Thanks for the Birthday Wishes

22 February 2016

So this could be a little crappy email. I don't really have any time like I didn't get to email today because the zone had us travel for a big group thing and so its just been weird. I need to go buy some stuff for tonight so I need to get a run on. To answer the question about my companion…. last Monday I think it was, I thought I was going to literally put my fist through his face because he pushed me, I told him not to and then he did it again, I told him that if he did it again I would punch him, and then he did it again. I almost fell because of the dirt road and I was about ready to go in for the kill, but then I stopped and told him I wasn't going to move until he talked to me and we solved our problem—he just walked away. I sat in the dirt and just prayed for love and patience. Then I went and apologized and we talked for about five minutes and I still felt like he was mocking me even though he isn’t—he was just offending me, but a recent convert has told me that he needs to change a little because he got offended by him. It’s good since then, we have been better.

Monday so basically I was mad at the comp and then we went and talked to some really great members—I love to get the spirit back!

Tuesday we went and talked to Luis and Marianna and it was so good. I think they are married, but I'm not sure. They are living together and she is a member and he is not. We talked about what they need to do to get a answer. This guy is doing everything right, he just needs to ask and there we are, but I think he is a little afraid of the answer! Then we talked to the Funez family and it was awesome! 

Wednesday we had district meeting and it was good! I talked about commitments and I really liked it. I mostly just asked questions and let the class do the teaching — it was really awesome that way! Then afterwards one of the new hermanas named Barnson was really depressed so I have started talking to her a lot, and praying a ton for her. I said to God if He would take all the strength and the support he gives me and give it to her so that she could keep going in the mission. I will tell you that it really happened.  We did divisions with my companion that night I went to the Ribera, that is what it’s called and it was awesome! I taught some really great families that I love! Like one named Mauro and he is just so cool! 

Thursday we went and worked and all was well, but then I got a call from the hermanas and they asked me to translate for them because Barnson was really sad and her companion was like, “I will not let you go home after 1 week”. So we talked to Barnson about it and she said that she will give us two weeks. So more prayers and I'm sending scriptures and calling everyday and it has been good. We talked to a great menos activo that day and it was fun just to chat about all the motos and stuff like that! Way fun! 

Friday we went and worked in an other section of the area and it was good, but we lost a lot of time looking for people. Then we visited the Quiroga family and it was nice to finally catch up with all of them and see them. They invited me tonight to go over, but I can’t so they invited me tomorrow! I love them! :)  So hermana Barnso was still really bad the next day so we called her and talked in the night, and then on Saturday we went and talked to her and her companion and I bought us all ice cream. They work about 45 minutes from our are so we got the Funez's to take us there. I just talked with her for two hours and then the Funez's took us back, but I think it helped! I also was fasting for her the moment I left that place!

Saturday we  went and talked to a lot of great people in the north of the area and it was good and fun, but nothing really special. We taught one lady who is really mad at God… her name is Veronica, but we are working on it! Then I called Hermana Barnson that night and she was doing better, she seemed semi happy and we just chatted and it seemed all was well! I was so happy that God had answered my prayers and my fast and that she was doing at least a little better — it really made my day! 

Sunday we had a good church where I had to prepare the lesson in five minutes from a talk they gave me minutes before in the Elders quorum and it was good I think. I think it helped the members understand there purpose and how to be friends and help people that come to church! Then we had a really good chat with Jorge Cortez and he was like “Why am I still suffering and why is it still hard even though I'm changing and I’m trying to be one with God.” We talked about how God allows us to pass through difficult moments to help us grow… it was really good. I love that man a ton! And then today was good a long activity and 2 hours of travel, but now I'm here and about to go enjoy a lot of pig! 

I love you guys and I hope you are well. Please pray for hermana Barnson, she really is awesome, and I'm doing all I can for her. I know God wants her here, and that she can make it, and be a really, really good missionary! She just needs to have patients and trust the Lord a little bit. 

I love you guys to the moon and back and thanks to everyone who wished me a happy birthday!

I love reading them all and wish I had more time! 

I love you guys! 

Jayson

New Companion

So this weeks been good, hard with the new companion, but good! I’m trying to be a good loving comp, but it has been hard! I’ll explain in the questions!

• What is your new companions name?
• Where is he from?
• How are you two getting along?

His name is Omar Ignacio Puyol and he has almost 6 months in the mission. He is from the province of Chaco in Argentina and we are not really getting a long! He makes like way lame jokes and then he will make jabs out of his jokes — like they are rude to me and it’s just not fun. Then when he makes me upset I tell him to stop…I don’t want to be mad! I don’t want the spirit to be gone and then he’s like, but it makes me happy when you are mad, so I think I’ll keep going...so i’m struggling, but I'm praying for patience  and I'm trying to make it good with him, but I struggle! I know its my fault, because I'm not Christlike enough… so don’t chastise me, I get enough of that from him!

• Does he speak English?

No, he doesn't speak English.

• Who are the new sisters and do you get along with them?

The hermanas are awesome! One is from Cali and the other one is from Salem, Utah. My best friend Elder Bingham is from Salem, so it’s a fun connection and so we are good there—it’s fun!

• Did you get your package from the Masoners?

Yes! I got my package and I have already had a couple of families tell me that I should have asked for more of them! :)

Monday we said goodbye to all the people with Elder Mendez! 

Tuesday I went to San Luis and waited for my companion who never came. The family Funez happened to be in the terminal and brought me back. I was just with their son on divisions for the day and it was awesome! I loved it!! Then I got my comp and we went to visit Jorge. He cried when I told him Elder Mendez left, but he is better now… he’s over it! 

Wednesday we taught Jorge again and it was better. We talked to his friends and it was good and they said they want to learn too! I loved it! Then we taught Rosa and it was good too, but nothing special. Then the family Cejas and it was really good! We taught about baptism and gave them a date for next month. Hopefully they can get married and make it to the font! 

Thursday we didn't have much luck, but we taught someone that I can’t remember… but ya! It was probably awesome!

Friday we went to the Ribera, that is what it’s called and we taught some less actives! We taught a guy named Mauro and he was so cool! He had a way cool past, he was in the CIA for Argentina and he was undercover for 6 months living in cardboard houses. They made a call and the drug Lords found out and tried to kill him! He has three holes his stomach and shoulder and close to his eye! He is way cool! He had a dream where his dead father told him to come back to Villa Mercedes. He came home and found a menos activo and now they are dating and thats cool, but also living together, so less cool. At least we are helping him learn of God!

Saturday we went to the Cejas again, because they want us to pass by almost every day! It was good! We taught the 10 Commandments and it was fun and they liked it! I need to get the courage to get them to church, and once they come to church we need to get them talking about marriage! We then taught Rosa and there was a big fight at the house and it was bad, but we said like a 20 minute prayer with her and left!

Sunday we went to the house of Funez or the recent converts that are out of this world! The mom is having a ton of problems. She is the 2nd councilor in the relief society and she is awesome, but she feels like she can’t do what is needed. I calmed her down and now I need to talk to the bishop about changing the calling she has to something she can feel more comfortable in! Then we did divisions with my comp and it was awesome! I gave a blessing, and found work for our ward mission leader, and then we went and talked to people and it was awesome! But no time so thats all! 

I love you mom! Happy Valentine’s Day! Tell the grandparents I loved the cards I got! I also loved the Christmas card you sent me… I show it to everyone so they know who my family is. I love it! 

I love you so much! 

Love, JAYSON

P.S.

It is crazy how the Lord can change how we feel when we ask for his help! I'm now a district leader in my neck of the woods. I have been planning our meeting all week trying to make it a good lesson fitted to the needs of our two new gringo hermanas. I was planning and studying and then this morning I felt like I needed to change the topic! I was like... "But I have just spent the whole last week preparing the other lesson" and then I'm like, "Do what God wants, it will work out better!

Digging Trenches and Sharing the Gospel

08 February 2016

It’s been a good week, a little harder—we didn’t really teach much, but we worked hard and thats all that matters! I’m feeling good! I am sore and tired but good. I got my butt in gear and ran 3 segments of 2 kilometers separated by 200 jump rope, 15 mountain climbers, 60 crunches or Russian twists, and 15 push ups! It was a lot of work, but I can feel the difference in my body! I love it! I’m going to shock you when I get home! :) 

My new bike get-up for when I hit the mountains!

I should be getting a good surprise this Wednesday from the Masoners…I’m excited! I got the camera functioning again so it looks like I might have two now! Who knows maybe I need two! ;) 

So to the questions—transfers will be answered in the letter!

• Approximately how far do you walk each day?

We walk a lot maybe 10 to 15 kilometers every day, or more! I’m not positive, but we do walk quite a bit! But it’s good!

• How are your studies coming? What are you studying?

My studies are great! I’m loving Doctrine and Covenants, but wow is there some hard doctrine there… like resurrection of the sons of perdition in 76 is still confusing me, but its cool I

love it!

• Are there restaurants in your area? What kind of eating establishments?

We don’t really go out to eat a lot because its expensive and the members are good to feed us almost everyday! There are places, but they are family owned little houses that people just use the front room as a restaurant! Thats how it always is, but in Centro there are nicer places!

Monday we went and had a Argentine barbecue called asado with the Hermanas for P-day and then we had a way good noche de hogar (or family night) planned for that night, but the family couldn’t. We went all the same and chatted with those who were there. I love the Quiroga family!

After interviews with President

Tuesday we wrote in the journals of everyone who left and it was sad to see the hermanas leaving! Then we went and taught some menos activos, but it’s hard—they are hard to get back, but it’s good work and I love all the people here!

Wednesday we walked a ton, and I mean a ton! We went and taught a lesson to a lady in a wheelchair and it was good. My comp loves the woman… she makes him think of his mom. Then we visited a menos activo with our ward mission leader. It was good, but nothing special. We also did some service and it was way awesome. I learned a lot of pipework and how to protect it and the work, and how to do stuff—I liked it!

I think I like MEAT now!

Thursday we went and did a ton of work in the farm of a recent convert named Mario Funez, way awesome guy really. But we worked all day digging a trench for the water. It was about 15 to 25 meters long and it was so hard. It had not rained out there in like 2 weeks, but whatever it was way good work! Then we taught Daniel, he is a way stud. I love him to death!

Digging a trench for water.

Friday your birthday!!! We had a meeting in San Luis and I said goodbye to more of the girls from my MTC district. It was sad, but it was good! Then we had the activity. We had about 40 people show up, except the menos activos who were going to come didn't make it so that was sad, but it was good. I sang three songs…A Team by Ed Sheeren, Stars from Les Mis, and Thats who I’ld be from Shrek the Musical. It was awesome, but I can’t belt like I could before. I haven't been practicing like I used to... so my voice isn't quite used to it--- it was weird that it was hard to reach the notes like I could before, but it’s practice!

Cool Selfie

Saturday we went and had a meeting in the evening about the area plan and it was good, I feel like they taught us good stuff, but the ward leadership isn't going to do anyth,ing to follow it, but that’s fine, we are working on it! Then that night we taught the Sejas family—I love them so much—it was way good. We read chapter 31 I think of 2 Nephi and then we talked about the last part of the plan of salvation. They like when we come over, we can never leave on time, and we told them late that we had to leave, but the wife said, “We are sorry we always keep you so long, we just don’t want you guys to leave because we feel really peaceful when you are here and then it gets all hard when you leave...we need you guys!” I feel like we were getting through to them, but its hard because I don't think they have any desire to get married, but they have a kid— it’s hard! 

Sleepy Jayson

Sunday two recent converts brought friends to church and it was awesome! We talked to them and I think we will start teaching them soon. It was good! Then we had lunch with the Funez family and one of their kids who isn't a member speaks English and I gave him a Book of Mormon in English and it was good. Then later we sang while he played guitar, he played Tears In Heaven by Eric Clampton and I sang and it made me think of Taylor a ton... I miss that man! Then a couple other good lessons! It was a good day! 

So it has been a good week! I'm staying here. Elder Mendez is going to Mendoza as a zone leader, he is way scared but he will do really good. I’m getting another Argentine elder, he has about 7 months so it should be fun and then yupp! Life is good, it will be fun to see what these next seven weeks bring! 

I love you mamma be safe and happy! 

Love, Elder Jayson Benedict

Teaching and Serving

1 February 2016

I need to hurry, but let me answer the questions! 

• Since I can send you a little package for your birthday what would you like me to send with the Masoners besides a Frisbee and the camera? I thought I would put whatever will fit in the Frisbee and send that.

So I don’t really want much, some thin socks like little nylon socks would be cool, or I don’t know something to share with my companion or the people anything that will make me think of you guys! I love that kind of stuff! 

• I didn't realize that her daughter and you are in the same area right now. How often do you see the sister missionaries? Did you know Sister Masoner in the MTC since you went out at the same time?

She isn’t in the same area, but she is right next door. We see her two or three times a week at least and its fun she is a great gal and yes I knew here in the MTC, but very little because she was in another district there, but ya I knew her!

• Do you get along with them pretty well?

We get along well, but I think they think we are lazy! Our area is really big so it is hard to get to everywhere. Sometimes they pass us references that are impossible to get to for a couple days due to the distance and then they get mad at us when we haven't talked to them yet! Other then that its great—we are about to go have lunch with them! 

• Adria Masoner said that transfers are this week…are you being transferred, or are you staying in the area?

We will not know what is happening until next Monday, but I’ll let you know!

Monday we went out and worked a little and taught Jorge Cortez. It was really good and fun to be with him for a little while and help him more—he is a great guy!

Tuesday we had a meeting with our ward mission leader that was good, and then in the night we went and taught the family Lucero and it was good. They had a friend there that when we showed up commented on the light in our eyes and liked what we were sharing, and it was really awesome! Then we taught the Quiroga parents and it was awesome! We just really are trying to get to them, but its hard! 

Wednesday we taught so much this day it was awesome! We did service in the morning, and then in the night we taught a couple named the Sejas and they are awesome. The like to listen, they are interested and it was so good! They seem to believe everything we teach, and we are getting there with them! Damian the husband I think believes its true, but the wife Noelia not really! Then we taught Daniela and she is awesome, she already has a testimony we just need to get her to church. We went and talked to her with the elder quorum president and it was so good… a ton of great spirit when he testified! Then we taught Daniel the recent convert and it was awesome, we taught lesson 1 and then we prayed with him and his son who never wants anything to do with us! It was great!

Thursday we had interviews with President—awesome! Then we had to do planning and then we taught Jorge Cortez and he was awesome, we taught about the Book of Mormon and reading and he said he would do it and then we blessed his home where he is at because at night he feels uncomfortable there, but it was awesome! 

Friday we went and had lunch with the Quirogas and it was so great! We had a great time with them and we had Alejandro and Mira and it was great! He has had the lessons of the missionaries before, but he gets to marriage and just says no. So I was really persistent and followed it all the way down to the bottom of the rabbit hole and got the dirt… they have a complicated relationship and when they separated once he had had relations with another women and he might have another kid, so its rough. I promised, no God promised if they prayed as a family they would have the strength and the unity to go on through the problem! It was the most spiritual lesson and best lesson I've had! I loved it! Then we just were around there teaching less actives!

Saturday we did some service in the morning with less actives and then I had lunch with Elder Vilche—it was so awesome! He came just to visit me with his entire family and he took us to lunch and it was so much fun! After lunch I talked about my plans to work in the church offices and how I wanted to do it, and he promised me he was going to help me get in! Way pumped! I also gave him the paperwork for the package and he told me that he would go see what he needs to do to get the package out… it was awesome! He also gave me one of his name tags and told me I need to send him one of mine! He is awesome! Then that night we taught the Quirogas about forgiveness and it was awesome! When I say Quiroga there are 7 kids and they live everywhere, so it was some of them in the main house! It was so good, and one of them said they were going to go to church, but they didn’t make it sadly! 

Sunday we taught Jorge and asked if he had read and he said yes and he prayed and he felt way good, a lot of peace and we know he is ready and we now just need him to come to church so he can be baptized. I love that man, and then we just went to visit less actives!

So that was the week! It’s been good! I'm happy and officially tomorrow I have 6 months until I will take a plane home!!! It’s getting real! 

I love you guys! 

Love Jayson

Teaching and Learning

So I'm doing part of my writing for the week really early today to save me from doing it later when I'm not sure we are going to have time! We are in San Luis this morning to get ourselves a new phone, as much as I don't like to play the blame game my comp left it on a window sill and forgot about it until 10:30, but we will get to that later! So I got the name and phone number of the people in Burley Idaho and I will send it to you. What I want is the Frisbee, but now my camera is tripping out way worse then before. I don't have it with me because I forgot it, but it’s the semi bulky one that looks like our big camera, but smaller. You should still have the box somewhere in the house, so if you could find me both a battery and the charger that would be cool, or if there is just a small digital camera lying around like the one Taylor used during his mission that I could use for the rest of mine that would be great. I don't know what the weird charger I had did, but it will charge the battery and it has power, but it won’t turn on my camera. Worse is that Canon doesn't exist in this country!  So a replacement would probably be the best!

• How close is the church from your apartment?

The church is like 6 blocks from my house super close!

• Did Rosa get baptized this week?

Rosa... nope, she is well, ill explain in the week.

• Service with the Zarate? What?

Those pictures of the wall with the window was when we did service for the family Zarate, that’s what their name is, what did you think I meant?

Monday we taught a menos activo named David and it was good, but he just complains mostly — still good stuff. Then we went and helped a man milk cows. I have pictures, but the camera is trippen! Then we went and taught more menos activos and it was fun to chat with them. One of their daughters served in Concepcion Chile South mission, which is where Lexy’s sister served, and when I asked her if she knew her I found out that Sister Horning trained this lady! It was hilarious to me! Its a small world!

Tuesday we taught Yesica and it was really good! We got her to pray and we felt the spirit. She even said she felt good listening to us in her prayer and asked God for help and it was awesome!!! Then we taught our ward mission leaders sister and she prayed it was awesome! And then we taught Daniel more about the family history work and he was excited and ready to go and do the temple work that week. He went Saturday with the ward!

Wednesday we went and taught the family Lucero and it was good, but they are just lacking something…I don’t know, its like they want to come back, but are just too lazy to really do it! We are trying though! Then we taught the Quiroga parents and it was so good, I was talking to the wife and teaching her and my companion was teaching the husband and we both taught to their needs and they felt way good and it was awesome! I love that family so much!!!! We also had a huge world conference with all the missionaries of the world and it was so good! I learned so much about my job and how to be more effective as a missionary and it was really just awesome! So maybe I will take pictures of the notes I took and send them to you when I can get the camera working...

Thursday Daniela, this lady is way nice and already has a testimony that the church is true, but we are just lacking her husband and her crazy kids and its just a hassle to get them all to church, but she wants to so I'm hoping we can make it happen. Then we just had meetings that day!

Friday we went and were going to take a bus to part of our area that is about an hour away, but we missed it by a couple seconds so we had to wait and thats when we lost the phone. Then that night we did service, moving a ton of brick and it was also good! We were with the Luceros, it was fun, but the husband got drunk and it was just weird for me, I did not like it...

Saturday we taught the family Sejas and it was awesome! When we realized that we didn't have the phone, we ran to where we had left it and still couldn't find it, but we asked the people who lived there if they saw it and they said no. My companion talked to them about us being missionaries even though we were in normal clothes after doing service and then we told them we would come back the next day. We taught them  lesson one and it was awesome! The spirit helped them and the husband seems really interested — I loved them a lot. Then we went and taught the Rosa, but her brother was super drunk and agitated and he started to yell at us and he was trying to open the door to her house to throw us out, because the stupid mormons can’t do anything good. So after listening to swear words for about 20 minutes, Rosa called the cops and it was bad, we left while the cops watched and we bounced! I'm not sure we should ever go back to that house…

Sunday we had church. All 4 of the people who were recently baptized went to the temple this week and it was awesome, they bore their testimonies, and it was just great! It felt awesome! That night we taught a menos activo and it was good, but nothing special. Then we taught the Quiroga family. They are awesome, but it’s hard, because I know they are interested, but less then I want them to be. I love them a ton, but its just like hard because they are not really progressing and its hard to help them progress! But it was good! Now I'm in San Luis trying to go get a phone. 

I love you mommy — have a great day! No pictures because no camera, but maybe someday... 

I love you! Jayson

Lots of fotos this week!

It has been a way good week! I'm way tired, but its been good and fun and thats what matters right? I don't know I just know I like it! I love what I do! The missions awesome. It’s hard, but its great! I’m starting to feel like I have 17 months, but I'm trying hard not to think that way! 

When your button up shirt is so loose you can see the shirt underneath

To questions! 

• Are you doing as good as you seem to be doing?

I’m really doing good, I'm tired and I can tell I'm not as good at all this as I once was, but I'm good! 

• Do you have the name and phone number of the people who may be going to Argentina in February?

I don't have the info yet, but the last name is Masoner and they live in Burly, Idaho!

• Besides a battery charger and a real ultimate Frisbee…what else do you want and or need?

I got a charger so don't worry — all that is taken care of! I’m taking photos again! I just really want a frisbee to be honest!

• How are your feet doing? Any blisters?

My feets are good, my companion is struggling with his, but he is tough so no problems!

• How do you like the jump rope? Is it working for you?

I love my jump rope!! I make my own workouts and they are brutal, but it’s good—its like cross-fit, but with jump rope and not running because my comp doesn't wake up really!

• What have you been cooking lately? Real food? Treats?

I don’t cook really… like rice and onion and stuff like that, but we don't have an oven that works so I can’t cook, it really sucks!

• What is the name of the guy that got baptized last week? I’m so sorry you missed the confirmation. Who baptized him? Who confirmed him?

The baptism was Daniel Rojas, he is awesome! He is the biggest blessing ever! His friend Federick baptized him and a guy named Franco from the ward confirmed him! Way stud! We will talk about him in the week!

• Have you talked to the Senior Elder (Moroni on the temple) guy? Any luck getting you package from Buenos Aires?

Elder Vilche hasn't visited yet, so not yet! No news on the package from my end! Sorry ma!

• Man it looks like it is going to be toasty HOT in your neck of the woods. Super COLD here! How are you keeping cool?

It’s really hot, but we work the same and just roll with it! I don't know its not too bad!

Now that you have been in Argentina for 1-1/2 years…

• What is your favorite food there?

My favorite food is milanesa napolitan, its basically just dads favorite, Parmesan Chicken! I love it! 

Where is your favorite place you have visited while serving there?

I loved Aconcagua—I loved the snow!

• Your most favorite investigator?

Probably Daniel, the guy who just got baptized!

• Your most favorite member?

I would say President Gerry or Diego Peaz my last bishop!! I love those men! I love this place!

Monday, paddle ball with the hermanas and then we taught a guy named Jorge, he is awesome! His daughter loves english music and I started to sing. It was so fun! She picked a song from two years ago, or I told her the song and we sang… it was a blast! Then we taught about Christ suffering for us so that we can be happy. Jorge is passing the separation from his wife, so it was what was needed! Then we taught Daniel, this man is incredible every time we teach him! I feel like I'm getting stronger spiritually more then he is! He told us that now that he has the Spirit it’s like he always wants to smile, when before it hurt his face a lot to smile! He is awesome! 

That is Daniel. I love him!!

Tuesday we went and taught a menos activo and when we were there some people came to talk about health and it was cool, but they also talked about Christ and they were 7th day of Adventist, I think or something like that, they have church on Saturday, and when we talked about the Book of Mormon and how Christ visited the Americas it was awesome! He said he was going to come to church, but didn't make it! Way awesome though. Do you guys ever think about why we go to church on the 1st day of the week instead of the 7th? It’s way hard to explain with the Bible, but there is a way.  God rested on the 7th day not the first, but it all changed with the resurrection of Christ and in 1 Corinthians 16:2 sorta talks about it, but its a hard topic!

Beating my fears and touching cows!

Wednesday Jorge again, his son stabbed him about two months ago when he was fighting with his wife. He talked about even though he has tried to raise him right something went wrong and why. We tried to talk about how God has done everything in his power to help us be good and we still sin and go astray. We need to decide, but we can help other choose better! Then some awesome menos activos! Then we taught the Quirogas. So I told you about Diego and Eliana, but the family is huge! We have the parents and 7 kids and all of them but 1 live in our area! And all of them but one set of kids are not married and 6 of the couples are not members! So we work a ton with this family! We went and taught the parents and there was Mira and Alejandro (Alejandro isn't a member, Mira yes) and Brian and Macarana (Brian member, Macarena no). So we chatted and it was awesome and then we shared Alma 7:11-13 and it was so powerful! The Spirit was so strong as we talked of how much Christ did for us and then Mira and the father started to cry and it was awesome! I felt the sprit working through me!

Us eating the barbecue with Jorge, Daniel and Federick

Thursday we taught Rosa the skinny old lady! She is coming along, we will try and baptize her this week. We taught Jorge the first half of the Plan of Salvation, and then we taught Daniel that night and he was awesome again. He talked about what has changed in his relationship with his son and how they are more friendly and how they talk now and how the spirit helps him to know how to help his son! Way awesome!! He got the priesthood yesterday and is planning on going to the temple this week!

The recent converts I talked about

Friday we taught Brian and Macarena and we chatted and talked a lot about life—mine and theirs, and just got some confidence in them from us, it was awesome! They plan on going to a talent night at the ward and it should be awesome! We just shared a small thought because Macerana is way shy, but it was good!

Saturday we taught David the menos activo from Tuesday and he is good, but he is totally struggling with the family situation. Oh, in the morning we did service with the Zarate and it was good. We helped build half a wall — it was fun! I sent a picture of it! Then we had an Asado or barbecue with Daniel and his friend Federick and it was awesome! We got Jorge there because him and Federick are cousins so it was awesome! Way good food too!

I'm not really swimming, but it is when our apartment got flooded

Sunday was way rainy and a lot of houses got flooded, so a lady didn't make it to church and so I gave a talk about the day of rest, it was good because I've been studying it a lot since the 7th day thing came up, but it was way good! Then that night we taught some recent converts and it was way good! They are great! They have one son who isn't a member, but I'm working way hard on him! He is way good at a video game I used to play with Mike and the boys, and so I chat with him about it and he knows English so I'm doing what I can with him! Its been good!

So that was the week! Its been good and I’m sending ton of fotos mom! 

I love you a ton and be safe and happy! 

Love Jayson

Baptized This Week

11 January 2016

So its been good here! We baptized this week, but my camera is dead and I cannot find the charger in the house. Everyone in the offices doesn't have any idea where its at so I'm trying to find just anything to charge my camera because I really can’t even take photos and it sucks!  We will see, at worst I have a friend whose parents are coming to get her in February and I really want an Ultimate Frisbee because they don't even have the crappy fake ones in this country and I miss it a ton! But I might also need a charger for the camera battery! 

But its been a blast! To the week!

Monday we had a ton of lessons planned in the morning and we were pretty excited, but all of them fell through and that was sad. Then we got to write the parents and that was awesome! Then we went out again to go and teach and it was going to be good with a member and the person and then just everyone we visited that day couldn’t—it was a rough day for me! I hate when no one talks to us in a day!

Tuesday we went to district meeting and then we made lunch and after studies we went out to work! I’m not sure how it was…I think good. We went and had a lesson with a menos activo Emiliano and it was awesome, but he still struggles. He needs to choose the Lord or the world, but we are working on it! We also taught Rosa a lot of these days. She is crazy and I really struggle with her, but I'm praying for help and I think the Lord is helping me, but its still way hard for me because she just wants to talk and talk and its hard because I just cant help her! I don't know!

Wednesday we had a great morning…we went out with a recently returned missionary named Franco and he is a stud! He taught two lessons with us— one to his non member parents and one to a lady named Yesica (like my sister) and she is 8 months pregnant! She is awesome and we shared what she needs to do in this life, and she seemed to like it! Then that night we taught Daniel…he is way cool! He is huge and looks like a rugby player and its probably because he was a rugby player! Way awesome and just such a strong testimony and we are doing our best to help him. He is awesome! We talked about tithing and I really felt the spirit testify of its importance and how it will help us!

Thursday we went and did some divisions this day. I went with a return missionary who served in this mission named Nicholas and my comp went with his brother Dante. We talked the whole time and it was so fun. I know a lot of the missionaries that he served with and it was awesome! He even knows my trainer and it was just so fun! We taught Emiliano and he felt the spirit and it was awesome! Then we taught Eliana and she is awesome! We figured out their need to be married and we are working on it. They want to be married at the end of the year, but we are going to see if we can make it happen faster so that she can get baptized sooner! It was a great lesson! 

Friday I was in San Luis doing intercombios and it was way fun! I was with elder Ruiz Diaz and he is a way cool guy — he served in the offices too as the guy in charge of housing right before I got in! We talked the whole time and it was way fun, but we didn't get in many houses, so a lot of walking!

Saturday we barely made it in time for the baptism at 6 and it was awesome, but the bishopric promised to be there and then they never showed up. The baptism and the confirmation are under their direction so we needed them, but they never came. We called the mission President and he told us that we could preside, so I directed the whole thing and it was good! He went under first try and he was awesome with a smile and just way happy — he really gets what he is doing and why it is important and I just love him! We are working on him still, but its good. Then we had a little after dinner with him to celebrate and we talked about temples—I’m sure he is going soon to do baptisms…he is awesome! 

Sunday we went and got Rosa in the morning. We went to her house 30 minutes early because we wanted to leave about 10 minutes before the church started. We didn't make it to the church until 20 minutes after it started, normally I don't care that much, but we missed the confirmation and that way sucked, but I guess it happens.Then we went and taught Eliana that night and she is still happy and wants her boyfriend to be baptized, he is great too, but we really need to get them to church! But we will see!

So that was the week! It was awesome really! So I hope all is well! My comp is awesome! 

• I got on Google Earth the other day and looked at Villa Mercedes. It looks old and dry. How would you describe it? 

It’s not dry here, it is really humid! It’s small, but its awesome! There is this bike race that is passing through right now called the Tour of San Luis and I'm way jealous, but its fine! I just need to wait until I get home! I’ve decided that iI want to bike home from the airport with dad and you when I get home… if we can! 

If I have a say, I would prefer the Caribbean now! I’m going to go to Hawaii during the school year hopefully, so I mean I would like to get to know the Caribbean too! 

I love you mamma! 

Be safe! Sorry for the lack of pictures, but I don't know what to do—I don’t have a camera! 

I love you! 

Jayson