Elder HJones: Chile!

Hey!

I got to Chile yesterday! I had an 8 hour flight from Mexico to Santiago, then a 2 hour flight from Santiago to Antofagasta. I stayed in mission home last night and just kinda rested. Today, I met my trainer, Elder Lopez, and am going on a 12 hour bus ride to Arica, the very north area!!

It's crazy that this is all happening! Its kinda stressful, but I know it will all work out.

It's a crazy ride...but its worth it!

Elder Jones

Elder ZJones: Arrival!

Dear Family and Friends of Elder Jones,

We are writing to inform you that your missionary, Elder Jones, has arrived safely in the Argentina Buenos Aires West Mission. We have enjoyed becoming acquainted with him and are excited to be serving together.

Thank you for the sacrifices you are making at home to have a missionary in the field. We know the Lord blesses and cares for the families of the missionaries. You should also be getting an email from him next Monday.

Warmest regards,                        
President and Hermana Resek

Here's the 14 minute bus route from the MTC to the Mission Office:

Elder HJones: Llegó en Chile!

Estimados Padres y Presidentes,

Sus hijos y misioneros han llegado sanos a la mejor misión del mundo, la Misión Chile Antofagasta, donde enseñamos el arrepentimiento y bautizamos conversos.

Estamos muy felices de tenerlo aquí y poder trabajar en esta hermosa obra. El próximo lunes podrán estar escuchando más de ellos cuando escriban en su correo.

Que tengan una excelente semana,

(Now for you gringos):

Dear Parents and Presidents,

Your sons, daughters and missionaries have arrived safely to the best mission in the world, the Antofagasta Chile Mission, where we teach repentance and baptize converts.

We are very glad to have them here with us and to work together in this beautiful work. Next Monday you will be hearing more of them when they write from their emails.

Have a great week!!

Hand Delivered to Argentina!!

We handed off this package last Friday night . . . 

Elder Jones received it THIS AFTERNOON! 

Hand Delivered right to the MTC!

All thanks to PACK MULE EXPRESS!

MUCHISIMAS GRACIAS!!!

Elder ZJones: Less Than a Week in the MTC

 

Well, I have less than a week here in the MTC and can´t wait to get out of here. I have learned a lot here about Spanish and the gospel, and can´t wait to apply it day to day with real people. With all the experiences I have had during proselyting, I am more and more anxious to leave.

I think I will be getting to my mission by one of the buses that the MTC uses. From what I understand, Presidente Resek will come and meet us here and drive with us up to the mission home. After that I have no clue what is going to happen.

On Saturday, we were able to go proselyting. My companion and I had such a great experience. About an hour into it we weren´t getting anywhere. Nobody wanted to talk to us and we didn´t know what or where we wanted to go. So I decided that we should say a prayer. In doing so, I asked Heavenly Father to bring someone to us so that we can teach them about the restored gospel. We said amen and looked up and saw a man running towards us. He stopped when he came to us and told us he was in a hurry but wanted us to teach him. He asked if we could get his number and name so we can call and teach him. He pleaded that we call him later. We then asked him if he knew anyone that would want to hear our message. He didn't but told us to go across the street to some homes. We went knocking and met four people. We were able to get more referrals and place a Book of Mormon.

This experience solidified my testimony of prayer. I know when we ask God with a sincere heart, ready to receive, He will give it to us. I am grateful for this gospel and all that it teaches me. I can´t wait to have greater experiences throughout my mission. The work is true!


Love, Elder Jones

Elder HJones: The Savior's Love

So we had another earthquake yesterday, and I didn't sleep through it this time.

We were eating lunch when the earthquake alarms went off and as we got out of the building, the ground shook.  At first I thought it was another drill, but when I felt everything move I knew it was real. A bunch of missionaries got in circles and prayed, and so did we. I know that Heavenly Father looks after his missionaries. He keeps us safe! It is the first earthquake I have ever felt. So it was pretty exciting. Nothing was really affected at the MTC.

New missionaries were supposed to come in yesterday but because of the earthquake, they all flew somewhere else. I think they fly in today, but not 100% positive.

It is my last week at the MTC and I got another haircut today. Let's just say it is way better then my last one!

It's crazy that I have been out for a month. Sometimes, I feel like I have been out longer then that. I leave for Chile the beginning of next week so this is my last P-Day at the Mexico MTC! And I am super excited to go to Chile and start teaching!

It was also Mexican Independence Day this week. Everyone in Mexico partied. I'm enclosed in the gates of the MTC, but I still heard everything.

Yesterday we listened to a talk by Elder Quentin L. Cook. One thing he talked about was how missionaries need to love. He talked about four different areas we need to show our love:

1. Love your companion 

2. Love the people 

3. Love your mission president 

4. Love the Savior 

Love is such an important part of missionary work. Elder Cook said that we can show our love to the Savior by bringing His gospel to the world. And I can't wait to do that! In everything we do, whether big or small, we need to do things that show our love to the Savior. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love us more then we can comprehend and we need to do our best to show our love to them.

Love you, Elder Jones

P.S.
Jacob 2:8- "And it supposeth me that they have come up hither to hear the pleasing word of God, yea, the word which healeth the wounded soul."

And that's exactly what this gospel is, it heals us. It makes us better people. Through this gospel, and more importantly the Atonement, our wounds can be clean, and it can heal the wounded soul.

Elder HJones: Another One!

What´s up!

image source: Mexico MTC Facebook Page

https://scontent-sjc2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/21192658_1606287372738899_2811879403052471924_n.jpg?oh=0678f5f677bb0f57d0cf208ed9400c80&oe=5A51DBF5

Another earthquake hit Mexico, if you didn´t hear. It was an 7.1 or something. It was weird because I felt it! The ground shook! It was pretty crazy. The earthquake was closer to us then the last one, so we acyually felt it. But we are all okay!

Love ya, talk to ya tomorrow!

Elder Jones



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Elder CJones: Once I Was 11 Months Old

This week we celebrated Mexican Independence Day, it was Friday and Saturday and the people just party hard and get drunk. We stayed away from the parties and the beer. It was great, the ward had a little party and few members came and brough even fewer investigators.

Not much has been going on. I guess I have gotten used to all the crazy things and the normal life of a missionary that I don´t really have a lot to share all the time, it´s all normal for me.

I really love the mission, here I have rubiks cubes and I love to use them to teach lessons because it helps the people understand me. We like to use examples to help the people understand the importance of the Gospel.

I just want to say that I love this Gospel, there are so many blessings that come from it. I have seen them in my life and others have seen it in theirs. I am helping the people here to understand and to more fully take on life with Christ at their side.

I testify of the truthfulness of the Gospel!

-- 
Elder Corom Jones

Elder CJones: Zona Valle Hermoso

Elder ZJones: How Firm A Foundation

What a crazy week!!!

The shots I had to get were great!! I only got one and I haven't gotten sick, which is a good sign!!

The language is coming. From when I started teaching my investigators to now, I have seen a big change, but I still have a lot I need to work on. I see the mission president and his wife often. They are really nice and fun to be around. President Benton is really funny.

The temple is literally right next to the MTC. We have been able to go over and talk to people who are walking around.

This week we got all new missionaries!!! It has been different, especially when there are only 80 missionaries here. I have gotten to know some of the missionaries really well which is awesome!

I would first like to say that it rains too much here!! It has been raining almost everyday here, which is not what I was expecting. Last Sunday, it rained all day, non-stop, which wasn´t something I could say I enjoyed!

This week we watched a couple devotionals. We watched one given by Elder Bednar called the Character of Christ. He explained that without the character of Christ there would've been no atoning sacrifice. He explained how in every moment Jesus looked outward. Most of the time we look inwards, about ourselves, and what we want. But we need to stray from this. We need to think about others, especially on a mission. This is a time for me to forget myself and focus on the work that I have been called to do.

This coming Saturday we get to go prosyleting again. This time we get to go to actual Buenos Aires--right in the middle of the city. I am really excited!! There will be plenty of people to talk to and share a message with.

We were also able to go to the themple and walk around a bit. Me and my comp started talking to a small family and asked if we could share a message. Though we could barely understand them, we taught them about gifts of the spirit. Afterwards the mother bore her testimony with us and cried. It was such a neat experience to be able to feel the spirit in that moment.

But the highlight of theis week was singing in sacrament meeting. Though I cannot sing well, five missionaries in my district sang. We sang "How Firm a Foundation" in Spanish. It was an awesome experience!

I am grateful for this gospel. I am grateful for the spirit and missionary work. The spirit is what tesitifys to the people. Without the spirit, people won´t be convreted. I know this gospel is true and God is our loving Heavenly Father.

Elder Jones

Elder HJones: The Language of the Spirit

As you all probably heard we had an earthquake here in Mexico City. An 8.1. I slept right throught it. Didn't even know until someone told me in the morning. Don't really know how bad it was because nothing was affected at the MTC. Let's just say we were blessed.

I also had the opportunity to speak in sacrament meeting on Sunday. Everyone has to write a 5 minute spanish talk during the week on an assigned topic, then during the meeting they tell us who is speaking (normally 3-4 people). This week I was called on to speak. I spoke about the Plan of Salvation, and how the Atonement is what glues it all together. Through the Atonement we can become our best selves and eventually live with our Heavenly Father again. It was hard for me because the talk had to be in complete Spanish, and my Spanish is no bueno. But, it was a blessing. My testimony was really strengthened as I spoke. It was a great experience for me. It was hard, but it was worth it.  I learned that even if I can't speak the language perfectly its okay. The Spirit is what teaches and the only way to teach is with the language of the Spirit.

That same Sunday we listened to a devotional. It was a talk by Jeffery R. Holland. Don't know what it was called, but it was about Preach My Gospel, and feeding His sheep. I highly recommend reading or listening to it. Maybe one of the best talks I've ever heard! Just the words I heard and the Spirit I felt really motivated me to be a better missionary! And I also said the closing prayer in Spanish after that devotional...so I was really involved on Sunday.

This gospel brings so much happiness. I have felt more peace and joy in the past month, then I have in my life. I still miss you all, but this gospel is such a blessing. And I'm so grateful that I can sacrifice two years of my life to share it with others!

This gospel is true! I wouldn't have left my family, friends, and life if I didn't believe in it. It has brought me so much joy, and I just want to give it to others!

Love, Elder Jones

¨The work is more WHO WE ARE and WHAT WE ARE, then WHAT WE SAY.¨
- Elder Bednar (The Character of Christ)

Elder CJones: Bautifamily!

"It will always come out in the wash." -Oompa

This week we had a huge mission reunion and yesterday we went to Reynosa. That is why I am writing today.

This week we baptized Julieta, the daughter of Flora whom we baptized a couple weeks ago. She has been progressing like crazy. She is someone who was truely chosen to be baptized and for us to find.

Well, I don't have tons of time, but I know that this work is true and that we are all blessed as we constantly strive to be more like the Savior.

--
Elder Corom Jones

"Nombre!" -Elder Hidalgo

Elder HJones: Earthquake!!

Hey!

Just you to let you know that I'm alright. Apparently, there was 8.1 earthquake last night in Mexico City. Pretty much everyone here slept through it. I didn't even know it happened until they told us this morning. Don't know a lot of details, but I'm safe.

Love, Elder Jones

Elder ZJones: Proselyting

Hello Everyone!!! I am doing great! I am half-way through the MTC now!!! What an experience it has been. There has been tons and tons of studying. But I have learned a lot. My Spanish is still very bad but it is getting better.

I did have my first hair cut and it is very short!!! But I am going to have to get used to it for the next two years.

I have two MTC instructors. Hermana Carduz served in the Salt Lake City Temple Square Mission and is from Argentina. My other instructor is Hermano Ledesma and he served in Mexico. They are both pretty awesome and have taught me a lot!!

We don´t have a gym here. We are able to go outside where they have courts and goals. I play both basketball and soccer. It is way fun to play soccer with the Latinos. They are sooo good! 

There are a lot of dogs here!! Last week during Physical Activity, we were able to witness two dogs fighting!! It got all our hearts racing!! It is something I don´t want to witness again!

I had the chance to go proselyting last Friday and it was an awesome experience. The best thing that happened was when my companion and I taught a quick lesson to a guy who was probably about 25 years old. We first started talking about soccer because he was wearing a Messi Jersey. He then asked us who we were and why we were in Argentina. We were able to explain to him our purpose and beliefs. He is Christian and believes in the Bible. After talking with him we gave him a Book of Mormon and we asked him if he would read it!! It was such an amazing experience to share what we believe with others. Me and my companion couldn't stop smiling afterwards. We were so happy and couldn't wait to talk to other people!! We also talked to some kids and handed out some cards. It was such an awesome experience, one I won't forget!!

On Sunday we watched a devotional given by Elder Oaks. Two things that I learned were

1. The Lord helps those who help themselves.
            We have to do our part first. I feel like a lot of the time we think that the Lord will do everything for us, that He will give us the Gift of Tongues and have us speak the language. But this doesn't work if we don´t do our part. We have to put in the effort to receive these blessings.

2. We aren´t here to be thanked, we are here to serve.
             I am not in Argentina to have those around me to thank me. I am here to serve. We should worry about what other people think of us. I saw this a lot while I was proselyting. Many of the people muttered under there breath when we walked passed or yelled at us. But this isn't something we need to worry about. We need to worry about serving these people. They are the ones that need the help and need to know the truthfulness of the gospel that can help them want to serve.

I am getting shots on Monday. I have to get a flu shot and another one and apparently everyone gets sick from it!! Can´t wait for that!

I know this gospel is true. I am grateful to be here and learn so much. I pray for you and know that Heavenly Father loves you!! In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

Elder Jones

Elder HJones: Bendicido

Okay... I got my first haircut last Wednesday. It is no bueno. I miss Mom's haircuts. They cut all my hair off. I seriously can't wait until it kinda grows back! So sibs...be grateful for the haircuts Mom gives you!

It rains a ton here. Right now we are in the rainy season on Mexico. [So] it normally rains every day.

I don't have any Chilean culture or language classes. All the Mexican teachers say that Chileans practically speak a different language, because it's so fast and slangy. I guess I'll see when I get there.
I leave for Chile on September 26: 3 weeks from yesterday! So I'm exactly halfway done at the MTC.

The language is kinda picking up. I don't give myself enough credit for how much I really do know. It is honestly so hard learning Spanish, but it is a blessing. Yesterday, we tried to learn the difference between PARA and POR. . . and my brain just about blew up!! Ha ha.

I have started reading the Book of Mormon in Spanish. I acually understand a lot of it, and I learn so many new words! The Book of Mormon is such a great book. I have really learned to love it!

Today is my first "official" P-day. The other P-days we went to the temple, so they days weren't that long. But today I have the whole day.

It's so weird how a mission changes you. I feel like the worldly things that go on don't matter as much to me. Of course songs still get stuck in my head and I miss being with friends and family. But a mission is so much more important than the things of this world. I thought I would miss my phone and social media, but I'm glad they're gone. They are a distraction and there are so much more important things in this world!

The mission is such a blessing. I´m so grateful for the opportunity I have to serve my Heavenly Father.

I am exactly halfway done in the MTC. It has been a long 3 weeks, and I still have 3 to go. But I'm so excited to leave to Chile and teach. Labor Day meant nothing to the country of Mexico, of course. And to be honest, I completely forgot about it. But Independence Day is September 16 for Mexico and I can't imagine how crazy it will be! I already hear fireworks and police sirens all night. I can't imagine how loud it will be.

This week I really learned about the Atonement of Christ and the importance of it. Jesus Christ loves us so much that He suffered ALL. He felt our individual pains, sins, afflictions, and sorrows. Through the Atonement we can be clean. Through the Atonement we also can become. The Atonement isn't just for the bad things that happen in our lives, it applies to everything. The Atonement wasn't just the suffering in the garden and the death of Christ, it also included the Resurrection. I always looked at the Atonement as a trial for Christ, and it was, but it also was wonderful. Through Jesus Christ and His Atonement we can live again. We can become the best people we can be and we can live with our Father in Heaven again.

The gospel is a wonderful thing and I'm SO BLESSED to be a part of it!

Love, Elder Jones

Sorry for the lack of great pics, we only can take pictures on our P-day.