salas in Resistencia.... and long story short, the bus broke and came almost 6 hours late.... So we just sat on a bench in the cold for 6 hours :) Then I slept all night on the bus and got to Resistencia Wednesday morning. Elder Salas was sweet. He talked about what it really means to be of the House of the Covenant and how nothing in the work of salvation is casual.  It really got me excited to start my last transfer... (This one)  and just do everything possible to help others come unto Christ. It's such a privilege I have in this moment in my life. Then we had another meeting Thursday with Elder Salas but this time in Formosa Capital. So we took another bus over there and the night before the meeting we had to go do a baptismal interview, but not just any interview, an interview in Gautani (the native language in Paraguay) obviously I don't speak that language but the Elder I was with Elder Gonzalez did. But the man who was going to be baptized was the Dad of Hno C, a baptism me and Elder Johnson had some 9 months ago... The Dads name is M, and he is 80 and he lived in Paraguay because he got really sick so his son is taking care of him and the Elders taught him and really wanted to be forgive and baptized :) so that was special for me. Then Thursday was another meeting. Then we took the bus back to Lomitas and worked all Friday and Saturday.  

Sunday church was great. we had an all time high attendance of 27 :) and 4 investigators came :) D (who is going to be baptized this week :) C, A, and N the sister of A. And then we headed back to Ibarreta to Skype...... so President Franco called me and told me that for my last 6 weeks I will be training a new elder :) I still have no idea who it is but we are going tonight to go and get him. so ya I'm pumped to just party it up this last transfer and just make the most of the time I have left. I love you all.

Elder Simmons

5-2-16

Sooo I got kind of got tired of the voice recording and I really wanted to just send a weekly message this week so here we go.

This week was honestly a roller coaster. A roller coaster that flies of the rail and crashes. Kind of. So Monday Tuesday Wednesday and Thursday I was on divisions with an Elder Jauregui from Urugauy. It was actually really fun we ate out in restaurants a couple of times. We also found some sweet people and they are even married soo that is a blessing. We had a fabulous lesson with D and C. They are still progressing very well and D is going to be baptized next week :) and C is going to talk to her boyfriend about what type of future she wants. After we have been teaching the regulars who are all Progressing well too, like A. The B family and just little by little helping them get over a life time of obstacles. So this Thursday we found N.... we had heard that she had moved to Provincia San Luis but when in reality had only moved to The neighborhood San Luis (the same place as the church) so we got to talk to her and she expressed to us her experience and how God had helped her overcome the death of G, we invited her to be baptized this same week because she already had all the teaching and the baptismal interview all she needed was the water. And she said yes that's exactly what she needed.... So Saturday some less active people helped us out by picking us all up and taking us out to the River and doing the baptism. And back story it was cold this week. End of back story. So me and N got in the chilly water ready for the baptism dressed all in white (I changed in the bushes hahahaha) and I said the prayer and went to dunk her under and the coldness of the water surprised her and her arm didn't go under and part of her head. So as she came up I explained we would have to do it again..... But she started freaking out and crying, I tried to calm her and help her to do it again but she wasn't in a normal state of mind so I told her to do what she thought she needed to, so she got out of the water.. It was pretty sad but once again I have learned that I cannot convince anyone of the truth... But yesterday she came to church and shared her testimony and said she actually enjoyed and would love to try to be baptized again. We actually ended up calling President Franco to ask him what to do and if the baptism counted and he called up Salt Lake City and the answer came back to baptize her again.. so we are going to take a bus to Ibarreta so she can be baptized in the warm baptismal font there in a few weeks............... I was beating myself about it all Sunday but now I'm over it :)

That's was the interesting part of my week, also a drunk guy gave a soup that had Cow intestines in it and me and Elder Carrizales choked it down last night and I still don't have much of an appetite....... But ya.. That's about it, I learned sooooo much this week hahaha and I really do just love the heaven of the mission. And I'll see you guys on Sunday. Love you!!!!