Birthday and Baptisms

Well this week couldn't have been better.... First off.... we had a consejo.. a big meeting for all the Zone leaders in the mission and the president of seminary came and talked to us on how we should better use seminary with the missionary work... And that night after the meeting we went straight to the seminary teacher in our ward.. and we told her we wanted to help... so the next day we woke up at five and went to seminary :) and we shared with the little group of 4 teenagers our testimonies of seminary and how it has helped us to grow in the gospel.

Friday we had the Baptismal interview for T and F and wow they were really excited. Saturday... my birthday, we woke up and whipped up some pancakes and then headed out to the Baptism.... It really is almost indescribable the feeling of a baptism... They were both really excited :) I had the opportunity to baptize F, the younger of the two :) After the baptism I shared a testimony of how I had always known the church was true but being able to be a part of an experience like the family of S really has strengthened my testimony of the gospel... The confirmations were wonderful too. The spirit was super strong.

  After we ate a few cupcakes and then headed to subway for a birthday lunch. 

It was actually nice not to think only about myself on my birthday.  ....

It’s a custom or culture here that when its someone’s birthday you kiss them on the cheeks.... But that’s a problem because welllll I’m and elder.... I spent most of my birthday dodging kisses, everyone was trying to kiss me... It was like high school all over again....

Sunday, we had met a few less actives in our area in the general conference.... and they told us were they lived and yesterday we went and visited them.. and well these people live in the middle of nowhere. We took a bus to an old racetrack..... that no one uses and then got off and started walking..... for 1 hour... and then eventually we found a little neighborhood....and all of the house were made of mud.... we shared with the family and then they said they are coming to church... wow an experience....

I’m good, I’m 19, the church is true... and Love you all.

Elder Simmons

General Conference

Well how but general conference eh??? Pretty good. I'm not going to lie usually I have just slept through it and tried not to let my parents see... But wow when you really listen with the intent to learn...... wow you learn quite a bitsy.. But really I loved the talks on Sunday of Jesus and his second coming. Wow how powerful was that... and about marriage on Saturday... I'm planning to be married in less than three months after the mission... It's my goal at least :)

This week was great.. It started out that I had divisions with Elder Skouson. The two of us were back in action..... He came here to our zone so we got to pass a little time together..... It's been another cooler week a little of rain so I've been super grateful for the great weather. The work is also great.... It looks like we are going to have a baptism this weekend of T and F... the two daughters of S... So I'm pretty excited for that. They made it out for the conference and I was praying the whole time that they would be touched by one of the talks that were given....  we are going to see them tonight so I guess I'll let you know next week haha...

We have been using the Thanks that He Lives video that the church made for Easter and I've been carrying around a little DVD player and this week I was on my toes the whole time just in case a sniper was right to swipe but luckily we were completely safe. 

Since our mission got a little smaller so our area got bigger..... We have a new area that is supppppeeerrr far from the pench and we went last Thursday and got to know it... Lots of work lots of it.... Lots of less active people and lots of potential. The only problem is we are short on time this week to go out there and work. On the Saturday sessions of general conference some less actives and they told us that they live in that part of the woods... or boonies whatever you want to call it... They live an hour away from the bus stop and right next to a race track... So looks like we are going to take a little walk... this week went by super fast because of conference.. We were in the church basically all Saturday and Sunday and then since the priesthood session didn't end till 11 o'clock here we stayed with the office elders since there apartment is 1 block from the church. A good ol sleep over.

For an experience this week: we made some plans with a member from our ward to go visit the investigators. Hno D he is like 60 and just waddles around.. But he loves to help us... We had to walk like a good 2 or 3 miles to the lesson and he walked it with us.... He a convert of 10 years and has a strong testimony..... we walked for like 1 hour to get to the lesson but he helped us a ton.. and really helped the investigators feel loved. I really am grateful for the strong members that are all over the world. Conference really reminded me that we are all in this together (High school Musical) in the work of the Lord preparing for his second coming and I'm soooooo grateful to be a member and to be serving a mission and to have the family that I have :)

Woot woot 19...... I'm not going to lie it doesn't quite feel like my birthday... its super different. But I'm not mad at all.. I'll eat some pancakes, and work and call it a good birthday :)  LOVE YOU GUYS TONS I'M SO GRATEFUL FOR YOU::: ENJOY MY BIRTHDHAY AND ELI'S TOO.... :)

<3 Happy Easter! 

Happy Birthday Eli!!  

Elder Simmons 

Sleep hard. Work Harder........

Week one of this Transfer has already come and gone and it was a great week...It basically rained alllll week long and it actually got a little chilly and its kinda stayed a little chilly so that was nice. We went to The Leonesa again this week for a baptismal Interview. And well..... I might have gotten on top of the church to take a picture...... 

We really tried hard this week to find some new people and the truth is we found a few people that really do have some potential.. So we will see what we can do..... G and E are still going great. They are starting the long and painful Argentinean process to get married.... So maybe we will see them get baptized in a month or so if everything goes good.... But there son and his cousin are planning on getting married the 11 of April ( My birthday) so that will be fun.

 S is my hero. The woman literally carries her family. We saw earlier this week that she is kind of beat up by the world. And we could see here hope fading. We felt inspired to share the story of Joseph Smith when he was in jail for 5 months. And it got so hard that in his heart felt prayer he asks god where is he. And the great response. in verse 7 My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;

We helped her understand that this life is only but a small moment. and no matter what happens if we endure it well that there is a great reward at the end. She thanked us and told us that we are the answers to her prayers. I was very grateful for the experience and humbled too.  Helping others overcome these problems that I can't even imagine having has really opened my eyes. She still needs to get married before she gets baptized but well that the problem. But her daughters are planning for the 11 of April too :)

I love the mission more than Obama loves America..I'll tell you what.

Anyway yesterday we had Interviews. It was nice to talk to president Face to Face. He gave me some great advice and well helped me have a better vision of the person I can become. I just have to level up a little more.

So you probably have all seen the video of Jesus and the Resurrection.. Well we are using that as missionaries a ton right now. I carry a little DVD player around (don't tell the thugs) and we show it and its already helped us a ton.. The thing is powerful...

Anyways I hope you all enjoy conference because well I will.

Much Love

Elder Simmons

No lo se che

Well another transfer has come and gone and I’m still in the same area with the same companion. I’m kind of glad too it’s a great area and companion.... This week was THEE best.. Elder Nunez from one of the quorums of the 70 came from Chile and talked to us on Thursday... He talked about the power of the Book of Mormon and it was really good.  On Friday we had a baptismal interview in a little city an hour away from Resistencia so we headed out there. G and E came to a church this week again and are starting their papers sometime soon to get married... I don’t know how that works in the United States but here it’s kind of a pain so we will see how long that takes. But we hope fast :) and S and her daughters came too.  The work continues on.. One little sad thing is that one of our investigators grandma didn’t give us permission for her grandchild to get baptized.... But we are going to keep working with them and see if we can’t open her eyes... 

And for a story this week:

We were out working in a part a little more dangerous of our area and it was Saturday in the morning..... we passed the normal drunk people from the crazy Friday night they had...... and  we greeted a few of them so that they felt the good vibes we were giving and didn't bother us (a tip for avoiding drunks) and well it didn't work... (note: my tip doesn't always work.) they started chasing us.... and one tried punching my companion but my companion handled it and ducked.... We started to run away and  they pursued..........but luckily people that are drunk there balance level drops quite a bit... and  this dude turfed it face first into the dirt road... I’m not going to lie I chuckled a little bit...... and  it reminds me of a scripture

26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them not shall be likened unto a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand—

27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell, and great was the fall of it.

His fall was great........

This world so much needs the gospel of Jesus Christ and that’s why I’m here. 

Yesterday and today I’m in a trio with another elder that is waiting to train but the new missionaries don’t come till tomorrow... It’s pretty funny. Because 2 white kids walking down the street in shirt and tie is already is already kind of intimidating but with three………… a lot of  Mormon. No but it’s fun :)

Well the weather cooled off this week.   I don’t know if that will last but it’s been a nice little treat. I’m happy and I’m busy and we’re going to keep on working. I’m off to eat some ice cream and play some basketball……. until next week

Love you all Elder Simmons

8 months ha

Fairly interesting week; I'll say that. Awkward, sad, and miraculous. I'll start out with the awkward...... I was on divisions and we were contacting a l bit to see if we could find anyone to teach..... we clapped our hands outside the house ( because that's how the elders roll here in Argentina) and a kid came out and looked at us with a super weird expression on his face something between he wanted to eat us and he wanted to run away....... He let us in and we started teaching him... And this whole time I was thinking wow he looks really familiar. And then I realized half way through the lesson that it was the DUDE that robbed me............... then well it was a little awkward. We finished the lesson and while my companion said the closing prayer I prayed with all my heart that he didn't stab me.... and he didn't but I don't think we are going to go back for a second lesson... and I didn't have the nerves to ask for my stuff back........

The sad is that as you Probably already heard is that a Sister passed away in our mission this week. It was a humbling week. With fasting and lots of prayers.. I don't know all the story but I do know she got sick from the food here. I also know that God has a plan for each and every one of us and that her mission is a little different from others.  I did have the chance to meet her and she was a hard working Missionary and she went through a lot.. she endured to the very end. And we know that Jesus Christ overcame the death and that all of us one day will be able to do the same. It stings now but someday we will understand so much more.

The miracles we saw  this week is with our investigator S. We were in the lesson and I felt impressed to ask her if she knows the Book of Mormon is true..... And she said yes and so we asked her why.... She then told us a story of the night before arrived. She was up late praying her heart out because she didn't know what to do. She felt sooo alone and she wanted more than anything that her Boyfriend stops drinking..... She asked for God's help and to show her some sort of sign of what she should do.... The next day we knocked on her door. And she told us for that reason she know that it's true. God sent us to her house. I'm am so grateful and humbled to be part of a miracle like this. And I know God guided us to her house too. And know we are going to help her family become members of the Lords kingdom.

You know I was thinking that  its true I haven't had loads of baptisms like others but I would have served a mission even if I knew from the very beginning that I would have 0 baptisms. The person I am becoming is something that is necessary. I feel so blessed.

Well the mission continues on and its gets crazier and crazier every day, and its flying by,  and its unexplainable in a good way.

Anyways with lots of love from the bottom of my sun burnt face and my sweaty feet :)

Elder Simmons

A Pocket Full of Sunshine

Wow it was an amazing week..... We had 6 people come out to church this week and well I'll tell you the story of all of them

S-

S is the mom of 3 girls and has a boyfriend that drinks a ton and turns out to be a less active member. We found her last Monday. We taught her and the girls lesson one which was alright, and then we invited her to pray and the end of the lesson. It was probably one of the most from the heart prayers I have ever heard in my entire life. She pleaded with God that her boyfriend leaves the alcohol and that her family can be happy. God really did lead us to her house in a time of need. We had another lesson with here Saturday and she had already read like 15 pages in the book of Mormon and she had told us she was going to church before we even said anything. And her daughters were fighting over the book of Mormon so we had to give them all one. She is starting on journey to the happiness :) They all showed up to church walking like an hour in some really hot weather

L-

He is a young man we found last Sunday. Super nice kid but he is a little timid. He is 17 but doesn't know how to read and is really timid. We are going to help him open up a little bit with the youth in the church and help him become closer to Christ. We are using a few of the youth from the ward in the lesson to help him feel loved.

AO- 

The super smooth couple. they are super funny and are thinking about getting married so they can get baptized. They love the church and the other night we watched Meet the Mormons in the church with them and L also. A said that she almost cried when the missionary leaves his family  and they really are starting to see changes in their lives....The Relief Rociety gave A a teaching of the prophets book and she was soooooo happy. Her  and O were reading it Sunday night when we passed by. 

I'm soooooooooo grateful to be able to be helping these people on their personal path to the salvation. I know that this is the work of the lord and i enjoy each and every day. I love you all and pray for the people I'm teaching. I feel like we are so close to seeing miracles.

 I really am doing good.  The feelings of the mission are super hard to explain.  I have 0 free time and I'm enjoying myself lots... weird. Its sooooo against what the world thinks.

I feel like my mission is really starting to roll along :) I really feel good about where the work is going.

I got a little bit of mail and I heard that its opening back up so we will see what happens tomorrow :)  (Argentina has had a mail strike for the past month)

 

Elder Simmons

PS I saw a dude slit a throat of a pig, then it bled out and then they cooked it up and ate it.......... Ya crazy 

something clever

Well another week and a really wet week.... Lots of rain which means lots of humidity, which means lots of sweat. It was a great week. Unfortunately no one made it out to church this week.  We had some really spiritual lessons. One was one morning I read the talk that Elder Ballard gave last spring about following up. It really hit home with me and I am dedicated to follow up better. We were talking with one of our investigators and he read 3 Nephi 11. We followed up  with him and he actually had some really great questions that obviously came from the spirit. And he opened up and accepted the invitation to be baptized. Also with G and E we are continuing to read the Book of Mormon with them and it really is working small changes and miracles in their lives..... E we had taught how to fast. She fasted for a 8 hours and told us that she could really feel the spirit stronger in her life. You know I learned a lot this week about how this really is the work of the Lord and that He has so much to do with it.  Sometimes we are too hardhearted to see it.   I have learned so much about patience in the last few transfers I've  gone from road ranger to someone that likes to watch Nascar. I hope that made sense. It did to me at least. This week we had divisions and I went with Elder Condori from Lima Peru... We found a less active person randomly just knocking doors. We read the Book of Mormon and then she came to church this week. I don't completely understand it but the Book of Mormon has the power to change lives. This week we also had our zone activity. We got together as a zone and we played a little basketball and ping pong. and I'm not afraid to say it that I've still got it. A few random facts for the fun of it...... Yesterday I found a kid in the street that had a Utah Jazz hat....... ya Utah jazz. After I picked up my jaw from the dirt road I told the kid I was from that state and we had a great little conversation about the gospel later. I also saw some old grown men getting drunk to the soundtrack of high school musical too. hahah I had to chuckle a little bit.  I thank everyone for their prayers and thank you for whoever fasted for me I could feel it so strong yesterday. The work marches on like a marching band. The church is true I really do not have any doubts of that and I'm so blessed to be serving here in Argentina. Love you all!

Elder Simmons