Week 33 - Forgiveness and Families

February 27, 2017

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!! (on Wednesday) I LOVE YOU SOOOO MUCH!! THANKS FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO FOR ME!!!!

So this has been a good week.

Last Monday night we were able to do a FHE with the Gaona Family. Their two kids, Heber and Sandra, aren't members and we are working with them. The Parents are members, but less active. But now they have been coming every Sunday for the past month. They went inactive for like 10 years, but they are seeing some big miracles happening, even though there are a lot of problems going on. There is a lot of hate in the family from things that have happened, And it is very hard for a few of them to forgive others in the family. But this last monday, they each shared how and why they feel the way do. There were lots of tears shed. And even though there are a few members still angry, in church on sunday they asked me to give them blessings to help them out.

It's so great to see the forgiveness in this family. They've come from extreme hatred for so many big mistakes, to trying really hard to change to have an eternal family.

Other than that, real possibilities that we have is Ruben. He is living with a member, but they're getting married here in a few weeks. Hes such a cool guy, and has been coming to church for months now haha.

This week has had a lot of learning. I have been praying a lot lately to know how I can help out my area better. My comp doesn't have much experience at all, and I have felt really lost in what we need to do. But this week I have had a lot of experiences that have helped me out a ton!!

I love you all!! Be safe all of you!! Pictures are coming later, the computers we have right now are garbage, but we are going to the computer in the church later to send you them!! :) 

Have a great week!

Elder Ryan

Happy Birthday Mom!

Sending Elder Gutz to the airport 

Nights in Suarez

The Elders of Jose Leon Suarez with the Ward Mission Leader (Arguello, Nunez, Andrade and Ryan)

 

Week 32 - Jose Leon Suarez...not much happening

February 20, 2017

Well, not much really happened this week. Just work haha.

We have a few people we are working with. Heber and Sandra, siblings, whose parents were less actives, but now are coming back to church, and are excited to prepare for the temple.

Also, we have a man named Ruben, who is living with a member. They Just took out their turn to get married, and afterwards he will get baptized!!!

Other than that we just need to find a ton more people!

Sorry for being so short, dont really know what to write haha.

Love you all!! Have a great week!! Ill try to have a more interesting week for you all next week jhaha

Elder Ryan

Also sorry, my comp has all the pics and he is with the Zone Leaders right now

 

Week 31 - Jose Leon Suarez

February 13, 2017

So... I got transferred. Parque Avellaneda to Jose Leon Suarez. And I'M A STEP DAD. My comp is Elder Arguello. On my way to my new area I was notified by some mission leaders that I was made Senior Companion, and Trainer. Elder Arguello already did one transfer of his training, and I'm finishing it. We share the ward with the Zone Leaders.

Also Elder Jensen is in the zone with, Elder Guttierez!! So excited to see them again!!!

The area is Country!! I'm in the countryside, and I have a Villa hahaha. I can't escape the Villas hahaha. But it is soo much poorer and crazier here. Pigs and Horses just walk the streets freely! 

Yesterday we were supposed to have a baptism, and everything was going good. It was an older lady, 88 years old, Julia. She was in the Font getting baptized by my comp, and it failed two times, or, her feet came out two times. So I got in the font to help. Anyways, when I got in she was mad, and tired. And she told us she wanted to leave. I tried to help her out, show her that it was the right decsion to try it one more time, so that she would be baptized. But she didnt listen and she left... from the font.

So biggest fail of my life haha

Well thats about all I have, hope I have more next week hahaha

Love you all!!

Elder Ryan

Week 30 - Transfers: staying or not?

February 6, 2017

So, I don't think I'll get transferred, looks like I'm  gonna have my 5th transfer here.. hahaha. President just called my comp to tell him he has a new assignment for him. He didn't tell him what, but President only calls the Zone Leaders.. so it looks like he will leave, and I will stay for 7 and a half months here.

Anyways, this week was AMAZING. I've been really down on myself with how my area is just doing, Ok. Also its been tough lately to work! But this week we finally got to get out and really work. I wanted so bad to have some success after this crazy transfer that we have had. We worked hard, practicing everything we have learned from the changes, and I fasted this weekend for a good turnout!

Sunday came and, BOOM. We set up for 7 Investigators to come, and we had 9!! We had a Baptism, Jessica, and now her family all has dates to be Baptized in 2 weeks. Rocio came and is ready for her baptism this week. Emanuel (Another Investigator) came and is really excited to be baptized in 2 weeks. Also another lady showed up, shes married and has a family of 6!! 

Attendance here normally is about 90. 170 people showed up!!!! Also the other missionaries had a baptism as well, plus 7 more investigators. 

In other words.. The Lord answered my prayers, but WAY more than what i was expecting!! 

I was sad yesterday, because I thought Iwasn't  going to get to see what happens with all these people, but now it looks like I'll be here!!

Thanks for all your prayers, I love you all, and until next week

Elder Ryan

Mom edit: he actually did get transferred :) near the end of our email back and forth, he announced that he was actually going to be transferred. Not sure where. We will have to wait a week to find out!

 

 

Week 29 - Changes

January 30, 2017

Basically, the mission changed a lot this week. If you want to see the changes im sure theyre on lds.org. We have been given lots more freedom now, in our teaching, schedule, and way that we work. That was the purpose, I feel, of the changes that were made.

This week Daiana wasn't baptized, she left on vacation with here fam, we will have to see this week. Also we have a Lil investigator, Jessica, who we are hoping will get baptized this week also.

One focus has been taking the spirit to the homes of the investigators, and being Worthy Vessels to take it there! Really we worked a lot on that this week, and the spirit was in a lot of homes and lessons that we had. We also could see in people eyes this week as they acepted the spirit into their heart! It was incredible.

Just want to leave my testimony on changes. Life is always changing, and there are always things that come and make us change too. Trust in God. He Has A Plan. And 90 percent of the time we dont know what that is. Keep Reading, Praying, and going to church! And trust in him. When you make a mistake, learn from it and move on. So many elders here have complained about different changes that have been made since I've gotten here. But life is a lot easier when you think "What was God trying to teach me" Rather than blame him for all of your problems. We have to change to become like him, and a lot of times he has to send things your wayto change you.

Trust Him

Love you all. To my nephew Griff, You're so stinking studly and cute!!! 

Elder Ryan

Week 28 - God is with us

January 23, 2017

First, WELCOME TO EARTH GRIFFIN BRENT HURST!!!! Woohoo 2x Uncle now hahaha.
Congrats Tay and Ronnie!!!! So excited for that little blondie you've got there!

There's not much to write about this week. If all goes good, we should be having a baptism for Daliana, an investigator we have that reads and prays more than any I have had, this sunday!!
Elder Santos is doing sooo good!!! Really! I'm so grateful to hear him teach every week. I have never heard such a powerful testimony!! Even just doing little practices, his testimony just is a wave of the spirit. I know his Dads calling on the other side of the veil, is to accompany him here.
Just want to leave my testimony that I know without a doubt how true this gospel is! Really, I just see too many miracles everyday, too many that I cant deny that someones has influence over it all. God is with us, just have to look for it.
Love You All!!
Elder Ryan

 

Week 27 - Elder Santos

January 16, 2017

Well I've completed 6 months.. wow haha.

Not gonna write a whole lot, we didn't work this week, I only want to ask every that they Keep Elder Santos and his family in their prayers. His father passed away this week, but he has decided to stay on the mission. He's doing a lot better thanks to some incredible experiences we have had this week.

I love you all and hope you have a fantastic week!